them, "Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive."

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, "Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first." And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, "These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day." But he answered one of them, and said, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny ? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good?

So the last shall be first and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.

How lovely are thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the

courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

As the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may hide her young; so let me dwell at thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; and the man whose strength is in thee.

The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Teach me thy way, O Lord: I will walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name.

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the grave.

Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne mercy and truth go before thy

face.

Blessed is the people' that know the joyful

sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

PRAYER.

WE thank thee, O God, for the pleasant light of life, and for that gracious providence which again pours around us the cheerful beams of day. We bow ourselves before thee in adoration and prayer; and invoke thy spirit, the spirit of life and of love, to sanctify our hearts and lips.

us,

We bless thee, Almighty Father, for the possession of life, and for the knowledge which is given us of its origin and its end. Thou hast created and not we ourselves. Thou art the Father of our spirits; and the mysterious life that is in us is thine own inspiration. We exist for thine eternal will, that we may be fellow-laborers with thee, and share in thy power and blessedness. Thou hast made us but little lower than the angels. Thou hast crowned us with glory and honor, and given us dominion over the works of thine hands. Thou hast encompassed us with the means and opportunities of a divine life. Light shines from heaven. In Jesus Christ we have a living revelation of thy will, and our duty as thy children; and he has called us to be perfect as thou art perfect. Every object that we look upon is a me

morial of thy love, and of our obligations. Every event of life speaks to us of thee.

Another day has come, bringing messages from heaven. May it carry away new testimony to our fidelity. Through all duty, trial, and enjoyment, let us never lose sight of the end for which this life on earth is given; but remember our vocation as children of God, and heirs of immortality. Order all circumstances for our spiritual and everlasting good. Help us to avoid every thing offensive in thy pure sight. Give us inward purity, that we may see thee, and things invisible; and meekness of spirit, that we may enter into the kingdom of heaven, and evermore live above the world while we are in it.

The blessings which we ask for ourselves wilt thou bestow also upon those who are dear to us. May we be knit together in faith and hope, and look forward to a blessed hour, when, after all the trials and separations of this life, we shall meet around thy throne in heaven, and dwell together in unchanging confidence for ever. Amen.

XIV.

THE Kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents and likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came, and brought other five talents, saying, "Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more." His lord said unto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant : thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." He also that had received two talents came, and said, "Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them." His lord