Ai^' BV 176 .R527 1920 Morning readings MORNING READINGS A BOOK OF DEVOTIONAL EXER- CISES FOR COLLECTIVE WORSHIP COMPILED BY FRANK M. RICH 'My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord; m the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." BOSTON RICHARD G. BADGER THE GORHAM PRESS Copyright, 1920, by Richard G. Badger All Rights Reserved The Bible text used in this volume, unless otherwise noted, is taken from the Ameri- can Standard Edition of the Revised Bible, Copyright, 1902, by Thomas Nelson & Sons, and is used by permission Made in the United States of America The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. TO MY MOTHER, ELLEN THORP RICH. WITH GRATEFUL APPRECIATION, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED ^tJLESS our children, God, and help us so to fash- ?^ion their souls, by precept and by example, that they shall ever love the good, flee from sin, revere Thy word, and honor Thy name. May they, planted in the house of the Lord, flourish in the courts of our God; may they guard for future ages the truths revealed to their fore- fathers. — Amen. Jewish Liturgy PREFACE /JflrORNING READINGS is a book of devotional ex- /jTl^^ercises for collective worship. The material was first prepared for use in my own school with a view to making the usual five minute opening service of the morn- ing a period of as much real interest and value to the students as possible. My aim was to furnish a year's course of carefully selected Scripture readings — compris- ing those passages of highest ethical and literary value that are universally approved and admired — and, with the readings, a collection of prayers from famous sources, harmonizing with the Bible selections they accompany, and suitable for a gathering where all denominations are represented. Naturally, the time and work necessary in making such a collection is considerable, far more than the average teacher can afford. The stock of available material for such a course is scanty, and, so far as we know, nothing that attempts to cover the same ground has ever been put into published form. The hope that this collection may prove useful in a wider field, saving the time of the conductor, avoiding monotonous repetition, and helping to bring to many the beauty and inspiration of a noble field of literature has led to its publication. It seems almost too much to expect that all fear of school interference in the religious training of youth can be put at rest; but, so far as possible, everything that 7 8 Morning Readings would be at variance with the tenets of any denomination, Jewish, Catholic or Protestant, has been omitted, and only that included which all could agree was true, beau- tiful and uplifting. The readings are intended primarily for the more ma- ture students of upper grammar and high school age, and yet selected passages can be made suitable for younger students by being shortened. The usual end- ings of Christian prayers, wherever they occur, have been omitted for obvious reasons, and their insertion left to the option of the reader. Prayers in the singular per- son have been made plural. Wherever brevity, unity, or continuity of thought have made it advisable, portions of both prayers and readings have been omitted. In the Bible passages, the King James' version is given prefer- ence wherever its wording seems as good as that of the others, but generally the American revised version has been used as preferable from the standpoint of clear- ness and euphony. Thanks are due to many publishers and authors for the use of copyrighted material, to the compilers of other collections of prayers, especially to Mrs. Mary W. Tileson for her "Prayers — Ancient and Modern," and to many friends who have contributed valuable time, sug- gestions and encouragement. Thanks are also due the following : For Lincoln's Birthday. — From The Optimises Good Morning by Florence H. Perin ; copyright 1908 by Little, Brown & Company ; by permission of the author and pub- lishers. For Washington's Birthday. — Washington s Birthday Preface 9 by Oliver Wendell Holmes ; copyright by Houghton, Mifflin Company; by permission of the publishers. For The Last Day of School, and selections 68, 56. — From Robert Louis Stevenson's Prayers Written at Vailima; copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons; by per- mission of the publishers. Selections 5, 8, 14, 15, 20, 26, 35, 48, 90, 95, 125, 146, 152, 156, 172, 178, 187.— From Dr. James Martineau's Home Prayers and Service Book; copyright by Long- mans, Green & Company; by permission of executors and publishers. Selections 116, 119, 158. — By Horatio Stebbins, by permission of his son. Selections 18, 61, 75, 88, 94, 112, 175.— From Com- plete Daily Prayers, with a Revised Translation, accord- ing to the Custom of the Ashkenasim; copyright by The Hebrew Publishing Company; by permission of the pub- lishers. If the work, in spite of its faults of omission and com- mission, becomes the means of lightening the labors of others a little, of acquainting students and the family circle with some of the beauties of an important, but neg- lected, field of literature, or of inspiring some one else to compile a better collection, its purpose will have been ac- complished, Frank M. Rich CONTENTS I. SELECTIONS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS PAGE Fob the First Day of School 21 For THANKSGfviNG Day 21 Fob Christmas Day 23 For the New Yea-r 26 Fob Lincoln's Birthday 28 Fob Washington's Birthday 29 For the Last Day of School 31 II. NARRATIVES 1. The Story of the Creation 35 2. The Creation of Man 37 3. The Creation of Woman 88 4. The Story of the First Sin 40 5. The Story of the First Murder 42 6. Jacob's Dream 43 7. Joseph and His Brethren 45 8. Sold into Egypt 46 9. Pharaoh's Dream 48 10. The Interpretation 50 11. The Famine 52 12. The Meeting in Egypt 53 13. Joseph's Brethren Return 55 14. The Second Journey to Egypt 56 15. Joseph Reveals Himself 58 16. Joseph's Father 61 17. Jacob's Last Days 62 11 12 Contents PAQB 18. Moses 64 19. DA\^D AND Goliath 66 20. David's Victory 68 21. Saul's Jealousy 70 22. How David Spared His Enemy 72 23. King Solomon's Dream 74 24. The Handwriting on the Wall 76 25. Daniel Brought to Interpret 78 26. The Interpretation of the Writing 79 27. The Conspiracy Against Daniel 82 28. The Den of Lions 83 29. Daniel's Deliverance 85 III. TEACHINGS OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS 30. The Ten Commandments 89 31. Sundry Commandments 90 32. God Hath Showed Us His Glory 92 33. Thou Shalt Teach Them to Thy Children 93 34 Lest Thou Forget! 95 35. What Doth Thy God Require? 97 36. Jehovah's Blessing 98 37. The Two Paths 100 38. Remember Thy Creator 101 39. Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet 104 40. Isaiah's Vision of the Days to Come 105 41. Isal\h's Warning Against Intemperance 106 42. The Righteous Judge 108 43. When the Outcasts are Recovered 109 44. The Reproach of His People WrLL He Take Away . . . 110 45. The Return op the Ransomed 112 46. Good Tidings to Zion 113 47. The Triumph of Justice 115 48. Put on Thy Strength, O Zion! 117 Contents 13 PAGE 49. Ho, Evert One That Thirsteth! 118 50. Then Shall Thy Light Rise in Darkness 120 51. Arise, Shine; for Thy Light Is Come 122 52. Isaiah's Warning to the Unfaithful 123 53. The New Covenant 125 54. Who Beareth the Iniquity? 126 55. The Watchman's Message 128 5Q. The Vision of Dry Bones 130 57. We Will Walk in the Name of Jehovah, Our God . . 131 58. The True Sacrifice 133 59. He Will Bring Me Forth to the Light 134 IV. POETIC WRITINGS 60. Song of Moses and Miriam 139 61. The Song of Moses 140 62. David's Psalm of Praise 142 63. David's Psalm of Thanksgiving 144 64. Happy Is the Man Whom God Correcteth 146 65. Man Is Quick to Find Material Treasures; Where Shall He Find Wisdom? 148 66. The First Psalm 150 67. Give Ear to My Words, O Lord 151 68. How Excellent Is Thy Name 152 69. Thou Sittest in the Throne Judging Righteously . . 154 70. Thou Wilt Show Me the Path of Life 155 71. Who Shall Abide in Thy Tabernacle? 157 72. The Heavens Declare the Glory of God 158 73. Jehovah Answer Thee 160 74. The Shepherd Psalm 161 75. The Earth Is Jehovah's 162 76. The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation 164 77. Jehovah Preserveth the Faithful 166 78. Rejoice in Jehovah, O Ye Righteous 168 79. I Will Bless Jehovah at All Times 169 14 Contents PAGE 80. Fret Not Thyself Because of Evil-Doers 171 81. I Waited for the Lord 173 82. Send Out Thy Light 174 83. God Is Our Refuge 175 84. A Prayer for Pardon 177 85. My Soul, Wait Thou in Silence 178 86. In the Shadow of Thy Wings 179 87. Praise Waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion 180 88. God Be Merciful 181 89. In Thee Do I Take Refuge 183 90. Give the King Thy Judgments 184 91. Milton's Translation of the Eighty-Fourth Psalm , , 186 92. Thou Hast Been Favorable Unto Thy Land .... 189 93. Teach Me Thy Way 190 94. Jehovah's Realm 191 95. Psalm of the Fleeting Years 193 96. He Is My Refuge 194 97. It Is a Good Thing to Give Thanks 196 98. Jehovah Reigneth 198 99. O Come, Let Us Worship 199 100. O Sing Unto the Lord a New Song 200 101. Jehovah Reigneth; Let the Earth Rejoice .... 201 102. Make a Joyful Noise, All the Earth 202 103. The One Hundredth Psalm 203 104. Bless the Lord, O My Soul 204 105. How Manifold Are Thy Works 206 106. O Give Thanks, for He Is Good 208 107. Whoso Is Wise Will Give Heed 209 108. The Works of His Hands Are Truth 211 109. Blessed Is the Man That Feareth the Lord .... 213 110. O That My Ways Were Established TO Keep Thy Statutes 214 111. Teach Me, O Jehovah 216 112. I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes 217 Contents 15 PAQB 113. Our Feet Stood Within Thy Gates 219 114. Israel's Song of Deliverance 220 115. They Are as Mount Zion 221 116. Blessings of the Righteous 222 117. Out of the Depths 223 118. In the Day That I Called Thou Answebedst .... 225 119. O Thou Hast Searched Me and Known Mb .... 226 120. I Will Extol Thee, My God. O King 228 121. Happy Is He That Hath the God of Jacob 229 V. PROVERBS 122. Jehovah Giveth Wisdom 233 123. The Value of Wisdom . 234 124. Doth Not Wisdom Cry? 236 125. Wisdom's Dwelling 237 126. A Page of Contrasts 239 127. Sundry Proverbs 241 128. Sundry Proverbs 242 129. Description of a Worthy Woman 243 130. A Father's Advice 246 131. The Wise and the Foolish 248 132. Treatment of the Poor and the Aged 249 133. Treatment of Enemies 251 134. The Slothful 252 135. The Use of Strong Drink 253 136. Wisdom 255 137. Riches 256 138. The Value of Discretion 257 139. The Value of Kindliness 258 VI. DISCOURSES AND PARABLES OF JESUS 140. The Sermon on the Mount 263 141. The New Law .264 16 Contents PAGE 142. The Perfect Prater 265 143. The True Treasure 267 144. The Golden Rule 268 145. Not Every One That Saith Unto Me, Lord, Lord . . 270 146. The Parable of the Sower 271 147. The Goodly Pearl 273 148. The Parable of the Tares 274 149. Who Then Is Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? . . 275 150. A Lesson in Forgiveness 277 151. What Good Thing Shall I Do? 278 152. The Parable of the Laborers 280 153. The Discourse in the Temple 281 154. The Great Commandment 283 155. The Parable of the Virgins 284 156. The Parable of the Talents 285 157. When Saw We Thee a Stranger? 287 158. True Greatness 289 159. Faithful in Little 290 160. The Great Commandment . . ,k 291 161. Instructions to the Seventy 292 162. The Good Samaritan 293 163. A Discourse to the Multitude 295 164. The Parable of the Rich Man 296 165. Faith and the Faithful 297. 166. A Lesson in Humility 299 167. The Slighted Invitation 300 168. Saving the Lost 302 169. The Prodigal Son 304 170. The Publican's Prayer 305 171. The Parable of the Pounds 306 172. The Living W^ater 308 173. The Example of Humility 309 174. The Commandment of Love .311 Contents 17 VII. LETTERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE APOSTLES PAGE 175. Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill 315 176. The Living Sacrifice 316 177. The Armor of Light 318 178. For Another's Sake 320 17:9. The Bodily Temple 321 180. The Greatest Thing in the World 322 181. The Final Victory 324 182. The Cheerful Giver 326 183. Sowing unto the Spirit 327 184. Paul's Message to the Ephesians 328 185. To the Ephesians — Continued 330 186. Paul's Message to the Philippians 332 187. The Things Which Are Above 333 188. True Riches 334 189. Paul's Charge to Timothy 336 190. Paul's Message to Titus 337 191. From the Message to the Hebrews 338 192. Temptation . . . . » 339 193. Respect of Persons 341 194. The Wisdom from Above 342 195. From the Letter of St. Peter 344 196. Suffering for Righteousness' Sake 346 197. The Day of the Lord 347 198. God Is Love 348 199. Brotherly Love 349 200. The New Jerusalem 351 I ^tltctioni j^ox Special ©ccasionsf iWorning B^eabingji For the First Day of School (Scripture Reading No. 136) (WLMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who hast *^^ brought us to the beginning of another year, grant us so to remember Thy gifts, and so to acknowledge Thy goodness, as that every year and day which Thou shalt yet grant us, may be employed in the amendment of our lives, and in the diligent discharge of such duties as Thy Providence shall allot us. Grant us, by Thy Grace, to know and to do what Thou requirest. Give us good de- sires, and remove those impediments which may hinder them from effect. Forgive us our sins, negligences, and ignorances, and when at last Thou shalt call us to an- other life, receive us to everlasting happiness. Amen. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) For Thanksgivrng Day ll^NCE more the liberal year laughs out ^^ O'er richer stores than gems of gold; Once more with harvest song and shout Is nature's boldest triumph told, 21 22 Mommg Readmgs Our common mother rests and sings Like Ruth among her garnered sheaves ; Her lap is full of goodly things, Her brow is bright with autumn leaves. Oh, favors old, yet ever new; Oh blessings with the sunshine sent I The bounty overruns our due, The fullness shames our discontent. We shut our eyes, the bowers bloom on; We murmur, but the com ears fill; We choose the shadow, but the sun That casts it shines behind us still. And gives us, with our rugged soil, The power to make it Eden fair. And richer fruits to crown our toil. Than summer-wedded islands bear* Who murmurs at his lot to-day ? Who scorns his native fruit and bloom, Or sighs for dainties far away. Besides the bounteous board of home? Thank heaven, instead, that freedom's arm Can change a rocky soil to gold; That brave and generous lives can warm A clime with northern ices cold. And by these altars wreathed with flowers, And fields with fruits awake again Selections for Special Occasions Thanksgiving for the golden hours, The earlier and the latter rain. John G. Whit tier (Scripture Reading No. 104) Most gracious God, who hast been infinitely mer- ciful to us, not only in the year past, but through all the years of our life, be pleased to accept our most unfeigned thanks for Thine innumerable blessings to us; graciously pardoning the manifold sins and infirmities of our life past, and bountifully bestowing upon us all those graces and virtues, which may render us accept- able to Thee. And, every year which Thou shalt be pleased to add to our lives, add also, we humbly implore Thee, more strength to our faith, more ardor to our love, and a greater perfection to our obedience; and grant that, in a humble sincerity and constant perseverance, we may serve Thee most faithfully the remainder of our lives. — Amen. Charles How (1661-1745) For Christmas Day Keeping C!)ti0tma0 3T is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons when men stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremac}^ of the com- * From The Spirit of Christmas; copyright, 1905, by Charles Scrib- ner's Sons. By permission of the Publishers. 24 Morning Ueadmgs mon life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time. But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas. Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you ; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellow men are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the man- agement of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness — are you willing to do these things even for a day ? Then you can keep Christmas. Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough ; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts ; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will Selections for Special Occasions 25 fall behind you ; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open — are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas. Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world — stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death — and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. And if you keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone. Henry Van Dyke The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good-will. Help us rightly to remember the Birth of Jesus, that we may share the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, the worship of the wise men. Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with a clean heart. Let kind- ness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Close the doors of hate, and open the doors of love, all over the world. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven. — Amen. Henry Van Dyke 26 Morning Readings For the New Year mns sDuu mm istmi ^|\ ING out, wild bells, to the wild sky, ^*^ The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night ; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new. Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind. For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor; Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out the slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood. The civic slander and the spite; Selections for Special Occasions 27 Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land. Ring in the Christ that is to be. Alfred Termyson, (Scripture Reading No. 95) O God, the unfailing source of light and mercy, who hast brought us to the beginning of this year, and art sparing us to love thee and to keep thy commandments; give us, we beseech thee, a solemn sense of the importance of time, and of diligence in improving the talents thou hast placed in our hands; and enable us so faithfully to discharge o r duty in this life, that when we shall appear before thee at thy great tribunal, we may be found worthy of that eternal kingdom which thou hast prom- ised. — ^Amen. King^s Chapel Liturgy (1785) 28 Mommg Readings For Lincoln's Birthday Co tfte 9@emotg of asrabam Lincoln A^ SLOW to smite and swift to spare, ^^ , Gentle and merciful and just! Who, in the fear of God, didst bear The sword of power — a nation's trust. In sorrow by thy bier we stand, Amid the awe that hushes all, And speak the anguish of a land That shook with horror at thy fall. Thy task is done — the bond are free; We bear thee to an honored grave. Whose noblest monument shall be The broken fetters of the slave. Pure was thy life; its bJoody close Hath placed thee with the sons of light, Among the noble host of those Who perished in the cause of right. William Cullen Bryant (1865) (Scripture Reading No. 90) Almighty Father, we thank Thee today for the gracious memory of Thy servant who lived and died for the sake of a free and united nation. We thank Thee more that we have his life inwrought into the very fabric of the life of the nation. We had in him "a hiding place from the Selections for Special Occasions 29 Mdnd and a covert from the tempest, a river of water in a dry place and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." We gratefully join in praise with the thousands who found help and cheer in the shadow of his strength. And now we humbly beseech Thee, help us in some small way this day to be a helper to the helpless, a friend to the needy, sunshine to those whose day will be gray and gloomy, the shadow of a great rock to those who are buffeted by the world's storms. Thus shall we prove our gratitude to Thee for the gift of Thy servant whom we honor today, and thus shall we honor Thee. — ^Amen. Avery A, Shaw For Washington's Birthday caa0j)mgton'0 IBirtftDap "* MELCOME to the day returning, Dearer as the ages flow, While the torch of Faith is burning, Long as Freedom's altars glow! See the hero whom it gave us Slumbering on a mother's breast ; For the arm he stretched to save us Be its mom forever blest ! Vain is empire's mad temptation! Not for him an earthly crown ! He whose sword has freed a nation Strikes the offered sceptre down. 30 Mommg Readings See the throneless conqueror seated, Ruler by a people's choice; See the patriot's task completed; Hear the Father's dying voice: **By the name that you inherit, By the sufferings you recall, Cherish the fraternal spirit; Love your country first of all! Listen not to idle questions If its bands may be untied; Doubt the patriot whose suggestions Strive a nation to divide." Father! we, whose ears have tingled With the discord notes of shame; We, whose sires their blood have mingled In the battle's thunder-flame, — Gathering, while this holy morning Lights the land from sea to sea. Hear thy counsel, heed thy warning; Trust us while we honor thee. Oliver Wendell Holmes (Scripture Reading No. 78) Father of life, we thank Thee that Thou hast been with the Fathers, that Thou hast been with him whose birth this day we celebrate. Thou wert willing to speak to them and they were willing to hear Thee and to answer Thee, "Lo, here am I, send me." We thank Thee that the memory of these men has Selections for Special Occasions 31 come down to us; of him who was first in peace, first in war and first in the hearts of his countrymen; and we ask Thee that Thou wilt be with our countrymen today, and with us who are here; that Thou wilt teach us Thy law, that we may walk in Thy ways ; that this may be that happy nation whose God is the Lord. — Amen. Edward Everett Hale For the Last Day of School (Scripture Reading No. 186) Today we go forth separate, some of us to pleasure, some of us to worship, some upon duty. Go with us, our guide and angel ; hold Thou before us in our divided paths the mark of our low calling, still to be true to what small best we can attain to. Help us in that, our maker, the dispenser of events — Thou, of the vast designs, in which we blindly labor, suffer us to be so far constant to ourselves and our beloved. — Amen. Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894!) II Cfie ©totp of tfte Creation 3N the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light : and there was hght. And God said, Let there be a firmament In the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God said. Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yield- ing seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said. Let there be lights in the jfirmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and fcfr seasons, and for days and years: and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth : and it was so. And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars ,36 S6 Mommg Readvngs also. And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth. And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind : and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multi- ply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. And God said. Let the earth bring forth living crea- tures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind: and it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creep- eth upon the ground after its kind: and God saw that it was good. Genesis I'lS, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14-17, 20-22, 24, 25 O Lord, Thou through Thine operations didst make manifest the everlasting fabric of the world. Thou, Lord, didst create the earth. Thou art faithful through- out all generations, righteous in all thy judgments, mar- vellous in strength and excellence. Thou that art wise in creating and prudent in establishing that which thou hast made, that art good in the things which are seen, and faithful with them that trust on thee, pitiful and compassionate, forgive us our iniquities and our un- righteousness, and our transgressions and shortcomings. Lay not to our account every sin of thy servants and of Narratives 37 thy handmaids, but cleanse us with the cleansing of thy truth, and guide our steps to walk in holiness, and righteousness and singleness of heart, and to do such things as are good and well pleasing in thy sight. Yea, Lord, make thy face to shine upon us in peace for our good, that we may be sheltered by thy right hand, and delivered from every sin by thine uplifted arm. — Amen. From the First Epistle of St. Clement of Rome — Chap, 60 — First Centiiry, A, D. Cfie Creation of Q^m ^WND God said, Let us make man in our image, after <^^our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them: and God said unto them. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it ; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food: and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to every- thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, 38 Morning Readings I have given every green herb for food: and it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1 :26-31 Father, we thank Thee for this human world which Thou hast created. We bless Thee for the glorious na- ture which Thou hast given us, above the material things and above the beasts which feed thereon, which Thou hast made also subservient unto us. We thank Thee for the vast talents, so various and so fair, which Thou hast lodged in these earthen vessels* of our bodies. We bless Thee for our vast capacity for improvement in every noblest thing, and that Thou hast so made the world, that while we seek the daily bread for our body which perishes in the using, we gain also by Thy sweet providence that bread of life which groweth not old, and strengthens our soul forever and ever. — Amen. Theodore Parker tUbt Creation of momm ^WND the heavens and the earth were finished, and all <^^the host of them. And on the seventh day God fin- ished his work which he had made ; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had cre- ated and made. Narratives 39 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward, in Eden ; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat : but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And Jehovah God said. It is not good that the man should be .alone ; I will make him a help meet for him. And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept ; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And the man said. This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife : and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2 :l-3, 7-9, 16-8, 21-24 Infinite and Holy One, whom we know as our Father, we devoutly thank Thee for the mercy that created us from the dust, and for the greater mercy that has cre- ated us anew by a heavenly adoption as Thy children. 40 Morning Readings For the undying yearnings, which Thou hast implanted in us, after things unseen, — for their satisfaction in Thy- self, we thank Thee; and we rejoice that Thou hast been willing to encourage our frail and mortal spirits, by revealing to us something of the perfections of Thy na- ture, and calling us to follow after Thee. Grant, we pray, that Thy loving-kindness may be followed by our obedience. And do Thou so confirm our best purposes by renewing our sense of Thy presence, that we may both imitate Thy nature, and accept Thy dealings with us in the spirit of childlike trust. — ^Amen. Henry W. Foote (1838-1889) Cfte ®totp of tht JFim ©in ^tNOW the serpent was more subtle than any beast of .3r/^ihe field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman. Yea, hath God said. Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat : but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said. Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman. Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the Narratives 41 fruit thereof, and did eat: and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden. And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And unto Adam he said. Be- cause thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying. Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field ; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground ; for out of it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:1-6, 8, 9, 11, IS, 17-19 O God, in whose sight to sin is to die, but in whose knowledge is life, and Thy service perfect freedom, grant that as by necessity of nature we have borne the likeness of things earthly, so by inward transformation of Thy Spirit we may attain to things heavenly, and dwell in Thy likeness forever. — Amen. Rowland WUliams (1817-1870) 42 Morning Readmgs 5 Cfte Storp of tfte JFim Q^urDet (WND in process of time it came to pass, that Cain ^*^brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it. And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? And he said. What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened its mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand ; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto Jehovah, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground ; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugi- tive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to Narratives 43 pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me. And Je- hovah said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should* smite him. Genesis 4:3-15 Father of men, who regardest Thy children with com- passion ! behold this earth, which Thou hast given to our care, hath many griefs, and is sad "vvith a weight of many sins. Keep us pure from the evil, and make us strong to contend against it. Let us not shut our hearts against pity, Thou All-merciful! but seek to heal the wounds with which our fellowmen lie stricken on the way. May we make no peace with oppression; but, amid the negli- gence of the world and the seductions of guilty customs, put into us the spirit of the holy prophets and martyrs of old. Yet, O Lord, may it be that we sin not in our anger. Lift up within us a meek aspiring mind, that we may never say to our brother — "I am holier than thou," but only ask of Thee — "God, be merciful to me a sin- ner !" So may we labor and watch and pray for the com- ing of Thy kingdom. — ^Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) 6 3faco6'0 Dream (^ND Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward ^^^Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he 44 Morning Readings took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed; and, behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed ; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whitherso- ever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land ; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said. Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said. How dread- ful is this place ! this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Genesis 28:10-17 When we are awake, we are still with Thee, O God most merciful, and Thy hand is over us for good. Be Thou the Desire of our hearts, and the Ruler of our thoughts. O heavenly Father, we need Thy love and Thy calm breath shed abroad in our souls to be a foun- tain of strength; we know not without Thee what may befall us this day, either of peril, or of temptation, or of sorrow. But Thou canst put a guard about our path, and canst fence all our senses from temptation by sober- Narratives 45 ing them with Thy holy fear. Give us, then, we pray Thee, a right sense of duty, to shield us in all conflict, and guard us against sin and death. Lead us not into temptation; or, when we are tempted, deliver us by hum- ble watchfulness from all power of evil. — Amen. Rowland Williams (1817-1870) 7 3fo0ep!) anD ^i% IStetftren ^4^0W Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, /3^because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto hira. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock ; and bring me word again. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And they saw him afar ofl^, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another. Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life. Shed no 46 Mornmg Readings blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him : that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. Genesis 37:3-5, 12, 14, 17-22 O Almighty God, Father and Lord of all the creatures, who hast disposed all things and all chances so as may best magnify Thy mercy, bringing good out of evil; we most humbly beseech Thee to give us wisdom from above, that we may adore Thee and admire Thy ways and foot- steps, which are in the great deep and not to be searched out; teach us to submit to Thy Providence in all things, to be content in all changes of person and condition, to be temperate in prosperity, and to read our duty in the lines of Thy mercy ; and in adversity to be meek, patient, and resigned; and to look through the cloud, that we may wait for the consolation of the Lord. — ^Amen. Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) 8 Solo into OBffgpt /WND it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his '^^brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him ; and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ish- maelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bear- Narratives 4T ing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brethren hearkened unto him. And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ish- maelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt. And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a he-goat, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said. This have we found: know now whether it is thy son's coat or not. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces. And Jacob rent his gar- ments, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said. For I will go down to Sheol to my son mourning. And his father wept for him. And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. Genesis 37 :23-28, 31-35, 36 O God, Thou only Refuge of Thy children! who re- mainest true though all else should fail, and livest though all things die, . . . Cover us now when we fly to Thee. Rebuke within us all immoderate desires, all unquiet tem- per, all presumptuous expectations, all ignoble self -in- 48 Morning Readings dulgence: and feeling on us the embrace of Thy Fatherly hand, may we meekly and with courage go into the dark- est ways of our pilgrimage; anxious not to change Thy perfect will, but only to do and bear it worthily. . . . May we spend all our days as in Thy presence, and meet our death in the strength of Thy promise, and pass hence into the nearer light of Thy knowledge and Thy love. — Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) 9 Pl)araol)'0 Dream /WND it came to pass at the end of two full years, that <*^ Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed- grass. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed, and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed a second time: and, behold, seven ears of grain came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven ears, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise Narratives 49 men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saving, I do remember my faults this day : Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, me and the cliief baker: and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, sei'^'ant to the captain of the guard ; and we told him, and he in- terpreted to us our dreams ; to each man according to his dream he did intei^ret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was ; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon : and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it : and I have heard say of thee, that when thou hearest a dream thou canst interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying. It is not in me : God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Genesis 41 :1-16 We need Thee to teach us day by day, according to each day's opportunities and needs. Give us, our Lord, that purity of conscience which alone can receive, which alone can improve Th}^ inspirations. Our ears are dull, so that we cannot hear Thy voice. Our eyes are dim, so that we cannot see Thv tokens. Thou alone 60 Mornvng Readings canst quicken our hearing, and purge our sight, and cleanse and renew our heart. Teach us to sit at Thy feet, and to hear Thy word. — Amen. Cardinal John Henri/ Newman (1801-1890) 10 Cfie Snterpretation /WND Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream, be- ^S^hold, I stood upon the brink of the river: and, be- hold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat- fleshed and well-favored; and they fed in the reed-grass: and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them ; but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up upon one stalk, full and good: and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears : and I told it unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: what God is about to do he hath declared unto Pharaoh. The seven good kine are seven years ; and the seven good ears are seven years : the dream is one. And Narratives 51 the seven lean and ill-favored kine that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind; they shall be seven years of famine. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh, it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him ap- point overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And the food shall be for a store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt ; that the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants. Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Gmesis 41:17-27, 32-34, 36-40 O Lord, perfect, we beseech Thee, the faith of us who believe, and sow the good seed of faith in their hearts who yet lack it; that we all may look steadfastly unto Thee, and run with patience the race that is set before us. Give us grace to show our faith by our works; teach us to 52 Morning Readings walk by faith, having respect unto the promises: which of Thy mercy make good to us in Thine own good time, O our most gracious Lord God. — Amen. Christina G. Rossetti (1830-1894) 11 Cfte jFamine /WND Joseph was thirty 3^ears old when he stood be- ^^iore Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven ^^ears which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left off numbering; for it was without number. And the seven years of plenty, that was in the land of Egypt, came to an end. And the seven years of famine began to come, according as Joseph had said : and there was famine in all lands ; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was sore in all the earth. Genesis 41 :46-49, 53, 54, 57 Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth. Giver of light and life, so teach us those things which belong to the heavenly kingdom, and those duties which are of the Narratives 53 earth, that we, stirred by the light and life of the peace of God, may be enabled faithfully to do the things com- mitted to us, looking ever unto Thee for light and life, that, being lifted above ourselves, the life of God in the soul of man may be ours, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, may then keep our hearts and minds. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 12 Cfte Meeting in (Egppt ^^OW Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and -J'AJacob said unto his sons. Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Eg^^pt : get you down thither, and buy for us from thence ; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said. Lest peradventure harm befall him. And Joseph was the governor over the land ; he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves to him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly with them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. 54« Mommg Readings And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said unto him. Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. And they said. We thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. And Joseph spake unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying. Ye are spies : hereby ye shall be proved : by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you : or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days. . Genesis 42:1-4, 6-11, 13-17 Father, we bless Thee for the discipline of our daily life, and pray that by our experience we may grow wiser and nobler-hearted, that prosperity may teach us to be generous towards all, to be charitable towards such as we ought to help; and when sadness and adversity come over us, may they still more soften our hearts, while they confirm and strengthen our will, and lift our souls upward to an aspiration for nobler and nobler vir- tues than we have hitherto attained. — Amen. Theodore Parker Narratives 55 13 3fo0epl)'0 IBretftren Ketutn /WND Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, <*^and live; for I fear God: if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry grain for the famine of your houses : and bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. And they said one to another. We are verily guilty concern- ing our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying. Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them ; for there was an interpreter be- tween them. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and he returned to them, and spake to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him be- fore their eyes. Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with grain, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus was it done unto them. And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said unto them. Me have you bereaved of my children : Joseph 56 Morning Readings is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. Genesis 42:18-25, 35, 36 Almighty God, have mercy upon us, who, when troubled with the things that are past, lose faith, and life, and courage, and hope. So have mercy upon us, and uphold us, that we, being sustained by a true faith that Thou art merciful and forgiving, may go on in the life of the future to keep Thy commandments, to re- joice in Thy bounty, to trust in Thy mercy, and to hope in the eternal life. Grant unto all of us, whatsoever may betide us, to remember ever that it is all of Thy guid- ance, under Thy care, by Thy will; that so, in darkest days, beholding Thee we may have courage to go on, faith to endure, patience to bear, and hopefulness to hold out, even unto the end. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 14 Cfte S>econti 3Iourneg to OBgppt /WND the famine was sore in the land. And it came '^^to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying. The man did solemnly protest unto us, say- ing. Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: but if thou wilt not send* Narratives 57 him, we will not go down ; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. And Israel said. Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? And they said, The man asked straightly concerning ourselves, and concerning our kindred, saying. Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words : could we in any wise know that he would say, Bring your brother down? And Judah said unto Israel his father. Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go ; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever : for except we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second time. And their father Israel said unto them. If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts, and almonds ; and take double money in your hand; and the money that was re- turned in the mouth of your sacks carry again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man : and God Al- mighty give you mercy before the man, that he may re- lease unto you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. Genesis 43:1-15 58 Morning Readvngs O Thou, on whose goodness we lie down, like the flock upon the green pastures, and from whose purity we quench our thirst, as from the clear waters ! many of Thy mercies do we plainly see, and we believe in a bound- less store behind. No morning stars that sing together can have deeper call than we for grateful joy. Thou hast given us a life of high vocation, and Thine own breathing in our hearts interprets for us its sacred op- portunities. Thou hast cheered the way with many dear affections and glimpses of solemn beauty and everlast- ing truth. Not a cloud of sorrow, but Thou hast touched with glory: not a dusty atmosphere of cares, but Thy light shines through! And, lest our spirits should fail before Thine unattainable perfections, Thou hast set us in the train of Thy saints who have learned to take up the cross of Thy sacrifice. . . . Let the time past suf- fice to have wrought our own will, and now make us consecrate to Thine. — ^Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) 15 3fo0epJ) iaebeal0 ^im^elf (WND when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said ^^^to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade ; and the man brought the men to Joseph's house. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and Narratives 59 bowed down themselves to him to the earth. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they said. Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and said. Is this your youngest brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gra- cious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought where to weep ; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said. Set on bread. And they sat before him, the first-bom according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one with another. Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried. Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him ; for they were troubled at his pres- ence. And Joseph said unto his brethren. Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to pre- serve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and there are yet five years, in which there 60 Morning Readings shall be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him. Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt : come down unto me, tarry not; and thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: and there will I nourish thee; for there are yet five years of famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen : and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: a'lid after that his brethren talked with him. Genesis 43:16, 17, 26-31, 33; 45:1-11, 13-15 O Thou who art love, and dwellest in love ! Teach us herein to be followers of Thee, as dear children. Never may we shut our hearts against the sorrows of even the unthankful and the evil. Make us organs of Thy tender mercy, to soothe the wretched, to lift the penitent, to seek and to save the lost ; till all shall at length know themselves Thy children, and be one with each other and with Thee. — Amen. James Marti/neau (1805-1900) Narratives 61 16 3fa0epJ)'0 Jfatftet O he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And his heart fainted, for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: and Israel said, It is enough ; Joseph my son is yet alive : I will go and see him before I die. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba : and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen ; and he presented him- self unto him, and fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, that thou art yet alive. Genesis 45:24-28; 46:5-7, 29, 30 62 Morning Readings Give, we pray Thee, to all children grace reverently to love their parents, and lovingly to obey them. Teach us all that filial duty never ends or lessens : and bless all parents in their children, and all children in their par- ents. O Thou in whom the fatherless find mercy, make all orphans, we beseech Thee, loving and dutiful unto Thee, their true Father. Be Thy will their law. Thy house their home, Thy love their inheritance. And we earnestly pray Thee, comfort those who have lost their children, giving mothers grace to be comforted though they are not; and grant us all faith to yield our dearest treasures unto Thee with joy and thanksgiving, that where with Thee our treasure is, there our hearts may be also. Thus may we look for and hasten unto the day of union with Thee, and of reunion. — Amen. Christina G, Rossetti (1830-1894) 17 3faco6'0 JLa0t Dag0 /WND Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him <*^before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How many are the days of the years of thy life? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years : few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh. And Joseph placed his Narratives 63 father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they gat them possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly. And the time drew near that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph and said unto him. If now I have found favor in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me : bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt ; but when I sleep with my fathers, thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying-place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And when Jacob made an end of charging his sons, he yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people. Geiiesis 47:7-11, 27, 29, 30; 49:33 We thank Thee for the dear and faithful dead, for those who have made the distant heavens a Home for us, and whose truth and beauty are even now in our hearts. One by one Thou dost gather the scattered families out of the earthly light into the heavenly glory, from the distractions and strife and weariness of time to the peace of eternity. We thank Thee for the labors and the joys of these mortal years. We thank Thee for our deep sense of the mysteries that lie beyond our dust, and for the eye of faith which Thou hast opened for all to out- look that mark. May we live altogether in Thy Faith and Love, and in that Hope which is full of Immortality. — ^Amen. Rufus Ellis (1819-1885) 64 Morning Readings 18 ^p|OW there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew J'A'not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they af- flicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying. Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch ; and she put the child therein, and laid it in the flags by the river's brink. And his sister stood afar off", to know what would be done to him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river- side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her Narratives 65 handmaid to fetch it. And she opened it, and saw the child : and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compas- sion on him, and said. This is one of the Hebrews' chil- dren. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter. Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh's daugh- ter said to her. Go. And the maiden went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses. Exodus 1 :8-12, 22 ; 2 : 1-10 We give thanks unto Thee, for Thou art the Lord our God and the God of our fathers for ever and ever; Thou art the Rock of our lives, the Shield of our salvation through every generation. We will give thanks unto Thee and declare Thy praise for our lives which are committed unto Thy hand, and for our souls which are in Thy charge, and for Thy miracles, which are daily with us, and for Thy wonders and Thy benefits, which are wrought at all times, evening, morn and noon. O Thou who art all-good, whose mercies fail not ; Thou, merciful Being, whose lovingkindness never ceases, we ever hope in Thee. — ^Amen. Jewish Prayer Booh 66 Morning Readings 19 DatoiD anD ©oliat!) 4QOW the Philistines gathered together their armies .J'^to battle ; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philis- tines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philis- tines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. Ajid he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron : and his shield-bearer went before him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day ; give me a man, that we may fight to- gether. And when Saul and all Israel heard those words Xarratives 67 of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. And the men of Israel said. Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up : and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail be- cause of him ; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy ser^'ant was keeping his father's sheep ; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy sers-ant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. And David said, Jehovah that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and Jehovah shall be with thee. / Samuel 17:1-11, 24, 25, 32-37 merciful God, be Thou now unto us a strong tower of defence, we humbly entreat Thee. Arm us with thine armor, that we may stand fast; above all things, taking 68 Morning Readings to us the shield of faith; praying always that we may refer ourselves wholly to Thy will, abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting ourselves in those troubles which it shall please Thee to send us, seeing such troubles are profit- able for us ; and we are assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest cannot but be well; and unto Thee be all honor and glory. — ^Amen. Ladi/ Jan£ Grey (1553) /WND Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a ^^helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he assayed to go ; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand : and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he dis- dained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves.'' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will Narratives 69 give thy flesh unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Phihstine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand ; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off* thee; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philis- tines this day unto the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah's, and he will give you into our hand. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his fore- head; and the stone sank into liis forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off^ his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. / Samuel 17:38-51 O Lord God, Thou art our refuge and our hope; on Thee alone we rest, for we find all to be weak and insuf- 70 Morning Readings ficient but Thee. Many friends cannot profit, nor strong helpers assist, nor prudent counsellors advise, nor the books of the learned afford comfort, nor any pre- cious substance deliver, nor any place give shelter, unless Thou Thyself dost assist, strengthen, console, instruct and guard us. — ^Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) 21 ^aur^ 3fealou0g ^Jf|5|AVID went out whithersoever Saul sent him, a/nd ^^behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the peo- ple, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. And it came to pass as they came, when David re- turned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him; and he said. They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom ? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of SauPs presence, Narratives 71 and he smote the spear into the wall : and David fled, and escaped that night. David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gath- ered themselves unto him; and he became captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from fol- lowing the Philistines, that it was told him, saying. Be- hold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said unto him. Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee. Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah's anointed. So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. / Samuel 18 :5-9 ; 19 :10 ; 22 :l-2 ; 24? :l-7 72 Morning Readings We offer up unto Thee our prayers and intercessions, for those especially who have in any matter hurt, grieved or found fault with us, or who have done us any damage or displeasure. For all those also whom, at any time, we may have vexed, troubled, burdened and scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or in ignorance; that Thou wouldst grant us all equally pardon for our sins, and for our of- fenses against each other. Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspicious- ness, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatsoever may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave thy mercy, give grace unto them that stand in need there- of, and make us such as that we may be worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal — Amen. Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471) ^oto DatoiD §)pareD l^i$ OBnemp 'Jf^AVID also arose afterward, and went out of the ^^cave, and cried after Saul, saying. My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, say- ing. Behold, David seeketh thy hurt.? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee ; but mine eye spared thee ; and I said, I will not put Narratives 73 forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it. Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said. Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I ; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil. And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away.