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filled with an appreciative audience. | congregation. The children, under The small book containing the pieces the leadership of Mr. Wright, went sung had also a very graphic account through their part of the programme of the life of the great reformer, admirably, reflecting much credit given in paragraphs between each on the careful training they had hymn; and these were read by the undergone.

Rev. W. Sutherland, pastor of the

Notes on the Union's Lesson Scheme for 1883.

[These Notes are intended to aid Teachers in their studies at home, and not to be used in the school while teaching.]

Lesson 50.-December 16.

TRUTH, MEEKNESS, LOVE.-Matthew v. 33-48.

I. Truth, (ver. 33-37.)-The Jews were in the habit of having recourse to oaths on the most trivial occasions; and the forms of oaths were various. There are examples of them in these verses. They were in the habit of swearing by heaven. Jesus condemns this, because it was God's throne; and this was the same as swearing by God's own name, which was not to be done lightly-for the third commandment forbids us to use God's holy name lightly. Neither were they to swear by the earth, nor by Jerusalem, nor by the head. Notice the reasons why Jesus condemns all these. Then He urges them to tell the truth always-their speech was to be yea and nay-i. e., they were to use no stronger expressions than these. It is because of evil, of sin, that stronger expressions are required. Were all men always to tell the truth, there would be no need for anything stronger than yes and no. Notice that these verses condemn such phrases as, "As sure as death," &c.-so common among children-and inculcate the duty of always speaking the simple truth. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.'

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II. Meekness, (ver. 38-42.)-The old law was that of retaliation, as expressed in verse 38. This is the law that is natural to us. A boy's excuse for striking another generally is-" He struck me first." Jesus shews us a more excellent way. He tells us not to resist evil. Evil here cannot mean sin, because we are to resist sin on all occasions, and by all means. Evil here means injury done to us. Jesus gives us examples of His meaning in verses 39, 40, 41, and 42. Go over these examples, and note the point in each, which is this-a desire to overlook injuries done to us is better than to resent them. Meekness-control over our own spirits and tempers-will make us far stronger than if we give way to anger and resentment. Give examples:-The meekness of Moses was his strength. The meekness of Jesus was His strength. He could have called down fire on His enemies, but He blessed them instead. If your enemy is hungry, you will conquer him sooner by giving him food than by abusing him. See the remarkable example in 2 Kings vi. 19-23, where notice particularly the last clause of verse 23. The ample repast was more powerful than the sword. Now, so it always is. A gentle woman has far more power over her husband than a rough blustering one. Many a prodigal father has been won by the gentleness of a child. Many of our most touching stories are based on this principle. You can also illustrate it by referring to woman's influence over the navvies, as shewn in English Hearts and English Hands. All through God's universe the meek are the strong ones.

III. Love, (ver. 43-48.)-The duty of loving one's neighbour was recognised among the Jews; but they thought this could not be done without hating their

enemies. Hence the form of the precept among them, as given in verse 43. Now Jesus teaches the exact reverse of this in verse 44. Go over each clause, and see how exactly it is opposed to the principle expressed in verse 43. Love-whom ?— Your enemies. Bless-whom?-Them that curse you. Do good to whom?— Them that hate you. Pray-for whom?-Those that despitefully use you and persecute you. There is no mistake in this teaching. It is quite plain, and the duty cannot be shirked by our saying that we did not know the law.

Why should we act as required in verse 44!-Because (ver. 45) to act so is God-like. How does He act?-He causeth the sun-His sun-to rise on the evil and on the good, and He sends His rain on all. He is a loving Father, and loves all His children, even when they love Him not. Note Christ's estimate of what is God-like. Boys wish to be manly, but they often mistake what it is to be manly. Nothing can be truly man-like which is not truly God-like. All those things enjoined in verse 44 are manly; and he is the true man who does these things, whatever the world or his companions may say.

Another reason assigned for doing the things enjoined is given in verses 46, 47. Sinners-men who make no profession of religion at all-love those who love them. If we do nothing more than this, what are we better than they? But if we love God, we shall strive to be like Him. He is the great example we should copy, (ver. 48.) We should strive to be perfect, even as He is perfect. This is a high goal to set before us, but it is the right one.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 50.—Matthew v. 44.

Subject to be Proved-We are to Love Everybody.

Golden Text-"I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you."-Matthew v. 44.

NOTES.-The Notes on the Lesson explain this verse; but dwell on the expressions-enemies, curse, hate, persecute. How am I to treat those who treat me thus? Do to them as they do to you? No, says Jesus, that is not the way. Look, then, at the other four words-love, bless, do good, pray for. Put them this way;—

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A simple look at the pairs shews what is the spirit of Jesus, and of every one who is like Jesus.

Lesson 51.-December 23.

HYPOCRISY, ALMSGIVING, PRAYER.-Matthew vi. 1-18.

