June 24

Him hath God exalted . . . to give repentance . . . and forgiveness. — ACTS v. 31.

Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. — LUKE xiii. 3.

TWICE does this declaration come from the lips of Jesus Christ in one brief discourse. He speaks with the authority of a king and a judge. It is at our peril if we disregard or remain inattentive to what he says. And this sure word comes to all — to me! No judgments falling upon others can justify me in believing that I am without guilt. Perchance my brother's guilt may be greater than mine, but still repentance is not more indispensable to him than to me. Failing to give it, there lies before the sinner that doom expressed in the word "perish," — a doom so great, so unspeakably awful to a human soul, that no language can adequately describe it.

Repentance is the escape of the soul from the dominion of sin; it is enlightenment of the mind, so that the sinner sees the danger and folly of his course. It is the renewal of the heart, so that it separates itself from the sin that was destroying it. It is the beginning of a new and glorious life. Should it then be a hard thing to repent? True, repentance has its tears, but they are indeed blessed tears. It has its lamentations, but they soon turn to joy and praise. It has its humiliations, but it leads to a glorious exaltation.

Sam. F. Viceells

With broken heart and contrite sigh,

A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry:

Thy pardoning grace is rich and free,

O God, be merciful to me!

CORNELIUS ELVEN.