THE FAMILY ALTAR

June 15.

"The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee

peace." N

This third part in the benediction, says an expositor very

happily, is the keystone in the arch, completing and uniting the

whole. The blessing of God the Father, consisting in His eternal

counsel of grace upon us, the blessing of God the Son, consisting

in His redemption, God the Holy Spirit conveys and applies to us.

He proceedeth from the Father and the Son and is the Comforter,

whose mission is to glorify Jesus, to exalt His blessed name and

work before us, and thus to lead us into all saving truth. The

Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children

of God. (Rom. 8:16.) In Him we all, with open face beholding

as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same

image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

(2 Cor. 3:18.) The rising sun drives the shades of night away and

imparts new life and power to all creatures. So new powers of

spiritual life come upon us when God the Holy Spirit shines

into our hearts through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through Him we are born again, made new creatures in the image

of God, faintly here, but completely there, where we shall behold

God's face in righteousness and shall be satisfied when we awake

with His likeness. (Ps. 17:15.) By bringing us to faith in Christ,

God's Holy Spirit "gives us peace." What greater joy, what greater

blessing can any mortal desire than to be assured of grace and

peace with God, his Maker and his Judge ? May this blessed peace

of God, which passeth all understanding, be ours, and keep our

hearts and minds through Christ Jesus to life everlasting!

The Lord, my God, be praised,

My Hope, my Life from heaven,

The Father's Spirit, whom

The Son to me hath given:

He who revives my heart,

And gives me strength and power,

Help, comfort, and support

In sorrow's gloomy hour.