experiences (Matt. xiii. 21); it is the falling into the ground and dying which brings forth much fruit. This can only be after deep ploughing (Ps. cxxxv. 6; Luke xiii. 8). 99 66 October 10.-Ps. cxxx. 1. Then, from "the depths" of tribulation are brought forth the fruits of "patience," experience," and "hope," as we wait for the Lord with concentration of heart, knowing He will surely come, not as a passing guest, but to abide. Has your heart been so broken open to receive Him? October II.-Ps. cxxxi. These psalms give progressive experience. Here is the beautiful fruit of humility, content to be only as a little "weaned child." "I thank Thee, O Father," etc. (Matt. xi. 25). Only as children shall we be simple enough to learn by His wonderful picture-teaching in the Scriptures. Only children grow. October 12.-Ps. cxxxii. 13, 14. The entrance of the King into His rest-into a contrite heart, and humble spirit, which is His chosen dwelling place (Is. lvii. 15). O" admit the Christ!" Give Him the rest He craves! "Give this Man place" (Luke xiv. 9; Rev. iii. 18). October 13.-Ps. cxxxiii. Here follows in the last but one of this beautiful cluster of psalms the result of His entrance-You shall share His anointing. This is "the blessing," Life for evermore; but it is His life now; "He shall live" (Ps. lxxii. 15). "I am the life" (Jno. xiv. 6). "He is thy life" (Deut. xxx. 20; Col. iii. 4). October 14.-Ps. cxxxiv. Finally, in the calm rest of this known close intimacy, this abiding Presence, we may learn the deeper lessons of " standing in the house of the Lord by night." Shut out, perhaps, from work seen, but none the less ministering, and "lifting up the hands in holiness" (marg.) These blessed experiences are for us each. O blessed Lord, lead on! October 15.-Ps. cxxxv. 5. "I know." With what power does that testimony come which is the result of communion (interchange of thought) with God (1 John iv. 13, 14.) As those who are "chosen unto Himself," "His peculiar treasure" (ver. 4). Self would be excluded; we should see and speak of "Jesus only" (Matt. xvii. 8). 66 October 16.-Ps. cxxxvi. In this Psalm we see how His mercy surrounds, wraps up," every blessing! We deserve nothing, but we remember Jehovah's words to His Anointed, “My mercy will I keep for " His Him," etc. (Ps. lxxxix. 19-29), therefore, "for Christ's sake,' mercy" towards us "endures for ever." October 17.-Ps. cxxxvii. 4. Babylon, a type of the world. Well called a strange land." But how many of God's dear people are voluntary exiles! tampering with the world in little things, till the whole 66 lump becomes leavened; praise is mute, and only restless, unsatisfied longings remain. FIRST "come out from among them " (2 Cor. vi. 17). Put away the idols—the mingled seed—the woollen and linen. Leave all and follow (Lev. xix. 19; Mark x. 21). October 18.-Ps. cxxxviii. Then, having "left all," with a whole heart you shall praise. Ponder what an undivided heart really means (Ps. lxxxvi. 11; Num. xiv. 14). October 19.-Ps. cxxxix. 3-17, 18. God's continual occupation with His children. Do you know keen earthly anxiety, for a sick child perhaps? His for you far exceeds (Is. xlix. 15). Therefore "He winnows our path" (ver. 3, marg.) as we yield ourselves to Him to search us fully, but He gently leads and carries all the time (Is. lxiii. 9; Is. xl. II). October 20.-Ps. cxl. 1—6. It is well to remember our own weakness and proneness to fall. It is a bad thing when we imagine we are standing (1 Cor. x. 12). Especially let us guard against spiritual pride, which does not " esteem others better than ourselves." At best are we not unprofitable servants"? There is even such a thing as being self-satisfied in taking a low place. The devices of Satan are innumerable! "Hide me with Thee" (Ps. cxliii. 9, marg.) 66 "True October 21.-Ps. cxli. 2. How? Wave Christ before God; for "His name is as ointment poured forth." Contemplate Him. consecration is when in everything we are waving Him in our hearts and works before God." Study Ex. xxix. October 22.-Ps. cxlii. 7. Have you pleaded this in the name of Jesus? Then listen-" Sent-to proclaim the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Is. lxi. 1). Has His mission failed as far as you are concerned? No! the door is open; go forth in faith, and in the strength of the Lord (Jno. xi. 44). In his new creation He has said, "Let living souls fly in the open Heaven" (Ps. cxlvi. 