May 21

Do it with thy might. — ECCL. ix. 10.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. — JOHN ix. 4.

IN saying "I must," as he did more than once, our Lord associated himself with those whom he came to teach and save, as being, in common with them, under the law of duty. In saying, "I must work," he showed that he was under the law of labor. In saying, "I must work the works of him that sent me," he implied that for him duty was not the mere satisfaction of his own moral sense, but subjection to the will of one by whom his task was assigned and to whom he owed obedience. In speaking of the approaching night, he represented himself as under the law of death.

In each of these particulars he is an example for us. If we are not free from the law of duty, neither was the Son of God. If we are often obliged to say "I must," it is a comfort to remember that Jesus also said it. If he had a definite work to do, so too have we. Duty, for us as for him, is obedience to the will of God. As the Father sent him, so has he sent us. To us also the night is drawing nigh. The secret of his peace was his identification of his own will with that of God. It is still the secret of peace.

Edward B. Coe

O Master, let me walk with thee, In lowly paths of service free. Tell me thy secret; help me bear The strain of toil, the fret of care.

WASHINGTON GLADDEN.