June 8.

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country."—Heb. xi. 13, 14.

Do I declare this plainly? Am I willing to be known as one of those strangers and pilgrims who do not make themselves at home on the earth, but are known to be seeking another country? Or am I content to do as others do, and pass for one of the world's children, without being observed to differ from them in any way, so as to incur the reproach of Christ? Ah, there are too many, who, while not willing to give up the narrow way that leadeth unto life, are yet ashamed to be seen in it. Lord, grant that I may fully follow Thee! Far from me and mine be this half-heartedness which shrinks from declaring plainly, the hope, and the faith, and the love, which are the only things worth living for! May the example of these early saints stir me up!

How much more clear is the light vouchsafed to me than any that they had, when they saw afar off objects of faith which they yet grasped so firmly! May the same Spirit who led them be my guide to the "heavenly country," which they have long ages ago safely reached!

"In Thy footsteps now uphold me,
That I stumble not nor stray;
When the narrow way is told me,
Never let me ling'ring stay,
But come my weary soul to cheer;
Oh, shine, Eternal Sunbeam, here!"

June 9.

"This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."—Heb. vii. 24.

Blessed be God that we have such an High Priest! Without Him how could we dare approach the throne? How could we dare lift up our guilty faces before Him? Blessed be God for the one, perfect, once-offered sacrifice, and blessed be God for the continued, powerful, all-prevailing intercession of our High Priest. Since St Paul wrote these words concerning this priesthood, how many centuries have passed away, how many generations have vanished from the world, and how many poor sinners have been reconciled to God, by Him who, in His unchangeable priesthood, "continueth ever!'" Of all the great multitude before the throne—a multitude which no man can number—not one has been brought there without the work and intercession of this High Priest; how great, then, is His glory in man's salvation! Without Him, none can be saved, for "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Of those who are in Him, none can be lost, for " they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." Keep me thus safe in Thy hand, O my Saviour!

"Where high the heavenly temple stands,
The house of God not made with hands,
A great High Priest our nature wears,
The guardian of mankind appears.

"He who on earth our surety stood,
And pour'd on earth His precious blood,
Pursues in heaven His mighty plan,
The Saviour and the Friend of man."

June 10.

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." —James iv. 11.

How is it that he who speaketh evil of his brother, speaketh evil of the law? Against what law does he offend? Not that of the ninth commandment perhaps, for he may not be guilty of bearing false witness against his neighbour; he offends against a wider law, even that which says, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;" "love worketh no ill to his neighbour," and love speaketh no ill of him. "Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law." Its requirements are exceeding broad; they bid us speak no evil, write no evil, think no evil, one of another. They bind us together as brethren, yes, and closer than some brethren are bound. And to fulfil them as our heavenly Father would have us do, we must seek to have His Spirit, the spirit of love dwelling in our hearts, that we may not only exercise that passive charity which will speak no evil of our brethren, but the active charity which speaks good to them, and (if possible) good of them,—the charity which will lead us to be " kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

June 11.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." —Ps. ciii. 13-14.

God has given us the love of fathers and of mothers to teach us what His own love is. He gave to parents' hearts those deep feelings, that devoted love, that tender care; He then speaks to us in His Word, and tells us that these are types, and but feeble types of His own care, and tenderness, and love. ''Can a woman forget her sucking child? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." But where is the faith that should answer this love with returns of that perfect confidence which happy children place in loving earthly parents ? If we are indeed of the number of those that fear Him, the thought of His fatherly pity ought to be a continual source of comfort and strength to our hearts. He pities us because He knows us; and He knows us better than any on earth—better than we know ourselves. Many a friend would turn from us if they knew us as He does; but even because of His knowledge He pities, for " He remembers that we are dust." O heavenly Father, who art so loving because Thou art so great, and so pitying because Thou knowest our frame, "mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

"Then let our hearts no more despond,
Our hands be weak no more;
Still let us trust our Father's love,
His wisdom still adore."

June 12.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."—2 Tim. i. 7.