May 2.—Ch. xi. 6, 16-19. When once our iniquity is put away by the blood of Christ, God's love would have us forget our past misery, and "shine forth" because we are united to Him who is "the Bright and Morning Star," even Christ the "Hope of Glory."

May 3.-Ch. xii. 14. power, finds itself bound forth.

May 4—Ch. xiii. 27.

Self broken down by His heart-searching in a prison of love from which it cannot go

So that wherever the Christian's foot rests, a

mark is left. Let us not disgrace our Master by leaving His mark in ways of sin and folly. The blood-mark of the redeemed in the ways

that he has been redeemed from.

May 5.-Ch. xiv. 13. We too, have prayed for darkness and oblivion when God's wrath, as we thought, has been passing over us― but He is better than one fears. He does place us in a "secret place," but that secret place is the Heart of His Christ, and it is because His glory (ie. goodness), not His wrath, is passing by (see Ex. xxxiii. 21, 22).

May 6.-Ch. xv. II. We are told in Jude to "keep ourselves in the love of God." If our hearts are wandering where it cannot reach us, no wonder we find "His consolations small."

May 7.-Ch. xvi. 20. This chapter pictures human despair in all but this one verse; and here we see the blood-marked heel of the child of God; the little seed of confidence still remaining in Him whose Hands can wipe away all tears from off all faces.

May 8.—Ch. xvii. 16. True rest is found in dying to self. When our natural lives are laid in the dust at the feet of Jesus we rise again to 'newness of life" in Him (Rom. vi. 5; Matt. xi. 28); compare also Lev. xvii. 13, and Ezek. xxiv. 7.

66

May 9.-Ch. xviii. 18. The thought seems here expressed that there comes a time, even in this life, when those who reject Christ are driven from the little light they have into utter darkness of soul (Luke xix. 26; Acts xiii. 41).

May 10.-Ch. xix. 27. (marg.) Christ, whom we, His children, look to see will be no "stranger !" We behold Him now in Spirit (Heb. ii. 9), and when we rise to meet Him we shall know Him.

May 11.-Ch. xx. 2. unadvisably with our lips. His, that we learn that (Is. xxviii. 16).

Our thoughts generally cause us to speak It is when we exchange our thoughts for "he that believeth shall not make haste"

May 12.-Ch. xxi. 28. It is a sad thing that people of the world should so often say with reason "Where is the house of the Prince ?"

We, who are of the Household of God over which Christ is the Head (Heb. iii. 6), are responsible to “show forth His praise ” (Is. lx. 6.)

May 13.-Ch. xxii. These latter verses are overflowing with the richest promises. Do you want "His light to shine upon your ways?" Then, "Return-and lift up thy face unto God." The bright reflection from His glorious face will be a very Shecinah glory going before you.

May 14.—Ch. xxiii. 10. What rest there is in these words after a string of unsatisfied longings—“ But He knoweth." Do we, in every shadow, cross, or misunderstanding, turn to Him and say, Lord, thou knowest?"

66

It is just there if we look to
Job xxviii. 3; Micah vii. 8).

May 15.-Ch. xxiv. 16. Christ says, "I am the light." Are we in any darkness, temporal or spiritual? Him, the light will shine (see Jno. i. 5; May 16.—Ch. xxv. 2. 4. The second verse answers the enquiry in the fourth. “He is our Peace” (Eph. ii. 14), who hath "ascended up on high" (Eph. iv. 8), and being "justified by faith" in Him, we have peace with God."

66

May 17.-Ch. xxvi. 10. So they cannot overflow, and need never be traversed alone (Mark vi. 48).

May 18.-Ch. xxvii. 6. Job had not yet learnt that "all our righteousnesses are but filthy rags (Is. lxiv. 6). He had not yet seen God (Ch. xlii. 5, 6).

May 19.—Ch. xxviii. 7. Each individual Christian's spiritual path is known only to the Lord. "His secret is with me. I'll give Him mine" (see also Rev. ii. 17; Prov. iii. 32).

May 20.-Ch. xxix. 19, 20. Verse 20 is the result of verse 19. Perpetual freshness (Ps. i. 3). Constant fruitfulness (Hos. xiv. 5, 6, 8), and renewed strength for service (Gen. xlix. 24).

