THE FAMILY ALTAR

October 25.

"And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise Thee;

though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away,

and Thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will

trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and

my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy

shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that

day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His

doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.

Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things; this is

known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of

Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

Isaiah 12:1—6.

Most gloriously does this prophecy in Isaiah stand fulfilled

before our eyes to this very day. For long centuries God's redeemed

children suffered and groaned as helpless captives under the tyranny

of the Pope. All songs of joy had died on their lips, for all the

wells of salvation were clogged and choked by the false, soul-

destroying doctrines of popery. Then the Lord had mercy on His

captive children and sent His chosen champion of saving Gospel-

truth, the miner's son, Martin Luther, who in the power of God

again cleansed the wells of salvation that the water of life could

once more gush forth freely. Whosoever will can now drink of

the pure, undefiled spring of God's mercy in Christ and sing joyful

songs of praise to his Eedeemer.

Salvation unto us has come

By God's free grace and favor,

Good works cannot avert our doom,

They help and save us never:

Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,

Who did for all the world atone;

He is the Mediator.

Since Christ hath full atonement made

And brought to us salvation,

Each Christian therefore may be glad

And build on this foundation:

Thy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,

Thy death my life now is indeed,

For Thou hast paid my ransom.