Learn of Him, 'who when he was reviled, reviled not again,' but was always loving and forgiving, even to His cruel enemies. What love could be greater than the love of Him who even on the cross said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?' PRAYER, O loving Father, pour into my heart the most blessed gift of charity. Make me loving and gentle to all around me. Set a watch over my lips, and keep me from angry words, and hasty tempers. Keep me from thinking evil, or saying evil of others. May the remembrance of Thy great love for me, make me forgive willingly any who may have sinned against me. May I ever be striving to copy the example of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Grant this for His blessed sake. Amen. HYMN. Jesus loves us, and let us, His children, Daily strive by words and deeds to prove That we love Him too, and therefore gladly Keep His new commandment,' that of love. We must try to grow more meek and gentle, And more full of patience day by day; We must pray that He Himself would teach us Words of kindness and of love to say. He who is our pattern and example Let us prove ourselves in speech and action Loving children of a loving Lord. Wednesday. TRUTHFULNESS. TEXT: PROV. XII. 22. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight.' WE are told in the Bible, that lying lips are an abomination in the sight of God, and yet how often do we hear the sin of lying spoken lightly of, laughed at. How often do people excuse themselves for saying what was not true by the words, I could not help it.' We can always speak the truth if we will; we will not, because we are cowards. How often do we let 'yes' or 'no' slip from our lips, when they ought not to do so, because to say the exact truth would be difficult, or inconvenient, or would get us into trouble. Satan does not tempt people all at once to tell what is called a downright lie, but he tempts them day by day to say a little less, a little more than the truth, till they get to think lightly of so doing; so by degrees he hopes to make people liars, knowing that all liars shall have their part with him, in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Will you not watch and pray against this sin? Will you not try and let those around you see that your yea' is 'yea,' and your 'nay' 'nay,' that they may trust your word ? Will you not sometimes stop a moment before speaking, to ask yourself, Is this, that I am going to say, the exact truth? When you are tempted to excuse yourself, or to save yourself from disgrace by some hasty word, will you not lift up your heart then and there to God, to help you to say out the truth bravely and bear the consequences? We are not bound always to say all we know, especially when it may harm others; but we are bound, when we do speak, to speak the truth, and nothing else. Remember, how among the sad list of those who are shut out of God's happy Paradise, we find, amongst the worst sinners, whosoever loveth, and maketh a lie.' PRAYER. Keep my heart, O God, in Thy faith and fear, that no deceitful thoughts may enter therein. Set a watch, O God, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips, that no untrue words may pass them. Make me just and upright in all my dealings, remembering that Thine eye is ever upon me. May I never be tempted. to hide a fault, or excuse myself by saying more or less than the truth. From all deceit and guile, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue, good Lord, deliver me. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. |