,illustration3 ,from ,eden to ,calvary ,,captivating ,,bible ,,stories ,,for ,,young ,,people ,,written ,,in ,,simple ,,language ,,beginning ,,at ,,the ,,creation ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,it ,,takes ,,the ,,reader ,,through ,,the ,,bible ,,in ,,fifty-,,two ,,lessons1 ,,each ,,lesson ,,comprising ,,three ,,readings ,,for ,,each ,,sabbath ,,of ,,the ,,year1 ,,while ,a ,,series ,,of ,,questions ,,with ,,each ,,reading ,,help ,,to ,,impress ,,upon ,,the ,,young ,,mind ,,the ,,truths ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,bible4 ,,designed ,,to ,,promote ,,greater ,,interest in the ,,sacred ,,scriptures ,,and ,a ,,better ,,understanding ,,of ,,their ,,teachings ,,including ,,all ,,the ,,important ,,historical ,,events ,,described ,,in ,,the ,,old ,,and ,,new ,,testaments ,by ,,charlotte ,m4 ,,yonge ,the ,noted ,author and ,missionaries' ,friend ,,embellished ,,with ,,more ,,than #bjj ,,superb ,,engravings ,,by ,,julius ,,schnorr ,,von ,,karolsfeld ,,of ,,scenes ,,described ,,in ,,the ,,bible ,,entered ,,according ,,to ,,act ,,of ,,congress ,,in ,,the ,,year #aiac1 ,,by ,,geo4 ,w4 ,,bertron ,,the ,,office ,,of ,,the ,,librarian ,,of ,,congress1 ,,at ,,washington1 ,d4,c41 ,u4,s4,a4 ,the ,illustrations in this work being from original drawings and protected by copyright1 their reproduction in any form is unlawful1 and notice is hereby given that persons guilty of infringing the copyright thereof will be prosecuted4 ,,preface4 ,,the great number of ,bible story books that have been published show how many attempts have been made to supply the want which has long been felt of a work containing a carefully written story of the ,scripture narrative for young people4 ,in this great work which is written in simple language1 the captivating story of the ,bible is told in a style that will cause it to be read over and over again1 and the thrilling truths and beautiful lessons it contains will never be forgotten4 ,it takes the reader through the ,bible in fifty-two lessons1 each lesson comprising three readings for each ,sabbath of the year1 while a series of questions following each reading1 help to impress upon the young mind the truths of the ,holy ,scripture4 ,the work begins with the marvellous ,story of the ,creation1 describing the beauties of the ,garden of ,eden1 and the awful disaster of the flood2 it relates the thrilling scenes in the life of ,abraham and the other ,patriarchs1 and furnishes a great panorama of the wonderful events in the dawn of history4 ,this is followed by the delightful story of ,joseph1 who was sold by his envious brethren and hurried away to ,egypt1 where he was adopted into the king's family1 and finally made ruler over that country4 ,the lessons of his life should be read by every boy and girl in the land4 ,he was one of the noblest characters spoken of in the ,bible4 ,next1 we have a glimpse of ,moses in his little life-boat1 found and cared for by a ,royal ,princess4 ,we see him growing to the fullness of manhood1 becoming leader of his people1 and finally breaking their chains and bringing them out of captivity4 ,he stands at the burning bush2 he opens a fountain in a rock2 he goes up among the clouds of ,sinai and receives the tables of the law4 ,this part of the ,bible story is full of instruction4 ,illustration3 ,as ,moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness ,then grand old ,joshua comes forth upon the scene1 and the reader follows him through his stormy conflicts and brilliant triumphs4 ,here1 too1 is a graphic description of the magnificent achievements of ,gideon1 telling what wonders he wrought and what valor he displayed4 ,who has not been fascinated by the delightful story of ,ruth8 ,this humble but charming woman was an ancestor of our ,lord ,jesus and all are interested in the story of her life4 ,every young person follows eagerly the thrilling account of ,king ,saul and ,king ,david4 ,we see the strong1 misguided yet mighty ,saul1 and also the ruddy shepherd boy whose swift sling slew a giant4 ,then comes ,solomon in all his glory1 and along in this part of the ,old ,testament ,story we see that grand man of the desert1 ,elijah1 and follow him through his startling experiences until1 in a chariot of fire1 he is borne away through the clouds to heaven4 ,we also read of that young patriot ,nehemiah1 who left the splendors of a palace to rebuild the shattered walls of ,jerusalem4 ,he accomplished wonders1 teaching the great lessons of devotion and energy4 ,illustration3 ,even so must the son of man be lifted up ,the ,bible is a rich store-house of instruction and entertainment4 ,how captivating is the story of ,queen ,esther4 ,she presents a striking example of those great crises in which the scale has been turned by the power and influence of woman4 ,other narratives come in thick succession4 ,the young are always interested in the story of ,daniel4 ,why should they not be8 ,his strong and beautiful character has a peculiar charm1 and there are few names in history that shine so resplendently4 ,let his brilliant record be studied by all1 whether old or young4 ,how eagerly young people read the charming story of ,bethlehem--the story of the angelic choir2 of the wondering shepherds who heard the heavenly anthem of ,peace and ,good-,will2 of the ,holy ,child laid in the humble manger2 of the burning star that lighted the wise men of the ,east to the feet of the infant ,prophet1 ,priest and ,king2 and the thrilling incidents connected with ,his life4 ,it would not be possible for human pen to depict more vividly those majestic events1 at once awful and fascinating1 which form the closing chapter of our ,lord's life upon earth4 ,we venture1 in conclusion1 to hope this volume will be the means1 with ,god's blessing1 of endearing to many young hearts the sweet story of old1 making them to love from childhood that book which in after years will truly be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path4 ,,illustrations ,,page ,,adam ,,and ,,eve ,,driven ,,out ,,of ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,eden #bc ,,after ,,the ,,banishment ,,from ,,eden #bd ,,sacrifice ,,of ,,cain ,,and ,,abel #be ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,dove ,,with ,,the ,,olive ,,branch #bg ,,noah ,,and ,,his ,,family ,,leaving ,,the ,,ark #cj ,,noah',s ,,sacrifice ,,after ,,the ,,flood #cj ,,abram ,,sees ,,the ,,promised ,,land #cb ,,melchizedek ,,blessing ,,abram #cc ,,abraham ,,entertains ,,three ,,angels #ce ,,lot ,,and ,,his ,,family ,,fleeing ,,from ,,sodom #cg ,,abraham ,,offering ,,isaac ,,as ,a ,,sacrifice #ci ,,abraham',s ,,servant ,,meeting ,,rebekah ,,at ,,the ,,well #dj ,,rebekah ,,sees ,,isaac ,,coming ,,to ,,meet ,,her #dj ,,isaac ,,blessing ,,jacob #dd ,,jacob',s ,,vision ,,of ,,angels #df ,,jacob ,,meeting ,,rachel #dh ,,laban ,,hiring ,,jacob #dh ,,jacob',s ,,departure ,,for ,,canaan #di ,,jacob ,,and ,,the ,,angel #ej ,,the ,,meeting ,,of ,,jacob ,,and ,,esau #ej ,,joseph ,,sold ,,by ,,his ,,brethren #eb ,,pouring ,,out ,a ,,drink ,,offering #ef ,,joseph ,,interpreting ,,pharaoh',s ,,dream #eh ,,joseph ,,proclaimed ,,ruler ,,over ,,egypt #fj ,,joseph ,,makes ,,himself ,,known ,,to ,,his ,,brethren #fa ,,joseph ,,meeting ,,his ,,father #fb ,,leather ,,bottles #fc ,,pharaoh',s ,,daughter ,,finding ,,moses #fe ,,the ,,israelites ,,made ,,to ,,work ,,hard ,,in ,,egypt #fg ,,aaron',s ,,rod ,,changed ,,to ,a ,,serpent #fh ,,the ,,plague ,,of ,,locusts #ga ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,passover #gd ,,death ,,of ,,the ,,first-,,born ,,of ,,egypt #gf ,,egyptian ,,judgment ,,scene #gg ,,pharaoh',s ,,host ,,destroyed ,,in ,,the ,,red ,,sea #gi ,,aaron ,,and ,,hur ,,holding ,,up ,,the ,,hands ,,of ,,moses #hb ,,korah ,,and ,,his ,,associates ,,swallowed ,,up #hc ,,aaron',s ,,rod ,,that ,,budded #he ,,the ,,holy ,,place #hf ,,moses ,,bringing ,,water ,,from ,,the ,,rock #hh ,,the ,,brazen ,,serpent #hi ,,priest--,,high-,,priest--,,levite #ia ,,balaam ,,met ,,by ,,the ,,angel ,,of ,,the ,,lord #id ,,high-,,priest ,,with ,,sin ,,offering #ih ,,the ,,ten ,,commandments #ajj ,,moses ,,receiving ,,the ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law #aja ,,moses ,,destroys ,,the ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law #ajc ,,ancient ,,musical ,,instruments #aje ,,moses ,,bringing ,,the ,,new ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law #ajg ,,the ,,spies ,,returning ,,from ,,canaan #aji ,,table ,,of ,,shew ,,bread--,,ark--,,golden ,,candlestick #aaj ,,moses ,,giving ,,his ,,charge ,,to ,,joshua #aab ,,moses ,,viewing ,,the ,,promised ,,land #aac ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,moses #aac ,,carrying ,,the ,,ark ,,over ,,jordan #aag ,,the ,,walls ,,of ,,jericho #aah ,,the ,,angel ,,appearing ,,to ,,joshua #aai ,,falling ,,of ,,the ,,walls ,,of ,,jericho #abj ,,joshua ,,capturing ,,the ,,city ,,of ,,ai #aba ,,joshua ,,commanding ,,the ,,sun ,,to ,,stand ,,still #aba ,,dividing ,,the ,,land ,,among ,,the ,,tribes #abb ,,south-,,east ,,view ,,of ,,the ,,tabernacle #abc ,,sisera ,,slain ,,by ,,jael #abe ,,gideon',s ,,offering ,,burnt ,,by ,,fire ,,from ,,the ,,rock #abg ,,gideon',s ,,victory ,,over ,,the ,,midianites #abh ,,jephthah ,,meeting ,,his ,,daughter #abi ,,samson ,,slaying ,a ,,lion #abi ,,young ,,samuel ,,brought ,,to ,,eli #acj ,,hannah',s ,,prayer #aca ,,god ,,tells ,,samuel ,,of ,,destruction ,,of ,,eli',s ,,house #acd ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,eli #acf ,,samuel ,,anointing ,,saul #ach ,,ancient ,,shoes #adj ,,ruth ,,and ,,naomi #ada ,,ruth ,,gleaning ,,in ,,the ,,field ,,of ,,boaz #adb ,,saul ,,tearing ,,the ,,robe ,,of ,,samuel #add ,,david ,,anointed ,,by ,,samuel #ade ,,david ,,slaying ,,goliath #adh ,,saul ,,casting ,,his ,,javelin ,,at ,,david #adi ,,the ,,parting ,,of ,,david ,,and ,,jonathan #aej ,,david ,,and ,,abigail #aej ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,saul #aec ,,david ,,anointed ,,king ,,over ,,israel #aec ,,david ,,mourns ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,his ,,child #aee ,,shimei ,,casting ,,stones ,,at ,,david #aef ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,absalom #aeh ,,david',s ,,three ,,mighty ,,men #afj ,,solomon ,,anointed ,,king #afc ,,solomon ,,in ,,all ,,his ,,glory #afd ,,the ,,judgment ,,of ,,solomon #aff ,,the ,,building ,,of ,,solomon',s ,,temple #afg ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,sheba ,,visiting ,,solomon #agj ,,idolatry ,,of ,,solomon #aga ,,revolt ,,of ,,the ,,tribes #agb ,,elijah ,,fed ,,by ,,the ,,ravens #agg ,,the ,,widow',s ,,son ,,restored ,,to ,,life #agh ,,elijah ,,slaying ,,the ,,prophets ,,of ,,baal #aha ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,king ,,ahab #ahf ,,elijah ,,taken ,,up ,,into ,,heaven #ahg ,,the ,,shunamite',s ,,son ,,restored #ahi ,,jezebel ,,eaten ,,by ,,dogs #aig ,a ,,city ,,captured ,,and ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,led ,,away ,,captive #bjj ,,rabshakeh ,,before ,,sennacherib #bjb ,,the ,,angel ,,slaying ,,the ,,assyrians #bjd ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,found #bjf ,,an ,,assyrian ,,king #bjg ,,jerusalem ,,besieged ,,and ,,people ,,taken ,,captive #bji ,,ashtoreth #baj ,,the ,,lord ,,commands ,,jeremiah #bab ,,two ,,pages ,,of ,,an ,,ancient ,,scroll ,,of ,,scriptures #bad ,,jeremiah ,,mourning ,,over ,,jerusalem #bbd ,,the ,,breastplate #bbg ,,ezekiel',s ,,vision #bbi ,,daniel ,,interpreting ,,the ,,writing ,,on ,,the ,,wall #bch ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,jews ,,from ,,captivity #bda ,,building ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,temple #bdc ,,the ,,jewish ,,captives ,,conducted ,,before ,,darius #bde ,,daniel ,,in ,,the ,,lion',s ,,den #bdf ,,babylonian ,,brick #bdg ,,queen ,,esther ,,crowned #bej ,,triumph ,,of ,,mordecai #bea ,,nehemiah ,,armeth ,,the ,,laborers #beb ,a ,,solemn ,,fast ,,and ,,repentance ,,of ,,the ,,people #bed ,,the ,,angel ,,appears ,,unto ,,zacharias #bef ,,the ,,angel ,,appears ,,unto ,,mary #bef ,,the ,,prophecy ,,of ,,elizabeth ,,and ,,of ,,mary #beg ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,john #beh ,,the ,,angel ,,announcing ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus #bei ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus #bfj ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus ,,proclaimed ,,by ,,the ,,shepherds #bfa ,,the ,,visit ,,of ,,the ,,wise ,,men #bfd ,,joseph ,,commanded ,,to ,,flee ,,into ,,egypt #bfe ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt #bff ,,killing ,,the ,,male ,,children ,,under ,,two ,,years ,,old #bfg ,,jesus ,,teaching ,,in ,,the ,,temple #bfh ,,john ,,the ,,baptist ,,preaching ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness #bga ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,jesus #bgb ,,the ,,temptation ,,of ,,jesus #bgc ,,behold ,,the ,,lamb ,,of ,,god #bgf ,,jesus ,,calling ,,his ,,disciples #bgg ,,the ,,miracle ,,in ,,cana #bgh ,,jesus ,,teaches ,,nicodemus #bgi ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,woman ,,of ,,samaria #bhj ,,jesus ,,heals ,,the ,,sick ,,of ,,the ,,palsy #bhj ,,jesus ,,raises ,,the ,,daughter ,,of ,,jairus #bhc ,,jesus ,,gives ,,sight ,,to ,,the ,,two ,,blind ,,men #bhc ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount #bhd ,,jesus ,,raises ,,the ,,widow',s ,,son #bhe ,,jesus ,,sleeps ,,during ,,the ,,storm #bhe ,,sending ,,forth ,,the ,,twelve ,,apostles #bhf ,,death ,,of ,,john ,,the ,,baptist #bhg ,,jesus ,,feeding ,,the ,,five ,,thousand #bhh ,,jesus ,,supports ,,the ,,sinking ,,peter #bhi ,,the ,,well ,,or ,,fountain ,,at ,,nazareth #bij ,,the ,,transfiguration #bib ,,the ,,good ,,samaritan #bic ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,sisters ,,of ,,bethany #bic ,,the ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son #bid ,,the ,,rich ,,man ,,and ,,lazarus ,,the ,,beggar #bie ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,publican #big ,,the ,,raising ,,of ,,lazarus #big ,,mary ,,anoints ,,the ,,head ,,of ,,jesus #bii ,,christ ,,entering ,,jerusalem #cjj ,,jesus ,,drives ,,out ,,the ,,money-,,changers #cjb ,,jesus ,,washing ,,his ,,disciples' ,,feet #cjd ,,the ,,last ,,supper #cje ,,jesus ,,in ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,gethsemane #cjf ,,judas ,,betrays ,,jesus #cji ,,christ ,,before ,,caiaphas #caj ,,peter ,,denying ,,jesus #caa ,,jesus ,,crowned ,,with ,,thorns #cac ,,christ ,,before ,,pilate #cad ,,the ,,end ,,of ,,judas ,,iscariot #cae ,,jesus ,,falls ,,under ,,the ,,cross #cag ,,the ,,crucifixion #cah ,,the ,,burial ,,of ,,jesus #cbj ,,as ,,it ,,began ,,to ,,dawn #cba ,,the ,,resurrection #cbb ,,the ,,women ,,at ,,the ,,tomb ,,of ,,jesus #cbb ,,mary ,,magdalene ,,at ,,the ,,sepulchre #cbc ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,mary ,,magdalene #cbd ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,two ,,of ,,his ,,disciples #cbf ,,then ,,said ,,jesus ,,unto ,,them1 ,,be ,,not ,,afraid #cbg ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,his ,,disciples ,,at ,,the ,,sea ,,of ,,tiberias #cbi ,,the ,,ascension #cca ,,tongues ,,of ,,fire ,,resting ,,on ,,the ,,disciples #ccd ,,the ,,child ,,christ1 ,,mary ,,his ,,mother ,,and ,,joseph #cde ,,the ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount #cfa ,,finding ,,the ,,lost ,,sheep #cgf ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son #cgh ,,christ ,,blessing ,,little ,,children #cha ,,the ,,wise ,,and ,,foolish ,,virgins #chh ,,the ,,crucifixion #cif ,,the ,,miraculous ,,draught ,,of ,,fishes #cii ,,contents4 ,,first ,,sunday4 ,,creation ,,of ,,the ,,world #ag ,,second ,,sunday4 ,,how ,,sin ,,began ,,and ,,the ,,flood ,,came #bb ,,third ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,rainbow #bi ,,fourth ,,sunday4 ,,abraham ,,and ,,lot #cf ,,fifth ,,sunday4 ,,jacob',s ,,journey ,,and ,,dream #dc ,,sixth ,,sunday4 ,,joseph ,,in ,,egypt #ea ,,seventh ,,sunday4 ,,joseph',s ,,brothers #eg ,,eighth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,call ,,of ,,moses #fd ,,ninth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,plagues ,,of ,,egypt #gj ,,tenth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,passover #ge ,,eleventh ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,gainsaying ,,of ,,korah #ha ,,twelfth ,,sunday4 ,,israel ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness #hg ,,thirteenth ,,sunday4 ,,balaam ,,and ,,balak #ic ,,fourteenth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,giving ,,of ,,the ,,law #ii ,,fifteenth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,giving ,,of ,,the ,,law #ajf ,,sixteenth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,moses #aaa ,,seventeenth ,,sunday4 ,,israel ,,in ,,battle #aaf ,,eighteenth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,judges ,,of ,,israel #abd ,,nineteenth ,,sunday4 ,,samuel #acj ,,twentieth ,,sunday4 ,,king ,,saul #acg ,,twenty-,,first ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,reign ,,of ,,saul #adc ,,twenty-,,second ,,sunday4 ,,king ,,david ,,reigning #aeb ,,twenty-,,third ,,sunday4 ,,preparing ,,for ,,the ,,temple #aei ,,twenty-,,fourth ,,sunday4 ,,solomon ,,in ,,all ,,his ,,glory #afd ,,twenty-,,fifth ,,sunday4 ,,solomon',s ,,fall #afi ,,twenty-,,sixth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,israel #agd ,,twenty-,,seventh ,,sunday4 ,,elijah ,,and ,,ahab #ahj ,,twenty-,,eighth ,,sunday4 ,,elijah ,,and ,,elisha #ahe ,,twenty-,,ninth ,,sunday4 ,,elisha',s ,,miracles #aia ,,thirtieth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,ruin ,,of ,,ahab',s ,,house #aif ,,thirty-,,first ,,sunday4 ,,hezekiah ,,and ,,josiah #bja ,,thirty-,,second ,,sunday4 ,,jehoiakim',s ,,cruelty #bjh ,,thirty-,,third ,,sunday4 ,,jeremiah',s ,,prophecies #baa ,,thirty-,,fourth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,taking ,,of ,,jerusalem #bag ,,thirty-,,fifth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,fall ,,of ,,jerusalem #bbb ,,thirty-,,sixth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,jews ,,at ,,babylon #bbh ,,thirty-,,seventh ,,sunday4 ,,daniel ,,at ,,babylon #bcc ,,thirty-,,eighth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,return ,,from ,,babylon #bdj ,,thirty-,,ninth ,,sunday4 ,,troubles ,,of ,,the ,,jews #bdh ,,fortieth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,the ,,lord #bee ,,forty-,,first ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,childhood ,,of ,,our ,,lord #bfc ,,forty-,,second ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,preparation ,,for ,,the ,,ministry #bgj ,,forty-,,third ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,calling ,,of ,,the ,,disciples #bge ,,forty-,,fourth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,ministry #bhb ,,forty-,,fifth ,,sunday4 ,,wonders ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,working #bia ,,forty-,,sixth ,,sunday4 ,,going ,,up ,,to ,,jerusalem #bih ,,forty-,,seventh ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,evening ,,of ,,the ,,betrayal #cjc ,,forty-,,eighth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,trial ,,and ,,condemnation #cjh ,,forty-,,ninth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,crucifixion #caf ,,fiftieth ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,resurrection #cba ,,fifty-,,first ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,ascension #cbg ,,fifty-,,second ,,sunday4 ,,the ,,waiting ,,time #ccc ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,,story ,,in ,,verse #ccg ,illustration ,first ,sunday4 ,,creation ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,in the beginning ,god created the heavens and the earth4--,gen4 #a3a4 ,,in the ,bible we are told ,god made the earth we live on4 ,sunday is the earth's birthday1 for on the first day of the week the ,creation began4 ,the world was one mass--dark1 empty1 and shapeless--till ,god made the light by ,his ,word1 and saw the light was good4 ,without light we could not live3 even the very trees and flowers would die4 ,when we have been in the dark how glad we are to see light come back1 even if it be only one grey line beginning in the sky6 ,this shows how blessed is this gift4 ,it was good1 too1 that we should have quiet dark night for rest and stillness4 ,the second great change enclosed the earth in an outer ball of air1 which we call the sky or firmament4 ,that is the deep blue into which we look up and up4 ,the mist and fog rise up from the earth and make the clouds that take strange shapes1 sometimes dark and full of rain to water the earth1 sometimes shining white1 or pink and golden with morning or evening light4 ,the third great change was1 that water filled the deep hollows of the earth1 while the hills rose up dry above them1 with rivers and streams running down their slopes into the deep seas below4 ,god did not leave the land bare and stony3 ,he clothed it with green fresh plants and herbs1 with leaves and flowers1 and trees to give us their fruit and wood1 and filled even the sea with plants that can live under water4 ,,the ,,earth ,,gladdened ,,by ,,the ,,sun4 ,next1 ,god caused the rays of the sun to gladden the earth1 and let it see the moon lighted up by the sun1 as well as the stars far beyond our firmament4 ,we count the months by the changes in the moon2 and our earth's journey around the sun marks our years and seasons4 ,we all rejoice in a bright sunny day1 though the sun is too bright and glorious for us to bear to gaze at him2 and how lovely the moon looks1 either as a young crescent1 or a beautiful full moon6 ,the waters began to be full of live things1 that swam1 or crept1 or flew3 fishes1 and birds1 and insects4 ,by that time this world was nearly as we see it1 and a beautiful home for us to live in4 ,then ,god made the four-footed beasts--sheep and cows1 horses1 dogs1 cats1 elephants1 lions--all that we use or admire2 and1 last of all1 when ,he had made this earth a happy1 healthy place1 ,he planted the ,garden of ,eden1 and put in it the first man and woman1 the best of all that ,he had made2 for though their bodies were of dust1 like those of the beasts1 yet their souls came from the ,breath of ,god4 ,they could think1 speak1 pray1 and heed what is unseen as well as what is seen4 ,there are many many lessons to be learnt from this wonderful story4 ,let us try to take home one of them4 ,let us ask our ,father that the ground below1 the light above1 the sky and sea1 the sun and moon1 the trees and flowers1 the birds and beasts1 and ,his holy day of rest1 may remind us that they came from ,him1 and that we may be very thankful to ,him for having given us such good things4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who made the world8 #b4 ,which ,commandment tells you about ,god's making the world8 #c4 ,what is there in the sky that ,god made8 #d4 ,what is there on the earth8 #e4 ,what do you see around you that ,he made8 #f4 ,can we make birds1 or beasts1 or flowers8 #g4 ,or could we make them live8 #h4 ,who makes them and us live8 #i4 ,where does all our food come from8 #aj4 ,who gave us corn8 #aa4 ,what must we ask ,god to do for us8 #ab4 ,what must we thank ,him for8 #ac4 ,do not you think it would be pleasant to whisper to yourself1 when you see a pretty flower1 or a beautiful sky1 or when the sun shines bright and warm1 ,thank ,god for being so good to me8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,and the ,lord ,god formed man of the dust of the ground1 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life2 and man became a living soul4--,genesis #b3g4 ,,in the ,bible ,god tells us that ,he made the world1 and everything in it3 land and water1 and grass1 flowers and trees1 insects1 birds and beasts1 and last of all ,he made the first man and woman4 ,the man was made by ,god out of the dust of the ground1 and then ,god breathed into his nostrils the breath of life1 and gave him a living soul4 ,and the woman was made by ,god out of the man's side4 ,they were called ,adam and ,eve1 and they were to be the first father and mother of everyone who was to be born into the world4 ,the good ,god gave them a beautiful home4 ,it was a garden1 with a clear river of water flowing through it1 and all kinds of delicious fruit-trees and beautiful flowers growing in it4 ,nothing could hurt or vex them there4 ,they did not know what pain was1 they were never tired1 and all they had to do was to dress the garden and to keep it4 ,they had no faults1 and never did wrong2 and ,god ,himself came near to talk with them4 ,that was the way they lived1 always good and always happy1 whilst they obeyed what ,god had told them4 ,in the midst of the garden grew two trees3 one was the ,tree of ,life1 and the other was the ,tree of the ,knowledge of good and evil4 ,god told them that if they ate the fruit of this ,tree of ,knowledge they would die4 ,we do not know what those trees were like1 but sometime or other ,i hope we shall see the ,tree of ,life1 for it is growing in heaven1 close by the river that flows by the ,throne of ,god2 and when we see it1 and taste of its fruit1 we shall live for ever1 and be happier than ,adam and ,eve were4 ,we shall never be as happy as they were while we are living in this world2 but if we will try to obey ,god1 and live holy lives1 ,he will take us to heaven1 and that will be still better than the ,garden of ,eden4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,god make8 #b4 ,whom did he make8 #c4 ,what was the man made of8 #d4 ,what was the woman made of8 #e4 ,what did ,god breathe into them8 #f4 ,what did ,he give them8 #g4 ,why were they better than the beasts8 #h4 ,what was the man's name8 #i4 ,what was the woman's name8 #aj4 ,of whom were they the father and mother8 #aa4 ,where did they live8 #ab4 ,what had they to do there8 #ac4 ,what grew there8 #ad4 ,what were the two chief trees that grew there8 #ae4 ,which were they not to touch8 #af4 ,where is the ,tree of ,life now8 #ag4 ,when do we hope to see it8 #ah4 ,what is a still happier place than the ,garden of ,eden8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,hitherto shalt thou come1 but no further2 and here shall thy proud waves be stayed4--,job #ch3aa4 ,,what glorious and wonderful things ,god has made6 ,did you ever see the sea8 ,there it is--a great vast space1 all water1 looking green near us1 but blue further off--always heaving up and down4 ,the waves rise1 and then ripple along1 and burst with a white edge of bubbles of foam4 ,a great space that had been left dry gets covered up with water again1 and where you were walking just now is quite deep water4 ,what is this called8 ,the tide4 ,well1 what will the tide do in proper time8 ,will it come rolling in over the beach1 and cover up the land8 ,no2 presently each will turn4 ,each wave will be a little less high than the last1 till it will have gone back again and left the beach uncovered as before4 ,why does the tide do this8 ,it is because ,god so wonderfully contrived this earth and sea1 that the waters should rise and go back4 ,he made the sand the bound of the sea1 and said1 ,hitherto shalt thou come1 but no further3 and here shall thy proud waves be stayed4 ,so1 you know1 we sing in the ,psalm every ,sunday-- ,the sea is ,his1 and ,he made it3 ,his hands prepared the dry land4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what curious thing does the sea do every day8 #b4 ,what do you call the coming in and going back of the sea8 #c4 ,why does the tide always stop in its proper place8 #d4 ,what did ,god make the bound of the sea8 #e4 ,what did he say to it8 #f4 ,what verse praises ,god for making the sea8 ,second ,sunday4 ,,how ,,sin ,,began ,,and ,,the ,,flood ,,came4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the serpent beguiled me1 and ,i did eat4--,gen4 #c3ac4 ,,last ,sunday you heard how ,god made the world1 and put a man and woman to live in it4 ,the man was named ,adam2 the woman was named ,eve4 ,god gave them a beautiful garden to live in1 full of trees and flowers2 and they had no pain1 no trouble1 nothing to vex them4 ,only one thing ,god told them3 there was one tree whose fruit they must not eat4 ,they might eat the fruit of all the other trees1 but not of that one4 ,as long as they obeyed1 all was well and happy with them2 but if they ate it they would die4 ,but a bad spirit came and took the shape of the serpent1 and talked to ,eve4 ,he told her a wicked lie--he told her that to eat the fruit would make her wise1 and would not make her die4 ,and ,eve listened1 and did eat4 ,and she gave ,adam1 and he also ate2 and so they took the bad spirit for their master instead of the good ,god4 ,then ,god was angry with them1 and put them out of the garden1 and let them be weak and sickly1 and die at last4 ,it was a sad thing for us4 ,for if they had been good and obeyed ,god1 and not the bad spirit1 it would have been easy for us to be good1 and we would not have the devil tempting us to do wrong3 we would never have known pain or sorrow4 ,but ,god pitied ,adam and ,eve2 and he promised them that the ,seed--that is1 the ,son--of the woman should bruise the serpent's head1 and set them and their children free4 ,illustration3 ,,adam ,,and ,,eve ,,driven ,,out ,,of ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,eden4--,gen4 #c3bc1 #bd4 ,our ,blessed ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 set us free when ,he died on the cross and rose again2 and now we belong to ,him1 and not to the bad spirit4 ,only we must try and ask ,him to help us not to do what is wrong1 as ,eve did1 or we shall not keep free from the power of the enemy4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the first man8 #b4 ,who was the first woman8 #c4 ,where did ,god put them8 #d4 ,what was the one thing they might not do8 #e4 ,what was to happen if they ate of that fruit8 #f4 ,who came and spoke to ,eve8 #g4 ,what shape did the bad spirit take8 #h4 ,what did he tell ,eve8 #i4 ,what did she do8 #aj4 ,whom did she make her master8 #aa4 ,what was done to punish her8 #ab4 ,what sad things did the bad spirit bring on her8 #ac4 ,who came to set us free from the bad spirit8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,and behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 do bring a flood of waters upon the earth4--,gen4 #f3ag4 ,,the ,lesson this morning told the sad history of how ,adam and ,eve did the very thing that ,god forbade2 so that ,he drove them out of the ,garden of ,eden1 and sin and death came into the world4 ,illustration3 ,,after ,,the ,,banishment ,,from ,,eden4--,gen4 #c3ai4 ,after that they had children4 ,some were good1 but not so good as ,adam and ,eve had been at first2 and some were bad4 ,and as time went on the bad ones grew worse1 and the good ones were tempted1 and many of them grew wicked too4 ,and so all the world was getting wicked1 and ,god saw nothing but evil when ,he looked down on it4 ,and ,he said that ,he would destroy these wicked people1 and wash away the evil from the earth by a great flood4 ,but there was one good man1 whose name was ,noah2 and ,god said ,he would save him4 ,he bade ,noah build an ,ark4 ,it was to be a great ship1 all made of wood1 and it took a great many years to build2 and all that time people laughed at ,noah1 for they would not believe that anything was going to happen4 ,noah made the ,ark1 and stored it with food4 ,and ,god sent him a pair of all sorts of animals that were in the world1 and he put them into pens in the ,ark4 ,then ,noah and his wife1 and his three sons1 ,shem1 ,ham1 and ,japhet1 and their wives1 went into the ,ark1 and ,god shut them in4 ,illustration3 ,,sacrifice ,,of ,,cain ,,and ,,abel4--,gen4 #d2d1 #e4 ,then it began to rain4 ,it rained for forty days and forty nights without stopping1 and the rivers came out of their banks1 and the sea came upon the land1 and the ground was covered up4 ,even the tops of the highest hills were hidden1 and everybody and every creature was drowned--all but ,noah and those that were with him4 ,there was the ,ark all the time floating quite safe on the water4 ,the storm could not upset it nor the sea get into it1 for ,god took care of it and all that was in it4 ,the reason ,noah was saved was because1 first1 he tried to be good1 and not do like the bad people round him2 and next1 because he believed what ,god said to him1 and went on making the ,ark1 even when he saw no danger4 ,if we wish ,god to save us1 then we must take care that we do just what we are told--not what seems pleasant now1 but what is really right4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,do you know why ,adam and ,eve were driven out of the happy garden8 #b4 ,how did people go on after that8 #c4 ,how had sin come into the world8 #d4 ,what did ,god say ,he must do to the world8 #e4 ,why8 #f4 ,who was to be saved8 #g4 ,what was ,noah to make8 #h4 ,what was the ,ark like8 #i4 ,what were put in it8 #aj4 ,why were two of all creatures put into the ,ark8 #aa4 ,what men and women were in it8 #ab4 ,what were the names of ,noah's sons8 #ac4 ,what happened when ,noah was in the ,ark8 #ad4 ,how long did it rain8 #ae4 ,what was covered up8 #af4 ,what became of all the people8 #ag4 ,who were safe8 #ah4 ,where was the ,ark8 #ai4 ,who took care of the ,ark8 #bj4 ,why was ,noah saved8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,so ,noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth4--,genesis #g3b4 ,,it must have been a sad sight for ,noah and his wife and their sons1 as the rain went on and on1 and the water grew deeper and deeper1 and everybody and everything was drowned4 ,then came a time when nothing was to be seen but water4 ,wherever they looked all was sky and water2 but it had done raining1 the sky was blue again1 the sun shone by day1 the stars by night1 and they must have been very glad4 ,and still the water got lower1 till the ,ark did not float about1 but stopped1 resting on a peak of a mountain1 a very high mountain1 and a few bare tops of other hills began to peep out4 ,by-and-by1 ,noah opened the window of the ,ark and let out a raven4 ,he never saw the raven again1 for a raven eats dead things1 and there were so many dead bodies floating about that it got plenty of food1 and never came back to the ,ark that had saved it4 ,illustration3 ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,dove ,,with ,,the ,,olive ,,branch4--,gen4 #h3aa4 ,he waited a week1 and then he let out a dove4 ,now doves like trees to sit and nestle in1 and they eat grains and seeds2 so the poor dove found no place to rest in1 and flew back to the ,ark2 and ,noah took her back1 and kept her a week1 then let her fly again4 ,she flew away but still she came back to the ,ark1 and this time she brought in her beak a sprig of olive branch4 ,it was the first green thing that ,noah had seen for a year6 ,noah's children have loved the olive leaf everywhere1 and called it the sign of peace and good news ever since4 ,for now ,noah knew that the waters had gone down1 and that trees must be able to put forth leaves again4 ,once more1 after another week1 he let out the dove1 and she did not come back1 for she had found a tree where she could make her home1 and seeds to eat2 and then ,noah knew the sad time of the flood--a whole year--was over1 and the earth had been washed from all her stains4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the ,flood8 #b4 ,what was the ,ark8 #c4 ,who was in it8 #d4 ,what had ,noah with him in the ,ark8 #e4 ,what became of everyone else8 #f4 ,why8 #g4 ,why was ,noah saved8 #h4 ,how long did the ,flood last8 #i4 ,what birds did ,noah send out of the ,ark8 #aj4 ,which came back8 #aa4 ,why did not the raven come back8 #ab4 ,what did the dove bring8 #ac4 ,what was ,noah sure of then8 #ad4 ,what had the earth been washed from8 ,illustration ,third ,sunday4 ,,the ,,rainbow4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,i do set my ,bow in the ,cloud4--,genesis #i3ac4 ,,the sin that came into the world when ,eve listened to the tempter had grown as men multiplied and made each other worse4 ,the wicked people had been drowned in the ,flood1 and ,noah1 his sons and their wives1 had alone been saved in the ,ark4 ,after a whole year of being shut up there1 watching the earth1 first drowned and then coming out of the water1 they had just come out on the fresh green earth1 with all the animals saved with them1 when ,god spoke to them4 ,then ,god made a promise to ,noah4 ,it was that no flood of water shall ever drown all the world again1 but spring1 summer1 autumn1 and winter1 day and night1 will go on to the end of the world1 when it shall be burnt up by fire1 not drowned by water4 ,that ,noah1 and all of his after him1 might feel sure that ,god in ,his mercy will go on preserving us1 and giving us days and nights1 seed-time and harvest1 ,he gave us something to look at as a sign of ,his promise4 ,he so ordered the rays of light1 that when they shine upon drops of water in the air they cause beautiful colors1 making part of a circle1 so as to form a bow4 ,so when the sun shines on a cloud1 as it rains1 the fair bright rainbow is seen1 as a pledge to us of ,god's merciful care and love to us4 ,illustration3 ,,noah ,,and ,,his ,,family ,,leaving ,,the ,,ark4--,gen4 #h3ah1 #ai4 ,illustration3 ,,noah',s ,,sacrifice ,,after ,,the ,,flood4--,gen4 #h3bj4 ,there is a rainbow round about the ,throne of ,god in ,heaven2 and the lovely rainbows that we see when the sun shines out1 and the showers drift away1 are to put us in mind that we are safe under ,his care1 in right of ,his promise to ,noah and his three sons1 of whom the whole earth was peopled4 ,we are the children of his son ,japhet1 and all that was then said to him belongs to us also4 ,we should recollect it1 and put our trust in ,him1 and be thankful when we see the beautiful soft arch that the ,hands of the ,almighty have bended1 looking out of the midst of the dark watery clouds4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what beautiful sight do we sometimes see after a shower8 #b4 ,what is a rainbow like8 #c4 ,who put the rainbow in the cloud8 #d4 ,who was the man to whom ,god showed the rainbow8 #e4 ,what promise did ,god make ,noah8 #f4 ,what had ,god just done to the wicked people8 #g4 ,whom had he saved8 #h4 ,what did he say should always go on8 #i4 ,what did ,god put in the sky to show that he will not send another ,flood8 #aj4 ,what are we to think of when we see a rainbow8 #aa4 ,who takes care of us8 #ab4 ,where is there a rainbow in ,heaven above8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed4--,genesis #ab3c4 ,,when ,noah's grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to be more and more1 and the world was being filled with people again1 they still were not all good1 and the longer time went on the worse they grew4 ,at last ,god called to a very good man1 whose name was ,abram1 and told him that if he would come away from his home to a land ,god would show him1 then ,god would bless him and lead him1 and by-and-by give the land to his children1 and that their children after them should be more in number than the grains of sand on the sea-shore1 or than the stars in the sky3 and that in his seed--that was1 in a ,son of his--all the nations of the earth should be blessed4 ,it was strange to hear all this about ,abram's children1 for he was growing old1 and he and his wife ,sarai had no children at all4 ,but he believed in ,god4 ,he knew that ,god is ,almighty1 and can do whatever ,he will2 so he only did just as ,god told him1 and went away from his home1 where ,god told him4 ,he was obliged to take all his cattle with him--quantities of cows1 and goats1 and sheep1 and camels2 and he had many servants to drive them4 ,illustration3 ,,abram ,,sees ,,the ,,promised ,,land4--,gen4 #ab3c-g4 ,when they came to a piece of grass and a fresh spring of water1 there they would stop4 ,they had no houses--only tents1 which were great curtains woven of goat's hair and fastened up with poles1 so that they could be set up or taken down1 and carried about4 ,all his life ,abram lived in a tent1 instead of staying at home in a city1 and being at his ease4 ,by-and-by he came to a beautiful country4 ,there were high hills rising up1 and green valleys between1 full of grass for the sheep and cattle2 and the wide sea spread out far away towards the sunset1 all blue and glorious4 ,god told him to look at the land1 for that was the place which his children should have for their own2 but in the meantime ,abram had not one bit of it1 and was a stranger there2 and he had no child either4 ,illustration3 ,,melchizedek ,,blessing ,,abram4--,gen4 #ad3ah1 #ai1 #bj4 ,but still he was quite sure that ,god spoke truth2 and that somehow1 though he did not know how1 it would come about that his children should have the land1 and that in ,one all the nations of the earth should be blessed4 ,that was faith4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what good man do you hear of to-day8 #b4 ,what did ,god tell ,abram to do8 #c4 ,what did ,god promise8 #d4 ,who were to have the land8 #e4 ,why was it strange to hear of his children8 #f4 ,but did he believe it would come true8 #g4 ,why did he believe it8 #h4 ,how did he show that he believed8 #i4 ,where did he go8 #aj4 ,what had he with him8 #aa4 ,what did he live in8 #ab4 ,what is a tent like8 #ac4 ,what sort of place did he come to8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,let there be no strife1 ,i pray thee1 between thee and me4--,gen4 #ac3h4 ,,two men were travelling together4 ,they were an uncle and nephew4 ,the uncle's name was ,abram1 the nephew's was ,lot4 ,they had come from home1 because ,god had told ,abram to come away from his own home to the land that ,god would give his children4 ,abram believed1 and did as ,god bade him2 and ,lot1 the son of his dead brother1 went with him4 ,they did not go alone4 ,each of them had great flocks of cows1 and sheep1 and camels1 and goats1 and numbers of servants to take care of them4 ,they would fix their tents1 made of camels' hair1 in any place where they saw a spring of water and good green grass for their cattle2 and there they would stay till all the grass was eaten up1 and then take up their tents and move to another place4 ,,parting ,,of ,,abram ,,and ,,lot4 ,just now they had got to a bare stony place1 where the sun shone hotly1 and there was not much green2 but ,abram had built up an altar with the great stones1 and prayed there4 ,abram and ,lot loved one another1 and were at peace2 but when their servants drove out their flocks to get food and water there were apt to be quarrels4 ,if ,abram's men found a green grassy valley1 they would not let ,lot's cattle into it2 and if ,lot's came to a well1 they would not let ,abram's flocks drink2 and so on4 ,they were always quarrelling and making complaints to their masters4 ,at last ,abram saw that they would make ,lot quarrel with him4 ,so he said it would be wiser to part2 ,lot should go one way and he another--any way there should be no strife4 ,and he even told ,lot to choose which way he would go4 ,so ,lot looked1 and saw to the ,east a pleasant green valley1 with fields of corn and meadows1 and a fine river running into a clear lake1 and five fine towns on the bank4 ,he liked it better than the bare stony hills where ,abram was2 and he never thought whether the people were good or not1 but he took the first choice1 and went to live there4 ,so ,abram gave up4 ,he had the right to choose first1 but he would not use it4 ,he let his nephew choose4 ,for he hated quarrels1 and knew they were wicked2 and he knew how to stop them1 because he would yield up the best4 ,that is the way to make peace and please ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,abraham ,,entertains ,,three ,,angels4--,gen4 #ah3aj4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who had called ,abram8 #b4 ,who went with him8 #c4 ,what was ,lot to ,abram8 #d4 ,why did he go8 #e4 ,what had ,god promised8 #f4 ,what had they with them8 #g4 ,who quarrelled8 #h4 ,about what did the servants quarrel8 #i4 ,did ,abram and ,lot quarrel8 #aj4 ,how did ,abram prevent a quarrel8 #aa4 ,who was to choose first8 #ab4 ,who might have chosen first8 #ac4 ,why did not ,abram choose first8 #ad4 ,ought you to be in haste to take the first choice8 #ae4 ,what should you try to hinder8 #af4 ,and if you keep yourself back1 and don't say ,it's mine1 and ,i must1 shall you not be likely to keep from quarrels8 ,fourth ,sunday4 ,,abraham ,,and ,,lot4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,escape for thy life2 look not behind thee4--,genesis #ai3ag4 ,,there was a beautiful valley1 with steep hills shutting it in on all sides1 and a clear swift river running through the midst and spreading into a lake4 ,there were fine fields and rich grass1 where sheep1 cows1 and goats could feed1 and the shepherds shelter themselves under the palm trees2 and on the bank of the river were five cities1 with strong walls round them1 and full of rich people1 who bought and sold and made merry with the good things they possessed4 ,there was one man living among them who was good1 and was grieved by the wicked ways of the men round him1 who only laughed at him if he tried to tell them of better things4 ,one evening two strangers came into the city where he lived1 and he was the only person who would take them in1 and shelter them from the wicked people in the street4 ,those strangers told him the place was to be destroyed1 with all that were in it1 because it was so wicked6 ,though the fields looked so quiet1 the walls so strong1 and the sun had gone down as usual1 all would be ruined in a few hours' time6 ,then the strangers took hold of him1 and his wife and daughters1 and led them almost by force away from their home in the dawn of morning1 bidding them escape for their lives to the mountain1 and not look back4 ,they were frightened1 and begged not to have to go so far as the wild mountain4 ,might they not go to the little city near at hand8 ,and their wish was granted4 ,illustration3 ,,lot ,,and ,,his ,,family ,,fleeing ,,from ,,sodom--,gen4 #ai3bd-bf4 ,just as the sun had risen they entered the little city for which they had begged2 and as soon as they were safe the four towns1 that had seemed so strong and firm1 were all burning with fire and brimstone2 and all the sinners who had mocked at warning were soon lying dead under ,god's awful anger6 ,four alone had been led out of the city by the strangers1 but even of these only three came into the city of refuge4 ,the wife did not heed the warning not to linger nor look back1 the deadly storm overtook her1 and she remained rooted to the spot--a pillar of salt6 ,the names of those cities were ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 and the one good man who was saved by the mercy of ,god was named ,lot4 ,and now a strange gloomy lake called the ,dead ,sea covers that valley with its heavy waters1 and the bare rocky hills1 crusted with salt1 show that the curse of ,god is on the place4 ,let us try to carry home one thought from this terrible history4 ,this world will one day be burnt up like those cities1 and its looking safe and prosperous now does not make it safe4 ,but ,god sends messengers to lead us out of it4 ,if we attend to them1 and follow their advice1 we shall through all our lives be getting out of danger1 and going on to a safe home in heaven2 but if we care only for pleasant things here1 it is like looking back1 and our souls will perish with what they love4 ,that is why our ,saviour bade us ,remember ,lot's wife4 ,we should remember her when we are tempted to think it hard to give up anything pleasant1 because we are told that it is wrong1 and may put us in danger of ,god's anger4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the name of the place ,i told you of to-day8 #b4 ,what was the name of the man8 #c4 ,what kind of place was ,sodom8 #d4 ,who was the only good man there8 #e4 ,who came to ,lot8 #f4 ,what did he do for the strangers8 #g4 ,what did the strangers tell ,lot8 #h4 ,why was ,lot to come out of ,sodom8 #i4 ,why was ,sodom to be destroyed8 #aj4 ,where did ,lot go8 #aa4 ,who looked back8 #ab4 ,what became of her8 #ac4 ,what did ,god do to ,sodom8 #ad4 ,what sort of a place is it now8 #ae4 ,what will be burnt up some day8 #af4 ,if we are not good1 what will become of us8 #ag4 ,but what have we to teach us to be good8 #ah4 ,and how must we try to come out1 like ,lot8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,now ,i know that thou fearest ,god1 seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son1 thine only son from ,me4--,genesis #bb3ab4 ,,by-,,and-,,by ,abraham had a son--one only son1 whose name was ,isaac4 ,all the promises ,god had made were to be for ,isaac's children after him3 and ,abraham loved ,god1 and hoped all the more4 ,but then ,god called ,abraham to do a strange and terrible thing4 ,he was to go and take his dear son ,isaac to the top of a hill1 and there to offer him up to ,god as if he had been a calf or a lamb4 ,of course1 in general1 to do such a thing would be shockingly wicked2 but ,abraham knew that when ,god commanded a thing1 it must be right to do as he was bidden1 however dreadful it was to him4 ,so they set out together4 ,abraham took the knife1 and a vessel with fire in it and ,isaac carried the wood with which the sacrifice was to be burnt4 ,on the way ,isaac said1 ,my father1 behold the fire and the wood3 but where is the lamb for a burnt offering8 ,and ,abraham answered1 ,my son1 ,god will provide ,himself a lamb for a burnt offering4 ,illustration3 ,,abraham ,,offering ,,isaac ,,as ,a ,,sacrifice4--,gen4 #bb3aa1 #ab4 ,isaac soon knew he was to be the lamb1 for his father put the wood in order1 and bound his limbs1 and took the knife4 ,and ,isaac did not complain or struggle4 ,he was ready1 like his father1 to do the will of ,god4 ,but just as ,abraham had the knife ready to slay his son1 an angel called to him out of ,heaven3 ,lay not thine hand upon the lad1 neither do thou anything unto him3 for now ,i know that thou fearest ,god1 seeing thou hast not withheld thy son1 thine only son from ,me4 ,illustration3 ,,abraham',s ,,servant ,,meeting ,,rebekah ,,at ,,the ,,well4--,gen4 #bd3ag4 ,illustration3 ,,rebekah ,,sees ,,isaac ,,coming ,,to ,,meet ,,her4--,gen4 #bd3fd1 #fe4 ,then ,abraham unbound his son1 and was glad as if ,isaac had really risen from the dead4 ,and he saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns2 so he took that1 and offered it up instead of ,isaac4 ,thus ,god really provided a lamb for a burnt offering4 ,and ,he blessed ,abraham more and more1 and promised again that his children should have the land1 and that in his ,seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed4 ,that ,seed was our blessed ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 who1 you know1 was really given by ,his ,heavenly ,father to die1 and then came back from the dead1 that all people might be saved by ,him4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the name of ,abraham's son8 #b4 ,what had ,god promised ,abraham8 #c4 ,what had ,abraham done at ,god's command8 #d4 ,what was he now to do8 #e4 ,whom did he obey8 #f4 ,where was he to go8 #g4 ,who went with him8 #h4 ,what did ,isaac ask8 #i4 ,what did ,abraham answer8 #aj4 ,who seemed likely to be the ,lamb8 #aa4 ,what was ,abraham just going to do8 #ab4 ,who called him8 #ac4 ,what did the angel tell him8 #ad4 ,why was ,god pleased with him8 #ae4 ,what blessing did ,god give him8 #af4 ,who was to be saved8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i am a stranger and a sojourner with you4--,genesis #bc3d4 ,,abraham and his wife ,sarah had lived together many years2 but at last ,sarah died1 and ,abraham wanted to bury her4 ,you know in all the country he had not one morsel of ground of his own2 he was a stranger there1 but he knew it would all belong to his children by-and-by4 ,but he wanted to make sure of the one bit where his wife should lie4 ,so he went to the prince to whom ,hebron belonged1 and begged to buy a field with trees in it1 and a rock where there was a deep cave that was called ,machpelah4 ,the prince said he would give it2 but ,abraham could not feel sure that it would be always safe till he had bought it4 ,so he weighed out the price4 ,it was not in little bits of money like ours1 but lumps of silver all the same weight1 and each with a mark stamped on it--four hundred of them4 ,then the cave was given to ,abraham1 and he had his good true wife ,sarah buried there1 rolled in linen with spices4 ,he was buried there afterwards himself1 and so was his son ,isaac1 and ,isaac's son after him1 in the cave of ,machpelah4 ,that cave has been kept sacred ever since4 ,there is a building over it now1 and no stranger is allowed to go into it2 but deep down there is a golden grating1 and far within lie these holy men and women of old4 ,their bodies are waiting to rise again at the ,last ,day1 and then ,i hope we shall see them and know them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,abraham's wife8 #b4 ,where did ,sarah die8 #c4 ,what did ,abraham want to do8 #d4 ,had he any ground8 #e4 ,so what was he obliged to do8 #f4 ,of whom did he buy the place8 #g4 ,what was it called8 #h4 ,what is a cave8 #i4 ,what did he pay8 #aj4 ,what was ,abraham's money8 #aa4 ,who were buried there afterwards8 #ab4 ,how is the place marked now8 #ac4 ,when will ,sarah's body leave the grave in the cave of ,machpelah8 #ad4 ,what do you say you believe in8 7,in the eleventh ,article of the ,creed47 #ae4 ,what is ,resurrection8 ,illustration ,fifth ,sunday4 ,,jacob',s ,,journey ,,and ,,dream4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,bless me1 even me also1 ,o my father4--,genesis #bg3cd4 ,,god had called ,abraham from his home1 and promised to give his children the land of ,canaan1 and that in his ,seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed4 ,this was renewing to ,abraham the great promise of the ,seed of the woman that had been made to ,eve2 and ,abraham believed1 and was glad4 ,but though his children were to have the land1 none of it was his2 and he went up and down in it a stranger1 living in his tent1 without house or home1 only trusting in faith to ,god's promise to his children4 ,his son ,isaac lived like him1 with no home1 but looking on in faith to what ,god promised4 ,isaac had two sons2 and as ,esau was the eldest1 he had the first right to these promises4 ,but ,esau did not care enough about them2 he did not seem to get anything by them1 and he liked what he could get at once better than what was a long way off4 ,he had no faith4 ,one day he came home half dead with hunger1 and saw his brother ,jacob making soup over the fire4 ,he said he would give all these rights for a meal of the soup2 for if he died of hunger1 what good would his birth-right do him8 ,so for a mess of pottage he sold his right to the land of ,canaan1 and to be the forefather of our ,saviour4 ,a time was to come when he would be sorry for what he had done4 ,his father was old and blind1 and thought he