December 17.—Ch. xlii. 10. "God only gave Job the same number of children" (see ch. 1, 2, 3), and double of all else. He would not allow that the children of faith and prayer had been lost." December 18.-Psalm i. 2, 3. No "Christian Progress without this (1 Peter ii. 2). Is "delight " lacking, and meditation hard ? "He shall bring to your remembrance," etc. (John xiv. 26). Ask it (Luke xi. 9, 10). Claim it, "call it a delight then" (Isa. lviii. 13, 14). No December 19.-Psalm ii. 8. Christ has not yet received His kingdom (Dan. vii. 13, 14; Luke xix. 12, 15; Rev. xi. 15). He and we wait (Heb. x. 13). Are we hasting it (2 Peter iii. 12., marg.), saying "Come" (Rev. xxii. 20), and going out quickly? (Luke xiv. 21). entrance then for those who refuse now (Luke xiii. 24-29). December 20.-Psalm iii. 1, 2. However " 'many" (Eph. vi. 12) "more" are with us (2 Kings vi. 16). The Lord of Hosts (Psalm xlvi. 11). Let no hurry and distraction of circumstances prevent prayer (2 Sam. xv. 14). David "cried" and was heard. (See Nahum i. 7.) December 21.-Psalm iv. 3. Among the 1,400,000,000 on earth (Psalm xiv. 2), God singles out here and there, with individual love, the godly one (I Cor. viii. 3). Such cannot pass unnoticed (Mark v. 32). It was that Mary (John xi. 2). I will come in to him (Rev. iii. 20). December 22.-Psalm v. 3. "Direct" (lit. 66 set in order "). Let our prayer "in the morning "be definite. (See 1 Sam. i. 27.) “For this I prayed," and our attitude all day looking up, expecting answers (Psalm xxv. 5; Gen. xxiv. 21). Not" astonished" by them. (See Acts xii. 5, 15, 16.) "Watching thereunto" (Eph. vi. 18). How long? A season (1 Peter David declares his innocence of A full one is promised. December 23.-Psalm vi. 2. The body is His (1 Cor. vi. 13, 20). Let us yield it and trust Him (Dan. iii. 28). He pities its weakness (Matt. ix. 36, marg.) Verse 3. i. 6). A moment (2 Cor. iv. 17). December 24.-Psalm vii. 3, 4, 8. this special charge. Not sinlessness (Psalm xxxviii. 4; 1 John i. 8). Verse 9. This prayer still waits an answer. "Nevertheless we," etc. (2 Peter iii. 13). December 25.-Psalm viii. 4. The first man soon lost this dominion (Gen. i. 26). It was redeemed and secured by the Second, through death (Heb. ii. 9-14). Verse 7. A specimen of what shall fully be (Isa. xi. 6-9) given in the wilderness (Mark. i. 13). With so much within and around, "not yet under Him," faith rejoices to say, "Thou hast put all things under Him" (Phil. ii. 5-11, and iii. 21). December 26.-Psalm ix. David joins harps with those who stand upon the sea of glass (compare Rev. xv. 1.3) and sings of Christ's SCRIPTURE READING AND PRAYER UNION. 233 victorious kingdom, and the end (verse 6) of the last great Anti-christ (2 Thess. ii. 8). Verse 10. His name is Love. December 27.-Psalm x. 17. "Thou wilt prepare." The prepara tion of heart (Prov. xvii., marg.), the very desire (Psalm lxv. 9, marg.), God gives; then meets what He has given; yes, more (Eph. iii. 20). Therefore (1 Chron. xxix. 18). December 28.-Psalm xi. I. The secret of calmness and courage amid taunts, perils, and persecution (1 Sam. xyii. 29, 32-51; xxiv., etc.). (See 2 Tim. i. 12.) Jesus trusted (Psalm xxi. 7; Heb. xii. 2; verse 5). (See Heb. xi. 6-11; James i. 12; 1 Peter i. 7.) December 29.-Psalm xii. I. The isolated Christian perhaps less lonely than he thinks. (See I Kings xix. 14, 18.) Verse 6. Free from the exaggeration or lightness of man's words (Rom. iv. 21). Never known to fail (Josh. xxiii. 14). We may write (Acts xxvii. 25) under every promise (Luke xxii. 35). December 30.-Psalm xiii. 1. God never forgets (Jer. xxxi. 20; Isa. xlix. 15). Verse 4. Our case involves God's glory. We bring Him dishonour if "moved," (2 Sam. xii. 14), and the reverse (Psalm xl. 3), for none liveth to himself (Rom. xiv. 7); and we have many "observers" (Psalm v. 8; xxvii. 11, marg.) December 31.-Psalm xiv. 7. Yes; "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." "Give Him no rest," etc. (Psalm cxxii. 6; Isa. xlii. 6, 7). God will" look down" on a different scene then (Jer. xxxiii. 6-11; Micah iv. 1-7; Isa. xi. 9). Israel not glad alone, for if their fall brought the world blessing, much more their restoration (Rom. xi. 12, 15,; Isa. xxvii. 6). Scripture Reading and Prayer Union. 1. Every MEMBER reads daily the same Chapter of the Old Testament, and a short Evening Portion of the New. ASSOCIATES read only the New Testament portion, any time during the day. 2. Persons of all ages and all denominations may join. All readers of "CHRISTIAN PROGRESS" are invited to join this Union, either as Members or Associates, and to ask their friends to do so. They should send their full names and addresses (stating whether Rev., Esq., Mr., Mrs., or Miss) to the Secretary, "CHRISTIAN PROGRESS" Union, 21, Exeter Hall, London, W.