^^ wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand. / Samiiel 24 :8-20 Father of all: we all are dear to Thee. Yet we are selfish, short-sighted, petty, continually tempted to be mean. Partly through our fault; partly through the fault of others, we clash with them, and they with us ; and they become our enemies. 74 Morning Readings In so far as their enmity is due to any fault of ours, may we promptly humble ourselves, ask their forgive- ness, and do our best to make amends. May we count no humiliation or sacrifice too great a price to pay for the restoration of good-will whenever by any act of ours, whether of omission or commission, it has been forfeited. May we remember we cannot be right with Thee, so long as we are wrong towards any of Thy children. When others are at fault; when they hate us without cause ; when they persist in wronging us ; when they mis- represent as evil the good we try to do ; while we defend our rights with firmness, may we be free from personal bitterness. May we never forget that our enemy is more than his wrong attitude toward us ; may we remember that he is Thy child, our brother; still has some good quali- ties, and is capable of more. Thus even when compelled to oppose him, may we in courtesy and kindness show ourselves a friend to his better self; and win or at least deserve the restoration of his esteem. — Amen.* William De Witt Hyde JKfng @)Olomon'0 Dream 3N Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said. Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said. Thou hast showed unto thy servant * From Abba Father, by William De Witt Hyde. Copyright, 1908, by Fleming H. Revell Company. Narratives 75 David my father great lovingkindness, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great lovingkindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And -now, Jehovah my God, thou hast made thy servant king in- stead of David my father: and I am but a little child; 1 know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give thy servant therefore an understand- ing heart to judge thy people, that I may discern be- tween good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him. Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thy- self understanding to discern justice; behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart ; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee, all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream: and he came to Jerusalem, 76 Morning Readings and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and offered up burnt-oiferings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all liis servants. I Kings 3:5-15 O Lord our God, teach us, we beseech Thee, to ask Thee aright for the right blessings. Steer Thou the vessel of our life toward Thyself, Thou tranquil Haven of all storm-tossed souls. Show us the course wherein we should go. Renew a willing spirit within us. Let Thy Spirit curb our wayward senses, and guide and en- able us unto that which is our true good, — to keep Thy laws, and in all our works evermore to rejoice in Thy glorious and gladdening Presence. For Thine is the glory and praise from all Thy saints for ever and ever. — Amen. St. Basa (329-379) Cfte ^anDtoriting on tfte mull 3JJELSHAZZAR the king made a great feast to a ?^thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, com- manded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink therefrom. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, Narratives 77 drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's counte- nance was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the sooth- sayers. The king spake and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men ; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed. Daniel 5 :l-9 O Lord, we thank thee for a day so sweet and fair as this, when the trees lift up their hands in a psalm of gratitude to thee, and every little flower that opens its cup and every wandering bird seem filled by thy spirit, and grateful to thee. We thank thee for all thine hand- writings of revelation on the walls of the world, on the heavens above us and the ground beneath, and all the testimonies recorded there of thy presence, thy power, thy justice and thy love. 78 Morning Readings We thank thee for thy loving kindness and thy ten- der mercy, which are over all thy works, and where we cannot see, save through a glass darkly, we will still trust thee, with infinite longing which casteth out every fear. — ^Amen. Theodore Parker Daniel 'IStougftt to interpret ^^OW the queen by reason of the words of the king J^^and his lords came into the banquet house : the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever ; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed. There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and un- derstanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpre- tation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel who art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah.'' I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and Narratives 79 dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king. Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. Daniel 5:10-13, 16, 17 Lord, who hast brought us through the darkness of night to the light of the morning, and who by Thy Holy Spirit dost illumine the darkness of ignorance and sin; we beseech Thee, of Thy loving kindness, to pour Thy holy light into our souls, that we may ever be devoted to Thee by whose wisdom we were created, by whose mercy we were redeemed, and by whose Providence we are gov- erned, — ^Amen. Book of Hours (1865) m Cfie Sntetpretation of tfie lajtttinff ^If^EN Daniel answered and said before the king. Let ^^thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to an- other; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty: and because of the greatness that he gave him, 80 Morning Readings all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts', and his dwelling was with the wild asses ; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven ; until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he setteth up over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, O Bel- shazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, though thou knew- est all this, but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven ; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was in- scribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: mene, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN (numbered, numbered, weighed and divided). This is the interpretation of the thing: "Numbered"; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. "Weighed" ; thou art weighed in the balances, and Narratives 81 art found wanting. "Divided"; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Daniel 5:17-31 Lord of all, whose balance trieth the nations, to lift up or to cast down ; Thou hast planted us, as a people, in quiet resting-places, and stretched out our branches over the sea, and laid upon us a mighty trust. Never through vain conceit may we be blind to the unchanging condi- tions of Thy blessing. The world and its fulness are Thine: our portion thereof may we hold, not in wanton self-will, but reverently, as of Thee ; making it the strong- hold of right, the refuge of the oppressed, and the mod- erator of lawless ambition. . . . Make all who speak or act for this nation true organs of Thine equity, that through their wisdom and faithfulness Thou mayest be our Lawgiver and Judge. And let it be that, as with the people so with the chiefs, as with the servants so with the master, as with the buyer so with the seller, all may know Thee as weighing the path of the just; that right- eousness may be the girdle of our power. — ^Amen. James Martvneau (1805-1900) 82 Morning Readings rt Cfte Con0piracg 9gam0t Daniel 3T pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom ; and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men. We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presi- dents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him. King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted to- gether to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writ- ing and the interdict. Pa^ii^Z 6:1-9 ' Narratives 83 Almighty and merciful God, who dost grant unto Thy faithful people the grace to make every path of life tem- poral the straight and narrow way which leadeth unto life eternal, grant that we, who know that we have no strength as of ourselves to help ourselves, and therefore do put all our trust in Thine almighty power, nay, by the assistance of Thy heavenly grace, always prevail in all things, against whatsoever shall arise to fight against us. — Amen. Roman Breviary Cfie Den of Lions /WND when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, '^^he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) ; and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions ? The king answered and said. The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king. That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times 84* Mommg Readings a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him. Then these men assembled together unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest con- tinually, he will deliver thee. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought be- fore him : and his sleep fled from him. Daniel 6:10-16, 18 Deliver us, O merciful God, from the evils of this day, and guide our feet in the ways of peace. Strengthen our resolutions to embrace with gladness all opportuni- ties of doing good, and carefully to avoid all occasions of sin, especially those which we have found by experi- ence to be most dangerous to our souls ; and when, through frailty, we forget Thee, do Thou in Thy mercy remem- ber us; that as we often fall by the inclination of our nature, we may instantly rise again by the assistance of Thy grace. Make us diligent in our calling and state of life, and not too solicitous for the success of our af- fairs; but in all the miscarriages and crosses of this world, absolutely submit to the divine pleasure, and wholly rely on Thy merciful providence. Let Thy bless- ing be upon our actions, and Thy grace direct our in- Narratives 85 tentions ; that the whole course of our lives, and the principal designs of our hearts, may always tend to the advancement of Thy glory, the good of others, and the eternal salvation of our own souls. — Amen. Key of Heaven Danier0 Delitietance ^tf'HEN the king arose very early in the morning, and ^^went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lament- able voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, king, have I done no hurt. ^^ i was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. Then king Darius wrote unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be mul- tiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in all the do- minion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be de- stroyed; and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 86 Morning Readings He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Dan- iel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:19-23, 25-27 Blessed are all Thy saints, our God and King, who have travelled over the tempestuous sea of mortality, and have at last made the desired port of peace and felicity. Oh, cast a gracious eye upon us who are still in our dan- gerous voyage. Remember and succor us in our dis- tress, and think on them that lie exposed to the rough storms of troubles and temptations. Strengthen our weakness, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war; help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. We are exceeding frail, and indisposed to every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Grant, O Lord, that we may bring our vessel safe to shore, unto our desired haven. — Amen. 6v, Augustine (354-430) in 30 Cfie Cen Commantimenw ^WND God spake all these words, saying, ^^ I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain ; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. 89 90 Morning Readings Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh- bor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his servants, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. Exodus SO :l-9, 12-17 Lord, make Thy law, we entreat Thee, our delight. Plant in our hearts love which is the fulfilling of the law. Teach us to love Thee with our whole will and being, and our neighbor as ourselves. Keep us from dividing Thy commandments into great and small, according to our own blind estimate ; but give us grace humbly to acknowl- edge that whoso transgresseth in one point is guilty of the whole law. — ^Amen. Christina G. Rossetti (1860-1894) 31 @>un6rp CommanDment0 (pjfND Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying. Speak unto '^^all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them. Ye shall be holy ; for I Jehovah your God am lioly. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father ; and ye shall keep my sabbaths : I am Jehovah your God. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to your- selves molten gods: I am Jehovah your God. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 91 not wholly reap the comers of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am Jehovah your God. Ye shall not steal ; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of thy God ; I am Jehovah. Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale- bearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin be- cause of him. Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18 Lord, may we keep the law which day by day Thou writest eternally in our flesh and in our soul, and serve Thee with every limb of our body, with our spirit's every faculty, and whatsoever power we gain over matter or over man. In us may there be such love and such trust Morning Readings in Thee that we shall keep every law, do every duty, and make ourselves in Thy sight as fair as the flowers on earth, or the stars in heaven. May no unclean thing stain our hands, no wicked feeling despoil us of beauty within our hearts, and may we love our brothers as our- selves, and Thee above all. Thus from the baby-bud, whereinto we were born, may we open the great manly and womanly glory of the flower of earthly life, and bear fruit of eternal life in Thy kingdom of Heaven. So, day by day, may Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. — ^Amen. Theodore Parker ©oD l^att) S)!)otoeD 00 J^i0 (©lorg ^ /WND Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, <*^Hear, <0 Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them. For, as ye have said. Behold, Jehovah our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth speak with man, and he liveth. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that Jehovah our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that Jehovah our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And Jehovah heard the voice of your words, when ye Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 93 spake unto me; and Jehovah said unto me, I ha"^e heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever. Ye shall observe to do therefore as Jehovah your God hath commanded you : ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the l^ft. Ye shall walk in all the way whichi Jehovah your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.: Deuteronomy 5 :1, M, 26-29, 32, 33 God, the Source of perfect blessedness, who idost teach Thy faithful ones to walk in Thy laws, to search Thy testimonies, to keep Thy commands; grant unto us, we beseech Thee, Thy righteousness, that we may seek Thee with our whole hearts ; that we, who hith- erto have wandered like lost sheep, restored by Thy kind arms, may rejoice in the glories of Paradise. — Amen. Sanim Breviary (1085) 33 C{)ou %\^^\t Ceaci) Cftem to Cbp CftilDten OW this is the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither 94i Morning Readings ye go over to possess it ; that thou mightest fear Jehovah thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, wliich I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it ; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may in- crease mightily, as Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath promised unto thee, in a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying. What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you.? then thou shalt say unto thy son. We were Phara- oh's bondmen in Egypt: and Jehovah brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And it shall be righteous- ness unto us, if we observe to do all this commandment before Jehovah our God, as he hath commanded us. Deuteronomy 6:1-7, 20, 21, 25 Eternal God, Thou uncreate and primal Light, maker of all created things, fountain of pity, Thou sea of bounty, fathomless deep of lovingkindness : lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us! Lord, shine in Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 95 our hearts, true sun of righteousness, and fill our souls with Thy beauty. Teach us always to keep in mind Thy judgments, and discourse of them, and own Thee continually as our Lord and friend. Govern by Thy will the works of our hands ; and lead us in the right way, that we may do what is well-pleasing and acceptable to Thee, that through us unworthy Thy holy name may be glorified. To Thee alone be praise and honor and worship eter- nally. — Amen. St. Basil (A, D. 329-379) 34 lest Cftou Jforget^ ^rf'OR Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, fjf a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills ; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates ; a land of olive-trees and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it ; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig copper. And thou shalt eat and be full, and thou shalt bless Jehovah thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware lest thou forget Jehovah thy God, in not keep- ing his commandments, and his ordinances, and his stat- utes, which I command thee this day: lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, 96 Mornmg Readmgs and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; and lest thou say in thy heart. My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant wliich he sware unto thy fathers, as at this day. And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and wor- ship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations that Jehovah maketh to perish before you, so shall ye perish; because ye would not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah your God. DeuteroTiomy 8:7-14, 17-20 We beseech Thee, our God, to help us banish from our hearts all pride and vainglory, all confidence in worldly possessions, all self-sufficient leaning on our own reason. Fill us with the spirit of meekness, and the grace of modesty, that we may become wise in Thy fear. May we never forget that all we have and prize is but lent to us, a trust of which we must render an account to Thee. We beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, to put into our hearts the fear of Thee, that we may consecrate our lives to Thy service and glorify Thy name in the eyes of all peoples. — ^Amen. Jewish Liturgy Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 97 35 m&at Dott) C{)p ©oD Kequire? /WND now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require ^^of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the com- mandments of Jehovah, and his statutes, which I com- mand thee this day for thy good? Behold, unto Je- hovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heav- ens, the earth, with all that is therein. For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. He doth exe- cute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the sojourner; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now Jehovah thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude. Therefore thou shalt love Jehovah thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, alway. Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 17-22; 11:1 98 Morning Readings O God, who art, and wast, and art to come, before whose face the generations rise and pass away ; age after age the living seek Thee, and find that of Thy faithful- ness there is no end. Our fathers in their pilgrimage walked by Thy guidance, and rested on Thy compassion : still to their children be Thou the cloud by day, the fire by night. Where but in Thee have we a covert from the storm or shadow from the heat of life. In our manifold temptations. Thou alone knowest and art ever nigh: in sorrow. Thy pity revives the fainting soul: in our pros- perity and ease, it is Thy Spirit only that can wean us from our pride and keep us low. O Thou sole Source of peace and righteousness ! take now the veil from every heart; and join us in one communion with Thy prophets and saints who have trusted in Thee, and were not ashamed. Not of our worthiness, but of Thy tender mercy, hear our prayer. — Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) 36 3[efiotoa|)'0 ISU^^ins (WND it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently <*^unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love Jehovah your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil. And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, and thou shalt eat and be full. Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 99 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; and the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and he shut up the heavens, so that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield its fruit; and ye perish quickly from off] the good land which Jehovah giveth you. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul ; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, talking of them, when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates ; that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth. Deuteronomy 11 :13-21 Lord, give us hearts never to forget Thy love; but to dwell therein whatever we do, whether we sleep or wake, live or die, or rise again to the life that is to come. For Thy love is eternal life and everlasting rest; for this is life eternal to know Thee and Thy infinite goodness. O let its flame never be quenched in our hearts; let it grow and brighten, till our whole souls are glowing and shining with its light and warmth. Be Thou our Joy and Hope, our Strength and Life, our Shield and Shep- herd, our Portion for ever. For happy are we if we con- tinue in the love wherewith Thou hast loved us ; holy are 100 Morning Readings we when we love Thee steadfastly. Therefore O Thou, WTiose name and essence is Love, enkindle our hearts, en- lighten our understandings, sanctify our wills, and fill all the thoughts of our hearts. — Amen. JohannArndt (1555-1621) 37 Cfte Ctoo patf)0 ^iP'OR this commandment which I command thee this fjf day, it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, W\\o shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou may- est do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and e\al; in that I command thee this day to love Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that thou mayest live and multiply, and that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in the land whither thou goest in to pos- sess it. But if thy heart turn away, and thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them ; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish ; ye shall not prolong your days in the land, whither thou passest over the Jordan to go in Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 101 to possess it. I call lieayen and earth to \dtness against YOU this da}", that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse : therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed ; to love Jehovah thy God, to obey his voice, and to cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days ; that thou mayest dwell in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:11-20 O God, who hast in mercy taught us how good it is to follow the holy desires which Thou manifoldly puttest into our hearts, and how bitter is the grief of falling short of whatever beauty our minds behold, strengthen us, we beseech Thee, to walk steadfastly throughout life in the better path; and give us wisdom to tread it pru- dently in Thy fear, as well as cheerfully in Thy love ; so that, having been faithful to Thee all the days of our life here, we may be able hopefully to resign ourselves into Thy hands hereafter. — Amen. Rowland WaUam^ (1817-1870) 38 Uemcmfacr Cf)p Creator 'yir'RULY the hght is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is ^^for the eyes to behold the sun. Yea, if a man live many ^^ears, let him rejoice in them all; but let him re- member the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 102 Mornmg Readings Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes ; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleas- ure in them ; before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grind- ing is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low ; yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall he in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets: before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust retumeth to the eartli as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it. This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 103 judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 11:7-10; 12:1-7, 13, 14. Thou who hast made for us this place of ease and hope, accept and inflame our gratitude ; help us to re- pay, in service one to another, the debt of thine unmer- ited benefits and mercies, so that when the period of our stewardship draws to a conclusion, when the windows begin to be darkened, when the bond of the family is to be loosed, there shall be no bitterness of remorse in our farewells. Help us to look back on the long way that Thou hast brought us, on the long days in which we have been served not according to our deserts but our desires; on the pit and the miry clay, the blackness of despair, the horror of misconduct, from which our feet have been plucked out. For our sins forgiven or prevented, for our shame unpublished, we bless and thank Thee, O God. Help us yet again and ever. So order events, so strengthen our frailty, as that day by day we shall come before Thee with this song of gratitude, and in the end we be dismissed with honor. In their weakness and in their fear, the vessels of thy handiwork so pray to Thee, so praise Thee. — ^Amen. Robert Louis Stevenson 104 Morning Readings 39 Cftougf) gout %im I3t a0 @>catlet .EAR, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up chil- dren, and they have rebelled against me. The ox know- eth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; hut Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sin- ful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil- doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward. Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of Jehovah, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts ; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. Bring no more vain oblations ; incense is an abomina- tion unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of as- semblies, — ^I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil ; learn to Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 105 do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though jour sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be de- voured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. Isaiah 1:2-4, 7, 9-11, 13, 16-20 Lord, our God, great, eternal, wonderful in glory, who keepest covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their whole heart ; who art the life of all, the help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those that cry unto Thee; cleanse us from our sins, secret and open, and from every thought displeasing to thy goodness — cleanse our bodies and souls, our hearts and consciences, that with a pure heart and a clear soul, with perfect love and calm hope, we may venture confidently and fear- lessly to "pray unto thee. — Amen. Coptic Liturgy of St, Basil, 40 30aial)'0 I?i0ion of t!)e Dap0 to Come /WND it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the <^^mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills ; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peo- 106 Morning Readings pies shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And he will judge be- tween the nations, and will decide concerning many peo- ples ; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks ; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord, Isaiah 2 :2-5 God, who art peace everlasting, whose chosen re- ward is the gift of peace, and who hast taught us that the peacemakers are Thy children, pour Thy sweet peace into our souls, that everything discordant may utterly vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us for- ever. — ^Amen. Mozarahic Liturgy (700 A. D.) 41 3(0aiaft'0 MJatning again0t Sntemperance MOE unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink ; that tarry late into the night, till wine inflame them ! And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the pipe, and wine, are m their Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 107 feasts ; but they regard not the work of Jehovah, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge ; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol hath enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, de- scend into it. Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of false- hood, and sin as it were with a cart rope. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink; that justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the tongue of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the dry grass sinketh down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of Je- hovah of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Tlierefore is the anger of Jehovah kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them ; and the mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Isaiah 5:11-14, 18, 20-25 108 Morning Readings We entreat Thy mercy with our whole heart, that, as Thou defendest us against things adverse to the body, so Thou wilt set us free from the enemies of the soul; and, as Thou grantest to us to rejoice in outward tranquillity, so vouchsafe to us Thine inward peace. — Amen. Leonme Sacrament ary, 5th Century Cfte iaigl)tepu0 SluDge /WND there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock ^^^of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah. And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears ; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth ; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the gir- dle of his loins. And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11 :l-6, 9 Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 109 O Root of Jesse, who standest for an ensign to the peo- ple: before whom kings shall shut their mouths, whom nations shall entreat: come to deliver us now, tarry not. O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth, come and bring forth the prisoner out of the prison-house, where he sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death. O Day-spring, splendor of the eternal light, and Sun of righteousness, come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. O King of Gentiles, thou whom they long for, and Cornerstone that makest both one: come and save man whom thou formedst out of the clay. O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the expected one of the Gentiles and their Savior, come to save us, O Lord our God. — ^Amen. Sarum Breviary (1085) 43 taifien tJ)e ffl)utca0ti8! are KecotoereD /WND in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto ^^^thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and will not be afraid: for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, 110 Morning Readings call upon his name, declare his doings among the peoples, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto Je- hovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth. Cry aloud and shout, thou in- habitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 12 Grant hope, O Lord, to them that seek Thee; inspire with courage all who wait for Thee, and be nigh unto all who trust in Thy name; that all men may walk in the light of Thy truth, and recognize that they are children of One Father, that One God has created them all. Then shall the just rejoice and the righteous be glad; then shall iniquity be no more and all men will render homage to Thee alone as their God and King. — Amen. Liturgy of the Jewish Church Cfte Keproacl) of J^i0 people mill ©e Cabe atoag W^ JEHOVAH, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, ^^^ I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonder- ful things, even counsels of old, in faithfulness and truth. For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a strong- hold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 111 peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces ; and the reproach of liis peoj)le will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have w^aited for him, and he will save us : this is Je- hovah ; we have waited for him, we will be glad and re- joice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:1, 4, 7-9 Almighty God, who canst give the light that in dark- ness shall make us glad, the life that in gloom shall make us joy, and the peace that amidst discord shall bring us quietness ! let us live this day in that light, that life, and that peace, so that we may gain the victory over those things that press us down, and over the flesh that so often encumbers us, and over death that seemeth for a moment to win the victory. Thus we, being filled with inward peace, and light, and life, may walk all the days of this our mortal life, doing our work as the business of our Father, glorifying it, because it is Thy will, knowing that what Thou givest Thou givest in love. Bestow upon us the greatest and last blessing, that we, being in Thy presence may be like unto Thee for evermore. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 112 Morning Readings 45 Cfte Ueturn of tfte Uansomefl JC OOK upon Zion, the city of our solemnities : thine ^^eves shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tent that shall not be removed, the stakes whereof shall never be plucked up, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there Jehovah will be with us in majesty, a place of bi-oad rivers and streams, wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby'. For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Je- hovah is our king: he will save us. Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peo- ples: let the earth hear, and the fuhiess thereof; the world, and all things that come forth from it. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and sing- ing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the ex- cellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not : behold, your God will come zvith ven- geance, zcith the recompense of God; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 113 in the desert. And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water : in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness ; the unclean shall not pass oyer it ; but it shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. Xo lion shall be there, nor shall any rayenous beast go up thereon ; they shall not be found there ; but the redeemed shaU walk there: and the ransomed of Jehoyah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion ; and eyerlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 33 :20-22 ; 34 :1 ; 35 :1-10 Eternal, our God, may Thy kingdom come speedily, and the worship of Thy name and obedience to Thy law unite all men in the bonds of brotherhood and peace, that eyery creature may know that Thou hast created it, and eyery living being exclaim : The Eternal, the God of Israel, ruleth, and His dominion endureth foreyer. — Amen. Liturgy of Jru^ish Church 46 ©ODD ODing0 to ^ion /a^OMFORT ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. ^^Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem ; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity 114 Morning Readings is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins. The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilder- ness the way of Jehovah ; make level in the desert a high- way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the un- even shall be made level, and the rough places a plain: and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice dite to me is passed away from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 115 they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run, and not be weary ; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 4iO:l A, 9-11, 27-31 Almighty God, we give Thee thanks for the mighty yearning of the human heart for the coming of a Saviour, and the constant promise of Thy Word that He was to come. In our own souls we repeat the humble sighs and panting aspirations of ancient men and ages, and own that our souls are in darkness and infirmity without faith in Him who comes to bring God to man and man to God. We bless Thee for the tribute that we can pay to Him from our very sense of need and dependence, and that our own hearts can so answer from their wilderness, the cry, ^'Prepare ye the way of the Lord." In us the rough places are to be made smooth, the crooked straight, the mountains of pride brought low, and the vallej^s of de- spondency lifted up. O God, prepare Thou the way in us now, and may we welcome Thy Holy Child. Hosanna ! blessed be he who cometh in the name of the Lord. — Amen. Samuel Osgood (1862) 47 Cfte Ctiumpf) of 'Sin^tict m. |EARKEN to me, ye that follow after righteousness, -e that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged. For Jehovah hath comforted Zion ; he hath com- 116 Morning Readings forted all her waste places, and hath made her wilder- ness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah ; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment ; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the peo- ple in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation unto all generations. Isaiah 51 :1, 3-8 God, of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably on Thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and, by the tranquil operation of Thy perpetual Providence, carry out the work of man's sal- vation; and let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 117 are returning to perfection through Him from whom they took their origin. — Amen. Gelasian Sacrament ary (494!) 48 l^wi on Cftp ^ttengtl), 2D ^lon/ (^rWAKE, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on ^^thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thy- self from the bonds of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought ; and ye shall be redeemed without money. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for Jehovah hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations ; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Isaiah m-l-S, 7,9, 10 Eternal God, who hast neither dawn nor evening, yet sendest us alternate mercies of the darkness and the day ; there is no light but Thine, without, within. As Thou 118 Morning Readings liftest the curtain of night from our abodes, take also the veil from all our hearts. Rise with Thy morning upon our souls: quicken all our labor and our prayer: and though all else declines, let the noontide of Thy grace and peace remain. May we walk, while it is yet day, in the steps of Him who, with fewest hours, finished Thy divinest work. — ^Amen. James Martvneau (1805-1900) ^0, (Etierg Dne Cftat ^hitmtbf 3K|0, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, /'^and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and with- out price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways. Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 119 and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55 :l-3, 6-13 O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, who sendest peace to those that re- ceive it, open to us this day the sea of thy love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of thy grace, and from the most sweet springs of thy benignity. Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace. En- kindle in us the fire of Thy love; sow in us Thy fear; strengthen our weakness by Thy power; bind us closely to Thee and to each other in one firm and indissoluble bond of unity. — ^Amen. Syrian Clementine (400) 120 Morning Readings 50 Cften ^ftall Cbp Wgbt Ei^e in Datbne00 CRY aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trum- pet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways : as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near unto God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness : ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Jehovah? Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wick- edness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the op- pressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearward. Then shalt Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 121 thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say. Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday ; and Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones ; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places ; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations ; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach. The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58 :1-12 Shine into our hearts, O loving Master, by the pure light of the knowledge of Thyself; and open the eyes of our mind to the contemplation of Thy . . . teaching, and put into us the fear of Thy blessed commandments; that trampling down all carnal appetites, we may follow a spiritual life, thinking and doing all things according to Thy good pleasure. For Thou art our sanctification and our illumination, and to Thee we render glory, . . . now and ever, and unto ages of ages. — ^Amen. {Daybreak Office of the Eastern Church 122 Morning Readings 51 arise, ©bine; Jfor Cftp JLigbt 3$ Come /WRISE, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory r^oi Jehovah is risen upon thee. For, behold, dark- ness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peo- ples ; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged ; because the abun- dance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah ; all they from Sheba shall come ; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to- gether unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, desolation Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 123 nor destruction within thy borders ; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day ; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee : but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon with- draw itself; for Jehovah will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60 :l-9, 18-20 O Thou, who art the true sun of the world, evermore rising, and never going down ; who, by Thy most whole- some appearing and sight dost nourish, and make joyful all things, as well that are in heaven, as also that are on earth ; we beseech Thee mercifully and favorably to shine into our hearts, that the night and darkness of sin, and the mists of error on every side, being driven away. Thou brightly shining within our hearts, we may all our life long go without stumbling or offence, and may walk as in the day-time, being pure and clean from the works of darkness, and abounding in all works which Thou hast prepared for us to walk in. — Amen. Erasmus (1467-1536) 52 30aial)'0 COatning to tfte Onfaitftful 3JJEH0LD, it is written before me: I will not keep si- ?^lence, but will recompense, yea, I will recompense into their bosom, your own iniquities, and the iniquities 124 Morning Readings of your fathers together, saith Jehovah, that have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I first measure their work into their bosom. Thus saith Jehovah, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith. Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains; and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. But ye that forsake Je- hovah, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for Fortune, and that fill up mingled wine unto Destiny; I will destine you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but ye did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not. Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame. Isaiah 65:6-13 Merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering and of great pity, make us earnestly repent, and heartily to be sorry for all our misdoings ; make the remembrance of them so burdensome and painful that we may flee to Thee with a troubled spirit and a contrite heart; and, O mer- Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 125 ciful Lord, visit, comfort, and relieve us ; excite in us true repentance; give us in this world knowledge of Thy truth and confidence in Thy mercy, and, in the world to come, life everlasting. Strengthen us against sin, and enable us so to perform every duty, that whilst we live we may serve Thee in that state to which Thou hast called us ; and, at last, by a holy and happy death, be deliv- ered from the struggles and sorrows of this life, and ob- tain eternal happiness. — Amen. Samuel Johmon (1709-1784}) 53 Cfie il3eto Cotjenant JiJEHOLD, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will ?^make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt ; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, say- ing, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Je- hovah ; for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more. Jeremiah 31 :31-34 126 Morning Readings O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably on the whole body of those in whom Thy Holy Spirit dwells, and by Thy perpetual providence carry out the work of man's salvation; that all manner of tyranny and wrong may be cast down, and things which had grown old be made new, and all things return to perfection, through Him from whom they took their origin; even through the Word of Thy Counsel, and the Breathing of Thy Life, who art the living God. — ^Amen. Rowland Williams (1817-1870) MIfto TSeatetj) tfte Sniquitg? J^ET say ye. Wherefore doth not the son bear the (>i iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked.'^ saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 127 that he should return from his way, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Re- turn ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgres- sions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherein ye have trans- gressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleas- ure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Je- hovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live. EzeUel 18:19-24, 30-32 Almighty and most merciful Father, who hates t noth- ing that thou hast made, nor desireth the death of a sin- ner, look down with mercy upon us, and grant that we may turn from our wickedness and live. Forgive the days and years which we have passed in folly, idleness and sin. Fill us with such sorrow for the time mis- spent, that we may amend our lives according to Thy holy word; strengthen us against habitual idleness, and enable us to direct our thoughts to the performance of every duty, that while we live we may serve thee in the state to which thou shalt call us, and at last . , , obtain eternal happiness by thy mercy. — Amen. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) 128 Morning Readings 55 (WND the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son <*^of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman ; if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the peo- ple; then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him ; whereas if he had taken warning, he would have delivered his soul. So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel ; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn je from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? And thou, son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteous- ness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turn- eth from his wickedness ; neither shall he that is righteous be able to live thereby in the day that he sinneth. When I say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his righteousness, and commit iniquity, none of Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 129 his righteous deeds shall be remembered; but in his iniquity that he hath committed, therein shall he die. Again, when I say, unto the wicked. Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: he hath done that which is lawful and right ; he shall surely live. Ezekiel SS:l-5,'7, 11-17 Almighty and eternal God, there is no number of Thy days or of Thy mercies : Thou hast sent us into this world to serve Thee, and to live according to Thy laws. dear Lord, look upon us in mercy and pity : let Thy Holy Spirit lead us through this world with safety and peace, with holiness and religion, with spiritual comforts and joy; that when we have served Thee in our generation, we may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testi- mony of a holy conscience, in the confidence of a certain faith, and the comforts of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope, and perfect charity with Thee our God and all the world ; that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, may be able to separate us from the love of God. — ^Amen. Jeremi/ Taylor (1613-1667) 130 Morning Readings ® 56 Cfte l^i^ion of Dtp OSoneg 1 1 HE hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought i^me out in the Spirit of Jehovah, and set me down in the midst of the valley ; and it was full of bones. And he caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, Lord Jehovah, thou knowest. Again he said unto me. Prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, ye dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones : Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah. So I prophesied as I was commanded : and as I prophe- sied, there was a noise, and, behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I be- held, and, lo, there were sinews upon them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me. Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah : Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 131 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say. Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say unto them. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah : Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, O my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. And I will put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it and performed it, saith Jehovah. Ezekiel 37 :1-12, 14< We are evil, God, and help us to see it and amend. We are good, and help us to be better. Look down upon thy servants \^dth a patient eye, even as Thou sendest sun and rain; look down, call upon the dry bones, quicken, enliven ; re-create in us the soul of service, the spirit of peace; renew in us the sense of joy. — Amen. Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894*) 57 mt mm malk in m iSame of 3Iei)otoaf), ffl)ur aoD JJJUT in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the ?^mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it. And many nations shall go and say. Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will 132 Morning Readings walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem; and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide con- cerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning- hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it. For all the peoples walk every one in the name of his god : and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God for ever and ever. Micah 4:1-5 Whoever walks in thy presence, O Lord, is in the path to perfection. We never depart from this holy way but we lose sight of Thee, and cease to behold Thee in every- thing. Alas ; where shall we go when we no longer see Thee, Thee who art our light, and the only goal to which our steps should tend? To have our eyes fixed on Thee in every step we take, is our only security that we shall never go astray. Faith ! beaming with light amidst the darkness that surrounds us, we behold Thee with thy look of holy love and trust, leading man to perfection. O God, we will fix our eyes on Thee ; we will behold Thee in everything that is around us. Our hearts shall still see Thee in the midst of the busy cares of life, in all its du- ties, in all its concerns; for they shall be fulfilled in obedience to thy will. "I will lift up my eyes unto the holy hills, whence cometh my strength." — ^Amen. Fenelon (1651-1715) Teachings of Moses and the Prophets 133 58 Cfte Crue Sacrifice ong of 900000 ana Qiiriam ^J'EHOVAH is my strength and song, ijf And he is become my salvation : This is my God, and I will praise him; My father's God, and I will exalt him. Thy right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O Jehovah, dasheth in pieces the enemy. Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness. Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in thy lovingkindness hast led the people that thou hast redeemed : Thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habi- tation. Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, The place, O Jehovah, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in. The sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have estab- lished. Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever. Exodm 15:2, 6, 11, 13, 17, 18 Grant unto us. Almighty God, that that glory which filleth earth and heaven may also fill our hearts ; that we, 139 140 Mommg Readings being glorified by Thy graciousness, made happy by Thy love, made hopeful by Thy promise, may praise and magnify Thy holy Name, until such time as the praising of Thy holy Name shall lead us to the doing of Thy holy will; that we, becoming perfectly obedient there- unto, may possess the life of God in the days of time, that so, in the eternal years, we may be for ever Thine. Receive our thanksgivings, forgive our sins, strengthen our hope, make deep our faith; that so, all the days of this our mortal life, we, keeping Thy commandments, and leaning ever upon Thy mercy, may pass on our way un- til we, through the gate of death, enter into the life everlasting. — ^Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 61 Cfte S)ong of 9^0000 >|XIVE ear, ye heavens, and I will speak ; ^^And let the earth hear the words of my mouth. For I will proclaim the name of Jehovah: Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he. Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will show thee ; Thine elders, and they will tell thee. Poetic Writings 141 He found him in a desert land, And in the waste howling wilderness ; He compassed him about, he cared for him, He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle that stirreth up her nest, That fluttereth over her young. He spread abroad his wings, he took them. He bare them on his pinions. Jehovah alone did lead him. And there was no foreign god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earthi, And he did eat the increase of the field ; And he made him to suck honey out of the rock, And oil out of the flinty rock ; Then he forsook God who made him. And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They sacrificed unto demons, which were no God, To gods that they knew not. To new gods that came up of late. Which your fathers dreaded not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful. And hast forgotten God that gave thee birth. And Jehovah saw it, and abhorred theiriy Because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: For they are a very perverse generation, ' Children in whom is no faithfulness. Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end! How should one chase a thousand. 142 Mornmg Readings And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, Even our enemies themselves being judges. Deuteronomy 62:1, 3, 4, 7, 10-13, 15, 17-20, 29-31 Blessed is our God, who hath created us for his glory, and hath separated us from them that go astray, and hath given us the Law of truth and planted everlasting life in our midst. May he open our heart unto his Law, and place his love and fear within our hearts, that we may do his will and serve him with a perfect heart, that we may not labor in vain, nor bring forth confusion; that we may keep thy statutes in this world, and be worthy to live to witness and inherit happiness and blessing in the life of the world to come. Jewish Prayer Booh DatoiD'0 P0alm of praise QTND David spake unto Jehovah the words of this song ^*^in the day that Jehovah delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: and he said, Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine; God, my rock, in him will I take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge; Poetic Writings 143 My saviour, thou savest me from violence. He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, From them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity ; But Jehovah was my stay. Jehovah rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recom- pensed me. For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not wickedly departed from my God. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect; With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure ; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward. And the afflicted people thou wilt save ; As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him. For who is God, save Jehovah? And who is a rock, save our God? God is my strong fortress ; And he guideth the perfect in his way. // Samuel 22:1-3, 17-19, 21, 22, 26-28, 31-33 We thank Thee that Thou hast nowhere left Thyself without a witness, but everywhere makest revelations of Thyself, where day unto day uttereth speech of Thee, and night unto night showeth knowledge; yea, where 144 Momimg Readings there is no other voice nor language, Thou, Lord, speak- est, in Thine infinite wisdom and Thy boundless love. . . . We remember before Thee the ages that are past and gone, and thank Thee for the great men whom Thou causedst to spring up in those days, great flowers of humanity, whose seeds have been scattered broadcast along the world, making the solitary place into a gar- den, and the wilderness to blossom like a rose. . , . In the stem duties which are before us, Father in heaven, may Thy light bum clear in our tabernacle, and when Thou callest us may our lamps be trimmed and burning, our loins girt about, our feet readily sandalled for the road, and our souls prepared for Thee. Thus may Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. — Amen. Theodore Parker 63 Dai)iD'0 P0alm of Ct)anb00itimg (^ND they brought in the ark of God, and set it in <*^the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered bumt-offerings and peace-offerings be- fore God. Then on that day did David first ordain to give thanks unto Jehovah, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren. O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples. Show forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. Poetic Writings 145 For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols : But Jehovah made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place. Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength; Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him; Worship Jehovah in holy array* Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof ; Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before Je- hovah ; For he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto Jehovah ; for he is good ; For his lovingkindness endwreth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us together and deliver us from the nations. To give thanks unto thy holy name. And to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And all the people said. Amen, and praised Jehovah. / Chronicles 16:1,7,8, 23 36 146 Morning Headings We give Thee thanks, jca, more than thanks, O Lord our God, for all Thy goodness at all times and in all places, because Thou hast sliielded, rescued, helped, and guided us all the days of our lives, and brouglit us unto this hour. We pray and beseech Thee, merciful God, to grant in Thy goodness that we may spend this day, and all the time of our lives, without sin, in fulness of joy, holiness, and reverence of Thee. But drive away from us, O Lord, all envy, all fear, and all temptations. Be- stow upon us what is good and meet. Whatever sin we commit in thought, word, or deed, do Thou in Tliy good- ness and merc}^ be pleased to pardon. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. — Amen. Liturgy of St. Mark (175-254?) 64 ^appg 30 tt)t C^m MJftom ©oti Correctetf) EHOLD, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almight3\ For he maketh sore, and bindeth up ; He woundeth, and his hands make whole. He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death ; And in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue ; Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it Com- eth. Poetic Writings 147 At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; And thou shalt visit thy fold, and shalt miss nothing. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age. Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season. Job 5:17-26 Almighty God, who art the Strength of all who put their trust in Thee, grant unto us in the midst of the troubles of this mortal life, that, being confident in Thy wisdom and goodness, and Thine abiding love, we may endure all things in a quiet spirit, seeking ever in the midst of the things of this world to meditate oft-times upon the divine peace, and the heavenly rest of the glori- fied spirits of light ; and being held up by Thy mercy, may neither faint nor fear, but j)ass on, doing faithfully the duties of life, and, in our last hour, supported by the Everlasting arms, we beseech Thee to guide us into the life everlasting. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 148 Mornmg Readings 65 0^m M £Xuicfe to jFinD Q^aterial Ctea0ure$ mbttt S)l}all J^e jTinD tOi^Domi' URELY there is a mine for silver, And a place for gold which they refine. Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone. Man setteth an end to darkness. And searcheth out, to the furthest bound, The stones of obscurity and of thick darkness. That path no bird of prey knoweth. Neither hath the falcon's eye seen it: The proud beasts have not trodden it. Nor hath the fierce lion passed thereby. He putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock ; He overturneth the mountains by the roots. He cutteth out channels among the rocks; And his eye seeth every precious thing. But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living. The deep saith, It is not in me ; And the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold. Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens. Poetic Writings 149 Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof. When he made a decree for the rain. And a way for the hghtning of the thunder; Then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said. Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28 :l-3, 7-10, 12-15, 21-23, 26-28 God of our fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the crea- tures which thou hast made, and order the world ac- cording to equity and righteousness, and execute judg- ment with an upright heart ; give us wisdom that sitteth by thy throne, and reject us not from among thy chil- dren: for though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. For the thoughts of men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthly tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things. And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the tilings that are in heaven, who hath searched out? and thy counsel, who hath known, except ,thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy 150 Mommg Readings Spirit from above? For so the ways of them which Hved on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom. "Wisdom of Solomon" — ^An apocryphal book written labout 100 A. D, 66 Cfte Jfir0t P0alm 2IJLESSED is the man that walketh not in the coun- J^ sel of the wicked. Nor standeth in the way of sinners. Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water. That bringeth forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For Jehovah knoweth the way of the righteous ; But the way of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 1 O God, who art the great deep of eternal peace, and the vast sea of love, and the fountain of all blessings, Poetic Writings 151 and ever sendest peace upon men of peace, open to us this day the sea of Thy love, and water us with plente- ous streams from the riches of Thy grace and from the fresh springs of Thy benignity. Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us the fire of Thy love; sow in us Thy fear; strengthen our weak- ness by Thy power; bind us closely to Thee and to each other in a holy bond of unity. — ^Amen. Rowlcmd Williams (1817-1870) 67 ©itie ©at to Q^g mott$, m iLotD y|JClVE ear to my words, O Jehovah, ^^^Consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God ; For unto thee do I pray. O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order tut/ prayer unto thee, and will keep watch. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wicked- ness: Evil shall not sojourn with thee. The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies ; Make thy way straight before my face. But let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice. Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: 162 Morning Readings Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou wilt bless the righteous ; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as with a shield. PsalM5il-6, 8, 11, 12 O God our Lord, the stay of all them that put their trust in Thee, wherever Thou leadest we would go, for Thy ways are perfect wisdom and love. Even when we walk through the dark valley. Thy light can shine into our hearts and guide us safely through the night of sor- row. Be Thou our Friend, and we need ask no more in heaven or earth; for Thou art the Comfort of all who trust in Thee, the Help and Defence of all who hope in Thee. O Lord, we would be Thine ; let us never fall away from Thee. We would accept all things without mur- muring from Thy hand, for whatever Thou dost is right. Blend our wills with Thine, and then we need fear no evil nor death itself, for all things must work together for our good. Lord, keep us in Thy love and truth; com- fort us with Thy light ; and guide us by Thy Holy Spirit. — ^Amen. S. Weiss (1738-1805) 68 J^oto (BntWtnt M Cftp il3ame W^ JEHOVAH, our Lord, ^^ How excellent is thy name in all the earth, Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens ! 'When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, Poetic Writings 153 The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor. Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands ; Thou hast put all things under his feet : All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field. The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Jehovah, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth ! Psalm 8:1, 3-9 O Father, we pray Thee that we may never be false to the great glories with which Thou surroundest us, under our feet, and over our head, and the still diviner glories which Thou placest in our heart and soul. We pray Thee that within us our lives may be blameless, every faculty active and at its work, and that our out- ward lives may be useful, and all our existence blame- less and beautiful in Thy sight, Lord, our strength and our redeemer. May our lives be marked every day by some new lesson that we have learned, some duty that we have done, some faithfulness that we have accom- plished; and at last, when our mortal pilgrimage is ended, take us to Thyself, Lord, to dwell with Thee, leaving behind us the memory of good deeds, and bear- ing a soul disciplined by the trials of life, and enlarged 154 Morning Readings by its blessings. So may we pass from glory to glory till we are changed into Thine own image, and the peace of Thy love is made perfect in us. — Amen. Theodore Parker. 69 Cftou @itte0t in tfte Cftrone SfuDging 3 WILL give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart ; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and exult in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sittest in the throne judging righteously. Jehovah sitteth as king for ever: He hath prepared his throne for judgment; And he will judge the world in righteousness. He will minister judgment to the peoples in uprightness. Jehovah also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble; And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee ; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwelleth in Zion : Declare among the people his doings. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten. Nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever. Psalm 9:1-2, 4, 7-11, 18 Poetic Writings 155 O Lord, we acknowledge Thy dominion over us; our life, our death, our soul and body, all belong to Thee. Oh, grant that we may willingly consecrate them all to Thee, and use them in Thy service. Let us walk before Thee in childlike simplicity, steadfast in prayer; looking ever unto Thee, that whatsoever we do or abstain from we may in all things follow the least indications of Thy will. Become Lord of our hearts and spirits; that the whole inner man may be brought under Thy rule, and that Thy life of love and righteousness may pervade all our thoughts and energies and the very ground of our souls ; that we may be wholly filled with it. Come, O Lord and King, enter into our hearts, and live and reign there for ever and ever. O faithful Lord, teach us to trust Thee for life and death, and to take Thee for our All in All. — Amen. Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769) 70 Cfiou milt ^ftPto Q^e tfte patft of Life ^RESERVE me, O God ; for in thee do I take refuge. ^PO My soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord : I have no good beyond thee. As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that give gifts for an- other god: Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, 156 Mornmg Readings Nor take their names upon my lips. Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup ; Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons. I have set Jehovah always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. . Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life : In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16 God our heavenly Father, renew in us the sense of Thy gracious Presence, and let it be a constant impulse within us to peace, trustfulness, and courage on our pil- grimage. Let us hold Thee fast with a loving and ador- ing heart, and let our affections be fixed on Thee, that so the unbroken communion of our hearts with Thee may accompany us whatsoever we do, through life and in death. Teach us to pray heartily; to listen for Thy voice within, and never to stifle its warnings. Behold, we bring our poor hearts as a sacrifice unto Thee : come and fill Thy sanctuary, and suffer nought impure to enter there. O Thou Who art Love, let Thy Divine Spirit flow like a river through our whole souls, and lead us in Poetic Writings 157 the right way till we pass by a peaceful death into the Land of Promise. — Amen. Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769) 71 mj)o S)f)all aiJfDe in Ci)p Cafiernacle? 'TTORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? 5^ Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honoreth them that fear Jehovah; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15 Grant us, O Lord, to know what we ought to know, to love what we ought to love, to praise what is most pleasing to thee, to esteem what is precious in thy sight, to despise what is vile in thine eyes. Suffer us not to judge according to the sight of the outward eyes, nor to pronounce according to the hear- ing of the ears of inexperienced men; but to determine both the things that are seen and spiritual things with 158 Morning Readings true judgment, and above all things ever to seek thy good will and pleasure. — Amen. Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471) 72 Cj)e JJ)eatoen0 Declare tfte ©lotp of (©oD ^KHE heavens declare the glory of God; ^fl^And the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course. His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it ; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous alto- gether. Poetic Writings 159 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honey- comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden 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 clear from great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer. Psalm 19 Our God, and God of our fathers ! May Thy pres- ence be manifest to us in all Thy works, and may rev- erence for Thee fill the hearts of all Thy creatures ; may all the children of men bow before Thee in humility and unite to do Thy will with perfect hearts, and all acknowl- edge that Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the maj- esty, and that Thy name is exalted above all. — Amen. Liturgy of Jewish Church. 160 Morning Readings 73 Sfeftotjal) an0toet Cftee fEHOVAH answer thee in the day of trouble: The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high; Send thee help from the sanctuary, And strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, And accept thy burnt-sacrifice; Grant thee thy heart's desire, And fulfil all thy counsel. We will triumph in thy salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners : Jehovah fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that Jehovah saveth his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven With the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God. They are bowed down and fallen; But we are risen, and stand upright. Save, Jehovah: Let the King answer us when we call. Psalm 20 May it be Thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, to renew unto us this coming month for good and tor blessing. O grant us long life, a life of peace, of Poetic Writings ' 161 good, of blessing, of sustenance, of bodily vigor, a life marked by the fear of Heaven and the dread of sin, a life free from shame and reproach, a life of prosperity and honor, a life in which the love of the Law and the fear of Heaven shall cleave to us, a life in which the de- sires of our heart shall be fulfilled for good. — Amen. Prayer of Rah. of Sura. From the "Talmud" (100- 500 A. D.) Cfte ©ftepfterD p^alm Qf EHOVAH is my shepherd ; I shall not want. jf He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life ; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever. Psalm 23 162 Morning Readings O Shepherd of the sheep, who didst promise to carry the lambs in Thine arms, and to lead us by the still waters, help us to know the peace which passeth under- standing. Give us to drink that heavenly draught which is life, the calm patience which is content to bear what God giveth. Have mercy upon us, and hear our prayers. Lead us gently when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death. Guide us, till at last, in the assembly of Thy saints, we may find rest forevermore. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 75 Cfte €atti) 30 3fel)otial)'g HE earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof; ® ^The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place.'' He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek after him. That seek thy face, even Jacob. Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. Poetic Writings 163 Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm M Our God and God of our fathers, reign thou in thy glory over the whole universe, and be exalted above all the earth in thine honor, and shine forth in the splendor and excellence of thy might upon all the inhabitants of thy world, that whatsoever hath been made may know that thou hast made it, and whatsoever hath been created may understand that thou hast created it, and whatso- ever hath breath in its nostrils may say. The Lord God of Israel is King, and his dominion ruleth over all. Sanc- tify us by thy commandments, and grant our portion in thy Law; satisfy us with thy goodness, and gladden us with thy salvation. O purify our hearts to serve thee in truth, for thou art God in truth and thy word is truth, and endureth for ever. — Amen. Jewish Prayer Book 164f Morning Readings 76 Cfte LotD 30 9^p JLigftt anD 9ip ^altiatian ^f^HE Lord is my light and my salvation; ^Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me. Even then will I be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion : In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me; He will lift me up upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto Jehovah. Hear, O Jehovah, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. Poetic Writings 165 When thou saidsty Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face from me; Put not thy servant away in anger: Thou hast been my help ; Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my sal- vation. When my father and my mother forsake me. Then Jehovah will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Jehovah ; And lead me in a plain path. Because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries: For false witnesses are risen up against me. And such as breathe out cruelty. / had faintedy unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for the Lord. Psalm 27 Almighty and Holy Spirit, the Comforter, pure, liv- ing, true, — illuminate, govern, sanctify us, and confirm our heart and mind in the faith, and in all genuine con- solation; preserve and rule over us that, dwelling in the house of the Lord all the days of our life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, we may be and remain forever in 166 Morning Readings the temple of the Lord, and praise Him with a joyful spirit, and in union with all the heavenly church. — Amen. Philip Melancthon (1497-1560) (From his last prayer.) 77 3fei)ot)af) j^xt^ttutb tfte jFaitftfuI 3N thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear unto me; deliver me speedily: Be thou to me a strong rock, ^ A house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for thy name's sake lead me and guide me. Into thy hand I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah, thou God of truth. I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness ; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities ; And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy ; Thou hast set my feet in a large place. Oh how great is thy goodness, Which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee. Which thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in thee. Before the sons of men! Poetic Writings 167 In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the> plottings of man : Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be Jehovah; For he hath showed me his marvellous lovingkindness in a strong city. Oh love Jehovah, all ye his saints : Jehovah preserveth the faithful, And plentifully rewardeth him that dealeth proudly. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. All ye that hope in Jehovah. Psalm 31 : 1-3, 5, 7, 8, 19-21, 23, 24 O Heavenly Father, Who watchest always over Thy faithful people, and mightily defendest them, so that they be harmless preserved, we most heartily thank Thee, that it hath pleased Thy fatherly goodness to take care of us this night past. We most entirely beseech Thee, O most merciful Father, to show the like kindness toward us this day, in preserving our body and soul; that we may neither think, breathe, speak, or do anything that may be displeasing to Thy fatherly goodness, dangerous to ourselves, or hurtful to our neighbors ; but that all our do- ings may be agreeable to Thy most blessed will, which is alway good ; that they may advance Thy glory, answer to our vocations, and profit our neighbors, whom we ought to love as ourselves; that, whensoever Thou callest us hence, we may be found the children not of darkness but of light. — Amen. Thomas Becon (1511-1570) 168 Morning Readings 78 Kejoice in 3fet)otJal), 2D ge IRisl)teou0 2|%EJ0ICE in Jehovah, O ye righteous: '^^Praise is comely for the upright. For the word of Jehovah is right; And all his work is done in faithfulness. He loveth righteousness and justice: The earth is full of the lovingkindness of Jehovah. Let all the earth fear Jehovah : Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. The counsel of Jehovah standeth fast for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Jehovah looketh from heaven ; He beholdeth all the sons of men ; From the place of his habitation he looketh forth Upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works. Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear hiiri, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness ; To deliver their soul from death. And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him. Because we have trusted in his holy name. Poetic Writings 169 Let thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, According as we have hoped in thee. Psalm 33:1, 4, 5, 8, 11-15, 18-22 O Lord, grant that our hearts may be truly cleansed and filled with Thy holy spirit, and that we may arise to serve Thee, and lie down to sleep in entire confidence in Thee, and submission to Thy will, ready for life or for death. Let us live for the day, not overcharged with worldly cares, but feeling that our treasure is not here, and desiring truly to be joined to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom, and to those who are already gone to Thee. O Lord save us from sin, and guide us with Thy spirit, and keep us faithful in obedience to Thee. — Amen. Thomas Arnold 79 I mm 151000 3fej)oDaj) at ail Cime0 3 WILL bless Jehovah at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah: The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. Oh magnify Jehovah with me. And let us exalt his name together. Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints ; For there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: 170 Morning Readings I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous. And his ears are open unto their cry. The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil. To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous ; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked ; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants ; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be held guilty, p^^^^ 34:1-3, 9-11, 13-16, 18-22 Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of Thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of Thy wis- dom. All our desire is known unto Thee, therefore per- fect what Thou hast begun, and what Thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek Thy face, turn Thy face unto us and show us Thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. "~^™^^' St, Augustine (354-430) Poetic Writings 171 80 jFret iI3ot Cftp^elf IBttamt of (lBt)i^DDet0 ^jp'RET not thyself because of evil-doers, /J^ Neither be thou envious against them that work un- righteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noonday. Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him : Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way. Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the land. And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 172 Morning Readings I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land : When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; For there is a happy end to the man of peace. And Jehovah helpeth them, and rescueth them: He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him. Psalm 37:1-11, 25, 34-37, 40 Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to let the mind slacken from attending to the heavenly things, and to pass through many cares as though without care; not after the manner of a sluggard, but by a certain prerogative of a free mind, which does not cleave with inordinate affection to any creature. Preserve us, we beseech thee, O most compassionate God, from the cares of this life, that we be not too much entangled by them; from the many necessities of the body, that we may not be ensnared by pleasure; and from all hindrances of the soul, lest, being disheartened by troubles we be cast down. Give us fortitude, that we may stand; patience that we may endure; constancy, that we may persevere. Give Poetic Writings 173 us, in place of all the consolations of this world, the sweetest unction of thy spirit ; and instead of carnal love, infuse into us the love of thy name. — ^Amen. Thomas a Kempis 81 1 caJaiteD tot m LotD 3 WAITED patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and estab- lished my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God : many shall see ity and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done. And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Je- hovah ; Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually pre- serve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about; Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head ; And my heart hath failed me. 174* Morning Readings Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me: Make haste to help me, O Jehovah. