September 3

By love serve one another. — GAL. v. 13.

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well: for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you — JOHN xiii. 13-15.

AN Oriental custom is made to teach an important lesson, as one of the lowliest offices in a servant's work is performed by the world's great Teacher. By a reverse of the ordinary method the Master turns servant and minister, and washes the feet of his disciples and puts upon them the obligation to do for each other as equals the service he had done them as their Lord. Feet-washing as a rite of hospitality is no longer practised, owing to the changed conditions of life and society; but the example of love and humble ministration to our fellow-beings stands for our perpetual imitation.

With such an example we need not deem any service for humanity too lowly. The Master has ennobled it by his divine hand, and our highest dignity in spiritual manhood is attained, when like him, we humble ourselves to do a generous act to some fellow-man. The mission of the Lord's disciples is to carry the means for mental renovation and moral purification to all who need it.

Robt. W. Jones.

Kind deeds of peace and love betray Where'er the stream has found its way; But where these spring not rich and fair The stream has never wandered there.

DRUMMOND.