was going to die2 so he bade ,esau1 whom he loved the best1 bring home some meat and make a solemn feast--which was the way then of giving a blessing4 ,esau went1 and in time brought home the meat to his father2 but when he came in1 ,isaac cried out1 and trembled6 ,his brother ,jacob had come in his stead1 and ,isaac had taken him for ,esau1 and given to him the blessing that gave the right to the promised land1 and to all ,god's promises6 ,illustration3 ,,isaac ,,blessing ,,jacob4--,gen4 #bg3bh1 #bi4 ,then ,esau cried out with an exceeding bitter cry1 and asked if his father had but one blessing6 ,isaac was grieved for him1 and blest him with all his heart2 but there was no changing back1 no taking away what ,jacob had won and ,esau had lost4 ,esau did not know what he was doing when he took the pottage at once1 rather than wait patiently for the glorious inheritance that was to come4 ,this was the reason that he was allowed to be so cruelly disappointed4 ,this is a warning to us4 ,we have the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven promised to us2 but we are tempted not to care about it when we want something here in this world1 whether play1 or dress1 or anything that seems a great deal to us now4 ,but if we trifle away our right to these great promises that ,god made us at our baptism1 there will come a time of bitter grief1 when it is too late4 ,and when we are dead1 it will be too late to change6 ,therefore1 now while we are alive1 we must have faith1 and show it by taking care that the things we like here on earth do not make us lose the better things in heaven4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what were the names of ,isaac's two sons8 #b4 ,what had ,god promised ,isaac8 #c4 ,which son had the first right to the promise8 #d4 ,but which cared about it most8 #e4 ,what did ,esau want8 #f4 ,so what did he give up for the sake of the soup8 #g4 ,could he get it back again8 #h4 ,what are you an heir of8 #i4 ,how could we lose the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven8 #aj4 ,shall we be able to change after we are dead8 #aa4 ,then what must we care about most8 #ab4 ,why could not ,esau get his father's blessing8 #ac4 ,what did he like better than waiting for what he could not see8 #ad4 ,can we see heaven8 #ae4 ,but when we get there1 will it not be better than anything we can see here8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,this is none other but the house of ,god1 and this is the gate of heaven4--,genesis #bh3ag4 ,,you know that ,isaac1 ,abraham's son1 had two sons1 whose names were ,esau and ,jacob4 ,now ,jacob had grieved ,esau by gaining ,god's great promise1 for which ,esau was so angry with him1 that he had to go out away from his father's home1 all alone4 ,but ,jacob knew he was not alone1 for ,god was with him4 ,he went on till night came4 ,then he was in a dismal stony place1 with no house or shelter near--only big stones1 and here and there a thistle4 ,he said his prayers1 and then he lay down1 with a stone for his pillow and the sky over him4 ,but in the night he saw a wonder4 ,there was a ladder reaching from earth to heaven1 and ,god's angels were going up and down1 and the ,lord ,himself stood at the top of the ladder4 ,and ,he told ,jacob that ,he was going to give his children all the land he saw--,north1 ,south1 ,east1 and ,west2 and that ,he would take care of him1 and be with him wherever he went1 and in time bring him safe home4 ,illustration3 ,,jacob',s ,,vision ,,of ,,angels4--,gen4 #bh3ab1 #ac4 ,jacob woke1 and found it was a dream1 but he knew it was true1 and that ,god had really spoken to him2 and though he was glad he was afraid1 and he said1 ,how dreadful is this place6 this is none other but the house of ,god1 and this is the gate of heaven4 ,and that he might always know the place1 he put one of the great stones upright1 and he took some of the sweet olive oil he had brought to eat on his journey1 and poured it on the stone1 as the only thing he could do to show honor to ,god4 ,then he made a solemn holy vow1 that if ,god would take care of him on his way1 and give him food to eat and clothes to wear1 he would make a gift to ,god all his life of the tenth part of all he had4 ,good people like to do like ,jacob1 and give ,god their tenth4 ,and if we only had our eyes opened to see1 like his1 we should see ,god's angels coming up and down with blessings for us1 for we go to the house of ,god and gate of heaven whenever we go to church4 ,let us recollect how awful ,jacob felt it to be so near to ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,jacob8 #b4 ,who was ,isaac8 #c4 ,who was ,esau8 #d4 ,why was ,jacob obliged to go away8 #e4 ,what was the promise8 #f4 ,what kind of place had he to sleep in8 #g4 ,what was his pillow8 #h4 ,but what did he see8 #i4 ,who went up and down8 #aj4 ,who stood at the top8 #aa4 ,what did ,god promise him8 #ab4 ,what did ,jacob say of the place8 #ac4 ,how did he mark it8 #ad4 ,what did he pour on the stone8 #ae4 ,what vow did he make8 #af4 ,what are the houses of ,god8 #ag4 ,who comes up and down to us8 #ah4 ,what do the angels bring us8 #ai4 ,how much did ,jacob promise to give ,god8 #bj4 ,what does ,god do for us8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,as a prince hast thou prevailed4--,genesis #cb3bh4 ,,it was a long journey that ,jacob had had to take1 but ,god took care of him1 and brought him safe to the home where his mother had come from4 ,he lived there1 and took care of his uncle's sheep and cattle1 till he had earned a great many for his own2 and he had married there1 and had a great many sons4 ,but after a time ,god commanded him to go home to the land of ,canaan4 ,he was afraid1 because he thought his brother ,esau might still be angry with him2 but1 in spite of his fear1 he did as ,god bade him4 ,illustration3 ,,jacob ,,meeting ,,rachel4--,gen4 #bi3aj-ab4 ,illustration3 ,,laban ,,hiring ,,jacob4--,gen4 #bi3ah1 #ai4 ,when he came near the river ,jordan1 which flows on the ,east side of the land of ,canaan1 he prayed to ,god to guard him1 and once more ,god let him see the angels who were going with him to protect him4 ,he was glad1 but he was still very careful4 ,he chose out a present of cows1 and goats1 and camels1 and sheep1 for ,esau1 and sent it on to meet him2 and then he sent on the other cattle he wanted to keep for himself2 then his children2 and last of all1 in the safest place1 his dear young son ,joseph4 ,illustration3 ,,jacob',s ,,departure ,,for ,,canaan4--,gen4 #ca3ag1 #ah4 ,esau came to meet him1 but not in anger4 ,the two brothers met1 and fell on one another's neck and kissed one another1 and were friends4 ,so ,god had kept ,his promise to take care of ,jacob2 and ,jacob kept his promise1 for he set up an altar at ,bethel1 where he had seen the angels before1 and praised and blessed ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,jacob8 #b4 ,why had he left home8 #c4 ,with whom did he go to live8 #d4 ,what did he earn there8 #e4 ,why did he go back8 #f4 ,why was he afraid8 #g4 ,what comforted him8 #h4 ,of whom do ,god's angels take care8 #i4 ,what did he give ,esau8 #aj4 ,how did he put his family in order8 #aa4 ,who went last8 #ab4 ,how did ,esau meet him8 #ac4 ,what was the quarrel between them8 #ad4 ,but was ,esau angry8 #ae4 ,how did ,jacob show he was thankful8 ,illustration3 ,,jacob ,,and ,,the ,,angel4--,genesis #cb3bd4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,meeting ,,of ,,jacob ,,and ,,esau4--,gen4 #cc3c1 #d4 ,sixth ,sunday4 ,,joseph ,,in ,,egypt4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,his brethren envied him4--,genesis #cg3aa4 ,i ,,told you how ,jacob went away from home1 and how ,god promised to take care of him4 ,he did take care of him3 ,he led him to his uncle1 and with him ,jacob lived many years1 and then came back with flocks of sheep and goats1 camels and cows4 ,and he had twelve sons4 ,the best one of them was named ,joseph4 ,jacob loved him very much1 and gave him a striped dress of many colors1 such as the son who is to be the heir wears in those countries4 ,but his brothers hated and envied him1 and were all the time finding fault with him4 ,one day1 when ,joseph was seventeen years old1 ten of the brothers were out with their sheep1 and ,jacob desired ,joseph to go and see what they were about4 ,he would not tell his father how unkind they were to him1 but he went2 and as they saw him coming some of them were so wicked as to say that they would kill him1 and never let him go home4 ,reuben1 who was the eldest brother1 tried to hinder them2 but when he saw he could not stop them1 he said the best way would be1 not to kill him1 but to let him down into a dry well just by4 ,there they meant to let him starve to death2 and they let him down without any pity for him4 ,reuben meant to come by-and-by and take ,joseph out of the pit and save him2 but there was another brother1 named ,judah1 who did not want to have him killed1 and who saw a great party of men1 with camels and asses laden with goods1 going on a journey4 ,he knew they were merchants1 going to sell and buy in ,egypt1 and he advised the other brothers to persuade them to buy ,joseph2 for in those days men and women used to be bought and sold1 and were called slaves4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,sold ,,by ,,his ,,brethren4--,gen4 #cg3bh4 ,so ,joseph was drawn up out of the pit2 and when the merchants saw what a fine young man he was1 they paid the price for him and carried him off1 away from his father and all he had ever known or cared for before4 ,the cruel brothers kept his colored dress2 and they killed a kid and stained it in the blood1 and then carried it to their father1 telling him they had found it4 ,jacob thought some wild beast had met ,joseph and killed and eaten him1 and he mourned and wept4 ,his sons pretended to comfort him2 but not one of them would tell him that ,joseph was not dead4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,whose son was ,jacob8 #b4 ,how many sons had ,jacob8 #c4 ,what did he set them to do8 #d4 ,which did he love best8 #e4 ,what did he give ,joseph8 #f4 ,where did he send ,joseph8 #g4 ,what did the brothers want to do8 #h4 ,who wished to save him8 #i4 ,so what did ,reuben persuade them to do8 #aj4 ,what did ,reuben mean to do8 #aa4 ,but who came by8 #ab4 ,what did the brothers do with ,joseph8 #ac4 ,who persuaded them to sell him8 #ad4 ,what are people called who are bought and sold8 #ae4 ,what was done with his coat8 #af4 ,what did ,jacob think8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,the ,lord made all he did to prosper in his hand4--,genesis #ci3c4 ,,so we see ,joseph a slave4 ,a slave is a servant who belongs to his master1 as his cows and horses do2 he gets no wages1 and cannot go away1 but is bought and sold like cattle4 ,think of poor ,joseph4 ,he was used to live as the son of a great rich prince1 wearing a dress of many bright colors1 with many servants1 and no one to obey but his kind fond father2 and living in a beautiful land1 all hill and valley1 where he used to feed his father's flocks4 ,but now he was a slave in a strange land1 with people speaking a language he did not know1 and no one to care for him or say a good word to him1 shut up in a house in a town1 far away from his dear hills4 ,still he had one comfort1 and the best of all--,god was with him4 ,he could still pray to ,god1 and do his duty4 ,and he did his work well1 for ,god helped him1 and everything he did was made to prosper in his hand4 ,then he was trusted4 ,his master knew that he always took care of everything1 as if it was his own1 and left all to him1 quite sure that it would be safe4 ,but his wicked mistress made up a story that he had behaved ill1 and he was put in prison for what he had not done4 ,this sounds hard1 but it was ,god's own way of bringing good to pass1 and making ,joseph come at last to honor4 ,very soon he was loved and trusted in his prison2 and all he did the ,lord made it to prosper4 ,think about this4 ,try when you have anything to do--a lesson or a bit of work--to ask ,god to make it prosper4 ,then if you try your best ,he will help1 and it will be sure to turn out well4 ,then try to deserve to be trusted4 ,that is a great thing4 ,if you always recollect that ,god sees you1 you will do the same when no one is with you as if all the world were watching2 and that is the way to be true and just in all your dealings4 ,if you are only good when you are looked at1 you are not like ,joseph1 but are only doing service outwardly4 ,you must try to live that your parents may ,out of sight ,know all is right1 ,one law for darkness and for light4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,whose son was ,joseph8 #b4 ,how many sons had ,joseph8 #c4 ,what had they done to him8 #d4 ,why had ,joseph's brothers sold him8 #e4 ,what is a slave8 #f4 ,how did ,joseph behave as a slave8 #g4 ,who comforted him8 #h4 ,how did he take care of his master's things8 #i4 ,who made up a story against him8 #aj4 ,what was done to him8 #aa4 ,but who was with him still8 #ab4 ,did he always stay in prison8 #ac4 ,and what did people think of him1 wherever he was8 #ad4 ,what is the way to be like ,joseph8 #ae4 ,if you are trusted to carry a message1 how should you do it8 #af4 ,who always sees you8 #ag4 ,then1 even if no one is by1 how should you behave8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,do not interpretations belong to ,god8--,gen4 #dj3h4 ,,the young son of ,jacob1 ,joseph1 had1 you know1 been sold by his cruel brothers1 and made a slave of2 and then a wicked falsehood was told about him1 and he was put into prison4 ,but wherever ,joseph was he tried to do his duty1 and so ,god blessed him2 and the keeper of the prison soon found out how different he was from the others1 and let him help4 ,i suppose he helped to carry them their food and wait upon them2 and he often could say a few kind good words to them4 ,one day two grand people came in as prisoners4 ,one was the chief of all the bakers1 who made bread for king ,pharaoh2 and the other was the chief of all his cup-bearers1 who carried him his wine4 ,some wrong thing had happened1 and they were both suspected of having had something to do with it1 so they had been sent to prison4 ,,wanted ,,to ,,know ,,the ,,dreams' ,,meaning4 ,one morning ,joseph saw them both looking more sad than usual2 and when he asked what was the matter1 they said each had a dream1 and they wanted to know what it meant2 for the ,egyptians used to think a great deal of dreams1 and there were men among them who pretended to explain them4 ,most dreams have no meaning1 but these had1 and ,god put it into ,joseph's heart to understand them4 ,the cup-bearer had dreamt that he saw a vine1 and that it had three bunches of grapes1 and that he was squeezing the juice into the king's cup as he used to do4 ,joseph said this meant that in three days the cup-bearer should really hand ,pharaoh the cup again2 and ,joseph begged that when he was free1 he would tell the king about himself1 and get him set free4 ,then the baker told his dream--that he had three baskets full of pastry and bread ready for ,pharaoh1 but that the birds came down and ate them up4 ,joseph was obliged to tell him that this meant that he would be hanged1 and that the vulture and ravens would eat his flesh4 ,so it happened4 ,pharaoh looked into the matter in three days' time2 he caused the baker to be hung1 and the cup-bearer to come back to his old place4 ,but the cup-bearer was ungrateful1 and forgot all about ,joseph in his prison1 trusting to him4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,joseph8 #b4 ,where was he8 #c4 ,how came he to be in ,egypt8 #d4 ,where had he been put8 #e4 ,had he done anything wrong8 #f4 ,who trusted him8 #g4 ,what had he to do8 #h4 ,who came into the prison8 #i4 ,what was the cup-bearer's dream8 #aj4 ,what was the baker's dream8 #aa4 ,what did ,joseph say the cup-bearer's dream meant8 #ab4 ,what did the baker's dream mean8 #ac4 ,what happened8 #ad4 ,what had ,joseph asked of the cup-bearer8 #ae4 ,did he remember8 ,illustration3 ,,pouring ,,out ,a ,,drink ,,offering4 ,seventh ,sunday4 ,,joseph',s ,,brothers4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,we are verily guilty concerning our brother4--,genesis #db3ba4 ,,joseph did not always stay in prison1 for ,god gave him wisdom to tell the king of ,egypt that his dreams had meant that there were going to be first seven years of very fine harvests1 and then seven years would come of no harvests at all4 ,so the king took him out of prison1 and made him a great lord2 and he set to work to buy the corn that was over and above what people wanted to eat in the years of plenty1 that he might store it up against the years when the corn would not grow4 ,so when the bad harvest began1 ,joseph had plenty of corn1 and he sold it for the king to all who wanted it4 ,the famine was not only in ,egypt1 but in all the countries round2 and by-and-by ,joseph saw1 among the people that came to buy1 ten of his own brothers--the same who had sold him for a slave4 ,he knew them1 for they still looked like shepherds2 but they did not know him1 for he had grown from a youth to a man1 and was dressed like an ,egyptian lord2 and he would not seem to know them1 though he wanted much to know what had become of his old father and his little brother ,benjamin4 ,he made as if he thought they were enemies1 come to see if ,egypt could be conquered when it was so bare of food4 ,then they told him who they were2 that they were all one man's sons1 and that one brother they had lost2 the other was left with his father1 who could not bear to part with him4 ,joseph would not seem to believe this1 and said he must keep one of them in prison1 while he sent the rest back to fetch their youngest brother1 or else he could not believe them4 ,then1 when fear and trouble came on them1 they began to think how ill they had used their lost brother ,joseph2 and they said to each other1 ,we are verily guilty concerning our brother4 ,joseph heard them1 and could hardly bear it2 but still he kept to his plan4 ,he kept ,simeon a prisoner1 that he might be sure of the others coming back1 and sent them home to fetch ,benjamin4 ,but he would not have any of the money they had brought for the corn1 and made his steward put it all back into the mouth of their sacks4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,interpreting ,,pharaoh',s ,,dream4--,gen4 #da3bi1 #cj4 ,when they found this out as they went home1 they were much afraid2 and when they came home1 their father was more afraid still4 ,after the way they had used ,joseph1 he thought they had killed ,simeon1 and wanted to kill ,benjamin4 ,they spoke truth now1 but he could not believe them2 and he said he could not send ,benjamin1 for if mischief should befall the lad1 then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where was ,joseph8 #b4 ,why was he in prison8 #c4 ,what did ,god make him able to tell the king8 #d4 ,how many years was there to be much corn8 #e4 ,what was to be done with the corn8 #f4 ,who managed the buying it8 #g4 ,when was the corn wanted8 #h4 ,who came to buy corn8 #i4 ,who did not come8 #aj4 ,why did not ,joseph's brothers know him8 #aa4 ,what did he make believe to think8 #ab4 ,whom did he tell them to fetch8 #ac4 ,what did he give back to them8 #ad4 ,what did their father say about ,benjamin's going8 #ae4 ,why was he afraid to trust them with ,benjamin8 #af4 ,what is the way to be believed8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,god ,almighty give you mercy before the man4--,genesis #dc3ad4 ,,joseph',s brothers were soon obliged to go again and buy more corn in ,egypt4 ,joseph had said they must bring the young brother they had told him of1 or he should not believe their story2 and when they said ,benjamin must go1 their father ,jacob was greatly grieved1 and showed how little he could trust them now1 after the way they had behaved to ,joseph4 ,he would not have let ,benjamin go at all if ,judah had not promised to take the greatest care of him2 and ,judah could be trusted4 ,the story is so beautiful1 and so easy to understand in the ,bible1 that ,i hardly like to tell it in my own words4 ,only think of ,joseph's heart being so full when he saw his own dear youngest brother1 that he could not stay with him for his tears1 and went away to weep in his chamber6 ,and yet he still tried the brothers4 ,he wanted to see if they still were envious of the one their father loved best2 so he made his steward hide his cup in ,benjamin's sack of corn1 and then go after them1 and pretend to think they had stolen it4 ,the sons of ,jacob were no thieves1 and they said the steward might search their sacks4 ,they took them down and looked1 and there was the cup in ,benjamin's sack6 ,they were all shocked2 and the steward said that ,benjamin must go back and be punished4 ,how pleased they would have been long ago if such a misfortune had happened to ,joseph6 ,but now their hearts were changed1 and they were shocked and grieved4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,proclaimed ,,ruler ,,over ,,egypt4--,gen4 #da3da1 #dc4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had ,joseph's brothers done to him8 #b4 ,what trouble did you hear last ,sunday he was in8 #c4 ,but how did he behave8 #d4 ,and what had he come to be8 #e4 ,what had he stored up8 #f4 ,who came to buy corn8 #g4 ,how many brothers came8 #h4 ,which did not come8 #i4 ,why did not ,benjamin come8 #aj4 ,did the brothers know ,joseph8 #aa4 ,what did he tell them to do8 #ab4 ,when he saw ,benjamin1 where did he go8 #ac4 ,what did ,joseph tell his steward to do8 #ad4 ,what did ,joseph want to see8 #ae4 ,how did the brothers behave this time8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,god did send me before you to preserve life4--,genesis #de3e4 ,,all the eleven sons of ,jacob turned back in grief1 and fear1 and dismay1 when ,benjamin1 the youngest brother1 whom ,judah had promised to bring safely back to their father1 was found to have the silver cup of the lord of the land in his sack4 ,how it came there they could not guess1 but they knew that their father's heart would break if they came home and left ,benjamin to be a slave4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,makes ,,himself ,,known ,,to ,,his ,,brethren4--,gen4 #de3b4 ,so they all came to the lord of the land2 and ,judah stood up before the strange1 stern1 princely man1 and told him how much their old father loved this youngest son1 and he would be sure to die if the lad did not come home safe4 ,and then ,judah begged to stay and be a slave in ,egypt1 instead of his brother ,benjamin1 for he said if mischief befell the lad his father would die1 and that he could not bear to see4 ,but when ,judah so spake1 the lord of the land sent all the lookers-on away1 and wept aloud1 and said that he was their own brother ,joseph1 whom they had sold so long ago4 ,he would not let them be afraid2 he embraced them all and wept for joy1 and asked for his father4 ,then he told them not to grieve for what had gone before2 for ,god had turned it all to good1 and made him be the means of saving all their lives1 by storing up the corn in ,egypt4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,meeting ,,his ,,father4--,gen4 #df3bi1 #cj4 ,and now they were to go home1 and tell ,jacob1 their father1 that ,joseph was still alive1 and was a great and powerful man2 and they were to fetch old ,jacob1 their father1 and their wives and their children1 and all they had1 and come to live with ,joseph in ,egypt1 where he would take care of them4 ,that was the way ,joseph forgot all the ill his brothers had done to him1 and forgave them1 and loved them with all his heart4 ,when the brothers came home1 their father ,jacob could scarcely believe such good news2 but at last he said1 ,joseph my son is yet alive1 ,i will go to see him before ,i die4 ,and he came down to ,egypt1 and ,joseph met him and fell on his neck and kissed him2 and then there was joy indeed1 joy as if ,joseph had come back from the dead4 ,so ,jacob lived all the rest of his life in ,egypt1 and was happy with his son ,joseph4 ,god had given him another name1 ,israel1 and his sons1 and their sons after them1 were always called the children of ,israel4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,benjamin8 #b4 ,what was found in ,benjamin's sack8 #c4 ,who put it there8 #d4 ,what was going to be done to ,benjamin8 #e4 ,who spoke for him8 #f4 ,what did ,judah ask8 #g4 ,who did the lord of the land turn out to be8 #h4 ,how came ,joseph to be in ,egypt8 #i4 ,why had his brothers not known him sooner8 #aj4 ,how did he treat them8 #aa4 ,whom did he send for8 #ab4 ,what did ,jacob say8 #ac4 ,where did ,jacob go to live8 #ad4 ,why was it very kind in ,joseph to help his brothers8 #ae4 ,did he give back to them the harm they had done to him8 #af4 ,how could we do like ,joseph8 ,illustration3 ,,leather ,,bottles4 ,eighth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,call ,,of ,,moses4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,i have surely seen the affliction of ,my people4--,exodus #c3g4 ,,you heard how ,joseph brought his father and brothers and their children to live in ,egypt4 ,their children's children went on living there for many years1 till they had come to be a great people1 and were called the children of ,israel2 but then the ,king of ,egypt grew cruel to them4 ,he made them work very hard to make bricks and build towns for him2 and what was still worse1 he ordered that whenever a little boy was born to the children of ,israel1 he should be thrown into the river and drowned4 ,one mother hid her little baby for three months1 and when she could not hide him any longer1 she put him into a little cradle of bulrushes covered over with pitch1 to keep the water out1 and let the cradle float on the river1 leaving the little boy's sister to watch him4 ,presently a lady1 no other than the daughter of the cruel king1 came down to bathe in the river4 ,she saw the little cradle1 and had it brought to her4 ,the little baby was crying1 and the lady pitied him and took him home1 to bring up for her own child4 ,she wanted a nurse for him1 and his sister fetched his own mother1 and she became his nurse4 ,his name was ,moses1 and we hear about him in the ,lesson to-day4 ,he was not living with the king's daughter now4 ,the king had grown angry with him because he cared for his own people1 and he had had to flee away and keep sheep in the wilderness4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,and ,,the ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law4 ,and there he saw a great wonder4 ,he saw a flame of fire in a bush1 and yet the bush was not burnt4 ,and ,god's voice spoke to him out of the fire that did not burn1 and told him that the troubles of ,his people1 the children of ,israel1 were to come to an end4 ,god would save them from the cruel ,egyptians2 and ,moses himself was to go and lead them out1 and bring them to the good land that ,god had promised that ,abraham's children should have for their own4 ,moses was to go and tell the ,king of ,egypt that it was ,god's will that they should go4 ,moses was afraid at first1 but ,god promised to help him4 ,illustration3 ,,pharaoh',s ,,daughter ,,finding ,,moses4--,ex4 #b3e1 #f4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,moses8 #b4 ,where was he put when he was a baby8 #c4 ,why was he put on the river8 #d4 ,who had said the little boys were to be drowned8 #e4 ,whose babies were they that were to be drowned8 #f4 ,what other cruel things did the ,king of ,egypt do to the children of ,israel8 #g4 ,who were called the children of ,israel8 #h4 ,what became of ,moses in his bulrush cradle8 #i4 ,who brought him up8 #aj4 ,did he stay with the king's daughter8 #aa4 ,whom did he care for8 #ab4 ,what wonder did ,moses see8 #ac4 ,who spoke to him8 #ad4 ,what was ,god going to do for ,his people8 #ae4 ,what land would he give them8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,and ,pharaoh said1 ,who is the ,lord8--,exodus #e3b4 ,,moses and his brother ,aaron went and told ,pharaoh ,god's message1 that the people of ,israel were to go away and worship ,him4 ,but ,pharaoh said1 ,who is the ,lord1 that ,i should obey ,his voice to let ,israel go8 ,i know not the ,lord1 neither will ,i let ,israel go4 ,and he was more cruel to the children of ,israel2 he made them work harder and harder1 and had them beaten if they did not do all the work that was set them4 ,they had to make bricks of clay mixed with straw2 and1 to punish them1 ,pharaoh said that they should have no straw given to them for their work1 but that they must find it for themselves2 and yet he required of them just as many bricks as they had had to make before4 ,then they cried out and were angry1 and fancied ,moses had brought all this trouble on them1 by asking for them to go4 ,they were very miserable1 and said they wished they had never listened to ,moses1 for he had only made them worse off instead of better4 ,aaron was a better speaker than ,moses1 and ,god had said he should help him1 and that1 when ,god told ,moses anything1 ,aaron should speak it to the people4 ,so the two brothers stood telling the ,israelites to bear it a little longer1 and then it would be all well and over1 and they would get away from making the bricks in ,egypt to the beautiful country4 ,they could not remember it themselves1 but some of their fathers' grandfathers had been little boys when they came1 and could tell them that it was a country not all flat1 with only one river in it1 like ,egypt1 but full of steep hills and green valleys1 with bright streams running along in them1 and thick woods on some of the slopes1 and others laid out in gardens and vineyards4 ,there were so many cows in the pastures1 and in the wild rocks and hollow trees so many bees' nests1 that it was called a land flowing with milk and honey4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,israelites ,,made ,,to ,,work ,,hard ,,in ,,egypt4--,ex4 #a3ac1 #ad4 ,should not the ,israelites have liked to hear of such a place as this8 ,but no1 they were too dull to care4 ,they thought more of whether they should get a leek or a melon to eat at supper1 than of all the lovely land far away4 ,do you know1 people are very like that when they care for now more than by-and-by4 ,if we want just what pleases us to-day1 instead of caring for what will be good for us as we grow older1 we are just like the ,israelites1 who would not attend to ,moses or to ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,pharaoh8 #b4 ,who were the children of ,israel8 #c4 ,who had been sent to call them8 #d4 ,what did ,pharaoh say to ,moses8 #e4 ,how did he use the ,israelites8 #f4 ,what would he not give them8 #g4 ,who was ,moses' brother8 #h4 ,what was ,aaron to do for ,moses8 #i4 ,who spoke to ,moses8 #aj4 ,who told the people what ,god said to ,moses8 #aa4 ,what kind of place did ,god promise8 #ab4 ,what did ,moses say it flowed with8 #ac4 ,why8 #ad4 ,did the ,israelites care8 #ae4 ,why not8 #af4 ,when are we like them8 #ag4 ,which should we care for most1 now or by-and-by8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i will redeem you with a stretched out arm4--,exodus #f3f4 ,,the ,israelites were very unhappy1 for ,pharaoh was very cruel to them1 and they thought it all ,moses' fault4 ,but ,moses told them that they would be saved1 and that ,god was going to show them ,his power1 so that they might always remember what ,he had done for them1 and how ,he punished ,pharaoh1 who would not obey ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,aaron',s ,,rod ,,changed ,,to ,a ,,serpent4--,ex4 #g3aj4 ,then ,god made ,his power to be known2 so that ,pharaoh and the children of ,israel might both learn who is the great ,lord of heaven and earth1 who must be obeyed4 ,first1 ,moses stretched out his rod1 and all the water in the river turned into blood4 ,for seven days it was all one red dreadful stream of blood2 and when ,moses held out his rod again it turned back into pure water4 ,but ,pharaoh hardened his heart again1 and would not let the people go4 ,then ,god sent a multitude of frogs1 that came into all the houses and bed-rooms1 and on the tables and everywhere4 ,pharaoh could not bear to have these creatures everywhere1 and said if the frogs would but go away he would let the children of ,israel go4 ,moses prayed to ,god1 and all the frogs died2 but ,pharaoh only hardened his heart again1 and would not let the people go4 ,next1 ,god sent lice1 disgusting unclean creatures1 most horrible to the ,egyptians1 who could not bear anything dirty2 but ,pharaoh did not care4 ,then came swarms of flies1 buzzing1 stinging1 and tormenting2 and ,pharaoh said he would allow the ,israelites to go1 so the flies were taken away2 but no sooner were they gone than he went back again to his obstinacy1 and would not let the people go4 ,he was trying to fight against ,god1 and so came these terrible miseries on him4 ,if people will not do better after being punished1 worse and worse is sure to come on them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how did ,god punish ,pharaoh8 #b4 ,what four plagues have ,i told you of to-day8 #c4 ,why did these dreadful things happen8 #d4 ,did ,pharaoh care for them8 #e4 ,why did he not mind them8 #f4 ,what happens to those who do not mind being punished8 ,illustration ,ninth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,plagues ,,of ,,egypt4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,there is none like ,me in all the earth4--,exodus #i3ad4 ,illustration ,,you remember that when ,god spoke to ,moses out of the burning bush1 it was to tell him that he should lead the children of ,israel away from the people in ,egypt1 who were so unkind to them4 ,but ,pharaoh1 the ,king of ,egypt1 said that they should not go2 he could not spare them1 and he did not care for ,god's message to him4 ,then ,god punished ,pharaoh that he might let them go4 ,ten times ,god punished him1 and you hear about three of the punishments to-day4 ,first1 how the sheep and cows1 that the ,egyptians worshipped like gods1 fell sick and died1 but still ,pharaoh did not care2 then how the people all had sores and boils that made them very ill1 but still ,pharaoh did not care2 and then how there was a terrible storm1 thunder and lightning1 and rain and hail--such big hailstones as killed the men and cattle that were out in the fields1 and lightning that struck them1 and wind that broke every tree in the field4 ,no wonder that ,pharaoh was frightened1 and begged that the storm might cease1 and said that then he would let the ,israelites go4 ,so ,moses prayed to ,god1 and the thunder left off1 there was no more hail1 and it was all still again4 ,but when the thunder was over ,pharaoh grew wicked again1 and left off caring1 and said the ,israelites should not go4 ,and thus ,god went on being angry with him1 till at last he came to a terrible end4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,plague ,,of ,,locusts4--,ex4 #aj3ab4 ,i am afraid some children are a little like ,pharaoh when they get sulky1 and say ,i won't1 and if they are punished1 still they won't--they think nobody shall force them1 and they make themselves hard that they may not do what they are told4 ,it is very sad1 for this hardness is very wrong1 and you see how angry ,god was with this king for being obstinate4 ,pray to ,god to help you not to harden your heart1 but to teach you to obey4 ,and do not forget and do the same thing again when the punishment is over1 or it will have done you no good1 and you will have to be punished worse next time4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,god desire ,pharaoh to do8 #b4 ,who spoke ,god's words to ,pharaoh8 #c4 ,but what did ,pharaoh say8 #d4 ,who was ,pharaoh8 #e4 ,who was ,moses8 #f4 ,what was done to ,pharaoh8 #g4 ,did he mind8 #h4 ,tell me the three plagues we hear of to-day4 #i4 ,how many plagues were there in all8 #aj4 ,what happened in the thunder-storm8 #aa4 ,what did ,pharaoh say when he was frightened8 #ab4 ,so what left off8 #ac4 ,but did he let the people go8 #ad4 ,what fault in some children is the same as ,pharaoh's8 #ae4 ,what ought they do8 #af4 ,who can help them to fight their obstinate temper8 #ag4 ,but how must they get ,god's help8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,the ,lord hardened ,pharaoh's heart1 so that he would not let the children of ,israel go4--,exodus #aj3bj4 ,,worse troubles are sure to come when people have not taken warning by what was sent them before4 ,pharaoh had not minded seven dreadful plagues1 so now ,god sent another4 ,he sent locusts4 ,these were creatures like great grasshoppers4 ,they came in swarms and clouds1 and ate up every green leaf and blade of grass1 and made all the earth brown and the trees dry sticks1 so that there was nothing left for man or beast to eat4 ,then ,pharaoh gave way a little1 and said he would let the men go1 but that their wives and children must stay2 and he would not hear a word more1 but had ,moses and ,aaron driven out from before him4 ,then ,god bade ,moses to hold up his hand to ,heaven4 ,and darkness came on4 ,it was dark all day--and with darkness that might be felt2 not like night1 but such black darkness that no fire or candle could give light1 and no one dared to move about2 but the ,egyptians lay still in their places1 full of horror and terror1 for three whole days4 ,but all the time it was light among the ,israelites--the sun rose and set as usual2 and thus ,god showed that they were ,his people4 ,then ,pharaoh said that he would let them go--men1 women and children1 only he must keep all their cattle2 and when ,moses1 speaking ,god's words1 said that the cattle must go too1 and not a hoof be left behind1 ,pharaoh made his heart hard again1 and drove out ,moses1 saying the people should not go1 and that ,moses should never see his face again4 ,and ,moses said1 ,thou hast spoken well1 ,i will see thy face again no more4 ,so ended the last hope for ,pharaoh4 ,he was never to have another chance of bending his will and doing as ,god told him4 ,oh1 let us take care not to be like him6 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how many plagues of ,egypt were there8 #b4 ,tell me which had happened8 #c4 ,what are the two plagues of this lesson8 #d4 ,what are locusts8 #e4 ,what harm do locusts do8 #f4 ,who did ,pharaoh say might go8 #g4 ,whom would he not let go8 #h4 ,what plague came then8 #i4 ,what made the darkness so horrible8 #aj4 ,how long did it last8 #aa4 ,who were not in the dark8 #ab4 ,what did ,pharaoh say then8 #ac4 ,what did he want to keep back8 #ad4 ,and how did he then change8 #ae4 ,what did he say to ,moses8 #af4 ,how did ,moses answer8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,he smote all the first-born in ,egypt4--,psalm #gh3ea4 ,,after the nine sad plagues that had come upon the ,egyptians--the blood for water1 the frogs1 the lice1 the flies1 the cattle plague1 the boils1 the hail1 the locusts1 the darkness--there was to be still one plague more1 the last and worst4 ,that would make the ,egyptians let the people of ,israel go1 so they must be ready4 ,there should be a terrible night4 ,god's holy angel would pass over the whole land of ,egypt that night1 and in each house of the ,egyptians he would slay the eldest son of the family4 ,no one would be spared3 ,pharaoh's eldest son1 the young prince1 and the very poorest person's son4 ,they had killed the little ,israelite babies1 so ,god would punish them by killing their children4 ,none of the ,israelites should lose their children2 only there was one thing for them to do4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,passover4--,ex4 #ab3aa-ad4 ,they were that night to sup on a lamb1 and1 with some of the blood of the lamb1 they were to make a mark on the door-post4 ,where that mark was the angel would pass over and do no one any hurt2 but the people would be blest and set free1 because they believed ,god1 and did as ,he bade them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how many plagues of ,egypt were there8 #b4 ,say them over4 #c4 ,what were they all for8 #d4 ,who would not let them go8 #e4 ,what was the last plague8 #f4 ,who were to die8 #g4 ,why did the ,egyptians deserve to lose their children8 #h4 ,who would slay them8 #i4 ,whom would the angel spare8 #aj4 ,how were the ,israelites to mark their houses8 #aa4 ,with what blood8 #ab4 ,what were they to do with the lamb8 ,tenth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,passover4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,there was not a house in which there was not one dead4--,exodus #ab3cj4 ,,this is our own gladdest ,sunday in all the year1 and we read of the ,israelites being glad too--glad upon the very ,sunday that answered to this1 thousands of years ago4 ,on this ,sunday1 of all those thousands of years1 there has been joy and gladness and thanking ,god4 ,and why8 ,it was because all the troubles in ,egypt were over1 and ,god brought the ,israelites out safe4 ,there was one thing they had to do first1 though2 ,moses bade them do it1 as ,god commanded him4 ,every family was to take a lamb1 and it was to be killed and roasted whole in the evening1 and some of its blood was to be marked upon the door-post of the house1 and then all the family were to stand round the table1 all ready dressed for a journey1 and eat it as fast as they could1 late at night4 ,and while all the families1 fathers and mothers and children1 stood up eating the lamb in this strange way1 there came a great shout and cry4 ,god had sent ,his angel to punish the cruel ,egyptians2 and every house where there was no mark of blood on the door-post had some one dead in it1 and that dead person was the eldest or first-born son4 ,illustration3 ,,death ,,of ,,the ,,firstborn ,,of ,,egypt4--,ex4 #ab3bi4 ,there was a great cry1 for there was death everywhere1 from the son of ,pharaoh who sat on his throne down to the child of the poorest slave2 and even the first-born cattle died too1 because the ,egyptians used to worship them2 but wherever there was the blood on the door-post the angel passed over1 and the eldest son was safe4 ,then cruel ,king ,pharaoh was sorry and afraid at last1 and said that the people who brought such trouble on him should go where they liked4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,why are we glad to-day8 #b4 ,why were the ,israelites glad to-day8 #c4 ,where were the ,israelites living8 #d4 ,what hard work had they to do8 #e4 ,who said they should come out8 #f4 ,who would not let them go8 #g4 ,what did ,god tell the ,israelites to eat8 #h4 ,how were they to be dressed while they ate it8 #i4 ,what were they to do with the blood8 #aj4 ,who was going to pass over the land that night8 #aa4 ,what did the angel do where he did not see any blood on the door-post8 #ab4 ,who were frightened then8 #ac4 ,what did the ,egyptians wish then8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,it is the sacrifice of the ,lord's passover4--,exodus #ab3bg4 ,,when the ,king of ,egypt said the ,israelites might go they were all up and dressed1 quite ready and only waiting1 and off they set4 ,no more making of bricks1 no more slaving for the ,egyptians1 no more drowning of babies6 ,they were free6 and ,god was going to lead them to the beautiful country that long ago ,he had said ,he would give them4 ,illustration3 ,,egyptian ,,judgment ,,scene4 ,and so1 to put them in mind how they were saved from the ,egyptians1 ,god bade them on the same day in each year to kill a lamb and roast it1 and put the blood on the door-post1 and eat the lamb all standing round the table1 dressed as if they were going for a journey1 that they might never forget how ,god had made them free4 ,this was called the ,passover1 because the angel passed over the houses where the blood was marked over the door4 ,and ,god came in a pillar of cloud to show them the way they should go4 ,our blessed ,lord was crucified when ,he had come to the ,feast of the ,passover many years after4 ,you know ,he was like a lamb1 ,he was so pure and gentle2 and ,his ,blood saves us1 as that lamb's blood did the ,israelites1 and sets us free from the power of the devil4 ,so we still keep the feast of being set free1 on this happy ,easter ,sunday1 when we recollect that ,christ was slain for our sins1 but that ,he rose again from the dead1 and liveth for evermore4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,pharaoh say that the ,israelites might do8 #b4 ,what made him let them go at last8 #c4 ,who were set free8 #d4 ,what were the ,israelites to do every year8 #e4 ,what was this eating the lamb called8 #f4 ,why was it called the ,passover8 #g4 ,why were the ,israelites glad8 #h4 ,who set us free8 #i4 ,what did our ,lord do as on this day8 #aj4 ,in what is ,he like a lamb8 #aa4 ,so what did we say in the ,easter ,anthem to-day8 #ab4 ,how did ,god lead them8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the children of ,israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea4--,exodus #ad3af4 ,,all the ,egyptians were weeping over their dead first-born sons1 and the ,israelites were set free1 and going gladly out and away from their hard masters4 ,but ,pharaoh's hard heart turned again1 and he got all his chariots and horsemen together1 and went after the children of ,israel to drive them back to ,egypt4 ,and when he came in sight of them1 there they were all upon the shore of the sea called the ,red ,sea4 ,they could not go on1 for the sea was straight before them2 they could not go back1 for the ,egyptians were behind4 ,they were sore afraid4 ,but ,god spoke to ,moses and told him not to fear4 ,they had only to stand still and see how ,god would save them4 ,and ,god ,himself showed that ,he was with them1 for the pillar of cloud went behind them1 instead of before1 and made it dark to the ,egyptians1 but gave light by night to the ,israelites3 so the ,egyptians could not get near them all night4 ,illustration3 ,,pharaoh',s ,,host ,,destroyed ,,in ,,the ,,red ,,sea4--,ex4 #ad3cj1 #ca4 ,then ,god bade ,moses stretch out his rod over the sea4 ,and then there was a great wonder4 ,the waves of the sea parted1 and stood up on each side in a heap1 and in between there was a wide open space1 where the children of ,israel might walk safely dry-shod1 through the very midst of the sea4 ,through it they went1 men1 women1 and children1 through the depths of the sea1 with the waves standing still on each side of them4 ,pharaoh saw that they were all gone over4 ,he chose to follow after them4 ,but when his host was in the midst1 the sea returned in its strength again and came down on the ,egyptians1 and every one of them was drowned--they sank like lead in the mighty waters--and the ,israelites were freed from their enemies1 quite away from all their trouble and all their slavery2 and they sang hymns of joy to ,god1 who had been so good to them and now had set them free4 ,and we read about them being set free because this is the great ,easter ,day when we give thanks to our ,blessed ,lord for having set us free4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what last plague had come on ,egypt8 #b4 ,who had set off to leave ,egypt8 #c4 ,but what did ,pharaoh do8 #d4 ,what was before the ,israelites8 #e4 ,what was behind8 #f4 ,where did the pillar of cloud go8 #g4 ,how were the ,egyptians cut off from them8 #h4 ,what wonder did ,god work8 #i4 ,where did the ,israelites go over8 #aj4 ,who came after them8 #aa4 ,what became of the ,egyptians8 #ab4 ,who were free8 #ac4 ,who had made them free8 ,illustration ,eleventh ,sunday4 ,,the ,,gainsaying ,,of ,,korah4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the ,lord will show who are ,his and who is holy4--,numbers #af3e4 ,,when the ,israelites came out of ,egypt they had a long journey to go1 through a dreary1 lonely wilderness4 ,moses and his brother ,aaron led them2 and ,god took care of them1 and fed them1 and kept them safe4 ,but there were some wicked men1 named ,dathan and ,abiram1 who were tired of the wilderness1 and were angry at having ,moses for their leader and master1 though ,god had made him lead them1 and had done so much for them4 ,they said they were as good as ,moses1 and that he should not be their prince4 ,they did not care for ,god having spoken by him4 ,their end was so very dreadful that ,i can hardly tell it to you4 ,god would not let them rise up against ,his servant ,moses2 and when they would not listen nor repent ,he made the earth open under their feet1 and they went down alive1 and were swallowed up in the pit before the eyes of all the other ,israelites2 and so they died the most terrible death anyone ever died4 ,it was because they set themselves up against ,moses1 whom ,god had placed over them1 that ,he was so angry with them4 ,remember ,god has set people over us3 there are our fathers and mothers1 and our clergymen and teachers2 and it is our duty to obey them1 as ,he tells us in the ,fifth ,commandment4 ,if we are proud and saucy it is very wrong of us4 ,it is not likely that we should be so dreadfully punished in this life as ,dathan and ,abiram were2 but their horrible death should make us remember that ,god is very angry with those that will not try to obey those that have the rule over them1 and set themselves up to be bold and proud1 and to say they do not care4 ,illustration3 ,,aaron ,,and ,,hur ,,holding ,,up ,,the ,,hands ,,of ,,moses4--,ex4 #ag3aa4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is the ,fifth ,commandment8 #b4 ,what is the explanation of it in the ,duty to our ,neighbor8 #c4 ,who was set over the ,israelites by ,god8 #d4 ,where had he brought them from8 #e4 ,where was he leading them to8 #f4 ,how should they have behaved to him8 #g4 ,what bad men were there among them8 #h4 ,whom did they not care for8 #i4 ,what did they say8 #aj4 ,why was it very wicked of ,dathan and ,abiram not to obey ,moses8 #aa4 ,what terrible end did they come to8 #ab4 ,why was ,god angry with ,dathan and ,abiram8 #ac4 ,what makes ,him angry8 #ad4 ,whom did you say ,he had set over you8 #ae4 ,then how must you behave to your parents and clergymen and teachers8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,and seek ye the priesthood also8--,numbers #af3aj4 ,,when ,god gave the ,commandments upon ,mount ,sinai1 ,he chose that ,aaron1 ,moses' brother1 and his sons should be ,his priests4 ,a priest had to offer up the sacrifices to ,god1 and to burn incense to ,him4 ,incense is made of dried plants and gums that have a sweet smell when they are burnt4 ,the priests had brazen urns with holes at the top1 and chains to hold them by1 and when the smoke of the incense went up it was just as our prayers rise up to ,god in heaven4 ,there were other people called ,levites1 who had to take care of the holy things that were used in ,god's service1 but only the priests might offer sacrifices or incense4 ,illustration3 ,,korah ,,and ,,his ,,associates ,,swallowed ,,up4--,num4 #af3ca-cc4 ,now one of these ,levites1 named ,korah1 wanted to do more4 ,he was angry1 and said everybody was holy1 and that ,aaron took too much on himself4 ,now it was not ,aaron who made himself priest1 but ,god had made him so4 ,therefore it was wrong in ,korah2 but there were two hundred and fifty men whom he persuaded to come and get censers1 and offer incense to the ,lord as if they had been priests4 ,but because they did it in pride and self-will ,god was angry with them1 and ,his fire burst out and scorched them all to death6 ,it was only the men themselves that died1 not their wives or children2 and ,korah's family after him were better than he was1 and used to sing ,god's praises in the ,psalms4 ,but they always recollected that no one who was not a priest might offer sacrifice or burn incense before ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had a priest to do8 #b4 ,what was a sacrifice8 #c4 ,what was incense8 #d4 ,what was it burnt in8 #e4 ,who only might offer sacrifice and incense8 #f4 ,who was the right priest8 #g4 ,how came ,aaron to be priest8 #h4 ,who wanted to offer incense8 #i4 ,what did ,korah say8 #aj4 ,how many came with him8 #aa4 ,what did they try to do8 #ab4 ,what happened to the two hundred and fifty8 #ac4 ,why were they punished8 #ad4 ,what became of ,korah's children8 #ae4 ,who are our priests8 #af4 ,how were they made priests8 #ag4 ,what may they alone do8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the rod of ,aaron for the house of ,levi was budded1 and brought forth buds1 and bloomed blossoms1 and yielded almonds4--,numbers #ag3h4 ,,the high-priest1 whom ,god chose1 had to offer sacrifices to ,him4 ,that was1 the priest slew a lamb1 or a goat1 or a bullock1 by the altar1 and gave it to ,god4 ,it was to show that the ,son of ,god would come and die to take away sin4 ,now ,he has come and died1 we have left off killing creatures in sacrifice1 and only make remembrance over again of ,his sacrifice in the sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the high-priest used to wear a beautiful dress4 ,he had a mitre on his head1 with a gold plate on it1 and the words1 ,holiness unto the ,lord2 and he had a blue1 red1 and white robe1 embroidered with gold1 and round the hem little gold bells and pomegranates4 ,he had a curious scarf called an ephod1 and a beautiful breast-plate made of twelve precious stones1 each with the name of one of the twelve tribes of ,israel engraven on it4 ,illustration3 ,,aaron',s ,,rod ,,that ,,budded4--,num4 #ag3h1 #i4 ,god said ,he would show who should be ,his priest4 ,so ,he bade ,moses desire the chief man in each tribe to bring a dry rod or staff1 and lay them up all night in the ,holy ,place4 ,the one whose rod began to grow as if it was still on the tree should be the high-priest4 ,when the twelve men went to look in the morning1 eleven rods were dry sticks still1 but one had put out green leaves and pink buds1 and white blushing flowers1 like almond blossoms4 ,it was ,aaron's rod2 and this was the way ,god let the children of ,israel know that ,aaron and his sons1 and grandsons after him1 were always to be priests4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was a priest8 #b4 ,what had he to do8 #c4 ,what was a sacrifice8 #d4 ,how was it offered8 #e4 ,what creatures were killed8 #f4 ,where were they put8 #g4 ,what was this to make the children of ,israel think of8 #h4 ,why don't we kill sacrifices now8 #i4 ,who has been sacrificed8 #aj4 ,what did the high-priest wear on his head8 #aa4 ,what color was his dress8 #ab4 ,how was it edged8 #ac4 ,what was on his breast8 #ad4 ,what did ,god say ,he would show8 #ae4 ,what were twelve men to bring8 #af4 ,where were the rods put8 #ag4 ,what was to show who should be priest8 #ah4 ,what were the eleven rods like in the morning8 #ai4 ,but how did one look8 #bj4 ,whose was it8 #ba4 ,what1 then1 was ,aaron to be8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,holy ,,place4 ,twelfth ,sunday4 ,,israel ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,ye shall not tempt the ,lord your ,god4--,deut4 #f3af4 ,i ,,told you what sort of place a desert is1 and how full it is of stones1 and rocks1 and sand1 and with no water in it4 ,do you remember how thirsty ,ishmael was in the desert1 and how ,god heard the voice of the lad1 and sent an angel to lead his mother to a well of water8 ,when the ,israelites had come out of the land of ,egypt1 they were in a terrible wilderness4 ,mount ,sinai stood up in the midst1 and all round were great rocks of red and black marble1 all dry and parched with the hot sun shining on them4 ,the ,israelites grew very hot and sadly thirsty1 but they did not pray as ,ishmael had done4 ,they grew angry1 and said1 ,is the ,lord among us or no8 ,do you not think they deserved that ,god should show whether ,he was among them by punishing them for grumbling8 ,that was the way they tempted ,god4 ,but ,he was so good and merciful that ,he pitied them2 and ,he bade ,moses to take his rod1 and go to the bare1 dry rock1 and strike it4 ,and when ,moses struck the rock1 ,god made a beautiful1 fresh1 clear spring of water come pouring out of it1 so that all the people1 and all their cows1 and sheep1 and goats1 and camels1 could drink and be refreshed4 ,was not that a great wonder8 and was not ,god very kind to them1 though they were not good8 ,but you see ,god was near to help them all the time1 and it was very sad that they grumbled instead of praying4 ,do not be like them4 ,if a thing is hard to bear1 don't murmur and grumble about it1 but pray1 and then you will get help4 ,either the vexing thing will go away1 or you will leave off minding it4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,bringing ,,water ,,from ,,the ,,rock4--,ex4 #ag3f4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where had the ,israelites come from8 #b4 ,who was leading them8 #c4 ,what kind of place did they get into8 #d4 ,what is a desert like8 #e4 ,what was the mountain in the midst of the desert8 #f4 ,what cannot be found in the desert8 #g4 ,who was the lad that was thirsty there before8 #h4 ,what did ,ishmael do when he was thirsty8 #i4 ,but what did the ,israelites do8 #aj4 ,what did they say8 #aa4 ,what would have served them right8 #ab4 ,but did ,god punish them8 #ac4 ,what did he tell ,moses to take8 #ad4 ,what did ,moses strike8 #ae4 ,what came out of the rock8 #af4 ,what made the water come out of the rock8 #ag4 ,was it not very good of ,god to give them water8 #ah4 ,what ought they to have done8 #ai4 ,what should you do when a thing is hard8 #bj4 ,is it not very naughty to grumble8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,as ,moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness1 even so must the ,son of man be lifted up4--,john #c3ad4 ,,one great fault of the ,israelites was that they had no patience4 ,the moment they saw anything troublesome or difficult1 they began to cry out1 and say they could not get on1 and it was very hard on them4 ,now it is very wrong ever to say ,god is very hard upon us1 for we may be sure ,he is doing what is best for us4 ,there was one stony1 hot1 steep part of the journey still to come1 and when the ,israelites saw it they forgot how often ,god had helped them1 and cried out1 and lamented1 and complained of ,him and of ,moses4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,brazen ,,serpent4--,num4 #ba3ca4 ,so again they were punished1 for the little shining snakes that live there came in numbers1 darting at them and biting them1 so that the bite burnt like fire1 and they died4 ,then they cried out to ,god and were sorry1 and ,he told ,moses of a wonderful way to cure them4 ,moses was to melt up some brass and make a great serpent1 like the little ones that bit them1 and set it up on a pole4 ,then if anyone who was bitten would come at once and look up at the brazen serpent1 his bite would get well1 and he would not die of it4 ,this was a miracle--a wonder4 ,and it was to teach the ,israelites something1 and us too4 ,for you know our ,blessed ,lord hung on the cross1 as the serpent hung on the pole2 and when our souls are in danger of dying of sin1 we must think of ,him1 and look to ,him in faith1 and ,he will save us from being punished for our sin1 and keep our souls from dying4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what sort of place had the ,israelites to go over8 #b4 ,how did they like it8 #c4 ,what did they do8 #d4 ,why ought they not to have cried out8 #e4 ,who had been taking care of them8 #f4 ,so how did ,god punish them8 #g4 ,what happened when the serpents bit them8 #h4 ,what were they sorry for8 #i4 ,so what was ,moses to make8 #aj4 ,where did he put the brazen serpent8 #aa4 ,what were they to do if they were bit8 #ab4 ,what cured them8 #ac4 ,who hung upon the cross8 #ad4 ,what does ,he cure our souls of8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,he humbled thee1 and suffered thee to hunger1 and fed thee with manna1 which thou knewest not4--,deut4 #h3c4 ,,this morning you heard how ,god gave the children of ,israel water to drink in the wilderness4 ,now you shall hear what ,he gave them to eat4 ,the ground was all hard stones4 ,there was grass which the cows and sheep could eat1 and there were a few trees with long sharp thorns1 but no fruit on them1 and no corn to make bread2 and soon the people were very hungry1 and began to cry out that they did not know what would become of them4 ,but ,god was not going to forget them4 ,when they rose up in the morning1 the fresh dew lay on the grass1 and all about in the dew were little white things that tasted like wafers made with honey4 ,this was called manna1 and ,god had sent it from heaven for them to eat4 ,every morning on week days there it was1 and they had all to come out and pick it up4 ,but they must get up early to gather it1 for when the sun was hot it would melt away4 ,and they could not keep it--it grew bad and was not fit to use the next day2 but there was always just enough for everybody to have all they wanted4 ,there was only one day in each week that more came down1 and that was the day before the ,sabbath-day1 which they had instead of ,sunday4 ,then each one could get twice as much as could be eaten in one day1 and it did not spoil so fast4 ,for on the ,sabbath-day ,god would have them rest1 and so no manna was to be found anywhere1 so that they might learn to keep the ,fourth ,commandment--,remember the ,sabbath-day to keep it holy4 ,illustration3 ,,priest ,illustration3 ,,high-,,priest ,illustration3 ,,levite ,all the time they stayed in the wilderness1 the sweet white manna lay on the grass in the morning for them to pick it up--twice as much on the sixth day of the week1 and on the ,sabbath-day none at all4 ,was not that very good of ,god8 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ,israelites8 #b4 ,what had they to drink in the wilderness8 #c4 ,what else did they want8 #d4 ,why could they not get bread8 #e4 ,what did ,god give them instead8 #f4 ,what was the manna like8 #g4 ,where did it lie8 #h4 ,when was the manna on the grass8 #i4 ,who were to eat it8 #aj4 ,who sent it8 #aa4 ,what became of it in hot sunshine8 #ab4 ,would it keep8 #ac4 ,what was the day when it could be kept8 #ad4 ,how much came down the day before the ,sabbath8 #ae4 ,what might not be done on the ,sabbath8 #af4 ,what is the ,fourth ,commandment8 #ag4 ,so why did they get twice as much manna the day before8 #ah4 ,when did no manna come8 #ai4 ,what day have we instead of the ,sabbath8 ,illustration ,thirteenth ,sunday4 ,,balaam ,,and ,,balak4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,thou shalt not curse the people3 for they are blessed4--,numbers #bb3ab4 ,illustration ,,there was a prophet called ,balaam4 ,a prophet means a man to whom ,god made ,his will known1 and who was thus much wiser than other men4 ,this prophet one day saw some rich great men come to his house4 ,they brought him a message1 that a king named ,balak wanted him to come with them1 and would give him great rewards for coming4 ,balaam said he must wait for one night1 and ,god would make known to him what he was to do4 ,and at night ,god told him he was not to go2 for what ,balak wanted of him was to curse the children of ,israel1 and ,god would not have them cursed4 ,so ,balaam said he must not go1 and the messengers went away4 ,but ,balak sent more princes1 still grander men1 with larger presents1 to fetch ,balaam4 ,he answered1 ,if ,balak would give me his house full of silver and gold1 ,i cannot go beyond the word of the ,lord my ,god1 to do less or more4 ,but he had not left off wishing4 ,he begged the messengers to stay1 and see if ,god would give him leave to go4 ,and this time ,god did say he might go1 but that he should not say anything about the ,israelites but what ,god put in his mouth4 ,balaam knew that ,god was not pleased with him2 but he wanted ,balak's rewards1 and he set off in the morning1 riding on his ass4 ,presently the ass was frightened1 and turned out of the road into the field4 ,balaam was angry at this1 and beat the ass4 ,but again the ass turned aside in a narrow walled path1 and squeezed ,balaam's foot against the wall4 ,he beat her again4 ,presently1 in a very narrow road1 the poor ass fell quite down for fear2 and ,balaam was very angry1 and beat her harder4 ,illustration3 ,,balaam ,,met ,,by ,,the ,,angel ,,of ,,the ,,lord4--,num4 #bb3ca4 ,then ,god worked a wonder4 ,he made the dumb ass to speak1 and ask why he was so cruel to her4 ,he answered that he only wished for a sword to kill her4 ,the ass asked if she had ever been like this before4 ,he said1 ,no4 ,and then1 full before him1 he saw ,god's holy angel with a sword in his hand4 ,and he fell down on his face4 ,the poor ass had seen the angel all the time2 but ,balaam could not see him till ,god made him able4 ,and now he was afraid1 and would have gone back2 but the angel said he must go on now1 though he would only be able to speak the words which ,god put in his mouth4 ,think if1 sometimes when you have been told you must not do something1 you fret and teaze to do it--is not that like ,balaam8 ,and perhaps you teaze till some one gives you leave to do as you wish4 ,then you get quite cross with eagerness1 and are unkind to all that hinders you2 and1 after all1 you do not find that any good comes of getting your own way4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is a prophet8 #b4 ,who sent for ,balaam8 #c4 ,what did ,god tell ,balaam8 #d4 ,but what did ,balaam wish8 #e4 ,how did he get leave to go at last8 #f4 ,but who stood in his way8 #g4 ,who saw the angel first8 #h4 ,what did ,balaam do to the ass8 #i4 ,what wonder did ,god work8 #aj4 ,what did the ass say8 #aa4 ,whom did ,balaam see8 #ab4 ,what did the angel tell him8 #ac4 ,what had he been allowed to have8 #ad4 ,does good come of having our own way8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,there shall come a ,star out of ,jacob1 and a ,sceptre shall rise out of ,israel4--,numbers #bd3ag4 ,,there was a king named ,balak1 whose land the ,israelites were to pass through4 ,they promised not to do any harm to him or his people1 if they might go quietly through2 but he was afraid and angry1 and wanted to have them cursed1 hoping to bring ,god's anger on them4 ,that was a very wicked and foolish notion of ,king ,balak's2 and ,god would not let it bring harm upon ,his people4 ,they had not deserved to have ,his anger called down on them1 and so ,he would not be angry with them4 ,and when ,balak's friend ,balaam tried to speak curses1 ,god turned them all to blessings2 and1 instead of saying they should come to a terrible end1 he could only say how happy and well off they should be1 with ,god to take care of them1 and be their ,king4 ,he even went on to say that a ,star should come out of ,jacob1 and a ,sceptre should rise out of ,israel--and that meant that our ,saviour should be born among them4 ,he is called a ,star1 because ,he came to give us light2 and you know a star showed the way to the place where ,he was born4 ,and a sceptre is the rod a king carries in his hand4 ,so when ,he was called the ,sceptre1 it meant that ,he should be a ,king4 ,only think how angry ,balak was1 when ,balaam could not curse1 but only blessed4 ,i wish he had been afraid1 and seen it was not ,god's will that he should hurt the ,israelites2 but instead of that1 he went on in his wickedness1 and was miserably killed at last2 for ,god took care of ,his people1 and would let no one do them any harm4 ,now1 recollect1 bad words and bad wishes do harm to the person that speaks them1 not to those they are meant for4 ,if a bad boy came and abused a steady one for going to church1 or saying his prayers1 it would be very bad for himself2 but if the good boy kept on quietly1 nothing that the other could say would hurt him one bit4 ,god would take care of him as surely as ,he took care of the ,israelites4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,balak want8 #b4 ,why did he want the ,israelites to be cursed8 #c4 ,whom did he set to curse the ,israelites8 #d4 ,but what did ,balaam do instead8 #e4 ,why could he not curse them8 #f4 ,who would not let him curse them8 #g4 ,who was to be born among them8 #h4 ,what did ,balaam call our ,saviour8 #i4 ,why was ,he like a star8 #aj4 ,why was ,he like a sceptre8 #aa4 ,could ,balak hurt the ,israelites8 #ab4 ,why not8 #ac4 ,whom do bad words hurt8 #ad4 ,ought we to mind them8 #ae4 ,if anyone teazes you when you try to be good1 must you leave off8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,the people did eat1 and bowed down to their gods4--,numbers #be3b4 ,,you heard how ,balaam went to ,balak2 and how ,god made him bless the children of ,israel when he wanted to curse them4 ,but even this did not make ,balaam good4 ,he wanted ,balak to give him a reward2 and so he told him that though no harm could happen to the people of ,israel while they were good and worshipped their ,god1 yet if he could make them do something wicked1 and turn away from their ,god1 then ,god would be sure to punish them4 ,,the ,,israelites ,,invited ,,to ,a ,,great ,,feast4 ,so these two wicked men sent a number of women to invite the ,israelites to hold a great feast with them1 in honor of their idol ,baal ,peor4 ,many were so foolish and wicked as to be led away2 and they had a great feasting and revelling1 and all kinds of bad pleasures that these heathen women said were to do praise to this horrible false god4 ,then1 though ,balak might have cursed for ever without hurting them1 they had done themselves the harm4 ,god sent a deadly sickness1 and in one day twenty-four thousand people died4 ,but ,phinehas1 ,aaron's grandson1 did as ,moses commanded him4 ,he first put to death the wickedest of the people who had joined themselves to ,baal ,peor2 and then he prayed--and all the people prayed and wept too4 ,so ,god forgave them1 and the plague ceased4 ,afterwards ,phinehas led the ,israelite fighting men to punish the wicked ,balak and his people2 and ,balaam was killed in fighting with them4 ,all the wicked women who had tempted the ,israelites away from ,god were put to death too4 ,so ,balaam's evil counsel ended in all sorts of misery4 ,it is very sad to think of him1 for he knew so well what was good1 and yet did what was so very bad4 ,but remember this1 nobody could hurt ,god's people till they did wrong1 and then they hurt themselves1 and ,god punished them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,balak want to do8 #b4 ,how had ,balak tried to hurt the children of ,israel8 #c4 ,why could not ,balaam curse them8 #d4 ,what did ,balaam think would be the way to hurt them8 #e4 ,whom did he send to them8 #f4 ,whom did the women persuade them to worship8 #g4 ,what did ,god send to punish them8 #h4 ,how was the plague stopped8 #i4 ,how was ,balaam punished8 #aj4 ,why was ,balaam greatly to be blamed8 #aa4 ,when could not ,balaam hurt them8 #ab4 ,when could he hurt them8 #ac4 ,for who took care of them when they were good8 ,illustration3 ,,high ,,priest ,,with ,,sin ,,offering4 ,fourteenth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,giving ,,of ,,the ,,law4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,thou heardest ,his words out of the midst of the fire4--,deut4 #d3cf4 ,,when the children of ,israel had come out of ,egypt1 ,god had told ,moses to lead them to the foot of ,mount ,sinai4 ,this was a high steep rocky mountain in the wilderness4 ,and ,god told ,moses to set bounds round the mountain1 so that nobody should come and touch it2 and the people were to pray1 and wait round it for the holy and awful thing that was to happen4 ,then there came on the hill-top a deep dark cloud1 and the mountain was altogether on a smoke1 and it shook and quaked1 and there were lightnings and thunders and voices1 and the sound of a trumpet loud and louder1 so that all the people trembled4 ,then out of that cloud there came a voice speaking to them--a voice that they all could hear1 and that made them afraid4 ,for it was the voice of ,god4 ,and ,god spoke out of the cloud1 and gave the ,ten ,commandments4 ,they were the very same ,ten ,commandments you say in the ,catechism1 and see written up in church4 ,illustration3 ,the ,ten ,commandments4 ,thou shalt have no more ,gods but me4 ,before no idol bend the knee4 ,take not the name of ,god in vain1 ,nor dare the sabbath day profane4 ,give both thy parents honor due1 ,take heed that thou no murder do4 ,abstain from words and deeds unclean1 ,nor steal1 though thou art poor and mean4 ,nor make a wilful lie1 nor love it4 ,what is thy neighbor's dare not covet4 ,god had come in this terrible and awful manner to speak to them1 that all ,israel might hear and fear1 and take care not to break them4 ,afterwards ,god gave these ,ten ,commandments to ,moses1 written upon two tables--or pieces of stone--written by ,god ,himself4 ,that was the way the ,ten ,commandments were given--by ,god's own voice speaking to men1 out of the cloud1 amid thunders and lightnings1 and the sound of the trumpet1 dreadful to hear4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,receiving ,,the ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law4--,ex4 #ca3ah4 ,and ,god means us all to obey the ,commandments1 just as much as ,he meant the ,israelites to obey them4 ,they are ,his words1 and must be kept2 and if we ask ,him in our prayers ,he will give us help and strength to obey them1 so that we may fulfil the promise that was made at our baptism1 that we should keep ,god's ,holy ,will and ,commandments1 and walk in the same unto our lives' end4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where had the children of ,israel come from8 #b4 ,who was leading them8 #c4 ,where did ,god tell ,moses to take them8 #d4 ,what wonderful sight did they see on ,mount ,sinai8 #e4 ,what did they hear8 #f4 ,who spoke out of the cloud8 #g4 ,what did ,god speak8 #h4 ,how many ,commandments8 #i4 ,tell me the first of them4 #aj4 ,on what did ,god write them8 #aa4 ,to whom did ,he give them8 #ab4 ,when do you say them8 #ac4 ,when did you promise to keep them8 #ad4 ,what is keeping the ,commandments8 #ae4 ,how can you be helped to do as they tell you8 #af4 ,how must you ask for ,god's help8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,the ,lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of fire4--,deuteronomy #e3d4 ,,when the lightning and thunder and the loud voice of the trumpet came forth from the cloud on ,mount ,sinai1 and ,god had spoken the ,ten ,commandments1 ,he called to ,moses to come up and speak with ,him in the cloud4 ,how wonderful it must have been6 ,moses was the only man that ever spoke so near to ,god4 ,god gave him two blocks of stone written with the ,ten ,commandments1 written with ,god's own ,finger4 ,then ,god told him to make a chest to keep them in4 ,it was to be made of wood1 with gold all over it2 and two figures of cherubims were to be one on each side4 ,this chest was to be called the ,ark of the ,covenant4 ,and it was to be put into a square room1 inside a tent1 that was to be made with curtains1 and carried about with the ,israelites4 ,it was to be called the ,tabernacle4 ,and this was to be a very holy place4 ,the children of ,israel would say their prayers in front of the ,tabernacle2 but they were not to go into the place where the ,ark was1 because they were sinful1 and ,god is holy4 ,that place was to be called the ,holy of ,holies1 and no one might go near it but the ,priests whom ,god chose1 and set apart to lead ,his worship4 ,the first ,high ,priest was to be ,moses' brother ,aaron2 and he was to wear a beautiful dress when he ministered before ,god--a high cap with ,holiness to the ,lord on it1 a long embroidered robe1 edged with gold bells and pomegranates1 and a blue scarf crossed over her breast2 and in the middle a breast-plate1 made of twelve precious stones1 each carved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of ,israel1 so that he might have them on his heart as he prayed to ,god4 ,all this and much more ,god told ,moses while he was on the mount4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,destroys ,,the ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law4--,ex4 #cb3ai4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was given on ,mount ,sinai8 #b4 ,who spoke the ,commandments8 #c4 ,to whom did ,god give them8 #d4 ,what were they written on8 #e4 ,who wrote them8 #f4 ,where were they to be kept8 #g4 ,what was the chest like8 #h4 ,what was the chest called8 #i4 ,where was ,moses to put the chest8 #aj4 ,what was the room called8 #aa4 ,who might go near the ,holy of ,holies8 #ab4 ,who was the first ,high ,priest8 #ac4 ,who was ,aaron8 #ad4 ,what was ,aaron to wear8 #ae4 ,why might not the people come near8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,know therefore that the ,lord thy ,god1 ,he is ,god4--,deut4 #g3i4 ,,when ,moses went up into the awful cloud upon ,mount ,sinai1 he stayed there forty days4 ,but all the ,israelites below were impatient4 ,they could not think what had become of ,moses2 and though they had so lately heard ,god's own ,voice speaking to them1 they would not wait as they had been told to do4 ,they cried out that they wanted something instead of ,moses1 whom they had lost4 ,so they took all their gold ear-rings and melted them1 and made an image of a golden calf4 ,and then these foolish wicked people began to feast and dance1 and worship this golden idol4 ,moses was coming down ,mount ,sinai with the two ,tables of the ,commandments in his hands4 ,and first he heard a shouting and singing2 then he saw the people leaping and dancing1 and the great golden idol standing in the midst4 ,then he was sure it was of no use to bring them the ,commandments if they minded them no better4 ,so he took the two tables of stone1 and threw them out of his hand1 and broke them to pieces4 ,then he went down1 and severely punished the worst of the ,israelites for having disobeyed the commandment4 ,and he broke the golden calf to pieces1 and ground it to powder4 ,then he went and prayed to ,god to forgive the people4 ,god did forgive them1 and let ,moses bring two fresh tables of stone to be written with the ,ten ,commandments4 ,but the first that they had lost were the tables ,god had given1 and they could never have them back again6 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where was ,moses gone8 #b4 ,what was ,god going to give him8 #c4 ,who were left below8 #d4 ,what did the ,israelites want8 #e4 ,what did they take off8 #f4 ,what did they make of their ear-rings8 #g4 ,what is the ,second ,commandment8 #h4 ,how did they break the ,second ,commandment8 #i4 ,what did ,moses do to the ,tables of the ,law8 #aj4 ,why did he throw them down8 #aa4 ,what did he do with the golden calf8 #ab4 ,where did he go then8 #ac4 ,what did he do for the ,israelites8 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,musical ,,instruments4 ,fifteenth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,giving ,,of ,,the ,,law4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,i prayed therefore unto the ,lord1 and said1 ,o ,lord ,god1 destroy not ,thy people and ,thine inheritance4--,deut4 #i3bf4 ,,last ,sunday you heard how sadly the people of ,israel sinned by making the golden calf1 while ,moses was up in the mountain1 and how he punished them4 ,then he said he would go and pray to ,god to forgive them1 and try them again4 ,so up he went over the rough rocks of ,mount ,sinai1 and into the cloud again1 where he had spoken with ,god before4 ,and he prayed with all his might that ,god would not cast off ,his people1 though they had been so wicked1 but would give them again the ,commandments on their tables of stone4 ,and ,god listened to ,moses1 and promised to give them the ,commandments again4 ,then ,moses made a great request3 he said to ,god1 ,i pray ,thee1 show me ,thy glory4 ,but ,god said1 ,thou canst not see ,my ,face1 for there shall no man see ,me and live4 ,but ,moses was to come up the mountain the next day1 and bring with him two blocks of stone1 and then ,god would let him see as much of ,his glory as he could bear4 ,on the next day ,moses went up the mountain again1 and took with him the two tables of stone4 ,and the ,lord came down in the cloud2 and ,moses was in the cleft of the rock1 where he could see a small part of the glory1 and hear the ,lord's ,voice proclaim before him1 ,the ,lord1 ,the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth4 ,then indeed ,moses bowed his head and worshipped4 ,no man ever came so close to ,god as ,moses1 with whom ,god spoke face to face1 as a man speaketh to his friend4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,bringing ,,the ,,new ,,tables ,,of ,,the ,,law4--,ex4 #cd3bi-cb4 ,moses stayed forty days and forty nights up in the mountain4 ,and ,god again wrote the ,commandments upon the two tables of stone1 and granted the ,israelites to try again to keep them4 ,when ,moses came down from being in converse with ,god1 the glory was still about his face4 ,it was all shining like the sun1 and was so bright that the ,israelites could not fix their eyes on it2 and he was obliged to put a veil over his face1 because they could not bear to look at it4 ,was ever living man so favored1 and brought into such glory8 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what wicked thing had the ,israelites done8 #b4 ,who prayed for their forgiveness8 #c4 ,where did ,moses go to pray for their forgiveness8 #d4 ,who forgave them8 #e4 ,what did ,moses venture to ask ,god to show him8 #f4 ,but what can no one do8 #g4 ,where was ,moses placed8 #h4 ,what passed by8 #i4 ,what voice did he hear8 #aj4 ,how was ,moses more honored than any man8 #aa4 ,how long did he stay in the mountain8 #ab4 ,what did ,god give him again8 #ac4 ,how did his face look when he came down8 #ad4 ,what did he do to hide his face8 #ae4 ,how came his face to be so glorious8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,ye shall walk after the ,lord your ,god1 and fear him4--,deut4 #ac3d4 ,,when the ,israelites came into the good land where they were going1 they were to be very careful not to learn to worship idols4 ,for idols were no gods at all--only wood and stone--and could not hear them pray1 nor give them what they wanted4 ,besides1 the people round them had very frightful ways of trying to please their false gods4 ,they had one called ,moloch1 made of brass1 and they used to offer poor little children up in sacrifice to him1 and make a noise with drums and trumpets1 that no one might hear their cries4 ,there was another god called ,baal1 to whom they set up great images1 and feasted in his honor2 and a goddess1 whom they called the queen of heaven1 of ,ashtoreth4 ,women used to offer cakes to her1 and dance in honor of her1 for they thought she sent the moon to shine on them4 ,now1 the ,israelites were not to worship any of these false gods4 ,they were to remember how they heard the ,only ,true ,god speaking to them out of the cloud upon the mountain1 and telling them1 ,i am the ,lord thy ,god3 thou shalt have no other gods but ,me4 ,and ,god told them that if they would worship ,him and serve ,him1 all should go well with them1 and they should be happy and blessed4 ,but if they went after these false idols1 all would go ill with them1 and there would be only sorrow and misery4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,say the ,first ,commandment4 #b4 ,say the ,second4 #c4 ,what three idols did the people of the country worship8 #d4 ,what did they do in honor of ,moloch8 #e4 ,what did they do in honor of ,baal8 #f4 ,what did they call ,ashtoreth8 #g4 ,what did they think she sent them8 #h4 ,who made the moon8 #i4 ,what would happen if the children of ,israel worshipped ,god8 #aj4 ,what would happen if they worshipped idols8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,it is a people that do err in their heart1 and they have not known ,my ways4--,psalm #ie3aj4 ,,after the ,commandments were given the ,israelites went on their journey4 ,the ,ark1 or chest1 where the ,commandments on their two tables of stone were kept1 was carried before them2 and ,god still showed that ,he was with them1 for ,he made a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night go along with them1 and rest on it4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,spies ,,returning ,,from ,,canaan4--,num4 #ac3bd-bf4 ,when they came near the land of ,canaan1 twelve men were sent on to see it4 ,they came back1 bringing such a great bunch of grapes that two had to carry it between them on a pole6 ,but they said that the land was full of strong cities1 and very strong men1 and they should never be able to win it1 but would all be killed4 ,only two men1 ,joshua and ,caleb1 recollected that there could be no fear1 for ,god had promised to save them and bring them in4 ,the others all cried1 and said they would go back to ,egypt1 and threw stones at ,moses and ,aaron when they wanted to quiet them4 ,then ,god showed ,his glory1 and would have cut them all off in a moment if ,moses had not prayed for them4 ,but ,he said none of those who had said they would not go into the good land should go4 ,they were to stay forty years longer in the dismal wilderness1 till all the grown-up men1 except ,joshua and ,caleb1 should be dead1 and their children be grown up in their stead4 ,then their children1 who had learned to trust ,god and do as ,he bade1 should be the ones to go in and live in the promised land4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how did the ,israelites know which way to go in the wilderness8 #b4 ,what was the ark8 #c4 ,what was in it8 #d4 ,how did ,god show them ,his ,presence8 #e4 ,whom did ,moses send to look at the land8 #f4 ,what did these men bring back8 #g4 ,but what did they say of the country8 #h4 ,who were afraid8 #i4 ,why was it wrong to be afraid8 #aj4 ,who only were afraid8 #aa4 ,what were the people ready to do8 #ab4 ,how were they to be punished8 #ac4 ,how long were they to stay in the wilderness8 #ad4 ,who would die8 #ae4 ,who would grow up to go in8 #af4 ,who were the two good brave men8 #ag4 ,what was promised to ,joshua and ,caleb8 ,illustration3 ,,table ,,of ,,shew-,,bread ,illustration3 ,,ark ,illustration3 ,,golden ,,candlestick ,sixteenth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,moses4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,they angered ,him also at the waters of strife4--,psalm #ajf3cb4 ,,after all the forty years in the wilderness1 the children of ,israel were quite close to their home in the promised land4 ,there was only the river ,jordan between them and the hills and valleys there4 ,but ,moses was not to go with them4 ,once when the people were crying out for more water1 and ,god told him to command the stream to come out of the rock1 ,moses was so hot with anger that he did not attend4 ,he said1 ,hear now1 ye rebels2 must we fetch you water out of this rock8 ,and he struck the rock with his rod1 instead of speaking to it4 ,the water came out as it had done before2 but ,moses had been so hasty that he had not thought how to obey ,god exactly1 and so he was not to be allowed to lead the people in as a great warrior1 lest he should fail again4 ,god was not angry with him1 but had forgiven him2 only he had his punishment because he had done wrong4 ,joshua was to lead the people1 instead of ,moses4 ,so before ,moses was taken away1 he called ,joshua and all the chief men of each tribe1 and put them in mind of all that ,god had done for them1 and warned them very solemnly1 that if they broke their promise and did not keep the ,commandments1 ,god would punish them--first a little1 and then more and more1 and would even cast them out of the good land at last4 ,for1 mind1 ,god always keeps ,his promises2 and as surely as ,he gives the good all that is best for them1 so surely ,he will punish those who turn from ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,giving ,,his ,,charge ,,to ,,joshua4--,num4 #bg3bb1 #bc4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ,israelites8 #b4 ,how long had their journey lasted8 #c4 ,where were they going8 #d4 ,what lay between them and the land of ,canaan8 #e4 ,who had led them8 #f4 ,but what one thing had ,moses done8 #g4 ,what was he not to do8 #h4 ,who was to lead them in8 #i4 ,what did ,moses tell the ,israelites they must be careful to do8 #aj4 ,what had they promised to keep8 #aa4 ,what would happen if they broke the promise8 #ab4 ,what would happen if they kept the promise8 #ac4 ,what promises have we made8 ,illustration3 ,,moses ,,viewing ,,the ,,promised ,,land4--,deut4 #cd3d4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,moses4--,deut4 #cd3e1 #f4 ,,second ,,reading ,so ,moses the servant of the ,lord died4--,deuteronomy #cd3e4 ,,it was not ,god's will that ,moses should lead the ,israelites into the promised land1 but he was to die on the east side of the river ,jordan2 and so he would have his rest above instead of in the land of promise4 ,but first ,god told him he might see the land4 ,so he went up into a very high hill3 and there ,god made him able to see all the home of his people--the snowy hill of ,hermon1 and ,mount ,lebanon where the cedar trees grow1 and the hills and valleys where ,abraham had wandered and ,isaac and ,jacob had lived1 and which he had hoped for all his life2 and green fields1 and corn-fields1 and vineyards1 on to the great blue sea stretching out to the westward4 ,that was where his people were to live2 but there was a better home for ,moses4 ,nobody saw him any more after he went up into the mountain4 ,there he died1 and the ,lord buried him1 and no one knows of his grave--only the children of ,israel wept and mourned for him4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where had the ,israelites come8 #b4 ,who had led them8 #c4 ,but where was ,moses not to go8 #d4 ,but what did ,god allow him to see8 #e4 ,where was he to go8 #f4 ,what did ,god show him there8 #g4 ,what kind of place was it8 #h4 ,where had he brought the people from8 #i4 ,who was to lead them in8 #aj4 ,what was to happen to ,moses8 #aa4 ,did any one ever see him again8 #ab4 ,what does no one know8 #ac4 ,why do we think so much of ,moses8 #ad4 ,where did he speak with ,god8 #ae4 ,was he not the greatest man of all in the ,old ,testament8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,be strong and of good courage4--,joshua #a3f ,,after ,moses had gone out of sight on the mountain1 ,god ,himself told ,joshua that ,moses was dead1 and that he must lead the children of ,israel into the good land ,god had promised them4 ,moses had laid his hands on ,joshua's head1 and ,god's ,holy ,spirit had come to help him to see what was right1 and to lead the people4 ,he must be strong and brave1 and do all that ,god commanded1 and then he would be quite sure to be able to drive away all the strange people out of the land1 and to make a home for the people in the land that ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 had loved so well4 ,all the people promised they would do as ,joshua bade them4 ,so he was their captain instead of ,moses4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the old leader of the children of ,israel8 #b4 ,where had ,moses led them from8 #c4 ,where were they going8 #d4 ,where did ,moses go8 #e4 ,what became of ,moses on the mountain8 #f4 ,whom did ,god make captain instead of ,moses8 #g4 ,what did ,god tell ,joshua8 #h4 ,what did ,god promise him8 #i4 ,what is the way to be helped by ,god8 #aj4 ,what were the ,israelites to be helped to do8 #aa4 ,who were to be driven away8 #ab4 ,why did the children of ,israel wish to live in the land of ,canaan8 #ac4 ,what had ,god promised ,abraham8 #ad4 ,and does ,god always keep his promises8 ,illustration ,seventeenth ,sunday4 ,,israel ,,in ,,battle4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,ye go over ,jordan1 and dwell in the land which the ,lord your ,god giveth you4--,deut4 #ab3aj4 ,,after the children of ,israel had been forty years living in the wilderness1 ,god led them into the beautiful land ,he had promised them4 ,but before they could come in they had to get across a river--a deep river1 with rocks on each side1 and a stony bottom to it1 and the water running very fast indeed4 ,the name of the river was ,jordan4 ,there was no bridges to go over1 and no boat to row them across2 and not only all the strong men1 but all the women and little children1 had to get over it6 ,but nobody need be afraid when ,god is helping him4 ,god told them what to do4 ,the priests1 who were like clergymen to them1 were to take the ark--that is1 the chest where the two tables of the ,ten ,commandments were kept--and were to walk down into the river1 without being afraid4 ,and they were brave men2 they believed what ,god told them1 and went down into the swift stream in no fear of being drowned4 ,and behold1 as soon as their feet touched the water it stopped flowing1 and stood still4 ,no more water came down1 and all the hosts of the children of ,israel went straight over the bottom of the river with dry feet4 ,the priests stood up in the middle all the time the others were going over1 and when everyone was safe on the other side they came after them2 and by-and-by the river came rushing down again in its own place1 for it was ,god who had commanded it to stop short1 and make a dry place for ,his people to pass over4 ,and so they came into the land of ,canaan that ,he had promised them so long4 ,illustration3 ,,carrying ,,the ,,ark ,,over ,,jordan4--,josh4 #c3ag4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how long did the children of ,israel stay in the wilderness8 #b4 ,where were they going8 #c4 ,what had they to eat8 #d4 ,what had they to drink8 #e4 ,what had ,god given them on ,mount ,sinai8 #f4 ,what were the ,ten ,commandments written on8 #g4 ,where were the two stones put8 #h4 ,who carried this ark8 #i4 ,what had the ,israelites to go over8 #aj4 ,what was the name of the river8 #aa4 ,how do we cross rivers8 #ab4 ,but had they a bridge or a boat8 #ac4 ,who was taking care of them8 #ad4 ,what did ,god tell the priests to do8 #ae4 ,were the priests afraid to go into the river8 #af4 ,why not8 #ag4 ,what happened when the priest's feet touched the water8 ,illustration3 ,jericho ,,second ,,reading4 ,by faith the walls of ,jericho fell down4--,hebrews #aa3cj4 ,,after the ,israelites had come into the land of ,canaan1 there was a strong walled city before them1 and its name was ,jericho4 ,they could not go any further till they had taken the city4 ,but ,god was going to show that ,he fought for them4 ,so ,he told them not to fight1 but that every day1 for a whole week1 the priests should take the ,ark of the ,covenant on their shoulders and walk around the outside of the walls of the town4 ,illustration ,seven priests were to go in front1 blowing on trumpets made of rams' horns2 but nobody else was to make any noise4 ,so they did one day1 and nothing happened4 ,joshua bade them do it the next day4 ,perhaps some of the ,israelites wondered and were impatient1 but they had to go on the next day still2 and after that the ,ark was carried round once every day for a whole week4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,angel ,,appearing ,,to ,,joshua4--,josh4 #e3ac1 #ad4 ,on the seventh day1 ,joshua told the priests that ,god would have them go round not once but seven times4 ,and so they did2 and then1 at last1 on the seventh day1 ,joshua said1 ,shout4 ,the whole of the people shouted1 and the priests blew their trumpets1 and then--oh1 great wonders6--the walls of ,jericho fell down flat1 and the people went in and took the city4 ,so the ,lord fought for ,israel4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ,israelites now8 #b4 ,who was their leader8 #c4 ,what city were they come to8 #d4 ,what did they want to do8 #e4 ,were they to fight8 #f4 ,but what was to be carried round8 #g4 ,what was the ,ark8 #h4 ,what was in it8 #i4 ,who carried the ,ark8 #aj4 ,who went in front of them8 #aa4 ,how many days did they go on8 #ab4 ,how many times did they carry the ,ark round first8 #ac4 ,how often on the seventh day8 #ad4 ,what were the priests to do8 #ae4 ,what were the people to do8 #af4 ,what happened then8 #ag4 ,who had conquered ,jericho8 #ah4 ,what was ,god giving the ,israelites8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,as for me and my house1 we will serve the lord4--,joshua #bd3ae4 ,,this morning you heard how ,god gave the children of ,israel victory over ,jericho4 ,after that ,he gave them more victories4 ,none of the heathen people could stand before them4 ,they took their towns1 and drove the heathen out1 and had the fields and gardens and houses for their own4 ,then ,joshua was to divide the land among them1 and fix what cities each tribe should have for its own4 ,illustration3 ,,falling ,,of ,,the ,,walls ,,of ,,jericho4--,josh4 #f3bj4 ,all the chief men of each tribe came to him1 and the ,lord taught him how to fix the places for them to dwell in4 ,the children of the good ,joseph had the very best lot of all1 as his father ,jacob had wished4 ,it was just in the middle of the country1 and was full of beautiful corn land4 ,two tribes and a-half lived on the other side of the river ,jordan1 on the edge of the desert1 but where there was fine grass for their cattle4 ,the tribe of ,judah had a very hilly1 rocky part of the country2 but they loved it1 because it was where ,abraham had lived and now lay buried4 ,illustration3 ,,dividing ,,the ,,land ,,among ,,the ,,tribes4--,josh4 #ac3f1 #g4 ,illustration3 ,,joshua ,,capturing ,,the ,,city ,,of ,,ai4--,josh4 #h3ah1 #ai4 ,illustration3 ,,joshua ,,commanding ,,the ,,sun ,,to ,,stand ,,still4--,josh4 #aj3ab1 #ac4 ,and up all the hills they planted vines1 where fine large grapes grew2 and in the valleys were plenty of corn-fields4 ,all over the country1 people had each man his own house1 with his vine and his fig-tree to shelter it1 and olive-trees in his garden1 and a field to grow corn in1 and hill-sides near1 where he might keep his cows1 goats1 and sheep4 ,the rocks and the hollow trees were full of wild bees' nests2 so that indeed they found it1 as ,moses had told them1 a land of corn and wine--a land that flowed with milk and honey2 and they were very glad to be there1 and to rest after their long wandering in the wilderness4 ,after they had had a quiet rest1 their first sorrow came4 ,it was that their brave leader ,joshua had grown old1 and felt himself near his death4 ,so he called all the chief men together1 and told them over again how much ,god had done for them2 and that if they would serve ,him and keep ,his ,commandments1 all would go well with them4 ,as for me and my house1 he said1 we will serve the ,lord4 ,and all the people promised too4 ,they said they would serve the ,lord1 and would not go after other gods1 but would keep ,his ,commandments4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the children of ,israel now8 #b4 ,who had promised the land to them8 #c4 ,who was leading them8 #d4 ,whom did they drive out8 #e4 ,who had the country then8 #f4 ,how was it settled where they were to live8 #g4 ,who had the best part8 #h4 ,what had ,joseph done that was good8 #i4 ,who went beyond the ,jordan8 #aj4 ,what part did ,judah have8 #aa4 ,what grows there8 #ab4 ,what choice plants grew in the land8 #ac4 ,what sort of place had they been told it would be8 #ad4 ,who was grown old8 #ae4 ,what did ,joshua tell the ,israelites8 #af4 ,what was the way for them to be happy8 ,illustration3 ,,south-,,east ,,view ,,of ,,the ,,tabernacle4 ,eighteenth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,judges ,,of ,,israel4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor4--,judges #d3i4 ,,when the ,israelites had come to live in the beautiful land that ,god had promised them1 they ought to have loved and served ,him1 and thanked ,him for all ,his goodness4 ,but no6 ,they liked worshipping false gods2 and they made idols to pray to1 cut out of wood and stone2 and they learnt wicked ways4 ,then ,god was angry with them2 and ,he punished them by sending cruel nations to conquer them1 to burn their houses1 to steal their children1 and drive away their cattle4 ,then they would be sorry1 and pray to ,god again2 and ,he had pity1 and sent some brave man to defend them4 ,to-day we hear how sadly they were used by a fierce man named ,sisera1 who had nine hundred war chariots of iron to go into battle with4 ,his people used to shoot at the ,israelites at the wells when they came to draw water2 and nobody dared to go along the high-roads1 but only through the paths1 for fear of being killed4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how ought the ,israelites to have behaved8 #b4 ,what had ,god given them8 #c4 ,whom should they have worshipped8 #d4 ,but what did they worship8 #e4 ,how did ,god punish them8 #f4 ,what was the name of the cruel man who ill-used them8 #g4 ,how many chariots had ,sisera8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,the ,lord shall sell ,sisera into the hand of a woman4--,judges #d3i4 ,,at last ,god spake to a good brave woman named ,deborah1 and told her to send for a man named ,barak1 who should lead the ,israelites to fight with ,sisera4 ,she sent for ,barak1 and told him what ,god had said4 ,but ,barak was afraid to go alone4 ,he said he must have ,deborah with him4 ,he ought to have known that1 if ,god sent him1 he was sure to be safe and to succeed4 ,illustration3 ,,sisera ,,slain ,,by ,,jael4--,judges #d3bb4 ,deborah told him that since he wished it she would go with him1 but that the journey should not be to his honor1 for the ,lord would sell ,sisera into the hand of a woman4 ,and it turned out as ,deborah said4 ,barak won a great battle1 and drove the enemies away1 so that they did not hurt the children of ,israel again for forty years4 ,but he did not meet with ,sisera in the battle1 nor get the honor of killing him4 ,sisera fled out of the battle1 and was killed after all by a woman1 whose name was ,jael4 ,barak lost all the honor1 because he would not do just as he was told1 but was afraid without ,deborah1 just as if ,god could not help him better than ,deborah could4 ,this morning's lesson told how ,deborah and ,barak conquered the cruel ,sisera4 ,this evening's lesson is the song that ,deborah made to thank ,god for having given her the victory1 and saved ,his people4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the holy woman that ,god raised up8 #b4 ,for whom did ,deborah call8 #c4 ,what was ,barak to do8 #d4 ,who did ,barak say must come with him8 #e4 ,why was this wrong of ,barak8 #f4 ,what happened in the fight8 #g4 ,did ,barak kill ,sisera8 #h4 ,who did kill ,sisera8 #i4 ,why was not ,barak allowed to kill ,sisera8 #aj4 ,whom ought he to have trusted to8 #aa4 ,who will always help us if we are not afraid to do as we are told8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,they chose new gods2 then was war in the gates4--,judges #e3h4 ,,the ,israelites never kept long from sinning and setting up idols2 and1 by-and-by1 ,god let a set of robbers1 called ,midianites1 come in and burn their crops and houses1 drive away their cattle1 and steal their children for slaves4 ,then the ,israelites were sorry1 and prayed to ,god to save them4 ,and ,god had pity on them1 and sent ,his angel to a man named ,gideon1 to tell him that he was to fight for the ,israelites4 ,a great many men came to ,gideon2 but the ,israelites were to be shown that it was as easy for ,god to save them with few men as with many4 ,so ,he bade ,gideon send home all but three hundred men4 ,and ,gideon believed1 and sent them home1 and kept only the three hundred4 ,then at night he took these men1 and gave them each a trumpet1 and an earthen pitcher1 with a lamp inside the pitcher1 so that the light could not be seen4 ,he took a hundred with him1 and sent the other two hundreds another way1 creeping quietly along till they came to the place where the ,midianites had set up their tents1 and were all lying asleep among the cattle they had stolen4 ,illustration3 ,,gideon',s ,,offering ,,burnt ,,by ,,fire ,,from ,,the ,,rock4--,judges #f3ba4 ,there they lay1 and never heard ,gideon and his men coming till they were close to the camp1 the three parties on three sides4 ,then1 all of a sudden1 everyone of the ,israelites broke his pitcher and let his lamp shine1 and blew his trumpet1 and shouted1 ,the sword of the ,lord and of ,gideon6 ,the ,midianites were awakened out of their sleep to see the lamps on three sides of them in the dark1 and hear the trumpets and the cries4 ,they were very much frightened1 and quite wild with fear4 ,they all began to beat down one another1 for they did not know friends from enemies4 ,a great many were killed1 and the rest fled away1 leaving all that they had stolen behind them4 ,and so ,god delivered the ,israelites from the ,midianites by the hand of ,gideon1 and gave them peace again as long as they would serve the ,lord4 ,illustration3 ,,gideon',s ,,victory ,,over ,,the ,,midianites4--,judges #g3ai-ba4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what made the ,israelites meet with troubles8 #b4 ,whom ought they to have worshipped8 #c4 ,but whom did they worship8 #d4 ,what happened then8 #e4 ,who were the next people that ill-used them8 #f4 ,what did they do when they were punished8 #g4 ,whom did ,god send to save them8 #h4 ,how many men was ,gideon to have with him8 #i4 ,what did all the men carry8 #aj4 ,where did they go8 #aa4 ,into how many parties were they divided8 #ab4 ,what did the ,midianites hear8 #ac4 ,what did they see8 #ad4 ,what did they begin to do8 #ae4 ,what became of those that were not killed8 #af4 ,who had made ,gideon able to beat them with so few men8 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,jephthah ,,meeting ,,his ,,daughter4--,judges #aa3ce4 ,illustration3 ,,samson ,,slaying ,a ,,lion4--,judges #ad3f4 ,nineteenth ,sunday4 ,,samuel4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,samuel ministered before the ,lord1 being a child4--#a ,sam4 #b3ah4 ,illustration3 ,,young ,,samuel ,,brought ,,to ,,eli4 ,,there was a very good woman named ,hannah1 and she grieved because she had no children4 ,whenever she came with her husband to ,god's holy place1 she used to kneel1 and pray with all her heart to ,god that ,he would let her have a son2 and she promised that if she had one1 she would lend him to the ,lord all the days of his life4 ,at last ,god granted her prayer1 and gave her a little son1 and she named him ,samuel4 ,she was very glad when he was born1 and she thanked ,god1 and sang a hymn of praise for her dear little child4 ,but she had promised to lend him to the ,lord all his life2 and she kept her promise4 ,as soon as little ,samuel was old enough to be without her1 she took him to the holy place1 that was instead of a church1 and gave him to wait upon the ,lord4 ,he lived with the ,high ,priest1 whose name was ,eli1 and was taught by him4 ,eli was a very old man1 and his sons used to behave very badly2 but ,samuel was always good and obedient to him1 and used to wait upon him1 and help him when he served ,god in the holy place4 ,samuel wore a little white linen dress like the priests2 and when his mother came to see him1 she used to bring him a little coat4 ,she had five more children afterwards1 three sons and two daughters4 ,illustration3 ,,hannah',s ,,prayer4--#a ,sam4 #a3aa4 ,if you listen in the afternoon1 you will hear how ,god spoke to ,samuel whilst he was still a little boy2 and ,i am sure you like to think of the little child in his white dress1 ministering before ,god in ,his beautiful holy place4 ,but only think4 ,you can be like ,samuel4 ,your father and mother lent you to ,god for all your life1 when they took you to the font1 and made you ,god's child2 and though you live at home1 you go to church1 and can serve ,god there1 if you kneel and stand and sit quietly at the proper times1 mind the prayers1 and repeat the ,amens1 and the verses you know1 in their right places4 ,and if you are obedient1 and try to be good1 ,god will love you as ,he loved ,samuel4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the name of the woman we hear of to-day8 #b4 ,what did she wish for8 #c4 ,what did she do to obtain her wish8 #d4 ,what did ,god give her8 #e4 ,what was her son's name8 #f4 ,what did she promise8 #g4 ,where did ,hannah bring her little son8 #h4 ,who took care of ,samuel8 #i4 ,who was ,eli8 #aj4 ,how did ,samuel behave8 #aa4 ,what did ,samuel wear8 #ab4 ,what had ,samuel to do8 #ac4 ,when were you lent to ,god8 #ad4 ,whose child are you8 #ae4 ,how can you be like ,samuel when you go to church8 #af4 ,how can you be like him at home8 #ag4 ,who will bless you if you try to be good8 #ah4 ,what kind of children does ,god love8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,speak1 ,lord2 for ,thy servant heareth4--#a ,sam4 #c3i4 ,,hannah brought her little son ,samuel1 to be brought up in the holy place by the ,high ,priest ,eli4 ,samuel was very good and holy1 and ,god blessed him and loved him4 ,one night1 when everyone was gone to bed1 but the lamp in the holy place was not yet gone out1 ,samuel heard a voice calling to him1 ,samuel6 ,he sprang up at once1 for he thought that ,eli had called him1 and he ran to ,eli and said1 ,here ,i am1 for thou didst call me4 ,but ,eli answered1 ,i called not1 my son2 lie down again2 and ,samuel went back to his bed4 ,then again came the voice calling to him1 ,samuel6 and again he thought it was ,eli's call4 ,he was not lazy1 or fretful at being roused out of his sleep1 but he ran at once to ,eli1 and again said1 ,here ,i am1 for thou didst call me4 ,but ,eli sent him back to his bed again2 and there again he heard the call1 ,samuel6 ,patiently he once more rose and came to the old man1 but this time ,eli knew that it must have been no other than ,god's own voice speaking to the child4 ,so he bade ,samuel go back1 and next time he heard the voice1 to say1 ,speak1 ,lord2 for ,thy servant heareth4 ,and so ,samuel did4 ,again his name was called1 and he made answer1 ,speak2 for ,thy servant heareth4 ,and ,god spoke to him in the still night1 and told him to give ,eli a fresh warning of the sad things that were coming on him and on his sons4 ,samuel was forced to tell ,eli all in the morning1 sad and mournful as it was4 ,he was afraid and grieved to have such things to say1 but he told the truth1 and ,eli was too good a man to be angry with him1 and only said1 ,it is the ,lord3 let ,him do what seemeth ,him good4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,god ,,tells ,,samuel ,,of ,,destruction ,,of ,,eli',s ,,house4--#a ,sam4 #c3aa4 ,and1 after that1 ,god often made ,his will known to ,samuel1 and blessed him1 and all ,israel knew that ,samuel was ,god's own prophet4 ,think of the great honor and blessing of having ,god so often speaking to him6 ,but we have that blessing too4 ,god is nearer to a little ,christian child than ,he was to ,samuel2 for the ,holy ,spirit speaks in a ,christian child's heart1 and tells him to be good and dutiful1 and to think of ,god1 and say his prayers with all his heart4 ,and that is better than even being a prophet like ,samuel4 ,only we must take great care to attend to that voice2 or it will leave off1 and then we shall get worse and worse1 like those bad sons of poor old ,eli4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,samuel8 #b4 ,where was he brought up8 #c4 ,what did his mother bring him every year8 #d4 ,who was the ,high ,priest8 #e4 ,what did ,samuel hear8 #f4 ,who did he think was calling8 #g4 ,what did he do8 #h4 ,what did ,eli say8 #i4 ,how often did this happen8 #aj4 ,was ,samuel cross at being called so often8 #aa4 ,who was honoring him8 #ab4 ,what did ,eli perceive at last8 #ac4 ,what did he tell ,samuel to answer8 #ad4 ,what did he hear again8 #ae4 ,how did he answer8 #af4 ,what did the voice tell him8 #ag4 ,whose voice speaks to us8 #ah4 ,how does the ,holy ,spirit speak to us8 #ai4 ,what must we take care to do8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the ,ark of ,god is taken4--,samuel #d3ag4 ,,god helped the ,israelites again and again1 but they would not leave off their wickedness1 and at last ,he punished them still more4 ,there came up a nation to make war upon them1 fiercer than any before1 called the ,philistines4 ,then the ,israelites fancied that if they took the ,ark of the ,covenant out into the battle with them they would get the victory1 as they had done when ,joshua conquered the land4 ,but ,god had never bidden them take the ,ark4 ,he had commanded that it should stay in its place at ,shiloh4 ,they did not heed this1 but took it out into the camp1 and all the people shouted for joy when it was brought1 with the two priests1 ,hophni and ,phinehas1 ,eli's sons1 to take care of it4 ,when the ,philistines heard the shout1 they said that the gods of ,israel were come1 and that they must fight all the more bravely4 ,and they did4 ,god would not help ,his people because of their self-will1 so ,he let them be beaten by the ,philistines1 and ,hophni and ,phinehas were killed1 and the holy ,ark of ,god was taken by these heathens4 ,and when poor old ,eli1 the ,high ,priest1 heard the sad news1 he was so much shocked1 that he fell down backwards and broke his neck and died4 ,god still shewed ,his power1 for when the ,philistines put the ,ark into the temple of one of their false gods the idol fell down and was broken2 and wherever it was taken the people fell sick1 till at last they sent it back to the ,israelites3 but it never came back to ,shiloh4 ,it was hidden in a lonely house in the woods2 and the ,philistines were strong and the ,israelites were very weak and miserable1 because they had been so very disobedient4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,eli4--#a ,sam4 #d3ag1 #ah4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what people came to fight with the ,israelites8 #b4 ,why did ,god let any one hurt the ,israelites8 #c4 ,what did the ,israelites think would help them to fight8 #d4 ,what was in the ,ark of the ,covenant8 #e4 ,where was it kept8 #f4 ,ought they to have taken it8 #g4 ,why not8 #h4 ,why did they take it8 #i4 ,did it give them the victory8 #aj4 ,why not8 #aa4 ,who were killed8 #ab4 ,who was the father of ,hophni and ,phinehas8 #ac4 ,what happened to ,eli when he heard the ,ark was taken8 #ad4 ,why did ,god allow it to be taken8 #ae4 ,did it come back again8 #af4 ,why did not the ,philistines keep it8 #ag4 ,what happened to their idol8 #ah4 ,what happened to themselves8 #ai4 ,where had it been before8 #bj4 ,did it ever come back to ,shiloh8 #ba4 ,where was it kept8 ,twentieth ,sunday4 ,,king ,,saul4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,behold1 the ,lord hath set a king over you4--#a ,samuel #ab3ac4 ,,there was a young man named ,saul1 who was very tall and strong4 ,his father kept a number of asses2 for1 in the land of ,israel1 people rode on asses instead of horses4 ,one day all the asses were lost1 and ,saul and one of the servants went out to look for them4 ,they went a long1 long way1 and never found the asses2 and at night they came to a city1 and there they found ,samuel4 ,samuel was an old man now1 and grey-headed2 and he ruled over ,israel1 and everyone honored and loved him1 because he was so good and just4 ,saul was very much surprised when the great and good ,samuel met him1 and led him into the house1 and put him in the chief place1 and gave him a choice of meat that had been set apart for him4 ,saul could not think how ,samuel knew anything about him4 ,and he was still more surprised the next morning1 for then ,samuel came out of the city with him1 and sent the servant on before4 ,then ,samuel took some oil1 and poured it on ,saul's head1 which was what was called anointing1 and told him that ,god had chosen him to be king over all the people of ,israel4 ,was not this wonderful news for him8 ,and you see1 ,god had led him to ,samuel to be made king1 though he so little guessed what was going to happen when he set out to look for the asses4 ,and ,god still makes everything happen1 even the least thing2 it is all for our good1 even though we do not quite see why4 ,illustration3 ,,samuel ,,anointing ,,saul4--#a ,sam4 #aj3a4 ,so ,saul was the first ,king of ,israel2 but he was only to be prosperous as long as he would take care to obey ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the first ,king of ,israel8 #b4 ,did ,saul expect to be a king8 #c4 ,what did he set out from home to do8 #d4 ,where did he come8 #e4 ,who was in the city8 #f4 ,what did you hear about ,samuel last ,sunday8 #g4 ,what age was ,samuel now8 #h4 ,what did he give ,saul8 #i4 ,what surprised ,saul8 #aj4 ,what did ,samuel do to him the next day8 #aa4 ,what is anointing8 #ab4 ,what was he to be8 #ac4 ,but what must he do if he would get on well8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,there is no restraint to the ,lord to save by many or by few4--#a ,sam4 #ad3f4 ,,saul was the first king of ,israel4 ,but just at first1 when he was appointed king1 the people were in great distress2 for their enemies the ,philistines had overrun the whole land1 and held all the strong places1 and were very hard to the ,israelites4 ,they would not even let a smith live among the ,israelites1 that they might not be able to have swords or spears made to use in fighting1 and the ,israelites had to go into the ,philistines' country to get their axes and ploughshares made1 and to sharpen the goads1 or long sticks tipped with iron that they drove the oxen with4 ,,the ,,people ,,much ,,frightened4 ,nobody had a sword or spear but ,saul and his good son ,jonathan2 all the rest of the people had nothing better to fight with than axes and mattocks and goads1 and they were very much frightened1 and came trembling after their new king4 ,but ,jonathan trusted in ,god1 and he and one young man set out creeping along a rugged steep path to see what the enemy were about1 and by-and-by they came below the high rocky hill where the ,philistines were encamped4 ,one of the ,philistines looked out and said1 ,behold1 the ,hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves2 and he called out to ,jonathan1 ,come up to us1 and we will show you a thing4 ,now1 ,jonathan knew1 as he said to his friend1 that the ,lord can save as easily by few men as by many1 so he was not afraid2 and he and the other young man climbed up on their hands and knees till they came out among all the ,philistine soldiers4 ,then they began to fight at once1 and the ,philistines were so surprised at these two men beginning to fight with them1 that they most likely thought all the others were behind1 and they began to run away4 ,the people in ,saul's camp heard all the noise1 and went out to look1 and saw the ,philistines running away1 so they went after them1 and killed many1 and drove them out of the land1 and got free of them once more4 ,so ,god blessed and helped the good ,jonathan1 because he trusted in ,him2 and ,saul became a great king4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the first king of ,israel8 #b4 ,who made ,saul king8 #c4 ,who was ,saul's son8 #d4 ,who were the enemies of the ,israelites8 #e4 ,why would not the ,philistines let the ,israelites have any smiths8 #f4 ,what is a smith8 #g4 ,what tools does a smith make8 #h4 ,how did the ,israelites get their iron tools8 #i4 ,who were the only ones that had swords and spears8 #aj4 ,why were the people afraid8 #aa4 ,who crept out to see the ,philistines8 #ab4 ,what did ,jonathan know that ,god could do8 #ac4 ,where did he climb up8 #ad4 ,what happened8 #ae4 ,what became of the ,philistines8 #af4 ,who became king8 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,shoes4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,intreat me not to leave thee4--,ruth #a3af4 ,,one fine summer day1 a good man named ,boaz went out into his corn-fields where his reapers were cutting down the wheat4 ,the ,lord be with you1 he said4 ,the ,lord bless thee1 they answered4 ,then he saw a young woman gleaning1 whom he had never seen before4 ,illustration3 ,,ruth ,,and ,,naomi4--,ruth #a3af4 ,he asked who she was4 ,he heard that her name was ,ruth1 and she was a stranger and a widow4 ,then why had she come there8 ,because she could not bear to leave her husband's mother1 ,naomi1 alone in her old age4 ,she knew that if she kept with ,naomi she must be poor and forlorn1 and away from all her friends2 but she loved her mother-in-law so much1 that she said1 ,intreat me not to leave thee1 or to return from following after thee3 99 99 99 where thou lodgest1 ,i will lodge3 thy people shall be my people1 and thy ,god my ,god3 where thou diest1 will ,i die1 and there will ,i be buried4 ,when ,boaz knew that ,ruth was poor and a stranger1 he told his reapers to drop some handfuls of corn in her way2 and he told ,ruth to keep among his young maidens1 so that nobody might be rude to her1 and that she might rest and eat among them when they rested in the heat of the day4 ,illustration3 ,,ruth ,,gleaning ,,in ,,the ,,field ,,of ,,boaz4--,ruth #b3e4 ,ruth carried home plenty of corn to her mother-in-law4 ,and soon it was found out that ,boaz was their nearest friend2 and he married ,ruth1 and ,naomi lived with them2 and ,ruth was no longer poor and a stranger1 but was happy as a wife and mother in her beautiful home4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the name of the mother of whom we hear to-day8 #b4 ,whose mother was she8 #c4 ,but who was good to her8 #d4 ,what did ,ruth do for ,naomi8 #e4 ,where did she go to glean8 #f4 ,who saw her8 #g4 ,what did ,boaz bid his men do8 #h4 ,how did ,boaz speak to his men8 #i4 ,how did they answer8 #aj4 ,how was he kind to ,ruth8 #aa4 ,what did she find out8 #ab4 ,whom did ,ruth marry8 #ac4 ,what became of ,naomi8 #ad4 ,why was ,ruth so happy8 ,twenty-first ,sunday4 ,,the ,,reign ,,of ,,saul4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,because thou hast rejected the word of the ,lord1 ,he hath also rejected thee from being king4--#a ,samuel #ae3bc4 ,illustration ,,last ,sunday you heard how ,god chose ,saul to be king of ,israel1 and promised to help him if he would obey in all that ,god commanded him4 ,now1 there were some cruel robbers that lived in the mountains1 and used to fall upon peaceful people and kill them2 and take their cows and sheep and camels and asses1 and gold and silver1 and all they had4 ,so ,god sent a message by ,samuel to ,saul and his brave men1 to destroy these cruel people2 but ,god said that none of all their prey and riches1 that had been gained by such wicked ways1 was to be kept by ,his people2 it was all to be made away with2 they were to have none of it for themselves4 ,they won the battle1 and killed the robbers1 as they were sure to do when ,god helped them2 but then when they saw such fine cattle and choice things1 they would not obey ,god1 but went and took it all for themselves4 ,they left only the poor and mean that they did not care for1 and helped themselves to all they liked4 ,and then1 when ,samuel came to meet them1 ,saul made as if he had done just what he was told1 and said1 ,i have obeyed the voice of the ,lord4 ,but ,samuel said1 ,what meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears1 and the lowing of oxen which ,i hear8 ,saul wanted to make excuses2 but it was not the first time he had been disobedient2 and he was only frightened1 he was not really sorry2 so ,samuel was obliged to tell him1 ,because thou hast rejected the word of the ,lord1 ,he hath also rejected thee from being king4 ,illustration3 ,,saul ,,tearing ,,the ,,robe ,,of ,,samuel4--#a ,sam4 #ae3bg1 #bh4 ,saul would not do as he was told1 and so ,god punished him4 ,remember that4 ,your parents and teachers1 or nurses1 give you orders2 and you have to mind them exactly--not only to do what you like1 and miss out the rest4 ,saul did what he liked when he fought the robbers1 but he would not obey when he took the spoil4 ,then ,god was angry with him4 ,do not you be like him2 but obey when you do not like1 as well as when you do like4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is the ,fifth ,commandment8 #b4 ,what must we always do8 #c4 ,who did we hear of to-day who did not do as he was told8 #d4 ,what was ,saul told to do8 #e4 ,who told him8 #f4 ,who was ,samuel8 #g4 ,who was ,saul8 #h4 ,what was ,saul told not to do8 #i4 ,how far did he obey8 #aj4 ,in what did he disobey8 #aa4 ,why was it wrong of ,saul to keep the robbers' cattle and sheep8 #ab4 ,what did he say when ,samuel came8 #ac4 ,was this true8 #ad4 ,what did ,samuel hear that showed that this was false8 #ae4 ,whom had ,saul disobeyed8 #af4 ,how was ,saul to be punished8 #ag4 ,why was ,saul not to keep the kingdom8 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,anointed ,,by ,,samuel4--#a ,sam4 #af3aa1 #ab4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,i have found ,david my servant2 with my holy oil have ,i anointed him4--,psalm #hi3bj4 ,,the hills that lie above ,bethlehem have green slopes where the sheep feed4 ,there1 one day1 a flock was feeding1 and a boy with blue eyes and shining hair watched them1 and perhaps sung as he watched4 ,he was the youngest of eight brothers1 and all the rest had gone down to a great feast2 for ,samuel1 the great ,prophet1 was come to visit their father4 ,illustration3 ,samuel goeth to ,,bethlehem ,illustration3 ,the ,elders ,alarmed ,illustration3 ,are here all thy children8 ,illustration3 ,,he ,,keepeth ,,the ,,sheep ,but the youngest must stay out with the sheep4 ,no one would want him4 ,but see a messenger is coming up the hill4 ,he calls--,david is wanted4 ,the ,prophet has called for him4 ,so the boy is obedient1 and rises up1 to run down the hill at his father's call4 ,perhaps he stopped to wash his face in the clear well of ,bethlehem before he went up to the place of the feast1 the same place where ,boaz had brought his bride ,ruth1 for ,jesse1 ,david's father was ,ruth's grandson4 ,there stood the ,prophet1 with his long white hair flowing down2 and as soon as young ,david came in1 he stepped forward with a horn in his hand1 and sweet-smelling oil of olives mixed with incense was flowing upon ,david's golden hair4 ,he was the ,anointed of the ,lord4 ,in time to come he would be king1 but he must wait long and patiently first4 ,yes4 ,each of his seven brothers had passed before ,samuel--tall goodly men--but ,god had spoken to ,samuel1 and forbidden him to choose them2 for ,samuel could only see their fine handsome faces and figures1 but ,god looked at their hearts1 and knew they were proud men1 who would soon have been as fierce and headstrong as ,saul himself4 ,so he had sent ,samuel to choose the youngest and least thought-of of all ,jesse's sons1 and anoint him to be king of ,israel4 ,yes2 and above all1 to be the forefather of our ,blessed ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was sent to ,bethlehem8 #b4 ,who used to live at ,bethlehem8 #c4 ,what was ,samuel to do8 #d4 ,whose son was he to anoint8 #e4 ,what does anointing mean8 #f4 ,what was anointing to mark him for8 #g4 ,how many sons had ,jesse8 #h4 ,how many came to the feast8 #i4 ,which did not come8 #aj4 ,where was ,david8 #aa4 ,were his brothers anointed8 #ab4 ,why not8 #ac4 ,who saw their hearts8 #ad4 ,who was sent for8 #ae4 ,what did ,samuel do8 #af4 ,why was ,saul to be punished8 #ag4 ,why was ,david chosen8 #ah4 ,was he to begin to reign at once8 #ai4 ,how was he to wait8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i come to thee in the name of the ,lord of hosts1 the ,god of the armies of ,israel4--#a ,samuel #ag3de4 ,,though ,king ,saul had beaten the ,philistines1 still they used to come back again and try to conquer the ,israelites4 ,once they came with an army1 and ,saul had an army too4 ,the ,israelites were on one hill and the ,philistines on another hill1 and there was a valley between4 ,then out in front of the ,philistines' camp came a giant named ,goliath2 for there really were giants then1 and ,goliath had three brothers as tall as himself4 ,goliath was nearly twice as tall as any man we ever saw1 and he had a helmet on his head1 and armour on his breast1 and an enormous spear1 and a shield1 and a man carried a shield before him4 ,he stood out1 and called to know if any ,israelite would fight with him4 ,then if ,goliath conquered the ,israelite1 the ,philistines should be the lords over the ,israelites2 but if an ,israelite conquered ,goliath1 then the ,israelites should be lords over the ,philistines4 ,but nobody felt bold or strong enough to go out to fight with this great man2 and day after day he came and walked up and down1 and laughed the ,israelites to scorn for not daring to come out1 they who called themselves the servants of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,slaying ,,goliath4--#a ,sam4 #ag3ej1 #ea4 ,at last a young shepherd boy came to the camp4 ,he had three brothers among ,saul's soldiers1 and his father had sent him to take them some loaves of bread1 and see how they were4 ,the shepherd boy's name was ,david4 ,when he came he saw the proud ,goliath walking up and down boasting against the ,israelites2 he asked the soldiers about him1 and was so eager that at last they brought him to the king2 and ,saul asked him how it was that he1 who was only a youth1 could dare to think of fighting with a man of war like ,goliath4 ,david answered that when he was keeping his flocks a lion and a bear had come and tried to take away a lamb4 ,and ,god had made him strong to kill both the lion and the bear1 and saved him from danger2 and he trusted that in like manner ,god would help him if he fought with the giant4 ,so ,saul wanted to dress ,david in his own armour1 but it was too large for him1 and he would not use it4 ,all he did was to choose five smooth stones out of the brook1 and put them into his shepherd's bag4 ,and he took his sling1 a long strip of leather1 the ends of which he used to hold in his hand to throw stones farther with1 when he wanted to drive beasts away from his flock4 ,and with only his sling and his stone he went out to meet the giant4 ,illustration3 ,,saul ,,casting ,,his ,,javelin ,,at ,,david4--#a ,sam4 #ai3i1 #aj4 ,goliath was fierce and angry when he saw such a boy1 and he thought it was only laughing at him to send no better warrior to fight with him4 ,but ,david said1 ,thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear and with a shield3 but ,i come to thee in the name of the ,lord of hosts1 99 99 99 whom thou hast defied4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,parting ,,of ,,david ,,and ,,jonathan4--#a ,sam4 #bj3db4 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,and ,,abigail4--#a ,sam4 #be3cb1 #cc4 ,then ,david took one of his stones and slung it out of his sling4 ,it struck the very middle of the giant's forehead1 and went deep in1 and down fell ,goliath4 ,all his great strength was of no use to him1 and ,david ran and stood upon him1 and drew out his great sword from his side1 and cut off his head4 ,all the other ,philistines fled away1 and ,david gave thanks to ,god for his great victory4 ,by-and-by ,david came to be king instead of ,saul2 and he loved ,god1 and trusted in ,him so faithfully that ,god ,himself called him a man after ,his own heart4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were the enemies of the ,israelites8 #b4 ,who was the giant8 #c4 ,what is a giant8 #d4 ,what did ,goliath wear8 #e4 ,what did he call the ,israelites to do8 #f4 ,who was the only one that would come out to fight8 #g4 ,what was ,david8 #h4 ,why was not ,david afraid8 #i4 ,what had ,david killed before8 #aj4 ,what did ,david take with him8 #aa4 ,what was a sling8 #ab4 ,what did ,david say8 #ac4 ,who helped ,david8 #ad4 ,how did ,david attack ,goliath8 #ae4 ,what happened to ,goliath8 #af4 ,what did ,david do to him then8 #ag4 ,what became of the other ,philistines8 #ah4 ,what did ,david come to be8 #ai4 ,what did ,god call ,david8 #bj4 ,why did ,god love ,david8 ,illustration ,twenty-second ,sunday4 ,,king ,,david ,,reigning4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,how are the mighty fallen6--#b ,samuel #a3ai4 ,illustration ,,the last thing that has to be told about ,saul is very sad4 ,you know he would not do as ,god bade him1 but chose to go his own way4 ,then ,god forsook him1 and left him to grow worse and worse4 ,then his enemies1 the ,philistines1 came up against him1 and his army came together on the hills to meet them4 ,but ,god was not with ,saul1 so his men could not fight1 and he was beaten back step by step up into his own hills1 close to his home2 and there1 when he found he could go no further1 and that the ,philistines would soon be upon him1 he did the saddest thing of all--he threw himself on his own sword1 that they might not take him alive4 ,he did not quite kill himself2 and when a young robber came by1 trying to get garments and weapons from the dead bodies1 the unhappy king begged for a death-blow as he lay4 ,the robber gave him the last stroke1 and then took the crown from his helmet1 and his bracelets1 and brought them to ,david1 to show that he was dead4 ,the robber thought he should have a reward1 but ,david put him to death for having dared to strike the king3 and ,david grieved and mourned for ,saul1 who had been a great and noble king once4 ,but he had come to this miserable end because he would have his own way and will4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,saul4--#a ,sam4 #ca3d4 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,anointed ,,king ,,over ,,israel4--#b ,sam4 #b3d4 ,then1 when ,saul was killed1 ,david was anointed to be king2 and he was a very good man1 and served ,god with all his heart4 ,so ,god blessed him1 and made him great and powerful4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,saul8 #b4 ,what was ,saul's fault8 #c4 ,who came out to fight against ,saul8 #d4 ,where was he driven8 #e4 ,who came after him8 #f4 ,what dreadful thing did he do8 #g4 ,who killed him entirely8 #h4 ,what did the robber take8 #i4 ,to whom did he carry ,saul's crown8 #aj4 ,what did ,david do to him8 #aa4 ,why8 #ab4 ,who was to be king now8 #ac4 ,why did ,saul come to such an end8 #ad4 ,whose way should he have followed8 #ae4 ,can anyone go on well who is self-willed8 #af4 ,who was king after ,saul8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,i shall go to him1 but he shall not return to me4--#b ,samuel #ab3bc4 ,,king ,david had a little son1 a baby1 whom he loved very much2 and this child fell sick4 ,while it was sick ,king ,david grieved for it1 and prayed that it might be made well4 ,but it was not ,god's will to make the little boy well1 and he died4 ,and then ,david was patient1 and knew it was ,god's will2 and he said1 ,i shall go to him1 but he shall not return to me4 ,for ,david meant that one day he should die1 and then his soul would go to be with his little son's soul in the happy place of rest2 and by-and-by their bodies will rise again out of their graves1 and be joined to their souls again1 and live for ever and ever4 ,king ,david used to sing the ,psalms to praise ,god2 indeed1 he first made most of them2 and in one he says1 ,my flesh also shall rest in hope4 ,that was1 the hope that he should rise again from the dead1 and always live in ,god's holy home in heaven4 ,heaven is the happy place where we all hope to meet and live by-and-by1 and that is the comfort that good ,christians have when death takes away friends whom they love4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was ,david's sorrow8 #b4 ,what did he do when his little boy was ill8 #c4 ,did the little boy get better8 #d4 ,what became of him8 #e4 ,how did ,david bear his death8 #f4 ,what did he say8 #g4 ,where did he hope to go to his little son8 #h4 ,when would his soul go to his child's soul8 #i4 ,when will their bodies rise8 #aj4 ,what does ,david say of his flesh8 #aa4 ,what is his flesh8 #ab4 ,what hope does he rest in8 #ac4 ,when will our flesh rest8 #ad4 ,what do we hope to do8 #ae4 ,where in the ,belief do you say we hope to rise from the dead8 #af4 ,what people will be happy then8 #ag4 ,what are ,david's songs called8 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,mourns ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,his ,,child4--#b ,sam4 #ab3ah4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,o my son ,absalom1 ,o ,absalom1 my son1 my son6--#b ,samuel #ai3d4 ,,good ,king ,david had more sons besides the little one who died4 ,one was named ,absalom4 ,he was a very fine1 handsome young man1 and had most beautiful hair2 but he was fierce and proud1 and wanted to be king4 ,and when ,david was old1 this wicked ,absalom gathered men together1 and drove his father away1 that he might be king instead4 ,good ,king ,david had to go away1 weeping and barefoot1 down the steep rocky pass1 for fear of his wicked son2 and cruel men called him names1 and threw stones at him as he went1 while ,absalom was made to reign in his father's palace1 and did all he pleased there4 ,but ,god will not let wicked men prosper2 and all ,david's faithful old soldiers came together to help him4 ,they had a great battle with ,absalom and his men2 and ,absalom was beaten1 and fled away on a mule4 ,illustration3 ,,shimei ,,casting ,,stones ,,at ,,david4--#b ,sam4 #af3e1 #f4 ,but when he came into a wood1 his thick hair was caught in an oak tree1 and he could not get it loose2 and his mule went away1 and left him still with his hair caught in the tree4 ,now1 though ,absalom had been so wicked1 his father loved him still1 and had begged all his men to take care not to hurt the young man ,absalom4 ,so when one of the men saw ,absalom caught by the hair in a tree he would not hurt him1 and only went and told ,absalom's cousin1 ,joab1 who was the captain of ,david's army4 ,illustration3 ,,absalom ,joab had no pity2 he thought ,absalom richly deserved to die1 and he was afraid the king would pardon him2 so he went at once1 with three darts in his hand1 and killed ,absalom as he hung in the tree4 ,king ,david was grieved to the heart4 ,no words can say how sad he was to think that his son had died in his sin1 and never asked his pardon4 ,he wept1 and cried aloud1 ,o my son ,absalom1 my son1 my son ,absalom6 would ,god ,i had died for thee1 ,o ,absalom1 my son1 my son6 ,it was not like his grief for the innocent little baby he had lost before2 for ,absalom had been a bad man1 and for that there is no comfort4 ,and when all the people came joyfully to bring ,king ,david home to his palace1 to be king again1 still his heart mourned for his son ,absalom4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,absalom4--#b ,sam4 #ah3i4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is the ,fifth ,commandment8 #b4 ,do you hear of any one to-day who broke the ,fifth ,commandment8 #c4 ,how did ,absalom break it8 #d4 ,who was ,absalom's father8 #e4 ,how had ,david to go away8 #f4 ,what did cruel men do8 #g4 ,who came to help ,david8 #h4 ,what did he charge them8 #i4 ,who won the battle8 #aj4 ,what happened to ,absalom8 #aa4 ,who saw him there8 #ab4 ,whom did the man tell8 #ac4 ,why did ,joab kill ,absalom8 #ad4 ,did ,absalom deserve it8 #ae4 ,how did his father behave8 #af4 ,what did he cry out8 #ag4 ,why was he more sorry than for his baby son8 #ah4 ,what is sadder than even dying8 #ai4 ,how should you behave to your parents8 ,twenty-third ,sunday4 ,,preparing ,,for ,,the ,,temple4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,nay2 but ,i will surely buy it of thee at a price4--#b ,samuel #bd3bd4 ,,when ,david was king his people did wrong again2 and there came a plague upon them1 so that a great number of them died all through the land of ,israel4 ,david and his priests1 and all the good men1 fasted and prayed1 and entreated that ,god would turn ,his anger away4 ,and while they were praying1 ,david saw the ,destroying ,angel standing with his drawn sword over ,jerusalem2 but the plague had not begun there4 ,then ,david prayed the more2 and ,god made known to him that he must offer up a sacrifice on the threshing-floor of ,ornan1 just by ,jerusalem1 and then the plague should be stopped4 ,a threshing-floor was a flat rocky place on the top of a hill1 where the sheaves of corn were laid out1 and oxen drew boards1 with the under side covered with spikes1 to knock the grain out of the ears4 ,oman's threshing-floor was upon ,mount ,moriah1 where ,isaac had been so nearly sacrificed4 ,he was threshing wheat on it when ,david came and desired to buy it for the sacrifice4 ,ornan was a good man1 and said he would give the whole place to the king4 ,but ,david said1 ,i will not offer unto my ,god of that which doth cost me nothing4 ,so he bought the place of ,ornan1 the oxen1 and the threshing tools2 and the sacrifice was made to show that death must be for sin4 ,then ,god pardoned ,israel1 and the plague was stopped4 ,we should remember that our offerings to ,god are only worthy if they cost us something4 ,he does not want the things themselves1 but ,he does value the love that gives them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is a threshing-floor8 #b4 ,whose threshing-floor have we heard of8 #c4 ,where was it8 #d4 ,what had happened on ,mount ,moriah8 #e4 ,whose son was ,isaac8 #f4 ,was he sacrificed8 #g4 ,why not8 #h4 ,what town was near8 #i4 ,who bought the threshing-floor8 #aj4 ,why8 #aa4 ,what is a plague8 #ab4 ,why was the plague sent8 #ac4 ,what did ,david see8 #ad4 ,what was he bidden to do8 #ae4 ,what did ,ornan want to do8 #af4 ,what did ,david say8 #ag4 ,so what ought we to give to ,god8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,king ,,said ,i ,,dwell ,,in ,a ,,house ,,of ,,cedar ,,but ,,the ,,ark ,,of ,,god ,,dwelleth ,,within ,,curtains4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,bringing ,,up ,,of ,,the ,,ark ,,second ,,reading4 ,his seed also will ,i make to endure for ever4--,psalm #hi3bi ,,you know the two ,tables of the ,commandments were kept in the ,ark of the ,covenant2 and when the ,israelites were going about in the wilderness1 they had a beautiful tent to keep it in4 ,but now they had come into the ,land of ,promise1 and had no more journeys to make1 ,david wished to build a house1 or temple1 where the ,ark might be kept1 and to make it beautiful for the glory of ,god4 ,but the ,lord had sent a prophet to tell ,david that he must not himself build a house for ,god1 because he had been a man of war1 and had fought1 and shed much blood2 but that his son ,solomon should be a man of rest1 and should build the ,temple for the ,lord4 ,david did not repine4 ,he thanked ,god for giving him the hope that his son should do this great work2 and all the rest of his life he was busy getting together gold and silver1 brass and iron1 and beautiful cedar wood1 all for the ,temple of his ,god4 ,it was to be built on ,mount ,moriah1 on the threshing-floor he had bought of ,ornan1 just by the city of ,jerusalem1 which ,david had conquered from the ,jebusites1 and made the capital of his kingdom4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was kept in the ,ark of the ,covenant8 #b4 ,where was the ,ark kept at first8 #c4 ,what did ,david want to build8 #d4 ,why was ,david not allowed to build a temple8 #e4 ,did he fret and grieve at being forbidden8 #f4 ,who was to build the ,temple8 #g4 ,what did ,david get ready8 #h4 ,where was the ,temple to be8 #i4 ,when had he bought it of ,ornan8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,all things come to ,thee1 and of ,thine own have we given ,thee4--#a ,chronicles #bi3ad4 ,,david had grown to be a very old man1 near to his death2 but1 before he died1 he called all the princes of his people together at ,jerusalem1 and asked them all to bring offerings to help to build a beautiful house1 to be a ,temple to the ,lord their ,god4 ,so all the people brought what precious things they could1 to add to what the king had prepared2 and a great quantity was ready--all willingly offered4 ,illustration3 ,,david',s ,,three ,,mighty ,,men4--#b ,sam4 #bc3af1 #ag4 ,then good ,king ,david stood up and made his offering4 ,all things come of ,thee1 he said1 and of ,thine own have we given ,thee4 ,and he thanked and blessed the ,lord ,god1 who had been with him all his life2 and he blessed his people ,israel1 and showed them his son ,solomon1 who was to reign after him2 and he gave ,solomon a charge to build the ,temple of the ,lord1 and bade them all serve the ,lord with all their might4 ,and the crown was set on ,solomon's head1 and he was king2 and ,david died at a good old age4 ,he was the shepherd boy who came to be a king1 and who first sung so many of the beautiful ,psalms that are still our best words for praising ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,solomon ,,anointed ,,king4--#a ,kings #a3ci4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,david8 #b4 ,who was his son8 #c4 ,what was ,solomon to do8 #d4 ,what had ,david got ready for ,solomon8 #e4 ,what did he ask his princes to bring8 #g4 ,what for8 #h4 ,when did ,david meet all his people8 #i4 ,who was to be king8 #aj4 ,why was ,david glad8 #aa4 ,what did he say to ,god8 #ab4 ,whose are all things8 #ac4 ,what charge did ,david give8 #ad4 ,what had ,david been before he was king8 #ae4 ,what did ,david write8 #af4 ,what are the ,psalms8 ,twenty-fourth ,sunday4 ,,solomon ,,in ,,all ,,his ,,glory4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,thine1 ,o ,lord1 is the greatness1 and the power1 and the glory1 and the victory1 and the majesty4--#a ,chron4 #bi3aa4 ,illustration3 ,solomon4 ,,the last thing ,king ,david did was to have his son1 young ,solomon1 anointed to reign1 and then to show him to the people1 and charge them to help him build the ,temple for the ,lord ,god4 ,for he said ,solomon was still very young1 and the work was very great2 so he begged the people of the tribes to bring their offerings2 and so they did4 ,they brought gold1 silver1 brass1 iron1 and beautiful stones1 or the wood of oaks and cedars1 according to what they had or could give2 and when ,david saw it he was very happy and glad1 and offered it up to ,god1 and prayed that ,god would give unto his son ,solomon a perfect heart1 that he might serve ,god and keep ,his laws4 ,then there was a great feast all round ,mount ,sion1 all the people eating1 and drinking1 and rejoicing1 and praising ,god1 who had delivered them from all their enemies4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,david ask of his people8 #b4 ,what did they bring him8 #c4 ,what were all these things for8 #d4 ,who was to build the ,temple8 #e4 ,why was not ,david himself allowed to build it8 #f4 ,yet what did he get together for it8 #g4 ,why was he happy8 #h4 ,what did he ask ,god8 #i4 ,what great rejoicing was there8 #aj4 ,why was everything happy now with the nation8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,give me now wisdom and knowledge4--#b ,chron4 #a3aj4 ,,when ,king ,david died1 ,solomon was still almost a boy4 ,but ,god spake to him in a dream by night1 and said1 ,ask what ,i shall give thee4 ,then ,solomon said he was but young1 and knew not how to rule over this great people that ,god had given him2 and therefore he prayed1 above all1 that ,god would give him a wise and understanding heart4 ,and ,god was pleased with ,solomon's choice1 and said that because he had cared for wisdom most1 and had not asked for riches1 or long life1 or to put down his enemies1 that therefore1 besides wisdom1 ,god would give him all the rest--riches1 and honor1 and length of life--and he should be wiser1 and greater1 and richer1 than any king ever was before him1 or should be after him4 ,all this was because he had cared so much to have a wise and understanding heart to know good and evil4 ,that was first with him1 and so ,god gave him all the rest4 ,so it will be with all those who seek first of all to be good4 ,god does not make us wise all at once like ,solomon1 but if we care about it1 ,he will help us to get wise by little and little if we really try1 and then ,he will bless all we do4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,solomon8 #b4 ,whose son was he8 #c4 ,what was he king of8 #d4 ,how old was he when he began to be king8 #e4 ,what did ,god say to him at night8 #f4 ,what did ,solomon wish for most8 #g4 ,what did ,god give him besides8 #h4 ,why did ,god give him all these things when he did not ask for them8 #i4 ,what should we care about most8 #aj4 ,what will ,god do for us if we care most about goodness8 #aa4 ,how will ,he help us to get wise8 #ab4 ,but what must we do ourselves8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,judgment ,,of ,,solomon4--#a ,kings #c3bf1 #bg4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the wisdom of ,god was in him1 to do judgment4--#a ,kings #c3bh4 ,,here is a story to show how wise and clever ,king ,solomon was4 ,one day when he was sitting on his throne two women came to him3 one with a live baby1 the other with a dead one1 both boys1 and just of the same age4 ,they said they had been living alone together in the same house1 each with her little baby1 till one night one of the women rolled over her child in her sleep and smothered it1 so that she found it was dead4 ,but each woman said it was not her baby but the other's that was dead1 and that the mother of the dead one had put the little corpse down by the other sleeping woman1 and taken her living child out of her bosom to herself4 ,how was it to be known which was right8--for nobody out of the house knew the two little ones apart1 and each of the women declared that she was the mother of the live child1 not of the dead4 ,so they came to the king to judge between them4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,building ,,of ,,solomon',s ,,temple4--#a ,kings #f3aa-ad4 ,and what plan could ,solomon take to find out the truth8 ,he sent for the executioner1 with a sword1 and said that as the women could not agree1 both the children should be cut in two1 and each woman should have the two halves4 ,one woman was content to have it so1 but the other only cried out in grief and dread1 ,o my lord1 give her the living child1 and in no wise slay it4 ,then ,solomon saw in a moment which was full of mother's love1 and which was full of hatred and jealousy2 so he said1 ,give her the living child1 and in no wise slay it3 she is the mother thereof4 ,and so the true loving mother had her child safe and well1 and the other was disappointed in her spite4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,solomon8 #b4 ,who came before him8 #h4 ,what had happened to one baby8 #d4 ,what did both the women say8 #e4 ,what had ,solomon to decide8 #f4 ,what did he command8 #g4 ,did he really mean to kill the child8 #h4 ,but what did he want to find out8 #i4 ,what did one woman say8 #aj4 ,what did the other woman say8 #aa4 ,which was the real mother8 #ab4 ,what did ,solomon command8 #ac4 ,would not the loving mother rather give the child away than have it killed8 ,illustration ,twenty-fifth ,sunday4 ,,solomon',s ,,fall4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,all the earth sought to ,solomon1 to hear his wisdom1 which ,god had put in his heart4--#a ,kings #aj3bd4 ,,king ,solomon was the greatest king in wisdom and riches who ever lived4 ,he had an ivory throne with golden lions standing on the steps1 and a beautiful house lined with sweet cedar-wood4 ,he sent ships which brought home gold and silver1 and apes and peacocks2 and it was said that gold was as common as silver generally is1 and silver as common as stones6 ,all people honored him1 and the ,queen of ,sheba came from her far-off country to see him1 because of the fame of his greatness4 ,and when she saw him she was quite overcome1 and said that all she heard was not half so grand and glorious as what she saw4 ,very happy1 she said1 were the people who stood round him and heard the words of his wisdom4 ,we have the words of his wisdom in the ,book of ,proverbs in the ,bible1 for his wisdom came from ,god4 ,and though we shall never see his purple robes or his gold and silver1 do you know what our blessed ,saviour said8--,consider the lilies of the field1 how they grow2 they toil not1 neither do they spin3 and yet ,i say unto you1 that even ,solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,sheba ,,visiting ,,solomon4--#a ,kings #aj3f-aj4 ,the least little flower1 if you look well into it1 is more beautiful than anything ,king ,solomon ever wore1 for ,god made it2 and he could only put things together that were made already4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,why was ,solomon so rich8 #b4 ,whose son was he8 #c4 ,what had he built8 #d4 ,when he had built the ,house of ,god what did he build8 #e4 ,what sort of throne had he8 #f4 ,what were the steps8 #g4 ,who came to see him8 #h4 ,what did she say of him8 #i4 ,where have we got his wisdom8 #aj4 ,what do we call it8 #aa4 ,what did our blessed ,saviour say about him8 #ab4 ,what have we got which are more beautiful than ,solomon's robes8 #ac4 ,why are flowers more beautiful than ,solomon's robes8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,then will ,i visit their transgression with the rod1 and their iniquity with stripes4--,psalm #hi3cb4 ,,it is very sad to say that as ,solomon grew old he left off being good4 ,he married a great many wives1 and brought them from the heathen nations round2 and he did not teach them to worship the true ,god1 but let them worship each in her own way4 ,illustration3 ,,idolatry ,,of ,,solomon4--#a ,kings #aa3d4 ,so1 out in his gardens1 one lady had her idol to the moon1 and another had hers to the dreadful idol ,milcom1 and so on2 and though ,solomon knew so much better1 even he was persuaded to come and pay honor to these idols1 just to please these women--he1 the son of ,david1 whom ,god had blessed so much4 ,and what the king did the people were sure to do4 ,so ,god spake to ,solomon1 and told him that since he had fallen away from the right way1 he must be punished1 and that ten out of the twelve tribes would be taken away and not belong to his kingdom4 ,illustration3 ,,revolt ,,of ,,the ,,tribes4--#a ,kings #ab3af1 #ag4 ,it was not to happen in his own time1 but in his son's time1 but it must have been very sad to him to know that his beautiful kingdom and great power were to be so lessened1 and that his son ,rehoboam was a very foolish young man1 who would spoil everything4 ,but he was not to lose all1 only part1 for the sake of the holy ,king ,david1 to whom ,god had promised that his throne should last for ever4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what wrong did ,solomon do8 #b4 ,where did his wives come from8 #c4 ,what did they want to worship8 #d4 ,did ,solomon let them8 #e4 ,what did he do himself8 #f4 ,why was this wrong8 #g4 ,what is the ,first ,commandment8 #h4 ,what did ,god tell ,solomon8 #i4 ,how was he to be punished8 #aj4 ,how many tribes were to be lost8 #aa4 ,how many were to be kept8 #ab4 ,why were any to be left8 #ac4 ,what had ,god promised ,david8 #ad4 ,in whose time was the trouble to come8 #ae4 ,what was the name of ,solomon's son8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i will take the kingdom out of his son's hand4--#a ,kings #aa3ce4 ,,there was a strong brave man of the tribe of ,ephraim1 named ,jeroboam1 and ,god sent his prophet to speak to him4 ,jeroboam had a new mantle on1 and the prophet took it and tore it into twelve pieces1 and gave ,jeroboam ten of them4 ,then the prophet said this was to show how ,god was going to tear away ten tribes from ,rehoboam1 the grandson of ,david1 and give them to ,jeroboam1 because ,solomon was bringing idols in to be worshipped4 ,and he told ,jeroboam that all should go well with him1 and he would be a great king1 and his sons after him1 if he would go on serving the ,lord1 and the ,lord only1 and would keep from idols4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was to be taken from ,solomon's son8 #b4 ,what was the name of ,solomon's son8 #c4 ,who was to have the tribes8 #d4 ,who told ,jeroboam so8 #e4 ,what sign did the prophet give8 #f4 ,what was torn8 #g4 ,of how many tribes would ,rehoboam be king8 #h4 ,of how many would ,jeroboam be king8 #i4 ,why were any taken from ,rehoboam8 #aj4 ,why were any left8 #aa4 ,what does the ,second ,commandment say8 #ab4 ,how long would ,jeroboam go on well8 ,illustration ,twenty-sixth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,israel4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,this thing became a sin4--#a ,kings #ab3cj4 ,,solomon',s son was named ,rehoboam4 ,he was foolish and hasty2 and when his father's wise old men gave him good advice he would not listen to them1 but only cared for his young friends1 who were as foolish as himself4 ,so when the ,israelites came to him to ask him not to be hard upon them1 and make them bring him so much corn and so many sheep1 the old men told him to answer them kindly and gently1 but the young men said he had better be fierce and sharp4 ,so he followed the young men's advice1 and made a very unkind answer4 ,this made them all so angry that they said they would not have him for their king any longer2 but they took ,jeroboam1 a brave strong man of the tribe of ,ephraim1 and made him their king4 ,only two tribes still held steady to ,rehoboam4 ,these were the tribes of ,judah and ,benjamin4 ,god left him these1 because of the promise that ,king ,david's sons should go on sitting on his throne4 ,but ten of the tribes had made ,jeroboam their king2 so that now there were two kingdoms--a large one called ,israel1 and a small one called ,judah4 ,this was because ,solomon had let his heart turn away from ,god1 and had not taken pains to keep his people holy1 but had cared more for riches1 and power1 and glory4 ,but ,jeroboam did not take pains to serve ,god4 ,he set up two calves1 made of gold1 for the ,israelites to worship1 instead of going to the ,temple4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,solomon8 #b4 ,who was his son8 #c4 ,whom did ,rehoboam like best8 #d4 ,what did his people ask8 #e4 ,what did the old men advise8 #f4 ,what did the young men advise8 #g4 ,whose advice did he take8 #h4 ,what answer did he give8 #i4 ,what did the ,israelites do8 #aj4 ,whom did they make their king8 #aa4 ,how many kingdoms were there8 #ac4 ,how many tribes made up ,israel8 #ad4 ,who was king of ,judah8 #ae4 ,who was king of ,israel8 #af4 ,why did not ,rehoboam lose all8 #ag4 ,what had ,god promised ,david8 #ah4 ,why did ,rehoboam lose any8 #ai4 ,what foolish answer did he make8 #bj4 ,what idols did he set up8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,i may not return with thee1 nor go in with thee4--#a ,kings #ac3af4 ,,it is a sad story that you hear to-day4 ,there was a man who was called a prophet1 because ,god spoke to him1 and used to send him to declare ,his will to the people4 ,once ,god called this prophet1 and told him to go to a place called ,bethel1 where the wicked king of ,israel1 ,jeroboam1 had set up a golden idol in the shape of a calf1 and was teaching the people to pray to it1 instead of going to the ,temple at ,jerusalem to worship4 ,he was to tell the king of his sin1 and how his idol should be overthrown and destroyed2 and when he had done this1 he was to come home at once1 by a different way1 and neither eat bread nor drink water1 but come quickly back4 ,the prophet went to ,bethel1 and he spoke ,god's words to the king boldly2 and when the king put out his hand to strike him ,god struck the hand1 so that ,jeroboam could not draw it back till the prophet prayed for him4 ,then ,jeroboam felt ,god's power1 and wanted the prophet to come to his palace with him4 ,but the prophet said no2 for ,god had commanded him to go home at once1 without eating or drinking in that wicked place4 ,so he set off4 ,he had so far done well2 but before he had gone all the way he grew tired1 and he sat down under an oak4 ,it was a great pity that he delayed1 for there was a bad man coming after him with a lie upon his lips4 ,this man told the prophet that ,god had said he was to come back and eat and drink2 and ,i am grieved to say the prophet listened1 and turned back4 ,he ought to have known that ,god would have told him ,himself if he was to go back2 but he did not think--he did what pleased himself1 not what pleased ,god2 and he went back to feast with this stranger4 ,but ,god's anger came upon him4 ,when he went back in the evening1 a lion came out of the wood and killed him4 ,the lion did not kill the ass he rode upon1 nor tear the body1 and the ass did not run away from the lion2 but the lion and ass both stood by the dead prophet till--who do you think found him8 ,the very man who had tempted him to do wrong6 ,must not that have been a terrible sight8 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had ,god told the prophet to do8 #b4 ,what had ,he told him not to do8 #c4 ,what was the first wrong thing the prophet did8 #d4 ,what harm came of his lingering8 #e4 ,how did he disobey8 #f4 ,what was his sad end8 #g4 ,who found him lying dead8 #h4 ,what were standing by him8 #i4 ,why did he come to this sad death8 #aj4 ,how did he fall in the way of the wicked man8 #aa4 ,what is the way to fall in with bad people8 #ab4 ,then how should you always go on messages1 or to school8 #ac4 ,is it enough to mind only half what you are told8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,sheba ,,visiting ,,solomon4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the barrel of meal shall not waste1 neither shall the cruse of oil fail1 until the day that the ,lord sendeth rain upon the earth4--#a ,kings #ag3ad4 ,,it is very sad to say1 but the ,israelites went on getting more fond of idols1 and would not worship ,god4 ,they grew so wicked that at last ,he punished them1 to teach them who sent the rain and did them good4 ,he would not let it rain for three whole years4 ,no rain by day1 no dew by night6 ,the corn would not grow1 the grass dried up1 and all the streams were nothing but stones2 so that there was nothing to eat or to drink1 and everyone was in sad distress4 ,illustration3 ,,elijah ,,fed ,,by ,,the ,,ravens4--#a ,kings #ag3e1 #f4 ,there was one good man1 a prophet1 called ,elijah1 and ,god took care of him4 ,he sent him to a lonely place1 by the side of a little mountain stream1 where there still was water to drink2 and every morning and evening there came two ravens1 who were sent by ,god1 to bring him bread and flesh4 ,that was a great miracle1 or wonder1 which ,god worked to feed ,his prophet4 ,in time the brook dried up1 and then ,god sent ,elijah to a town called ,zarephath4 ,there ,elijah saw a poor woman gathering sticks1 and he asked her to give him a bit of something to eat4 ,but the poor widow woman said she had nothing for herself and her son but a handful of meal and a little oil1 and she was going to make a cake of it1 and bake it with a fire of her sticks2 and that was the last she could get1 so they must die of hunger after they had finished4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,widow',s ,,son ,,restored ,,to ,,life4--#a ,kings #ag3ba1 #bb4 ,but ,elijah still told her to make him a little cake first1 for he said1 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 ,the barrel of meal shall not waste1 neither shall the cruse of oil fail1 until the day that the ,lord sendeth rain upon the earth4 ,and the woman believed him1 and gave him a bit of her last cake4 ,and it was as he said4 ,there was always meal and oil enough to feed them day by day3 the widow1 and her son1 and the prophet1 went on living on the meal every day1 for ,god fed them4 ,at last the child fell sick and died2 and his mother grieved for him4 ,but ,elijah laid the child on his bed1 and prayed to ,god to have mercy on the widow3 and ,god had mercy4 ,the little child's soul came back1 and he was alive again2 and ,elijah gave him to his mother4 ,are not these three great wonders of ,god's goodness8 ,god does not let us see miracles now1 as ,he did in those times1 because we are taught to believe in ,him without them4 ,but ,he still takes care of us4 ,he takes care that if we trust to ,him1 and pray to ,him1 we shall have our food every day4 ,and if we are ready to give what we want ourselves away to one who needs it1 ,he will make it up to us1 and take care of us all the more4 ,and though no one is brought to life now who has died1 yet ,god often gives us back our friends when they have been very ill2 and we know that we shall all rise up from the dead and live with ,god for ever1 at a greater call than ,elijah's4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is a miracle8 #b4 ,how many miracles have you been hearing of8 #c4 ,for whom were they worked8 #d4 ,who worked them8 #e4 ,what were the three miracles8 #f4 ,why was it a miracle that the ravens fed ,elijah8 #g4 ,why did the ravens bring ,elijah the food instead of eating it themselves8 #h4 ,what was the next miracle8 #i4 ,how came