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified. Psalm 40:1-3, 5, 11-13, 16 Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves ; keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls ; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. — Amen. Book of Common Prayer ^enD jaDut Cf)g Higftt fUDGE me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: Oh deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength ; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me: Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God. Poetic Writings 175 Why art thou cast down, my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43 Eternal Light, before whom all darkness is light, and, in comparison with whom, every other light is but dark- ness ! May it please Thee to send forth Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead us. Purify, we pray Thee, our souls from all impure imaginations, that Thy most beautiful and holy image may be again renewed within us, and, by contemplating Thy glorious perfec- tions, we may feel daily improved within us that Divine similitude, the perfection whereof we hope will at last make us forever happy in that full and beatific vision we aspire after. Till this most blessed day break, and the shadows fly away, let Thy Spirit be continually with us, and may we feel the powerful effects of Thy Divine grace constantly directing and supporting our steps; that all our endeavors, throughout the whole remaining part of our lives, may serve to promote the honor of Thy blessed Name. — Amen. Robert Leighton (1611-1684) 008 30 a)ut Jaefuge /jj^OD is our refuge and strength, V^A very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, 176 Morning Readings And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. Jehovah of hosts is with us ; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth ; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He bumeth the chariots in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Jehovah of hosts is with us ; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1-B, 7-11 Most Great and Glorious God, who hast appointed the rivers to hasten with a rapid motion to the sea, be gra- ciously pleased, we most humbly beseech Thee, to make the stream of our will perpetually to flow a cheerful and impetuous course, bearing down pleasure, interest, af- flictions, death, and all other obstacles and impediments whatsoever, before it, till it plunge itself joyfully into the unfathomable ocean of Thy divine will. — Amen. Charles How (1661-1784) Poetic Writings 177 84 a Praper for parDon jAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lov- ingkindness : According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, God; And renew a right spirit witliin me. Cast me not away from thy presence ; And take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee. O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou delightest not in sacrifice ; else would I give it : Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51 :1, 2, 10-13, 15-17 We humbly beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, to do away as the night all our transgressions, and to scatter our sins as the morning cloud. Lord, forgive whatso- ever is amiss in us, cleanse us from our sin, and let Thy 178 Morning Readings Holy Spirit so prevent and accompany and follow us day by day, that we may believe in Thee, and love Thee, and keep Thy commandments. — Amen. Goulhwm's Family Prayers 85 flip S)OUl, matt Cftpu in Silence /MY soul, wait thou in silence for God only; jS'^^'ror my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be moved. With God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery : If riches increase, set not your heart thereon, God hath spoken once. Twice have I heard this, That power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness ; For thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm 62 :5-8, 10-12 O Lord, let us not henceforth desire health or life, except to spend them for Thee, with Thee, and in Thee. Thou alone knowest what is good for us; do, therefore Poetic Writi/ngs 179 what seemeth Thee best. Give to us, or take from us; conform our wills to thine; and grant that with humble and perfect submission and in holy confidence, we may receive the orders of Thine eternal Providence; and may equally adore all that comes from Thee. — Amen. Pascal (1623-1662) 86 an tfte §)f)aDoto of CJ)g mins» ^^% GOD, thou art my God; earnestly will I seek thee: ^^ My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips; When I remember thee upon my bed. And meditate on thee in the night-watches. For thou hast been my help. And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Psalm 63 :1, 3-7 O Lord our God, under the shadow of Thy wings let us hope. Thou wilt support us, both when little, and even to gray hairs. When our strength is of Thee, it is strength ; but, when our own, it is feebleness. We re- turn unto Thee, O Lord, that from their weariness our 180 Morning Readings souls may rise towards Thee, leaning on the things which Thou hast created, and passing on to Thyself, who hast wonderfully made them ; for with Thee is refreshment and true strength. — ^Amen. St. Augustine (354-430) 87 Ptaj0e MJaitet!) for Cftee, © ©oD, in ^ion ^RAISE waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion; -II^And unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee. That he may dwell in thy courts: We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house. Thy holy temple. By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation. Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth. And of them that are afar off upon the sea: Who by his strength setteth fast the mountains, Being girded about with might; Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves. And the tumult of the peoples. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: Poetic Writings 181 Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it, Thou greatly enrichest it ; The river of God is full of water: Thou providest them grain, when thou hast so prepared the earth. Thou waterest its furrows abundantly; Thou settlest the ridges thereof: Thou makest it soft with showers; Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; And thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; And the hills are girded with joy. Psalm 65:1, g, 4-12 Bless, O Lord, and crown the year with the riches of Thy goodness, for the sake of the poor, the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger ; for the sake of all of us, who put our trust in Thee, and call upon Thy holy name: for the eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord, and Thou givest them their meat in due season. — Amen Alexcmdrian Littirgy 88 (Soa TSe 9@etciful /CXSy^ l)e merciful unto us, and bless us, ^^ And cause his face to shine upon us ; That thy way may be known upon earth, 182 Morning Readings Thy salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise thee, O God ; Let all the peoples praise thee. Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For thou wilt judge the peoples with equity, And govern the nations upon earth. Let all the peoples praise thee. Let all the peoples praise thee. The earth hath yielded its increase: God, even our own God, will bless us. God will bless us ; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 We therefore hope in Thee, Lord our God, that we may speedily behold the glory of Thy might when Thou wilt remove the abominations from the earth, and the idols will be utterly cut off, when the world will be per- fected under the kingdom of the Almighty, and all the children of flesh will call upon Thy name, when Thou wilt turn unto Thyself all the wicked of the earth. Let all the inhabitants of the world perceive and know that unto Thee every knee must bend, every tongue must swear. Before Thee, O Lord our God, let them bow and fall; and unto Thy glorious name let them give honor; let them all accept the yoke of Thy kingdom, and do Thou reign over them speedily, and for ever and ever. — Amen. Jewish Prayer Book Poetic Writings 183 89 3n Cftee Do I Cake Kefuge 3N thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For thou art my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. Cast me not off in the time of old age; Forsake me not when my strength faileth. God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, for- sake me not. Until I have declared thy strength unto tJie newt genera- tion, Thy might to every one that is to come. Thou, who hast showed us many and sore troubles, Wilt quicken us again. And wilt bring us up again from the depths of the earth. Increase thou my greatness, And turn again and comfort me. 1 will also praise thee with the psaltery, Even thy truth, O my God : 184 Morning Readings Unto thee will I sing praises with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. Psalm 71 :l-4, 9, 17, 18, 20-22 Grant unto us. Almighty God, that when our vision fails, and our understanding is darkened; when the ways of life seem hard, and the brightness of life is gone, — to us grant the wisdom that deepens faith when the sight is dim, and enlarges trust when the understanding is not clear. And whensoever Thy ways in nature or in the soul are hard to be understood, then may our quiet con- fidence, our patient trust, our loving faith in Thee be great, and as children knowing that they are loved, cared for, guarded, kept, may we with a quiet mind at all times put our trust in the unseen God. So may we face life without fear, and death without fainting; and, whatso- ever may be in the life to come, give us confident hope that whatsoever is best for us both here and hereafter is Thy good pleasure, and will be Thy law. — ^Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 90 ©itoe tfte Mm Cftp JuDgmenw >AIVE the king thy judgments, O God, ^^And thy righteousness unto the king's son. He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice. He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, Poetic Writings 185 As showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River unto the ends of the earth. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him. For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper. He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save. He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence; And precious will their blood be in his sight: And they shall live ; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: And men shall pray for him continually; They shall bless him all the day long. His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy. Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things: And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen. Psalm 72:1, 2, 6-8, 11-15, 17-19 Almighty Lord, of whose righteous will all things are, and were created; who liftest the islands out of the deep, 186 Morning Readings and preparest not in vain the habitable world ; Thou hast gathered our people into a great nation, and sent them to sow beside all waters, and multiply sure dwellings on the earth. Deepen the root of our life in everlasting righteousness ; and let not the crown of our pride be as a fading flower. Make us equal to our high trusts ; reverent in the use of freedom, just in the exercise of power, generous in the protection of weakness. . . . To our Legislators and Counsellors give insight and faith- fulness, that our laws may clearly speak the right, and our Judges purely interpret it. Let it be known among us how thou hatest robbery for burnt-offering; that the gains of industry may be all upright, and the use of wealth considerate. May wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times : and our deepest trust be in Thee, the Lord of nations and the King of kings. — Amen. James Martvneau (1805-1900) 91 00iItDn'0 Ctan0lation of tfte OBigfttp^fourtl) P0alm 3^0W lovely are thy dwellings fair! /^ O Lord of Hosts, how dear The pleasant tabernacles are. Where thou dost dwell so near! My soul doth long and almost die Thy courts, O Lord to see; My heart and flesh aloud do cry, O living God, for thee. Poetic Writings 187 There ev'n the sparrow freed from wrong Hath found a house of rest, The swallow there, to lay her young Hath built her brooding nest, Ev'n by thy altars, Lord of Hosts, They find their safe abode, And home they fly from round the coasts Toward thee, my King, my God. Happy, who in thy house reside, Where thee they ever praise, Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide, And in their hearts thy ways. They pass through Baca's thirsty vale. That dry and barren ground. As through a fruitful wat'ry dale Where springs and show'rs abound. They journey on from strength to strength With joy and gladsome cheer. Till all before our God at length In Sion do appear. Lord God of Hosts, hear now my prayer Jacob's God, give ear. Thou God our shield, look on the face Of thy anointed dear. For one day in thy courts to be Is better, and more blest. Than in the joys of vanity A thousand days at best. I in the temple of my God Had rather keep a door, 188 Morning Readings Than dwell in tents and rich abode With sin for evermore. For God the Lord, both sun and shield. Gives grace and glory bright, No good from them shall be withheld Whose ways are just and right. Lord God of Hosts, that reign'st on high, That man is truly blest, Who only on thee doth rely, And in thee only rest, God, in Thee alone can our wearied spirits find full satisfaction and rest, and in Thy love is the highest joy. Lord, if we have Thee we have enough ; and we are happy if Thou wilt but give peace to our consciences, and make us know how gracious and merciful Thou art. Preserve in our hearts that peace which passeth all understand- ing; and make us better and holier in time to come. Strengthen those of us who are in any sorrow or per- plexity by the inward comfort of Thy holy spirit, and bid us know that our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For there will come a time when Thou wilt bring us to the place of perfect rest, where we shall behold Thy face in righteousness, and be satisfied from Thy eternal fullness. — ^Amen. MelcUor Ritter (1689) Poetic Writings 189 92 Cftou l^a0t TSttn jfatioralJle Onto CD? ILanD g/EHOVAH, thou hast been favorable unto thy land; J/ Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin. Show us thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, And grant us thy salvation. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven. Yea, Jehovah will give that which is good; And our land shall yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before him, And shall make his footsteps a way to walk in. Psalm 85:1, 2, 7, 9-13 Almighty God, who in former time leddest our fathers forth into a wealthy place, and didst set their feet in a large room, give Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, to us their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of Thy favors and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Defend our liberties; preserve our unity. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. 190 Mommg Readmgs Fashion into one happy people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom we intrust in Thy name with the authority of governance, to the end that there may be peace at home, and that we keep our place among the nations of the earth. In the time of our prosperity, temper our self-confidence with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail. — Amen. Book of CoTnmon Prayer p Ceacf) Q^e Cftp ^ag OW down thine ear, O Jehovah, and answer me; For I am poor and needy. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee. There is none like unto thee among the gods, O Lord; Neither are there any works like unto thy works. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things ; Thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name. Oh turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; Give thy strength unto thy servant, And save the son of thy handmaid. Show me a token for good. That they who hate me may see it, and be put to shame, Poetic Writings 191 Because thou, Jehovah, hast helped me, and comforted me. Psalm 86:1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17 From the night our spirit awaketh unto Thee, O God, for Thy precepts are a light unto us. Teach us, O God, Thy righteousness, Thy commandments, and Thy judg- ments. Enlighten the eyes of our mind, that we sleep not in sins unto death. Drive away all darkness from our hearts. Vouchsafe us the sun of righteousness. Guard our lives from all reproach by the seal of Thy holy spirit. Guide our steps into the way of peace. Grant us to behold the dawn and the day with joy fulness, that we may send up to Thee our prayers at eventide. — Amen. Day-hreaTc Office of Eastern Church 94 ^ JEHOVAH God of hosts. Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee. Thou rulest the pride of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; Thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arm of thy strength. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thin^j: The world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. 19^ Morning Readings The north and the south, thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon rejoice in thy name. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne : Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: They walk, O Jehovah, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name do they rejoice all the day; And in thy righteousness are they exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength; And in thy favor our horn shall be exalted. For our shield belongeth unto Jehovah; And our king to the Holy One of Israel. Psalm 89 :S-1^, 14-18 O Lord our God, impose thine awe upon all thy works, and thy dread upon all that thou hast created, that all works may fear thee and all creatures prostrate them- selves before thee, that they may all form a single band to do thy will with a perfect heart, even as we know, O Lord our God, that dominion is thine, strength is in thy hand, and might in thy right hand, and that thy name is to be feared above all that thou hast created. Then shall the just also see and be glad, and the up- right shall exult, and the pious triumphantly rejoice, while iniquity shall close her mouth, and all wickedness shall be wholly consumed by smoke, when thou makest the dominion of arrogance to pass away from the earth. — ^Amen. Jewish Prayer Booh Poetic Writings 19S 95 P0alm of tfie jFIeeting gears 'TT ORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place -^^In all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou tumest man to destruction, And sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night. The days of our years are three-score years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years ; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow ; For it is soon gone, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days. That we may get us a heart of wisdom. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Mak^us glad according to the days wherein thou hast af- flicted us, And the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children. And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalm 90:1-4, 10, 12, 14-17 194 Mommg Readings O Righteous God ! It is a solemn thing to live by day and night beneath thy constant eye and move onwards to thy mysterious eternity. Touch us with a sacred dread, that we may stand in awe and sin not ; and then, may we have no other fear. Open our ears, as at a midnight watch, that we may be intent at the faintest approach of evil, and the softest whisper of thy grace. Fill us with the love of pureness, that we may redeem our lives from confusion, and lift up our wills from weakness, and in our conscience draw nearer to thy peace. Amid the temptations of passion and the eagerness of the world may we be of quiet heart ; seeing that the fashion of this world passeth away. Set together by thee on the same field of duty and of danger, may we be all of one heart and mind; in pity relieving, in mercy forgiving, and in honor preferring* one another ; able to endure hardness together, as true soldiers of the cross ; and seeing that we fall not out by the short and narrow way that leadeth unto life. — ^Amen. James Marti/neau (1805-1900) 96 J^e M 00V Kefuge ,E that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress ; My God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. w. Poetic Writings 195 He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge : His truth is a shield and a buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day ; For the pestilence that walketh in darkness. Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side. And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee. For thou, Jehovah, art my refuge 1 Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation ; There shall no evil befall thee. Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent. For he will 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 serpent shalt thou trample under foot. 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 honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation. Psalm 91 196 Morning Readings O Thou great Author of our being, who knowest all our wants, and who alone art able to supply them; who perceivest all the dangers and evils to which we are ex- posed, and who alone canst defend us ; whither shall we go but unto thee ! We pray thee to compassionate our weakness, to guard us in peril, to direct us in doubt, and to save us from falling into sin. In every exposure may thy shield be over us. From the evil that is around and within us, graciously deliver us. Make the path of duty plain before us, and keep us in it, even unto the end. — Amen. King's Chapel Liturgy 97 2t 30 a (SooD Cfting to ®i\}t Cftanb0 3T is a good thing to give thanks unto Jehovah. And to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High ; To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every night. For thou, Jehovah, hast made me glad through thy work : I will triumph in the works of thy hands. How great are thy works, O Jehovah! Thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; Neither doth a fool understand this : When the wicked spring as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever. But thou, O Jehovah, art on high for evermore. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: Poetic Writings 197 He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall flourish in the courts of our God. Thy shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; They shall be full of sap and green: To chow that Jehovah is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:1, 2, 4-8, 12-15 Remember, O Lord, all who bring forth fruit, and do good works in thy holy churches, and who are mindful of the poor, the widows, orphans, strangers and indigent persons, and all who desire to be remembered in our prayers. And grant that we may all find mercy and favor with all thy saints, who, from the beginning of the world, have pleased thee in their several generations, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and every just spirit made perfect in the faith, from righteous Abel even unto this day; do thou give them and us rest in the region of the living, in the bosom of the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whence sorrow, grief, and lamentation are banished away, where the light of thy countenance visits and shines continually; and vouchsafe to bring them and us to the full enjoyment of thy heavenly kingdom. — Amen. Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) 198 Morning Readings 98 3fe!)PDaf) Heignett) fEHOVAH reigneth; he is clothed with majesty; Jehovah is clothed with strength ; he hath girded him- self therewith: The world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old : Thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many waters, The mighty breakers of the sea, Jehovah on high is mighty. Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thy house, O Jehovah, for evermore. Psalm 93 Almighty God, Lord of the storm and of the calm, the vexed sea and the quiet haven, of day and of night, of life and of death — grant us so to have our hearts stayed upon Thy faithfulness. Thine unchangingness and love, that, whatsoever betide us, however black the cloud or dark the night, with quiet faith trusting in Thee, we may look upon Thee with untroubled eye, and walking in lowliness towards Thee, and in lovingness towards one another, abide all storms and troubles of this mortal life, Poetic Writings 199 beseeching Thee that they turn to the soul's true good. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 99 2D Come, Let O0 mor!5f)ip ll^H come, let us sing unto Jehovah; ^tt^Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our sal- vation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For Jehovah is a great God, And a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, and he made it ; And his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker : For he is our God, And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:1-7 O God, by whose will all things were made, and by whose truth they continue in being; we beseech Thee, to keep us under Thy shelter, lest we be cast down from our chief happiness by the swellings of pride; grant us ever to ascend into heaven by the steps of humility ; and 200 Mornmg Readings because Thou art the Fountain of Life, from Thee maj we drink what by faith we thirst for; in Thy light may we shine with the light of knowledge, and reap the fruit of righteousness in an everlasting exaltation. — Amen. Mozarabic Liturgy (700 A. D.) 100 © Sing ainto tfte LotO a iQeto Song ll^H sing unto Jehovah a new song: ^^^Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. Sing unto Jehovah, bless his name; Show forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; But Jehovah made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Oh worship Jehovah in holy array: Tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved: He will judge the peoples with equity. Poetic Writings 201 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; Let the field exult, and all that is therein ; Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy Before Jehovah; for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with his truth. Psalm 96 O Lord, whom all Thy good creatures bless and praise according to Thy gift unto each of them, grant, we pray Thee, that we on whom Thou hast bestowed reason and speech may ever bless Thee with heart and lips, and may of Thine infinite mercy inherit a blessing, even the eternal blessedness of heaven. — Amen. Christina G. Rossetti (1830-1894) 101 3fe6otoa6 JReignetfi; Utt tfte ©attft Kefoice fEHOVAH reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad. The heavens declare his rightousness. And all the peoples have seen his glory. For thou, Jehovah, art most high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods. O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints ; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 202 Mornmg Readings Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous ; And give thanks to his holy memorial name. Psalm 97:1, 6, 9-12 We bless and praise and magnify Thee, O God of our fathers, who hast led us out of the shadows of night once more into the light of day. Unto Thy loving kindness we make our entreaty; be merciful to our misdeeds; ac- cept our prayers in the fulness of Thy compassions, for Thou art our refuge from one generation to another, O merciful and almighty God. Suffer the true Sun of Thy righteousness to shine in our hearts, enlighten our rea- son, and purify our senses; that so we may walk hon- estly as in the day, in the way of Thy commandments, and reach at last the life eternal, where we shall rejoice in Thy inaccessible life. For Thou art the Fountain of Life, and in Thy light shall we see light. — Amen. Greek Church 102 9@abe a 3fogful moi$t, ail tfte OBattft iflfJAKE a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all the earth: ^vl-Break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises. Sing praises unto Jehovah with the harp ; With the harp and the voice of melody. With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the King, Jehovah. