upon its certainty. When tempted to trifle with sin, to join with the swearer, to pollute our lips with falsehood, or to waste in idle merriment the precious hours of our short, short lives, let us think how these things will look in the opened books (20th chapter Revelation, 12th verse), and in the light of the great white throne. Above all, let us seek very earnestly, that we may appear before the judgment-seat washed in the blood of Him who will sit thereon; for unless we stand there "complete" in Christ (2nd chapter Colossians, 10th verse), and having obtained peace through "the blood of his cross" (1st chapter Colossians, 20th verse), we cannot hope to escape the tremendous wrath of a justly-offended God.

THE PROVIDENTIAL CARE OF GOD,

MATTHEW ii. 1—16.

Teacher. We will begin this morning at the 2nd chap. Matthew, 1st verse.

First scholar.-" Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem," Teacher.-Now, who are wise men?

First scholar.-Old men.

Teacher. No, not exactly; men may be old without being wise. Alfred, what do you think the words "wise men," mean?

Second scholar.-Men of learning.

Teacher.-Yes, that is right. Now it is very likely that these were men who had spent nearly all their lives in reading and thinking. I suppose that, early in a morning, when all their neighbours were fast asleep, these men would rise from their beds, light their own fires, trim their lamps, and begin to study. All day long they would be poring over their books; old shabby books, with curiously formed letters, which no one but learned men like themselves could make out; and when

I

night came, and other people were gone to bed, these men would be still in the midst of their books. Sometimes they would go out and watch the stars twinkling in the sky, and would wonder and gaze at their brightness and beauty, though they little thought, then, that these stars were vast worlds, like our own. Now, how was it that they came to Jerusalem at this time?

Third scholar.-They had seen a star.

Fourth scholar.-It says, in the next verse, that they asked,

66 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

Teacher.-Now, when they saw this star, how came they to think that a king of the Jews was born?

Fifth scholar.-Because they were expecting

one to come.

Teacher.-What led them to expect one? Fifth scholar. The prophets had foretold that one would come.

Teacher. Very true: but these wise men came from the east country-perhaps from Persia -which was a long, long way from Judea. How, then, came they to know what the Jewish prophets had foretold?

Sixth scholar.-Because the Jews had been scattered into different countries, and had told the

people among whom they were scattered, that they were expecting a king.

Teacher. And now tell me why they came to Jerusalem, instead of any other place in Judea? No answer.

Teacher.-Now suppose these Persians had heard that there was a new king born in England, and had come over here to search for him, what place do you think they would go to first?

No answer.

Teacher.-Do you think they would go

down

into shire, where my father and mother live? First scholar.-No.

Teacher.-Where then?

First scholar.-Perhaps London.

Teacher.-Well, to be sure they would; and why? what is London?

Second scholar.-The capital of England.
Teacher. And what was Jerusalem ?
Third scholar.-The capital of Judea.
Teacher.-Now read the next verse.

Second scholar, ver. 3.-" When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."

Teacher.-Now what troubled Herod ?

Third scholar. He thought he should be turned out.

Teacher.-Yes, he was afraid he should lose. his crown and throne. Read on.

Third scholar, ver. 4.—“ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born."

Teacher.-How came they to know?

Third scholar. Because the prophet had foretold it.

Fourth scholar.-It says in the next verse, "And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the prophet."

Teacher.-Can any

phet that was?

scholar tell me what pro

Fifth scholar.-Isaiah.

Teacher.-No.

Scholars do not know.

Teacher.-Now turn to the 5th chapter Micah, verse, and read it.

2nd

Fourth scholar." But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Teacher.-You see that it is the same in sense as the 6th verse of the chapter we were reading, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Read the next verse.

Fifth scholar, ver. 7.-" Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared."