THE FAMILY CHOIR. Simpkin & Co., London.

Ir gives us unfeigned pleasure to introduce this work to the Christian public. Its title is to us captivating; and its execution all that we could wish. It consists of some of the most exquisite Tunes of a devotional cast, and in the opposite page, of several Hymns, composed by real Poets, adapted to the Tunes. In all pious families, where Music, either vocal or instrumental, is cultivated, this new work will be a treasure. Its use will cause the voice of rejoicing to be heard in the Tabernacles of the righteous. The editor has rare opportunities of assistance from both Europe and America. Parts one and two are now ready.

The Portion.

JANUARY 8.-ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION.-Genesis xviii. 16-33.

NOTES.

Ver. 16. Abraham went with them,' unwilling to part with them, or thinking to guide them: guides were necessary in a country where roads were unknown and villages were few. Ver. 17. Shall I hide;' God would reveal his intention, because (1). Abraham was his friend; (2) the country to be destroyed was a part of the inheritance promised to Abraham: (3) the knowledge of this revelation would have a blessed effect on the family and descendants of Abraham. Ver. 18. 'Abraham shall become: 600,000 men at one time were in the nation: blessed in him,' in the examples of faith he set, and in the Saviour who was to arise from him. Ver. 21. Go down now,' either literally in the personal appearance of Christ, or figuratively in the language and manners of men. Ver. 32. 'Ten found there,' perhaps supposing through Lot's influence there were ten righteous in Sodom, or thinking if there were not, the place ought to be destroyed, as the fig tree, Luke xiii. 9, or he was restrained from praying any further, Jer. 7, 16: 11, 14. QUESTIONS.

Where the Scholars have not the use of the Magazine, the Teacher ought to explain the portion previous to putting the questions.

1. What duty do we learn from Abraham's kindness to these angels? 3 John, 6, Heb. xiii. 16.-2. Why would not God hide his intentions?-3. How are we blessed in Abraham ?-4. Do you desire to be a blessing or a curse to the world?-5. What scripture characters were benefitted by family instruction? 1 Sam. ii. 26, 1 Chron. xxviii. 9, 2 Tim. iii. 15.-6. Does scripture show how parents should train up their families? Deut. vi. 6, 9: Prov. xxii. 6, Ep. vi. 4. -7. How should the children and servants of wicked parents seek divine knowledge?-8. What is one mark of a christian family?— 9. How does God regard unfaithful parents? 1 Sam. iii. 13.-10. In what way does piety bring blessings upon us?-11. Do any evil consequences result from being destitute of religious tuition? Prov. xix. 2, xxix. 15, Hos. iv. 6.-12. What part of God's character is displayed in ver. 21st?-13. On what principles does God punish the sinner?-14. What righteous man had Abraham in his mind in ver. 23rd? 2 Peter, ii. 7.-15. Has God ever blessed one person or place for the sake of another? Gen. xxx. 27, Is. i. 9, Jer. v. 1, 2 Kings, xix. 34.-16. What peculiar graces shine in Abraham's pleading?-17. When did God remarkably distinguish the righteous from the wicked? Ezekiel. ix. 4-6.-18. Does Abraham's perseverance in prayer teach us any duty? Luke, xviii. 1.-19. Do you fervently pray for your unconverted friends ?-20. What does James say in chap. v. 16?-21.

How shall you meet your wicked relatives at Christ's bar if you have not sought their conversion?-22. How long did the Lord continue granting Abraham's desires ?-23. With what feelings would the patriarch return to his tent ?-24. What effect on our mind and heart has communion with God?

JANUARY 15,-THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM.- Gen. xix. 12, 29. Deut. xxix. 23.

NOTES.

