GENESIS xxii. 15, 16, 17.-And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; That in blessing I will bless thee.-See First Lesson for the Evening Service.

GOD says that we must love Him best,
Of all that is in earth or heaven,

And when his grace has changed the heart,
This holy love of God is given.

To prove their faithfulness to Him,
God strongly tries his servants' hearts;
If they will all his laws obey,

And will with all their idols part.

Isaac was Abraham's promised son,
Whom he had waited long to see;
And also hoped from God's own word,
His children should a nation be.

And yet he went, at God's command,
To offer him in sacrifice,-

Believing still God's promise sure,
Knowing Him true, and good, and wise.

God Isaac spared, for now He knew Abraham would all his will perform ; And from him sprang the Jewish race, Of whom the Saviour, Christ, was born.

God honour'd much his servant's faith,
And prosper'd him in all his way;
For this the Father he is called,
Of all the faithful since that day.

From God comes every perfect gift,-
All we enjoy, and all we love;
And, more than all, He gave his Son
To die, that we may dwell above.

Oh! this indeed was wondrous love,
To give for us his only Son!
And He is worthy all our hearts,

And his whole will must still be done.

MATTHEW Xv. 22.-And behold a woman of Canaan came and cried unto him, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.-See Gospel for the day.

THE prayer of faith is always heard ;
God's pitying love, his holy word,
Are both engaged the souls to save,
Who trust his power and seek his aid.

A Canaanitish woman came,-
For she had heard of Jesus' fame,
To plead her daughter's sad distress,
And beg our Lord to grant redress.

Though she was born of heathen race,
She knew his power, and sought his grace;
She all a mother's fondness felt,

And earnestly entreated help.

Kind as He was, our gracious Lord,
Pass'd on, and answered not a word;
Faith will be tried, and we must wait
Till we are heard at mercy's gate.

Still she entreats, then Jesus said-
"It is not meet the children's bread
Should feed the dogs,-I came to give
To Israel grace, that they might live."

Repulsed, she yet for merey calls

" "Tis truth, Lord! yet the crumbs that fall From their Lord's table, dogs may eat, Though they share not the children's meat."

She felt her vileness, but she knew
His power to save, his mercy too;

At length He heard, her faith He praised,
And her afflicted daughter raised.

EPHES. V. 1, 2.-Be ye followers of God, as dear children; walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God.-See Epistle for the day.

How sweet to feel a father's love;

'Tis his protecting care

Supplies our wants, and guards our youth From every hurtful snare.

'Tis He who plans our future life,

E'en his reproofs are kind;

Intended evil to avert,

And for our good design'd.

Where is the child who would not wish

The mighty God his friend?

Hark! He invites us by his word;

Oh! who would not attend!