I. Almsgiving, (1-4.)—Explain the word-we call it charity, giving to the poor. Notice that Jesus does not condemn almsgiving. He encourages it; but He does condemn giving alms merely for the purpose of show-of being seen of men. This was the fault of the Pharisees. They made a great boast of the thing. They sounded a trumpet before them in the streets and synagogues, that all men might see how liberal they were. Notice what they got, and what they did not get. They got their reward, (ver.2,)—i.e.,they got praise of men,a poor thing at the best; but they had no reward from God, (ver. 1.) Why?-Because He loves truth and sincerity much better than any amount of almsgiving of this nature. So Jesus advises His hearers to avoid all ostentation in the exercise of almsgiving, (v. 3,) and thus they will secure the favour of their Father, who seeth in secret, and who will reward them openly. Notice the character of God as brought out here. He seeth in secret; nothing escapes His notice; what we do in secret He knows.

Remember Nathanael's question: Whence knowest thou me ?-and the answer of Jesus: When thou wast under the fig tree I saw thee. Remember Hagar's exclamation: Thou, God, seest me. So with us. We cannot hide ourselves from God, (Ps. cxxxix.) Again notice-God rewards, and that openly. Try and obtain this reward.

II. Prayer, (5-15.)

(a)-Avoid two errors: that of the Pharisees, which, as in the case of almsgiving, was ostentation. They stood in corners of the streets, and in the synagogues, and prayed, simply that men might see them, and think them very good. And, second, the error of the heathen, who merely continued saying the same thing over and over, like the priests of Baal in Elijah's time, whose whole prayer was, "O Baal, hear us; or like the men of Ephesus, who cried for two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

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(b)-How and what to pray. Pray in secret. Jesus is not speaking here of public worship, but of private prayer. Go into thy closet, and shut the door, and then pray. Closet-have you a secret place of prayer? Do you enter into your closet, and pray to God in secret? Then notice that God will hear this secret, earnest prayer. Compare the Pharisee and Publican, (Luke xviii. 10-14.) And not only will He hear it, but He will answer it, and reward it openly. Notice the beautiful reason given in verse 8 against using vain repetitions-our Father knows what things we have need of, even before we ask them; and, as a Father, He will give them on our asking if He thinks them good for us.

Take up next each petition in the Lord's Prayer, and briefly explain its import. (a)-The Preface-Our Father which art in heaven. Our shews us that we are to pray with and for others. Father-we should reverence Him, and all the more as He is in heaven.

(b)-Hallowed be thy name. Name means everything whereby God makes himself known. Hallowed-made holy, and used in a holy way. How terrible a sin to profane God's name!

(c)-Thy kingdom come-the kingdom of grace in this world, and the kingdom of glory in the next. All can help in this coming of the kingdom,-what are you doing? Missions and missionary boxes.

(d)-Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven-God's will, not ours. His will is our sanctification; our being entirely His, and doing all His bidding ag readily and as willingly as the angels do in heaven.

(e)-Give us this day our daily bread-No more, the manna fell day by day. We must learn to depend entirely on God.

(f)-Forgive us our debts, &c.-Explain debts and debtors. The first means sins, and the second, those who sin against us. Notice the ground on which we ask forgiveness. It is, that we forgive others. Read here verses 14 and 15, and see how important Jesus considered this.

(g)-Lead us not into temptation, &c.-Explain temptation-any place, business, society, or companionship, that might lead us to sin. Should God, in His provi dence, however, place us in temptation, then we are to cry, "Deliver us from the evil." But we cannot rightly pray this if we go into temptation.

(h)-The doxology-You will find the explanation of this in the last question of the Shorter Catechism.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 51.-Matthew vi. 15. Subject to be Proved-We are not to make a Show of our Religion. Golden Text-"If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."-Matthew vi. 15.

NOTES.-First, explain clearly and simply the word trespasses-then by illustra tion the word forgive. We have next the remarkable connection between forgiving, and being forgiven. The one depends on the other. Compare the parable of the unforgiving servant, (Matthew xviii. 23-35,) when the servant that had been forgiven (ver. 27) is afterwards cast into prison, because he had not forgiven, (ver. 34.) To forgive is the condition of being forgiven.

Lesson 52.-December 30.

REVIEW-CHRIST AS A TEACHER AND WORKER.

Another milestone reached, the last Sabbath of the year-well fitted to make us pause and think. Remember the hymn,—

"Childhood's years are passing o'er us."

A good subject this to begin our Review-What have we learned of Jesus? How much of His spirit have we received? Are we growing liker Him?

He heard and answered the Have you cried as earnestly as "God be merciful to me a

I. He welcomed all-even the poor outcast of Samaria. And in doing this he grudged no labour. So sweet was this work to Him, that he forgot the natural wants of the body. He was weary, and sat down to rest, but the moment He saw work to be done His weariness went away. He was hungry, but He felt it not. Do you know anything of this joy of doing good? II. Jesus always answers the prayer of faith. nobleman. Have your prayers been answered? the nobleman cried, "Come down ere I die?" sinner." If you have, Jesus has answered you. III. Jesus began His work at Nazareth, at home, where he had been brought up. Have you begun at home first with yourself, and then with those dearest to you? Remember the leaven, how it acts-fixes on the particles nearest it. Compare John i. 41.

