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January 1.-The Creation. GENESIS i. 1: "God created the heaven and the earth."

1. What we learn from the Bible.— It teaches many things which we could get from no other book. But for it, we never could have known how the great world, and all within and around it, were made. Men who will not go to the Bible for their knowledge, have often tried to find out how and when the world came to be. But they know not this, nor can they, unless they learn it here. How is it that this Book can tell? Because it is the Word of God, and was written by men taught of Him. It tells us when this was done.

2. The beginning. - How long this was ago we know not. Thousands of years ago. So long time that we cannot understand or know it. There was no earth, or sun, or sky; no light, or sound, or motion; no living thing, either plant, or animal, or spirit, save God Himself. But there came a time when God determined to make all these things to be. The Bible tells us how this was done.

3. The Creation.-When men wish to make anything, they must get something of which to make it. No man can make something out of nothing. It is not so with God. His word can bring anything He wishes into being. He "created the heaven and the earth." "God said, let there be light: and there was light." "He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." How great is the power of God. How great His goodness, too. For this creation was for the good of man as well as for the glory of God. Yet let us remember, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." All, too, who live on it are His. "We are His, for He made us." Do we think of this day by day, and seek to do His will?

REVISION.-What is meant by creation? Where do we learn about the creation of the world? How did God create it? What else did God create? Why did He create these things? What should this teach us about ourselves?

Jan. 8.-The Name of Jesus. MATT. i. 21: "And thou shalt call His name Jesus."

1. The coming of Jesus.-Long before Jesus was born many looked for His

coming. How did they know He would come into the world? God had made it known by His prophets. Who were they? These had told where He should be born, and what He should do. Men looked eagerly for His coming through many years. They waited long, till at last the time was fully come. Then an angel of the Lord came to Joseph, and said He should be born. He said, too, what His name should be: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus."

2. The name of Jesus.-What did this mean? Names have meanings, as all words have. God often gave names to men; they sometimes showed what kind of persons they were who bore them sometimes what God had done for them, other times what God intended them to do. What does the name Jesus mean? A Saviour. Why was Jesus so named? The angel of the Lord who spoke of His coming, told this also for He shall save His people from their sins." This, then, tells us,―

3. Why Jesus came into the world.To save His people. Those only need to be saved who are in danger. This, then, tells us we are all in danger. Of what? Of sin. How does sin place us in danger? It brings the wrath of God, and who can stand against it? Sin brings misery now, and the pains of hell hereafter. But can we not save ourselves? Is there no other way of safety? None but Jesus only. There was "No eye to pity," "No arm to save," but His alone. Who can tell the greatness of the love and the power of Jesus? From what great enemy, too, does Jesus save us? Do you know what the Bible says of our danger from Satan?

REVISION.-How did people know that Jesus was coming? Who gave Him His name? What did the name mean? Why was Jesus a Saviour? Whom does He save? From what does He save His people? What led Him to come for our salvation?

Jan. 15.-God's Care for Man. GEN. ii. 8: "And the Lord God planted a garden."

1. A home for man.-For whom did God make the earth? Not for Himself, but for man. And when the earth was ready, when it was clothed with grass, and trees, and flowers, when earth, and air, and sea were filled

with all things that have life, then God made man to dwell upon it, and to rule over it. But this was not all; God prepared a special place in which man should dwell. He " 'planted a garden," and there He put the man whom He had formed. Could any care be greater than this?

2. The garden of Eden.-There are many pleasant places in the earth, rich with the beauty of hills and streams, and pleasant valleys, but none so fair as that garden. There God made "to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;" the "tree of life," too, was in its midst, and "the tree of knowledge of good and evil." A river flowed through it to water it and give it beauty, and all else was there which could delight the heart of man. How was this garden so perfect? Because God was its Maker, and all that He has made is very good.

3. Man's work.-When all was thus

made ready, "the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it." He was not to pass his time in idleness. This would not be good for him. God had given him strength to labour, and he must use that strength as God bade him. Though "every tree good for food" was there, yet Adam must dress the garden and keep it.

This may

teach us that wherever we are, and whatever we have, God expects us to labour. Idleness is sin, and will surely bring misery with it. How great was the goodness of God to man, whom He had made! He gave to Adam and Eve all that was needed to fill their lives with happiness. And He is good to us. He cares for all that He has made, and has prepared a better home than Eden for those that love Him. 66 O, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness!"

REVISION.-Why did God make the garden of Eden? What sort of place was it? What made it beautiful? What tree was in its midst? What work did God provide for Adam? Why ought we to labour? What better place than Eden has God provided? and for whom?

Jan. 22.-The Angel's Message. LUKE ii. 8: "Keeping watch over their flock by night."

1. The Child Jesus. When Jesus was born, few only knew that this was

the Saviour Christ whom the prophets had foretold. He was a helpless Babe, just as other children are. Yet He was the Son of God. But He fared as others did, and He was born far from His mother's home, and was laid in a manger, because "there was no room for them in the inn" where they stayed.

