The following exercises, intended for the daily use of the believer, have immediate reference to the Lord Jesus. The things concerning Him, in his person and work, his character and offices, his perfect obedience and vicarious death, and especially his glorious exaltation - are the subjects set forth in this small volume. May the reader's meditation of Him, as thus exhibited, be sweet and profitable May the Eternal Spirit, the glorifier of Jesus, take of these things, and reveal them in their intrinsic beauty, and apply them in their saving efficacy, to his mind And may both writer and reader, even should they happen to differ on some matters, be one in saying - "Jesus first Jesus last Jesus without end "

If, through the blessing of the Eternal Spirit, this volume shall convey to any child of affliction, one gleam of soothing and hope, it will impart additional sweetness to the dealings of our Heavenly Father, to whom all glory shall be ascribed, even to Him "who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." May grace be imparted to us to improve the various dealings of our Heavenly Father - that our hearts may be purified, our affections raised to the things which are above, and our earthly will brought into conformity with the will of God. May we be kept by faith ever looking up to Christ - dwelling in Him and He in us, so that "beholding, with open face, as in a glass the glory of the Lord - we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Fourteen Sermons by John Ross MacDuff, Scottish divine and minister of Kettins including: The Incurable Cured, Unforgetting Love , The First Bereavement, Shadows of the Great Rock, and more.

It is our incumbent duty to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, and give earnest heed to the truths which proceeded from His gracious lips. "Never any man spoke like this man " was the testimony of the officers who were sent to apprehend him-a testimony altogether spontaneous and unbribed on the one hand - and most faithful and true on the other. The whole of His instructions have the highest claims upon our devout regards. In every doctrine He taught, every invitation He uttered, every promise He gave - we should "listen to Him " And while we ought to listen to His voice as He speaks to us in words of encouragement and consolation, we are also to be equally attentive when, in a more practical strain, He enforces the various duties we have to discharge as His followers

While the word of God is "profitable for correction and instruction in righteousness," it is also profitable for support and consolation. The Apostle speaks of "the comfort of the Scriptures," and the people of God, in all ages, have realized it in their own happy experience. The great central Object of revelation - in whom all its truths and promises meet, and from whom their vitality and preciousness are derived - is emphatically called "the Consolation of Israel;" and it is only as we look to Him, that we shall have "the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Hence, in endeavoring "to comfort those who mourn," great prominence must be given to his glorious person, and his atoning work. Whether we are dealing with the convinced sinner, or the doubting and disconsolate believer, we cannot do better than point him at once to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

"Even so, Father-for so it seemed good in your sight." -Matthew 11:26 I heard these words uttered but the other day, under affecting circumstances, at a young Christian's deathbed. Pulpit themes should take their hue and color, if possible, from events and impressions of the hour. I have accordingly thought it might not be unprofitable to select this beautiful saying as suggestive of a few appropriate meditations. I separate it from its connection in the passage where it occurs. I shall not even regard the verse, in what is its highest and holiest meaning, as an utterance of the Savior; but look at it as it stands, the simple expression of devout submission to the mysterious decrees of God on the part of all His true people.

Known as one of the finest devotional writers of all time John MacDuff wrote Eventide at Bethel, An Old Testament Chapter in Providence and Grace and Noontide at Sychar, A New Testament Chapter in Procidence and Grace, as two separate but companion works. Here are both of these inspirational books in one volume. 'The story of Jacob's Ladder' and 'The story of Jacob's Well, ' may appropriately be conjoined in sacred interest. The one, forming as remarkable an Old Testament, as the other does a striking New Testament, 'Chapter on Providence and Grace.'

"He has given us His very great and precious promises " - 2 Peter 1:4 "He who has promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 It has often been felt a delightful exercise by the child of God, to take, night by night, an individual promise and plead it at the mercy-seat. Often are our prayers pointless, from not following, in this respect, the example of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the royal promise-pleader, who delighted to direct his finger to some particular "word" of the Faithful Promiser, saying, "Remember Your promise unto Your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope." - Psalm 119:49 The following are a few gleanings from the Promise Treasury - a few "crumbs from the Master's Table," which may serve to help the thoughts in the hour of closet meditation, or the season of sorrow.

