"He," that is, he himself; he, and no other, has risen from the dead; and Mark vi. 16, "whom I beheaded." In both there is the emphasis which conscience, goaded by fear and guilt, compelled him to give. Still he does not accept Jesus; and in the latest scenes of the Saviour's life, the guilty part which Pilate performs with a reluctance which almost gains our sympathy, certainly our pity, Herod commits with a ready flippant malignity, (see Luke xxxiii. 8-11,) which shews how evil had gained upon him. In closing, refer again to John,-his work, his faithfulness, his martyrdom for truth. Dwell specially upon sin in connection with Herod-its nature, its danger, its power. Warn specially against only one sin, "that_rotting inward slowly moulders all;" and point to the Saviour, who was called Jesus because He was to save His people from their sins. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 102-Ecclesiastes v. 2. Subject to be proved-We should not be Rash. Golden Text-" Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few."-Ecclesiastes v. 2. NOTES.-Illustrate the danger of rash speech by this case of Herod and his step-daughter, by Jephthah's rash vow, (Judges xi,) by Saul's equally foolish imprecation which nearly cost the life of Jonathan, (1 Sam. xiv.,) by the rash decree of Darius which sent Daniel to the den of lions, (Daniel vi.) Then apply it to the case of scholars. Take, e.g., Matthew vii. 1 as an example, and shew how rash we are in judging. Remind them of the saying-speech is silvern, but silence is golden. Refer also to James, iii. chap., to see what rash words may do. Many a shaft at random sent Finds mark the archer never meant; And many a word at random spoken May soothe or wound a heart that's broken. Lesson 100.-November 30. FIVE THOUSAND FED.-John vi. 1-13. I. The Place, (ver. 1-4.)—He crossed the sea of Galilee from Capernaum,— i. e., went to the north-east side of the lake, near to Bethsaida, (Luke ix. 10.) He was followed by great multitudes, who went round the northern end of the lake on foot, (Mark vi. 33.) The reason why they followed Him is given in verse 2 of our lesson. The time of the year is mentioned in verse 4,-i. e., it was early in April. II. The Feeding of the Multitude, (ver. 5-14.)—When He saw the multitudes He had compassion on them. (See Mark vi. 34-36.) This was very characteristic of Jesus. He pitied the temporal wants of the people, and would relieve them. He first addressed himself to Philip. See in verse 6 why He put this question to Philip. Explain the word prove; it means to try him, to see if he had confidence in the power of Jesus to feed the multitude. Note Philip's answer in verse 7. Andrew tells Him that there was a lad in the company who had a few loaves and fishes. He had likely come out to endeavour to sell them. Jesus at once ordered them to make the men sit down. It was the spring time, and the grass was abundant. The men sat down in rows of 50 and 100 each, (Mark vi. 40,) so their number was easily ascertained. There were about five thousand men, besides many women and children. Notice, before distributing the bread Jesus gave thanks. He hath given us an example. He then gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Note, He never does what the disciples can do themselves. He will multiply the bread; that the disciples cannot do, but they can hand it round. He can raise Lazarus, but the bystanders must roll away the stone. So it is still. Paul can plant, but God alone can give the increase. Notice verse 12. Gather up the fragments. He will have no waste in His kingdom. He gives royally; but He takes it ill when we squander His gifts. Notice further how much remained-more than they had at first. Take in here verses 26-29, and learn the great lesson of this miracle. Jesus upbraids the people because they sought Him from low unworthy motives, and sets before them the great object they should seek,-not the bread which perisheth, but that bread which endureth-himself, the Bread of Life. And He tells them and us very plainly in verse 29 how we may obtain that bread. It is by believing on himself. And this is the one great work of life, before which all other work is insignificant. This is the work of Work,-what God would have us do. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 103.-Psalm xxxiv. 10. Subject to be proved-Jesus can Supply all our Wants. Golden Text-"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."-Psalm xxxiv. 10. NOTES.-Read such a passage as Matt. vi. 33, and see how Jesus teaches the same great lesson. Read also David's experience, as given in Psalm xxxvii. 