Friday

Friday: THE POPULAR CHRIST

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.-Matthew II: 28-30.

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened.

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the

Friday

border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.-Mark 6: 45-56.

We rejoice, O Lord, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Saviour. What a satisfaction it is that we need not be confused concerning duty and destiny, if we follow His clear and compelling precepts. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and He always comes to our relief at the right time. We pray this evening for those who are in distress, that they may find from our Master the blessedness of relief. May the divine presence be vouchsafed to them, so that in the storm they may hear Thy voice of cheer and be made strong to endure the strain. Let Thy blessing of peace enter every home. May anxiety cease as loved ones are committed to Thy care. May doubt disappear by a deepening of faith in Thy power to save and guide. May courage come with the assurance of Thy ample sufficiency for every emergency. Be gracious unto us and let the light of Thy countenance ever be upon us. May we all understand the mission of Christ and offer to Him the allegiance of devotion, that we may be generous helpers of the weak and courteous to all, for Christ's sake.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Saturday

Saturday: CHRISTIAN GROWTH

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.-Matthew II: 28-30.

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.....

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they

Saturday

be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist:

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.-Colossians 1:3-6; 9-18.

We give Thee hearty thanks, O Lord God, for the fulness of redemption which Thou hast wrought through Jesus Christ. The doors have been opened wide into spiritual liberty and the way of peace is clear. We rejoice that Jesus is the great Reconciler and Mediator. Those who accept Him need not feel strange to one another, because they are impelled by the same motives, even the constraining love of Christ. May He be given the central place in the life of every Christian. May His Spirit be the controlling influence in the midst of the Church. May His truth give guidance to the leaders of the nations of the earth. May He be considered intelligently and favorably by commerce and industry, by education and philanthropy, by the home and society. The character of the new day which is upon us must be determined by the ideals and principles of Jesus Christ. May He receive the preeminence that rightly belongs to Him. Hasten the time of His universally acknowledged supremacy, and to that end may we all be found faithful, for Thy name's sake. THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Sunday

Sunday: THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.-John 3:16, 17.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.-I Timothy 1:5-8; 12-17.

Thanks be to Thee, O God, for the Gospel of salvation, with its good tidings of great joy to the whole world.