the widow always to have enough8 #aj4 ,how did she show that she was worthy to have a wonder worked for her8 #aa4 ,why was ,god pleased with her8 #ab4 ,what more did ,god do for her son8 #ac4 ,who prayed for him8 #ad4 ,how could you try to be like the good widow8 #ae4 ,what is the way to be helped8 #af4 ,what do you ask ,god to give you every day8 ,illustration ,twenty-seventh ,sunday4 ,,elijah ,,and ,,ahab4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the ,lord1 ,he is the ,god2 the ,lord1 ,he is the ,god4--#a ,kings #ah3ci4 ,,you heard last ,sunday how sadly the ,israelites were behaving when they prayed to a golden calf4 ,they had a still worse idol afterwards4 ,his name was ,baal2 and they wanted to worship him instead of the true ,god4 ,to-day there is a beautiful chapter that ,i hardly like to put into my own poor words4 ,listen to it well in church1 and you will hear how wonderful it is4 ,there were four hundred prophets1 as they called themselves1 who worshipped ,baal1 and only one real prophet who worshipped the ,lord ,god4 ,this prophet was named ,elijah4 ,he called all the people to a high mountain1 and said they should see who was the true ,god4 ,he said he would build one altar1 and that the four hundred prophets should build another2 they should each offer a sacrifice1 and each should pray to his god1 and the ,god that sent fire to burn the sacrifice would be the true ,god4 ,the prophets of ,baal tried first4 ,they built their altar and put wood on it1 and killed a bullock and cut it up1 and they prayed to their god ,baal to send fire down4 ,but he was no god--he was nothing at all2 and though they cried and shouted1 and leaped about1 and even cut their own flesh in their rage1 not a spark of fire came4 ,then ,elijah made his sacrifice4 ,and he did a strange thing2 for he had water poured all over it1 till all the wood was streaming wet--and you know water always put out fire--so how was it ever to be burnt8 ,he even made a trench round1 and filled that with water too4 ,then he knelt down1 and prayed that the ,lord ,god in heaven would show ,his power1 and make the people know that no one else was ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,elijah ,,slaying ,,the ,,prophets ,,of ,,baal4--#a ,kings #ah3ci1 #dj4 ,and down from heaven came the fire6 ,it was not stopped by the water6 ,no1 it dried that up in a moment1 and burnt the wood1 and consumed the sacrifice6 ,and all the ,israelites fell on their faces1 and cried out1 ,the ,lord1 ,he is the ,god2 the ,lord1 ,he is the ,god6 ,for only the ,lord ,god is ,almighty1 and can do wonders4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who is the prophet we read of to-day8 #b4 ,what wicked thing were the ,israelites doing8 #c4 ,what is the ,first ,commandment8 #d4 ,what was the name of the false god8 #e4 ,how many prophets were there for ,baal8 #f4 ,who only spoke up for the true ,god8 #g4 ,what did ,elijah say they would try8 #h4 ,how would they know which was the real ,god8 #i4 ,what happened when ,baal's people prayed to him8 #aj4 ,why did not ,baal send them any fire8 #aa4 ,what did ,elijah do to his sacrifice8 #ab4 ,whom did he pray to8 #ac4 ,what came down from heaven8 #ad4 ,what became of all the water that ,elijah had poured out8 #ae4 ,why did not the water stop the fire8 #af4 ,what did all the people cry out8 #ag4 ,what word in the ,belief means that ,god can do everything8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,a still small voice4--#a ,kings #ai3ab4 ,,after the ,israelites had called out1 ,the ,lord1 ,he is the ,god6 and owned that ,baal was nothing but an idol1 ,god had mercy on them1 and sent them rain again2 and their famine was over4 ,but ,king ,ahab's wife1 whose name was ,jezebel1 was a heathen woman1 and she would worship ,baal1 and did not choose to believe in the true ,god4 ,and she was very angry with ,elijah1 and sent men out everywhere to put him to death4 ,elijah was obliged to flee far away for fear of her2 and he went out into the wilderness1 and sat down under a juniper tree2 and there he was so sad1 to think that all he had done was of no use1 that he requested for himself that he might die1 for he could do no more good with these wicked people4 ,then he went to sleep2 and when he woke an angel was by him1 with a cake baken on the coals1 and a cruse of water2 and the angel bade him rise and eat1 for the journey was too great for him4 ,it was a great journey1 for he was to go all the way to the ,mount of ,god1 where ,god had spoken to ,moses4 ,and there he stood in a cave2 and a voice came and asked1 ,what doest thou here1 ,elijah8 ,then he told how the ,israelites had forsaken their ,god1 and killed the prophets1 and ,i1 even ,i only1 am left1 he said2 and they seek my life to take it away4 ,then ,god showed him ,his wonders4 ,first a great strong wind came rushing by--but the ,lord was not in the wind4 ,then there was an earthquake1 that broke the rocks in pieces--but the ,lord was not in the earthquake4 ,and after the earthquake a fire--but the ,lord was not in the fire4 ,and after the fire1 a still small ,voice4 ,then ,elijah wrapped his face in his mantle1 and stood in the entrance of the cave1 to hear what ,god would say to him4 ,and ,god told him he was not all alone1 as he thought2 for there were many good men still left who had never bowed the knee to ,baal1 nor deserted the ,god of their fathers4 ,and ,god sent him back to return to his work among the people of ,israel1 and not to think that there was no hope because he could not see it2 nor to think he was left alone because he had no friends near him that he could see4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how long was there no rain in the land of ,israel8 #b4 ,why was there no rain8 #c4 ,who told the ,israelites of their wickedness8 #d4 ,what wonder showed who was the real ,god8 #e4 ,what did the ,israelites cry out8 #f4 ,who was the ,israelite king8 #g4 ,who was ,ahab's wicked wife8 #h4 ,what did she want to do to ,elijah8 #i4 ,where did ,elijah flee to8 #aj4 ,who came to feed him8 #aa4 ,where did he go8 #ab4 ,what had been given on the ,mount of ,god8 #ac4 ,what was said to ,elijah8 #ad4 ,why was ,elijah so sad8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,he laid him down upon his bed1 and turned away his face1 and would eat no bread4--#a ,kings #ba3d4 ,,you learn in the ,catechism to say1 ,thou shalt not covet4 ,coveting means wishing very much for what we ought not to have2 and ,god tells us not to covet1 because all faults begin in bad wishes4 ,now you shall hear what shocking sin one wish led to4 ,king ,ahab had a grand garden1 and he wanted to make it bigger2 but the next piece of ground belonged to a poor man named ,naboth4 ,ahab asked ,naboth to sell him his ground2 but ,naboth said it had come to him from his father1 and must go to his son1 and he could not sell it4 ,then ,ahab coveted1 and lay on his bed and would not eat--caring for nothing but the bit of ground he could not get4 ,now ,ahab had a cruel1 wicked wife2 and when she saw her husband grieving about ,naboth's ground she was determined to get it for him4 ,so she had two very bad men set on to say that poor ,naboth had been wicked1 and must be put to death4 ,they bore false witness against him1 and broke the ,ninth ,commandment when they did so2 and then1 worst of all1 this poor innocent man was really put to death for the crime he had never done--and that was murder1 which breaks the ,sixth ,commandment4 ,then ,jezebel called ,ahab1 and told him he might go and take possession of the ground that he wanted3 there was nobody to hinder him4 ,but he never had any pleasure in it4 ,when he went to it1 there stood ,god's great ,prophet ,elijah1 ready to meet him4 ,and ,elijah told him how very angry ,god was with him and with ,jezebel1 and that they should be terribly punished for their cruel behavior to this innocent man4 ,then ,ahab was sorry1 and wept and grieved for the cruel thing that had been done2 but all his sorrow could not bring ,naboth back to life again4 ,and oh6 how grieved he must have been that he had not kept his wishes in order6--for almost all our faults begin in a wish4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who is the king we hear of to-day8 #b4 ,who is the bad queen8 #c4 ,who is the poor man8 #d4 ,what did ,ahab want8 #e4 ,why should not ,naboth let ,ahab have the ground8 #f4 ,how did ,ahab behave when he could not get the ground8 #g4 ,who said he should have it8 #h4 ,how did ,jezebel get ,naboth put to death8 #i4 ,who met ,ahab8 #aj4 ,what did ,elijah tell him8 #aa4 ,what had ,ahab done wrong8 #ab4 ,what ,commandment tells you not to covet8 #ac4 ,what is coveting8 #ad4 ,what ,commandment tells us not to tell untrue things of other people8 #ae4 ,say the ,ninth ,commandment4 #af4 ,what ,commandment was broken by putting ,naboth to death8 #ag4 ,how many ,commandments were broken8 ,twenty-eighth ,sunday4 ,,elijah ,,and ,,elisha4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,a certain man drew a bow at a venture4--#a ,kings #bb3cd4 ,illustration ,,when ,ahab had let ,naboth be stoned that he might get his vineyard1 the ,prophet ,elijah said that ,ahab would be greatly punished1 and that where the dogs licked up ,naboth's blood there they would lick up ,ahab's2 and that cruel ,jezebel should be eaten up by dogs1 so that no one could say1 ,this is ,jezebel4 ,some time after1 ,ahab went out to fight a battle4 ,he was afraid1 because his conscience troubled him1 and he thought he should be safer if he did not go out to fight dressed like a king1 for he knew the enemies would all come and try to kill him if they saw him in his robes4 ,but he dressed only like a common captain1 and thought they would take no notice1 and he would be safe4 ,he forgot that if the enemy did not know him ,god knew him1 and that ,god could see it was ,ahab just as well in his common dress as in his robes and crown4 ,so a man drew his bow1 not shooting at anybody in particular2 but ,god's will guided the arrow1 and it wounded ,ahab so badly that he desired to be taken out of the battle1 and he died before he could be carried home4 ,his chariot was full of his blood1 and his servants washed it in the place where ,naboth had been stoned to death2 and the wild hungry dogs came and licked up the blood1 just as they had licked up ,naboth's blood4 ,so you see no hiding could get away from ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,king ,,ahab4--#a ,kings #bb3cd4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,god say was to happen to ,ahab8 #b4 ,what was to happen to ,jezebel8 #c4 ,what did ,ahab go out to do8 #d4 ,how did he dress himself8 #e4 ,why did not ,ahab dress like a king8 #f4 ,from whom did he want to hide8 #g4 ,but who knew him all the time8 #h4 ,how was he wounded8 #i4 ,did the man mean to hit ,ahab8 #aj4 ,how came ,ahab to be hit8 #aa4 ,what was done with him8 #ab4 ,where was his chariot washed8 #ac4 ,what licked up his blood8 #ad4 ,who had said the dogs should lick his blood8 #ae4 ,why8 #af4 ,why did ,ahab let ,naboth be killed8 #ag4 ,who was angry with ,ahab8 #ah4 ,can we hide from ,god's anger8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,my father1 my father1 the chariot of ,israel1 and the horsemen thereof4--#b ,kings #b3ab4 ,,the time had come when ,god was about to call away ,his great ,prophet ,elijah4 ,and it was not as other men are taken from this earth1 by dying and being buried1 while their souls go away to the ,god who gave them4 ,no2 ,elijah went out and visited all the schools1 where young men and boys were being trained to sing ,god's praise2 and ,elisha1 who was his scholar and his friend1 went with him4 ,illustration3 ,,elijah ,,taken ,,up ,,into ,,heaven4--#b ,kings #b3aa4 ,when they came to the bank of the river ,jordan1 ,elijah took his mantle and rolled it up1 and struck the waters of the stream with it1 and they parted1 and left a way for ,elijah and ,elisha to go over dry-footed4 ,then ,elijah said1 ,ask what ,i shall do for thee1 before ,i be taken away from thee4 ,and ,elisha said1 ,i pray thee1 let a double portion of thy ,spirit be upon me4 ,and while they were talking together1 there came a great wonder from heaven3 a chariot and horses1 all bright and glowing like fire2 and ,elijah was parted from his friend1 and went up into heaven upon a whirlwind4 ,elisha stood watching1 crying out1 ,my father1 my father1 the chariot of ,israel1 and the horsemen thereof2 as if he knew not what he said4 ,and ,elijah1 as he went up1 threw down his mantle2 and ,elisha took it up and went his way1 much wondering1 and full of awe4 ,and when he came to the river ,jordan1 he took the mantle1 rolled up1 and smote the waters1 and they parted again1 so that he went through with dry feet4 ,and when the young men in the school of the prophets met him1 they saw in his face and manner that the same ,spirit which had been on ,elijah was on him1 and they bowed themselves before him4 ,only one other man was ever taken up to heaven without dying1 and he was ,enoch1 who lived before the ,flood4 ,our blessed ,lord ascended into ,heaven2 but ,he went up1 ,he was not taken1 and it was after ,he had died and risen again4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,elijah8 #b4 ,who was his friend8 #c4 ,where did they go together8 #d4 ,how did they get across the river8 #e4 ,what did ,elisha ask8 #f4 ,what appeared to them8 #g4 ,what happened to ,elijah8 #h4 ,what did he let fall8 #i4 ,who was to be prophet in his stead8 #aj4 ,what did ,elisha cry out8 #aa4 ,what did he do with ,elijah's mantle8 #ab4 ,what other man was taken up like this8 #ac4 ,when did ,enoch live8 #ad4 ,who only ascended into heaven8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,it is well4--#b ,kings #d3bf4 ,,elisha was the prophet for ,israel instead of ,elijah4 ,now there was a good woman who saw him go by1 and she said she would make a little room for him by the wall of her house1 and put in a bed1 and a table1 and a stool1 and a lamp1 so that he could go and rest there whenever he pleased4 ,when ,elisha saw it he was pleased1 and told her that if she wished for anything very much he would pray ,god to give it to her4 ,she answered that she dwelt among her own people1 and wanted for nothing4 ,but she had no child2 and ,elisha prayed for her1 and ,god blessed her for her kindness to ,his servant1 and by-and-by she had a son4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,shunamite',s ,,son ,,restored4--#b ,kings #d3cf1 #cg4 ,but when he had grown into a boy1 he went into the fields with his father to see the harvest1 and the heat of the sun struck on his head so that he cried out1 ,my head1 my head6 ,and his father said1 ,carry him to his mother4 ,but she could do him no good2 he sat on her knees till noon1 and then died4 ,she did not stop to weep2 she had her ass saddled1 and rode away to seek for the man of ,god4 ,and by-and-by she met him on the way1 and she knelt down before him and held him by his feet4 ,then he knew how it was1 and he bade his servant ,gehazi take his staff1 and hasten on1 and never rest till he had laid it on the child's face4 ,gehazi did so1 but there was no voice nor any answer4 ,so he went back and met his master1 and said1 ,the child is not awaked4 ,then ,elisha came in1 and found the child lying dead on his own bed4 ,then he stretched himself on the boy1 and prayed to ,god that the soul might come back to the little one4 ,and at last ,god granted the prayer1 and the child's flesh grew warm2 and ,elisha prayed again1 and the child sneezed seven times as his breath came back1 and he opened his eyes6 ,then the mother was called1 and the child was given back to her2 and she bowed herself to the ground1 and gave thanks to ,god and ,his prophet4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was prophet instead of ,elijah8 #b4 ,what had become of ,elijah8 #c4 ,who made a room for ,elisha8 #d4 ,what did she put in it8 #e4 ,what joy did ,god give to her8 #f4 ,what great grief8 #g4 ,what caused the boy's death8 #h4 ,what did his mother do8 #i4 ,what order did ,elisha give8 #aj4 ,could ,gehazi do anything8 #aa4 ,what did ,elisha do8 #ab4 ,how did ,god show ,his mercy8 #ac4 ,how did the mother thank ,god8 ,illustration ,twenty-ninth ,sunday4 ,,elisha',s ,,miracles4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,wash and be clean4--#b ,kings #e3ac4 ,,there was a poor little girl who was stolen away from her own home in ,israel by ,syrian soldiers1 and carried far from her mother and friends1 to be a slave4 ,it must have been very sad and lonely2 but ,god lets nothing happen but for good1 and so this poor little captive maid did great good4 ,her master was named ,naaman4 ,he was the captain of the army--brave and strong2 but he fell ill of a disease that no doctor could cure1 and which would go on getting worse till he would die of it4 ,the little maid was sorry for him2 and though she was all alone in a heathen land1 she had not forgotten about ,god and ,his prophets1 and she told her mistress that at home1 in ,israel1 there was a prophet who could cure her master by ,god's power4 ,so ,naaman set out in his chariot1 and came to the prophet's door4 ,he thought the prophet would come out1 and strike his hand over the place1 and cure him directly--all the more because he was such a great man4 ,but1 instead of that1 the prophet sent out word to him that he was to wash seven times in the ,river ,jordan1 and he would be well4 ,this made ,naaman very angry4 ,he thought the bathing in ,jordan would do no good1 and that the prophet made light of him2 and he turned and went away in a rage4 ,then his servants persuaded him4 ,they said1 ,my father1 if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing1 wouldest thou not have done it8 how much rather then1 when he saith to thee1 ,wash1 and be clean8 ,naaman was wise enough to listen to them4 ,he did go and wash in the ,river ,jordan1 as the prophet bade him2 and ,god gave the water the power to make him quite well again4 ,then he came back and thanked the prophet1 and said he would never pray to any god again but to the ,one true ,god1 who had healed him4 ,so you see the little maid did great good to her master1 both to his body and his soul1 because she was good1 and remembered her ,god1 even when she was far away from home4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who is the great captain we hear of to-day8 #b4 ,what was the matter with him8 #c4 ,whom did ,naaman go to to cure him8 #d4 ,from whom did he hear about the prophet8 #e4 ,how came the little maid into ,naaman's house8 #f4 ,who made the prophet able to cure people8 #g4 ,had ,naaman been brought up to worship ,god8 #h4 ,what did he expect the prophet to do to him8 #i4 ,what did the prophet tell him to do8 #aj4 ,why did he not like this8 #aa4 ,who persuaded him to try8 #ab4 ,what did they say he would have been ready to do8 #ac4 ,don't we sometimes wish to do something grand1 rather than just what we are told8 #ad4 ,but what have we got to do8 #ae4 ,what came of ,naaman doing as he was told8 #af4 ,to whom did ,naaman say he should always pray8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,they that be with us are more than they that be with them4--#b ,kings #f3af4 ,,the great enemies of the kings of ,israel were the ,syrians1 who lived at ,damascus2 but whenever the ,syrians made a plan to come and fight with the ,israelites1 ,god made it known to the ,prophet ,elisha2 and he told ,king ,joram1 so that the ,israelite soldiers were always ready before hand to fight with the ,syrians4 ,the king of ,syria began to think one of his own men must tell ,joram2 but they said it was the ,prophet ,elisha who told the king of ,israel what was said in the most secret chamber of the king of ,syria4 ,then the ,syrians sent an army of men to take ,elisha at ,dothan1 and kill him4 ,they came by night1 and when ,elisha's servant looked out in the morning1 he saw horses and chariots all round the place4 ,he was afraid1 and cried out ,alas1 my master6 how shall we do8 ,but ,elisha said to him1 ,fear not3 for they that be with us are more than they that be with them4 ,and he prayed that the young man's eyes might be opened that he might see3 and so they were--to see the whole mountain round about full of chariots of fire and horses of fire2 many1 many more than the ,syrians had1 and all come to take care of ,elisha4 ,and ,god made the ,syrians unable to see that ,elisha was before them1 and he led them all the way to ,samaria1 and put them before ,king ,joram as his prisoners4 ,joram wanted to put them to death1 but ,elisha would not let him1 and they were all sent safe home1 and did not come back as enemies for a long time4 ,and we know that1 though we cannot see them1 ,god's angels are still in great armies encamped all round about those who fear ,him1 to deliver them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were the enemies of the kings of ,israel8 #b4 ,who always told the plans of the ,syrians8 #c4 ,how did ,elisha know8 #d4 ,what did the king of ,syria want to do8 #e4 ,when did his army come8 #f4 ,who was frightened8 #g4 ,what did ,elisha say8 #h4 ,who were those who were with them8 #i4 ,who are always round about those who fear ,god8 #aj4 ,why1 then1 need we never be afraid8 #aa4 ,what happened to these ,syrians8 #ab4 ,but were they killed8 #ac4 ,why not8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,this day is a day of good tidings4--#b ,kings #g3i4 ,,if ,king ,joram had been good he would have had no troubles2 but he would let his mother ,jezebel worship her false gods1 so ,god sent the ,syrians against him again4 ,and they came all round ,samaria1 and shut it in so close that nobody could get out2 and all the food was eaten up1 so that even such food as a donkey's head was so dear that hardly anybody could buy it1 and everyone was getting starved4 ,joram was so angry1 that he said at last1 in his wickedness1 he would cut off ,elisha's head the next day4 ,but ,elisha said quietly that to-morrow there would be quantities of food in the city1 so that it would cost almost nothing4 ,one of the king's lords laughed1 and said1 ,if the ,lord should make windows in heaven1 might such a thing be8 ,thou shalt see it with thine eyes1 said ,elisha1 but shalt not eat thereof4 ,now1 that night the ,lord made the ,syrians hear a great noise1 as if an army was coming up to help the ,israelites4 ,and they were so frightened1 that they all fled away in the night1 and left all their tents standing1 and their armor in them1 and their stores of food4 ,in the early morning1 three poor leprous men1 who could not get any food in ,samaria1 crept down to see if the ,syrians would give them anything1 or they thought if the ,syrians should kill them1 that would be better than being starved4 ,but when they came to the camp there was nobody there--no soldiers1 no horses1 only tents full of rich dresses1 and fine armour1 and1 best of all1 plenty of food4 ,the hungry lepers went and ate1 and then they thought they ought to go and tell the people in the town that all the ,syrians were gone4 ,so the king sent out to see1 two men upon lean1 starved horses4 ,they found it was all true1 and everybody went rushing out to get food4 ,the king sent the lord who had laughed at ,elisha1 to stand in the gate to keep order2 but the people were so very hungry that they did not mind him1 and he was knocked down and trodden upon1 and trampled to death3 and so it came to pass that he saw the plenty1 but did not eat of it1 because he had mocked at the word of the ,lord4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was king of ,israel8 #b4 ,who was prophet8 #c4 ,what was the chief town in ,israel8 #d4 ,who tried to take it8 #e4 ,what was the sad distress in ,samaria8 #f4 ,what had they to eat8 #g4 ,whose fault was it8 #h4 ,but whom did ,joram want to punish8 #i4 ,what did ,elisha promise8 #aj4 ,who laughed at him8 #aa4 ,what did ,elisha say8 #ab4 ,what happened in the night8 #ac4 ,what became of the ,syrians8 #ad4 ,who found it out8 #ae4 ,what did the lepers see8 #af4 ,whom did they tell8 #ag4 ,what did all the people do8 #ah4 ,what became of the man who laughed at ,elisha8 #ai4 ,what is it that makes ,god angry8 ,illustration ,thirtieth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,ruin ,,of ,,ahab',s ,,house4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,what hast thou to do with peace4--#b ,kings #i3ah4 ,illustration ,,the ,sunday before last you heard how ,king ,ahab was killed in battle1 though he had fancied that he could hide from ,god4 ,his wife1 ,queen ,jezebel1 was left2 and she had always been worse than he was1 and she had brought up her son ,joram to be very wicked too4 ,when ,joram had reigned as king for twelve years1 ,god told ,his ,prophet ,elijah to send a young man to anoint a captain called ,jehu to be king instead of ,joram4 ,so the young man took some oil1 and went to the town where ,jehu was1 and said1 ,i have an errand to thee1 ,o captain4 ,then he poured the oil on ,jehu's head1 and told him that ,god made him king of ,israel4 ,the other captains were glad to make ,jehu king1 and they made him sit on the top of a flight of steps1 and blew with their trumpets1 and shouted1 ,jehu is king4 ,then they all set out to conquer ,king ,joram4 ,joram had his chariot made ready1 and went out in it to meet ,jehu2 but1 as soon as they came in sight of one another ,jehu shot an arrow1 and it struck ,joram1 so that he sank down in his chariot and died4 ,then ,jehu went on into the town2 and ,jezebel thought she would still try to make friends with the people2 so1 instead of mourning for her son1 she painted her face1 and put on a headdress1 and looked out at a window4 ,jehu said1 ,who is on my side8 who8 ,and some of the servants looked out4 ,he said1 ,throw her down4 ,so the servants threw ,jezebel out of the window1 and her blood sprinkled on ,jehu's horses4 ,but he went on1 and went into the palace1 and was made king1 and had a feast4 ,illustration3 ,,jezebel ,,eaten ,,by ,,dogs4--#b ,kings #i3cb1 #cc4 ,then he sent out1 and said that he would have ,jezebel buried1 for she was a king's daughter4 ,however1 when his men went out to look for her1 they found that the wild dogs that ran about the streets had eaten up every bit of her1 so that there was nothing left of her but her skull and her feet1 and the palms of her hands4 ,you remember that ,god's prophet ,elijah1 had told ,ahab that the dogs should eat ,jezebel1 because she was so cruel4 ,she worshipped idols1 and killed ,god's prophets1 and had poor ,naboth put to death that ,ahab might have his vineyard4 ,so ,god punished her4 ,people need not hope that ,god will not punish what they have done wrong1 for ,he will be quite sure to punish unless they are very sorry1 and pray to ,him1 to pardon them for ,jesus ,christ's sake4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,ahab8 #b4 ,who was ,jezebel8 #c4 ,what wicked things had they done8 #d4 ,what had the prophet told them8 #e4 ,what had become of ,ahab8 #f4 ,who was king after ,ahab8 #g4 ,how long was ,joram king8 #h4 ,whom did ,god choose to punish ,jezebel and ,joram8 #i4 ,who was sent to tell ,jehu8 #aj4 ,what is anointing8 #aa4 ,who did you hear of before who was anointed8 #ab4 ,what did the other captains do to ,jehu8 #ac4 ,who came out to meet him8 #ad4 ,what did ,jehu do to ,joram8 #ae4 ,what did ,jezebel do8 #af4 ,what became of ,jezebel8 #ag4 ,what was left of ,jezebel8 #ah4 ,why did she come to such a shocking end8 #ai4 ,what does ,god do to sinners8 #bj4 ,does ,he always punish them at once8 #ba4 ,does he forget8 #bb4 ,what must be done if we would not be punished8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,jehu destroyed ,baal out of ,israel4--#b ,kings #aj3bh4 ,,when that fierce soldier1 ,jehu1 was made king1 the men of ,israel cut off the heads of all ,ahab's sons and grandsons1 and made them up into two heaps at the city gates2 and all the people who worshipped ,baal were shut up in his temple1 and every one of them killed4 ,it is very sad and terrible2 but ,god had commanded that people who prayed to idols should not live1 because they taught the rest of the ,israelites to be wicked too4 ,when we hear about it1 we must recollect that it is a fearful thing to turn away from serving ,god1 and that ,he is sure to punish those who will not worship ,him4 ,you are not likely to pray to an idol2 but ,i hope you do say your prayers night and morning1 and mind them as you say them4 ,not saying our prayers1 and not going to church1 is turning away from ,god2 and it would be very sad and ungrateful to do that1 for ,god has done much more for us than ,he did for the ,israelites1 and we know more about ,him than they did4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who came to punish them8 #b4 ,what was done with the heads of the princes8 #c4 ,what was done to the worshippers of ,baal8 #d4 ,why were they put to death8 #e4 ,what ,commandment did these worshippers of ,baal break8 #f4 ,what is the ,first ,commandment8 #g4 ,whom must we worship8 #h4 ,when do we worship ,him8 #i4 ,must we go without saying our prayers8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the arrow of the ,lord's deliverance4--#b ,kings #ac3ag4 ,,elisha grew to be a very old man1 and when at last he fell sick and was near his death1 the king of ,israel1 whose name was ,joash1 came and kept by his bed-side4 ,elisha said1 ,open the window eastward2 and he opened it4 ,then ,elisha said1 ,shoot2 and ,joash took his bow and shot an arrow4 ,and ,elisha said1 ,the arrow of the ,lord's deliverance4 ,then he said1 ,take the arrows2 smite upon the ground4 ,joash struck three times on the ground1 but he did not go on striking1 for he did not think enough of ,god and ,his prophet to understand that if he obeyed ,elisha ,god would bless him4 ,so ,elisha told him if he had struck many times1 he would have had a great many victories over the ,syrians1 but as he had only struck three times1 he would only have three victories4 ,for it is when people begin by obeying in little things that ,god gives them a great deal4 ,then the great ,prophet ,elisha died1 and was buried2 and ,joash beat the ,syrians three times1 but no more1 because he had not believed and obeyed4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was dying8 #b4 ,who came to see ,elisha8 #c4 ,what did ,elisha tell ,joash to do8 #d4 ,what did he call the arrow8 #e4 ,what did he bid ,joash do then8 #f4 ,how many times did ,joash strike the ground8 #g4 ,what ought he to have done8 #h4 ,why did he not8 #i4 ,what did ,elisha promise him8 #aj4 ,why did not he have more victories8 #aa4 ,if we want to do great things1 how must we do little things8 ,illustration3 ,a ,,city ,,captured ,,and ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,led ,,away ,,captive4 ,thirty-first ,sunday4 ,,hezekiah ,,and ,,josiah4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,he did that which was right in the sight of the ,lord4--#b ,kings #ah3c4 ,,you have heard of many bad kings4 ,there is a good king to tell you of at last--good ,king ,hezekiah4 ,he cared for nothing so much as to please ,god4 ,he would not have any idols1 but he cleared them all away1 and had the holy ,temple all set to rights1 and made beautiful as ,god had commanded2 and he had all the services at the ,temple at the right times1 and used to go and pray there himself constantly4 ,and he did all he could to make his people good too4 ,but there came a great danger4 ,there was a king of ,assyria named ,sennacherib1 who had quantities of soldiers and horses and chariots1 and he used to conquer towns1 and carry all the people in them away to live far from home4 ,he thought he would seize ,hezekiah and his people in this way1 and he did come and do much harm all over the country4 ,he did not come at once to ,jerusalem2 but he sent three boasting men1 with an army1 to stand outside the walls1 and call out to the people inside1 that ,sennacherib was coming to conquer them and carry them away1 and that they need not believe their king ,hezekiah when he said that ,god would help them1 for no god had ever yet saved a country from ,sennacherib4 ,hezekiah's people were terribly afraid4 ,some wanted him to get help from the king of ,egypt2 but ,hezekiah knew that ,god had forbidden him to have anything to do with the ,egyptians4 ,he knew that ,god could help him1 and that the way to be helped was to do just what ,god told him4 ,so1 though ,sennacherib had so many men1 and he had so few1 and the ,egyptians had plenty of soldiers and horses1 he made sure that ,god could save him much better than any ,egyptian of them all4 ,next ,sunday morning you will hear what happened4 ,illustration3 ,,rabsaces ,,before ,,sennacherib4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who is the good king we hear of to-day8 #b4 ,what did he clear away8 #c4 ,what ,commandment did he keep8 #d4 ,where did he go and pray8 #e4 ,who was his enemy8 #f4 ,what message did ,sennacherib send to the people of ,jerusalem8 #g4 ,where did the people want ,hezekiah to send for help8 #h4 ,why would not ,hezekiah send for help from ,egypt8 #i4 ,to whom did he trust8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,thou art the ,god1 even ,thou alone1 of all the kingdoms of the earth3 ,thou hast made heaven and earth4--,isaiah #cg3af4 ,,hezekiah was king of ,jerusalem4 ,he was very good1 and always served ,god and prayed to ,him4 ,but a great fierce king named ,sennacherib brought an army into his land1 and ruined all his towns and villages except ,jerusalem1 and shut up ,hezekiah in his town1 so that his people could not dare to come out4 ,and ,sennacherib wrote a letter to tell ,hezekiah that it was no use to hope to escape1 he was coming to take away the ,jews and ruin ,jerusalem2 and this wicked man even said that ,hezekiah need not think that his ,god would save him1 for no nation had ever yet been saved by its gods1 so the ,god of ,hezekiah could not help him4 ,,hezekiah',s ,,prayer4 ,in his great distress ,hezekiah went up to the ,temple1 and told ,god all his trouble4 ,and he said1 ,thou art the ,god1 even ,thou alone1 of all the kingdoms of the earth3 ,thou hast made heaven and earth4 ,he said he knew the gods of those nations could not save them1 for they were no gods1 only wood and stone2 but he trusted that ,god would save him and his people1 though they were far too weak to defend themselves against this terrible king and his people4 ,god heard the good king's prayer1 and sent him a promise that his enemy should not even come before ,jerusalem1 nor shoot one arrow at it4 ,and ,god kept ,his word4 ,the fierce soldiers of ,sennacherib all lay down to sleep one night1 but they never woke up again4 ,god sent ,his angel1 with a deadly blast1 and all the army that wanted to destroy ,his people died in one single night4 ,it was because they and their king had fancied ,god could not save ,his people1 that they died4 ,and it was because ,hezekiah prayed to the ,lord and tried to be good and holy1 that no one could hurt him4 ,now try to do like ,hezekiah4 ,if you are vexed1 or if you are afraid1 tell ,god all about it1 and ask ,him to help you4 ,and ,he will be quite sure to hear and help you1 if you will only speak to ,him and tell ,him what is in your heart4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,angel ,,slaying ,,the ,,assyrians4--#b ,kings #ai3ce4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,hezekiah8 #b4 ,what kind of king was he8 #c4 ,who wanted to hurt him8 #d4 ,what did ,sennacherib mean to do8 #e4 ,what had he done to other cities8 #f4 ,what very wicked thing did ,sennacherib say8 #g4 ,where did ,hezekiah go in his distress8 #h4 ,to whom did he pray8 #i4 ,why did he say the other cities had not been saved by their gods8 #aj4 ,what commandment tells us not to have gods of wood and stone8 #aa4 ,what did ,hezekiah ask ,god to do8 #ab4 ,what did ,god promise8 #ac4 ,and what happened to the soldiers of ,sennacherib8 #ad4 ,who slew them8 #ae4 ,why were these people slain8 #af4 ,why was ,hezekiah safe8 #ag4 ,what did he do that he might be saved8 #ah4 ,how can you do like ,hezekiah8 #ai4 ,what may you tell ,god about8 #bj4 ,what will ,he be sure to hear8 #ba4 ,and if you pray to ,him1 what will ,he do for you8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,like unto him was there no king before him1 that turned to the ,lord with all his heart1 and with all his soul1 and with all his might4--#b ,kings #bc3be4 ,,there is one more good king to tell you about1 whose name was ,josiah4 ,he was great-grandson to good ,king ,hezekiah4 ,the two kings who had come between ,josiah's grandfather and father1 had both been very bad men4 ,his grandfather repented when he fell into trouble1 and ,god forgave him2 but his father never repented1 and died in his wickedness when ,josiah was only eight years old4 ,but ,josiah was very different4 ,he made his people break down their idols1 and clear out the ,temple of the unholy things they had brought in1 and worship ,god rightly once more4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,of ,,moses4 ,while they were cleaning out the ,temple1 they found a book that nobody knew--the ,book of the ,law of ,moses--that is1 the first five books in the ,bible4 ,all the time of these two bad kings nobody had minded it1 or read it2 it had been lost1 and everyone had forgotten all about it4 ,when ,josiah knew what it was1 and that it was the ,law that ,god had spoken to ,moses1 he made the priests read it to him and all his people4 ,they were very much frightened when they heard it2 for they found they were doing all the very things that ,god had said ,he would punish them for1 and turn them out of their good land4 ,so ,josiah sent to a holy prophetess to ask her whether1 if they left off their sins1 and were very sorry1 and prayed with all their might1 ,god would still forgive them4 ,but ,god told her to answer that the people had done so wrong1 and grown so wicked1 that now their punishment must come2 but that1 as ,josiah's heart was tender1 and he loved ,god1 it should not happen in his time1 and that he should be quietly buried with his fathers4 ,and1 after years of goodness1 ,josiah was killed in a battle1 and all his people mourned over him4 ,but they had not been really good1 they only pretended1 just to please him1 and went back to their wicked ways1 in spite of all the pains he had taken with them2 and his own sons were as bad as the rest4 ,so the punishment was obliged to come4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,found4--#b ,kings #bb3aj1 #aa4 ,what ,i wish you to mind to-day is how these people lost their ,book of the ,law for want of attending to it4 ,if you have not got a ,bible of your own1 ,i dare say you soon will have one4 ,and then1 pray1 do not do like these people of ,israel4 ,do not let it lie by till you forget to look at it1 and forget what is in it1 and then forget even where it is4 ,if you do1 you will grow as bad as these people were1 and ,god will be forced to punish you as ,he was forced to punish them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,josiah8 #b4 ,how many kings were there between him and ,hezekiah8 #c4 ,what sort of kings were they8 #d4 ,what kind of person was ,josiah8 #e4 ,how old was he when he began to reign8 #f4 ,what did he have cleaned out8 #g4 ,what did they find there8 #h4 ,who gave the ,law8 #i4 ,what was to happen if it was not kept8 #aj4 ,how had it been lost8 #aa4 ,what did ,josiah cause the priests to do8 #ab4 ,why was he frightened8 #ac4 ,what did he ask8 #ae4 ,but why did the people deserve to be punished8 #af4 ,what did they do as soon as ,josiah was dead8 #ag4 ,what came of forgetting their ,bibles8 #ah4 ,ought we to forget our ,bibles8 #ai4 ,if we never read them1 can we be good8 #bj4 ,and if we are not good1 what must be done to us8 ,illustration3 ,,an ,,assyrian ,,king4 ,thirty-second ,sunday4 ,,jehoiakim',s ,,cruelty4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,i speak unto thee in thy prosperity2 but thou saidst1 ,i will not hear4--,jer4 #bb3ba4 ,,josiah was the last good king4 ,in his time ,god called ,jeremiah1 when he was only a young boy about twelve years old1 to be ,his prophet2 and all the time ,josiah reigned ,jeremiah was teaching the people ,god's will1 while ,josiah was doing all he could to help them to do right and serve the ,lord4 ,but the ,jews did not heed either the king or the prophet--they only longed after their idols4 ,even ,josiah's own sons would not be good1 after they had been brought up by such a holy father2 but no sooner was he killed in battle1 than they went back to all the bad ways that he had put an end to4 ,the eldest son1 ,jehoahaz1 only reigned three months4 ,then ,god let the king of ,egypt take him away2 and the ,prophet ,jeremiah says that it was far sadder for him to go away a captive1 and never see his home again1 than for good ,josiah to be in his grave1 loved and wept for by all4 ,for though ,god had let ,josiah die so early1 it was in mercy4 ,the people had grown so wicked that they must be punished1 and so he was taken away from the evil to come4 ,his next son was king after his brother ,jehoahaz4 ,the next brother was king instead4 ,his name was ,jehoiakim4 ,one would have hoped he would have taken warning by his brother's troubles1 and served ,god better4 ,but no6 ,he did not care to attend to poor people4 ,he thought he should be safe in a fine house4 ,he sent for large stones1 and had great beams of cedar tree for the roofs1 and painted the walls of his great rooms with scarlet4 ,but he paid no wages to his workmen1 and was cruel to everybody1 and had innocent people killed if they made him angry with them4 ,illustration3 ,,jerusalem ,,besieged ,,and ,,people ,,taken ,,captive4--#b ,kings #be3aa4 ,only there was one man who was not afraid of this ,king ,jehoiakim4 ,it was ,god's prophet ,jeremiah4 ,he told the king how little good his fine house would do2 and what was more1 he said that when he died nobody would be sorry for him4 ,they had wept for his father with a great weeping and many tears2 but when the cruel ,jehoiakim died nobody would lament4 ,nobody would say1 ,ah1 lord6 or1 ,ah1 his glory6 but they would care for him no more than if he was an ass who was being buried4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the good king you heard of last ,sunday evening8 #b4 ,what kind of sons had he8 #c4 ,what became of the first8 #d4 ,what was he never to do8 #e4 ,what was the name of the second8 #f4 ,what did ,jehoiakim want to build8 #g4 ,what were the walls of8 #h4 ,how was it roofed8 #i4 ,how was it painted8 #aj4 ,but what did he not pay8 #aa4 ,how did he treat the people8 #ab4 ,who could have made him quite safe8 #ac4 ,but how must he have lived if he wanted ,god to take care of him8 #ad4 ,if ,god did not take care of him1 would his fine house do him any good8 #ae4 ,who told him it would do him no good8 #af4 ,what had everyone done when ,josiah died8 #ag4 ,why did they weep for ,josiah8 #ah4 ,but would they care when ,jehoiakim died8 #ai4 ,why would nobody care for ,jehoiakim8 ,,note--,the two other ,lectionary ,lessons for this day are from ,nehemiah4 ,if it be desired to read the story on them1 it is to be found on the #cith ,sunday1 but it was omitted here to prevent chronological confusion4 ,illustration3 ,,ashtoreth4 ,thirty-third ,sunday4 ,,jeremiah',s ,,prophecies4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,he reserveth to us the appointed weeks of the harvest4--,jer4 #e3bd4 ,,the chapter to-day is one where ,god is putting us in mind1 by ,his ,prophet ,jeremiah1 whom he sent to speak to the wicked kings1 that we ought to remember ,him and be thankful to ,him4 ,two of ,his great mercies are spoken of here4 ,if you go and stand on the sea-shore1 you see the great wide sea of waters heaving and moving all over4 ,then a long wave comes rising up2 it runs on and on1 and rises high1 falls over in white foam1 and breaks on the sand with a rush4 ,then another rolling wave comes after it1 and another1 and another1 each a little higher than the last4 ,they hide the ground2 and if you stood still at the edge of the first1 they would soon carry you off4 ,stone is hidden after stone1 rock after rock1 and you would think all the land would get covered at last4 ,no1 there is no fear of that4 ,in six hours' time1 the waves leave off coming farther and farther2 but each leaves a little bit more ground uncovered1 till they have gone quite back to where they were before1 and the beach lies fresh and shining in the wet4 ,people call this the tide1 and know it always does so2 it comes up and goes back at its set times1 because ,god fixed a line for that fierce sea1 and said to it1 ,hitherto shalt thou go1 and no farther2 and here shall thy proud waves be stayed4 ,and if the waves dash and roar ever so loud1 still they never can get beyond the bound ,god fixed for them4 ,there is the wonder of the sea6 ,now look at the wonder of the land4 ,all over the country1 the corn stands up tall and brown2 or else it has been cut1 and is piled up in shocks2 or the wagons are carrying it safe home6 ,perhaps you have been gleaning in the fields1 and have brought home your lap full of corn4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,lord ,,commands ,,jeremiah4--,jer4 #b3af1 #ag4 ,how did we get the corn that is to make us bread8 ,it was because1 when the farmer sowed his grain1 ,god sent rain to make it grow1 and caused the sun to shine1 so as to draw up the stalk1 and swell the grain in the ear2 and now ,he hath reserved to us the appointed weeks of the harvest4 ,he has given us the glad harvest-time to store up our wheat1 to make bread for all the year4 ,let us thank ,him1 and never forget who gives us bread1 nor to say our prayer for daily bread4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what do the waves of the sea do every day8 #b4 ,what do people call the coming up of the sea8 #c4 ,need we fear its coming too far8 #d4 ,why cannot the waves come too far8 #e4 ,what did ,god say to the sea8 #f4 ,who made the sea8 #g4 ,can you tell me a verse you say or sing at church about the sea being ,his8 #h4 ,what is it that ,god gives us every day to eat8 #i4 ,what is bread made of8 #aj4 ,where does corn grow8 #aa4 ,who makes the corn grow8 #ab4 ,what does ,god send to make the corn grow8 #ac4 ,what do we call the gathering in of our corn8 #ad4 ,who takes care we shall have a harvest8 #ae4 ,how should we ask ,god for our food8 #af4 ,how should we thank ,him for our food8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,yet they were not afraid4--,jer4 #cf3bd4 ,,you heard what a bad1 cruel king ,jehoiakim was4 ,still there was a hope that he and his people would take warning1 when he heard that ,god would punish his sin2 so ,jeremiah the ,prophet had all his prophecies written out on a roll of parchment1 and his friend ,baruch went to the ,temple1 and read to the people that if they would not worship ,god and serve ,him faithfully1 ,he would cause them all to be taken away prisoners to a strange land4 ,baruch stood reading the parchment2 and the people listened to him1 and some of them began to grow afraid4 ,but then came some of the king's great people1 and when they heard it they thought it would make the king angry4 ,they forgot that ,god's anger signified much more than the king's anger4 ,they did not want ,jeremiah or ,baruch to be punished1 but they were afraid to let the reading go on4 ,so they told ,baruch to go away and hide himself and ,jeremiah carefully1 and then they took the prophecies to shew them to the king4 ,the king was sitting by the fire warming himself1 for it was in the winter4 ,he listened for a little while2 but when he found that the parchment was about his sins and ,god's anger1 he took out a knife and cut the whole into bits1 and burnt it in the fire4 ,was he so foolish as to think that burning the prophecy would prevent it from coming to pass8 ,if so1 he made a great mistake2 for ,god desired ,jeremiah to have it all written over again1 and more too2 for the punishment was to be worse now than it would have been before--much worse than if ,jehoiakim had listened1 and left off his bad ways1 and prayed to ,god4 ,illustration3 ,,two ,,pages ,,of ,,an ,,ancient ,,scroll ,,of ,,scriptures4 ,in a very short time the enemy all came round ,jerusalem1 and everyone was shut up in the city1 and could not get out1 and food was very scarce2 and ,jehoiakim was taken and put in chains2 and thus he died1 and nobody grieved for him4 ,his young son1 ,jehoiachin1 was called king for a little while1 but only for a very little while2 for the king of ,babylon broke into the city1 and made him prisoner1 and took him away to be shut up far from home4 ,and as to the dead body of ,jehoiakim himself1 nobody had time to give him a burial2 so it was thrown out at the gates as if he had been a dead ass instead of a king of ,judah4 ,so you see ,god's words through ,jeremiah all came true1 though ,jehoiakim would not heed them4 ,he only made it worse by not listening4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the king8 #b4 ,who was the prophet8 #c4 ,what had ,jeremiah said about ,jehoiakim8 #d4 ,where did ,god tell him to have it written8 #e4 ,who was to read it8 #f4 ,to whom did ,baruch read8 #g4 ,where did the great people take the roll of parchment8 #h4 ,what did the king do to it8 #i4 ,whose words did he throw away8 #aj4 ,why would not he listen8 #aa4 ,did he hinder the harm from coming8 #ab4 ,what happened to him8 #ac4 ,how was he buried8 #ad4 ,how should he have tried to prevent the harm from coming8 #ae4 ,how should you behave if you have fault found with you8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,thus have we obeyed the voice of ,jonadab the son of ,rechab our father in all that he hath charged us4--,jer4 #ce3h4 ,,god is pleased with those who obey what their parents tell them4 ,to-day we hear about a family1 whose father gave them an order that sounds strange to us4 ,they were never to live in stone or brick houses1 but always to have tents2 they were not to have corn-fields or vineyards1 but only flocks of sheep1 and herds of cows and goats2 and they were never to taste wine or strong drink1 but only water and milk4 ,it was quite a long time after the old father1 who gave these orders1 had died1 that the ,prophet ,jeremiah was told to try whether they still minded him4 ,he was told to set pots of wine and cups before them1 and to ask them to drink4 ,but they all answered steadily1 that their father had bidden them never to touch wine1 nor have fields1 nor build houses2 and they were resolved that they would obey him4 ,then ,god was pleased with them1 and gave a blessing to them by the mouth of ,his prophet4 ,he said that there should never be an end to their tribe1 because they were so obedient4 ,and so it has been4 ,these ,rechabites1 as they are called1 lived two thousand four hundred years ago2 and their children and descendants have gone on like them ever since--living in tents1 keeping sheep1 and drinking no wine1 and obeying the voice of their father1 who lived so long ago4 ,they have lasted so long1 because ,god blessed their obedience4 ,now1 sometimes a little child goes out alone1 and some friend offers it something nice that it knows its mother would not like it to have4 ,or some person asks a little boy to come into a beer-shop1 and drink a drop1 when perhaps his father had told him not4 ,recollect1 then1 that if you are steady in minding what you are told1 as those good ,rechabites were1 then ,god will be pleased with you1 and own you for ,his good child1 and give you ,his blessing4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what is the ,fifth ,commandment8 #b4 ,who are the people we hear of to-day who honored their father8 #c4 ,who was their father8 #d4 ,what had he told them8 #e4 ,where were they to live8 #f4 ,what were they not to drink8 #g4 ,who tried if they would obey8 #h4 ,what did ,jeremiah offer the ,rechabites8 #i4 ,what did they answer8 #aj4 ,what blessing did ,god give them8 #aa4 ,how have they gone on ever since8 #ab4 ,why was ,god pleased with them8 #ac4 ,what can you do to please ,god8 #ad4 ,if you are out of sight of your father and mother1 what must you still do8 #ae4 ,if any of you are asked to do what your mother would not like1 how must you behave8 #af4 ,who is pleased if you are obedient8 ,illustration3 ,,assyrian ,,armlet4 ,thirty-fourth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,taking ,,of ,,jerusalem4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,illustration ,behold1 ,i am against you1 saith the ,lord ,god4--,ezekiel #ac3h4 ,,when ,king ,jehoiakim was dead1 and his son ,jehoiachin carried away to ,babylon1 another king began to reign1 named ,zedekiah4 ,he was ,jehoiachin's uncle2 he was ,jehoiakim's brother2 and he was son to good ,josiah4 ,the king of ,babylon said that ,zedekiah should reign as long as he would be obedient to him1 and pay some money every year1 so as to show that he owned the king of ,babylon for his master4 ,and ,god spake through ,his prophet ,jeremiah1 and said that if ,zedekiah would obey the king of ,babylon1 the people should be left in peace1 only they must be patient under their punishment4 ,but ,zedekiah was more like his bad brother than his good father4 ,he listened to people who pretended to be prophets1 though ,god had never spoken by them4 ,they told him to set up for himself against the king of ,babylon1 and that all the beautiful things that had been taken out of the ,temple should come back again4 ,and when ,jeremiah told them that it would not be so1 and that if they rebelled against the ,babylonians it would be worse for them1 and the king would be put to death1 they were so wicked as to let the holy prophet down into a pit1 with mud and mire at the bottom2 and there he lay sunk in the mire1 and with no food to eat1 nor water to drink4 ,at last a black man1 one of the king's slaves1 came and told the king that the prophet would soon be dead if he stayed there4 ,then ,zedekiah was shocked1 and he told the black to get ,jeremiah safe out of the pit4 ,so they threw him down soft rags1 and told him to put them under his arms1 that the ropes might not hurt him when they drew him up4 ,so ,jeremiah came out of the horrible pit1 and had some food2 and the king sent to see him in secret4 ,then he told the king that it was ,god's will that he should bear to be under the ,babylonian power1 and that he must not make war2 for that if he did1 he would come to great misery1 and die blind and a prisoner4 ,zedekiah was not angry1 as his brother had been1 but all he had to say for himself was that he was afraid of his people4 ,he was more afraid of them than of ,god1 and he would not do what he knew to be right4 ,so he told the black man to keep ,jeremiah safe1 and take care he had food every day2 but he begged ,jeremiah not to say one word to these wicked men about the conversation they had had together4 ,was it not a foolish thing to be so