Jesus was wont to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. He loved God's house. Have you learned this? Can you say with the Psalmist, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord?" (Psalm cxxii. 1.)

IV. Have you learned true politeness? Jesus would not take Peter's boat. He asked Peter for the use of it, and He asked him politely-He prayed him. Think of this, and learn of Jesus.

Then, remember that He is saying to you, "Let down your net." Have you brought any boy to the Sabbath school? Have you caught any fish? He expects you to do so.

V. Jesus had wonderful_sympathy, but His sympathy never ended in words. He healed all that came to Him. Have you this sympathizing spirit, and how do you shew it? Have you ever given a cup of cold water? Have you read a chapter or sung a hymn to a sick companion? Have you ever saved a penny to give to one who had need? All can shew if they are like Jesus in this respect. VI. Judge yourself by the character of those whom Jesus calls blessed. Are you poor in spirit-meek-merciful-pure in heart-a peace-maker? Think of these five things, and see how many of them, if any, you have.

Jesus was poor in spirit-He was very humble.

Jesus was meek-He was very gentle.

Jesus was merciful-He was continually shewing mercy.

Jesus was pure in heart-He did no wrong.

Jesus was a peacemaker-He is our peace.

VII. Do you always speak the truth? Do you never use bad words? What say you to these pairs ?—

LOVE,
BLESS,
Do GOOD,
PRAY FOR,

ENEMIES.

Curse.
HATE.
PERSECUTE.

Do you practise the duties in the left-hand column ?

VIII. Have you learned to pray-not merely to say a prayer, but to pray? Can you come to God as to your Father?

These are points that may well occupy you on this last Sabbath of the year.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 52.-Luke xix. 10.

Golden Text."For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."-Luke xix. 10.

Truly a golden text for the last Sabbath of the year-good news-the best news this world ever heard-the Gospel. Note the following things:

(a.) The lost-who are they?

(b.) To seek-think of the tenderness of this word.

(c.) To save-to bring home the wanderer.

(d.) The Son of Man-be sure, therefore, that He will do it tenderly. He knows our frame, He was tempted, He is the Son of Man.

The Teacher's Quiver;

OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS.

LESSON 50.-TRUTH, MEEKNESS, LOVE.-Matthew v. 33-48.

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93. We Must not Swear, (verses 33-37.)-A little boy came in from play the other day, looking very unhappy. Was he hurt ?-No. Had the boys plagued him?-No. Did he feel sick ?-No. Had he lost anything ?-No. Had he been in mischief?-No. What was the matter with Willie? He hardly spoke at supper-time, and ate very little. His mother went up to bed with him, and she asked again, "Willie, what ails you, dear? Mother," said he, "Mother, I swore. The minute I spoke it I was afraid of God, and I ran home. Mother, if I could only wipe those wicked words out of my mouth-if I only could. Mother, will God forgive me, ever forgive me, for taking His holy name in vain? Pray for me, mother; and Willie sank upon his knees and hid his face. His mother did pray for him, and Willie prayed for himself-prayed to be forgiven-prayed that he might never, never profane the name of God again. "I'd rather be dumb all my life long," said Willie, "than be a swearer. next day he asked his mother to write down all the Bible says about profane swearing; he wanted the Word of God on the matter, he said; and he wanted to study it, and stick it on his mind, and carry it about with him everywhere. So she copied these texts:-Exod. xx. 7; Lev. xix. 12; Jer. xxiii. 10; Matt. v. 34-37; James v. 12. "Oh! Mother," said Willie, on reading them over, "how clear God speaks! How can a man or a boy dare to swear after that!"

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94. We must not take Revenge, (verses 38-42.)-Two men, living in the southern part of Africa, had a quarrel, and became bitter enemies to one another. After awhile one of them found a little girl belonging to his enemy in the woods, at some distance from her father's house. He seized her, and cut off both her hands; and, as he sent her home screaming with her bleeding wrists, he said to her, "I have had my revenge." Years passed away: the little girl had grown up to be almost a young woman. One day there came to her father's door a poor, worn-out, grey-headed old man, who asked for something to eat. She knew him at once as the cruel man who had cut off her hands. She went into the hut and ordered the servant to take him bread and milk, as much as he could eat, and sat down and watched him. When he had finished, she dropped the covering that hid her handless wrists from view, and, holding them up before him, she exclaimed, "I have had my revenge!" The man was overwhelmed with surprise and humiliation. The secret of it was that, in the meantime, the girl had become a Christian, and had learned the meaning of that verse, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head." How beautiful the revenge of the Christian girl in contrast with that of the heathen!

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