OR, The Teacher's Quiver; ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON 45.-THE NOBLEMAN OF CAPERNAUM.-John iv. 43-54. 83. We should Pray for Others, (verses 47-49.)-When Dr. Bacchus (the president of Hamilton College) was upon his death-bed, his medical attendant called to see him, and, after examining the symptoms, left the room without speaking; but as he opened the door to go out, the patient observed him whispering something to the servant. "What did the physician say to you? said Dr. Bacchus." He said, sir, that you cannot live above half-an-hour." "Is it so?" said the good man. "Then take me out of my bed and place me upon my knees, that I may spend the time that is left me in calling upon God for the salvation of the world." His request was complied with; and his last moments were spent in breathing forth his prayers for the salvation of his fellow-sinners. He died upon his knees. 84. Our Prayers for Others are Heard, (verses 50-53.)-An infidel geologist, while out with an exploring party, was seized with great fear and anxiety, which nothing could drive away. He took a Bible, went by himself, and found peace in seeking the God whose existence he had tried to disbelieve in. It afterwards appeared that his wife had engaged several others to join with her in prayer for her absent husband. Those prayers were almost immediately answered as above. We have Christ's own promise, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. LESSON 46.-THE REJECTION AT NAZARETH.-Luke iv. 16-31. 85. Christ brings Deliverance to the Captives, (ver. 18.)-A traveller stood one day beside the cages of some birds that, exposed for sale, ruffled their surny plumage on the wires and struggled to be free. This way-worn and sun-browned man, who seemed just returned from foreign lands, looked wistfully and sadly on these captives till tears started in his eyes; then, turning to the owner, he asked the price of one, paid it in foreign gold, opened the door, and set the prisoner free. This he did with captive after captive till every bird was away, soaring to the skies, and singing on the wings of liberty. The crowd stared, and stood amazed. They thought him mad till, to the question of their curiosity, he answered, "I was once myself a captive: I know the sweets of liberty.' Jesus left His home on high, came and dwelt among men, and gave His life as a ransom, that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." 86. Those who will not Receive the Gospel cannot be Saved, (verses 22-30.)An empty vessel, if tightly corked, can receive no water, though water is poured upon it in great abundance. Even if thrown into the sea it will still remain empty. So it is with our hearts. If we close them against the truth, the water of life cannot enter, however freely it may flow. LESSON 47.-THE CALL OF THE FISHERMEN.-Luke v. 1-11. 87. Christ's Commands should be Implicitly Obeyed, (verses 4, 5.)-A negro preacher once said, "Brethren, whateber de good God tell me to do in His blessed Book, dat I'm gwine to do. If I see in it that I must jump troo a stone wall, I'm gwine to jump at it. Goin' troo it belongs to God-jumpin' at it belongs to me." Though somewhat oddly put, that was true reasoning. our part: the results we may safely leave with Jesus. Faithful obedience is 88. Disciples of Jesus become "Fishers of Men," (ver. 10.)-A girl of eleven years of age was brought to know the Saviour, and to find joy and peace in believing. "O mother!" she said, her heart overflowing with love, "if all the world knew this. I wish I could tell everybody. May I not run in and tell some of the neighbours, that they may love my Saviour too?". -"My dear child, they would all laugh at your experience, and call it a delusion." "O mother! I think they will believe me. May I not go and tell the shoemaker over there ?" Permission was given, and the glad child ran into his shop and began to talk earnestly with him about his soul, telling him that he was a sinner, and could not be saved except by Jesus Christ; that she was a great sinner too, but that God had heard her prayers and forgiven her, and now she was so happy. The words went to the man's heart. Throwing aside his work, he kneeled down and begged for mercy at the throne of grace. This was the beginning of a revival, in which some fifty persons were brought to the feet of Jesus. By letting down her little net, this young disciple caught "a great multitude." LESSON 48.-A SABBATH AT CAPERNAUM.-Luke iv. 31-44. 89. We should shew Sympathy for the Distressed, (verses 35, 38-40.)—The Rev. H. C. Trumbull, preaching to the inmates of a prison, said that the only difference between them and himself was owing to the grace of God. Afterwards one of the prisoners sent for him and asked, "Did you mean what you said about sympathizing with us, and that only the help of God made you differ from us? Being answered in the affirmative, the prisoner said, "I am here for life; but I can stay more contentedly now that I know I have a brother out in the world." That prisoner behaved so well afterwards that he was pardoned. He died in battle, thanking God to the last for the preacher's words of sympathy. Jesus is "a Brother born for adversity." 90. Jesus Receives and Saves all who come to Him, (ver. 40.)—It is said of the senate of Athens that on one occasion they had to meet and deliberate in the open fields. While they were sitting, a poor bird, chased by a hawk, came flying for safety to the bosom of one of the senators. This senator, being of a churlish disposition, took the poor bird and threw it with such violence on the ground that he killed it. The senate immediately decreed that, for his cruel conduct, he should be put to death himself. Christ never casts away any who come to Him for shelter. The desire of such is beautifully expressed by Charles Wesley in the hymn beginning "Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly." And it is said that the sentiment of the hymn was suggested to Wesley by a sparrow, when pursued by a hawk, taking refuge in his bosom as he was dressing one morning near to an open window. LESSON 49.-BEATITUDES.-Matthew v. 1-16. 91. "Blessed are the Merciful," (ver. 7.)—A crippled beggar was striving to pick up some old clothes that had been thrown him from a window, when a crowd of rude boys gathered round him, mimicking his awkward movements, and hooting at his helplessness and rags. Presently a noble little fellow came up, and, pushing through the crowd, helped the poor crippled man to pick up his gifts, and place them in a bundle. Then, slipping a halfpenny into his hand, he was running away, when a voice far above him said, "Little boy with the straw hat, look up!" A lady, leaning from an upper window, said earnestly, "God bless you, my little fellow! God will bless you for that!" As he walked along, he thought how glad he had made his own heart by doing good. He thought of the poor beggar's grateful look; of the lady's grateful smile and approval; and last, and better than all, he could almost hear his heavenly Father whispering, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.' 92. "Let your light shine before men," (ver. 16.)—A man in a blouse once said, "I have no more influence than a farthing rushlight."—"Well," was the reply, a farthing rushlight can do a good deal. It can set a stack on fire. It can burn down a house. Yea, more, it will enable a poor creature to read a chapter in God's book. Go your way, friend; let your farthing rushlight 'so shine before men, that others, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.'' BIBLES FOR PRESENTATION EXTENSIVE STOCK, COMPRISING TEACHERS', POCKET, PEW, FAMIL The EXHIBITION LANTERN (Fig. 1) consists of well-made Lantern, 3-in. Condenser, and simple Front Combination, with Adjustment for focus, and Duplex Mineral Oil Lamp This is a very efficient Instrument for home use and for small meetings. PRICE 30/; Or Case complete, with 24 Slides, as represented by engraving, 63/. The EDUCATIONAL LANTERN (Fig. 2) is a very Superior Instrument, both regards its Optical and Photogenic qualities. It consists of thoroughly well-finished Russian Iron Body, 4-in. Compound Condenser, Achromatic Front Combination, with Rack Adjustment for focus. Giving clear pictures, with Paraffin Lamp, of 10 to 12 feet diameter; or, with Apparatus for Lime Light, 20 feet upwards. For Educational or Social Reform purposes, one need not have a better Instrument. PRICE, with Improved Triplex Lamp, in compact Portable Case, £4; or, with Quadruplex Lamp, £44/. Liberal Allowance to Temperance, Sunday School, and Missionary Societies. |