Ć. stamp must be enclosed, and a card of Membership will be forwarded. OFFICES-21 and 22, Exeter Hall, Strand, London, W.C. One OFFICE HOURS 9.30 a.m. to 5.0 p.m. Saturdays, 9.30 a.m. to 1.0 p.m. Members and Associates in London can call at the office (No. 21) at any time during office hours for Union papers to distribute, or on any Union business. The Rev. E. Boys will receive any who wish to see him in No. 22, on Tuesdays and Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m.; at other times by appointment only. from -Members, OUR increase during the past month has been as follows :-) 550; and Associates, 360. NEW READERS FOR THE NEW YEAR. The New Year is a favourable opportunity for inducing people to commence reading with the Union, and we hope that all our Members and Associates will work well to bring in fresh ones. They should write for a packet of papers to distribute to the Secretary, 21, Exeter Hall, London, W.C. These will be sent, post free, and they should be widely distributed. All the applications which reach us endorsed "for the New Year" will be reserved until the close of the month, when cards with January magazines will be sent. ་ UNION CIRCULARS AND CHRISTMAS CARDS. It would be a famous way of introducing our Union to others, if all our Members and Associates would enclose an invitation to join with each of their Christmas and New Year Cards. They should write on each, "Will you join for the New Year?" They must write for them for this purpose as above. SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT THE Office. The Rev. E. Boys intends for the present to be at his office also on Saturday afternoons (except Dec. 27th) from 2 till 5 p.m., when he will be glad to meet any who wish to see him. Christian workers of all sorts, who might form Associations, are specially invited to see him on the subject; also those in any way connected with young ladies' schools, either as teachers or pupils, with a view of forming Associations in them. A WORD ABOUT OUR EXPENSES. We do not like often to speak of donations towards the expenses of the Union, yet a word now and then becomes needful. Will our Members and Associates kindly remember that the Union entirely depends upon their free contributions for its many expenses. Some give so generously, some give nothing at all. When we say that £100 a year is needed for rent, about £200 for clerks' salaries, about £120 for printing and advertising, about £100 for the cost of magazines sent to new members, besides a variety of other out-goings, including postage, and all petty office expenses, it will be clear that we need contributions from all who can afford it. Hitherto we have always received enough, and we doubt not that it will always be so; only we wish to remind our readers on the subject. We think that our secretaries in various parts might, once a year, collect small sums from the Associates under their care, and that these would gladly help in the work. In some cases, of course, this might not be possible. We hope that the December contributions will leave us with a nice balance with which to commence the New Year. SUBJECT FOR PRAYER FOR DECEMBER. That the invitations to join this Union distributed during this, the last month of the year, may come as the Lord's message to those who receive them. January 1st commences with Psalm xv., and February Ist with Psalm xlvi. The readings for the intermediate days can easily be calculated at the rate of one chapter a day. NEW TESTAMENT READINGS FOR THREE MONTHS. (Associates read only these New Testament Portions.) UNION DAILY TEXTS FOR DECEMBER. M T W 4 Th F S 8 M Tu ΤΟ W II Th Ps. 18, 28. Rom. 5, II. 1 Chron. 29, 12. The Lord, my God, will enlighten my darkness. I will rejoice in the Lord. Hab. 3, 18. Mark 2, 10. [27. Let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ. Phil. I Ps. 119, 168. Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. Heb. 2, 8. Gen. 28, 15. 2 Tim. 2, 15. I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest. Thou, Lord God, knowest Thy Servant. 2 Cor. 2, 14. 2 Sam. 7, 20. They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage. Matt. 25, 10. 20 21 S The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Prov. 8, 13. [15. 11. Acts 31 W He calleth His own sheep by name. John 10, 3. "MONEY AS A TALENT."-This chapter is now reprinted from "My Lord's Money" for separate distribution, price id., or 50 for 3s. 6d., published by Messrs. Nisbet & Co., 21, Berners Street, London, W. It aims at inculcating the principle of giving a fixed proportion of income to the Lord's work, and of spending also all that remains for Him. The subject is of immense importance. Every Christian should read the little book, and distribute it as freely as possible. It would alter the whole life of a great many to act it out. Any bookseller will procure it, or the publisher will forward it on receipt of stamps. MISSION FUND COLLECTING PAPERS.-The collecting papers enclosed in the magazine last month are slowly coming in. Last year many very kindly collected a good sum. We hope that they will again help. The work is so important. All who can do so should be thankful to give to such a cause. "CONSECRATED RECREATION."-Will our readers please notice the small slip inserted in this month's number about this little book, which is now quite ready, and should be widely distributed before the Christmas holidays begin. |