May 21.-Ch. xxx. 26. When we are looking for "good" and "light" instead of "looking off unto Jesus" we are sure to be disappointed.

May 22.-Ch. xxxi. 40. It is a good thing when man's words do come to an end. Let us be less ready to indulge in speaking that which "man's wisdom teacheth," and more anxious to learn that which "the Holy Ghost teacheth" (1 Cor. ii. 13).

May 23.-Ch. xxxii. 1-4. Elihu was indignant for the honour of his God. Righteous anger is never hasty or intemperate in expression (Eph. iv. 26).

May 24.-Ch. xxxiii. 17. Man's purpose and pride, the two great

elements of the souls destruction must be brought to an end; and God's purpose and glory be put in their place.

May 25. Ch. xxxiv. 32. When this prayer is on our heart and lips we are drawing very near the Lord. Then, in the "secret places of the stairs" we shall learn our own exceeding sinfulness and the Perfection of Christ, till self is lost sight of in adoring love.

May 26. Ch. xxxv. 10. Then come "Songs in the Night." The wilderness is often the school in which we may learn the sweetest soul-music.

May 27.-Ch. xxxvi. 22. Who indeed? He teaches Patiently (Is. xxviii. 10); Lovingly (Is. xlviii. 17); Wisely (Ps. cv. 22; Prov. iv. 11; Is. xxviii. 26); Diligently (Jer. xxxii. 33); Abundantly (Jno. xiv. 26; 1 Jno. ii. 27); Definitely (Ex. iv. 15).

May 28.-Ch. xxxvii. 22. God's north wind is very necessary to His garden of souls. It causes the "spices to flow out" (see Cant. iv. 16). May 29.—Ch. xxxviii. 41. The Lord is too often our last resource when we "wander for lack of meat;" but the promises are for those whose every care is cast on Him (Phil. iv. 6, 7).

May 30.-Ch. xxxix. 28. Happy are we if, like the eagle, we not only "mount up," but "abide" in the "Crag of the Rock"-the strong place; and happier still when we creep into the Rock, and hide ourselves altogether within its strength, so that the world around sees only the Rock, not us.

May 31.-Ch. xl. 6, 7. There is a great difference between real self-abasement and morbid lamentation. The former is a renunciation,. the latter an indulging of self.

Scripture Reading and Prayer Union.

SUBJECT FOR PRAYER FOR MAY.

That while we read Revelation this month, all our members may see Jesus as "the Lamb," and thus learn to say with glad hearts, "Even so come, Lord Jesus,”—“ Come quickly."

June 1st commences with Job xli., and July 1st with Psalm xxix. The readings for the intermediate days can easily be calculated at the rate of one chapter a day.

NEW TESTAMENT READINGS FOR THREE MONTHS.

12345678

M

UNION DAILY TEXTS FOR MAY.

Thou shalt love the Lord.....alway. Deut. 11, 1.

Tu Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection. Luke xiv. 14.

W

Th

F

S

7 S

M

(Ascension Day.) I ascend unto my Father and your Father. Jno. xx. They shall run and not be weary. Is. 40, 31.

The man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2, 5.

Thou hast girded me with gladness. Ps. xxx. 11.
Ye have not, because ye ask not. James 4, 2.

We rest on Thee. 2 Chron. 14, 11.

Exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Pet. 1, 4.
My people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2, 26.

25 Th

26 F

Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5, 36.

We will walk in His paths. Micah

30 Tu

31 W

[xiv. 26.

(Whitsun Day.) The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost. Jno.

4, 2.

The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21, 14.

The Lord taketh pleasure in His people. Ps. cxlix. 4.

Book Notice.

LIFE OF FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

Nisbet & Co.

Many would much like to possess for themselves this valued life of one to whom they owe so much. And now her sister has placed it within the reach of all by bringing out an edition for the marvellous sum of sixpence. It can be had in cloth binding for Is. 6d. also. It is not shortened, but everything as fully given as in the larger. May the Lord indeed "take" this life, and let it be anew consecrated to Him by making it a blessing to all its readers.