far advanced in life, such, when they sincerely resolve to live a Christian life, may derive encouragement from our LORD's assurance, that " many who are last shall be first." Whilst others, who have, from their very infancy, enjoyed every advantage, may learn to improve them, in order that they may appear among the happy number of those who are not only called but chosen.

We must not infer from this parable, that an equal reward awaits all who profess Christianity without any regard to their character or improvements, or that we may safely defer the reformation of our lives to advanced age. There can be no excuse for neglect of duty, but unavoidable ignorance of it. It has pleased GOD to set a reward before us, though we can claim nothing from him as our due, but through his infinite goodness; which may be compared, as in the foregoing parable, to the benevolence of a man of independent fortune, who employs poor people merely to keep them from idleness, and then pays them for working for themselves. Who, in such a case, would not exert his utmost industry with thankfulness of heart? Surely, then, Christians ought to be equally vigilant, and acknowledge with the deepest gratitude the unmerited kindness of the SUPREME BEING, submitting to all his dispensations, without repining at the superior advantages which others may seem to enjoy, since each has much more than he has any natural right to expect.

The Roman penny was equal to seven pence halfpenny of our money, which is supposed to have been at that time the usual price for day-labourers. The third hour was about nine o'clock in the morning, the sixth twelve at noon, the ninth three in the afternoon, the cleventh five in the evening.

SECTION

SECTION XCIV.

JESUS RAISETH LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD.

From John, Chap. xi.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

(It was that Mary which anointed the LORD with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, LORD, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

When JESUS heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of GoD, that the Son of GOD might be glorified thereby.

Now JESUS loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus, When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

Then after that, saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again.

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

These things said he and after that, he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Then said his disciples, LORD, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit JESUS spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Then

Then said JESUS unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there (to the intent ye may believe), nevertheless let us go unto him.

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Then when JESUS came, he found that he had lien in the grave four days already.

(Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fif. teen furlongs off.)

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that JESUS was coming, went and met him but Mary sat still in the

house.

:

Then said Martha unto JESUS, LORD, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of GOD, GOD will give it thee.

JESUS saith unto her, thy brother shall raise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

JESUS said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, LORD: I believe that thou art the CHRIST the Son of God, which should come into the world.

And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

As

As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

Now JESUS was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

The Jews then which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave, to weep there.

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, LORD, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

When JESUS therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews. also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, LORD, come and see.

JESUS wept.

Then said the Jews, Behold, how he loved him!

And some of them said, Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

JESUS therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. JESUS said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, LORD, by this time he stinketh, for he hath been dead four days.

JESUS saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of GOD?

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And JESUS lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me.

And

And I knew that thou hearest me always : but be cause of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe thou hast sent me.

And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. JESUS saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which JESUS did, believed on him.

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things JESUS had done.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

St. John in this section referred to an act, performed by Mary, after the raising of Lazarus, but long before the Evangelist composed his Gospel; which, being publicly known, served the purpose of pointing out to the Jews the identical family in which this event happened, in case they should think fit to make any farther enquiries into the matter.

The friendship which our LORD entertained for Lazarus and his sisters, evinces that his mind was susceptible of this tender affection of human nature, and it also reflects great honour on those for whom he indulged it; as his preference was not only founded upon reason, but his choice regulated by the Divine knowledge which he had of the real disposition of every heart. Had our

LORD