Ver. 16. Lingered' in love to his property or in affectionate concern for his other relations: Men laid hold,' the angels in human form had to force him. Ver. 17. Escape to mountain,' where the liquid fire would not reach. Ver. 20. 'A little one,' probably thinking it was less depraved and might be spared, or wishing to have it for an inheritance. Ver. 22. Zoar,' little or small, its former name being Bela. Ver. 23, Sun was risen,' showing how unlikely the judgment appeared. Ver. 24. Brimstone and fire,' perhaps lightning inflaming the nitre and bitumenof that country; compare Psalm xi. 6, and Ezk. xxxviii. 22: 2 Kings, i. 12. Ver. 25. Overthrown', perhaps, by earthquake or volcanic eruption; 'All the plain,' it is now the dead sea, 72 miles long and 19 wide, according to Josephus no living creature is to be found in it: a strong sulphureous smell is said to arise from it. Into this sea the Jordan flows and is lost. In consequence of frequent eruptions of bituminous matter from the bottom of the lake, it seems as if there were subterranean fires: hence the allusion of Jude, vii. Ver. 26. 'A pillar of salt,' petrified, or figuratively a perpetual memorial of God's displeasure, as things which last long are compared to salt; Num. xviii. 19. Ver. 28. Smoke of a furnace;' ancient authors assert that the whole district appeared as if various cities had been destroyed by fire.

QUESTIONS.

1. Can you give the substance of the last portion ?-2. Have you since last Sunday, endeavoured to save your unconverted friends?— 3. Why did Lot choose Sodom for his residence? Gen. xiii. 10.-4. What does that choice and his present loss teach us?-5. Who were taken out of the town with Lot ?-6. Why is it good to belong to pious persons?-7. Can we be saved by the piety of others? Matt. iii. 9.-8. Why were Sodom and the other cities destroyed? 9. Do any persons now act as did Lot's sons-in-law? ver. 14.-10. What warnings does God give us of the approaching judgment?-11. If we have fled for refuge to Christ, what caused us to do it? Lam. iii. 22, 1 Cor. xv. 10.-12. Why did Lot linger ?-13. Was it right or wrong to wish to go to Zoar? Prov. iii. 5, 6.-14. With what feelings should we seek our eternal safety ?-15. In what way did God destroy these wicked cities ?-16. What now occupies the plain where they once stood?-17. Is there any thing remarkable in that lake!— 18. Is it a type of any place? Rev. xx. 14, xxi. 8.-19. How will Jesus be revealed from heaven? 2 Thes. i. 8.-20. What became of Lot's wife?-21. Why was this?-22. Does it not seem a small sin? -23. What other heavy judgments followed sins apparently small? Gen. iii. 17-20, Num. xv. 32-36, 2 Sam. xxiv. 10-15, 1 Sam. vi. 19. -24. Why were all these sins deserving of great punishment ?--25. Is it the heart or the conduct that God notices ?-26. What is said in Luke ix. 62, and xvii. 32, 33 ?-27. How did Abraham act?-28. Why?-29. Should we watch for the result of our pleadings with

God?-30. How will the saints feel when they see the final doom of the wicked? Rev. xix. 3.-31. What use shall you make of this portion?

JANUARY 22.-THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES.-Matt. xxiii. 1—12.

NOTES.

Ver. 1. Then spake Jesus,' Christ had before used every argument with the Scribes and Pharisees, and as they maliciously rejected him, he proceeds to warn his hearers against them, and to denounce woes upon them. Ver. 2.

Scribes,'