25. Now, this is universally true. Note, He does not promise wealth or abundance, but all good-everything He knows to be good for us. Himself, the best gift of all, and with himself all things. But notice carefully, He expects us to seek. It is not every one that shall not lack, but it is he who seeks that shall not lack. Seek, and ye shall find. Lesson 101.-December 7. JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA.-John vi. 14-24. The effect of the miracle recorded in last lesson was great. The people were greatly moved by it. They would have taken Jesus with them in triumph to Jerusalem, whither they were going to the passover; but His hour was not yet come. He sent the disciples away in their boat, to cross back to Capernaum, and He quietly withdrew himself to a mountain alone. A storm arose right in the teeth of the boat, and they could make no progress. Note verse 17, last clause. The disciples were alone-Jesus was not with them. On the previous occasion of stilling the tempest (Matt. viii. 23, 24) He was in the boat. But now He leaves them alone. He will train them to do without His personal presence. But they were not alone. From the mountain top His eye was upon them, and He will come to them at the fitting time. So we read here, verse 19. This is the way God has always trained His Church. Israel was in the most cruel bondage, but just then God sent Moses. Peter (Acts xii.) was apparently within a few hours of his death, but just then God sent His angel, who set him free. Many a time the Church has been like this little boat,-tossed in the billows, and darkness coming on, and Jesus seemingly not near. But He was watching it all the time, and always comes for deliverance. We have two distinct miracles here. Jesus walked upon the water; and then, when He was taken on board, immediately the boat was at the other side. The same storm which had prevented the disciples from making Capernaum, had driven the fishing boats of Capernaum, when they went out to their fishing ground in the evening, over to Bethsaida; and in the morning those of the multitude who had not walked home take advantage of these boats, and so get home. Finding Jesus in Capernaum, they ask Him how He had got there. Then there follows the conversation which will form next lesson. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 104.-Psalm xlvi. 1. Golden Text-"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."-Psalm xlvi. 1. NOTES.-REFUGE-a heavy shower of rain comes on, you run into a close. The close is your refuge. A ship is caught in a storm. She runs into port. This is her harbour of refuge. Illustrate also by our Houses of Refuge for the poor and destitute, and by the old Testament Cities of Refuge. What is one essential thing in a refuge?-That it be strong enough to protect us, and shelter us. So in our text. We have refuge and strength combined. Who is this refuge-this strong refuge?-God, the Almighty. This was David's comfort. The Almighty. Think what the word implies. All power, all might. How safe are those in this refuge! What is another essential of a refuge? That it be within our reach when required. So here, God is a very present help-near to all that call on Him. Give example of this nearness of God in trouble. Daniel in the lions' den-three children in the furnace, &c. The Teacher's Quiber; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON 97.-THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES.-Matt. x. 1-15. 177. Christ came to Save the Lost, (ver. 6.)—Lady Huntingdon was trying to lead the despondent brother of Whitefield to Christ. To her urgent entreaties he answered, "Oh, it is of no use! I am lost, I am lost!' "Thank God for that!" said she. 66 "Why?" exclaimed the man in astonishment.-"Because." said Lady Huntingdon, "Christ came to save the lost; and if you are lost, He is just the one that can save you." 178. Freely ye have Received, freely Give, (ver. 8.)-A woman who was known to be very poor, came to a missionary meeting in Wakefield, and offered to subscribe a penny a-week to the mission fund. Surely," said one, "you are too poor to afford this?" She replied, "I spin so many hanks of yarn a-week for my living, and I'll spin one hank more, and that will be a penny a-week for the society." LESSON 98.--THE APOSTLES' RECEPTION AND REWARD.-Matt. x. 16-42. 179. God Provides for all, (ver. 29-31.)