afraid of men1 when ,god could have taken care of him8 ,he would have been quite safe if he had only been bold enough to do as ,god told him6 ,mind1 that if ever idle children should want you to be as naughty as they are1 and tease you till you feel afraid to stand out against them1 the only way to be safe is to do as ,god tells you4 ,zedekiah1 who was afraid to do right1 was quite as much punished as ,jehoiakim1 who was bold to do wrong4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the king after ,jehoiakim8 #b4 ,what did the king of ,babylon promise8 #c4 ,what did ,god say8 #d4 ,by whom did ,god speak8 #e4 ,to whom did ,zedekiah listen instead8 #f4 ,what did he do to ,jeremiah8 #g4 ,what kind of place was the pit8 #h4 ,who had pity on ,jeremiah8 #i4 ,how was ,jeremiah taken out of the pit8 #aj4 ,what did he tell the king8 #aa4 ,why did not ,zedekiah mind him8 #ab4 ,why was it very foolish of ,zedekiah to be afraid of the people8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,there was written therein lamentations1 and mourning1 and woe4--,ezekiel #b3aj4 ,,this is a sad text2 but when people are wicked1 sadness must always follow4 ,you heard how kind ,god had been to the ,israelites1 and how much ,he had done for them2 how ,he gave them their beautiful land1 and their city of ,jerusalem1 and blessed them whenever they were good4 ,and if they sinned1 ,he sent punishment1 that they might learn to do better2 and when they were sorry ,he forgave them1 and made them happy again4 ,but they would not keep to what ,he told them2 they would worship idols1 and grow worse and worse1 till at last ,god said that there could be only lamentation1 and mourning1 and woe1 for the trouble they had brought on themselves4 ,god sent a great army under the king of ,babylon1 and ,jerusalem was given up to them4 ,the fierce soldiers came in1 and burnt the houses1 and robbed the ,temple2 and as to the young king1 ,jehoiachin1 they took him and his mother1 and all his chief lords and priests1 and carried them away to ,babylon1 where he was a long time in prison4 ,the chapter to-day was written by a holy prophet1 whose name was ,ezekiel1 and who was taken away to ,babylon at the same time as the young king4 ,god came and spoke to ,ezekiel1 that he might go on warning the people1 that if they did not repent now that they were punished1 ,he would be obliged to go on punishing them still4 ,think about that4 ,you know if you have done wrong and been punished1 it is that you may mind another time1 and not do the same over again4 ,if you are obstinate or careless1 and go back to the old fault1 then you will have to suffer more and more2 and there can be nothing but lamentation and mourning and woe4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who is the prophet whose chapter is read to-day8 #b4 ,where did ,ezekiel live8 #c4 ,who took him to ,babylon8 #d4 ,who was taken there at the same time8 #e4 ,how old was king ,jehoiachin8 #f4 ,what was his home8 #g4 ,why were he and his people taken away from ,jerusalem8 #h4 ,what had been their sin8 #i4 ,how had ,god tried to make them better8 #aj4 ,had they attended8 #aa4 ,what must come of sin8 #ab4 ,what is the use of being punished8 #ac4 ,what will happen if we do not leave off the fault when we are punished8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,and ye shall be comforted4--,ezekiel #ad3bb4 ,,the prophet ,ezekiel had many sad things to tell the ,jews2 but he had some comfortable ones4 ,they had been very wicked1 and ,god took them away from their dear home at ,jerusalem1 and let it be burnt with fire2 and put them to live far away in a strange land at ,babylon4 ,but ,he told them that if they would leave off their sins1 and turn back to ,him1 and not worship idols any more1 then ,he would forgive them1 and bring them home again4 ,to-day the ,lesson says that they must really be sorry in earnest1 not only pretend to be sorry4 ,if they said they would worship ,god1 and were caring for their idols in their hearts all the time1 then ,he must go on being angry1 and punishing them2 but if they were really sorry1 and really prayed to ,him1 then when they had been punished enough1 they should be comforted4 ,they should not always stay in ,babylon1 in the dull flat land1 with the streams of water flowing lazily through it2 but they should see their own dear hills and fields again1 and live in their homes once more4 ,that would be such gladness1 that it would make up for all the sorrow4 ,all that was wanted was1 that they should be really sorry1 and leave off all the bad things they had done1 and repent from the bottom of their hearts4 ,now when we have done wrong1 and are punished1 it is to make us sorry1 that we may do so no more4 ,little children are punished by their friends2 grown-up people are punished by ,god sending troubles4 ,then we must be sorry1 not only for the punishment1 but the fault1 and really try with all our hearts not to do it again4 ,if we only say we are sorry1 and then run back to our old ways1 something worse will come of it4 ,no1 we must be sorry in earnest1 and then ,god will forgive us1 for ,his dear ,son ,jesus ,christ's sake4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was happening to ,jerusalem8 #b4 ,what was done to the houses8 #c4 ,what was done to the people8 #d4 ,where had they to live8 #e4 ,where did they wish to be8 #f4 ,why were they taken to ,babylon8 #g4 ,what wicked thing had they done8 #h4 ,but what hope had they8 #i4 ,what must they do to be forgiven8 #aj4 ,where should they go back again to8 #aa4 ,why are people punished8 #ab4 ,what is the way to be forgiven8 #ac4 ,how are children punished8 #ad4 ,how are grown-up people punished8 #ae4 ,what should we do if we are punished8 #af4 ,will it do to go back to the fault8 ,illustration ,thirty-fifth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,fall ,,of ,,jerusalem4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,repent1 and turn yourselves from all your transgressions4--,ezekiel #ah3cj4 ,,very sad things were going on among the ,jews4 ,a great many of them were carried away out of their beautiful hilly land of ,canaan1 to live among the flat wet marshes round ,babylon1 and only a few were left with their king ,zedekiah at ,jerusalem4 ,jeremiah was speaking ,god's words to the people of ,jerusalem2 ,ezekiel was speaking ,god's words to the people who were captives by the river side4 ,they both said the same thing--that the only way to be peaceful1 and not to suffer worse and worse1 would be to repent and leave off their sins that had displeased ,god1 and pray to ,him to spare them1 and then to bear patiently the punishment that had begun4 ,but this was just what ,zedekiah and his people would not do4 ,they misused ,jeremiah for giving them such advice1 and they would not own the king of ,babylon for their master2 and instead of believing ,god's true prophets1 they listened to the false ones1 who said1 that in a very little while the captives would come back again1 and all would be well4 ,then ,ezekiel took a tile1 a great flat piece of pottery1 and he drew on it the walls and towers of the city of ,jerusalem1 and made little tents and banks round it1 and he lay down by it on his side1 and watched it4 ,and he weighed out for himself a very little bad bread to eat4 ,then1 when the people came to ask him why he did this1 he said that it was to show them how it would be with their own ,jerusalem far away4 ,the ,babylonians would come round it1 and set up their tents1 and make banks of earth to keep the people in1 and shoot stones and arrows1 and climb the walls4 ,inside there would be no better food than ,ezekiel was eating--no1 nor so good--and everyone would be starving1 and dying of thirst4 ,then the enemy would break in1 and carry all the chief of them away to ,babylon1 and keep them prisoners there--till the whole people had come to repent of their sins1 and had turned to the ,lord with all their hearts4 ,for ,god has no pleasure in man's being punished4 ,he only punishes that we may turn away from our sin and do right1 and be saved at last4 ,if only these ,jews would have listened to ,ezekiel and ,jeremiah1 and repented1 they would have been spared2 but instead of that1 they went on growing worse and worse1 till they had to have seventy long years of punishment before they could be forgiven4 ,we must take care when we are punished that we are sorry1 and not obstinate and hard1 or we shall have to be punished more and more4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were the two prophets8 #b4 ,where did ,jeremiah prophesy8 #c4 ,where did ,ezekiel prophesy8 #d4 ,what did they both tell the people8 #e4 ,would the people mind them8 #f4 ,what did ,king ,jehoiakim do to ,jeremiah's prophecies8 #g4 ,what did ,king ,zedekiah do to ,jeremiah8 #h4 ,what did ,ezekiel take8 #i4 ,what did he draw on the tile8 #aj4 ,what did he put round the tile8 #aa4 ,where did he lie8 #ab4 ,what did he eat8 #ac4 ,what was the tile to stand for8 #ad4 ,who were coming round ,jerusalem8 #ae4 ,what would they set up8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,woe to the bloody city4--,ezekiel #bd3f4 ,,so ,jerusalem had been taken1 and pulled down1 and burnt2 and ,king ,zedekiah was dead1 and all his sons1 and most of the great people had been carried away to ,babylon4 ,only the poorer people were left1 that they might plough and sow1 and gather the corn and the grapes1 and keep the land from getting waste and full of weeds4 ,the ,prophet ,jeremiah was left among them4 ,there is one book in the ,bible called the ,book of ,lamentation1 for it is the sad verses that he made to mourn over the beautiful city and the glorious ,temple1 all burnt with fire because the people had been so sinful4 ,illustration3 ,,jeremiah ,,mourning ,,over ,,jerusalem4--,lam4 of ,jer4 #a3a1 #b4 ,still ,jeremiah told the people that were left1 that if they would be patient and obey the king of ,babylon1 that after the seventy years of punishment the troubles should be over1 and their friends should come back1 and the ,temple be built up again4 ,but still1 after all that had happened1 these wilful ,jews would have their own way4 ,they said they were afraid of the king of ,babylon there1 and must go to ,egypt to be safe2 just as if they were not safer where ,god told them to stay1 than they could be anywhere else4 ,so off they went1 and they carried ,jeremiah by force with them1 whether he would or no4 ,but almost as soon as ,jeremiah came there1 ,god told him to take some great stones and put them into the clay of the brick kiln near ,pharaoh's house1 and say that upon those very stones the king of ,babylon himself would set up his tent in a few years' time4 ,and so it was4 ,the ,babylonians raised a great army1 and came marching into ,egypt1 and there they burnt and destroyed1 and killed and made slaves of the people they found there4 ,then these foolish ,jews saw that if they had only stayed quietly at home the king of ,babylon would have done them no harm4 ,but now they had run away just where he was coming1 and would hurt them most4 ,that came of not trusting ,god's ,word1 but trying to run away from ,him2 for truly nothing is so foolish as to try to hide from ,god4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had been done to ,jerusalem8 #b4 ,where were all the chief people gone8 #c4 ,who was left8 #d4 ,where did ,jeremiah stay8 #e4 ,what sad book did ,jeremiah write8 #f4 ,why was he sorry8 #g4 ,what did he tell the ,jews that were left8 #h4 ,where did they want to go8 #i4 ,why was it wrong to go to ,egypt8 #aj4 ,why did they choose to go to ,egypt8 #aa4 ,what did ,god tell ,jeremiah8 #ab4 ,where was the king of ,babylon to set his throne8 #ac4 ,where would they have been safest8 #ad4 ,why8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i will cause you to pass under the rod4--,ezekiel #bj3cg4 ,,god told ,his prophet ,ezekiel to put the ,israelites in mind of all that ,he had done for them1 and how ungrateful they had been--always worshipping idols1 and turning away from ,him1 though ,he had brought them out of the land of ,egypt1 and led them through the wilderness1 and given them the beautiful land of ,canaan4 ,but they would not serve ,him there1 so punishment had come4 ,,some ,,israelites ,,were ,,captives4 ,some of the ,israelites were captives already in the land of the king of ,babylon4 ,ezekiel was one of them2 and just four years after he spoke this prophecy1 ,nebuchadnezzar1 the king of ,babylon1 came up against ,jerusalem1 and took it once more1 and made ,king ,zedekiah prisoner as he was trying to flee away4 ,zedekiah's sons were put to death before his eyes2 and after that his eyes were put out1 and he was carried in chains to ,babylon1 and there slain4 ,beautiful ,jerusalem was set on fire1 the walls were thrown down1 and all the gold and silver in the ,temple was carried off to ,babylon2 and the ,jews themselves were made to go there too1 and live as prisoners there4 ,this was the way ,god punished them to make them sorry for their sins2 and still ,he gave them hope that when seventy years were over1 they should come back1 and build up their city2 and after that they would always remember their old fault1 and never turn to worship false gods again4 ,so ,god was merciful even in ,his anger1 and sent their sorrow to make them know ,him and serve ,him better4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where had ,god led the ,israelites from8 #b4 ,what beautiful place had ,he given them8 #c4 ,what were they to do for ,him8 #d4 ,did they serve ,him8 #e4 ,what did they worship8 #f4 ,how did ,he punish them8 #g4 ,what young king had they lost already8 #h4 ,who was the king that came up against ,jerusalem8 #i4 ,what did ,nebuchadnezzar do to ,jerusalem8 #aj4 ,who was the king ,nebuchadnezzar took8 #aa4 ,what was done to king ,zedekiah8 #ab4 ,what was done to the city8 #ac4 ,what was done to the people8 #ad4 ,were they ever to come back again8 #ae4 ,how soon were they to come back8 #af4 ,what did they learn by their troubles8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,breastplate4 ,thirty-sixth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,jews ,,at ,,babylon4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,by the rivers of ,babylon1 there we sat down1 yea1 we wept1 when we remembered ,zion4--,psalm #acg3a4 ,illustration ,,when the ,jews came to ,babylon1 some were made to live in the city1 where they worked at trades1 and kept shops4 ,others lived in the country and worked in the fields4 ,these were not like the fields at home4 ,the goodly land at home was full of hills and valleys1 with sloping pastures for the flocks1 and vineyards on the sides of the hills2 but the land round ,babylon was quite flat1 with broad rivers flowing slowly and lazily through the meadows1 with weeping willows upon their banks4 ,while ,jerusalem was being besieged1 ,ezekiel1 at ,babylon1 drew the picture of the town on a tile1 and shut it in with a wall1 and lay watching it1 and weighing out a little bit of bad bread for himself to eat every day1 that the other ,jews who were with him might know what was going on among their brethren at ,jerusalem1 as ,god told him4 ,and in a vision he saw the angels come and mark in their foreheads all that were good1 that they might not be hurt in the siege2 while the bad would die by sword1 and hunger1 and sickness4 ,so it is still1 ,god saves ,his own good ones4 ,the angels know and mark them1 when all the rest are given up to ,god's terrible anger4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what sort of place was ,babylon8 #b4 ,was it like the land of ,israel8 #c4 ,who was the prophet there8 #d4 ,what did he do while the siege of ,jerusalem was going on8 #e4 ,where did he draw it8 #f4 ,what did he eat8 #g4 ,who were eating bread like that8 #h4 ,who saw him8 #i4 ,what did he see an angel doing8 #aj4 ,who were marked8 #aa4 ,what became of those who were marked8 #ab4 ,what became of those who had no mark8 #ac4 ,who will always be safe8 #ad4 ,how are you marked8 ,illustration3 ,,ezekiel',s ,,vision4--,ezekiel #a3bh4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,son of man1 can these bones live8--,ezekiel #cg3c4 ,,the great prophet ,ezekiel was shewn by ,god how the ,jews should be brought back after all their troubles4 ,the ,lord made him have a sort of dream1 when he saw a whole valley spread over with dry bones1 and the ,lord said1 ,son of man1 can these bones live8 ,and ,ezekiel said1 ,lord1 ,thou knowest4 ,then the ,lord bade ,ezekiel sing2 and as he sung there was a shaking1 and the bones came together again and joined in their right places2 and as he sung on1 the flesh came back on them2 and then the ,lord bade him call to the winds of heaven1 and they came and filled them with breath again1 and they rose up and lived4 ,just so ,god said the kingdom of ,judah was dead and scattered1 but ,he would breathe on it1 and wake it1 and join it together again1 like the dead bones rising to life4 ,and just so1 we know1 when all our bodies are dead1 and our bones lie in the grave1 the call of the ,lord's voice will wake them up1 and we shall rise on our feet1 and ,his breath will come to us1 and we shall stand before ,him an exceeding great army4 ,for that is the resurrection of the body which we look for4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was the prophet8 #b4 ,what had happened to the kingdom of ,judah8 #c4 ,who had conquered it8 #d4 ,why had ,nebuchadnezzar conquered it8 #e4 #e4 ,what did ,god shew ,ezekiel8 #f4 ,how did the bones look8 #g4 ,what did ,god bid ,ezekiel do8 #h4 ,what happened8 #i4 ,what came back to the bones8 #aj4 ,what was dry and dead like the bones8 #aa4 ,but what did ,god promise to do8 #ab4 ,when did the ,jewish people come to life8 #ac4 ,what will become of us by-and-by8 #ad4 ,what will be done with our bodies8 #ae4 ,when will they wake8 #af4 ,what will wake them8 #ag4 ,what will be joined together8 #ah4 ,will they die any more8 #ai4 ,for what do we believe in8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,god gave them knowledge and skill4--,daniel #a3ag4 ,,among the ,jews who were carried away to ,babylon there were some little boys1 young princes of the king's family1 who had been brought up in the palace of the house of ,david4 ,they could not have been more than twelve years old when they were thus taken from their homes4 ,the king of ,babylon1 ,nebuchadnezzar1 thought he should like to have them to wait on him4 ,so he desired the steward of his place to have them taken into his care1 to be taught both to wait on the king1 and to know all the learning of ,babylon4 ,slaves instead of princes4 ,that was sad enough1 but what grieved these boys most of all was that the dinners that were sent to them all came from the king's own table1 and they knew that all the meat there came from creatures that had been offered up to idols4 ,now there was one boy1 whose name was ,daniel1 who knew that it was very wrong for any ,jew to eat meats that had been offered to idols4 ,some of the boys said they did not care1 and some said they were very sorry1 but they could not help it4 ,yes1 ,daniel said1 they could help it if they would leave off eating meat and drinking wine1 and only have beans and water4 ,,loyal ,,to ,,daniel4 ,then three more of the boys said they would stand by ,daniel1 and have only the beans and water rather than break ,god's holy ,law4 ,their proper names were ,hananiah1 ,azariah1 and ,mishael1 but the king had changed all the boys' names1 and he called them ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego4 ,so ,daniel asked their master1 ,melzar1 to give them none of the rich wine and fine dainties1 but only water and pulse--that is1 beans4 ,but ,melzar said they would grow thin and weak on such poor food1 and then the king would be angry with him4 ,only try us for just ten days1 ,daniel said4 ,and ,god so blessed the food1 that at the end of ten days1 ,daniel1 ,hananiah1 ,azariah1 and ,mishael1 were fairer and fatter than all their cousins and friends who had been eating the king's dainties4 ,and ,melzar had found that none were so true and honest and obedient and painstaking1 so he trusted them very much2 and they grew wise and learned1 and still loved and feared their ,god1 though they were slaves so far away from home4 ,now remember how they began4 ,it was by giving up the things they liked when they found it was wrong to have them4 ,when you are tempted to be greedy1 would it not be a good thing to recollect ,daniel and the other boys eating beans and drinking water8 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were the boys carried to ,babylon8 #b4 ,what were their proper names8 #c4 ,what did the king call them8 #d4 ,what was the name of the king of ,babylon8 #e4 ,how did he desire these boys to be brought up8 #f4 ,what had they been at home8 #g4 ,what were they to eat8 #h4 ,why did they not like to eat these meats8 #i4 ,what did ,daniel beg for8 #aj4 ,who joined with him8 #aa4 ,who was their master8 #ab4 ,what did ,melzar say8 #ac4 ,how long was it to be tried8 #ad4 ,how did ,daniel and his friends look8 #ae4 ,why was this8 #af4 ,why did ,god bless them8 #ag4 ,how did they behave8 #ah4 ,what was the beginning of all their holiness8 #ai4 ,what ought we to keep in order8 ,illustration ,thirty-seventh ,sunday4 ,,daniel ,,at ,,babylon4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,our ,god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace4--,daniel #c3ag4 ,,you remember that the ,jews had been so wicked1 that ,god had let them be conquered by their enemies1 and taken quite away from home to the great city of ,babylon4 ,the king of ,babylon worshipped idols2 and he set up a great golden idol1 much higher than this room1 and commanded that as soon as his music played1 everyone should fall down and worship the image2 or if anyone would not1 that person should be thrown into a burning fiery furnace4 ,a furnace is like a very large oven1 or like a brick-kiln--a sort of house quite full of fire--for burning and baking bricks1 or melting iron1 or anything else that requires to be made very hot4 ,many people were afraid of such a horrible punishment as being thrown into the furnace2 and when they heard the music1 they made haste to bow down before the great golden image4 ,but the ,jews knew that they must not worship idols2 so what could they do8 ,i only know what three of them did4 ,they were three young men1 named ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego1 who were brought up before the king1 because they would not bow down before his great image4 ,the king asked them how it was2 and told them fiercely that if they would not worship his golden image1 they must be thrown into the fire4 ,illustration3 ,i am with ,thee saith the ,lord to deliver ,thee4 ,,jer4 #a-ai ,,when ,,thou ,,walkest ,,through ,,the ,,fire1 ,,thou ,,shalt ,,not ,,be ,,burned2 ,,neither ,,shall ,,the ,,flame ,,kindle ,,upon ,,thee ,but they stood up boldly1 and said1 ,our ,god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace1 and ,he will deliver us out of thine hand1 ,o ,king6 ,but if not1 be it known unto thee1 ,o ,king1 that we will not serve thy gods1 nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up4 ,the king was very angry at this brave answer4 ,he had the furnace made seven times hotter than usual2 and ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego were thrown into it1 tied hand and foot2 and the flame was so hot1 that it burnt the men that threw them in4 ,presently1 the king gave a loud cry4 ,for in the midst of the fire were the men1 not tied1 but free1 and walking in the burning heat1 as if they were in cool spring air6 ,and there was another with them1 whose form was the ,son of ,god4 ,then he called them1 and the three came out4 ,there was no smell of fire about them1 and not a hair of their heads was singed2 they had not felt the heat at all2 but that ,holy ,one had taken care of them1 and had kept them safe in the midst of the fire4 ,then the king of ,babylon knew how wrong he had been2 and he sent forth a command1 that no one should ever speak a word against the ,god of ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego1 who had saved them in the burning fiery furnace4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ,jews living8 #b4 ,how came the ,jews to be at ,babylon8 #c4 ,what did the king of ,babylon want everyone to worship8 #d4 ,who would not worship the golden image8 #e4 ,why would not ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego worship the image8 #f4 ,what is the ,second ,commandment8 #g4 ,what was done to them for not worshipping the image8 #h4 ,what is a furnace8 #i4 ,how hot was it made8 #aj4 ,what did the king see in the fire8 #aa4 ,who was with him8 #ab4 ,were they hurt8 #ac4 ,why did not the fire burn ,shadrach1 ,meshach1 and ,abed-nego8 #ad4 ,who took care of them in the fire8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,those that walk in pride ,he is able to abase4--,daniel #d3cg4 ,,great ,nebuchadnezzar1 the king of ,babylon1 had a strange dream4 ,he thought he saw a great tree with spreading branches and fine leaves1 making a sweet shelter1 where all the creatures came and stood1 and the birds nestled in the boughs2 but while he was admiring it there came a holy one down from heaven1 and said the tree was to be cut down1 and only the stump left in the tender grass of the field1 and that it should be bound with iron1 and wet with the dew of heaven till seven years had passed over it4 ,when ,nebuchadnezzar woke he was troubled1 and was sure the dream had a meaning1 and he sent for the prophet ,daniel to tell him what it was4 ,daniel was so sorry1 that at first he could hardly bear to speak2 but at last he told the king that it was himself1 ,nebuchadnezzar1 that the tree meant4 ,he was great and mighty1 and countries and people were shadowed over by his power2 but soon he would have a fall--he would lose his senses1 and his man's heart would be like a beast's heart1 and he would be driven out of his palace1 and he would eat grass like an ox1 and his body would be wet with the dew of heaven1 and his hair would be long like eagles' feathers1 and his nails like eagles' claws1 till seven years had passed by2 and then he would recover his senses1 and know and understand again1 and he would come back to his kingdom again4 ,then he would know and own that the ,lord of ,heaven is the true ,god4 ,,thought ,,that ,,nothing ,,could ,,hurt ,,him4 ,nebuchadnezzar was shocked at first1 but soon he forgot all about the dream1 and felt himself so wise and strong and brave1 that nothing could hurt him4 ,he was walking one day in his palace1 a most beautiful one1 and looking out on the grand city with the river running through it1 with all the bridges and the hundred brazen gates2 and his heart was lifted up with pride1 and he said1 ,is not this great ,babylon that ,i have builded8 ,that very moment there came a voice from heaven that said the time was come6 ,and a strange madness came on the king1 his brave clever spirit became as senseless as a beast's2 and he only wanted to graze in the field like the cattle4 ,so they drove him out of the palace1 and put a band of iron round him1 and let him eat grass like an ox1 and his hair grew long and shaggy1 and his nails like eagles' claws1 just as ,daniel had said4 ,so seven years passed away2 and at the end of them he came to his senses again1 ,god gave back his man's heart and his reason1 and he went back to his palace1 and sat on his throne again4 ,and one of the first things he did was to have a letter written to his people1 telling them all this story1 and bidding them do honor to the ,god of ,daniel1 who putteth down and setteth up4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,nebuchadnezzar8 #b4 ,who was ,daniel8 #c4 ,how came ,daniel to be at ,babylon8 #d4 ,what did the king see in his dream8 #e4 ,what happened to the tree8 #f4 ,what did the king want to know8 #g4 ,whom did he send for8 #h4 ,whom did ,daniel say the tree meant8 #i4 ,what was to happen to the king8 #aj4 ,how long was he to be in this state8 #aa4 ,what beautiful place had ,nebuchadnezzar built8 #ab4 ,what did he say about it8 #ac4 ,what happened that moment8 #ad4 ,what did this poor king want to be8 #ae4 ,what did he eat8 #af4 ,what was his hair like8 #ag4 ,what were his nails like8 #ah4 ,how long did he go on like that8 #ai4 ,what did ,god restore to him8 #bj4 ,what was the first thing he did8 #ba4 ,what did he tell the people8 #bb4 ,had not he lost all his pride8 #bc4 ,what should we not boast of8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,god hath numbered thy kingdom1 and finished it4--,daniel #e3f4 ,,after ,nebuchadnezzar1 some troublesome times began at ,babylon2 but at last his grandson ,belshazzar was reigning4 ,he was a foolish1 self-pleasing young man2 and his enemies1 the great nation of ,medes and ,persians1 came to make war on him1 but still he did not care for anything but his amusement4 ,he thought ,babylon so strong that they could never break in2 and he gave a great feast to all his lords1 with fine meats and wines1 and he had all the gold and silver bowls1 and the golden candlestick that had been brought out of the ,temple of ,god at ,jerusalem1 on the tables1 while he and his friends were drinking and singing and shouting4 ,all on a sudden a stillness came over them1 and their eyes opened wide with fright4 ,for just over the candlestick there was seen a man's hand4 ,there was no body1 only the hand2 and the finger went along writing on the wall1 tracing out letters4 ,there were four words1 but no one could read them or tell what they meant4 ,the king was terribly frightened4 ,his knees knocked together1 and he shook all over1 and he called for some one to tell him what this writing could be4 ,nobody could guess2 but at last the queen1 his mother1 came and put him in mind how ,daniel had been able to explain his father's dreams4 ,so ,daniel was sent for1 and he at once read the writing4 ,he told them ,belshazzar was found wanting4 ,his kingdom was going to be taken from him1 and given to the ,medes and ,persians4 ,illustration3 ,,daniel ,,interpreting ,,the ,,writing ,,on ,,the ,,wall4--,dan4 #e3be-bh4 ,and even then1 all the time the ,babylonians were feasting and not watching the enemy1 ,cyrus1 the clever king of the ,persians1 was making his men dig ditches1 into which he turned all the water of the great river that ran through the city2 and that very night all his army came in1 walking up the dry bed of the stream4 ,no one saw them till they were in the city2 and that very night ,belshazzar was slain4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was king of ,babylon8 #b4 ,who made war on ,belshazzar8 #c4 ,what was all he cared for8 #d4 ,what feast did he make8 #e4 ,what were brought out8 #f4 ,what frightened him8 #g4 ,what was the hand doing8 #h4 ,what could no one understand8 #i4 ,who spoke up8 #aj4 ,who was sent for8 #aa4 ,what did ,daniel say it meant8 #ab4 ,what happened that night8 #ac4 ,how did the ,persians get in8 #ad4 ,who was king of the ,persians8 #ae4 ,why did ,belshazzar come to such a sad end8 ,illustration3 ,,chart ,,of ,,the ,,country ,,round ,,babylon1 ,,with ,,limits ,,of ,,the ,,ancient ,,city4 7,according to ,oppert74 ,thirty-eighth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,return ,,from ,,babylon4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the ,lord is in ,his holy ,temple3 let all the earth keep silence before ,him4--,hab4 #b3bj4 ,illustration ,,the ,jews had gone back to their old city of ,jerusalem1 but they found it looking very sad and ruinous4 ,the walls were broken down1 and the pleasant houses were heaps of ruins1 and grass and brambles had come up in the courts1 and there were heaps of stone blackened with the fire and smoke that had burnt down the city4 ,the first thing they did was to clear the place where ,god's holy ,temple used to stand1 and to build it up again4 ,but they were not rich and powerful like ,king ,solomon1 who built the first ,temple2 they had no gold and silver1 and the new ,temple they built was very small and poor compared with the old one4 ,there were old men among them who remembered the first ,temple as it used to be1 and they wept aloud as they saw how different the new one was2 but there were young men who were very glad to have a ,temple at all1 and they shouted for joy2 so there was a mixed sound of weeping for sorrow and of crying out with joy4 ,then ,god sent ,his ,prophet ,haggai to tell the old men not to be afraid1 for the glory of this latter ,house should be greater than that of the former4 ,the way this should be was that our ,blessed ,lord ,himself would come to the new ,temple1 as a little ,babe at first and afterwards as a grown ,man2 and when ,he was there1 the honor and glory of the ,temple would be greater than ever it was before4 ,now there is no one ,temple3 but ,god's ,houses are ,churches1 and we have them everywhere to pray to ,him in1 and meet ,him there though we cannot see ,him4 ,let us take care to worship ,him there very humbly and reverently4 ,illustration3 ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,jews ,,from ,,captivity4--,ezra #a3e4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where did the ,jews return to8 #b4 ,what state was their city in8 #c4 ,what had they to do to their city8 #d4 ,what did they first build up8 #e4 ,what sort of ,temple did they build8 #f4 ,why was the new ,temple not so fine as the old one8 #g4 ,what did the old people do8 #h4 ,what did the young people do8 #i4 ,how did ,god comfort the old people8 #aj4 ,who would come to the new ,temple8 #aa4 ,is there a ,temple now8 #ab4 ,what have we instead8 #ac4 ,how should we behave in church8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justice1 and to love mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god8--,micah #f3h4 ,,the name of the leader of the ,jews1 when they came home from ,babylon to their own country was ,zerubabel4 ,zerubabel was their prince4 ,he was of ,david's family1 and he would have been king if the ,jews had been allowed to have kings2 but he was contented to go back without the crown and throne and sceptre that his fathers had had before him1 and to live humbly in obedience to the king of ,babylon4 ,,zerubabel',s ,,great ,,desire4 ,that which ,zerubabel cared to have was a little spot of ground among the mountains4 ,it was the village of ,bethlehem1 the place from which ,david had been called away long ago1 from feeding his father's sheep1 to come and be king of ,israel4 ,why should ,zerubabel care for that little piece of ground more than for ,solomon's palace1 that was so glorious8 ,one reason was1 that the ,prophet ,micah had said1 ,but thou1 ,bethlehem-,ephratah1 though thou be little among the thousands of ,judah1 yet out of thee shall ,he come forth unto ,me that is to be ,ruler in ,israel2 whose goings have been from everlasting4 ,and faithful men understood that this meant that the ,saviour of the world should be born at ,bethlehem1 and that ,he would be among ,zerubabel's children's children4 ,that was why ,zerubabel cared so much for the poor little ruined village1 and took care to make a home of it again1 though now there were only a hundred and twenty-three people to come back to live in it4 ,god was pleased with ,zerubabel's faith1 and blessed him because he had not despised the day of small things4 ,god said that to ,zerubabel a mountain should become a plain--that is1 that what seemed most difficult should grow easy1 and that ,zerubabel should be the man who should build up the ,temple again--,god's own ,house1 that was lying in ruins4 ,that was the great honor this good man had1 because he believed in ,god's promise with all his heart1 and went so bravely and steadily to work upon a little1 when he could not do a great deal4 ,for to him that is faithful in a little shall much be given4 ,illustration3 ,,building ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,temple4--,ezra #c3aj4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,zerubabel8 #b4 ,where were the ,jews coming back from8 #c4 ,what had ,zerubabel's fathers been8 #d4 ,why was not ,zerubabel a king8 #e4 ,who was the father of the kings of the ,jews8 #f4 ,what had ,david been before he was a king8 #g4 ,where did he keep his sheep8 #h4 ,what was the place ,zerubabel cared to have again8 #i4 ,why did ,zerubabel care for ,bethlehem8 #aj4 ,who was to be born there8 #aa4 ,who had said so8 #ab4 ,what did ,zerubabel believe8 #ac4 ,how many people went back to ,bethlehem8 #ad4 ,did ,zerubabel despise it for being small8 #ae4 ,what did he think of8 #af4 ,why did ,god bless him8 #ag4 ,what did ,god say he should build up8 #ah4 ,what did ,god say difficulties should be to him8 #ai4 ,do not things we have to do sometimes seem like great mountains to get over8 #bj4 ,but who can make them easy to us8 #ba4 ,only what must we do ourselves8 #bb4 ,and what is the way to do great things well8 #bc4 ,what must we never despise8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,thy ,god whom thou servest continually1 ,he will deliver thee4--,dan4 #f3af4 ,,there was another king of ,babylon1 and his name was ,darius4 ,it was the strange1 foolish way of his people to treat him as if he was a sort of a god1 and more than man2 and one day his people came to him and begged him to make a law that for thirty whole days nobody should say their prayers to any god1 or ask anything of any man1 except of ,darius the king2 or if they did1 they should be thrown to the lions1 to be eaten up4 ,darius thought this was all to do him honor1 so he made the law that thus it should be4 ,now when a law had once been made by the king of that people1 it could not be changed4 ,so nobody was to say their prayers to anyone but the king for all that time4 ,but by-and-by the king's people came and told him that there was one old man who did not attend to his law1 but that they had watched him in his own room1 and there he said his prayers three times a-day1 just as if the king had made no law at all4 ,the king was very sorry when he heard who it was1 for this man who would not leave off saying his prayers was the man he trusted most in all the kingdom4 ,it was ,daniel1 one of the captive ,jews1 son or brother to one of the last kings of ,jerusalem4 ,he had been taken to ,babylon when he was a very little boy1 and now he was quite an old man1 but he had never ceased praying to the great ,god of ,heaven1 and he was not going to leave off now4 ,he was a prophet of the ,lord1 and very wise1 and he was one of the king's very best advisers1 so ,darius was greatly grieved when he was accused4 ,but ,darius could not help himself2 the law that had once been made could not be broken1 and these spiteful people declared that ,daniel must be thrown to the lions4 ,all day long the king tried to get his wise good counsellor saved from this dreadful fate1 but he could not succeed2 and at evening ,daniel's enemies came to take him and throw him to the lions in their den4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,jewish ,,captives ,,conducted ,,before ,,darius4 ,still1 though ,darius was a heathen himself1 he had one hope2 and when he saw his friend led away1 he said1 ,thy ,god whom thou servest continually1 ,he will deliver thee4 ,so they took ,daniel1 and put him into a pit among the lions1 and they fastened up the door and left him there2 and the king was so sorry1 that he could not sleep all night for grieving for the good1 wise1 brave man who was thrown to the lions because he would not leave off praying to ,god1 and feared ,god more than man4 ,and when daylight came they all went to the den4 ,the enemies hoped to find that ,daniel was eaten up1 but the king cried out in a lamentable voice1 ,o ,daniel1 servant of the living ,god1 is thy ,god1 whom thou servest continually1 able to deliver thee from the lions8 ,and ,daniel's own voice came cheerfully back1 and told the king that his ,god had sent ,his angel1 who had shut the lions' mouths1 so that they could not hurt him1 and had kept him safe all night4 ,illustration3 ,,daniel ,,in ,,the ,,lion',s ,,den4--,daniel #f3ai1 #bb4 ,and the king was very glad1 and commanded them to take ,daniel out of the pit1 and to put the spiteful men in instead2 and the lions were so hungry that they brake all their bones in pieces before ever they came to the bottom of the den4 ,only think what ,daniel was willing to bear rather than not say his prayers6 ,and it was because he prayed that ,god saved him4 ,god's power shut the lions' mouths1 because ,daniel had been more afraid to leave off praying than even to be torn to pieces4 ,how glad we should be that we can say our prayers safe and unhurt2 and how careful we should be never to miss them out of idleness1 if ,daniel would not miss them out of fear4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ,jews living8 #b4 ,who was king of ,babylon8 #c4 ,what law was ,darius persuaded to make8 #d4 ,who was to be prayed to8 #e4 ,what was to be done to anybody who said prayers to any but ,darius8 #f4 ,who did go on saying his prayers8 #g4 ,who was ,daniel8 #h4 ,what was done to ,daniel8 #i4 ,did the lions hurt ,daniel8 #aj4 ,why was ,daniel kept safe in the den8 #aa4 ,whom did ,daniel fear most1 ,god or men8 #ab4 ,when should we say our prayers8 #ac4 ,can anyone hurt us if ,god takes care of us8 ,illustration3 ,,babylonian ,,brick4 ,thirty-ninth ,sunday4 ,,troubles ,,of ,,the ,,jews4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird4--,prov4 #a3ag4 ,illustration ,,there was a gentle ,jewish girl1 named ,esther1 who had been left an orphan very young1 and was brought up by her kind relation1 ,mordecai1 who was one of the ,jews who had not gone back to ,jerusalem1 but still lived in ,persia4 ,one day there came a messenger from the king1 to carry away poor ,esther from home4 ,the king wanted all the maidens in his land to be brought together1 that he might choose the most beautiful of them all for his queen1 and the others would be kept for slaves4 ,all the other maidens dressed themselves up1 and painted themselves to try to look beautiful2 but ,esther did not ask for any ornaments1 she only put on what she was ordered to wear4 ,yet she looked so much the most lovely of all1 in her modest quietness1 that the king chose her and married her1 and set the crown on her head1 and made her his queen4 ,but she had a sad life1 though she was queen4 ,she was always shut up1 and could not see her kind friend ,mordecai1 and she could not even go to her husband without his leave1 or she would have been put to death4 ,illustration3 ,,queen ,,esther ,the ,golden ,scepter ,at the banquet ,her kinsman1 ,mordecai1 used to sit in the palace gate every day1 to hear news of her4 ,now1 there was a very bad man named ,haman1 who used to pass by every day2 and ,mordecai never would bow to him1 because he was one of the people whom ,god had forbidden the ,jews to have any concern with4 ,haman grew so angry at last that he resolved not only to get ,mordecai killed1 but all the ,jews besides4 ,so he went to the king1 and told him a false story about the ,jews1 and persuaded him to give orders that their enemies in all the lands round ,jerusalem1 and everywhere else1 should fall on them on a set day1 and put them to death4 ,and the king was so foolish and so cruel as to consent to seal the letters1 saying that all the ,jews were to be killed on one day4 ,but ,mordecai heard about this cruel plot1 and he sent secret word to ,esther that she must try to save her people1 by telling the king that he had been deceived by ,haman4 ,poor ,esther was much afraid4 ,she knew that if she went to the king without leave1 she would be put to death2 but she thought it was better for her to run the risk1 than to let all the ,jews perish4 ,so she dressed herself beautifully1 as the king liked best to see her2 and she went to his court almost fainting with fear4 ,but when he saw her1 he touched her with his golden sceptre4 ,then she knew he would not put her to death2 and when he asked why she had come1 and what she wanted1 she said she wished to ask him to a banquet of wine in her chamber4 ,illustration3 ,,queen ,,esther ,,crowned4--,esther #b3ag4 ,and when he came there1 she was able to tell him of the cruel plan for killing all her people1 and how falsely ,haman had spoken4 ,the king was very angry when he understood it all2 and wicked ,haman was hung upon the very gallows he had meant for ,mordecai4 ,and so the ,jews were saved by the good queen1 who was not afraid to risk her life for her people4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were some of the ,jews living8 #b4 ,what was the name of the ,jew girl8 #c4 ,what was the name of her kinsman8 #d4 ,how did the king choose his wife8 #e4 ,who was the most beautiful woman8 #f4 ,where did ,mordecai sit8 #g4 ,to whom would not ,mordecai bow8 #h4 ,what did ,haman want to do8 #i4 ,who consented8 #aj4 ,why was it dangerous for ,esther to go and speak to the king8 #aa4 ,what did the king do when he saw her8 #ab4 ,what did holding out the sceptre mean8 #ac4 ,what did she ask him8 #ad4 ,what did she tell him8 #ae4 ,what was done to ,haman8 #af4 ,how were the ,jews saved8 ,illustration3 ,,triumph ,,of ,,mordecai4--,esther #f3aa4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,thy servants think upon her stones1 and it pitieth them to see her in the dust4--,ps4 #ajb3ad4 ,,there was a good ,jew named ,nehemiah1 whom the ,king of ,persia had made his cup-bearer4 ,one day one of the ,jews came from ,jerusalem1 and told ,nehemiah how sad all was at their home1 the city that once had been so beautiful4 ,there was a little bit of the ,temple built up1 but all the streets were heaps of ruins1 and only a house or two here and there built up2 and the robber tribes round were always breaking in and doing mischief4 ,nehemiah wept1 and prayed to ,god for his people2 and when he went in to wait on the king and queen1 he still looked so sad1 that they asked him what was the matter4 ,then he told them that he had just heard that his dear home1 where his fathers' tombs were1 was lying waste1 and that the cruel enemies were always doing harm2 and he begged the king to let him go home and try to help them4 ,illustration3 ,,nehemiah ,,armeth ,,the ,,laborers--,neh4 #d3af1ag4 ,so the king gave him leave1 but set him a time to come back2 and ,nehemiah went all the long way to ,jerusalem4 ,it was quite as bad as he had heard4 ,the houses were all down1 only here and there one standing2 and when he went out on his ass at night to view the ruins1 there was a heap of stones where a gate should be1 and a hole where a wall should be4 ,so ,nehemiah stirred up all the ,jews1 and they set to work to build the wall to keep out the robbers4 ,then the enemies laughed at them1 and said a fox could break down all they built2 and when they went on1 people used to come and attack them1 so that they had to work with swords ready to fight1 and always on the watch to come to help if they heard a trumpet blown4 ,but they kept on1 and the wall was built and the gates set up2 and they were safe once more from enemies coming in among them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,nehemiah8 #b4 ,what made him sad8 #c4 ,who were living at ,jerusalem8 #d4 ,what had happened to it8 #e4 ,what did ,nehemiah do when he heard this sad news8 #f4 ,how did ,god begin to grant his prayer8 #g4 ,what did the king ask him8 #h4 ,what did he tell the king8 #i4 ,where did he go8 #aj4 ,what did he find there8 #aa4 ,why did they want a wall8 #ab4 ,what did he set the ,jews to do8 #ac4 ,how did they build8 #ad4 ,who tormented them8 #ae4 ,but what was finished at last8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,the joy of the ,lord is your strength4--,prov4 #e3ag4 ,,good ,nehemiah built up the wall of ,jerusalem2 and his friend ,ezra did all he could to teach the ,jews to keep the ,law of ,god rightly4 ,it was ,ezra who gathered together the five books of ,moses1 and collected the writings of the prophets1 and wrote out the history of the kings1 and put nearly all the ,old ,testament in order as we have it now4 ,and ,ezra and ,nehemiah took care to teach the people to keep the ,sabbath again1 as the ,fourth ,commandment had taught them4 ,nehemiah used to have the gates of the city shut up1 that no stranger might bring any burthen in1 and that no one might come in to sell or buy on ,god's holy day4 ,and then they kept the ,feast of the ,tabernacles4 ,it was a most beautiful feast4 ,all the people went and cut down great boughs of myrtle1 olive1 pine1 and citron1 and willow trees1 and built up arbors with them1 where they lived for seven whole days1 to put them in mind of how their fathers had lived when they came out of ,egypt4 ,and on the great day of the feast1 every ,jew went up to the ,temple with a green bough in his arm1 and stood in the court1 and all the priests came out on the steps with palm-branches1 and with silver trumpets4 ,then the trumpets were sounded1 and everybody waved their branches for joy4 ,and the priests began a beautiful rejoicing psalm1 and at its most joyful verses the people waved their palms again4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,solemn ,,fast ,,and ,,repentance ,,of ,,the ,,people4--,neh4 #i3a1b4 ,at night all the court of the ,temple was lighted up with great lamps1 to put the people in mind that the ,lord is our light4 ,how beautiful it must have been1 and how happy all the people were to have come back from worshipping idols1 and being punished in a strange land1 to praise their own true ,god once more1 who blessed and made them happy4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were the two good men who governed the ,jews8 #b4 ,what did ,ezra collect together8 #c4 ,who taught good men how to write the ,bible8 #d4 ,what parts of the ,bible did ,ezra put together8 #e4 ,what commandment were ,ezra and ,nehemiah careful about8 #f4 ,how did they keep people from breaking the ,fourth ,commandment8 #g4 ,what great feast did they keep8 ,illustration ,fortieth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,the ,,lord4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,the fulness of the time was come4--,gal4 #d3ad4 ,illustration3 ,,shepherd ,,there was a long time after the ,jews came home during which we do not know much about them4 ,only they had quite left off worshipping idols1 and stood out bravely when a bad king wanted to make them do so4 ,but they were not good in other ways4 ,they quarrelled among themselves a great deal4 ,one set1 who were called ,pharisees1 were very proud and hard-hearted2 and another set1 who were called the ,sadducees1 would not believe or obey any of the ,bible that was written after the time of ,moses--none of the ,prophets nor of the ,psalms4 ,these two sets quarrelled so much that they allowed a fierce strange nation to come in and make themselves their masters4 ,these were the ,romans1 whose city was ,rome1 in ,italy4 ,they were fierce soldiers1 and wanted to make the world all their own4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,angel ,,appears ,,unto ,,zacharias4--,luke #a3ab1 #ac4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,angel ,,appears ,,unto ,,mary4--,luke #a3ce4 ,one of their generals1 whose name was ,pompey1 was so daring that he forced his way into the ,holy of ,holies1 where no one was allowed to go but the ,high ,priest once a-year4 ,he was disappointed to find nothing there1 only an empty chamber1 without any image or likeness2 and the ,jews were much grieved and distressed4 ,it was always said that nothing ever went well with ,pompey afterwards4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,star ,,of ,,bethlehem ,illustration3 ,,the ,,prophecy ,,of ,,elizabeth ,,and ,,of ,,mary4--,luke #a3ci-de4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what sin had the ,jews left off8 #b4 ,but were they grown good8 #b4 ,who were the two parties8 #d4 ,what was amiss with the ,pharisees8 #e4 ,what would not the ,sadducees believe8 #f4 ,what came of their quarrels8 #g4 ,what sort of people were the ,romans8 #h4 ,where was their home8 #i4 ,what did they want to conquer8 #aj4 ,where did their general make his way8 #aa4 ,what was the ,holy of ,holies8 #ab ,what did he find there8 #ac4 ,why was there no image there8 #ad4 ,what commandment forbids the worshipping any image8 #ae4 ,who alone was allowed to go into the holy place8 #af4 ,how often8 #ag4 ,what was said of ,pompey after he broke in8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest4--,luke #a3cb4 ,,the ,romans set up a strange king over the ,jews4 ,his name was ,herod1 and he was an ,edomite--that is1 a descendant of ,jacob's brother ,esau4 ,he believed in the true ,god1 and began to make the ,temple much more beautiful than it had been since it had been built up after the ,jews came back from ,babylon4 ,but he was a very wicked and cruel man1 who killed his own wife1 and made everybody afraid of him2 and the ,jews were very unhappy under him4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,john4--,luke #a3fb-fd4 ,they had one hope1 and that was1 that it was just about the time when ,god had promised to send a ,holy ,one into the world to save them and set them free2 and they thought ,he would be a great1 mighty king1 like ,david1 who would conquer ,herod1 and drive away the ,romans1 and have a crown and throne brighter than ,solomon's4 ,and just then an angel was sent from ,god to the little town of ,nazareth1 where there lived a young maiden1 quite a poor woman1 but most good and holy1 a descendant of the great ,king ,david4 ,the angel told her that she was highly favored1 for she was to be the mother of the ,son of the ,highest1 for the ,holy ,one who was to be born of her should be the ,son of ,god2 and when ,he was born1 she was to call ,his name ,,jesus1 which means the ,lord our ,saviour1 because ,he should save ,his people from their sins2 and ,mary said1 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord2 be it unto me according to thy word4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,angel ,,announcing ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus4--,luke #b3aj1 #aa4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,whom did the ,romans make king of the ,jews8 #b4 ,what nation did ,herod belong to8 #c4 ,who was the forefather of the ,edomites8 #d4 ,whose son was ,esau8 #e4 ,what sort of man was ,herod8 #f4 ,what did he do to please the ,jews8 #g4 ,but how did he treat them8 #h4 ,whom did he put to death8 #i4 ,what were the ,jews hoping for8 #aj4 ,who had promised that ,holy ,one8 #aa4 ,what did the ,jews think ,he would be8 #ab4 ,who came to say ,he was coming at last8 #ac4 ,to whom was the angel sent8 #ad4 ,what was her name8 #ae4 ,where did he live8 #af4 ,what did the angel tell her8 #ag4 ,who would be born of her8 #ah4 ,whose ,son would ,he be8 #ai4 ,what was she to call ,him8 #bj4 ,what does ,jesus mean8 #ba4 ,what did she