T

HE law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

-Ps. 19:7-14.

Lord, Thou art the God of our fathers, in whom they trusted and were not ashamed. In prayer they laid the foundations of this nation. Surely Thou wilt not forsake us, their children, when we turn to Thee confessing our sins and seeking Thy favor. Graciously remember Thy people at all times; especially be Thou their Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in time of trouble. Purge us of our sins by the trials through which we pass, and gird us for what awaits us, that our faith fail not though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. We thank Thee for the evidences of Thy presence with us; for all the success with which Thou hast crowned our efforts. Inspire us to strive for greater things, and to expect greater things of Thee, O God. Fill Thy Church with zeal and clothe her with power from on high. Make her indeed a soul-winning Church. Help her to fulfill speedily Thy command to preach the gospel to all nations, and hasten the coming of the Prince of Peace. In His Name we ask it. Amen.

-FRANK W. SNEED, D. D.

BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me,

bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. -Ps. 103:1-12.

Father in heaven, we pray that Thou wilt "glorify
thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." Our
hearts thrill with joy and hope when we realize that
God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, will attain
their full glory when the world has been redeemed
through Christ's atoning death. This triumph of the
Cross means man's highest good and Thy greatest
glory. Hear Thou the prayer of Thy sons on earth as
they unite in this petition with Thy Son in heaven. We
do not pray that Thou shouldst take us out of the
world, but that Thou shouldst keep us from the evil.
Sin within and without lures and entices us. Help us,
O God, to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that
our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We realize that
never has Thy Church had so great opportunity of sav-
ing and serving the world. God help us, as members
of that Church, to quit ourselves like men.
We pray
Thee to speed the day when God and the whole world
may be one through and in Christ. Hear us for His
sake. Amen.

-HENRY T. McEwEN, D. D.

I

WILL mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. —Isa. 63:7-9.

GRACE be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. -I COR. 1:3-9.

Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for guarding us while helpless in sleep, for waking us to the sunlight and hope of this new day, for granting us strength for our tasks and, in them, opportunities of showing love to others and to Thee. Lead us in paths of peace; shield our souls from all stain of sin; make us strong to meet temptation, and patient if trials come; in success and happiness keep us generous and kind; and amid the noise and strain of the busy hours may we remember the presence and feel the touch of our unseen Lord. Bestow Thy mercies upon our kindred and friends; remember also the suffering and helpless; bless Thou our land; speak peace to the nations, and hasten the coming and Kingdom of Christ. Amen.

-CHARLES R. ERDMAN, D. D.

THE kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which

sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. -MATT. 13:24-30.

Blessed Lord, make us watchful, that our spiritual enemy may not come and take away Thy Word out of our hearts, and destroy our souls. Cause Thy truth to take deep root in our lives, and with its holy fruits to adorn our characters. Let us not be of those who hear the Word with joy, and in time of temptation or persecution fall away; nor of those who let the Word be choked by the cares or the riches or the pleasures of this life; but may we understand it and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-From "GUIDANCE IN PRAYER."

B

ECAUSE thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. --Ps. 91:9-16.

'Gracious God and Father, enable us so to live that our home may send forth a Christian influence, and that all who enter into our family circle may be made better because Christ is manifested. Teach us to be more loyal to the Church and more faithful in the performance of our duties in order that we may bring the Church into our home and take the life of Christ in our home out into the Church. Teach us to be more loving, tender-hearted, and helpful. Enable us to make the hospitality of our home not only a blessing to others, but a message of the gospel of salvation to all who share it. We commit ourselves and our home and all with whom we are connected into Thy keeping. Guard and protect us through this day, and give us strength to perform its duties and to do Thy will in all things. We ask it in the Name, and for the sake, of Jesus Christ. Amen.

—MARK A, Matthews, D. D.