THE FAMILY  ALTAR

June 2.

"And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with

Me from the beginning". John 15, 27.

Because the apostles were with the Lord from the beginning

of His public career, saw His mighty works, heard His words

and teachings, saw Him alive after His Passion, and witnessed

His ascension, they could give direct and reliable testimony con-

cerning His life and His work here on earth. They did so with

great zeal and courage after they had received the Comforter, the

Holy Spirit, at Pentecost. In the written Word which they have,

left us they still speak to us as the chosen eye-witnesses of our

Lord, and no power on earth or in hell can refute their testimony.

But not they alone were called to witness in behalf of the Savior.

Every Christian, be he man, woman, or child, has that blessed

calling. A witness is called on to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth. If the Holy Spirit has brought us

to know the saving truth as it is in Jesus, it is our sacred duty

to bear witness of that truth before friend and foe wherever and

whenever opportunity offers, but especially when the blessed name

or Gospel of our Savior is attacked in our presence. Then we are

not to be ashamed or afraid to confess our faith in Him, in His

grace, and in His holy Word. "Whosoever shall deny Me before

men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven."

And not only with word of mouth are we to confess Jesus, our

Savior, but also by our holy, blameless life. "Ye are a chosen

generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,

that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you

out of darkness into His marvelous light." Thus St. Peter writes

of all Christians without exception. 0 how often we forget this

sacred privilege and duty of our spiritual priesthood ! How often

we forget to bear witness for Christ as we ought! Let us pray

God the Holy Spirit to make us more faithful and more zealous

witnesses in behalf of our blessed Lord and Savior.

Stand up ! — stand up for Jesus !

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own;

Put on the Gospel armor,

Each piece put on with prayer;

Where duty calls, or danger,

Be never wanting there.

Stand up! — stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next, the victor's song.

To him that overcometh

A crown of life shall be;

He with the King of Glory

Shall reign eternally!

 DAILY READINGS IN LIFE OF CHRIST - J.R. Miller (1890)

June 2. The Friend of Sinners

"And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment" Luke 7:37

It is wonderful how genuine goodness draws to itself the unfortunate, the troubled, the friendless, the outcast, the fallen. Wherever Jesus went — these classes always found Him out and gathered about Him. It was because He was the true, unselfish friend of all men. They found sympathy in Him. He would listen to their story. Though He was the sinless One, there was yet no air of "I am holier than you" about Him. He was just as gentle to an outcast sinner — as to a religious Nicodemus. No matter who reached out a hand for help — He was ready to grasp it. One of the truest things ever said of Jesus, was the prophetic word concerning him, "He shall not break a bruised reed!" He always dealt most gently with sore spirits and with bruised hearts!

Those who want to be useful in this world — must have the same qualities as Jesus. There is a kind of false "holiness" which draws nobody to itself — but rather repels. Genuine holiness, however, wins its way everywhere into men's hearts. The secret of it all, is in living "not to be served — but to serve;" in considering one's self not too good to serve the unworthiest of God's creatures. If we live in this world to be served — we shall be of no use to anyone. But if we live to minister to others, yearning to be of service to everyone we meet — then our life will be of great worth. The hungry-hearted and the soul-needy will be drawn to us — and God will love to put work into our hands.

We need, too, to train ourselves to exceeding gentleness in dealing with human souls in their spiritual crises. Many earnest people, in the excess of their zeal — do incalculable harm to those whom they greatly desire to help. People with sore and bruised hearts — usually need loving sympathy and strong, kindly friendship — much more than they need a lecture in theology!

 THE BRAZEN SERPENT AN ILLUSTRATION OF CHRIST. 

 (1) Its design was the same, to save suffering, sinful, dying men. 

(2) It was made in the form of the fiery serpents, but was itself perfectly harmless. So Christ was made sin for us, took the form of our sinful human nature, was subject to human conditions, yet without sin. 

(3) Like the serpent, Christ was lifted up upon the cross to draw all men unto Him. Christ crucified is the most conspicuous object in the history of the world. It is the center around which the whole moral and religious warfare of the world is gathered. It is the Alcyone around which all the stars of heaven are circling. So that by both enemies and friends the cross is made prominent, and all may hear of the Saviour.

(4) The power of healing was not in the serpent, but in God through the

 PRESIDENTIAL QUOTES - Bill Clinton

 PREAMBLES TO THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE STATES OF THE UNION - Michigan