Lesson 155.--December 20. THE PUBLICAN'S PRAYER.-Luke xviii. 9-14. I. The Pharisee and Publican, (ver. 9-14.)-Here again we have the purport of the parable explained to us, (ver. 9.) It is directed against that most subtle of all sins-self-righteousness, some of which lurks more or less in every man. The two men-a Pharisee, a respectable God-fearing sort of man, highly thought of by the world, looked upon as the very pattern and type of moral gentility. A publican, a despised outcast, classed with sinners, whom the Pharisee would have disdained to recognise as a brother, or almost as a man. II. The Two Prayers.-That of the Pharisee begins well. He gives thanks to God. So far so good-it is a good thing to give thanks always. But observe for what he gives thanks-that he was not like other men; and he runs over a list of sins, from all which he is free, and finishes up by giving thanks that he was not like the publican. Pride is the essential element in this prayer-selfrighteous pride. He then goes on to tell God what he does: he fasts twice in the week-only one in a year was obligatory, (Lev. xvi.,) and he thus had 103 fasts every year to his credit. He gave tithes of all he possessed; the law did not require this, and the balance was again in his favour. Now turn to the publican: he was modest, to begin with-he stood afar off. He was deeply reverential-he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven. He was deeply penitent-he smote on his breast. Then the prayer: it was brief, but comprehensive-" God be merciful to me, a sinner -or the sinner, as the Greek means. He was a sinner; there is confession here-he was the sinner; he compares himself with no man, he is before God, and in His sight he is the sinner. "God be merciful"-there is a petition, asking, here, and thanksgiving to. And so, in these brief words, we have all the elements of prayer, and in the surroundings we have the right frame of mind. And so we have the resultthe one is accepted, the other is rejected, for (ver. 14) humility is the root virtue, on which all others grow. In all spheres humility is before honour. Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and He will exalt us in due season. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 51.-Psalm cxlv. 19-21. Golden Text-"O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."-Psalm xcv. 6. NOTES. The main lesson of the text is not so much the attitude in prayer, as the spirit in which prayer is to be offered. The outward attitude, however, is the visible expression of this spirit. Worship, bow down, kneel, have among all nations been the outward signs of respect for a superior. In the East this was particularly the case. If this is true of an earthly superior, how much more when we approach the Lord-the Eternal Sovereign over all-the Lord our maker. To approach Him is a very solemn thing. Learn the spirit of the publican, who stood afar off, and smote upon his breast. What should intensify this reverence, is the fact that we are sinners-unworthy, unclean, and that the Lord is the Holy One. Lesson 156.-December 27. REVIEW-CHRIST'S LOVE FOR THE OUTCASTS. I. The three parables in Luke xv. may be classed together-the first two illustrating the seeking love of God, and the last the response to that seeking love. Observe also the beautiful gradation: 1. One in a hundred is lost. 2. One in ten. 3. One in two. In the first-a silly wandering sheep; but it is gone after. In the second-a piece of money, stamped with the royal impress; it is sought for diligently. In the third-a son-who but the father can tell how dear! How are they received when found?-With joy and rejoicing, music and dancing. What an insight into the heart of Christ have we here! II. The great lessson of the unjust steward is this: As the steward took every means in his power to secure a living after being put out of his stewardship, we ought to seek an entrance into the everlasting kingdom. When our stewardship here is over, God will call us to account for our stewardship. Be faithful. III. Christ's love for outcasts is shewn in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. That parable was spoken in mercy and in pity. For a moment the veil is lifted from the unseen future to warn us. "Flee from the wrath to come," it seems to say. IV. "Where are the nine?" Jesus felt the ingratitude of these nine. They received the blessing, and were content therewith. But He was not satisfied. He expected and deserved thanks. So still. To render thanks is comely. In all things give thanks. V. The kingdom comes without observation, silently, suddenly. Be ready, what I say unto you, I say unto all-WATCH. VI. The importunate widow and the Pharisee and Publican teach these two great lessons: (a.) Pray without ceasing. (b.) Humility, self-abasement, is essential to effectual prayer. God knoweth the proud afar off. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 52.-Paraphrase lviii. 3-4. Golden Text-"The Lord doth build up Jesusalem: He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel."-Psalm cxlvii. 