The writer has endeavored in the following pages, to comply with frequent requests made to him to prepare a small volume of Evening Prayers, suitable as a companion to the "Morning Watches." May all that is amiss in thought and word, be lost in the fragrant incense-cloud which ascends from the Golden Altar before the Eternal Throne "You are to make an altar for the burning of incense. You are to place the altar in front of the veil by the ark of the testimony - in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony - where I will meet with you. And when Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations " -Exodus 30:1, 6, 8

It is our incumbent duty to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, and give earnest heed to the truths which proceeded from His gracious lips. "Never any man spoke like this man " was the testimony of the officers who were sent to apprehend him-a testimony altogether spontaneous and unbribed on the one hand - and most faithful and true on the other. The whole of His instructions have the highest claims upon our devout regards. In every doctrine He taught, every invitation He uttered, every promise He gave - we should "listen to Him " And while we ought to listen to His voice as He speaks to us in words of encouragement and consolation, we are also to be equally attentive when, in a more practical strain, He enforces the various duties we have to discharge as His followers

Thoughts for the Quiet Hour is a "a treasury of godly wisdom, suitable for personal or family devotions." John MacDuff pens his helpful and refreshing thoughts on scripture. --- As each part does its work - "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephes. 4:16 In a gigantic piece of machinery the small wheels have their place and purpose as well as the large ones. God gives His weak ones work to do, for which even His strong ones are unequal.

It is the purpose of this volume to set before the believer some of the gracious promises of God's Word, and to suggest some thoughts which may prove consolatory and encouraging to the Christian pilgrim, as he journeys onward to his heavenly home. May the Divine blessing attend an earnest and humble effort to minister comfort to the downcast, strength to the weak, and courage to those who have set their faces Heavenward Reader let this be your prayer--"O God, the Strength of the needy, the Helper of all those who flee to You for support, give to be my Guide in life. Pour upon me the riches of Your Grace, and so sanctify and bless me, that I may serve You henceforth in body and soul, and live in Your holy love and fear unto my life's end."

Not only do we here learn that Jesus comes to the very worst, and is willing to enlighten them, but that He can change the very worst-that He does enlighten them. The Sun of Righteousness has not only arose on Galilee, but He rose "with healing in His beams." "Its common people heard Him gladly." His best converts, his truest and most trustworthy friends were from the ports, and fishing boats, and villages around Gennesaret. Oh, if He effected such a change on them, there is no room for despondency "That is the true light which enlightens every one that comes into the world." He is willing to take up His home in every soul-though that soul be as the valley of the shadow of death. "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, is willing to shine into that heart with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Whatever your darkness may be, Christ can relieve it; Christ can dispel it If your heart be as a Gennesaret swept with storms, He will come and whisper in your ears, as He did of old, His calming words - "Peace, be still."

Need we wonder now, at the apparently superfluous entry in the Gospel narrative, "He HAD to go through Samaria?" What would the infant Church, yes, the Church in all ages, have missed, had our Bibles been stripped of this fourth chapter of John? A sweet, silver tone of the jubilee trumpet would have been lost to the trembling, the despairing, the perishing. Oh most memorable incident Oh most honored fountain Well may the 'Israel of God' stand round the stony margin-as did the Hebrew nobles and princes of old with their rugged staves, at Beer, on the borders of Moab, by the brooks of Arnon-and say, in the words of that oldest pilgrim song, "Spring up, O well: sing to it," for a nobler than Hebrew "prince" or "noble" has made you oracular-put a tongue into your depths-and made you speak of "living water springing up into everlasting life." There is one special practical thought which this "had to" of the great wayside Traveler suggests: it is, the peerless value of a single soul in the sight of Christ. It is the truth of His own exquisite parable exhibited in impressive reality: the heavenly Shepherd, when, out of the hundred sheep He had missed one erring wanderer, going amid these mountains of Samaria to seek 'that which was lost.'