answer8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus4--,luke #b3aj1 #ab4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good will toward men4 ,luke #b3ad4 ,,the blessed ,virgin ,mary lived at ,nazareth2 but it was ,god's will that the holy ,son of ,god should be born at ,bethlehem1 the little town where ,david used to live and keep his sheep4 ,the ,romans sent out orders that everyone should go to their proper home to have their names set down1 and pay a piece of money4 ,so the ,virgin ,mary had to go1 with a good man named ,joseph1 a carpenter1 who was to be her husband4 ,such a number of people had come there that there was no room for them in the inn1 and they had to go to a stable--a cavern underground--where the oxen and asses were4 ,and it was there that the ,holy ,child of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god1 was born1 in the stable where the cattle were4 ,the blessed mother wrapped ,him in baby-clothes1 and laid ,him in the manger1 among the hay and straw4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus ,,proclaimed ,,by ,,the ,,shepherds4--,luke #b3ag4 ,none of the people in the inn knew or cared2 but there were shepherds on the hill1 keeping watch over their flocks by night4 ,the angels came down to them1 and told them that to them was born that day1 in the city of ,david1 a ,saviour1 which is ,christ the ,,lord1 and that ,he was a ,babe lying in a manger4 ,as soon as the angel had said that1 many other angels1 who were very glad that poor men below should be saved1 all began to sing1 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good-will toward men4 ,so the angels and the shepherds kept the ,saviour's birthday1 and we keep it upon ,christmas-day4 ,illustration3 ,,presentation ,,in ,,the ,,temple4--,luke #b3bg1 #bh4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was ,david's town8 #b4 ,but where did the blessed ,virgin ,mary live8 #c4 ,how came she to go to ,bethlehem8 #d4 ,where had she to rest8 #e4 ,why could she not go to the inn8 #f4 ,who was born in the stable8 #g4 ,where was ,he laid8 #h4 ,who were told of it8 #i4 ,who told the shepherds8 #aj4 ,what did the angels sing8 #aa4 ,why were they glad8 #ab4 ,why are we glad8 #ac4 ,what is the birthday of our ,lord8 ,illustration ,forty-first ,sunday4 ,,the ,,childhood ,,of ,,our ,,lord4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,we have seen ,his star in the east and are come to worship ,him4--,matt4 #b3b4 ,illustration ,,the shepherds were not the only people who came to see the blessed ,lord ,,jesus when ,he was a little ,infant4 ,far away in the ,east1 ,god showed a bright1 beautiful star to some wise men1 and taught their hearts that it was the sign that the great ,king was born4 ,they set out on their journey to ,judea1 to see and honor ,him2 and when they came1 they asked1 ,where is ,he that is born ,king of the ,jews1 for we have seen ,his star in the ,east1 and are come to worship ,him4 ,this made ,herod afraid1 for he thought this must be a king who would take his kingdom from him4 ,he made the learned men among the ,jews look out in the prophecies where ,christ should be born4 ,they found it was to be at ,bethlehem1 and he told the wise men so1 and desired them to let him know when they found the ,king1 that he might come and worship ,him too2 but he did not really mean to worship ,him1 but to kill ,him4 ,however1 ,god ,himself showed these wise men where to find our blessed ,lord1 for the same star that they had seen in the ,east came out again1 and went before them1 and came and stood over where the young ,child was4 ,and though they saw a little ,baby1 and a poor mother holding ,him in her arms1 they knew ,he was the ,lord and ,king2 and they worshipped ,him1 and offered ,him the gifts they had brought4 ,there was gold1 and there was frankincense1 which means the sweet-smelling1 costly powder that was burnt in the ,temple2 and myrrh1 which is a precious gum which comes out of trees1 and is used to preserve and keep things good4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,visit ,,of ,,the ,,wise ,,men4--,matt4 #b3aj1 #aa4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who came to see our ,lord8 #b4 ,where did they come from8 #c4 ,what had they seen8 #d4 ,what did they ask8 #e4 ,whom did they ask8 #f4 ,what did ,herod say8 #g4 ,did he want to worship8 #h4 ,what did he want to do8 #i4 ,how did the wise men find the way8 #aj4 ,whom did they see8 #aa4 ,what did they offer ,him8 #ab4 ,what were the gifts8 #ac4 ,what is frankincense8 #ad4 ,what is myrrh8 #ae4 ,why did they worship ,him8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,arise1 and take the young child and ,his mother4--,matt4 #b3ac4 ,,herod was afraid that the new-born ,king of the ,jews would take away his kingdom4 ,so he meant to kill ,him as soon as he could find out from the wise men where ,he was4 ,but the wise men never came back to tell him1 for ,god spoke to them in a dream1 and warned them to go back to their own country another way4 ,illustration3 ,,joseph ,,commanded ,,to ,,flee ,,into ,,egypt4--,matt4 #b3ac4 ,and ,god also spoke to ,joseph the carpenter1 the blessed ,virgin ,mary's husband1 and told him to take the young ,child and ,his mother1 and flee into the land of ,egypt1 and stay there till they should be told to come back1 for ,herod was seeking the young ,child to destroy ,him4 ,joseph obeyed1 and the whole family fled into ,egypt1 and lived there for some years4 ,when ,herod found the wise men did not come1 he was very angry2 and to make sure of killing ,him who was to be ,king of the ,jews1 he was so cruel and wicked as to cause all the babies in ,bethlehem1 of two years old and under1 to be put to death4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt4--,matt4 #b3ad1 #ae4 ,we call them the ,holy ,innocents1 because they were the first who died for ,jesus ,christ's sake4 ,it seemed very sad then1 but they have been happy and glorious ever since in heaven1 and always will be4 ,but ,god had taken care of ,him1 and ,he was safe in ,egypt2 and there they stayed till our ,lord was about three years old1 and then the wicked ,king ,herod died4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did ,herod want to do8 #b4 ,why could he not find our blessed ,lord8 #c4 ,who warned the wise men8 #d4 ,whom did ,herod murder8 #e4 ,what do we call those ,babes of ,bethlehem8 #f4 ,but whom did he not find8 #g4 ,for where was our ,lord8 #h4 ,who had taken ,him there8 #i4 ,who was ,joseph8 #aj4 ,how did ,joseph know ,he was to go to ,egypt8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,jesus increased in wisdom and stature1 and in favor with ,god and man4--,luke #b3eb4 ,,when ,herod died1 ,joseph brought our blessed ,lord and ,his mother back from ,egypt1 and went to live at ,nazareth4 ,we do not know any more about ,him till ,he was twelve years old1 and then ,he went up with ,joseph and ,his mother to ,jerusalem to keep the ,feast of the ,passover4 ,that great feast the ,jews always kept in remembrance of the night when ,god delivered them out of their troubles in ,egypt4 ,illustration3 ,,killing ,,the ,,male ,,children ,,under ,,two ,,years ,,old4--,matt4 #b3af4 ,when the time came for going home1 the blessed ,mary and ,joseph could not find the ,child ,jesus4 ,they thought at first that ,he was among the other boys of the company who had come up from ,nazareth1 and they went on a day's journey2 but when ,he did not come back to them in the evening1 they turned back to ,jerusalem to seek ,him4 ,they looked for ,him during three days all round the city1 and found ,him at last in the ,temple1 among the boys who came to be taught by the learned men there4 ,everybody who listened was astonished at ,his understanding and ,his answers2 but when ,his mother came to call ,him1 ,he went home with her directly2 and ,he obeyed her and ,joseph in everything1 and helped and worked for them1 though ,he was really their ,god and ,king4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,teaching ,,in ,,the ,,temple4--,luke #b3df1 #dg4 ,that was to teach us all how good children should behave at home to their fathers and mothers1 for ,joseph was like a father to ,him1 though ,his real ,father is ,god4 ,and as ,he grew older ,he lived on with them1 and worked as a carpenter with them till ,he was thirty years old4 ,so1 you see1 ,he knows just what it is to be one of us1 and a poor hard-working man4 ,for ,god from heaven came to be one of us men1 and just like us4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,when did our blessed ,lord come back from ,egypt8 #b4 ,where did ,he go and live8 #c4 ,how old was ,he when we hear about ,him again8 #d4 ,where did ,he go then8 #e4 ,what feast did they go to8 #f4 ,what was the ,passover to put people in mind of8 #g4 ,what happened when it was time to go home8 #h4 ,how long was ,he lost8 #i4 ,where was ,he found8 #aj4 ,what was ,he doing there8 #aa4 ,what was everyone surprised at8 #ab4 ,what did ,he do when ,he was called8 #ac4 ,how can you do like ,him when you are called from what you like8 #ad4 ,how did ,he always behave to ,his mother and ,joseph8 #ae4 ,how can you try to be like ,him8 ,illustration ,forty-second ,sunday4 ,,the ,,preparation ,,for ,,the ,,ministry4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,repent ye3 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand4--,matt4 #c3b4 ,illustration ,,the blessed ,lord ,jesus lived at ,nazareth1 and worked there as a carpenter until ,he was thirty years old1 so that ,he has felt how we live here1 and knows what our feelings and ways are by trying them4 ,when it was nearly time for ,him to begin to set up ,his kingdom1 a holy man was sent to make ready for ,him4 ,this man's name was ,john1 and he lived out in the rocky and bushy country on the bank of the river ,jordan1 dressed in a coarse garment woven of camel's hair1 and living on the locusts and wild honey he found there4 ,he stood there telling everyone who came that the kingdom of ,god was going to begin1 and that those who wished to belong to it must repent and give up their sins4 ,all who would feel and own their sins he took down to the river and bathed and washed them1 to show how some day they would have their souls washed1 just as their bodies were washed now4 ,this washing was called baptising1 and he is always called ,john the ,baptist2 but he always told the people that there was ,one coming who was greater than he was1 and that this ,holy ,one would baptise them with the ,holy ,ghost and with fire4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how long did our blessed ,lord live at ,nazareth8 #b4 ,what did ,he do there8 #c4 ,who was sent to prepare ,his way8 #d4 ,where did ,john live8 #e4 ,what did he wear8 #f4 ,what did he eat8 #g4 ,what are locusts8 #h4 ,what did he tell the people8 #i4 ,what were they to be sorry for8 #aj4 ,what is repenting8 #aa4 ,what did he do to those who repented8 #ab4 ,in what river did he wash them8 #ac4 ,what was this washing called8 #ad4 ,what was he called8 #ae4 ,who did he say was coming8 #af4 ,how would that ,one baptize them8 ,illustration3 ,,john ,,the ,,baptist ,,preaching ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness4--,matt4 #c3b1 #h4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4--,matt4 #c3ag4 ,,one day1 as ,john was baptising1 ,jesus came to him1 and desired to be baptised4 ,his mother and ,john's mother were cousins1 and ,john knew ,he had never done one wrong thing in all ,his life1 and had nothing to repent of4 ,so he said1 ,i have need to be baptised of ,thee1 and comest ,thou to me8 ,then ,,jesus answered1 ,suffer it to be so now1 for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness4 ,then ,john baptised ,him2 and as they were coming up out of the water1 the heaven above was opened1 and there came ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 taking a shape like a dove1 and rested upon the ,head of ,jesus1 and there was ,god the ,father's voice speaking out of heaven1 and saying1 ,this is ,my ,beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,then ,john the ,baptist knew that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and the great ,king whose way he had been sent to prepare4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,jesus4--,mark #a3i4 ,and this was the beginning of baptism1 or christening1 as we call it4 ,we are all baptised into the name of the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 and made to belong to ,jesus ,christ4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who was ,john the ,baptist8 #b4 ,where did he baptize8 #c4 ,who came to him to be baptized8 #d4 ,what relation was the blessed ,virgin to his mother8 #e4 ,what did he say8 #f4 ,why did he say so8 #g4 ,what was the answer8 #h4 ,what happened after the baptism8 #i4 ,who came down from heaven8 #aj4 ,who spoke from heaven8 #aa4 ,what did ,god the ,father's voice say8 #ab4 ,what did ,john know then8 #ac4 ,whose ,son is ,jesus8 #ad4 ,how had ,john been preparing ,his way8 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,in ,,the ,,manger4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,thou shalt not tempt the ,lord thy ,god4--,matt4 #d3g4 ,,our ,lord ,jesus had come into the world to conquer the ,devil1 to whom ,eve had given power over it when she ate the fruit4 ,so ,he went up into a lonely place in the wilderness1 that ,he might meet the ,devil1 and stand up against all the temptations that had led ,eve astray4 ,he was there forty days1 with nothing to eat2 and the ,devil came and said1 ,if ,thou be the ,son of ,god1 command that these stones be made bread4 ,but ,he would not do it at ,satan's word2 and so as ,eve fell by eating1 ,he stood by resisting hunger4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,temptation ,,of ,,jesus4--,matt4 #d3aj1 #aa4 ,then the ,devil showed ,him all the kingdoms of the world1 and the glory of them1 in one moment of time1 and said1 ,all these things will ,i give ,thee1 if ,thou wilt fall down and worship me4 ,but though ,eve had been tempted by seeing the beauty of the fruit1 our ,lord was not led astray by all the glory and beauty of this world4 ,so ,he conquered again4 ,then ,he stood with ,satan on the top of a high wall1 with a precipice below2 and ,satan tempted ,him to cast ,himself down1 so that the angels should come round and bear ,him up1 and all might see ,he was the ,son of ,god4 ,it was just as ,satan had told ,eve1 that she would be like a ,god if she ate the fruit2 and ,he said1 ,it is written1 thou shalt not tempt the ,lord thy ,god4 ,satan left ,him then for a time1 and the angels came and waited on ,him4 ,that was the beginning of ,his victory over ,satan and sin4 ,and every one of us must fight our battle too4 ,whenever we are inclined to be naughty1 ,satan is tempting us1 but we must try to be strong and drive him away2 and our ,lord ,jesus will help us if we only try1 and will drive him away4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had our ,lord come into the world for8 #b4 ,when had ,satan become master of the world8 #c4 ,where did our ,lord go8 #d4 ,what was the first temptation8 #e4 ,why would not ,he make the stones into bread8 #f4 ,what was the second temptation8 #g4 ,what did ,satan want ,him to do8 #h4 ,what was the third temptation8 #i4 ,who would have come round ,him8 #aj4 ,would ,he let them show that ,he was ,god8 #aa4 ,what did ,he say to ,satan8 #ab4 ,what did ,satan do8 #ac4 ,who came to wait on our ,lord8 #ad4 ,who had been conquered8 ,illustration ,forty-third ,sunday4 ,,the ,,calling ,,of ,,the ,,disciples4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god4--,john #a3cf4 ,,now that ,john the ,baptist knew that ,,jesus was1 indeed1 the ,son of ,god1 whom he had been sent to proclaim1 he began to point ,him out1 saying1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world4 ,there were two poor fishermen1 who had come out to listen to ,john1 who heard1 and who went to ,,jesus and asked1 ,master1 where dwellest ,thou8 ,he said1 ,come and see4 ,their names were ,andrew and another ,john4 ,they stayed all one night with ,him1 and saw and felt that ,he was so great and holy that no one else could be the ,christ who had been promised to come and save the world2 and ,john was always the nearest and best loved of all to ,him4 ,andrew went and told his own brother ,simon1 whom our ,lord named ,peter1 which means a rock2 and they brought two more of their friends to see ,him1 whose names were ,philip and ,nathanael4 ,when ,,jesus saw ,nathanael coming1 ,he said1 ,behold an ,israelite indeed1 in whom is no guile6 ,nathanael asked how ,he could know him4 ,our ,lord answered1 ,before that ,philip called thee1 when thou wast under the fig tree1 ,i saw thee4 ,then ,nathanael said1 ,thou art the ,son of ,god2 ,thou art the ,king of ,israel4 ,for he had been alone under the fig tree1 and nobody who was not ,god could have seen or known he was there2 and our ,lord said that because he believed1 he should see greater things than these4 ,illustration3 ,,behold ,,the ,,lamb ,,of ,,god4--,john #a3cf4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who had been sent to proclaim our ,lord8 #b4 ,what did ,john the ,baptist say of ,him8 #c4 ,who were the two first who listened8 #d4 ,what was their trade8 #e4 ,who was the best loved of all8 #f4 ,whom did ,andrew fetch8 #g4 ,what name was given to ,simon8 #h4 ,what does ,peter mean8 #i4 ,what friends did they tell of our ,lord8 #aj4 ,what did our ,lord say of ,nathanael8 #aa4 ,what does without guile mean8 #ab4 ,what did ,nathanael ask8 #ac4 ,why was he surprised8 #ad4 ,what did our ,lord say8 #ae4 ,what was his answer8 #af4 ,how did he know that ,jesus was ,god8 #ag4 ,where can ,god see8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,thou hast kept the good wine until now4--,john #b3aj4 ,,persons who loved to learn of a ,master were called ,his disciples4 ,so ,john and his brother ,james1 ,andrew and ,simon ,peter1 ,philip and his friend ,nathanael1 were all called our ,lord's disciples4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,calling ,,his ,,disciples4--,john #a3ea4 ,they were all invited to a wedding at ,cana1 the village in the hills where ,nathanael lived2 and the blessed ,virgin ,mary1 our ,lord's mother1 was there too4 ,but the bride and bridegroom were poor people1 and in the midst of the feast it turned out that there was not wine enough4 ,the blessed ,virgin said1 in a low voice1 to her ,son1 ,they have no wine4 ,now1 there were six great jars standing by1 and ,,jesus told the servants to fill them with water4 ,so they filled them up to the brim2 and then ,he told the servants to draw out some of what they had poured in1 and carry it to the chief person there4 ,as soon as this man had tasted it1 he found it was such good wine that he said to the bridegroom that most people began their feasts with their best wine1 but that here the best had been kept for the last4 ,this was the first wonderful thing our ,lord did on earth1 and it made ,his disciples know that ,he was ,god1 for no one else could have done such a wonder4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,miracle ,,in ,,cana4--,john #b3g1 #h4 ,we call these wonders miracles4 ,our ,lord worked many more while ,he was on earth1 and most of them were cures to the blind1 or the lame1 or the sick4 ,he made them well directly by ,his power and love4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what are disciples8 #b4 ,who were the first disciples8 #c4 ,what feast did they go to8 #d4 ,where was the feast8 #e4 ,what was wanting at the feast8 #f4 ,what did our ,lord's mother say8 #g4 ,what did ,he tell the servants to do8 #h4 ,how many waterpots were there8 #i4 ,what did the water become8 #aj4 ,to whom was it carried8 #aa4 ,what was said of it8 #ab4 ,how came it to be wine8 #ac4 ,what is such a wonder called8 #ad4 ,why could our ,lord do miracles8 #ae4 ,what did they show8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,i will make you fishers of men4--,matt4 #d3ai4 ,i ,,told you ,andrew and ,peter and ,john were fishermen4 ,they used to go fishing at night in boats1 on the blue lake of ,galilee1 shut in between the high mountains4 ,one night1 they had been out in two boats1 trying hard to catch fish1 but none would come to their nets4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,teaches ,,nicodemus4--,john #c3b1 #c4 ,in the morning1 they saw ,,jesus standing on the bank1 with a great crowd of people round ,him1 come to see and hear ,his teaching4 ,he called to ,simon ,peter to come and take ,him into his boat1 so that ,he could teach the people from thence without being crowded4 ,when ,he had done speaking1 ,he told ,andrew and ,peter to go out into the deeper water1 and let down their nets4 ,they said1 ,master1 we have toiled all the night1 and have taken nothing3 nevertheless at ,thy word ,i will let down the net4 ,and instantly the net was so full of fishes1 that ,andrew and ,peter could not draw it up without the help of ,john and his brother ,james1 who was with him in his boat2 and both boats were quite full of fish1 and ready to sink with the weight4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,woman ,,of ,,samaria4--,john #d3be1 #bf4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,heals ,,the ,,sick ,,of ,,the ,,palsy4--,mark #b3d1 #e4 ,illustration3 ,our ,father who art in ,heaven ,illustration3 ,he hath fulfilled his word ,,elijah',s ,,sacrifice ,,on ,,mount ,,carmel ,,hallowed ,,be ,,thy ,,name ,illustration3 ,,john ,,preaching ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness ,,christ ,,and ,,nicodemus ,,st4 ,,paul ,,and ,,the ,,philippian ,,jailor ,,thy ,,kingdom ,,come ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,in ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,gethsemane ,,jacob ,,wrestling ,,with ,,the ,,angel ,,thy ,,will ,,be ,,done ,,in ,,earth ,,as ,,it ,,is ,,in ,,heaven ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,feeding ,,the ,,multitude ,i ,,am ,,the ,,bread ,,of ,,life ,,give ,,us ,,this ,,day ,,our ,,daily ,,bread ,illustration3 ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,publican ,,stephen ,,forgives ,,his ,,enemies ,,the ,,king ,,forgives ,,his ,,brother ,o ,,lord ,,have ,,mercy ,,pay ,,me ,,what ,,thou ,,owest ,,punishment ,,of ,,the ,,unforgiving ,,forgive ,,us ,,our ,,trespasses ,,as ,,we ,,forgive ,,them ,,that ,,trespass ,,against ,,us ,illustration3 ,,the ,,tempter ,,in ,,eden ,,the ,,temptation ,,of ,,christ ,,driven ,,from ,,eden ,,peter ,,denying ,,christ ,,the ,,remorse ,,of ,,judas ,,lead ,,us ,,not ,,into ,,temptation ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,stilling ,,the ,,storm ,,at ,,sea ,,the ,,angel ,,delivering ,,peter ,,from ,,prison ,,christ ,,proclaiming ,,deliverance ,,to ,,the ,,captives ,,deliver ,,us ,,from ,,evil ,when the boats came to land1 our ,lord told the four disciples that they were to come with ,him1 for ,he would make them fishers of men1 for they were to draw disciples to ,him1 instead of catching fish4 ,they believed ,him1 and left all they had to follow ,him1 and they were always with ,him--,his dear friends who followed ,him everywhere1 and stored up ,his holy words in their hearts4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the trade of the disciples8 #b4 ,where did they fish8 #c4 ,how did they fish8 #d4 ,who came to them8 #e4 ,what did he bid them do8 #f4 ,what had they been doing all night8 #g4 ,but what did they now let down8 #h4 ,what did they find in their nets8 #i4 ,what were filled8 #aj4 ,how came the fish there8 #aa4 ,what did our ,lord call them to do8 #ab4 ,what were they to be8 #ac4 ,what did they leave8 #ad4 ,who were these four8 ,illustration ,forty-fourth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,ministry4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,he went about doing good4--,acts #aj3ch4 ,,simon ,,peter had a house at ,capernaum1 which is one of the towns that stand upon the shore of the ,lake of ,galilee4 ,there our ,lord cured the mother of ,peter's wife of a bad fever by ,his mighty power in one moment1 and there ,he generally lived when ,he was in those parts2 but ,he never stayed long there1 for ,he went about doing good4 ,in every town or village that he came to1 ,he used to go and teach in the synagogue4 ,a synagogue was a place where the ,jews who lived too far from ,jerusalem to go to the ,temple every ,sabbath-day used to meet1 and hear the ,old ,testament read and explained to them1 and pray together4 ,our ,lord used to teach in the synagogues1 and draw out all the meaning of the ,law2 and when ,he came out1 all the sick people who were near1 and all the blind and deaf and dumb people1 were brought to ,him1 and ,he cured them all by only just touching them1 or even only by bidding their disease to go away4 ,for ,he was ,god as well as man1 and could do all things4 ,or ,he would sit on the mountain side1 and all the people would come round ,him1 and ,he would teach them4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,raises ,,the ,,daughter ,,of ,,jairus4--,mark #e3da1 #db4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,gives ,,sight ,,to ,,the ,,two ,,blind ,,men4--,matt4 #i3bg1 #bh4 ,there is one beautiful discourse of ,his1 called the ,sermon on the ,mount1 which ,i hope you will soon know well4 ,and in it ,he taught his disciples the prayer we all say1 and call the ,lord's ,prayer1 and which we love the best of all prayers4 ,illustration3 ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount4--,matt4 #e3a-c4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,in whose house did our blessed ,lord ,jesus live8 #b4 ,where was ,capernaum8 #c4 ,what had ,he done for ,simon ,peter's wife's mother8 #d4 ,where did ,he teach8 #e4 ,what is a synagogue8 #f4 ,when did the ,jews go there8 #g4 ,what did they do in the synagogue8 #h4 ,what did our ,lord explain8 #i4 ,whom did ,he cure8 #aj4 ,where did ,he sometimes teach8 #aa4 ,what is one great discourse of ,his called8 #ab4 ,what prayer did ,he give ,his disciples8 #ac4 ,how does it begin8 #ad4 ,when do we say it8 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,raises ,,the ,,widow',s ,,son4--,luke #g3ad1 #ae4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,sleeps ,,during ,,the ,,storm4--,matt4 #h3bd1 #be4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,i have compassion on the multitude4--,matt4 #ae3cb4 ,,our ,lord ,jesus chose out twelve of ,his disciples to be always with ,him1 and to teach and work with ,him4 ,all the six you have heard of before were among them1 and there was another called ,matthew1 who had been a rich man1 but left all his riches to follow our ,lord4 ,these twelve were called apostles4 ,illustration3 ,,sending ,,forth ,,the ,,twelve ,,apostles4--,matt4 #aj3e-g4 ,i told you that the ,jews were in two parties1 called ,pharisees and ,sadducees1 and they used to quarrel and have many bad ways4 ,when they found that ,jesus blamed them1 they were very angry2 and when ,he was called the ,holy ,one whom ,god promised1 they said that the ,christ would be a great king1 and that ,he was only pretending4 ,but all the poor heard ,him gladly2 and when ,he was driven out of the towns1 they came after ,him into the hills and open places1 and went everywhere they could to hear ,him4 ,one day1 evening was coming on1 and all these people had been with ,him all day1 and had nothing to eat4 ,he said to ,philip1 ,whence shall we buy bread1 that these may eat8 ,philip came from a village just below1 but he did not know what to do4 ,illustration3 ,,death ,,of ,,john ,,the ,,baptist4--,mark #f3bg1 #bh4 ,andrew said there was a little boy there1 who had brought five loaves and two small fishes2 but what would they be among so many8 ,indeed1 the loaves were not like ours--only thin barley cakes4 ,but our ,lord said1 ,make the men sit down4 ,so they all sat on the grass2 and ,he gave thanks1 and began to give out to the apostles the bread and the fish1 and they never came to an end1 but there was enough for all the five thousand2 and when they had all done1 ,he told the apostles to gather up the remains1 that nothing might be lost4 ,and there was enough to fill twelve great baskets4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,feeding ,,the ,,five ,,thousand4--,john #f3aj1 #aa4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how many disciples did our ,lord choose8 #b4 ,what were they to be called8 #c4 ,what were the names of the first six8 #d4 ,who was the rich man8 #e4 ,who hated our ,lord8 #f4 ,why8 #g4 ,why did they think ,he could not be ,christ8 #h4 ,where was ,he driven from8 #i4 ,where did he go8 #aj4 ,who came after ,him8 #aa4 ,what was all ,he had to feed them with8 #ab4 ,who brought the five loaves and two fishes8 #ac4 ,where did they sit8 #ad4 ,what did our ,lord do first8 #ae4 ,who gave out the food8 #af4 ,how much was left8 #ag4 ,how many had eaten8 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,the ,lords ,prayer ,our ,father which art in ,heaven1 hallowed be ,thy ,name4 ,thy ,kingdom come4 ,thy ,will be done in earth as it is in ,heaven4 ,give us this day our daily bread4 ,and forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive them that trespass against us4 ,and lead us not into temptation2 ,but deliver us from evil3 ,for ,thine is the ,kingdom1 ,the ,power1 and the ,glory1 ,for ever and ever4 ,,amen4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,be of good cheer2 it is ,i2 be not afraid4--,matt4 #ad3bg4 ,,the people whom ,,jesus had fed wanted to make ,him a king1 but ,he would not be an earthly king2 so ,he told the apostles to row away across the lake1 while ,he went up alone into the hills to pray to ,his ,father1 where the people could not find ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,supports ,,the ,,sinking ,,peter4--,matt4 #ad3cj1 #ca4 ,it was a rough night4 ,the wind came down from the hills1 and tossed the lake up in great waves2 and the apostles rowed with all their might1 but they made little way4 ,but when the night was far on1 they saw a ,figure coming to them1 walking on the waves4 ,they were frightened1 and cried out4 ,then the ,figure said1 ,it is ,i2 be not afraid6 and they knew it was their ,master1 and were glad4 ,and ,peter said1 ,lord1 if it be ,thou1 bid me come unto ,thee on the water4 ,so he came out of the boat1 and as long as he trusted in ,his ,master1 he could walk2 but when he saw the wind boisterous1 he was afraid1 and cried out1 and then he began to sink4 ,he called out1 and ,jesus put forth ,his hand and held him up1 saying1 ,o thou of little faith1 wherefore didst thou doubt8 ,then they were both taken into the boat1 and the wind ceased1 and the lake was calm and still4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what did the people want to do8 #b4 ,why did they want to make ,jesus a king8 #c4 ,what did ,he do to get out of their way8 #d4 ,where did ,he bid the disciples go8 #e4 ,what sort of night was it8 #f4 ,what happened to the apostles8 #g4 ,how did our ,lord come to them8 #h4 ,what did they do when they saw ,him first8 #i4 ,how did they know ,him8 #aj4 ,who came out to ,him on the water8 #aa4 ,when was ,st4 ,peter safe8 #ab4 ,when did he begin to sink8 #ac4 ,what did our ,lord say to him8 #ad4 ,what happened as soon as they were in the boat8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,well ,,or ,,fountain ,,at ,,nazareth4 ,forty-fifth ,sunday4 ,,wonders ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,working4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,young man1 ,i say unto thee arise4--,luke #g3ad4 ,,no one can think how good and kind our blessed ,lord ,jesus was4 ,once1 when ,he was going with ,his disciples into a village called ,nain1 ,he met a funeral coming out4 ,people are not carried to the grave in their coffins in the ,east2 but they are laid on a sort of bed called a bier1 with all their best clothes on1 and a wreath of flowers round the head4 ,the person who was now to be buried was quite a young man1 and he was the only son of his mother1 and she was a widow4 ,and when the ,lord saw it1 ,he had pity on the poor woman1 and ,he said to her1 ,weep not4 ,then ,he came and touched the bier1 and the bearers stood still4 ,then ,he said1 ,young man1 ,i say unto thee1 ,arise4 ,and he that was dead sat up and began to speak2 and our ,lord gave him back alive to his mother4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was our ,lord always doing8 #b4 ,what village was ,he going into8 #c4 ,what did he meet8 #d4 ,who was going to be buried8 #e4 ,had his mother any more sons8 #f4 ,and what was she8 #g4 ,how are people carried to their graves in the ,east8 #h4 ,who had pity on the mother8 #i4 ,what did ,he say to her8 #aj4 ,what did ,he do8 #aa4 ,what did he say to the dead man8 #ab4 ,what did the dead man do at once8 #ac4 ,to whom was he given back8 #ad4 ,how came ,,jesus to be able to work such miracles8 #ae4 ,was not he most kind and loving so to do8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,his face did shine as the sun4--,matt4 #ag3b4 ,,only once all the time ,he was in this world did our ,lord ,jesus let ,his apostles see any of ,his glory1 and then it was only the three who believed in ,him best1 and whom ,he kept the most with ,him4 ,one night1 ,he took ,peter and ,james and ,john out to a mountain with ,him1 as ,he was wont to do when ,he was going apart to pray4 ,they went to sleep2 but when they woke1 they saw ,him in bright light and glory4 ,his face was shining like the sun1 and ,his clothes were as white as the light2 and there were two talking with ,him1 ,moses and ,elias4 ,and they were talking of how ,he was come to die at ,jerusalem4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,transfiguration4--,luke #i3bi-cb4 ,the three were afraid1 but they were happy too2 and ,peter said1 ,master1 it is good for us to be here3 and let us make three tabernacles2 one for ,thee1 one for ,moses1 and one for ,elias2 for1 indeed1 he hardly knew what he was saying4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,good ,,samaritan4--,luke #aj3cc1 #cd4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,sisters ,,of ,,bethany4--,luke #aj3da1 #db4 ,and even as ,he spoke1 a bright cloud came and hid the wonderful sight from them1 and then they found that no one was with them but their ,master1 ,jesus1 looking as usual2 and ,he bade them tell no one about what they had seen1 until the ,son of man should be risen again from the dead4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son4--,luke #ae3bb4 ,they knew that their ,lord was the ,son of man2 but they could not think what ,he could mean by rising again from the dead4 ,this wonderful showing forth of ,his glory is called the ,transfiguration4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the ,transfiguration8 #b4 ,who were allowed to see it8 #c4 ,where did it happen8 #d4 ,what was our ,lord's face like8 #e4 ,what were ,his clothes like8 #f4 ,who came and talked to ,him8 #g4 ,who was ,moses8 #h4 ,who was ,elias8 #i4 ,do you remember what had become of ,elias8 #aj4 ,what were ,moses and ,elias talking about with ,him8 #aa4 ,what were the three apostles doing at first8 #ab4 ,what did ,peter say when he woke8 #ac4 ,what happened then8 #ad4 ,who was left with them8 #ae4 ,what did ,he forbid them to do8 #af4 ,when might they speak of it8 #ag4 ,what could not they understand8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,suffer the little children to come unto me4--,mark #aj3ad4 ,,after ,his ,transfiguration1 our ,lord ,jesus often told ,his apostles that ,he was going to be taken by the chief priests at ,jerusalem1 and that ,he should be ill-used1 and beaten1 and spit upon1 and put to death on a cross2 and that the third day ,he should rise again4 ,but they never could understand how this would be1 for they had never heard of rising from the dead2 and they were so sure that ,he was ,christ1 and that ,christ would be a great ,king1 that they never understood or believed that ,he was to die4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,rich ,,man ,,and ,,lazarus ,,the ,,beggar4--,luke #af3ai-ba4 ,and sometimes they even disputed among themselves who would be first and greatest in ,his kingdom4 ,when they did this our ,lord called a little child1 and took him1 and set him in the midst1 and said that the greatest in ,his kingdom would be the most like that little child2 for only those who are ready to be last here can be high up there4 ,illustration3 ,,suffer ,,little ,,children ,,to ,,come ,,unto ,,me4--,mark #aj3ad4 ,the ,lord loved little children4 ,once1 when the mothers were bringing their babies for ,him to touch1 the disciples wanted to keep them away2 but ,he said1 ,suffer the little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,and then ,he took the little ones up in ,his arms1 and put ,his hands on them1 and blessed them4 ,and just so ,he embraces and blesses the little children we bring to ,him in church1 though we cannot see ,him now2 and ,he is always glad to hear them pray4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was the ,transfiguration8 #b4 ,what did our ,lord say would happen to them8 #c4 ,why would not the disciples believe it8 #d4 ,what did they dispute about8 #e4 ,whom did our ,lord call8 #f4 ,what did ,he tell them8 #g4 ,what is the way to be high in the kingdom of heaven8 #h4 ,who were brought to ,him8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,publican4--,luke #ah3aa-ac4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,raising ,,of ,,lazarus4--,john #aa3dc1 #dd4 ,forty-sixth ,sunday4 ,,going ,,up ,,to ,,jerusalem4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord1 thou son of ,david4--,matt4 #bj3cj4 ,illustration ,,for three years our blessed ,lord went about doing good and teaching1 generally in ,galilee1 in the towns or on the hills1 where the people came out to hear ,him2 and at the feasts1 when people ought to worship at ,jerusalem1 ,he used to go up and speak to them in the outer court of the ,temple4 ,but there was a wicked high priest named ,caiaphas1 who had been set up by the ,romans1 and he and the ,pharisees and ,sadducees all hated ,,jesus1 because ,he found fault with their evil ways1 and they would not believe ,he was the ,christ1 but wanted to put ,him to death4 ,so whenever ,he came to ,jerusalem it was more dangerous2 and then they stirred up the chief men of ,galilee1 so that ,he could not be in the town1 but had to wander on the hills4 ,once1 when a man wanted to follow ,him1 ,he said1 ,foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests2 but the ,son of man hath not where to lay ,his head4 ,and at last1 when ,his time was come1 ,he set ,his face to go to ,jerusalem to keep the ,passover1 though ,he knew that ,he would be taken and put to death there1 and so be the real ,passover4 ,as ,he was going1 two blind men1 who sat by the roadside begging1 called out1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord1 thou son of ,david6 ,and ,he stood still and cured them both4 ,illustration3 ,,mary ,,anoints ,,the ,,head ,,of ,,jesus4--,mark #ad3a-aa4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how long did our blessed ,lord teach8 #b4 ,where did ,he teach8 #c4 ,when did ,he go to ,jerusalem8 #d4 ,what did ,he go to ,jerusalem for8 #e4 ,where did ,he teach8 #f4 ,who hated him8 #g4 ,who was ,caiaphas8 #h4 ,why did they hate ,him8 #i4 ,where did they drive ,him8 #aj4 ,what did ,he say about having no home8 #aa4 ,when did ,he set ,his face to go to ,jerusalem8 #ab4 ,what feast was ,he going to keep8 #ac4 ,what did ,he know would happen to ,him8 #ad4 ,whom did ,he cure as ,he was going8 #ae4 ,what did the blind men cry out8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,hosanna to the son of ,david4--,matt4 #ba3i4 ,,it was only the great rich wicked men that hated our ,lord4 ,the common people heard ,him gladly1 and only wanted ,him to begin to be king4 ,and they really thought the time was come when ,he came up to ,jerusalem4 ,just before ,he came in1 ,he sent two of ,his disciples to fetch a young ass on which no one had ever sat1 and on it ,he rode down ,mount ,olivet4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,entering ,,jerusalem4--,matt4 #ba3h1 #i4 ,now1 there was an old prophecy which said to ,jerusalem1 ,behold1 thy ,king cometh unto thee1 meek1 and sitting upon an ass4 ,people remembered this1 and began to receive ,him like a king2 they spread their mantles on the ground before ,him1 and others cut down branches from the trees and strewed them in the way2 and the people before and behind1 especially the children1 cried out with all their might1 ,hosanna to the son of ,david3 ,blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord2 ,hosanna in the highest4 ,hosanna means1 save now4 ,the ,pharisees were very angry1 and bade ,him stop them2 but ,he answered with the verse of a ,psalm1 ,yea1 have ye never read1 ,out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ,thou ordained strength8 ,but as ,he looked at beautiful ,jerusalem1 ,he wept over the city1 for ,he knew that sad and dreadful punishments were coming on it2 and yet the people would not listen to ,him1 and be sorry1 and so be saved4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who loved our ,lord8 #b4 ,what did they want ,him to do8 #c4 ,what made them think ,his reign was coming8 #d4 ,how did ,he come into ,jerusalem8 #e4 ,what was the old prophecy8 #f4 ,what did the people do in ,his honor8 #g4 ,what did they cry8 #h4 ,what does ,hosanna mean8 #i4 ,who were angry8 #aj4 ,what did ,he say8 #aa4 ,but why was ,he grieving8 #ab4 ,what made ,him sorry for the city8 #ac4 ,how were the people bringing sad punishment on themselves8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,my house shall be called the house of prayer4--,matt4 #ba3ac4 ,,the first thing our blessed ,lord did at ,jerusalem was to go into the ,temple2 and there1 in the courts1 ,he found people keeping shop1 selling the lambs that were wanted for the ,passover1 and doves for other services1 and changing the coin that strangers brought for ,jewish money4 ,this was very disrespectful to ,god1 and ,he was angry4 ,he had driven them all out once1 and they had come back1 and now they were doing it again4 ,so ,he drove them all out1 and told them ,his ,father's house was a house of prayer1 but they had made it a den of thieves4 ,no one dared to answer ,him1 and all that day and the next ,he stood in the ,temple1 teaching the people1 and showing the wickedness of the chief priests and ,pharisees4 ,it seemed as if all the people of ,jerusalem were ready to follow ,him1 and as if ,he might begin ,his reign directly2 but this was not what ,he came for1 and1 as ,he well knew1 the ,pharisees were planning against ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,drives ,,out ,,the ,,money-,,changers4--,matt4 #ba3ac4 ,they wanted to get ,him to say something that they could say was against the ,law1 so they asked ,him many hard questions1 but ,his great wisdom put them all to silence1 and made them ashamed2 but they were so hard and wicked that they only hated ,him the more4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where did our ,lord go8 #b4 ,what were the ,jews doing there8 #c4 ,why was this wrong8 #d4 ,what did ,he do to them8 #e4 ,had ,he done this before8 #f4 ,what did ,he tell them8 #g4 ,who was his ,father8 #h4 ,what was ,his ,father's house8 #i4 ,what are our houses of prayer8 #aj4 ,how must we behave in them8 #aa4 ,who were planning against ,him8 #ab4 ,but who followed ,him gladly8 #ac4 ,what did they want ,him to be8 ,forty-seventh ,sunday4 ,,the ,,evening ,,of ,,the ,,betrayal4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,,jesus knew that his hour was come4--,john #ac3a4 ,,the chief priests grew more fierce and bitter when they saw how all men listened to the ,lord ,jesus4 ,they could do nothing to ,him by day1 because the people would have risen up to defend ,him2 so they tried how to find ,him alone and at night1 to take ,him secretly4 ,now1 one of the twelve apostles1 named ,judas ,iscariot1 was too fond of money1 and used to take for himself what was trusted to him to take care of4 ,so he went on from bad to worse1 till at last he did the dreadful thing of promising the chief priests that he would show them to some lonely place1 where they could take his ,lord and ,master prisoner2 and then they were to pay him for this wickedness with thirty pieces of silver4 ,judas settled all this1 and then he went back to our ,lord and the other eleven apostles just as usual1 thinking they did not know2 but our ,lord did know very well4 ,but ,he bade the apostles get ready the supper that was eaten the night before the ,passover1 in a large upper room that was lent to them for it1 and there ,he sat down to eat with them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what feast was being kept at ,jerusalem8 #b4 ,why were the priests and ,pharisees angry8 #c4 ,what did they want to do8 #d4 ,why did they not take ,him in the ,temple8 #e4 ,where did they want to take him8 #f4 ,who said ,he would show them the way8 #g4 ,what did they promise to ,judas ,iscariot8 #h4 ,who was he8 #i4 ,then how came he to be so wicked8 #aj4 ,where did our ,lord go to eat ,his ,last ,supper8 #aa4 ,who were eating with ,him8 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,washing ,,his ,,disciples ,,feet4--,john #ac3b-e4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,this do in remembrance of me4--,luke #bb3ai4 ,,when our ,lord and ,his apostles were eating the ,supper together1 ,he was very sorrowful1 and said1 ,one of you shall betray me4 ,the apostles were grieved1 and each said1 ,lord1 is it ,i8 ,and ,he said1 ,he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish1 the same shall betray me4 ,and then1 as the custom was1 ,he dipped ,his piece of bread in the dish in the middle of the table1 and gave it to ,judas4 ,then the wicked man presently got up and went away4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,entering ,,jerusalem4 ,and as they were still in the upper room1 our ,lord took bread and broke it1 and gave a piece to each of ,his apostles1 and said1 ,take1 eat3 this is ,my ,body1 which is broken for you3 this do in remembrance of me4 ,and ,he took a ,cup of wine1 and said1 ,this ,cup is the new testament in ,my ,blood3 ,this do1 as oft as ye drink it1 in remembrance of me4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,last ,,supper4--,matt4 #bf3bf-bh4 ,and that was the beginning of what we call the ,holy ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper1 ,for as often as ye do eat of this ,bread1 and drink this ,cup1 ye do show the ,lord's death till ,he come4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who were eating together8 #b4 ,when was it8 #c4 ,why was our ,lord sorrowful8 #d4 ,what did ,he say one of them would do8 #e4 ,what did they all ask8 #f4 ,who did ,he say it would be8 #g4 ,what did ,he dip then8 #h4 ,to whom did ,he give it8 #i4 ,who went away8 #aj4 ,what holy ,sacrament did ,he appoint8 #aa4 ,what did ,he take8 #ab4 ,what did ,he say of the bread8 #ac4 ,what did ,he then take8 #ad4 ,what did ,he say of the wine8 #ae4 ,what is the outward sign of the ,lord's ,supper8 #af4 ,what is the inward grace8 #ag4 ,what does it show forth8 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,in ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,gethsemane4--,matt4 #bf3ch1 #ci4 ,,third ,,reading4 ,not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt4--,matt4 #bf3ci4 ,,supper being over1 and night coming on1 our ,lord went out with ,his disciples to a garden1 full of olive trees1 called ,gethsemane1 where ,he often used to pray4 ,he told them again on the way that they would soon all be afraid1 and leave ,him2 but ,peter could not think so1 and said boldly that if everybody fell from ,him1 he never would4 ,but ,,jesus answered1 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 that this night1 before the cock crow1 thou shalt deny me thrice4 ,then ,he went on to the garden1 taking only ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john into it with ,him1 and telling them to watch while ,he went apart to pray4 ,they were heavy and sorrowful1 and could not keep awake2 but while ,he was praying1 ,he was in the greatest trouble and grief that ever anyone felt4 ,he knelt and prayed in an agony1 till ,his sweat was as great drops of blood falling down to the ground4 ,for ,he was feeling the sorrow for all the sin of all the world--the sorrow that belongs to you and me4 ,the disciples heard ,him say1 ,o my ,father1 if it be possible1 let this cup pass from me3 nevertheless1 not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt4 ,he came to them more than once1 and called them1 as if ,he longed for them to comfort ,him2 but still they fell asleep again1 though ,he said1 ,what1 could ye not watch with me one hour8 ,the spirit indeed is willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where did our ,lord go then8 #b4 ,what was the garden full of8 #c4 ,what did ,he say the apostles would all do8 #d4 ,who thought ,he never could leave ,him8 #e4 ,what did our ,lord tell ,peter8 #f4 ,whom did ,he take into the garden8 #g4 ,what were they to do8 #h4 ,what great grief did ,he suffer8 #i4 ,why did ,he suffer such agony8 #aj4 ,what did he pray8 #aa4 ,what could not the disciples do8 #ab4 ,what did ,he say at last8 #ac4 ,what was their flesh8 #ad4 ,was ,he angry8 #ae4 ,but was ,he not much grieved that they did not comfort ,him8 ,illustration ,forty-eighth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,trial ,,and ,,condemnation4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,betrayest thou the ,son of man with a kiss8--,luke #bb3dh4 ,,just as our ,lord had wakened ,his three apostles for the last time1 there came a tread of soldiers1 and lanterns gleamed through the olive trees4 ,for ,judas ,iscariot1 the traitor1 knew that his ,master was apt to go to the olive garden to pray at night1 and he was leading them1 and he said to them1 ,whomsoever ,i shall kiss1 that same is ,he3 hold ,him fast4 ,and he came up first to ,,jesus1 and said1 ,hail1 master2 and kissed ,him4 ,all our ,lord said was1 ,judas1 betrayest thou the ,son of man with a kiss8 ,peter tried to defend ,him1 and drew a sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants2 but our ,lord bade him put the sword back into the sheath2 and then1 in ,his great love1 our blessed ,lord touched the ear1 and cured it in an instant1 and begged that all the disciples might be allowed to go their way4 ,indeed1 they were so much afraid that they all forsook ,him and fled away1 except ,john and ,peter1 who both followed to see what would be done with ,him4 ,the soldiers dragged our blessed ,lord to the house of the high priest1 ,caiaphas1 where his enemies tried to make out some charge to bring against ,him2 but as ,he was good and holy1 and had no sin at all1 they could accuse ,him of nothing4 ,and when they asked ,him questions1 ,he answered them not a word1 for ,he knew that it was only to accuse ,him4 ,while ,he stood at the upper end of the hall1 ,john1 who knew one of the servants1 had come in to the lower end1 and had brought in ,peter with him4 ,the chill of the morning had come on1 and the servants lighted a fire on the pavement1 where ,peter stood and warmed himself4 ,one of the maids there looked at him1 and asked if he did not belong to ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,peter was afraid1 and said1 ,i know not what thou sayest4 ,illustration3 ,,judas ,,betrays ,,jesus4--,matt4 #bf3dh-ej4 ,but then another maid said1 ,this fellow was also with ,jesus of ,nazareth44 ,peter grew more afraid1 and went on declaring he did not know such a person2 but presently another servant said1 ,did not ,i see thee in the garden with ,him8 ,again ,peter's fear of being punished for wounding the man in the garden led him further astray1 for he began to curse and swear1 and say1 ,i know not the man4 ,just then the cock crew1 and the ,lord turned round and looked upon ,peter4 ,that look went to his heart4 ,he went out and wept bitterly2 and whenever he thought of his sin1 he wept4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,before ,,caiaphas4--,matt4 #bf3fe1 #ff4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where was our ,lord8 #b4 ,what time was it8 #c4 ,whom had ,he taken with ,him8 #d4 ,who came up in the night8 #e4 ,who was leading them8 #f4 ,how did ,judas show which was our ,lord8 #g4 ,what was he wicked enough to say8 #h4 ,how did our ,lord answer8 #i4 ,how did ,peter try to save ,him8 #aj4 ,what blow did ,he strike8 #aa4 ,what command did our ,lord give ,peter8 #ab4 ,what did he do for the wounded man8 #ac4 ,what care did ,he take for ,his disciples8 #ad4 ,who only followed ,him8 #ae4 ,where was our ,lord taken8 #af4 ,what did the chief priests try to find8 #ag4 ,why could they find nothing to accuse ,him of8 #ah4 ,what had ,he said ,peter would do8 #ai4 ,what had ,peter then said8 #bj4 ,yet what did he do8 #ba4 ,what made ,him deny8 #bb4 ,what did he answer8 #bc4 ,what brought his better mind back8 #bd4 ,what sound8 #be4 ,what look8 #bf4 ,what did he do when he thought of his sin8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter4--,isaiah #ec3g4 ,,as soon as it was light1 all the chief men of the ,jews met in the council chamber in the ,temple1 and had our ,lord brought before them4 ,but no one could prove that ,he had broken the law2 and whenever a story was brought against ,him1 it turned out not to be true4 ,illustration3 ,,peter ,,denying ,,jesus4--,luke #bb3fj1 #fa4 ,at last the high priest stood up and commanded ,him to say whether ,he were the ,christ or not4 ,he answered1 ,thou hast said3 nevertheless1 ,i say unto you1 hereafter shall ye see the ,son of man sitting on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,at this answer1 ,caiaphas and all the other enemies made a great outcry1 as if they were very much shocked1 at ,his speaking of ,himself as the great ,judge of all--namely1 as ,god4 ,they all cried1 ,he is guilty of death2 and they began to beat ,him and strike ,him2 and they blindfolded ,him1 and struck ,him on the face1 and bade ,him say whose blow it was4 ,and all the time ,he stood gentle and patient1 and said not one word of complaint or anger4 ,since the reign of the great wicked ,herod1 the ,romans had not allowed the ,jews to put anybody to death without their leave2 so the chief priests were obliged to take ,,jesus before the ,roman governor1 ,pontius ,pilate4 ,but it was not possible to find anything that a ,roman would think ,he deserved to be put to death for4 ,when the chief priests said that by our law ,he ought to die1 because ,he made ,himself the ,son of ,god1 ,pilate only feared to do anything against ,him2 for he saw that there was no fault in ,,jesus1 but that the chief priests were spiteful1 and hated ,him4 ,then the chief priests said that ,he called ,himself ,king of the ,jews4 ,this made ,pilate more anxious1 