June 15

But on . . . as the elect of God . . . bowels of mercies.

COL. iii. 12.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. -- LUKE vi. 36.

THE Pagan philosophers, who spake as men, taught that justice is a duty required of all men. Our divine Master, who spake as never man spake, goes farther and en- joins upon his disciples mercy as a Christian duty. Mercy consists of kindness that goes beyond all the requirements of justice, and does for men more and better than their merits deserve. We have no merit in the sight of God: therefore all his goodness toward us is the gift of his mercy. Our God is the Father of mercies, and he is kind unto the un- thankful and to the evil. Therefore, saith our Saviour, we should be merciful and love our enemies, and do good to those who would do us evil. This is an original and peculiar law of our Christianity, and it proves that it is not of the earth, but from heaven. Mercy in the heart of man is a grace that is all divine, and one which makes the man more manful and more than a man, — it makes him a Christian. "The meek shall inherit the earth." The merciful shall obtain mercy, and with Christ shall inherit all things.

John W. P. Otis

Come, thou: Spirit of pure love,

Who didst forth from God proceed,

Never from my heart remove,

Let me all thy impulse heed;

Let my heart hence forward be

Moved, controlled, inspired by thee.

CATHARINE WINKWORTH (Translation)