2. The Angel's Message.-God was pleased to make known the coming of Jesus to some. He sent a messenger, not to the great and rich, but to shepherds who were "keeping watch over their flock by night." For "lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them," and as they saw the glory of the light which shone round about them, they were "sore afraid." But as they were trembling in affright, he bade them not to fear, for he had come with "good tidings of great joy" for "all people," that "in the city of David a Saviour" was born that day, “which is Christ the Lord," and he told them where they might find Him for themselves. While they were filled with wonder at this, there suddenly appeared to them "a multitude of the heavenly host," singing sweetly, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

3. What the Shepherds did.-When the angels had gone away, they said, "Let us go,..and see this thing which is come to pass." They believed the message, and "came with haste," and found the young Child, and made known to all about them what they had seen and heard. Then they went back to their fields, "glorifying and praising God" for all which He had brought to pass. The message of the angels was for us. We share the peace and good will and blessing which Jesus brought. Do we believe this message? Do we praise God for it, and try also by faith to see Jesus our Saviour? Where is Jesus now? How and when may we see Him as He is ?

REVISION.-Where was Jesus born? To whom did God make it known? How was this done? What was the angel's message? How did Jesus bring peace on earth? What did the shepherds do? In what way may we imitate them?

Jan. 29.-How Sin came into the World. GENESIS iii. 3: "Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."

1. God's command.—When Adam was

put in the garden of Eden, God told him he might eat of the fruit of every tree there but one. What trees were those in the midst of the garden? God commanded Adam not to touch the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That he was to leave alone; if he ate of its fruit he should surely die. Was this a hard command? All the trees, and the garden in which they grew, were God's, yet He gave Adam leave to eat of all, save this one only. How solemnly God warned him not to touch it! How plainly He told him the punishment which would follow if he did!

2. The tempter. - We are not told how long Adam and Eve lived in this happy state. They were happy because there was no sin, and so there was no shame, no sorrow, and no fear. But there was one who saw all this, and who determined to try to spoil it. He was full of evil, and of hatred against God, and he wished to make man like himself. Who was this? So Satan entered the garden, and, in the shape of a serpent, spake to Eve. He first asked her what God had said about the tree; Eve told him they were neither to eat of it, nor to touch it, lest they should die. But Satan said, "Ye shall not surely die!" How truly the Lord Jesus said of him," He is a liar, and the father of it?" Yet Eve listened to what he said. He told her it would be good for her to eat of the fruit, and that she would be wise, "knowing good and evil.”

SCHOOL

3. The sin.-Eve now wished to try whether it was as Satan said. She looked to the fruit, and saw how pleasant it was to the eyes. Then she took some of it, "and did eat, and gave also unto her husband; and he did eat." Thus sin came into the world, so soon after man had been placed upon it! How sad all this was! They thought not of the Word of God to them, of His command, of the punishment which was to come, or they heeded it not. They forgot all that God had done for them; the wonder of His power and goodness, in giving them life and all things so richly to enjoy ; but when the first short pleasure of taking their own way was over, then their sin quickly brought shame, and fear, and sorrow with it.

So it has ever been. Sin has never left the world since. All have sinned. Satan is busy still with his evil work of leading souls to sin against God. Men, and children also, listen, as Eve did, and find how surely sin brings misery. Is there any cure for sin? Is there One, strong, and wise, and kind enough to save us from Satan's power? How great the mercy of God that He did not leave Adam and Eve to perish.

REVISION.-What command did God give Adam in Eden? How did sin enter there? Why did Satan tempt Eve? What did he tell her? What did sin bring with it? How may we guard against sin? Who is man's great enemy? Who is man's great Friend?

BIOGRAPHY.

ELIZABETH WORSNOP. ELIZABETH WORSNOP was born at Great-Horton, December, 1843. In very early life she began to see the beauty of religion, to feel herself a sinner, and at the age of twelve she yielded to the atrivings of God's Spirit, sought and found that "peace which passeth all understanding," and became a member of the WesleyanMethodist Society. The change was real and lasting, and was manifested through all the circumstances of her life. She was a consistent Christian, "adorning the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things." Her piety was deep, her love to her Saviour

great. When the Society was in a prosperous state she greatly rejoiced; when the contrary, she deeply mourned. She was much attached to all the means of grace, especially the Class-meeting. She would often speak of the spiritual food she received there, which greatly encouraged her, and enabled her to endure with patience all the trials and temptations of life. Like Mary, she loved to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His words; and like her, too, she did what she could for Christ. Teaching in the Sabbath-school was her delight for many years. Sh meditated much on the responsibility of

the office, and endeavoured to discharge all her duties to the glory of God.

In November, 1869, her health began to fail, and she was laid aside from active duties in the Church. During the former part of her illness she expressed a desire to recover, for her love to God was so great that she wished to work a little longer in His vineyard, to do something more for Him who had done so much for her. But her Heavenly Father was satisfied with her work, and was pleased to say, "It is enough, come up higher." He thought it best to remove her from a world of trials, and griefs, and fears, to a world of joy, peace, and happiness; from the company of loving friends to the company of angels. As she gradually grew weaker, she calmly expressed her submission to the will of God. She bore her sufferings with Christian patience, and was never heard to murmur.

