Calendar:June 16th to July 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:……. .June 16th, Luke 15; June 30th, John 5; July 15th, John 20. MEMORY WORK:………………………1 John 4.
GOOD READING:-"Christ and the Church,"by W. Trotter.-"A Meditation on the Lord Jesus in His varied characters in the four Gospels," by J. G. Bellett.
MONTHLY QUESTION:-What parables are found only in Luke's Gospel, and how do they reflect the general character of that Gospel?

Our Daily Bible Reading

The Gospel of John has a peculiar preciousness, as it presents the person of Christ in a special way. As it is said of the "beginning of miracles" which He performed in Cana, so of the whole Gospel, it is the manifestation of His glory. Compared with the other Gospels we note there is much less narrative concerning His movements or actions, but much more discourse manifesting Himself and the Father, and the fellowship of eternal life. This should have special interest for us since we have been introduced into the divine affections when we received Christ-the eternal life derived from Him and dwelling in us enables for fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1). What relates to Israel and Old Testament prophecies, is less in view, and the largeness of God's grace reaching out to "the world," beyond all Jewish restriction, is in view. This Gospel, with John's epistles, gives what abides for individual joy and blessing, no matter how great may be the ruin of the dispensation, brought in through man's unfaithfulness, as to the truth of the Church.

1. Chaps. 1-2. The Eternal life manifested in this world.
2. Chaps. 3-12. Eternal life as communicated.

1. Ch. 3. Eternal life communicated in new birth.
2. Ch. 4. Eternal life in the power and fulness of the Spirit within.
3. Ch. 5. Eternal life delivering from impotence.
4. Ch. 6. Eternal life dependent upon Christ, its source and sustenance.
5. Ch. 7. Eternal life linked with a rejected but glorified Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
6. Ch. 8. Eternal life in light and liberty.
7. Chs. 9-10. Eternal life as to its place in the world, its object, and relationship.
8. Chs. 11,12. Eternal life in its power and victory.

3. Chaps. 13-17. Eternal life as enjoyed by its recipients.

4. Chaps. 18,19. The way that these blessings are secured to us-through Christ's sacrifice.

5. Chaps. 20,21. Life and service in the power of the new place and portion until Christ comes.

As showing the special character in which our Lord is presented in this Gospel, note that there is no temptation, no transfiguration, no instances of prayer, and no Gethsemane agony. In it alone He speaks of "laying down" His life.
Our Memory Work

It was encouraging indeed to record 26 names as successful in the recitation of 2 Thessalonians. I hope as many at least will be successful in the study of our present portion- 1st Epistle of John.

This month we have the fourth chapter. It first warns us to "try" or test what is presented as truth. Then, the standard is given by which we are to do this-it is the apostolic testimony as to Christ (ver. 6). Not only are we to be Bereans, but to show that we are of God, by walking in love as well as in the truth. The 'apostle follows this with an unfolding of God's love manifested toward us, and perfected with and in us. May we be blest and enriched by the studying and meditation of these
verses.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

SOME PRACTICAL TOPICS FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS

Contentment and Godliness "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

If we wish to know whether the world and its things will satisfy our hearts or not we need not make the test ourselves, for it has been made by one much wiser and of unlimited resources in wealth and power. We may have the benefit of his experience, and the conclusions he reached, by turning to the book of Ecclesiastes. In reading it, let us remember it is not an account of what the Spirit of God would lead us into though He has used this great man's experience of it to show us the emptiness of the world in which he had sought satisfaction.

"It is the experience of a man with unequaled capacity, both in circumstances and means, to procure happiness, but finding at last only vanity (as a pursuit after the wind) in everything man does under the sun. How could it be otherwise if man is an outcast from Paradise, and looks not in faith to Him who is above the sun? Even with the exceptional power, position, and activity of Solomon, the experience of all that promises most on earth ends in "vanity and vexation of spirit;" so also will self-sanctification end with disappointment for one born of God who is occupied with himself (Rom. 7:7-24). All in man or the world is fallen and most wretched. Even wisdom does not avail here, but rather intensifies the disappointment and the sorrow. What a contrast with the rest of God into which the work of Christ (here entirely out of sight) alone can introduce such as we are. Man needs God as a center for his heart which the creature cannot satisfy."

Being content is the opposite of lusting with unsatisfied desires. They produce strife and contention within ourselves, and often with others who seem to be in the way of our self-gratification. Covetousness comes in to blight and wither the spiritual life. It is the unbridled desire of the natural man, whatever form it may take. The word denotes a seeking to grasp what is not possessed; it implies not only the desire to have, but an active overreaching to obtain-little caring what this may involve for others. A covetous person, one of unbridled lust, is an idolater; his desires become his god-they rule him (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). "Children, keep yourselves from idols" (John 5:21).

This subtle evil may invade our lives in specious ways, making true contentment impossible. Coveting began man's departure from God, and has characterized his history. What a sad, unhappy world it has made! But the Christian should manifest contentment, showing that he has found what makes truly happy. Would not this, more than our words, commend the blessing found in having Christ?

This thought leads us to consider godliness, without which Christian contentment is impossible. What is godliness? It is likeness to God. We find it repeatedly mentioned in the epistles to Timothy. The apostle speaks of "the mystery of godliness." In the growing heart-knowledge of what this mystery is, lies the secret of practical godliness. This mystery lies in the person of Christ; acquaintance with Him must produce the desired result- likeness to God, which has been manifested in Him in moral and spiritual characteristics perfectly displayed. Wondrously great both the glorious Person and our privilege to learn of Him through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit's teaching. There is no power for godliness apart from knowing Christ and fellowship with Him. Thus only shall we be changed into His image from glory to glory, as by the Lord the Spirit.

"Abide in Thee! Nor doubt, nor self, nor sin,
Can e'er prevail with Thy blest life within,
Joined to Thyself, communing deep, my soul
Knows nought besides its motions to control.

"Abide in Thee! "Tis thus I only know
The secrets of Thy mind e'en while below-
All joy and peace, and knowledge of Thy word,
All power and fruit, and service for the Lord."

"Satisfaction in Christ is the divine spring of all graces and services."

Bodily exercise, or training, is "profitable for a little," says the apostle. We might learn a lesson by comparison. The Greeks made the training of the body a great consideration. The perfection of physical form and strength was greatly desired. The time they devoted to gymnastics equaled that given to all other branches of education. Such training aimed at overcoming weaknesses, correcting defects, developing the full strength of every part of the body, producing a full functioning of all its members. It requires persevering labor, often much self-denial. We may apply this to spiritual things, as earnest seekers after godliness. By contrast the apostle emphasizes its great value-it "is profitable for everything, having promise of life-of the present one, and of that to come." What if with us the time spent in such spiritual training equaled the time spent in all other pursuits? The Greeks proportioned their bodily training in this way. You may say, In present-day conditions it is impossible. If it is a question of setting aside so many hours for such a purpose, the impossibility may be granted, but may not this training be carried on during the active hours of every day? How many are the circumstances which arise daily, calling for exercise of heart and conscience, in which it should be our concern to manifest godliness. This calls for constant watchfulness, often for prayer and seeking light from God's Word. Thus only can we overcome weaknesses, correct defects, develop spiritual strength, and give expression to the spirit and mind of Christ. Its meaning is living for Him, and living Him before men and in secret.