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof ; Poetic Writings 203 The world, and they that dwell therein; Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills sing for joy together Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity. Psalm 98:4-9 Praised Be Thou, O God, Almighty Ruler, who dost make the day bright with Thy sunshine, and the night with the beams of heavenly fires! Listen now to our prayers, and forgive us both our conscious and uncon- scious transgressions. Clothe us with the armor of righteousness; shield us with Thy truth; watch over us with Thy power; save us from all calamity; and give us grace to pass all the days of our life, blameless, holy, peaceful, free from sin, terror, and offence. For with Thee is mercy and plenteous redemption, our Lord and God, and to Thee we bring our thanks and praise. — Amen. Greek Church 103 Cfte 2Dne ^unDretitl) P0alm /M[AKE a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands^ ^jn^^Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his ; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. ^04i Morning Readings Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name. For Jehovah is good; his lovingkindness endureth for ever, And his faithfulness unto all generations. Psalm 100 Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we. Thine un- worthy servants, do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and lovingkindness to us and to all men. We bless Thee for our creation, pres- ervation, and all the blessings of this life and for the hope of glory. And we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be un- feignedly thankful, and that we show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our Lives, by giving up ourselves to Thy service and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days. — ^Amen. Book of Common Trayer 104 lS\t%% tbe iLorti, ffl) ^p %b\x\ 212 ^ESS Jehovah, my soul; J*^And all that is within me, hless his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits : Who f orgiveth all thine iniquities ; Who healeth all thy diseases ; Poetic Writmgs 205 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mer- cies; Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. 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 after our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west. So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children. So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless Jehovah, ye his angels. That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts. Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Psalm 103:1-4, 8-13, 19-22 Bless the Lord, my soul! For doth not all nature around us praise Him? If we were silent, we should be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God W6 Morning Readings of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write His name in letters of fire upon the midnight darkness? Hath not the whole earth a voice, and shall we, can we, be silent? "Bless the Lord, O my soul."^ — ^Amen, Charles H, Spurgeon 105 ^oto 9@anifolO are Clip Eaorfe0 PLESS Jehovah, O my soul. Jehovah my God, thou art very great ; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty: Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind; Who maketh winds his messengers; Flames of fire his ministers ; Who laid the foundations of the earth. That it should not be moved for ever. He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth, He appointed the moon for Reasons: The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Poetic Writings 207 Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God. The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening. Jehovah, how manifold are thy works ! In wisdom hast thou made them all : The earth is full of thy riches. Let the glory of Jehovah endure for ever; Let Jehovah rejoice in his works: 1 will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Psalm 104 :l-5, 13, 14, 19-24, 31, 33 O Lord, the Creator and Preserver of all things, who with unerring wisdom maintainest the beauty and order of thy works; we look up with joy and confidence unto thy gracious power, which causes the returning seasons to know their place. Bless, we beseech thee, the spring- ing of the year, and enrich the earth with the rain of heaven. May grass grow for the cattle and herbs and fruits for the servdce of man. May our pastures be clothed with flocks, our valleys covered with com, and the year crowned with thy goodness; and may we so im- prove the various blessings of thy providence in this world, as to be prepared for the unchangeable felicities of thine everlasting kingdom. — Amen. King's Chapel Liturgy (1785) 208 Morning Readings 106 ffl) aitie Cf)ank0, for ^e 30 ©ooD IJ^H give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; ^^t^For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary, They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses, He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good. Fools because of their transgression. And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses. He sendeth his word, and healeth them. And delivereth them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkind- ness. And for his wonderful works to the children of men! Poetic Writmgs 209 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing. Psalm 107:1,2,4-9,17-22 Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, the God of our fathers, who tumest the shadow of death into the morn- ing; who hast lightened our eyes, that we sleep not in death. O Lord, blot out as a night-mist our iniquities. Scatter our sins as a morning cloud. Grant that we may become children of the light, and of the day. Vouch- safe to keep us this day without sin. Uphold us when we are falling, and lift us up when we are down. Pre- serve this day from any evil of ours, and us from the evils of the day. Let this day add some knowledge, or good deed, to yesterday. Oh, let us hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning, for in Thee is our trust. Teach us to do the thing that pleaseth Thee, for Thou art our God. Let Thy loving Spirit lead us forth into the land of righteousness. — Amen. Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) 107 taj|)O0o 30 miu mill ©itie l^eeD ll^H that men would praise Jehovah for his loving- ^^ "kindness. And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people. And praise him in the seat of the elders. He tumeth rivers into a wilderness, 210 Morning Readings And watersprings into a thirsty ground ; A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell. That they may prepare a city of habitation. And sow fields, and plant vineyards. And get them fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly ; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes. And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. The upright shall see it, and be glad ; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise will give heed to these things ; And they will consider the lovingkindness of Jehovah, Psalm 107:31-43 O Thou holy and unspeakable, Thou wonderful and mighty God, whose power and wisdom hath no end, be- fore whom all powers tremble, at whose glance the heav- ens and the earth flee away. Thou art Love, Thou art our Father, and we will love and worship Thee forever and ever! Thou hast deigned to show pity on us, and a ray from Thy light hath shone upon our inward eye. Poetic Writings 211 Guide us on into the perfect light, that it may illumine us wholly, and that all darkness may flee away. Let the holy flame of Thy love so bum in our hearts that they be made pure and we may see Thee, God ; for it is the pure in heart who see Thee. Thou hast set us free; Thou hast dra^vn us to Thee; therefore forsake us not, but keep us always in Thy grace. Guide us and rule us, and perfect us for Thy kingdom. — Amen. St. Augmtine (354-430) 108 Cfte caotb0 of ^10 ^anD0 ate Ctutft PRAISE ye Jehovah. ^p'l will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of Jehovah are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honor and majesty; And his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful. He hath given food unto them that fear him : He will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of tlie nations. The works of his hands are truth and justice; All his precepts are sure. They are established for ever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness* 212 Mornmg Readings He hath sent redemption unto his people ; He hath commanded his covenant for ever : Holy and reverend is his name. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom ; A good understanding have all they that do his command' Tuents: His praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111 O Lord God, Father of mercies, the xountain of com- fort and blessing, of life and peace, of plenty and par- don, who fillest heaven with Thy glory, and earth with Thy goodness; we give Thee the most earnest, and most humble returns of glad and thankful hearts, for Thou hast refreshed us with Thy comforts, and enlarged us with Thy blessing; for, besides the blessings of all man- kind, the blessings of nature and the blessings of grace, the support of every minute, and the comforts of every day. Thou hast poured out an excellent expression of Thy lovingkindness upon us. Thou, Lord, hast made us glad through Thy works; we wiU rejoice in giving praise for the operations of Thy hand. Blessed be the Lord who only doeth wondrous and gracious things. And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever; and all the earth shall be filled with his majesty. — Amen. Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) Poetic Writings 21 S 109 lSIe00eD 10 tfte Q^an Cftat Jfearetb tfte LorD PRAISE ye Jehovah. ^I^Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, That dehghteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and merciful, and righteous. Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lend- eth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment. For he shall never be moved ; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy ; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm lis Grant unto us. Almighty God, Thy peace that pass- eth understanding; that we, amid the storms and trou- 214 Morning Readings bles of this our life, may rest in Thee, knowing that all things are in Thee, under Thy care, governed by Thy will, guarded by Thy love; so that with a quiet heart we may see the storms of life, the cloud and the thick darkness; ever rejoicing to know that the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Guide, guard, and gov- ern us even to the end, that none of us may fail to lay hold upon the immortal life. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 110 fl) Cftat 9^p MJap0 mttt ([B0ta6Ii0!)eD to Bieep Cbp @)tatute0 JfJLESSED are they that are perfect in the way, ?^Who walk in the law of Jehovah. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart. Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently. Oh that my ways were established To keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments. I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly. Poetic Writings 215 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:1-16 Grant us clear insight into the truth, steadfast ap- prehension of the right, that through the mazes of this world's errors and temptations we may walk unhindered and unfalteringly the pathway of godliness. Grant us strength to do Thy will. Lead Thou us by the hand, as a father leadeth his child, lest we fall. Satisfy us early through Thy mercy, that we may rejoice in Thee and give thanks unto Thee all the days of our life. — ^Amen. Jewish Liturgy 216 Morning Readings 111 CeacI) age, 2D 3feftotja|) ^ir^ACH me, Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; ^^And I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; Yea, I shall observ^e it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity. And quicken me in thy ways. Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee. Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid; For thine ordinances are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. Oh how love I thy law ! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers ; For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged. Because I have kept thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way. That I might observe thy word. I have not turned aside from thine ordinances ; Poetic Writings ^17 For thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yeay sweeter than honey to my mouth ! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end. Psalm 119:33-40, 97-104, 111, 112 Grant unto us, almighty God, the knowledge of Thy way, and the spirit of obedience thereunto, that, being confirmed in thought and words unto Thy way. Thy peace may rule in our hearts. Help us to cast out all those things which are contrary to Thy peace, or that are not according to Thy will, that so ours may be the quiet life of trust, and faith and obedience, living lowly, longing for thy truth, and walking in the light thereof, that Thy blessing may be upon us, and the light of our countenance our perpetual delight. — ^Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 112 9 mill Lift m m^t OBges 2if WILL lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: ^ From whence shall my help come? My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth. 218 Morning Readings He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He tliat keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul. Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore. Psalm 121 Cause us, O Lord our God, to lie down in peace, and raise us up, O our King, unto life. Spread over us the tabernacle of Thy peace ; direct us aright through Thine own good counsel ; save us for Thy name's sake ; be Thou a shield about us; remove from us every enemy, pesti- lence, sword, famine and sorrow; remove also the adver- sary from before us and from behind us. O shelter us beneath the shadow of Thy wings; for Thou, O God, art our Guardian and our Deliverer; yea. Thou, God, art a gracious and merciful King; and guard our going out and our coming in unto life and unto peace from this Time forth and for evermore. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who guardest thy people for ever. Jewish Prayer Book Poetic Writings 219 lis ffl)ut JFeet S>tooD jaitftin CJ)g ©ates 3 WAS glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah. Our feet are standing Within thy gates, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together; Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, For an ordinance for Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah. For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls. And prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek thy good. Psalm 122 We most earnestly beseech Thee, O Thou Lover of mankind, to bless all Thy people, the flocks of Thy fold. Send down into our hearts the peace of heaven, and grant us also the peace of this life. Give life to the souls of all of us, and let no deadly sin prevail against us, or any of Thy people. Deliver all who are in trouble, for 220 Morning Readings Thou art our God, who settest the captives free; who givest hope to the hopeless, and help to the helpless; who liftest up the fallen; and who art the Haven of the shipwrecked. Give Thy pity, pardon, and refreshment to every soul, whether in affliction or error. Preserve us, in our pilgrimage through this life from hurt and dan- ger, and grant that we may end our lives as well-pleasing to Thee and free from sin, and that we may have our portion and lot with all Thy saints. — Amen. Liturgy of St. Mark (175-254.?) 114 20raer0 ^ong of Delitjetance 3F it had not been Jehovah who was on our side. Let Israel now say. If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side. When men rose up against us; Then they had swallowed us up alive. When their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, The stream had gone over our soul; Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be Jehovah, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowl- ers: The snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth. ^ , -^. Psalm 124 Poetic Writings 221 O Lord, our God, who hast mercifully numbered us among the objects of Thy redeeming love. Thou art our glory and our joy, our hope and refuge in the day of our distress. But our love is yet feeble, and our holy reso- lutions imperfect: do Thou, therefore, visit us continu- ally, and instruct us out of Thy law; deliver us from malignant passions and sensual desires, that, being healed and purified, we may love with more ardor, suffer with more patience, and persevere with more constancy. — Amen. ThoTnas a Kempis (1379-14.71); 115 Cftep are 30 90aunt ^ion EY that trust in Jehovah St! »^Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abid- eth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So Jehovah is round about his people From this time forth and for evermore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good. And to them that are upright in their hearts. But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. p , -^^ 222 Morning Readings In Thee, O Lord God, we place our whole hope and refuge; on Thee we rest all our tribulation and anguish; for we find all to be weak and inconstant, whatsoever we behold out of Thee. For many friends cannot profit, nor strong helpers assist, nor the books of the learned afford comfort, nor any place give shelter, unless Thou Thyself dost assist, strengthen, console, instruct, and guard us. For all things that seem to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity without Thee, are noth- ing, and do bring in truth no felicity at all. Thou there- fore art the Fountain of all that is good ; and to hope in Thee above all things is the strongest comfort of Thy servants. To Thee, therefore, do we lift up our eyes; in Thee, our God, the Father of mercies, do we put our trust. — ^Amen. Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471) 116 15le00in00 of tfte iai0j)teou0 w >LESSED is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands : Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine. In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah. Poetic Writings 223 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion: And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, see thou thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel. Psalm 128 Confer upon us, O thou Almighty Spirit, the spirit of truth, the love of what is, the joy of thy commandments, the beauty of thy love, and let us in our daily lives, with simplicity of heart and purity of thought, seek to know thee, to know our own being, our inmost purpose, and may our thoughts and our purpose be alike consecrated to thee. Let thy blessing be in every heart of man ; let it be in every human dwelling, resting down in holy peace upon little children, upon youth, upon mature age and man- hood, and upon the aged in years, and let all thy chil- dren be blessed in thee, their Father in heaven. — Amen. Horatio Stebbins (1864-1902) 117 2Dut of tfte Dept!)0 ll^UT of the depths have I cried unto thee, Jehovah. ^^^Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand.'' ^24 Mommg Readings But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait. And in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord More than watchmen wait for the morning; Yea, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption. And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Fsalm 130 Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore Thou those who are peni- tent; according to Thy promises declared unto mankind, and grant, O most merciful Father, that we may here- after live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name. — ^Amen. Episcopal Service Booh Poetic Writings 225 118 In tfte Dap Cftat 3 CalleD Cftau anstoeteDst J£ WILL give thee thanks with my whole heart: ^ Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day that I called thou answeredst me, T^ou didst encourage me with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Je- hovah, For they have heard the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah. For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt re- vive me; Thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies. And thy right hand will save me. Jehovah will perfect that which concemeth me: Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138 £26 Morning Readings O Thou who art Love, and who seest all the suffering, injustice and misery which reign in this world, have pity, we implore Thee, on the work of Thy hands. Look mercifully upon the poor, the oppressed, and all who are heavy laden with error, labor, and sorrow. Fill our hearts with deep compassion for those who suffer, and hasten the coming of Thy kingdom of justice and truth. — ^Amen. Eugene Bersier (1831-1889) 119 ^f\ JEHOVAH, thou hast searched me, and known jne, ^^ Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue. But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sda ; Poetic Writmgs 22*^ Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night ; Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee, I will give thanks unto thee ; for I am fearfully and won- derfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee. Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts ; And see if there be any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. Fsalm 139:1-12, 14, 17, 18, 23, M Almighty God, be with thy people as thou hast been from of old. Let thy goodness be according to our wants, our ignorance, our weakness, frailty and sin. Thou knowest us altogether, and it is well for us that thou shouldst know us fully. May we by thy spirit be able to say with the sincerity and simplicity of a child- like heart, "Search me and know me, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlast- ^"S" Horatio Stehhvns (1864-1902) 228 Morning Readings 120 3 mm (Bnol Cftee, 9@p (Sod, © JKing 3 WILL extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts. Jehovah is gracious, and merciful ; Slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness. Jehovah is good to all ; And his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, Jehovah; And thy saints shall bless thee. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And thy dominion endwreth throughout all generations. Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works. Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. Jehovah preserveth all them that love him; But all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of Jehovah; And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1-4, 8-10, 13, 17-21 Poetic Writi/ngs S29 O God! from whom all blessings descend, whom the storm and the thunder obey, preserve us from error; deign to inform our minds ; attach us to that eternal rea- son by which Thou art guided and supported in the gov- ernment of the world; that being ourselves honored we may also honor Thee, as becomes feeble and mortal be- ings, by celebrating Thy works in an uninterrupted hymn; for neither the inhabitant of earth, nor the in- habitant of heaven can be engaged in a service more noble than that of celebrating the divine mind which pre- sides over Nature. — ^Amen. Hymn of Cleanthes (about 210 B. C.) ^appg M l^e Cftat ^ati) tfte ©oD of 3faco6 ^J|li[HILE I live will I praise Jehovah: ^^^"^^I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in Jehovah his God: Who made heaven and earth. The sea, and all that in them is; Who keepeth truth for ever; Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners ; Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous; 230 Mornmg Readings Jehovah preserveth the sojourners; He upholdeth the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked he tumeth upside down, Jehovah will reign for ever. Thy God, Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye Jehovah. PsflZm 146:2, 5-10 O King of Peace, give us Thy peace; keep us in love and charity; be our God, for we know none beside Thee; we call upon Thy name; grant unto our souls the life of righteousness, that the death of sin may not prevail against us, or any of Thy people. . . . Relieve those who are in the prisons or in the mines, under accusations or condemnations, in exile or in slavery, or loaded with grievous tribute ; deliver them all, for Thou art our God, who loosest those that are in bonds, and raisest those that are oppressed; the hope of the hopeless, the helper of the helpless, the lifter up of those who are fallen, the haven of those who are shipwrecked, the avenger of those who are injured. . . . And, O Lord, Thou physician of the soul and body, heal all our infirmities both of soul and bodies: O Thou, who art the overseer of all flesh, watch over us and heal us by Thy saving health. — Amen. Alewandrian Liturgy V 122 3Ie!)ot)aft ©itietj) mi0Dom /r|fl[Y son, if thou wilt receive my words, ^^'And lay up my commandments with thee; So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom. And apply thy heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures : Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity; That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, 2/ea, every good path. Proverbs 2:1-9 Blessed God, who hath caused all good books for our learning, as Thou givest all good thoughts for our think- ing, grant us not to misuse any gift of Thy wisdom or of Thy breath. So let us read all holy books carefully, 233 234 Morning Readings and listen to wise teachings modestly, and meditate on good sayings profitably, and let no pride or bodily humor harden our hearts ; but above all, by the true presence of Thy holy breath, and by Thy constant blessing on all our words and works, lead us into Thy truth, and give us Thy peace, which the world cannot give. — Amen. Rowlamd WUliams (1817-1870) 123 Cfte lvalue of mi0Dom /fjVY son, forget not my law; ^^l-But let thy heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee. Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart: So shalt thou find favor and ^ood understanding In the sight of God and man. Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom. And the man that getteth understanding. For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 235 She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be com- pared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her. Proverbs 3:1-7, 13-18 Almighty God, in whose hands are all the powers of man ; who givest understanding, and takest it away ; who, as it seemeth good unto Thee, enlightenest the thoughts of the simple, and darkenest the meditations of the wise, be present with us in our studies and inquiries. Grant, O Lord, that we may not lavish away the life which Thou hast given us on useless trifles, nor waste it in vain searches after things which Thou hast hidden from us. Enable us, by Thy Holy Spirit, so to shun sloth and negligence, that every day may discharge part of the task which Thou hast allotted us; and so further with Thy help that labor which, without Thy help, must be ineffectual, that we may obtain, in all our undertakings, such success as will most promote Thy glory, and the salvation of our own souls. — Amen. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) 236 Mornmg Readings Dotft i]5ot caJi0aom Crp? ^9||%0TH not wisdom cry, ^^And understanding put forth her voice? On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth; Beside the gates, at the entry of the city. At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of men. Hear, for I will speak excellent things ; And the opening of my lips shall be right things. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness ; There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. Receive my instruction, and not silver ; And knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be com- pared unto it. I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling, And find out knowledge and discretion. By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. Riches and honor are with me; Yea, durable wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold ; And my revenue than choice silver. Proverbs 237 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice: Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates. Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life. And shall obtain favor of Jehovah. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:1-4, 6, 8, 10-12, 16-20, 33-36 O Thou, the Giver of good and beautiful gifts, we bring glad thanks for all great and noble teachers and helpers of our race; for every lesson of wisdom, justice, and goodness which they have taught us ; for the light of the knowledge of thee, growing ever brighter; for the gospel of human brotherhood and for the hope of better days to come. May we devote ourselves with willing hearts to pass on the light of truth and goodness and to make the world better and happier. — Amen. From a Service Book by (Dr. Charles F, Dole 125 mistom's Dtoelling MISDOM hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; S38 Morning Readings She hath also furnished her table: She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him. Come, eat je of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee : Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom ; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased. Proverbs 9:1-11 O Fount of wisdom! Light of lights! Who knowest every instant more than we could learn in everlasting years ! may every opening of truth be to us as a glimpse of Thee. Yet let not our deep ignorance be as the hid- ing of Thy face, but only as a call to trust Thee, that Thou wilt lead the blind by a way that they knew not. Whatever else thou mayest withhold from us, O give us purity of heart to see Jhee, and to trace Thy word Proverbs 239 within our spirits, and follow Thy footsteps though they lose us in the mighty deep. — Amen. James Martmeau (1805-1900) 126 a page of Contrast0 /W FALSE balance is an abomination to Jehovah; ^^ But a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame ; But with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them ; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shaU perish ; And the hope of iniquity perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble; And the wicked cometh in his stead. With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neigh- bor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted ; S40 Morning Readings But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace. He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter. Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:1-14 Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty and most merci- ful God, fervently to desire, wisely to search out, and per- fectly to fulfil, all that is well-pleasing unto Thee. Order Thou our worldly condition to the glory of Thy name; and, of all that Thou requirest us to do, grant us the knowledge, the desire and the ability, that we may so ful- fil it as we ought, and may our path to Thee, we pray, be safe, straightforward, and perfect to the end. Give us, Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards ; give us unconquered hearts which no tribulation can wear out; give us up- right hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord, understanding to know Thee, diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace Thee. — Amen. St, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Proverbs 241 127 ©undrg protier60 /^C GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, *^^ And loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all. A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it. The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovali Is riches, and honor, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go. And even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:1-6 Almighty God, grant that by the faithful practice of the things that we know to be true, our hearts may be purged of all evil thoughts and desires, and we be brought back again to something of the pureness of spirit by which alone Thou mayest be served. Forgive all our wanderings from the light. Grant that we may escape this great condemnation — that light having come into the world, we have chosen darkness rather than light. Show us the light, and cause us to live in it, and by it to pass through the shadow of death with safety, and to abide with it forevermore. — Amen. George Dawson (1821-1876) 242 Morning Readings 128 ©uttDrg Prober 6» fff SOFT answer tumeth away wrath; ^"^ But a grievous word stirreth up anger. The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly. .The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit. A fool despiseth his father's correction ; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence. In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah ; But the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die. Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; How much more then the hearts of the children of men! A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 243 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowl- edge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast. Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:1-16 Hear our prayer, Lord, and consider our desires* Give unto us true humility, a meek and quiet spirit, a loving and a friendly, a holy and a useful manner of life ; bearing the burdens of our neighbors, denying our- selves, and studying to benefit others, and to please Thee in all things. Grant us to be righteous in performing promises, loving to our relatives, careful of our charges ; to be gentle and easy to be entreated, slow to anger, and readily prepared for every good work. — ^Amen. Jeremi/ Tat/lor (1613-1667) 129 Description of a mottbv ^oman /gr WORTHY woman who can find? ^^ For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, 244« Morning Readings And worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night. And giveth food to her household. And their task to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it ; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength. And maketh strong her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor ; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry ; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates. When he sittetli among the elders of the land. She maketh linen garments and selleth them. And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. She looketh well to the ways of her household. And eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed ; Proverbs M5 Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying: Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands ; And let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:10-31 Lord, we thank Thee for our fathers who brought us up, who have gone before us and blessed us with mani- fold kindness and tenderness; and we bless Thee also for the mothers who bore and carefully tended us, and watched over our little heads and trained our infantile feet to walk in the ways of pleasantness and in the paths of peace. We thank Thee for the noble nature which Thou hast given to woman, for the various faculties wherein she differs from man, for her transcendent mind which an- ticipates his slower thought. We bless Thee for her generous instincts of morality, of lovingkindness and tender mercy, and that deep religious power of intuition whereby she communes with Thy spirit face to face, and knows Thee and loves Thee with an exceeding depth of noble heart. We thank Thee for the great and lustrous women of other times and our own age, who spoke as they were moved by thy spirit, or who, with lives more eloquent than speech, ran before the world's great prophets and redeemers, smoothing the pathway which rougher feet were yet to tread, and shedding the balsam of their benediction on the air which mankind was to 246 Morning Readings breathe. We bless Thee for the noble and generous women in our own day, engaged in various callings and lots of human life. We thank Thee for those who re- lieve the sick, who recall the wandering from the way of wickedness, who smooth the pillow of suffering, who teach and instruct those who are ignorant, who lift up such as are fallen down, and overtake the aged or the juve- nile wanderers who are outcasts from the world. Father, we bless Thee for all these blessings, which Thou givest to the world in this portion of humanity. — Amen. Theodore Parker 130 ^fJfVY son, hear the instruction of thy father, and for- jj^^^sake not the law of thy mother. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowl- edge him and he shall direct thy paths. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause if he have done thee no harm. A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Thine own friend and thy father's friend forsake not. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in Proverbs 24T the way of evil men. Avoid it ; pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Walk not in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path. Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace is counted wise. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. He that hath a merry heart hath a continual feast. , He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings ; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of in- struction; let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life. Selected Proverbs thou, who requirest us to love them that love us, pour out thy blessings, great and manifold, upon all our friends and benefactors ; all who have done or wish us well, many perhaps unknown to us; preserve them, O Lord, and keep them alive, that they may be blessed upon earth, and deliver them not into the will of their enemies. 248 Morning Readings O thou, who hast declared that our righteousness must far exceed that of publicans and sinners, grant us never to be wanting in kindness and civil respects to all who live peaceably and quietly in our neighborhood; but to be cheerful and ready in making suitable returns of love to all that love us. Our own friends, and our fathers' friends, and the children of both our friends, let us never ungratefully despise, neglect or forsake. — Amen. Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) 131 Cf)e mi%t anD tfte JFoDli06 3NCLINE thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee. If they be established together upon thy lips. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes ; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel. A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understand- ing Than a hundred stripes into a fool. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain. Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out. Selected Proverbs Proverbs 249 Grant, we beseech Thee, Lord, the giver and guide of all reason, that we may always be mindful of the na- ture, of the dignity, and of the privileges Thou hast hon- ored us with, that we may act in all things as becomes free agents, to the subduing and governing of our pas- sions, to the refining them from flesh and sense, to the rendering them subservient to excellent purposes. Grant us also Thy favorable assistance in the forming and di- recting our judgment, and enlighten us with Thy truth, that we may discern those things which are really good, and having discovered them, may love and cleave stead- fastly to the same. And, finally, disperse, we pray Thee, those mists which darken the eyes of our minds, that so we may have a perfect understanding, and know both God and man, and what to each is due. — Amen. Simplicius (5th Century) Cteatment of tfte poor anD tfte ageD ^|KHE glory of young men is their strength: ^^And the beauty of old men is the gray head. The hoary head is a crown of glory If it be found in the way of righteousness. Children's children are the crown of old men: And the glory of children are their fathers. There is a generation that curse their father, And bless not their mother. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyeS| 250 Morning Readings And yet are not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes I And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, And their jaw teeth as knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail. Rob not the poor, Ijecause he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor. Even a child maketh himself known by his doings. Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Selected Proverbs Pour into our hearts the spirit of unselfishness, so that, when our cup overflows, we may seek to share our hap- piness with our brethren. O Thou God of love, who makest Thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust, grant that we may become more and more Thy true children, by receiving into our souls more of thine own spirit of un- grudging and unwearying kindness. — ^Amen. Hwnter*s Devotional Services (1895) Proverbs 251 133 Creatment of OEnemieg MHEN a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth. Lest the Lord see it and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious at the wicked, for there shall be no reward to the evil man, and the candle of the wicked shall be put out. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. Say not, I will recompense evil, but wait on the Lord and he shall save thee. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat ; if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy find- eth life, righteousness and honor. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Selected Proverbs O our God! guard our tongues from evil and our lips from speaking guile ; and to such as curse us let our soul be dumb, yea, let our soul be unto all as the dust. Open our hearts to the Law, and let our souls pursue thy com- 252 Morning Readings mandments. If any design evil against us, speedily make their counsel of none effect, and frustrate their de- signs. In order that thy beloved ones may be delivered, O save wdth thy right hand, and answer us. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee, Lord, my Rock, and my Re- deemer. — ^Amen. Frayer of Mar. From the Talmud (100-500 A. D.) Cfte ©lotftful 3 WENT by the field of the slothful and by the vine- yard of the man void of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slum- ber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Seest thou a man diligent in his business ? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. He that is slothful in his works is brother to him that is a great waster. Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer or ruler, pro- Proverbs 253 videth her meat in summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth and thy want as an armed man. Selected Proverbs Give Thy blessing, we pray Thee, to this our daily work, that we may do it in faith and heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. All our powers of body and mind are thine, and we would fain devote them to thy service. Sanctify them and the work in which they are engaged; let us not be slothful, but fervent in spirit, and do Thou, O Lord, so bless our efforts, that they may bring forth in us the fruits of true wisdom. Strengthen the faculties of our minds, and dispose us to exert them, but let us always remember to exert them for Thy glory, and for the furtherance of Thy kingdom, and save us from all pride, and vanity, and reliance upon our own power or wisdom. Give us this day thy holy spirit, that we may be Thine in body and spirit, in all our work and in all our refreshments. — ^Amen. Thomas Arnold Cfte (300 of Strong Drink 3T is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of ^54 Morning Readings ^ any of the afflicted. Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Be not among wine-bibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh; for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath conten- tions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red; when it giveth its color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and they that are deceived thereby are not wise. Selected Proverbs Bless and sanctify our souls with thy heavenly bless- ing, that they may become thy holy habitation, and let nothing be found in these temples of thy divinity, which shall offend the eyes of thy majesty. According to the greatness of thy goodness and multitude of thy mer- cies, look upon us and hear the prayers of thy poor servants. Protect and keep our souls, amidst so many dangers of this life, and, by thy grace accompanying us, direct them along the way of peace, to their home of everlasting brightness. — Amen. Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471) Proverbs 255 136 tOi0Dom .APPY is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be com- pared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding. Exalt her and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee, love her and she shall keep thee, / Selected Proverbs Almighty God, who art the giver of all wisdom, en- lighten our understanding with knowledge of right, and govern our will by thy laws, that no deceit may mislead us, nor temptation corrupt us; that we may always en- deavor to do good, and to hinder evil. Amidst all the hopes and fears of this world, take not thy Holy Spirit from us, but grant that our thoughts may be fixed on 256 Mornvng Readings Thee, and that we may finally attain everlasting happi- ness. — Amen, Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) 137 J^OW much better it is to get wisdom than gold; and i*^to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. The treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteous- ness delivereth from death. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. - Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of sac- rifices with strife. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. There is that maketh himself rich yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet but it tendeth to poverty. Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food convenient for me. Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but right- eousness delivereth from death. Selected Proverbs Proverbs 257 beloved God, grant us to become beautiful in the inner man, and that whatever outward things we have may be at peace with those within. May we deem the wise man rich, and may we have such a portion of gold as none but prudent men can either bear or employ. — Amen. A Frayer of Socrates — Flato 138 Cfie lvalue of Discretion E that hath knowledge spareth his words, And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of under- standing. A fool uttereth all his mind, But a wise man keepeth it till afterwards. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame to him. He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips. For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. The words of a whisperer are m d^^inty morsels, 258 Morning Readings And they go down into the innermost parts. A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention before there is quarreling. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Selected Proverbs O Lord, lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us ; let Thy peace rule our hearts ; and may it be our strength and our song in the course of our pilgrimage. We com- mit ourselves to Thy care and keeping this day. Let Thy grace be mighty in us, and may it work both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure; and grant us strength for all the duties of the day. Keep us from sin ; give us the rule over our own spirits; and keep us from speak- ing unadvisedly with our lips. May we live together in peace and holy love, and do Thou command Thy blessing upon us, even life forevermore. — ^Amen. Matthew Henry (1662-1714) 139 Cfte lvalue of I^inDIine00 QT MAN that hath friends must show himself friendly, f^ and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 259 A wrathful man stirreth up strife but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. A fool uttereth all his anger; but a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. A soft answer tumeth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth up the bones* Selected Proverbs O Almighty God, help us to put away all bitterness and wrath and evil-speaking, with all malice. May we pos- sess our souls in patience, however we are tempted and provoked, and not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. Enable us, God of patience, to bear one another's burdens, and to forbear one another in love. Oh, teach and help us all to live in peace and to love in truth, following peace with all men and walking in love. Subdue all bitter resentments in our minds, and let the law of kindness be in our tongues, and a meek and quiet spirit in all our lives. Make us so gentle and peaceable that we may be followers of Thee as dear children, that Thou, the God of peace, mayest dwell with us forever- more. — ^Amen. Benjamin JenJcs (1646-1724) VI r 140 Cl)e Sermon on tfte epount /WND seeing the multitudes, he went up into the moun- <*^tain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the king- dom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be com- forted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after right- eousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for right- eousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and per- se^where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mam- mon. Therefore I say unto you. Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, w^hat ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment.? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 268 Morning Readings yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to- morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore anx- ious, saying, What shall we eat? or. What shall we drink? or. Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness ; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:19-21, 24-33 O God, from whom we have received life and all earthly blessings, vouchsafe to give unto us each day what we need; give unto all of us strength to perform faithfully our appointed tasks, bless the work of our hands and of our minds. Grant that we may ever serve Thee, in sick- ness and in health, in necessity and in abundance, sanctify our joys and our trials; and give us grace to seek first Thy kingdom and its righteousness, in the sure and cer- tain faith that all else shall be added unto us. — ^Amen. Eugene Bersier (1831-1889) 144 Cfie (SoIDen Rule OrUDGE not, that ye be not judged. For with what ^J^ judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. Discourses and Parables of Jesus 269 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone ; or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1-5, 7-ia Soften our hearts, Lord, that we may be moved no less at the necessities and griefs of our neighbors, than if they concerned ourselves, or the cases that touched us nearest, and let us think them to befall even to our dear- est friends. Let us pity them as ourselves, and, in their adversity, let us have compassion upon them, that, as we would have pitied ourselves for the like cause, so we may be moved with pity towards those, whom we see oppressed with the same adversities. — Amen. Ludomcus Dives (1578) ^70 Morning Readings 145 iQot ffitierp SDnt Cftat @)aitj) CJnto ^t, LorD, JLorD ^|5|0T every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall ^3'A'enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain de- scended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7 :^^'^9 Arise, Lord, who judgest the earth; and as Thou dwellest in and possessest the faith of all nations, suffer Discourses and Parables of Jesus 271 us not to abide in darkness ; and grant that we may not lay the foundations of our faith on the sand where the whirlwind may overthrow them, but be established on the rock which is steadfast in Thee. — Amen. Mozarabic Liturgy (before 700) 146 Cfte parable of tije ^otoet /WND he spake to them many things in parables, say- <*^ing. Behold, the sower went forth to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them : and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell upon the thorns ; and the thorns grew up and choked them: and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He that hath ears, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speak- est thou unto them in parables? And he answered and said unto them. Unto you it is given to know the mys- teries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. But blessed are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear. Hear then ye the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth 272 Morning Readings it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribula- tion or persecution ariseth because of the word, straight- way he stumbleth. And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word ; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:3-11, 16, 18-23 O thou discemer of thoughts! May we not fall into the snares of a self-deceiving mind. When our holy re- solves spring up, may they not wither away because there is no deepness of earth: but, O thou Lord of the harvest, enrich the furrows of our nature, and hide thy good seed from the cares of this world, and nourish it with the dews of thy pure grace. . . . May a constant sense of thy presence give us a composed and reverent soul, open our lips with thoughtful and quiet words, fill us with great and gentle thoughts, and sweep away with a holy breath every dust of care, every trace of fear, and every taint of an uncharitable mind. — Amen. James Martineau (1805-1900) Discourses and Parables of Jesus 273 147 Cfte ©00 Dip Pearl /WNOTHER parable spake he unto them; The king- '*^dom of heaven is hke unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and bujeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind : which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. Matthew 13 :33, 44-48 God, our true Life, in whom and by whom all things live, Thou commandest us to seek Thee, and art ready to be found; Thou biddest us to knock, and openest when we do so. To know Thee is life, to serve Thee is free- dom, to enjoy Thee is a kingdom, to praise Thee is the joy and happiness of the soul. We praise, and bless, and adore Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. We humbly 274» Morning Readings beseech Thee to abide with us, to reign in us, to make these hearts of ours a holy temple, a fit habitation for Thy Divine majesty. Thou Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible ! keep, we beseech Thee, the work of Thine own hands, who trust in Thy mercy alone for safety and protection. Guard us with the power of Thy grace, here and in all places, now and at all times, for evermore. — Amen. St. Augustine (354-430) 148 Cf)e parable of tfte Care$ (gJNOTHER parable set he before them, saying, The ^*^kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field : but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder came and said unto them, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him. Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he saith. Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest : and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers. Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to bum them ; but gather the wheat into my bam. Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: Discourses and Parables of Jesus 275 and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. And he an- swered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom: and the tares are the sons of the evil on€; and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40, 43 Grant, O heavenly Father, that we may so faithfully believe in Thee, and so fervently love one another, alway living in Thy fear, and in the obedience of Thy holy law and blessed will, that we, being fruitful in all good works, may lead our life according to Thy good pleasure in this transitory world and, after this frail and short life, ob- tain the true and immortal life, where thou livest and reignest, world without end. — Amen. Thomas Becon (1511-1567) 149 cajf)p Cften M (Sreate^t Sn tfte IKingDom of l^eatien? 3N that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.? And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst 276 Mornmg Readings of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the great- est in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me: but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come ; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh! And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:1-8, 10 O God, who puttest into our hearts such deep desire, that we cannot be at peace until we enjoy the feeling of Thy love; mercifully grant that the unspeakable sigh- ing of our souls' need may not go unsatisfied because of any unrighteousness of heart, which must divide us from the All-holy One ; but strengthen us to do right by whom- soever we have wronged in thought, word, or deed; to renounce all plans of wrong-doing for the future ; to pur- ify our thoughts, and govern our appetites, so that we Discourses arid Parables of Jesus 277 may have no bar between us and Thy glory, but enjoy Thy peace which passeth understanding. — Amen. Rowland WUliams (1817-1870) 150 3 Le00on in Jfotgitjene^s ^IKHEN came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft ^^shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him.'' until seven times.'' Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee. Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents. But foras- much as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord com- manded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and vrorshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience wiLli me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, re- leased him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying. Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due. So when his fellow- servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, 278 Morning Readings and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, be- cause thou besoughtest me: shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on 'thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. Matthew 18 :ai-35 Lord, because being compassed with infirmities we oftentimes sin and ask pardon, help us to forgive as we would be forgiven; neither mentioning old offences com- mitted against us, nor dwelling upon them in thought, nor being influenced by them in heart ; but loving our brother freely as Thou freely lovest us. — Amen. C. G. Rossetti (1880-1894) 151 mw