John xiii. 3, 4, 5.

Two things are most preciously brought together here. Jesus knew that all things were given Him of the Father and he took a towel and girded Himself, to wash His disciples' feet. He knew his high and exalted place before God, and at once took the lowest place amongst His people. "I am among you as He that serveth."

So with us, beloved. Filled by faith, with our high and holy calling, we can, in love, be lowly here.

So with all whom God has made a blessing to others. See Abram with Lot, Joseph with his brethren, Moses with Israel, David with Saul, Stephen with his murderers, Paul amidst the churches, for example. Rejoicing in their portion with God, by faith, they could be little, or nothing, or vile;-gracious, gentle, patient, beneficent, liberal, amidst others.

So in all the epistles. The treasures of faith are first opened, and then the path here.

If faith is dim, we want honor or ease here-we are selfish. If faith strong, we can be weak, bountiful, patient here!

"Lord increase our faith!"

ON READING THE SCRIPTURES.

WITH regard to reading the word of God, there seems to me to be two points: the reading it as affecting the conscience and heart in direct testimony from God; and reading it to acquire the knowledge of His mind.

The great thing is, to receive His mind in it, by the Spirit. Never to attempt putting senses on it, however nice they may appear, but to see what the Holy Ghost really designed in the passage. Not to invent probable senses, but to seek to ascertain by His teaching what God's mind in the passage is; and we may reckon on His love in helping His dear children.

It is of much importance to look at it as God's word; and not merely as a subject matter to exercise our thoughts about; but rather to bow to, and receive thoughts from, waiting actually on Him, and seeking directly from Him to be taught.

As regards reading it for direct action on the conscience and heart, we may read smaller portions, and digest it; subjecting our consciences to it, and trying our consciences by it, as applied to ourselves. This is very important to keep the mind in order, and to keep up strongly the sense that it is the word of God; which

the mere mental study of it might enfeeble. And this is the first great use of the Scriptures as the instrument, as in Heb. iv. 12.

Then, also, it is most important that the thoughts and Spirit of Christ as experimentally expressed in it, or as shewn in His actions, be studied, so as that the affections be drawn out towards Him. They are they which testify of me." This forms the basis of all profitable knowledge; as it is written, "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Then, as to instruction: first seek a good acquaintance with the facts of Scripture, from the Old Testament downwards-and read consecutively. Always remembering that, whether more remotely or immediately, Christ is the great aim and centre of all; and yet seek to take the testimonies very simply to mean what they say. Also, to gather in the earlier part, especially in Genesis, what the object, aim, and purpose of God is; for that book is the basis of all the plans of Scripture ; after parts but the developement.

To trace, then, the gradual accomplishment of these purposes on one hand, and the failure of man in them on the other, and how mediation came in to make them meet this all tending to the great Mediator-while prophecy after the failure sustained the heart of the remnant, and set before the body the condition they were in, and held up the hope, and thus led also on to Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

Also, clearly to discern the difference on the saints on earth after and before the resurrection of Christ, as introducing them into heavenly places and experience. Then in the New Testament, to consider the scope and effect of each book, and to read it as a continuous treatise, reading as much as, but not more than, you can keep the connection of in the whole chain.

This will, I know, require patience: but the Lord will help us. And if we really subject ourselves to His word and obey it, and receive in simplicity what He has said, we shall find it wonderfully more simple, and fuller of what is easy to be acquired, than we supposed.

It is not by finding out deep things, but receiving simply what is there; as to which we shall soon see how infinitely deep it is; but depths revealed very clearly, because of the power of the Divine mind from whence they flow.

Therefore, above all, seek directly the Lord's help, who fails not, but delights to help on His beloved children in the discovery of blessing.

TRIALS.-I must yield and get accustomed to difficulty, for I may be sure it will not yield or accommodate itself to me. Some difficulties and trials we must bear, there are others which we must master. "My grace is sufficient for thee."

A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE LORD'S SUPPER.

I would notice 1st., that PRAISE seems to be peculiarly associated with the Lord's Supper. The Lord gave thanks. 1 Cor. xi. 24. The apostle wrote "the cup of blessing which wE BLESS." 1 Cor. x. 16.

2ndly. It is an act of obedience. The Lord's loving command was "This do in remembrance of Me." 1 Cor. xi. 24.

3rdly. It is testimony for the Lord.

"As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come." 1 Cor. xi. 26.

4thly. It is a season of fellowship with God, and with all saints; the true ground of fellowship being "with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ," 1 John i. 3; and the flesh and blood of Jesus being that in which all believers have a common interest. "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" 1 Cor. x. 16.

5thly. Christ is present by His Spirit as the Head of the body, and Master of His own house, to preside over, bless, and welcome His members, with "Take eat, this is my body," &c.; and also to judge any who do not judge themselves. 1 Cor. xi. 28-32.

6thly. In apostolic times, the disciples came together to break bread upon the first day of the week. Acts xx. 7.