-The Rev. Mr. Nosworthy, who died in 1677, had, from the persecuting spirit of the times, been imprisoned in Winchester. After his release he was several times reduced to great straits. Once, when he and his family had breakfasted, and had nothing left for another meal, his wife, lamenting their condition, exclaimed, "What shall I do with my poor children?" He persuaded her to walk abroad with him; and, seeing a little bird, he said, "Take notice how that little bird sits and chirps, though we cannot tell whether it has been at breakfast; and if it has, it knows not whither to go for a dinner. Then be of good cheer, and do not distrust the providence of God; for, are we not better than many sparrows?" Before dinner they had plenty of provisions brought to them. 180. We should Love Jesus Most, (ver. 37.)—A little girl, between six and seven years of age, when on her death-bed, seeing her elder sister with a Bible in her hand, requested her to read about Christ blessing little children. The passage having been read and the book closed, the child said, "How kind! I shall soon go to Jesus. He will soon take me up in His arms; bless me too; no disciple shall keep me away." Her sister kissed her, and said, "Do you love me?"—"Yes, my dear," she replied; "but do not be angry, I love Jesus better." LESSON 99.-DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.-Matt. xiv. 1-12. 181. The Wicked have no Peace, (ver. 2.)-On one occasion, when at sea, a young gentleman rushed from his bed, while yet asleep, to the middle of the cabin, and, pointing to the floor, exclaimed, "There's the blood! there's the blood! Yes, there's the blood!" On which some of the others in the cabin rose, and, finding that he was asleep, got him back to his bed. In the morning a sprightly young gentleman who had got acquainted with him, was asked to ascertain the cause of the terrifying dream. He learned that the gentleman was an officer in the army, who, some time before, had shot a brother officer in a duel; and ever since he had been disturbed in his rest, appearing downcast and sad even when perfectly awake. He said it had been his custom, every night, to fasten his leg to the bed-post, or to anything to which he could tie it, to prevent his getting out of bed; but that in his berth in the ship he had found nothing suitable for that purpose. So true is it that "The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest.' 182. We should Tell our Troubles to Jesus, (ver. 12.)-On one occasion a friend refused to tell Emily Gosse the cause of her sorrow, thinking that it would appear trifling to her; but at last she told her all. Emily sat for a few minutes in silence, and then asked, "Did you tell Jesus?" Her friend looked surprised, and felt so. She continued, "If I want a pin, and know not where to find one, I do not lose any time in seeking for it. I ask Him to guide me in my search, and He does so. What did John's disciples do in their grief at the loss of their master ?-They took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus." The recital of this conversation was a message of mercy to another Christian girl. A fortnight after it had been told her, she said, "Last Monday I was asked by my mistress (a west-end milliner) to take a bonnet to a lady in Hyde Park. It was required by a certain hour. Quite unexpectedly to me, when I arrived at the house the lady desired some alteration to be made, and requested me to go into the drawing-room and make it there, as there was not time for me to return with it. The work was beyond my experience. I was so nervous I could not thread my needle. I was afraid to touch what our best hands had put together. I knew not what to do! All at once the words flashed through my mind, 'Do not fret-tell Jesus.' I thought, 'Can I ask Him to help me in this difficulty?' I did tell Jesus. I asked for direction. Soon 1 lost all nervousness; the alteration was completed, and the lady perfectly satisfied. Then, for the first time, I understood the meaning of a 'Living Jesus,' and the comfort of telling Him everything." LESSON 100.-FIVE THOUSAND FED.-John vi. 1-13. 183. Jesus Provides for All His Followers, (verses 5, 10, 11.)