Matthew 6:34

Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow.

Again it should read, as in the Revision, "Have no anxiety about to-morrow." The "therefore" refers to the reasons given before for freedom from anxiety. These reasons apply only to those who comply with the conditions; seek first the Kingdom, and its righteousness, live as men should live before God. Such may dismiss all anxiety about to-morrow. This does not imply that we are not to provide for it, but that we need have no fears.

The morrow will take thought for itself.

Not "take care of itself" but bring its own cares, anxieties and troubles. We should not foolishly increase our present burdens by borrowing trouble of to-morrow. Each day brings its own trouble and temptation from the evil world, but also its own help and deliverance through the aid of the Father. He helps to-day; he does not anticipate to-morrow and help it before it comes.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

GOD AND MAMMON.--The soul of. man cannot exert its full force in two directions at the same time, or upon diverse, and indeed, contrary objects.. man must need have two hearts, two souls, and two selves before he can give. heart to God, and to the world at the same time.-- South.

MAMMON may do very well as. servant, and may be. very good one if he is kept in proper subjection, but if he gains the mastery he will prove. very hard taskmaster.

LIFE, has. nobler purpose than mere feeding of itself, and the body. nobler purpose than wearing raiment. It may be necessary to feed and clothe the body, but these are not the objects of life, not the matters to claim our thoughts. The great thought of life should be to do the Divine will.

ANXIETY.--Why shouldst thou fill to day with sorrow About to-morrow, My heart? One watches all with care most true, Doubt not that he will give thee too Thy part.-- Paul Fleming.

If you constantly make the best use of the present hour you are sure to be prepared for the hours that follow.-- Fenelon.

RAIMENT.--In thy apparel avoid singularity, profuseness, and gaudiness. Decency is the half way house between affectation and neglect. The body is the shell of the soul; apparel is the husk of that shell; the husk often tells you what the kernel is.-- Quarles.

TAKING HOUGHT.--As you are obliged to leave the physical development of your body to God, so leave the result of your labor for its sustenance to him. For after all man's endeavor to acquire property, the result is very generally governed by circumstances beyond his control.-- Eggleston.

God hath kept me hitherto, Can he cease, then, to be true? Why should. just now despair, Can he weary of his case? Hence, tormenting terrors, hence! God shall be my confidence: Let him lead me as he will, Oh my soul, and be thou still-- Spenser.

God governs the immense masses of matter in nature by applying his laws to every particle. The great mass is controlled by special attention to the atoms. Who that observes this in matter will deny that he extends his care to the individual in his higher creations? That he acts on the same principles with regard to men and that the very hairs of our heads are numbered? Would God care for the less and not care for the grater? Does he not care for the human race as. whole by caring for each member? Could there be. general providence, without. particular care of each Individual?

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Illustrate the folly of trying to serve two masters whose commands are not in harmony. 2. Show what kind of. master Mammon is, how the human race served him and how it prevents the service of God; what sins men do for wealth. 3. Point out the curse of Mammon serving, covetousness, miserly conduct. 4. Point out Christ's cure for it. How may all fear for the future to be taken away. 5. Show what lesson is taught by the birds. 6. Show what lesson is taught by the lilies. 7. Show what is needful to have God's care, the bird to be. bird, the lily to be. lily, and the man to be. man. 8. Show that this offers no premium to idleness or improvidence, but what it does do. 9. Point out the first duty of the man, and why first, and how first. 10. Apply the blessed promise to those who thus do, and show that it has never failed. 11. Show how we are to act with reference to to-morrow and why. 12. Bring out the practical applications for each individual in this lesson. What duties does it teach and what is the chief thought.