THE FAMILY ALTAR

November 6.

"Thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied

Me with thine iniquities. I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy

transgressions for Mine own sake and will not remember thy sins."

Is. 43:24-25.

These affecting words of our Savior call for our deepest

humility and holiest gratitude. Oh, that we might bear these

words in mind to-day ! That we might write them with indelible

letters in our heart of hearts and never, never forget them ! Alas,

we so often forget our personal share of sin and guilt that caused

our Savior such a life of sorrow here on earth, such a death of

nameless woe ! But speaking through the prophet of old, He re-

minds-us that it was also for your sake and my sake He served,

and suffered, and died as the Eedeemer of the world. But we

have not only our personal share in the common guilt of mankind

that cost our Savior His last drop of atoning blood; our personal

guilt grows greater when we consider how we have wearied Him

with many sins from our youth. How forgetful, how wayward,

how rebellious we often proved to His holy Word and wise dis-

pensations! With what special care, and patience, and loving-

kindness He had to lead and guide us ! And though even now we

often weary Him with our sinful shortcomings and prove so luke-

warm in His love and service, yet He never tires in loving us,

but tells us again even to-day that He blots out our manifold trans-

gressions for His own sake and will not remember our sins, will

not hold them against us, nor punish us for them, as we so richly

deserve. Verily, every one of us is a living monument to the

saving mercy of our God ; and when by His infinite grace we reach

His mansions of glory, His special saving providences and mercies

toward us will be our grateful song through all eternity.

When all Thy mercies, 0 my God,

My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view I'm lost

In wonder, love, and praise.

Through every period of my life

Thy goodness I'll pursue,

And after death, in distant worlds,

The glorious theme renew.

When nature fails, and day and night

Divide Thy works no more,

My ever grateful heart, O Lord,

Thy mercy shall adore.

Through all eternity to Thee

A joyful song I'll raise: —

But, oh! eternity's too short

To utter all Thy praise.