hath understood her great experience?] There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne. He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works. She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and s Fear Him, and love Him, and trust in Him: then, shalt thou never be confounded. : 12 12 This is in the natural course of things. The fear of the Lord keepeth from evil, and casteth out all other fear. a crown of rejoicing. The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life. Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death. To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and it was created with the faithful in the womb. She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed. To fear the Lord is the fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits. She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase. 18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that 18 A sense of an all-present God gives a courage and a joy in life, which its troubles and sorrows cannot take away; and in death it supplies a hope, which no pains can weaken, and no fears destroy. love him. Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life. 21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins and where it is present, 23 A pa 21 It would seem impossible for that man to run into wilful sin, whose heart is filled with the fear of God. 23 A patient spirit, productive as it is of calmness and a peace which is its own reward, allay all fretfulness and anger. words for a time, and the lips it turneth away wrath. A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction. tient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him. He will hide his of many shall declare his wisdom. 25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner. If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: 25 It is painful to see how wicked men hate goodness in others. But be not thou discouraged—if they hate you, God will love you. 26 and faith and meekness are 28 Distrust not religion, even if thou art poor. Be but sincere in prayer. Attempt not the impossible work of serving God and Mammon, Be not an hypocrite in the 30 God exalteth the humble and Remember, that "before honour is humility." meek. fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit. The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. MORNING. 'My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. Set thy heart aright, and constantly ECCLESIASTICUs ii. 1 Our spiritual enemy may well be supposed to urge his attacks more violently, as he sees us more devoted to God and holiness. endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. For gold is tried in the furnace of adversity. thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest believe him; and your reward shall not fail. Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy. 10 Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him? For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and for • Remember that nothing happens by chance. Shall we then " receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?" in the fire, and acceptable men Believe in him, and he will help 7 That is take no unlawful course, in the hope either of avoiding troubles or seeking advantage. ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, 9 The Christian is ever hopeful. Gloom is for the wicked and the worldly. 10 The history of God's Church and people, collectively and individually, is a triumphant answer. saveth in 12 Do not pretend to be religious, and in thine heart be far from God. giveth sins, and time of affliction, to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways! Woe unto him that is faint-hearted! for he believeth not; therefore shall he not be defended. 15 Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you? They that fear the Lord will not disobey his word; and they that love him will keep his ways. They that fear the Lord will seek that which is wellpleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law. They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight, 18 saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his 15 Therefore the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. mercy. 2 18 Blessed thought! His majesty we know is infinite-his power, uncontrolled-and his mercy, which is alike high above all and filling all things-his mercy will be stretched out to save even me. EVENING. ECCLESIASTICUS iii. HEAR me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe. For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath mother over the sons. 3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins: and he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure. Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard. He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother. He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters. Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them. For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children. My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he 2 God has devoted one commandment expressly to enforce this truth. confirmed the authority of the 3 When due reverence returns, a sense of duty will return. 12 12 If there be one scene more affecting than another, it is where aged parents are sustained by dutiful and affectionate children; especially when a weakened mind is consequent upon advanced age, and that weakness is borne with reverentially. strength. liveth. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up. In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather. as a blasphemer; and he that of God. My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved. 17 He that forsaketh his father is angereth his mother is cursed 17 Let not success make thee proud; neither make thou haste to be rich. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord. 19 19 Them that are meek He will teach his way. Pride of intellect rejects all wisdom which its own powers may not be able to comprehend. 21 The Christian is contented to be ignorant of many things, the knowledge of which is not required for the fulfilment of the duties of his station *. But what is Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek. For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly. 21 Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength. commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret. Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand. For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment. Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not. A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein. An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin. In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him. heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man. 30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms The 30 As water checketh the fire, so a spirit of charity checketh the practice of sin. Wise unto salvation, and satisfied with such knowledge as fitteth for the state of life to which it may have pleased God to call him, the sincere follower of Christ willingly leaves unknown, things that are too hard for him; and is not curious in unnecessary matters. He is thus above the world. maketh an atonement for sins. And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay. Wednesday before Easter. 2 MORNING. HOSEA xiii. 1 When Ephraim was humble and obedient, he prospered and was held in honour. When he became proud and disobedient, his glory faded away. 'WHEN Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say 6 2 The mind of idol-worshippers was so debased, that they kissed their idols, in token of a more solemn ado ration. of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. 3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out LORD thy God from the land no god but me: for there is no thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. 10 I will be thy king: where is any thy cities? and thy judges of king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my 3 The wicked may and often do flourish for a time; but at last they pass away, as though they had never been-their memory doth perish. No longer then "grieve when you see the ungodly in prosperity;" their end is not yet. of the chimney. Yet I am the of Egypt, and thou shalt know saviour beside me. I did know 6 If you are prosperous, be the more sincere and zealous in serving God; lest prosperity be your ruin. 11 9 How true is it, that our sin and its misery are from ourselves!—our recovery is from our God. 10 God was himself Israel's King. other that may save thee in all whom thou saidst, Give me a 11 If God grant a worldly prayer, He perhaps grants it that it may bring its own punishment. |