an order of men who wrote out and explained the law, often called Doctors and Rabbies. 'Pharisees,' a sect among the Jews, remarkable for self-righteousness. 'Sit in Moses' seat,' Jewish teachers always stood when they read the law, and then taught the people from a seat or chair in a pulpit. Neh. viii. 4, 5, and Luke, iv. 16, 20; they consider themselves as the successors or representatives of Moses; many of the Scribes were Pharisees. Ver. 3. Observe and do' only as far as their comments made the law plain; 'many of their instructions set aside the commands of God. Matt. xv. 6. Ver. 4. 'Heavy burdens, &c.' an allusion to lading beasts; the burdens were (1) legal ceremonies which, though of divine appointment, became grievous when made a condition of salvation. Acts, xv. 10,11. (2) Human traditions, which were communications handed from one generation to another, and by which the precepts of God were often broken. Matt. xv. 2. A Rabbi once perished in prison, because, according to tradition, he would wash his hands before meat, in the water which he ought to have drank; these persons appeared religious in the eyes of others, but were at no pains or sacrifice to be really pious. Ver. 5. Phylacteries' see page 8; Borders,' the fringe worn at the edge of their robes according to law. Num. xv. 38-40. This law was to remind the Jews that they were a peculiar people, and not to sanction any peculiarity of dress. The dress of all christians, especially of Teachers and Scholars, should be modest. 1 Tim. ii. 9. 10, 1 Peter, iii. 3, 4. Ver. 6. Uppermost rooms,' highest places at a banquet. Chief seats,' those which had their back to the pulpit or ark, and their face towards the people; only those who were famous for learning occupied them; the love, not the occupancy of them was wrong. Ver. 7. 'Greetings,' that it might be seen how much they were respected. ‘Rabbi,' great teacher; the words of a Rabbi were thought to be the words of God: when this title was conferred on a man, a key was placed in his hand, implying his power to open the mysteries of the law. Ver. 8. Be not ye called Rabbi ;' they were not to regard themselves as Rabbies, but merely to teach what their Lord had taught them; all human authority in religion is to be avoided. Ver. 9. 'Father,' the author or founder of religion; thus the Rabbies were esteemed. Ver. 10. Master,' unerring teacher. Ver. 11. 'Greatest' men naturally wish to be great rather than good; humility and usefulness are the road to the greatest glory.

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the subject of this portion ?-2. Why did Jesus guard his hearers against these wicked persons?-3. How should we act to those who teach religious errors? Jude 3, 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26.-4. What do you know about the Scribes and Pharisees?-5. By what rule are we to try the teachers of religion? Is. viii. 20.-6. What motive should lead us to obey the truth of God?-7. Why should our con

duct and our creed agree?-8. What were the 'heavy burdens' which these persons enacted ?-9. How are Christ's doctrines and commands represented? Ps. xix. 11, Matt. xi. 30.-10. Is obedience to Christ the cause of our salvation or the effect of our love to him?-11. What is necessary for salvation? Rom. x. 9.-12. Does any verse prohibit our altering the gospel as did these Scribes and Pharisees? Rev. xxii. 18, 19.-13. Can you explain the phylacteries from page 8 ? -14. From what motive did these people appear so singular?-15. Who searches the hearts?-16. Does Christ give us any rule for our outward conduct? Matt. v. 16.-17. But will merely external obedience please God?-18. Why is it wrong to give or receive religious honours such as 'Rabbi,' 'Master,' &c.?-19. While we obey and honour our rulers in all earthly matters, who is the Lord of our souls, our consciences, our faith ?-20. Does man before his conversion wish to be good or great?-21. What doctrine of scripture does that fact confirm ?-22. Can you give any remarkable illustrations of ver. 12? Dan. iv. 63, Acts, xii. 20, 23, Gen. xxxvii. 1 Sam. xvi.-23. How will hypocrites stand at the last day? Matt. vii. 22.— 24. What are your expectations for the eternal world?-25. How may you know whether your religion is one of form only or of power also?

Ver. 19.

JANUARY 29.-BARNABAS AT ANTIOCH.-Acts, xi. 19-26.

NOTES.

Phenice, a harbour of Crete:
Antioch,' a most depraved city

Persecution,' see Acts, viii. 1. 'Cyprus,' an island between Syria and Cilicia: on the River Orentes, so called from Antiochus, the father of the first king of Syria; it was the seat of the Syrian kings. 'None but Jews only,' not knowing Peter's vision, nor the opening of the gospel to the gentiles. Ver. 21. Hand of the Lord,' the power of grace. Ver. 22. Church in Jerusalem,' the Mother Church of Christianity; 'a church is a congregation of faithful men.' Ver. 23. 'Seen the grace of God' in its blessed results. Ver. 25. Tarsus,' the chief city of Cilicia. 'Seek Saul,' at Tarsus Saul was safe from the persecution against him. Acts, ix. 29, 30; as a Roman citizen it was his own city. Ver. 26. 'Brought him to Antioch ;' Paul was appointed for the Gentiles; he also knew well the Greek language used at Antioch, and on account of his holy zeal was well fitted for this station. Called Christians: they had been formerly called Nazarenes, Galileans, &c., and called themselves Disciples, Brethren, Believers, &c., but now they were called after Christ; whether this name was given by man as a stigma, or whether given by God, Is. lxii. 2, as a title of honor, we cannot tell; it is however the highest style of man.' The necessity for a distinct name to the converts made in one of the most wicked places is a glorious triumph of grace.

