July 18

They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. — ACTS ii. 4.

Receive ye the Holy Ghost. — JOHN xx. 22.

IT is the peculiar excellence and glory of our religion that it is spiritual; that the soul of man is quickened, enlightened, sanctified, and consoled by the indwelling presence of the spirit of the eternal God. To his disciples, in view of the great work to which he had called them, — the evangelization of the world. - Jesus said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." The gift of the Holy Spirit was not peculiar to the chosen ambassadors of the Christ. The same gift is expressly promised "to them that obey him." The saints in Ephesus trusted in Jesus after they heard the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation, and after they believed they were sealed with the Holy Spirit which had been promised. Saint Paul exhorts his brethren to pray "always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit;" and assures them that he prays to our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant them according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man. This blessing is needed by Christians now: and it may be possessed and enjoyed by faith, love, obedience, and prayer. Be assured that "our Father which art in heaven" will freely "give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him."

B. B. Tyler.

O Holy Spirit, now descend on me As showers of rain upon the thirsty ground! Cause me to flourish as a spreading tree; May all thy precious fruits in me be found!

C. FORSYTH