When asked the state of her mind, she very pointedly replied, "I am on friendly terms with Jesus." The time drew near when the assistance of a loving mother

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and affectionate sisters was all in vain; but then Christ was her all in all.

Just before her death her Christian mother, seeing her sufferings were intense, repeated in her hearing the beautiful lines,

"Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life be past," etc. Elizabeth with her feeble voice heartily responded, and soon after the post from the celestial city arrived, and she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, March 5th, 1870.

The Teachers of the Sunday-school, her class-mates, and many friends followed her remains to their last resting-place. Now she is missed because her place is empty.

It is truly said of her, "though dead, she yet speaketh;" yes, her actions still live.

Her consistent walk, her pointed experience in the Class-meeting, and the words she used in conversation with her friends, will long be remembered.

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this work are so fully set forth in the title that we need add very little. It is, of course, a book of quotations. The editor has, with his well-known skill and industry, collected and arranged a great mass of incident and observation relative to Sunday-schools. His first section dwells on The Institution of the Sundayschool; his second, on the duties and qualifications of the Superintendent and Secretary; his third, on The Teacher; his fourth, The Scholar; fifth, The Infant Class; sixth, The Children's Service; seventh, The Library and Librarian; eighth, Auxiliary Agencies, Unions and Institutes, Mission-schools, Visiting and Visitors, Teachers' Improvement Meetings, Prayer-meetings, Singing and Music, etc., etc. The ninth and last section deals with Encouragements to Sunday - school labour. The foregoing outline will show the thoroughness, if not the exhaustiveness, of the work.

EXERCISES ON SCRIPTURE LESSONS.

JANUARY 30.-AFTERNOON LESSON.

JONAH'S FLIGHT.-Jonah i.

SUMMARY.-Jonah, sent by God, to Nineveh, flees toward Tarshish; but a great storm arises at sea, and the sailors, in their alarm, pray, and cast lots to discover the cause of this tempest. The lot falls upon Jonah; and, though unwilling to do so, the mariners cast him into the sea, which becomes calm. Jonah is swallowed by a fish.

I. THE OCCASION OF IT.-V. 1-3. Jonah. See 2 Kings xiv. 25. That great city. - See Illustration. Cry against it, threatening it with destruction, ch. iii. 4. Is come up,- is so enormous and flagrant, that I can no longer overlook or bear with it. Rose up to flee,-dreading to undertake so irksome a task. Tarshish, (or, Tartessus,)-a city and emporium of the Phoenicians in the south of Spain. From the presence, &c., · -as though he COULD do this, Ps. cxxxix. 7-12. To Joppa, a seaport town of Palestine, in the tribe of Dan, on the Mediterranean Sea, formerly called "Japho," Josh. xix. 46. A ship going,-indicating that there was regular traffic between the two places. The fare thereof,-the usual charge, or passagemoney. To go with them, &c.-But he had to learn that the end of the journey was in the hands of God, from whose presence he was fleeing.

II. ITS CONSEQUENCES.-V. 4—17. (1.) The sailors' alarm, and Jonah's apathy.-V. 4-6. The Lord sent out, &c.-Evidently this storm was raised of set purpose by God, Ps. cvii. 25, 26. Broken,-shivered to pieces by the violence of the waves. Mariners,men accustomed to the sea, and so not likely to be frightened easily. Unto his god,-for the heathen have "gods many, and lords many," 1 Cor. viii. 5. The wares,-cargo, the goods they were carrying to sell at Tarshish. Into the sides,-into one of the cabins, or berths. Shipmaster, captain. What meanest

VOL. V. NEW SERIES.-February, 1870.

thou,-to sleep in such a perilous storm as this? If so be that God, -thy God, who may have more power or willingness to help than our gods have.

(2.) Casting lots, and Jonah's confession.-V. 7-10. For whose cause,on whose account, believing the storm to have arisen on account of some hidden crime of some person on board; the lot was often used as a kind of ordeal both by heathens and by the Jews, 1 Sam. xiv. 41, 42. Tell us,who thou art; what thou doest here; what crime thou art guilty of.

The

Lord,-Jehovah. Made the sea.-' --This announcement would alarm these men ; for no doubt they imagined their gods to be gods of the sea: hence his words made them exceedingly afraid. Why, -what could move thee to provoke so terrible a God? He had told them,— though his confession is not recorded.

(3.) Mingled feelings of anxiety and pity.-V. 11-14. What shall we do?we do not wish to harm thee, so thou shalt pronounce sentence on thyself. That the sea, &c.-They had no doubt Jonah's guilt had provoked the storm. Wrought,-worked itself up more and more furiously: on some parts of our coast, when a storm is coming on, the people say, "the sea is making fast." Cast me forth.. for I know, &c.-He feels himself to be deserving of death, for his guilty flight has brought the lives of these innocent men into peril. Nevertheless,-what a touching expression of pity there is in this effort to save both the ship and the prophet! Rowed hard, (Margin, "digged,")-made the utmost effort to break through the angry waves. Cried unto the Lord,believing now in His great Name, and trembling at His power. Lay not upon us the guilt of this act in casting him into the sea; since he instructs us himself, and it is also Thy will, for

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