QUESTIONS.

1. How came the gospel to visit Antioch ?-2. In what way does persecution benefit the church ?-3. What is meant by the hand of the Lord was with them' ?-4. Did this circumstance fulfil any promise? Matt. xxviii. 20.-5. What do these numerous conversions in so wicked a place teach us?-6. How did the church at Jerusalem regard this occurrence?-7. Why should all churches and schools love and help each other?-8. How could Barnabas see the grace of God? Matt, vii. 17.-9. When that grace reaches the heart, what

will be its effects?-10. What is there in conversion to cause joy ?11. Had Barnabas reason to fear some might fall away? Matt. xiii. 19-22.-12. How may we prove that we are really converted? Matt. xxiv. 13, John viii. 31.-13. Why and how should we cleave to the Lord?-14. What was the character of Barnabas?--15. Did his piety secure usefulness ?-16. Why did he seek Saul?-17. Should we rejoice in the success of others?-18. What remarkable circumstance took place at Antioch?-19. Was the name given as an honour or a reproach ?-20. What is it to be a christian?-21. Are there any duties and privileges connected with it? 2 Tim. ii. 19.-22. Do we become christians by baptism or by regeneration ?-23. Why is the church of Christ called by so many different names? 1 Cor. i. 12, 13. -24. What did Agrippa say in Acts xxvi. 28?

FEBRUARY 5.-THE ALABASTER Box.-Matt. xxvi. 6—13.

NOTES.

Ver. 6. Bethany,' a village, 15 furlongs east of Jerusalem; see the map in September Magazine. House of Simon the Leper,' probably he had been healed by Christ John, xii. 1, says it was at the house of Lazarus; very likely both lived together. Simon now entertained our Lord at a supper: John, xii. 2. Jesus went to Bethany six days before the Passover, and while there this supper was provided; Lazarus was present: John, xii. 1-3, and Martha, from her strong attachment to Jesus served. Ver. 7. A woman,' Mary, the sister of Lazarus. 'Alabaster bor,' a smooth transparent marble cruise; very precious ointment,' composed of spikenard, a fragrant oil extracted from an Indian plant; most likely the narrow neck of the cruise was broken off that the thin ointment might flow: Mark, xiv. 3. 'Poured it on his head,' and according to John, the residue on his feet, as he sat' or reclined on a couch. Ver. 8,9. Disciples,' Judas chiefly, though others appear to have approved of what he said: Mark, xiv. 4. Judas was a thief; John, xii. 6. and appears to have used for himself what was put into the common purse. 'Sold for much,' about ten pounds. Ver. 10. 'A good work,' it refreshed his body and cheered his mind as an expression of love and gratitude. Ver. 11. 'Poor,' and the poor were to be regarded, but every duty must be done in its time. Ver. 12. Did it for my burial,' bodies were formerly anointed or embalmed previous to burial; Christ's resurrection would prevent this being done to him; it was therefore done before death. Mary might not have known that Christ's death was so near, but her anointing him was brought about by God's design. Ver. 13. ‘A memorial,' an example and encouragement to us: Mal. iii. 16.

QUESTIONS.

1. What miracle had Christ wrought in Bethany? John, xi.-2 How will that miracle account for the presence, on this occasion, of Lazarus and his sisters ?-3. Can you reconcile the sixth verse with John, xii. 1 ?-4. What do you know about the Alabaster box?5. Why did Mary pour the ointment on Jesus? Ps. xxiii. 2, and xcii. 10-6. How was this act regarded by Judas ?-7. Why must we expect to have our obedience to Christ misrepresented?-8. Can you prove that what we give or do for Christ's church is not wasted? Ecc. xi. 1, Matt. x. 42.-9. How had Mary wrought a good work on Christ?-10. What was the value of the ointment?-11. Does its costliness teach us any duty? Prov. iii. 9, 10.-12. What is the scripture rule about helping the poor? Ps. xli. 1, Prov. xxi. 13.