March 6

John iv. — 31. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

33. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?

34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice together.

The opening of this narrative presented Jesus under a completely human aspect of his nature, — as one needing food and rest. His conversation with the woman gave a glimpse of the divinity within him, as imparting a life that can never hunger nor thirst, never faint nor die. And now this section exhibits the triumph of his own spiritual nature, as devoted to the Father, over the physical and the perishing. Absorption in the will of God lifts the spirit above the wants of the body. Jesus became so engrossed in teaching the woman the essence of religion, so absorbed in the sublime truths he was uttering, that he forgot his hunger and fatigue, and gave himself to the spiritual work that seemed before him. That work immediately took the character and proportions of a harvest. The woman, convinced by the knowledge of her life which Jesus had shown that he must be the Christ, had hurried up to the city, and told every one she met the wondrous story; and now the Samaritans came flocking down the valley — some of them already convinced — to hear Jesus for themselves. It was just the seed time; and, in the course of nature, four months must yet elapse before the fields would be waving for the harvest. But here was a spiritual harvest ripe for gathering. These

37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.

39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

40. So, when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them; and he abode there two days.

41. And many more believed because of his own word;

42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

cager, susceptible souls must be brought to the truth; and Jesus devoted two days to teaching them the life from above. They believed without external miracle upon their personal experience of the word of Christ; and they received him in his true character as the Saviour of the world. Thus the spiritual religion that Jesus taught brought forth immediately the fruits of life. And so, receiving him by faith, we shall reap joy from the moment of the sowing, and, carrying his gospel to others, shall gather fruit unto life eternal.

The readiness with which the men of Sychar received the word of Christ was a striking commentary upon that saying of John, "He came to his own, and his own received him not." The Jews rejected him, decided him, or disputed with him; and, notwithstanding his many mighty works, they demanded new signs from heaven. But these Samaritans witnessed no miracle, and asked for none; raised no curls; made no opposition to Jesus as a Jew; but welcomed truth that commended itself to their spiritual wants; and so many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. Where Abraham built his first altar was gathered this first harvest of faith from an alien race.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 35, 118, 176.

Heavenly Father, we desire to close this, thy holy sabbath, with thee. Thou hast been as a pillar of cloud before us this day; thou hast again spread for us a table in the wilderness; we have seen again thy glory in thy temple. As the shadows of night are falling around us, do thou still be near us, dispersing all the darkness of sin, and giving us the inner light of thy presence and love.

We entreat thee to forgive the sins that have mingled in our efforts to serve thee this day. Look not on us as we are in ourselves: but behold, O God our shield! look upon the face of thine Anointed. Through him may our wills be absorbed in thine, and thy will become our meat day by day.

We pray for a world lying in wickedness. Oh! look upon the fields already white, and send forth laborers into the harvest. Save thy people; bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up

forever. Bless abundantly the preaching of thy holy Word. Glorify thyself in the salvation of sinners.

We entreat thee to take under thy merciful protection, this night, all our beloved friends. We commend both present and absent ones to the gracious Shepherd of Israel. Be thou to them all as the shadow of a rock in a weary land. Draw near to the sons and daughters of sorrow; give them everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.

We thank thee for thy many mercies still vouchsafed to us. Watch over us during this night. Grant us the sleep of thy beloved. When we awake, may we still be with thee! And all that we ask is in the name and for the sake of Him whom thou hearest always; to whom, with thee, the Father, and thee, O Eternal Spirit! one God, be ascribed all blessing and honor and glory and praise, world without end. Amen.