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good-bye, accompanied with his wishes for the prosperity of the cause of God.

A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman, and the Thus ended one of the most interesting

meeting separated.

missionary meetings ever held.

We hope our young friends

will keep the missionary year of jubilee.

MORNING AND AFTERNOON LESSONS FOR EVERY SUNDAY IN THE MONTH.

JUNE 9.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings xvi.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxii. 15-22.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 15. Why did the Pharisees seek to entangle Christ in his talk? That they might, if possible, find some reason for delivering him to the power of the Roman governor. Luke xx. 19, 20.VERSE 16. Who were the Herodians? A sect who thought that Herod was Messiah. Have we any other instance of the Pharisees joining with the Herodians in persecuting Christ? Mark iii. 6. Was this their opinion of Christ? No: "for they feigned themselves just men." Luke xx. 20.-VERSE 17. Why was Cæsar's name mentioned? Because at this time Judea was under the command of the Romans, and it had been said (Deut. xvii. 14, 15) that no stranger should rule over it. Did the Jews ever refuse to pay tribute? Yes: Ezra iv. 13. What is the divine command respecting tribute? Rom. xiii. 6, 7.-VERSE 18. How did Christ perceive their wickedness? He saw that they said what they did not believe, and that it was their design to entrap him. John ii. 24, 25.-VERSE 19. Of what value was the Roman penny? Seven-pence half-penny.VERSES 20, 21. Which are the things of Cæsar? The subjection and tribute which are due to every civil governor. Did Christ pay tribute? Matt. xvii. 24-27.-VERSE 22. Why did they marvel? Because he foiled their attempts so easily and so wisely.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the duty of paying every proper respect to those who are placed above us; but of rendering homage and worship to God alone.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. v.

Afternoon Subject, The Missionary Meetings. See p. 198 ofthe Magazine. Let it be readnclass, and be made the subject of conversation.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings xvii,

JUNE 16.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxii. 23-33.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 23. What other doctrine was held by the Sadducees? Acts xxiii. 8.-VERSE 24. Where is this said? Deut. xxv. 5.-VERSES 25-28. Is this related by any of the other evangelists? Mark xii. 20-23; Luke xx. 29-33.-VERSE 29. What do the Scriptures say respecting the resurrection? Job xix. 25, 27; Daniel xii. 2, 3; Acts xxvi. 8.-VERSE 30. Who are they who shall be as the angels of God? Luke xx. 34-36. How shall they be as the angels of God! They will live for ever, holy and happy, in the presence of God; and be equal in glory to the angels. Will not all be as the angels of God? John v. 28, 29.-VERSES 31, 32. What Scriptures relate this? Exod. iii. 6; Acts vii. 31, 32; Heb. xi. 16. In what respect is God the God of the living? He is the ruler and the Saviour of the living. What is the state of those whose God is the Lord? Psalm cxliv. 15.-VERSE 33. What did the Scribes think of this answer? Mark xii. 28.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the fact that all will be raised from their graves, and that those only will be as the angels of God who are now children of God.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. vi.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xxii. 34-46.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 34. When did Jesus put the Sadducees to silence? A little before this. See verses 23-33; and Mark xii. 28.-VERSE 35. What was the office of a lawyer? To transcribe and explain the law of Moses. The word lawyer has the same meaning as scribe. Hence Mark calls this man a scribe. Mark xii. 28.-VERSE 36. Why did the man put this question? To try Christ's knowledge. See Mark.-VERSE 37. From what part of Scripture is this taken? Deut. vi. 5. How is this the great commandment of the law? Because it refers to God, the greatest of beings; and if we obey this command we shall be prepared to keep all the rest.-VERSE 38. How is it the first? The most important duties should always come first; consequently, our duty to God comes before our duty to man.-VERSE 39. What is the meaning of this command? Matt. vii. 12.-VERSE 40. How are we to understand this? All the commandments of the law, and all the precepts of the prophets, are

included in these two, like branches hanging down from one tree, or leaves on one stem.-VERSES 41, 42. How was Christ the son of David? He was descended from the family of David. What did the Pharisees think of Christ? Matt. xi. 19.-VERSE 43. How did David, "in the spirit," call Christ Lord? He called him under the influence of the Spirit. Mark xii. 36.-VERSE 44. Where is this verse to be found? Psalm cx. 1. To what part of the character of Christ does this refer? To his office as a king. How should Christ sit on the right hand of God? He should be invested with all honour, and receive all homage.-VERSES 45, 46. How was Christ the Lord and son of David? He was David's Lord as God: he was David's son as man. Thus they were compelled to acknowledge that the Messiah should be God and man.

IMPROVEMENT.-Let the teacher ask the question, “What think ye of Christ?"

