June 8

I have given him for a witness to the people.

ISAIAN IV. 4.

Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. — JOHN XVIII. 37.

JESUS elsewhere calls himself the truth. Here he states it to be the purpose not only of his birth as a man but of his coming into the world as the pre-existent Son of God to bear witness to the truth. Never was such testimony given by such a being to such a fact, as was rendered by him who at the last before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. The glad tidings were attested not only by Jesus, the Truth, but by the Father, in the works he wrought through his holy Son, and in the word he spoke from heaven. Yet even such testimony may be disregarded, rejected. Those who had not God's word abiding in them refused to believe him whom God sent. For effectual hearing, there must be a congruity in the recipient: he must be "of the truth." -- one who is eager to know and ready to do God's will. To him God makes himself known: and he believes, not because of the words of others, but because he has himself heard Jesus, and knows that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Henry M. Baird.

Oh, for a strong, a lasting faith To credit what the Almighty saith; To embrace the message of his Son, And call the joys of heaven our own.

WAITS