7 ; Is. xlii. 7; Is. x. 27). October 23.-Ps. cxliii. 10. Thy Spirit is good" was David's testimony, though he was only influenced by Him, not indwelt as we are now. This is the dispensation of the Spirit, the Channel through whom every blessing comes. Yield to Him, that He may not only indwell you but possess you. October 24.-Ps. cxliv. 10. Take victory as your dowry to-day. the result (ver. 12—15). The victory (marg.) is His free gift! October 25.-Ps. cxlv. 7. Do we sufficiently realize our responsi bility not only to sing His praise, but to utter it abundantly? How often? "6 Every day" (ver. 2). Do you say, "I cannot speak much?" Dumbness is always the result of unbelief (Luke i. 18, 19), or of selfoccupation (Jer. i. 6, 7; Luke vi. 45). October 26.-Ps. cxlvi. 8. Oh! how we each need this in our daily reading of His Word. "Open Thou mine eyes (Ps. cxix. 18). And He said, Be opened" (Mark vii. 34). 66 "There fell from his eyes, scales" (Acts ix. 18). "Their eyes were opened and they knew Him" (Lu. xxiv. 31). October 27.-Ps. cxlvii. 18. Stand facing the wind of the Spiritit blows on "the mountains of separation" (Cant. ii. 17, marg.) Let it penetrate you, if you would send forth rivers of "living waters" to others. Learn the mystery of the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, and you shall hear the still, small voice saying to you, Go," "anoint" (1 Kings xix. 11, 12, 15). October 28.-Ps. cxlviii. No place in which He does not expect your praises. "All deeps," as in "the Heavens." Oh! rise to your holy privilege, for ye are a people near unto Him" (ver. 14). October 29.-Ps. cxlix. 6. These hallelujahs shall be a two-edged sword. Use it, for "this honour have all His saints" (ver. 9). October 30.-Ps. cl. 2. Let yourself go " into the firmament of His power. It will bear up against storm, and wind, and tide"; and as you mount up, you will find it a glorious place of praise. October 31.-Prov. i. I. Yes! but a greater than Solomon is here; and we shall trace Him under His name, "Wisdom," Christ the Word, and the Power, and the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. i. 24). "Made unto us Wisdom ver. 30 (Prov. viii. 14). Scripture Reading and Prayer Union. We have received during the past month a nice addition to our Union. The names have been sent us of 926 new Members, and 532 Associates. This makes our registered total on September 10 to be 56,012 of the former, and 24,344 of the latter. We should like to receive more applications for Union papers to distribute among friends, We send any number post free to any address. SUBJECT FOR PRAYER FOR OCTOBER. For the unconverted brothers of our Members and Associates. November 1st commences with Proverbs ii. The readings for the intermediate days can easily be calculated at the rate of one chapter a day. NEW TESTAMENT READINGS FOR THREE MONTHS. (Associates read only these New Testament Portions). UNION DAILY TEXTS FOR OCTOBER. I S 12345678 M Tu W Th F S M Tu Th F S 13 14 15 S Remember me, O my God, for good. Neh. 13, 31. His servants shall serve Him. Rev. 22, 3. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty. Is. 33, 17. I will direct all his ways. Is. 45, 13. Led by the Spirit. Luke 4, I、 Let Thine hand help me. Ps. 119, 173. My brother, my sister, my mother. Mark 3, 35. Ex. 6, 5. 1 Pet. 1, 18, 19. I have remembered My covenant The Lord hath given me my petition. 1 Sam. 1, 27. I. Let us walk in the light of the Lord. Is. 2, 5. 24 25 W She loved much. Lu. 7, 47 [Israel. Ex. 11, 7. The Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Scripture Reading for School Girls. We are sorry not to have received more response to our appeal last month (page 176) on this important subject. Out of several thousands of readers, very few of whom could not in some way reach one or more girls at school, we have only received about a dozen responses. We fear a good many are asleep; but our experience has taught us that it takes at least two months to awaken most Christians to any sort of enthusiasm, while some take much longer still. We hope that our words will arouse many to read the previous appeal, and to act upon it. It is a very wide field, and one in which work would tell with much result. Who will come forward to help? |