JUNE 23

Morning Reading, 1 Kings xviii. Morning Lesson, Matt. xxiii. 1—12.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 2. Who were the scribes? A class of men who were employed in writing copies of the law of Moses. Who were the Pharisees? A numerous and wealthy sect of the Jews, proud and self-righteous, and who held the common people in great contempt. What are we to understand by the expression," sitting in Moses' seat?” That they had authority to explain and teach the law. See Nehemiah viii. 4, 8; Malachi ii. 7.-VERSE 3. What did they bid the people observe? The commands of Moses'; but they imposed many other rites or works which were not included in his law. See Matthew xv. 1, 6. Why did Christ condemn their conduct? Because it was inconsistent with their teaching. Romans ii. 17-23.-VERSE 4. How did they bind burdens on the people? By requiring that they should pay heavy taxes, and comply with the utmost rigour to every part of their law-yet bore as little of the expense and trouble, themselves, as possible. Luke xi. 46.-VERSE 5. What were the phylacteries? Slips of parchment on which were written certain portions of the Old Testament (these passages were from Exodus xiii. 1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy vi. 6-9, xi. 13-21). They were bound round their foreheads or wrists, and worn, as they supposed, in obedience to the commands of the law, understanding that literally, which was intended to be understood figuratively.

Exodus xiii.9; Deut. vi. 8. The Pharisees made then larger and wider than other people, as if to show that they had peculiar reverence for the law.-VERSE 6. What is meant by the uppermost room at the feast? The chief seat at the upper end of the table. This the Pharisees loved, as a seat of honour. Also the seats of the elders near the pulpit in the synagogues.-VERSE 7. What is the meaning of "Rabbi?" Great. It was given to eminent teachers of the law.-VERSE 8. Why did Christ forbid these distinctions? Because he wished all to be on a level as brethren. James iii. 1; 2 Cor. i. 24.-VERSE 9. In what sense are we to call no man our Father ? As denoting supreme authority. God only can give laws, bind the conscience, and punish finally.-VERSE 10. Do these commands forbid our giving proper titles to men in civil office, or rendering them honour? No. They only forbid the disciples of Christ to exercise human authority over the souls of others. See Matt. xxii. 21; Romans xiii. 7; 1 Peter ii. 17.

IMPROVEMENT.-Show that true religion consists in having a humble and lowly disposition; and that God notices and rewards this alone.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. vii.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xxiii. 13–22.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 13. Where was this discourse pronounced? In the temple in the presence of multitudes. It was the last of Christ's public discourses. What is a hypocrite? One who acts a part insincerely, and does not speak his own sentiments. It is here meant for those who for purposes of gain or applause put on the appearance of religion. How did these hypocrites keep others back from entering in the kingdom of heaven? By doing all they could to prevent the people from receiving Jesus as the promised Messiah. Luke xi, 52.-VERSE 14. What is meant by devouring widows' houses? Getting possession of the property of widows, under the pretence of devoting it to religious purposes, and then defrauding them. 2 Timothy iii. 6, 7. Did our Saviour object to long prayers? No, for he spent whole nights in prayer; but he objected to the insincere prayers of these men, who made them long, on purpose to deceive men. Luke xx. 45-47.-VERSE 15. What is a Proselyte? A convert from one religion, or sect, to another. The Pharisees took every means, compassed sea and land," to increase their numbers-extorted money under various pretences, and then made these proselytes twice as bad as they were before-VERSE 16. What is here meant by swearing? Taking an oath,

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or making a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. An oath thus taken should be sacredly kept. Leviticus xix. 12; Matt. v. 33.-VERSE 18. What altar is here referred to? The altar of burnt-offering in the temple. 2 Chron. iv. 1. What is meant by a gift? The offering made to God: it was always a beast or a bird; and whatever touched the altar was made holy. Exodus xxix. 37.-VERSE 21. Who dwelleth in the temple? God. He always speaks of the temple as his house. 1 Kings viii. 13; 2 Chron. vi. 2; Psalm xxvi. 8. How did God manifest himself there? In the form of a cloud resting over the mercy-seat. 1 Kings viii. 10, 13.-VERSE 22. Matt. v. 24. What abuse did Christ wish to correct? The common practice of perjury or false swearing; and the wicked habit of using the name of God irreverently in common conversation. When should an oath be taken? On some very special and solemn occasion, when we can seriously call God to witness our sincerity in what we affirm or deny. Our Saviour did not refuse to take an oath in a court of law. Matt. xxvi. 63, 64. And Paul called upon God to witness his sincerity. Rom. i. 9; Gal. i. 20.

IMPROVEMENT.-Explain the difference between the taking of an oath, and the common habit of swearing; and dwell upon its sinfulness. Exodus xx. 7; Matt. v. 33-37.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings xix.

JUNE 30.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxiii. 23-33.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 23. What is a tithe? A tenth part. The law required the Jews to devote a tenth part of all their property to the support of the Levites. Numb. xviii. 20-24. What were mint, and anise, and cummin? Garden herbs of little value, except for their pleasant smell. They were used to sprinkle around the doors of the houses and synagogues. It was a question whether these small things should be tithed-the Pharisees required that they should.-VERSE 24. This was an old Jewish proverb. The gnat denoted a small object, the camel a large one. Our Lord intended to show the folly of attending so minutely to the small points in the law, and forgetting the higher and more weighty parts.— VERSE 25. What was the platter? The dish containing the food. The meaning is, that though their cups and dishes appeared neat and clean outside, yet they were filled inside with food extorted from the poor by wicked acts.-VERSE 26. Mark vii. 4; Luke xi.

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