-A lady was travelling with her young family and their governess to the sea-coast. They used post horses with their own carriage. They had not gone many miles before she discovered that the cook, contrary to her wishes, had filled all the pockets and every spare nook in the carriage with provisions. She was displeased, and the first time they stopped to change horses had everything turned into a hamper, and told the servant to give it away. The governess got permission to accompany her, and hastened into the poorest part of the town that lay near the inn. She had little time for any choice, so, turning down a street, she resolved to leave the hamper at the first clean-looking house she came to. Passing several, she stopped at one with a snow-white curtain in a bright window. She knocked at the door, but, receiving no answer, she raised the latch and went in. A woman, reduced by starvation or sickness to a mere skeleton, was kneeling at a bedstead, which was the only article of furniture in the room. She looked languidly at the lady, who, without delay, emptied the hamper on the floorham, pork-pie, tongue, &c. "I was told to give this away,” said she, “and, as I knew no one here, I determined to leave it at the first clean house I came to." Instead of thanking, or even answering her, the woman, still on her knees, raised her hands and said, "I thank Thee, O my Father: Thou knowest my need." A few minutes told her story. She had lost her husband after twenty weeks of fever. Nursing him reduced her strength and devoured her substance. She was too weak to work, and had been compelled to part with all her goods, piece by piece, to pay her rent and obtain bread. "I knew I could work if I had meat to nourish me," she said; "but where could I get it ?-Where?" she continued-"Why, from Him who sent it by you, just as I was asking Him to let me have some, unless it was His blessed will that I should go to the workhouse." 184. Fragments of Bread should not be Wasted, (verses 12, 13.)—Arabs have a strong respect for wheat in any shape. If a morsel of bread fall to the ground an Arab will gather it up with his right hand, kiss it, touch his forehead with it, and place it in a recess or on a wall, where the fowls of the air may find it; for they say, "We must not tread under foot the gift of God." This reverence is constantly exhibited by all classes of the people-by masters, servants, and even by little children, Moslems und Christians. LESSON 101.-JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA.-John vi. 14-24. Now, 185. Man's Extremity is God's Opportunity, (ver. 17-21.)-Johnny Hall was a poor boy. One evening he said to his mother, "Please give me something to eat, I am very hungry." She let her work fall and drew Johnny to her. Her tears fell fast as she said, "Mamma is very poor, and cannot give you any supper to-night." He said, "Never mind, mamma; I shall soon be asleep, and then I sha'n't feel hungry. But you will sit and sew, and be so hungry and cold! Poor mamma!" And he kissed her many times to comfort her. Johnny, you may say your prayers." He repeated, "Our Father," with her, until they came to the petition, "Give us this day our daily bread." The earnestness, almost agony, with which the mother uttered these words, impressed Johnny strongly. He said them over again, "Give us this day our daily bread." Then, opening his blue eyes, he fixed them on his mother, and said, "We shall never be hungry any more. God is our Father, and He will hear us." The prayer was finished, and Johnny laid to rest. The mother sewed with renewed energy. Her heart was sustained by the simple faith of her child. Many were the gracious promises which came to her remembrance. Although tired and hungry, still it was with a light heart she sank to rest. Early in the morning a gentleman called on his way to business. He wished Johnny's mother to come to his home to take charge of his two motherless boys; and she immediately accepted the offer. 186. The Lord Hears every Earnest Cry, (Matt. xiv. 30.)-A minister asked the maid in an inn in the Netherlands if she prayed to God. She replied, "She had scarcely time to take her meals; how could she have time to pray?" He promised to give her a little money if, on his return, she could assure him she had meanwhile said three words of prayer night and morning. Only three words and a reward caught her promise. He solemnly added, "Lord, save me!" For a fortnight she said the words unmeaningly; but one night she wondered what they meant, and why he bade her repeat them. God put it into her heart to look at the Bible, and see if it would tell her. She liked some verses where she opened so well, that next morning she looked again, and so on, from day to day. When the good man went back, he asked the landlord for her, as a stranger served him. "Oh, sir, she got too good for my place, and lives with the minister!" He went to find her, and as soon as she saw him, she cried, "Is it you, blessed man? I shall thank God through all eternity that I ever saw you. want not the money; I have reward enough for saying those words." She then described how her prayer had been heard, and how she had now the assurance of salvation. |