2. NOTES. This was the Psalmist's experience. Jerusalem, the Church of God, was in ruins-had been burnt with fire; but it was still the Church, and God builds it up afresh. Israel were outcasts, scattered among the nations; but the Lord would gather them together again. He never loses sight of His own. Jerusalem is engraved on the palms of His hands, and so constantly before Him. His eye is constantly on the outcasts of Israel; and He is gathering them in, one by one. In the great day not one will be missing; all His jewels are in good keeping. The Teacher's Quiver; OR ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON 154.-THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW.-Luke xviii. 1-8. 278. God's People are Earnest in Prayer, (verse 7.)-During the troublous times of Scotland, when the Popish Court and aristocracy were arming themselves to put down the Reformation in that land, late on a certain night John Knox was seen to leave his study, and to pass from the house down into an enclosure at the rear of it. He was followed by a friend; when, after a few moments of silence, his voice was heard as if in prayer. In another moment the accents deepened into intelligible words, and this earnest petition went up from his struggling soul to heaven: "O Lord, give me Scotland or I die!" Then a pause of hushed stillness, when again the petition broke forth, "O Lord, give me Scotland or I die!" Once more all was voiceless and noiseless, whe with a yet intenser pathos, the intercession again broke forth, "O Lord, give me Scotland or I die!" And God heard his cry, and gave him Scotland, in spite of Mary and her Cardinal Beaton-gave him a land and a Church loyally devoted to Christ and His crown. 279. Persevering Prayer is Heard, (verse 7.)—A God-fearing lad was reasoning with a wretched companion about his wicked course. His companion replied, "It is the right thing for you, Harry, to be glad, for you have lots of people who care for you; but as for me, nobody prays for me. I'm so bad that nobody thinks it worth while to pray for me. If they ever did pray for me, they have given it up now." "Don't say that, Jack; God is my witness that I never lie down but I pray, 'O God, bring dear Jack into the fold of Christ!"" Jack wept and repented. Isn't that an encouragement for persevering prayer on behalf of perishing school-fellows ? LESSON 155.-THE PUBLICAN'S PRAYER.-Luke xviii. 9-14. 280. The Self-Righteous are Lost, (verse 14.)—There is a legend that Jesus, while on earth, was once entertained in the cell of a monk of great reputation for holiness. In the same city dwelt a youth sunk in every sin, "whose heart was so black that Satan himself shrank back from it in horror." The youth appeared before the cell of the monk, and, as if smitten by the very presence of Jesus, began to lament deeply the sin and misery of his past life, and, shedding abundant tears, to implore pardon and grace. The monk indignantly interrupted him, demanding how he dared to appear in his presence and in that of God's holy prophet; assured him that for him it was in vain to seek forgiveness; and, to prove how certain he was that the youth's lot was fixed for hell, exclaimed, My God, grant me but one thing: that I may stand far from this man on the judgment day." On this Jesus spoke: "It shall be even so. The prayer of both is granted. This sinner has sought mercy and grace, and has not sought them in vain. His sins are forgiven. His place shall be in Paradise at the last day. But this monk has prayed that he may never stand near this sinner. His prayer, too, is granted: hell shall be his place; for there this repentant sinner shall never come.' 66 281. It is to Penitent Sinners that Mercy is Shewn, (verse 14.)-When the late Duke of Kent, the father of Queen Victoria, was expressing, in the prospect of death, some concern about the state of his soul, his physician tried to soothe his mind by referring to his high respectability and his honourable conduct in the distinguished situation in which Providence had placed him, when the Duke stopped him short, saying, “No; remember, if I am to be saved, it is not as a prince, but as a sinner." LESSON 156.-REVIEW.-CHRIST'S LOVE FOR THE OUTCASTS. NEW PUBLICATIONS. Price 2s. 6d., Beautifully Illustrated, THE ONE BY THE LATE CHARLES GLASS, EDITOR OF "THE CHILDREN'S MESSENGER." THE CHILDREN'S MESSENGER. YEARLY VOLUME FOR 1885. Price, Paper Cover, 6d.; Cloth Cover, 1s., MOSES' BIBLE, WITH OVER 200 ILLUSTRATIONS. Being the Black Board Lessons given originally to those attending the Glasgow Poor Children's Sabbath Dinner. Price 10d. per 100, or 7s. per 1000, DAILY BIBLE READING UNION CARDS. NEW-YEAR ADDRESSES Price 1d. Each; in Quantities at Ss. 4d. per 100. Beautifully Illustrated. 1. THE MARTYRS BY THE SEA. BY REV. ANDREW A. BONAR, D.D., Glasgow. 2. THE GRAND SECRET. By REV. DAVID M'EWAN, D.D., London. 3. LITTLE FOOTPRINTS. Choice Stories and Engravings. Price 1d. Suitable for Distribution at the New-Year. 1. THY SAVIOUR; or, Words to the Young about some of the Names of Christ. By REV. C. A. SALMOND, M. A., Author of "A Woman's Work," &c. 2. OUR YOUNG MEN: An Address delivered to Young Men in the St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow. By REV. JAMES WELLS, M. A. GLASGOW: CHARLES GLASS & CO., 33 East Howard Stre |