How striking is the title, "the glorious gospel of the blessed God " 1 Timothy 1:11. And it is as appropriate as it is striking; the most cursory view of its contents will show that it well deserves such a designation. That it is a glorious gospel appears from . . . the truths it reveals, the blessings it imparts, the effects it produces, the consolations it inspires, and especially the prospects it discloses. What would death be, without this divine and glorious gospel? Nothing but a leap in the dark. The passage from life would then be a gloomy one indeed; and the regions beyond the grave would be enveloped in impenetrable clouds and shadows

Whatever things were written aforetime in the sacred volume - were written for our instruction and admonition. The precepts it inculcates, and the diversified incidents it records - were evidently intended for our learning on the one hand, and for our warning on the other. In the biographies of Scripture this particularly appears. When the things which are pure, and lovely, and of good report - are exemplified in the character of an individual, the practical application is, "Go - and do likewise." While in reference to those of an opposite nature, such as the daring stubbornness of Pharaoh, the ostentatious zeal of Jehu, the worldly-mindedness of Demas, and many others, the exhortation is, "Go - and do otherwise." Almost in every page, both of the Old Testament and the New, are we reminded of what we are to seek - and of what we are to shun; of what we are to flee from - and what we are to follow after.

The Great Journey takes us on a Pilgrimage through the Valley of Tears to Mount Zion, the city of the living God. As I was walking along the Highway of Time, I came to a new milestone; and being wearied with my journey, "I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream."- Methought I saw a dwelling, situated by itself in one of the world's secluded valleys. In front of its simple, rustic lintels stood an aged man, pale and agitated. His eyes were pensively fixed on the ground; or if they were occasionally lifted to take a hurried glance at some distant object, it seemed a relief when he could replace them on the green grass at his feet, and resume his deep and expressive thoughtfulness. The tear which now and then involuntarily fell from his eye, read some unwonted tale of sadness, while the other inhabitants of the household, who were gathered around him, manifested, by word and look, how amply they shared his embittered feelings.

The Deer and the Water-Brooks, A practical exposition of Psalms 42, is John MacDuff's work inspiring us to be as the deer pants after the water-brooks. Our thirst for God must be all encompassing, our primary focus. As we drink His word our thirst is quenched yet grows in the desire to know more and become closer to Him. John MacDuff is known as one of the finest devotional writers and The Deer and the Water-Brooks will have readers thirsting for Him more with every word. John Ross MacDuff was a Scottish divine and prolific author. MacDuff was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and was ordained as minister of Kettins, a parish in Forfarshire. He left to take charge of Sandyford, a new church in Glasgow where he preached there for fifteen years. His best known books were: The Prophet of Fire; Memories of Bethany: Memories or Gennesaret; The Shepherd and His Flock: Sunset on the Hebrew Mountains.

The Bible contains many impressive descriptions of our state of alienation from God. The star wandering from its central sun-"wandering stars." The prisoner bound in fetters of iron pining in his dungeon. The vessel driven from its moorings plunging in the tempestuous sea. The prodigal, self-exiled from the joys and amenities of home, feeding on the garbage of the distant wilderness. But we question if any figure more simply yet more graphically delineates the natural estrangement of the heart than that of the stray sheep. What a graphic two-fold picture of apostasy is here "We all like sheep have gone astray." ALL have strayed from the Shepherd (that is the universal characteristic), and then it is added, "We have turned everyone to his own way." Each has some bye-way or separate track of sin, down which, or along which, he rushes, widening his distance from the Shepherd-love of God.

The writer of the following pages has endeavored to set forth the duty-the privilege-and the blessedness of humble, earnest, persevering prayer. He has attempted no particular arrangement of the subject, but has sought to bring before his readers some of those gracious invitations and sweet promises of the Word of God, which our Heavenly Father has given to allure and attract us to a Throne of Grace. In so doing, he has made it his chief aim to represent Christ Jesus as the only, all-sufficient Savior and High Priest, through whom alone we can draw near to God, and for whose sake alone, God has graciously promised to hearken to our prayers-to pardon our sins-to help our infirmities-and to bestow upon us whatever things He knows in His unerring wisdom to be needful, or expedient for us.