March 22

John vii.—14. Now, about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

20. The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

21. Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22. Moses, therefore, gave unto you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and ye on the sabbath-day circumcise a man.

23. If a man on the sabbath-day receive circum-

Jesus had not been trained in the schools of the Rabbis; and beyond the fact that he could read and write, as every Jewish child was taught to do, there is no intimation of his having studied any branch of secular knowledge. His wisdom proceeded from his own higher life, which was "the light of men." Such teaching could not be tested by the teaching of the scribes, which dwelt upon the letter of the law, to the neglect of the spirit: its meaning must be felt in order to be appreciated; and it could be felt only through the medium of a humbie teachable spirit, intent upon doing the will of God. This brings the blessed fulness of the gospel within the reach of all. However deficient in general knowledge and in the wisdom of this world, yet, by a docile obedient faith, we

cision that the law of Moses should not be broken, are ye angry at me because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath-day?

24. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

26. But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27. Howbeit, we know this man, whence he is; but, when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29. But I know him; for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30. Then they sought to take him; but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, which is life eternal.

A child learns by obedience; by trusting the word of parents and teachers in things which it cannot yet understand. But much more are spiritual truths to be apprehended by faith. Such truths cannot be weighed and measured like the facts of physical science: they are spiritually discerned. Faith is the eye of the spirit. When we take down the bars of prejudice, of unbelief, the light which God has prepared for this most delicate and receptive spiritual eye will shine in and irradiate the mind. Jesus identified himself with God in the truth he uttered and in the works he wrought. To believe Christ is to know God.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 23, 33, 42.

O Lord! we draw nigh unto thy throne of grace, adoring thee as God over all, blessed for evermore. May we this night enter the inner chamber of thy presence! Draw near to us as we draw near to thee. We bless thee that thou hast spared us during this day, and hast given us the privileges of the sabbath and the sanctuary. We thank thee for the Bible, the Sunday school, the Church, and all the means of grace; and pray that by these helps, this day enjoyed, we may be made more meet for heaven. We thank thee, O Lord! for that home made ready for us, and endeared to us by the thought of many who have gone before us. May we follow their faith, and enter their rest!

While we pray for ourselves, we would remember before thee all whom we ought to bear on our hearts at the throne of grace. Prosper thy cause and kingdom in the world. Bring the wickedness

of the wicked to an end. Bless the young: may they spring up as willows by the water-courses,—trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord! Bless the aged: may they be gathered to the garner of the Great Husbandman as the shock of corn in its season, full of years, and ripe for glory!

Bless us as a family [parent and child]. Let us all own one common Master, one Father in heaven. Whether we wake or sleep, may we live together with thee! There is no darkness to us if thou art with us. Defend us during the unconscious hours of slumber, that we may rise to a new day fitted for duty, happy in the assured continuance of thy favor and love. And all we ask is for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Redeemer; in whose blessed name we ask and offer all. Amen.