All these sentences are passages taken out of the Bible, either direct commandments of God, or encouragements and promises from Him. It is usual for only one1 to be read by the priest, the choir then repeat it; and the reason for their singing it is, that in most of these sentences of Scripture there are glorious promises attached; and even where no promise is mentioned, yet Christ has given a promise to all who perform the duties commanded in these sentences, that He will reckon what has been done to the least of His brethren as given or done to Himself; and that even a cup of cold water given in His name shall in no wise lose its reward.

In the offertory sentences we recall to mind Jesus scourged by Pilate's soldiers.

Jesus, though Lord of lords, and King of kings, suffers every insult without murmuring, in order that He may glorify His Father which is in

heaven.

Jesus is stripped of even His clothes, but lays

1 Only one of the sentences is usually said and sung. When it is finished the prayer at page 55 follows immediately after it.

Then shall the Priest return to the Lord's Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion.

ET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify St. Matt. v.

your Father which is in heaven.

Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth; where the rust and moth doth corrupt,

up treasures in heaven.

Jesus gives of the pain and anguish of His body for the good of men; and so should we labour for them.

Jesus in all things did the will of His Father in heaven, and suffered patiently; He therefore was the first man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven, and those who will follow His example shall follow Him into that heavenly kingdom.

Zaccheus gave half of his goods. Jesus gave His whole life. There are, however, few who give as much as Zacchæus, but whatever at any time is done for the poor, Jesus has promised to reckon as given to Himself.

Christ was a king who fought against Satan to recover us as His subjects. We as His subjects are bound to support His Kingdom, the Church.

Again, Christ has planted a vineyard, that is, the Church. We are the vines planted in it, and we are bound to yield the fruit of good workslove to our neighbours, and the like. The last sentence means, that Christ is the shepherd, we are the sheep; He feeds us with ordinary food

and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.

St. Matt. vi. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. St. Matt. vii. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii.

Zacchæus stood forth, and saia unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore four-fold. St. Luke xix.

Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? I Cor. ix. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? I Cor. ix.

for our bodies, and our souls with mysterious or mystical food in the sacraments. We are to yield Him milk for the sustenance of His body, and you know the Church is the body of Christ here spoken of; we are, therefore, to contribute to the support of the Church.

This means much the same as the one preceding. Christ, by His ministers, the clergy, supplies to us spiritual food. We in our turn ought for Christ's sake to supply them with earthly food, and necessaries for God's service. The Jewish priests, by God's express command, had for their own eating a portion of the sacrifices offered to God; what was necessary for His priests He counted given to Himself. So Jesus Christ appointed that the ministers of the Church should live out of the tythes and offerings of the parishioners and congregation.

You know if you put two seeds into your garden only two plants at most will come up; so if you give little to God, God will only reward you for that little; God does not force you to give, but He loves those who are glad to give.

This, again, teaches the duty of paying for the Church and the clergy, and it cautions, that God knows exactly whether we give willingly or no, and will only reward or accept accordingly.

This would bring to our mind that that which we have only belongs to us while we live, and