Verse 2. Has there always been peace on the earth among Christian nations? Are those who call them. selves Christians always peaceable in their private conduct? What were the instructions of Christ on this subject? Matt. v. 9; John xiii. 34, 35. Do you remember any other passages to the same effect? If all men were obedient to Christ, what would be the effect upon the customs of war? duelling? lawsuits ? quarrelling? Since there are quarrelsome people in the world, what is the rule of Christian duty, given by St. Paul? Rom. xii. 18. Verse 3. What does the coming of Christ show us to be God's disposition towards us? How does he view sin? How does he view the sinner? What should be our feeling towards sin? What towards the sinner? Is it possible to have good will towards an offender, even when punishing him? Verse 4. What is the meaning of Messiah? Why should Israel rejoice at Christ's coming? If the Jews had obeyed Christ, is it probable that they would have been conquered and oppressed by the Romans, as they afterwards were? In Luke xix. 44, what does Jesus say was the cause of these calamities? If the Jews had obeyed Christ's instructions, would they have gone to war with the Romans? Why not? Verse 5. Is there any encouragement for the nations to hope for a time of universal and lasting peace on earth? Isaiah ii. 4; Micah iv. 3; Matt. vi. 10; Rev. xx. 2, 3, 4. What can you do to show yourself a true follower of the Prince of Peace? To whom must we look for aid in conquering our angry passions? Let us then pray to him for aid. INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS. O God, our Heavenly Father! As we now engage in the study of thy Holy Word, may it be with a right spirit in all our hearts. Open our understandings, that we may discern the beauty and holiness of thy divine instructions; and may we be not forgetful hearers, but doers of thy law. Through Christ our Saviour. Amen. O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; As we endeavor to learn of him, whom thou hast sent as thy last and holiest messenger to man, wilt thou grant us thine aid. Turn us from every unworthy thought and feeling, that might intrude into these our exercises; and sanctify them, we pray thee, to thine own glory and to our good. We pray for this, as disciples of the same blessed Saviour. Amen. O Lord our God, we thank thee for this holy Sabbath day, for this meeting of friends and teachers, and for all our privileges of instruction and worship. Bless us, we pray thee, in this meeting, and may we all learn something that shall make us better and happier. Bless this school, its teachers and its pupils. Bless our Pastor, and grant thine aid to his services this day and always. Bless all Christian Churches and Sabbath Schools; bless thy ministering servants every where. May thy kingdom come, and thy will be done throughout the world; and to thee be praises forever, through Christ our Lord. Amen. CONCLUDING PRAYERS. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank thee for thy grace and truth which he hath made known to us; we thank thee, that we have now been permitted to learn of him; and we pray that we may become more and more obedient to his holy teachings, and that our hearts and lives may be filled with his blessed spirit. Forgive, we pray thee, all our deficiencies and sins; and to thee, as his humble disciples, do we ascribe glory forevermore. Amen. O God, our Heavenly Father, we thank thee that thy holy Son, Jesus Christ, hath brought us near unto thee, by teaching us what it is that thou approvest, and by leading a life of perfect virtue; and we pray that thou wilt give us grace to obey his commands, and to follow his example. May we truly repent of our sins, and wilt thou forgive them. This we ask in his holy name; and ascribe to thee the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. O Lord our God, we praise and bless thy holy name, that thou hast given us a friend, a guide, a Saviour, even thy Son Jesus Christ. We thank thee for all the perfections of his character; and we pray thee, that thou wilt enable us to love him more and more, and be led by the love of him to the love of thee, and the performance of duty. Forgive our sins; and unto thee, O Lord, be praises forever, in his blessed name. Amen. Gentleness of Christ. Father of mercies, we thank thee that our blessed Saviour, while he was on earth, displayed in his character so beautifully the graces of meekness, gentleness and love. Oh may we become like him in the spirit of our minds and in the conduct of our lives. Remove from us by thy grace, all harsh and angry feelings, and fill our hearts with the spirit of our Lord. Forgive us what we have done wrong; and to thee be glory and praise forever, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Sufferings of Christ. O Thou, who didst give thy well beloved Son, to suffer and to die that we might live, grant that we may feel deeply how much that holy and patient Saviour endured for our sakes. Fill our hearts with gratitude and love to him, and may we show our feelings in the way that he appointed, when he said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. Oh forgive our past unworthiness, and make us more faithful in future; and unto thee in his holy name be praises forevermore. Amen. The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. |