for to set up to be an earthly king would have been rebelling against the ,romans2 but still he wanted to let ,,jesus go1 because he saw that ,he was innocent2 yet he did not like to offend the priests1 who might have accused him to the ,emperor of ,rome4 ,pilate saw what was just2 but he was afraid1 and cared for himself more than for his duty4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where did the chief priests meet8 #b4 ,who was brought there before them8 #c4 ,what did they intend to do8 #d4 ,but could they find any fault in ,him8 #e4 ,so what did the chief priest ask ,him8 #f4 ,what did ,he say8 #g4 ,what did they all cry out8 #h4 ,how did they begin to treat ,him8 #i4 ,how did ,he bear it all8 #aj4 ,how can we try to be like ,him8 #aa4 ,what were not the ,jews allowed to do8 #ab4 ,who had the power over them8 #ac4 ,before whom did the chief priests take our ,lord8 #ad4 ,who was ,pilate8 #ae4 ,what did ,pilate think of the charges against ,him8 #af4 ,but why did not ,pilate set ,him free8 #ag4 ,why was he afraid of ,his being called ,king of the ,jews8 ,illustration ,,third ,,reading4 ,ye denied the ,holy ,one and the ,just1 and desired a murderer to be granted unto you4--,acts #c3ad4 ,,pilate thought he had found a way of saving the ,lord ,jesus without offending the ,romans4 ,it was the custom that at the feast of the ,passover he should set some prisoner free1 whomsoever the ,jews asked for4 ,and he thought1 as the people loved our ,lord1 that they would ask for ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,crowned ,,with ,,thorns4--,mark #ae3af-ai4 ,but there was a robber and murderer in prison named ,barabbas1 and the enemies of our ,lord went about among the people1 stirring them up to ask for him to be set free2 so that the poor1 foolish people all broke out with a great shout to ask that this murderer ,barabbas might be set free4 ,pilate asked them what he was to do with ,,jesus1 and then there was a great roar from all the people1 ,crucify ,him6 crucify ,him6 ,now1 crucifying was a very horrible and painful punishment1 that had never been allowed among the ,jews1 but was chiefly used by the ,romans themselves for slaves and for robbers2 so that their savage cry was for ,,jesus to have the punishment that belonged to ,barabbas4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,before ,,pilate4--,john #ai3ad-af4 ,pilate's soldiers were very cruel1 and they laughed at a poor man being called a king2 so when they had beaten the blessed ,,jesus till ,he was bleeding all over1 they took one of their old red soldiers' cloaks and threw it over ,him2 and they platted a crown of sharp thorns1 and forced it upon ,his head2 and they put a reed in his right hand1 instead of a sceptre2 and they bowed their knees1 mocking ,him by pretending to do ,him honor4 ,he never spoke one word of anger all this time2 and when ,pilate saw ,his meek1 brave1 patient face1 pale and faint with pain1 and streaming with blood1 he thought the people would pity ,him2 so he led ,him out once more to the top of the steps of the judgment hall1 and said1 ,behold the man6 ,but the people were too mad to have any pity or feeling1 and they only cried louder and louder still1 ,crucify ,him6 crucify ,him6 ,pilate was not brave enough to go against them all1 even to save an innocent man2 so all he did was to take water and wash his hands before them all1 to show that he was clear of wishing it1 and he said1 ,i am innocent of the blood of this just person4 ,but the chief priests made the dreadful answer1 ,his blood be on us1 and on our children6 meaning that they would take the guilt and punishment4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,end ,,of ,,judas ,,iscariot4--,matt4 #bg3c-e4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what plan had ,pilate for saving our ,lord8 #b4 ,whom did he always set free at the feast8 #c4 ,whom did he wish to set free8 #d4 ,but whom did the chief priests make them ask for8 #e4 ,who was ,barabbas8 #f4 ,what did they all cry out8 #g4 ,what kind of punishment was crucifying8 #h4 ,to whom would it naturally have belonged8 #i4 ,but who was going to bear the worst of punishments8 #aj4 ,how did the soldiers treat our ,lord8 #aa4 ,why did they mock ,him8 #ab4 ,what did they put on ,his head8 #ac4 ,what did they dress ,him in8 #ad4 ,what did they put in ,his hand8 #ae4 ,what did ,pilate hope to do8 #af4 ,what did he say8 #ag4 ,what was the cry in answer8 ,forty-ninth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,crucifixion4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,they pierced my hands and my feet4--,ps4 #bb3af4 ,illustration ,,when the judgment was over1 ,pilate gave up our ,lord to the four soldiers who were to crucify ,him4 ,his cross1 a heavy beam of wood1 with another fastened across it1 was laid on ,his shoulders1 that ,he might carry it to the place where ,he was to suffer--a place named ,calvary1 outside the walls of ,jerusalem4 ,he was so weak and worn out after the long sad night1 the being taken from one judge to another1 and the beating and tormenting1 that ,he could hardly walk under it2 and the soldiers met a man coming out of the country whom they forced to carry it after ,jesus4 ,when they came to ,calvary1 the soldiers made the blessed ,,jesus lie down on the beam of wood1 and they stretched ,his arms out on the cross-beam1 and drove a large nail through each of the palms of ,his hands into the wood1 and another nail through ,his feet2 and then they lifted up the cross1 with ,him upon it1 and planted it in the ground1 that ,he might hang there till ,he should die4 ,and all ,he said while they were thus nailing ,him were the words1 ,father1 forgive them2 for they know not what they do6 ,that was the great pain ,he bore to save us6 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where was our ,lord to be crucified8 #b4 ,who led ,him there8 #c4 ,where was it8 #d4 ,what had ,he to carry8 #e4 ,but who had to be called to help ,him8 #f4 ,why was ,he so worn out8 #g4 ,what had they done to ,him8 #h4 ,what was the cross8 #i4 ,how was ,he fastened to it8 #aj4 ,what was done to it then8 #aa4 ,what prayer did ,he make8 #ab4 ,for whom was ,he praying8 #ac4 ,for whom was ,he dying8 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,falls ,,under ,,the ,,cross4--,luke #bc3bg1 #bh4 ,,second ,,reading4 ,jesus of ,nazareth the ,king of the ,jews4--,john #ai3ai4 ,,over the head of the blessed ,lord on the cross was a tablet1 with the words1 ,,jesus ,,of ,,nazareth ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,jews2 and on each side of ,him was another cross1 with a robber upon it4 ,there ,he hung patiently1 while the chief priests and ,pharisees passed by1 mocking and laughing at ,his pain1 and crying out1 ,he saved others2 ,himself ,he cannot save4 ,if ,he be the ,king of ,israel1 let ,him now come down from the cross1 and we will believe ,him4 ,even the robbers at first joined in the cry2 but by-and-by one of them began to feel that ,he who was so patient and so great in all that agony must truly be the ,son of ,god2 and he rebuked his fellow1 and said1 ,lord1 remember me when ,thou comest into ,thy kingdom6 ,and the ,lord answered1 ,to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise6 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,crucifixion4--,john #ai3cj4 ,his holy mother had come to stand by the foot of ,his cross1 and with her1 her sister and some other women1 and ,his beloved apostle ,john4 ,the ,lord looked down at her1 and said1 ,woman1 behold thy son6 and ,he looked at ,st4 ,john1 and said1 ,behold thy mother6 ,and ,john took the blessed ,virgin home with him1 and was always like a son to her afterward4 ,at noon-day1 a dreadful darkness came over all the earth1 and it lasted for three whole hours1 as if the very sun mourned for ,him who made it4 ,just at three o'clock1 the blessed ,lord said1 ,i thirst2 and as one of the soldiers was touching ,his lips with a sponge full of vinegar1 ,he gave a great sad cry1 ,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast ,thou forsaken me6 ,then presently he added1 ,it is finished6 ,father1 into ,thy hands ,i commend my spirit6 ,and ,he cried with a loud cry2 and so ,he1 who was ,god and man in one1 died for us men1 and for our salvation4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what was set up over our ,lord's head8 #b4 ,who were crucified on each side8 #c4 ,how did the robbers behave at first8 #d4 ,how did one change8 #e4 ,what did he say8 #f4 ,how did our ,lord answer8 #g4 ,who were standing by ,his cross8 #h4 ,what did ,he say to ,his mother8 #i4 ,what did ,he say to ,john8 #aj4 ,what did ,john do for her8 #aa4 ,what came over the earth8 #ab4 ,how long did the darkness last8 #ac4 ,what did our ,lord cry out8 #ad4 ,how did a soldier try to quench ,his thirst8 #ae4 ,what was ,his sad cry8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,and rested the sabbath day4--,luke #bc3ef4 ,,there were some good people even among the chief of the ,jews2 and two of these1 named ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 went to ,pontius ,pilate1 and asked him to let them bury the body of ,jesus4 ,people generally were much longer in dying on the cross1 so ,pilate sent to see if ,he was dead4 ,to make sure1 one of the soldiers pierced ,his side with a spear1 and out came blood and water together4 ,the robbers were still alive1 so the soldiers broke their legs1 that they might die sooner2 and so the repenting one soon went to our ,lord in ,paradise4 ,then ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea took the holy body down from the cross1 quite dead4 ,now1 close by1 ,joseph had a garden1 and in it was a cave which he meant to be buried in1 but where no one had yet been laid4 ,they carried our ,lord's body there2 and the good women who followed ,him1 ,mary ,magdalene and the rest1 wrapped it up in linen cloths and sweet spices4 ,they wanted to do more for it2 but it was getting late on ,good ,friday evening1 and the ,sabbath or seventh day was counted from sunset1 and then they could do no manner of work4 ,so they had to wait till the ,sabbath should be over2 and ,joseph rolled a great rock to close up the door1 and they went away in their grief4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,burial ,,of ,,jesus4--,john #ai3da1 #db4 ,and then came a guard of soldiers1 whom the chief priests had sent to watch the stone1 for fear1 as they told ,pilate1 that the disciples should steal the body away in the night4 ,so they put seals1 to make sure that no one should move the stone2 and the soldiers were set to watch4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who asked for our ,lord's body8 #b4 ,what did ,pilate want to know8 #c4 ,how did they make sure that our ,lord was dead8 #d4 ,what was done to the robbers8 #e4 ,where did ,nicodemus and ,joseph take the body8 #f4 ,to whom did the cave belong8 #g4 ,who were there too8 #h4 ,how did they wrap the body8 #i4 ,what did they put with it8 #aj4 ,why did they not do any more8 #aa4 ,what day was it8 #ab4 ,what was the next day8 #ac4 ,what is the ,fourth ,commandment8 #ad4 ,when did the ,sabbath begin8 ,fiftieth ,sunday4 ,,the ,,resurrection4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,now is ,christ risen from the dead4--#a ,cor4 #af3bj4 ,illustration3 ,as it began to dawn4 ,,the holy women waited all the ,sabbath day in sorrow2 and our ,lord ,jesus lay in ,his grave4 ,but1 on the night after1 ,he rose up from ,his grave1 and came forth again1 for ,he is alive for evermore4 ,there was a great earthquake1 and an angel came from heaven1 and rolled away the stone from the door of the cave1 and sat upon it2 and for fear of him the keepers did shake1 and were as dead men4 ,illustration3 ,as it began to dawn4 ,very early in the morning1 ,mary ,magdalene and the other women came with the sweet spices they had prepared4 ,they wondered who would roll away the stone for them2 but when they came nearer1 they saw that it was taken away2 and when they went in1 they saw that the body of the ,lord was gone4 ,they feared at first that some one had taken it away2 but behold1 two men stood by them in shining garments1 who said1 ,why seek ye the living among the dead8 ,he is not here1 but is risen1 as ,he said4 ,come1 see the place where the ,lord lay4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,resurrection4--,matt4 #bh3b-d4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,women ,,at ,,the ,,tomb ,,of ,,jesus4--,mark #af3e1 #f4 ,and as the women went in great wonder to tell the disciples1 they saw ,,jesus ,himself1 the same whom they had seen and touched quite dead the day before yesterday1 standing before them1 speaking kindly to them4 ,so they held ,him by the feet1 and worshipped ,him4 ,for never was there such wonderful joy and gladness in all the world4 ,illustration3 ,,mary ,,magdalene ,,at ,,the ,,sepulchre4--,john #bj3aa-ac4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what happened all the ,sabbath8 #b4 ,what happened the night after8 #c4 ,who rose again8 #d4 ,who came down from heaven8 #e4 ,what happened to the soldiers8 #f4 ,who were the first at the grave in the morning8 #g4 ,what did they bring8 #h4 ,what did they wonder about8 #i4 ,what did they find8 #aj4 ,who stood by them8 #aa4 ,what did the angels say8 #ab4 ,who was living8 #ac4 ,whom did they go to tell8 #ad4 ,who met them8 #ae4 ,how did they show their joy8 #af4 ,why were they so very glad8 #ag4 ,what day was it8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,the ,lord is risen4--,luke #bd3cd4 ,,it was the first day of the week that our ,lord rose from the dead1 and we call that day the ,lord's day1 and have kept it holy ever since1 instead of the seventh4 ,but on that first day it seemed too wonderful4 ,the apostles had never understood when their ,lord spoke of dying and rising again2 and though the women said they had seen ,him1 they were afraid to trust their word1 and thought it a mistake4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,mary ,,magdalene4--,john #bj3af4 ,later in the day1 two of the disciples were walking to ,emmaus1 a little village near ,jerusalem1 when a stranger came and joined them4 ,he asked why they were sad1 and what they were talking of4 ,they told ,him it was of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 who had been a great prophet1 and they had hoped would have redeemed ,israel2 but now ,he had been put to death the day before yesterday1 yet that some of the women said that they had seen a vision of angels which said that ,he was alive4 ,then the stranger began to show them1 as they had never seen before1 that all the ,old ,testament meant that when the ,christ came1 the ,seed of the woman1 ,he was to suffer1 and save the world before ,his kingdom and glory could begin2 and their minds understood1 for they were opened to see and know the ,scripture1 so that they were sure that ,jesus was the ,christ4 ,so they came to ,emmaus1 and went into a house2 and the stranger made as if ,he would have gone farther1 but they pressed ,him to come in4 ,he sat down with them1 and took bread and blessed and broke it2 and then their eyes were opened1 and they knew it was ,,jesus ,himself6 ,and as they knew ,him1 ,he vanished out of their sight4 ,and they said to one another1 ,did not our heart burn within us1 while ,he talked with us by the way8 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what day did our ,lord rise8 #b4 ,what is it called8 #c4 ,which day do we keep holy8 #d4 ,who could not believe yet8 #e4 ,where were two disciples going8 #f4 ,who came and walked with them8 #g4 ,who was it really8 #h4 ,did they know ,him8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,peace be unto you4--,luke #bd3cf4 ,in the evening1 the ten apostles were all together in the upper room1 with the doors close shut1 for fear of the ,jews4 ,there were only ten1 for ,thomas was not there2 the wretched ,judas had hung himself in his grief and despair4 ,the two disciples came back from ,emmaus1 and told how they had seen ,,jesus2 and while they were telling about it1 though the door was not opened1 they found ,,jesus ,himself standing in the midst1 and they heard ,his voice say1 ,peace be unto you4 ,they were afraid at first2 but again ,he said1 ,why are ye troubled8 and why do thoughts arise in your hearts8 ,behold ,my hands and ,my feet1 that it is ,i ,myself3 handle ,me1 and see2 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see ,me have4 ,then ,he showed them that there were the marks of the nails in ,his hands and feet1 and the spear-wound in ,his side2 so that it was ,his own real body that had come again from the dead4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,two ,,of ,,his ,,disciples4--,luke #bd3ae4 ,and while they could not believe for joy1 and wondered1 ,he said1 ,have ye here any meat8 ,and they gave ,him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb2 and ,he ate with them1 to make them quite sure it was ,himself4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where were the ten met8 #b4 ,why were there only ten8 #c4 ,who were away8 #d4 ,what had become of ,judas8 #e4 ,who had come home8 #f4 ,who stood in the midst8 #g4 ,what did ,he say8 #h4 ,what did ,he show8 #i4 ,what did ,he eat before them8 ,fifty-first ,sunday4 ,,the ,,ascension4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,blessed are they that have not seen1 and yet have believed4--,john #bj3bi4 ,illustration3 ,,then ,,said ,,jesus ,,unto ,,them ,,be ,,not ,,afraid ,,our blessed ,lord ,jesus did not stay with ,his apostles as ,he did before ,his death and rising4 ,they did not see ,him after that first day for a whole week2 and they could not make ,thomas1 who had not been there when ,he came1 believe that it was true that any man could come again from the grave4 ,he said ,he should never believe that it was the ,lord ,himself1 unless he could put his fingers into the prints of the nails1 and his hand into the wound in the side4 ,the next ,sunday evening1 ,thomas and the other ten were all in the upper room together1 when ,jesus came and stood in the midst1 and said to ,thomas1 ,reach hither thy finger1 and behold ,my hands2 and reach hither thy hand1 and thrust it into ,my side3 and be not faithless1 but believing4 ,then ,thomas knew ,him indeed1 and could only say1 ,my ,lord and my ,god4 ,and the ,lord answered1 ,thomas1 because thou hast seen me1 thou hast believed3 blessed are they that have not seen1 and yet have believed4 ,and that is the blessing for all of us1 who have not lived when our blessed ,lord was on earth4 ,we have not seen ,him1 but we must believe in ,him2 and that faith is the beginning of all goodness4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,convincing ,,thomas ,,of ,,his ,,resurrection4--,john #bj3bf-bi4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,what had happened on ,easter-day8 #b4 ,who saw our ,lord then8 #c4 ,who had not seen ,him8 #d4 ,what could not ,thomas believe8 #e4 ,what did ,he say8 #f4 ,what prints did he mean8 #g4 ,when did our ,lord come again8 #h4 ,where were the apostles8 #i4 ,who was there this time8 #aj4 ,what did our ,lord say to him8 #aa4 ,what did ,thomas answer8 #ab4 ,what did our ,lord then say8 #ac4 ,why had ,thomas believed8 #ad4 ,but who are blessed8 #ae4 ,have we seen our ,lord8 #af4 ,but what must we do8 #ag4 ,what is believing called8 #ah4 ,what begins with faith8 ,illustration ,,second ,,reading4 ,feed my lambs4--,john #b3ae4 ,,our ,lord told ,his apostles to go into ,galilee2 and there some of them went out fishing on the lake1 as they used to do2 but they fished all night1 and caught nothing4 ,in the dawn of morning1 they saw ,one standing on the bank1 and ,he said1 ,children1 have ye any meat8 ,they said1 ,no4 ,then ,he said1 ,cast the net on the right side of the ship4 ,and directly the net was full of a hundred and fifty-three fishes1 all large and good1 and it did not break6 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,appears ,,to ,,his ,,disciples ,,at ,,the ,,sea ,,of ,,tiberias4--,john #ba3a-g4 ,then ,john knew who it was1 and said to ,peter1 ,it is the ,lord4 ,and ,peter was so glad1 that he sprang out of the boat1 and came hurrying through the water to ,his ,master's feet4 ,and ,,jesus said1 ,come and dine2 and the disciples found a fire ready lighted on the bank1 with the broiled fish and bread2 and they ate with ,him again1 and felt ,his care after their long1 weary1 hungry night4 ,when they had eaten1 the ,lord said1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me more than these8 ,yea1 ,lord1 ,thou knowest that ,i love ,thee1 ,peter answered4 ,feed my sheep1 our ,lord said4 ,then again ,he asked1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me8 ,yea1 ,lord1 ,thou knowest that ,i love ,thee1 said ,peter4 ,feed my lambs1 ,he said2 and again ,he asked1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me8 ,then ,peter was grieved1 and said1 ,lord1 ,thou knowest all things2 ,thou knowest that ,i love ,thee4 ,and again ,jesus said1 ,feed my sheep4 ,peter knew that our ,lord is the ,good ,shepherd1 and that ,his sheep and lambs are the people and the children of ,his flock1 the ,church2 and that he was to show his love for ,his ,master by taking care of them4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,where did our ,lord come to ,his disciples again8 #b4 ,what were they doing8 #c4 ,what time did ,he come8 #d4 ,how did they know ,him8 #e4 ,had ,he ever done anything like this before8 #f4 ,who knew ,him first8 #g4 ,who sprang to ,him first8 #h4 ,what did ,he give them to eat8 #i4 ,what question did ,he ask ,peter three times8 #aj4 ,what had ,peter once done three times8 #aa4 ,what did ,peter answer now8 #ab4 ,what did our ,lord three times bid him do8 #ac4 ,who is the good ,shepherd8 #ad4 ,who are ,his sheep8 #ae4 ,who are ,his lambs8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,this same ,,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen ,him go into heaven4--,acts #a3aa4 ,,for forty days our ,lord came in ways like what ,i have told you to see and teach ,his disciples4 ,once1 five hundred of them saw ,him together2 but ,he never came to the wicked unbelieving ,jews again4 ,but when the feast of weeks was near1 the disciples went back to keep it at ,jerusalem4 ,there our ,lord came to them again1 and ,he led the eleven apostles out with ,him to the ,mount of ,olives4 ,he taught them1 and charged them much2 and ,he gave them a great command1 ,go ye therefore1 and teach all nations1 baptising them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost3 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you3 and1 lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,ascension4--,luke #bd3ej1 #ea4 ,and then ,he bade them stay at ,jerusalem until they should be endued with power from on high4 ,and while ,he talked with them1 ,he was parted from them1 and went rising up into heaven1 going higher and higher1 till a cloud received ,him out of their sight4 ,while they still looked up after ,him1 two angels stood by them1 and said1 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 this same ,,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen ,him go into heaven4 ,and so it was that our blessed ,lord ,jesus ascended up to ,his throne in heaven again1 after ,he had been born1 and lived1 and died to save us4 ,and there ,he is in heaven1 now watching over us1 and laying all our prayers before ,his ,father in heaven1 and getting ready our home there for each of us4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,how long did our ,lord stay below8 #b4 ,where did the disciples go8 #c4 ,where did ,he take them with ,him8 #d4 ,what was the great charge ,he gave them8 #e4 ,whom were they to teach8 #f4 ,what were they to do to those whom they taught8 #g4 ,in whose name were they to baptize them8 #h4 ,what were they to teach them8 #i4 ,who would always be with them8 #aj4 ,what happened while ,he was speaking8 #aa4 ,where did ,he rise8 #ab4 ,who came to tell them where ,he was gone8 #ac4 ,what do we call the day8 #ad4 ,when will ,he come again8 ,illustration ,fifty-second ,sunday4 ,,the ,,waiting-,,time4 ,,first ,,reading4 ,i will pray the ,father1 and he shall give you another ,comforter1 that he may abide with you forever4--,john #ad3af4 ,illustration ,,our ,lord had told the apostles that though ,he was going to heaven1 ,he would send them another ,comforter1 who would be with them for ever1 and in whom ,he ,himself should be present with them--even ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 who is ,one with ,god the ,father and ,god the ,son4 ,ten days after ,he had ascended up to heaven1 on the great day of the feast of weeks 7or1 as we call it1 ,whitsunday71 as the disciples were together in one place at ,jerusalem1 they heard a sound like the noise of a rushing mighty wind1 and it filled all the house2 and there came flames like tongues divided in the midst1 and sat on the head of each disciple--not burning1 but shining4 ,and wonderful knowledge came to all of them--they understood all they could not understand before2 and they could speak all sorts of different languages1 without ever having learnt them4 ,these wonders were to show them that ,god the ,holy ,ghost had come down from heaven to be with them1 and to dwell in them1 and help them1 and make them strong for ever and ever4 ,illustration3 ,,tongues ,,of ,,fire ,,resting ,,on ,,the ,,disciples4--,acts #b3b-d4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,whom had our ,lord promised to send ,his disciples8 #b4 ,who is that ,comforter8 #c4 ,who is with us when ,god the ,holy ,ghost is with us8 #d4 ,how long after our ,lord's ,ascension did ,he come8 #e4 ,what feast was it8 #f4 ,what do we call the day8 #g4 ,where were the disciples8 #h4 ,how did they know when ,god the ,holy ,ghost came down8 #i4 ,what did they hear8 ,,second ,,reading4 ,abide in me4--,john #ae3d4 ,,the ,lord ,god the ,holy ,ghost goes on coming and being with us still4 ,he does not show us when ,he comes now1 because it is more blessed to believe than to see2 but we know ,he does come to each of us when we are baptised1 to help us and make us good4 ,the reason ,he made the apostles able to speak all those languages1 was that they were to go and teach all the nations round the ,gospel--that is to say1 the good news that ,christ was come1 and had died for the sins of everyone1 and risen again4 ,they did go and teach2 and all who chose to believe and belong to ,christ's kingdom were baptised4 ,then each of us receives the ,presence of the ,holy ,ghost1 to help us to be good1 and to keep ,god's holy law1 the ,ten ,commandments1 that ,he gave on ,mount ,sinai4 ,more and more of that good help of the ,holy ,spirit is given to everyone who comes1 as our ,lord bade1 to take and eat and drink of the bread and wine1 by which we partake of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ2 and ,he gives all that we ask to us if we pray to ,him4 ,for we belong to those nations that the apostles were commanded to teach and baptise1 and bring into the fold2 and we belong to ,jesus ,christ just as much as ,his own first disciples did4 ,we are called ,christians1 after ,his name2 and all the time we live here1 ,he takes care of us2 and if we serve ,him1 ,he takes our souls to be with ,him in ,paradise1 when death parts them from our bodies4 ,,questions4 #a4 ,who stays with us still8 #b4 ,when does ,he come to us8 #c4 ,what does ,he come to us for8 #d4 ,why did ,he teach the apostles to speak languages8 #e4 ,where were they to teach the nations8 #f4 ,what does ,gospel mean8 #g4 ,what is the good news8 #h4 ,who belong to ,his kingdom8 #i4 ,what have we to do8 #aj4 ,what are ,his laws8 #aa4 ,who will help us to keep them8 ,,third ,,reading4 ,we1 according to ,his promise1 look for new heavens and a new earth4--#b ,pet4 #c3ac4 ,,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ is coming again4 ,we do not know when it will be2 but1 sometime or other1 ,he will send ,his angel to blow a trumpet2 and all that are in their graves shall hear ,his voice1 and their souls will come back to their bodies2 and we shall all be alive again2 and if we have been good and holy1 we shall be caught up to meet the ,lord ,jesus in the air4 ,for then ,he will come1 with all ,his holy angels1 and will sit on a great white throne2 and all that have ever lived will be called before ,him1 and judged for all the things they have done1 and the words they have said4 ,and then those that have gone on doing wrong1 and never being sorry1 and never caring for the ,lord ,jesus1 but have made ,satan their master1 will be given to ,satan1 to be in misery in hell-fire for ever4 ,but those who have tried to do their best1 and held fast to our ,lord ,jesus1 and prayed ,him to wash them clean in ,his blood1 will be taken home for ,his sake4 ,and they will have the happiest and most blessed home that ever can be in heaven4 ,there will be all brightness1 and no more pain1 nor grief1 nor sorrow2 and the ,lord shall wipe off all tears from all eyes2 and there shall be gladness and joy for ever and ever4 ,the old earth will be burnt up2 but there will be new heavens1 and a new earth1 all beautiful1 with nothing that will hurt or spoil or fade1 but all lovely and peaceful4 ,and then there will be the great joy of singing the praise of ,god1 who made us1 and saved us1 and helps us to be good1 for ever and ever4 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty1 which was1 and is1 and is to come6 ,alleluia6 ,,questions4 #a4 ,when will our ,lord come again8 #b4 ,what will ,he come for8 #c4 ,how will the dead be waked8 #d4 ,who will be caught up to meet ,him8 #e4 ,what will ,he sit on8 #f4 ,who will come before ,him8 #g4 ,what will everybody be tried for8 #h4 ,who will be punished8 #i4 ,who will be saved8 #aj4 ,what will become of the old world8 #aa4 ,what will the new home be8 #ab4 ,what sort of place will it be8 #ac4 ,why will it be so happy8 ,new ,testament ,story in ,verse ,,by ,,anne ,,fletcher4 ,the ,archangel's ,first ,visit4 ,,twas in the days of ,herod-- ,first king of that proud name-- ,who reigned over ,judea1 ,the land of ,scripture fame4 ,a certain ,zacharias1 ,of the large1 priestly force1 ,the temple of ,jerusalem ,was serving in his course4 ,his wife1 ,elizabeth1 belonged ,to ,aaron's favored line2 ,and they were righteous before ,god1 ,and kept the law ,divine4 ,but this couple had no children1 ,and they were very old2 ,and lived alone1 nor ever hoped ,a son they should behold4 ,and it came to pass one morning-- ,as ,scripture doth record-- ,that ,zacharias burned incense ,on the altar of the ,lord2 ,and outside the people waited1 ,and stood in silent prayer2-- ,for in this way they worshiped ,in that holy temple fair4 ,and1 in that solemn season ,to ,zacharias' sight-- ,standing beside the altar-- ,appeared an angel bright4 ,and the good priest was troubled1 ,when he saw the spirit form1 ,and fear fell on him1 and he shook ,like willow in a storm4 ,but the angel said to him3 ,fear not1 ,thy prayer is heard in heaven1 ,and to thy wife1 ,elizabeth1 ,a son shall now be given4 ,and thou shalt call the baby ,john1 ,and thou shalt have great joy2 ,and many shall rejoice with thee ,over this precious boy4 ,and he shall1 in the holy sight ,of ,god1 be great and high2 ,and wine1 or ardent spirit1 ,his lips shall ne'er come nigh4 ,the ,holy ,ghost shall early ,spread through his heart abroad1 ,and many of your ancient race ,shall he turn to their ,god4 ,and in the power and spirit ,of ,elias1 he shall go ,before ,him who is coming ,to save the world from woe4 ,then ,zacharias1 in surprise ,and overwhelming bliss1 ,demanded of the angel3 ,whereby shall ,i know this8 ,and the angel1 answering1 said3 ,i am that ,gabriel1 ,who stand in ,god's high presence1 ,and am sent glad news to tell4 ,and1 now1 because thou doubtest1 ,behold thou shalt be dumb1 ,and shalt not speak1 until the child ,i have foretold has come4 ,meanwhile the people waited till ,the priest should come outside1 ,and marvelled at his long delay-- ,what could to him betide8 ,and1 when to them he did appear1 ,and could not speak a word1 ,they knew that he had seen1 within1 ,a vision from the ,lord4 ,and so he served the temple ,until the day had come ,when1 his ministration over1 ,he departed to his home4 ,the ,archangel's ,second ,visit4 ,,six months1 and1 sent again from ,god1 ,the angel ,gabriel came ,to a city of fair ,galilee1 ,and ,nazareth by name1 ,to a virgin1 spouse to ,joseph ,of ,david's royal race2 ,and the virgin's name was ,mary1 ,whose life was truth and grace4 ,the angel entered softly1 ,where ,mary sat alone1 ,saying3 ,hail6 the ,lord is with thee1 ,thou highly favored one4 ,but1 when she saw the stranger1 ,mary was troubled sore2 ,for such a salutation ,she ne'er had heard before44 ,but3 ,fear not1 said the angel1 ,for1 ,mary1 thou hast found ,favor with ,god1 whose goodness ,and mercy doth abound4 ,and thou art greatly honored1 ,for ,god hath chosen thee ,to nurse the high1 anointed ,one ,whose name shall ,jesus be4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called ,the high ,jehovah's ,son ,and the ,lord ,god shall give to ,him ,his father ,david's throne4 ,and he shall reign o'er ,jacob's house ,for ever1 evermore2 ,his ,kingdom still shall flourish ,when earthly reigns are o'er4 ,behold1 he said1 ,elizabeth1 ,thy cousin1 good and kind1 ,i've also promised her a son1 ,and the promise true she'll find4 ,for ,god is the omnipotent1 ,all power is in ,his hand1 ,and nothing is impossible ,to ,his ,divine command4 ,then ,mary meekly said3 ,behold ,the handmaid of the ,lord2 ,and let the honor be to me ,according to thy word4 ,the angel then departed-- ,ascending up above-- ,and left the gentle virgin bowed ,in humble trust and love4 ,mary's ,visit to ,elizabeth4 ,,now ,mary felt a longing ,to see her cousin dear1 ,and with ,elizabeth to spend ,a season of good cheer4 ,and so in haste1 and early1 ,she started forth one day1 ,and journeyed to a city ,in ,judea's hills away4 ,for there dwelt ,zacharias1 ,and ,elizabeth so pure1 ,and1 entering in1 the virgin found ,a welcome1 warm and sure4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost gave token ,to ,elizabeth's glad heart1 ,that her visitor1 in ,god's wise plan1 ,should have a happy part4 ,then out she spake1 exultant1 ,o1 why to me accord ,the honor of a visit ,from the mother of my ,lord8 ,and blessed is she for evermore1 ,who humbly hath believed1 ,for every word shall come to pass ,which she from ,god received4 ,and ,mary said3 ,o1 how my soul ,jehovah magnifies6 ,and how my spirit joys in ,god1 ,my ,saviour1 'bove the skies6 ,for ,he hath had regard unto ,his handmaid's low estate1 ,and henceforth all shall call me blest-- ,the humble and the great4 ,for ,he1 the high and mighty ,one ,hath done to me great things1 ,and holy is ,his honored name2 ,his praise my spirit sings4 ,his mercy they that fear ,his name ,enjoy from day to day2 ,from age to age it is the same1 ,and shall be so alway4 ,and ,he hath shown abroad the strength ,of ,his almighty arm2 ,for ,he hath chased the proud1 who sought ,to do the humble harm4 ,he hath put down the mighty ,from their haughty seats on high2 ,and lifted up the lowly to ,the region of the sky4 ,his hand hath filled the hungry poor ,with daintiest of food1 ,and the rich he hath sent empty ,away from hope of good4 ,he hath come to the assistance ,of ,his servant ,israel's race2 ,in remembrance of ,his mercy1 ,his promise and ,his grace1 ,as ,he spake1 in the beginning1 ,to ,abraham1 our head1 ,and to ,jewish tribes for ever-- ,naught hath failed of all ,he said4 ,after this the virgin ,mary ,with ,elizabeth1 so true1 ,made a pleasant three months' visit1 ,then to her home withdrew4 ,now that great thing did come to pass1 ,which ,gabriel had foretold1 ,in the sacred temple service1 ,to ,zacharias old4 ,and soon ,elizabeth received ,the promised baby boy2 ,and gazing on the heavenly gift1 ,her heart was filled with joy4 ,and all her friends and cousins1 ,to whom the tidings went1 ,came with their gratulations1 ,upon the glad event4 ,then on the day of naming1 ,the parents both agreed ,that ,john the infant should be called1 ,as ,gabriel had decreed4 ,and the speech of ,zacharias ,immediately returned2 ,he praised and glorified the ,lord1 ,his heart with fervor burned4 ,and fear came on the neighbors all1 ,as these things were noised abroad2 ,and they said3 ,what kind of child is this ,who comes1 foretold of ,god8 ,but the hand of ,god rich blessings ,on the babe1 each day1 bestowed2 ,and the heart of ,zacharias ,with the ,holy ,ghost o'erflowed4 ,and he burst forth in thankfulness1 ,and praised1 and prophesied ,of all the wondrous goodness ,that should to men betide4 ,for the light of inspiration ,had shown to him1 indeed1 ,that his son was the ,elias1 ,who should the ,lord precede4 ,the ,holy ,child4 ,,rome was the world's proud mistress1 ,and would tax her subjects all3 ,thus every man1 to his own town1 ,received ,imperial call4 ,and ,joseph1 wed to ,mary1 ,must go to ,judah's land1 ,and1 with the sons of ,david1 ,must take his lineal stand4 ,then1 from ,nazareth1 he journeyed1 ,with his fair and gentle spouse ,to ,bethlehem of ,judea1 ,the place of ,david's house4 ,but when--their journey ended-- ,they sought repose to win1 ,their lodging was a stable1 ,so crowded was the inn4 ,and to that stable1 lowly1 ,in humble1 human guise1 ,there came a babe most holy1 ,descended from the skies4 ',tis written that the angel ,had to the virgin come1 ,and told her that this ,holy ,child ,with her should make his home4 ,and now a rosy light from heaven ,on ,bethlehem's city shone2 ,and this was the first ,christmas ,the world had ever known4 ,for ,jesus was the promised ,christ1 ,so long ago foretold-- ,the ,king that all the ,jewish race ,were longing to behold4 ,the ,shepherds4 ,,the men1 who watched the sheep that night1 ,were seated on the ground1 ,when a glorious light from heaven ,shone brightly all around4 ,and1 lo6 an angel of the ,lord ,appeared before their eyes1 ,and they were filled with sore affright1 ,with wonder and surprise4 ,the angel said to them3 ,fear not1 ,for ,i have come to tell ,news of the joyfullest event ,the world has e'er befell4 ,for1 this day1 unto you is born1 ,in ,david's' city fair1 ,a ,saviour1 who is ,christ1 the ,lord1 ,and ,david's lineal heir4 ,and this shall be a sign to you ,that true is what ,i've said3 ,you'll find the babe in swaddling clothes1 ,and in a manger laid4 ,then suddenly a crowd appeared ,of spirits1 bright and fair1 ,and their glad voices1 praising ,god1 ,resounded through the air4 ,glory to ,god1 they sweetly chant1 ,who reigns in highest heaven1 ,and peace on earth for evermore1 ,and love to men be given4 ,thus singing1 shining1 up they went ,away to heaven again2 ,and night and silence were restored ,to ancient ,bethlehem's plain4 ,come1 said the shepherds1 let us go ,into the city old1 ,and see the strange1 mysterious child1 ,of whom we have been told4 ,and1 leaving there their flocks1 they went ,into the town near by2 ,and found the babe1 as they had heard1 ,his gentle mother nigh4 ,and1 having seen him1 they made known1 ,to people all abroad1 ,the things that had been told to them ,about the ,son of ,god4 ,the people listened to the news ,with very great surprise1 ,the wondrous things the shepherds heard1 ,and witnessed with their eyes4 ,but these strange things within her heart ,the mother kept concealed1 ,and pondered o'er them1 nor her thoughts ,to any she revealed4 ,the shepherds1 thrilled with gladness1 praised ,the ,god of heaven above1 ,for all things they had heard and seen ,of ,his unbounded love4 ,good ,old ,simeon4 ,,now1 when a week had passed1 the babe ,received the sacred sign ,which ,god to ,abraham had given1 ,as covenant divine4 ,they gave him ,jesus for his name1 ,according to the word ,of the archangel ,gabriel1 ,who stands before the ,lord4 ,and1 then1 a few weeks later1 ,to ,jerusalem they went1 ,before the great ,jehovah ,the young child to present2 ,and to offer1 on the altar1 ,in thankful sacrifice1 ,a pair of doves1 or pigeons1 ,of small and humble price4 ,at that time1 in the temple gate1 ,there was an aged saint1 ,who waited for the promised ,christ ,nor did his firm faith faint4 ,a just and righteous man was he1 ,and ,simeon was his name1 ,and the ,holy ,ghost1 with power1 ,upon his spirit came4 ,and it was thus revealed to him ,that he should never die1 ,until his mortal eyes had seen ,the ,lord's ,christ1 from on high4 ,and he came1 by the spirit1 ,the temple court within ,just as his earthly parents ,their infant child brought in4 ,then ,simeon took the ,holy ,child ,into his arms1 and said3 ,bless ,thee1 my ,god1 for all the way ,thou hast ,thy servant led4 ,and now let me depart in peace ,according to ,thy word1 ,since my old eyes have haply seen ,my ,saviour and my ,lord2 ,whom ,thou hast sent into the world1 ,to lighten all mankind1 ,and that ,thy people1 ,israel1 ,their precious ,prince may find4 ,then ,joseph and the virgin ,were filled with great surprise ,at the words that ,simeon uttered-- ,so grave1 devout and wise4 ,and ,simeon blessed both parents1 ,and said to ,mary then1 ,this child is set that ,israel ,may fall and rise again2 ,and for a sign1 which wicked tongues ,shall slander and indict1 ,and that the thoughts of evil hearts ,may be exposed to sight4 ,the ,prophetess4 ,,then1 also1 lived one ,anna1 ,a prophetess of ,god1 ,who1 in ,his faith and service1 ,her way1 through life1 had trod4 ,she was an aged widow1 too1 ,daughter of ,israel's race2 ,and1 coming in that instant1 ,she joined in thanks and praise2 ,and then throughout the city went1 ,and told the glorious news ,from house to house1 wherever dwelt ,the pious1 hopeful ,jews2 ,told that the great ,messiah1 ,long looked for1 now had come1 ,an infant in a virgin's arms1 ,and in a lowly home4 ,the ,wise ,men4 ,,now1 when this wondrous babe was born ,into his low estate1 ,another strange event occurred1 ,which ,scripture doth relate4 ,there dwelt1 far off1 in eastern land1 ,wise men devout and good ,who nature's grandest mysteries ,revered and understood4 ,one night as eagerly they scanned ,the splendors of the sky1 ,they saw a new1 strange star appear ,among the worlds on high2 ,and said it came thus suddenly ,important news to bring-- ,the sign that ,balaam had foretold-- ,of ,israel's glorious ,king4 ,and when they reached ,jerusalem1 ,where is your ,king8 they said1 ,for we have come to worship ,him1 ,and by his star were led4 ,this question greatly troubled ,proud ,herod1 on the throne1 ,for1 in the land of ,judah1 ,he would be ,king alone4 ,at once he called the priests and scribes1 ,demanding they should tell ,in what place had it been foretold ,that ,christ should come to dwell4 ,and readily they answered-- ,nor waited to take note-- ,in ,bethlehem of ,judea1 ,for thus the prophet wrote3 ,thou ,bethlehem1 in ,judah's land1 ,art not 'mongst princes small2 ,for out of thee shall come a ,prince ,and rule my people all4 ,then ,herod for the wise men called1 ,and1 with foreboding fear1 ,he bade them tell him just what time ,the star did first appear2 ,and said3 ,go search in ,bethlehem1 ,and when the babe you find1 ,i1 too1 will come and worship ,him1 ,for thus ,i am inclined4 ,the wise men were rejoiced to see ,the radiant star once more1 ,and gladly followed1 as it led ,the way to ,joseph's door4 ,they opened1 then1 their treasures1 ,gold1 frankincense and myrrh-- ,fit offering to a ,prince ,divine1 ,from reverent worshipper-- ,and joyfully bestowed their gifts ,upon the ,son of ,man-- ,and thus the custom1 since observed1 ,of ,christmas gifts began4 ,the wise men to their lodging went1 ,for rest and sleep1 that night2 ,but ,god came to them in a dream1 ,before the morning light2 ,and said1 ,to ,herod ye shall not return1 ,nor tell my ,son's abode4 ,and so returning to their home1 ,they took a different road4 ,away to ,egypt4 ,,and when they had departed thence1 ,to ,joseph came a dream1 ,in which an angel of the ,lord ,appeared and spoke to him3 ,rise1 take the babe and mother1 ,and into ,egypt flee4 ,for ,herod seeks to kill the child-- ,go1 till ,i call for thee4 ,then ,joseph rose1 obedient1 ,and while it still was night1 ,with the young child and mother1 ,to ,egypt took his flight4 ,then cruel1 wicked ,herod1 ,when the wise men told him naught1 ,or let him know what house contained ,the babe whose life he sought1 ,sent forth his brutal servants ,to kill each little boy1 ,in and around old ,bethlehem-- ,each mother's hope and joy2 ,all--every tender nursling1 ,from two years old and less2 ,nor heeded ,rachael's weeping1 ,her mourning and distress4 ,but wicked1 wicked ,herod1 ,who would be king alone1 ,was soon thereafter called to die1 ,and leave ,judea's throne4 ,and now the wrathful tyrant ,has no more power to harm2 ,and his fierce and jealous hatred ,no more can cause alarm4 ,to ,joseph1 down in ,egypt1 ,now comes another dream1 ,wherein an angel of the ,lord ,appears again to him2 ,and says3 ,now1 back to ,israel's land ,with child and mother go2 ,for he1 the murderer1 is dead1 ,who was the infant's foe4 ,then ,joseph rose and willingly ,obeyed this new command1 ,and1 taking child and mother1 ,returned to ,israel's land4 ,but hearing ,archelas ,was king in ,herod's room1 ,he turned aside to ,galilee1 ,which was his former home2 ,and dwelt in ,nazareth city1 ,thus plainly may be seen ,the truth of ,scripture words3 ,he shall ,be called a ,nazarene4 ,and there the blessed ,jesus ,spent childhood's simple days1 ,and1 as he grew1 waxed strong and wise ,by ,god's unholding grace4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,child ,,christ1 ,,mary ,,his ,,mother ,,and ,,joseph ,,jesus ,,rendered ,,obedience1 ,,not ,,only ,,to ,,mary1 ,,but ,,to ,,joseph--,,luke #b3ea4 ,the ,child in the ,temple4 ,,now1 every year1 these parents ,jerusalem did seek2 ,to keep the feast of passover1 ,and spend the holy week4 ,and when the child was twelve years old1 ,they did as heretofore2 ,and went up to ,jerusalem1 ,the road oft traveled o'er4 ,they kept the feast as usual1 ,and1 then1 with cheerful mind1 ,returned the way that they had come-- ,but ,jesus stayed behind4 ,the parents traveled all day long1 ,believing that their ,son1 ,somewhere1 among the company1 ,was coming safely on4 ,but when1 at evening1 they encamped1 ,and sought for ,him around1 ,to their surprise and sore distress1 ,he was not to be found4 ,still seeking ,him they turned their face1 ,and traveled back again1 ,the old road to ,jerusalem2 ,but seeking was in vain4 ,for three days long they went about1 ,within the city lines1 ,then1 in the temple1 found the lad1 ,among the great divines4 ,he sat and heard the doctors talk1 ,and asked them questions wise2 ,and all who listened were amazed ,at his profound replies4 ,and ,his parents were astonished ,when they beheld ,him thus1 ,and ,mary said3 ,o why1 my son1 ,hast thou so dealt with us8 ,thy father1 ,joseph1 and myself ,have three days sought for thee1 ,and sorrowed greatly1 fearing we ,thy face no more would see4 ,then ,jesus1 gravely1 said to them3 ,wherefore my absence mourn8 ,my ,father's work ,i have to do1 ,till ,i to ,him return4 ,and ,mary1 in her inmost heart1 ,did secretely confine ,the things ,he did1 the words he spoke1 ,this wondrous ,child ,divine4 ,and ,jesus rich in wisdom grew1 ,as passed the years of youth1 ,and gained the favor of all men1 ,by virtue and by truth4 ,john the ,baptist4 ,,now1 in the fifteenth year1 when reigned ,tiberias ,csar grand1 ,and ,pontius ,pilate1 under him1 ,ruled over ,judah's land1 ,and three of ,herod's sons controlled ,the regions ,north and ,east1 ,and ,annas and ,caiaphas were ,appointed1 each1 high priest1 ,the word of ,god came unto ,john-- ,old ,zacharias' son-- ,who1 in ,judea's wilderness1 ,had dwelt and prayed alone4 ,his raiment was of camel's hair1 ,there in his strange retreat1 ,while locusts and wild-honey ,comprised his only meat4 ,he preached where flowed the ,jordan ,down through ,judea's land2 ,saying3 ,repent ye1 for the kingdom ,of heaven is at hand4 ,now1 the people all expecting ,their ,messiah at that time1 ,mused in their hearts if ,john were not ,that prophet most sublime4 ,so the ,jews sent priests and ,levites1 ,down from ,jerusalem1 ,to see this new1 strange preacher1 ,and closely question him4 ,and1 ,who art thou8 they asked of him1 ,and humbly he confessed ,i'm not the ,christ1 looked for by you1 ,nor with such honor dressed4 ,what then8 ,art thou ,elias8 ,he said3 ,not that ,i know4 ,art thou a risen prophet8 ,he firmly answered1 ,no4 ,then said they3 ,tell us who thou art1 ,that we may answer give ,to them that sent us thither ,some knowledge to receive4 ,he said3 ,i am the voice of one ,who through the land doth cry1 ',make straight1 as said ,esaias1 ,the way of the ,most ,high4' ,the messengers were ,pharisees1 ,who said3 ,why then baptize1 ,if thou be not the promised ,christ1 ,or he that should arise8 ,john answered3 ,i1 indeed1 baptize ,with water from the stream2 ,but there is one among you now ,of whom you do not dream4 ',tis ,he who cometh after me1 ,the latchet of whose shoes1 ,because ,he is so mighty1 ,i'm not worthy to unloose4 ,and ,he shall1 with the ,holy ,ghost1 ,baptize you and inspire1 ,and fill your souls with power divine1 ,and with celestial fire4 ,whose fan is in ,his hand1 and ,he ,will thoroughly purge ,his floor2 ,and gather up ,his wheat1 but then1 ,with fire the chaff devour4 ,and many other things said he1 ,exhorting all who heard2 ,and preaching unto them1 with zeal1 ,the ,gospel's precious ,word4 ,emmanuel4 ,,and in those days it came to pass ,that ,jesus--,holy ,one-- ,from ,nazareth came to ,jordan1 ,to be baptized of ,john4 ,for ,he had reached just thirty years1 ,the age the law declared ,those called into the priesthood1 ,for service were prepared4 ,but ,john forbade ,him1 saying1 ',tis ,i have need to be ,a subject of ,thy baptism1 ,and comest ,thou to me8 ,and ,jesus1 answering1 said1 to him1 ,suffer it now1 for thus ,to keep the law of righteousness1 ,it well becometh us4 ,then1 meekly1 and with solemn awe1 ,did ,john the ,lord baptize1 ,and when the heavens were parted wide1 ,he saw1 with great surprise1 ,as ,jesus felt the water1 and ,with humble reverence prayed-- ,the ,holy ,ghost descending1 like ,a dove1 upon ,his head4 ,and a voice1 in tones majestic1 ,came from the heavens1 so bright1 ,exclaiming1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 ,in whom ,i take delight4 ,the ,temptation4 ,,then ,jesus1 with the ,spirit filled1 ,and soul exalted high1 ,was led from ,jordan's bank into ,the wilderness near by1 ,to be tempted of the devil-- ,who in evil most delights4 ,there ,he1 with wild beasts1 made his home ,for forty days and nights4 ,after this the ,lord was hungry1 ,when the devil came1 and said1 ,if thou'rt the ,son of ,god1 command ,these stones to be made bread4 ,but ,he answered1 ,it is written1 ,man doth not live by bread alone1 ,but by each word1 proceeding ,from ,god1 upon the throne4 ,the devil then conducts ,him through ,the holy city1 fair1 ,and sets ,him on the temple roof1 ,high in the ambient air2 ,and says to ,him1 ,if so ,thou be ,the ,son of ,god1 indeed1 ,cast thyself down from hence1 and for ,thy safety take no heed2 ,since it is written1 ',unto ,god ,in danger thou shalt flee1 ,for to ,his angel band ,he gives ,a charge concerning thee4' ,then ,jesus unto him replied1 ,again the written word ,rebukes presumption and declares1 ,thou shalt not tempt the ,lord4 ,again the devil takes ,him up ,into a mountain--high1 ,and shows ,him all the kingdoms of ,the world1 both far and nigh4 ,and saith unto ,him1 ,all these things ,will ,i give unto thee ,if ,thou wilt own my princely power1 ,fall down and worship me4 ,then ,jesus called him by his name1 ,satan1 ,he said1 be gone1 ,for it is written1 ',worship pay ,to ,israel's ,god alone4' ,then1 thus repulsed1 the devil fled1 ,pursued his wicked way1 ,and angels came and ministered ,unto their ,lord that day4 ,the ,meeting with ,john4 ,,the next day ,jesus1 calm and pure1 ,was walking all alone1 ,down1 near the banks of ,jordan1 ,when ,he was seen by ,john2 ,who said1 while pointing unto ,him1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takes the world's dark sin away1 ,and bears the awful load4 ,again did ,jesus walk1 when ,john ,with two disciples stood1 ,who1 looking on ,him1 said to them1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god6 ,and the disciples1 at this word1 ,followed where ,jesus went2 ,who1 turning1 gently asked of them1 ,their purpose and intent4 ,master1 they said1 ,where dwellest thou8 ,he answer1 ,come and see4 ,they went1 and stayed with ,him that day1 ,in holy converse free4 ,now1 one of these men was ,andrew1 ,who1 filled with thoughts profound1 ,and1 meeting his brother1 ,simon1 ,said1 ,we the ,christ have found4 ,and brought him straight to ,jesus1 who ,said to him1 as he came1 ,thou'rt ,simon1 son of ,jonah1 now ,cephas shall be thy name4 ,the ,meeting with ,nathanael4 ,,the following day would ,jesus ,return to ,galilee2 ,and1 finding ,philip1 saith to him1 ,come thou and follow me4 ,then ,philip found ,nathanael1 ,and1 unto him1 he saith1 ,we've seen the ,christ of prophecy ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,nathanael answered shortly1 ,thinkest thou can it be ,that good come out of ,nazareth8 ,saith ,philip1 ,come and see4 ,when ,jesus saw ,nathanael come1 ,him did ,he kindly greet2 ,behold an ,israelite1 ,he said1 ,in whom is no deceit4 ,nathanael asked1 ,whence know'st thou me8 ,beneath the fig tree's shade1 ,before that ,philip called to thee1 ,i saw thee1 ,jesus said4 ,nathanael said to ,him1 ,rabbi-- ,with wonder overawed-- ,thou art the ,king of ,israel1 ,thou art the ,son of ,god4 ,because ,i told thee1 ,jesus said1 ,i saw thee 'neath the tree1 ,believest thou8 ,yet shall thine eyes ,much greater wonders see4 ,for thou shalt see bright angels1 ,through heaven's open span1 ,ascending and descending ,upon the ,son of man4 ,the ,marriage at ,cana4 ,,the third day spent in ,galilee ,there was a marriage feast2 ,in ,cana was the wedding held1 ,and ,mary was a guest4 ,and ,jesus1 to this marriage feast ,received a formal call-- ,the wondrous ,gospel ,teacher1 ,with ,his disciples all4 ,and when more wine was wanted1 ,the mother of the ,lord ,requested ,him to show ,his power1 ,and wine to them afford4 ,but ,jesus answered1 ,woman1 ,my youthful days are o'er1 ,and to direct my actions ,should be your part no more4 ,to show to men1 by miracles ,my power1 the wondrous sum1 ',tis mine to choose the proper time ,which has not fully come4 ,then1 ,mary to the servants said1 ,hark what ,he saith to you2 ,and1 whatsoever it may be1 ,that thou shalt surely do4 ,and there were set six waterpots1 ,that cleanly ,jews might reach ,to wash their hands1 and they contained ,two or three firkins each4 ,jesus unto the servants said-- ,who paid respect to ,him-- ,these vessels all with water fill2 ,they filled them to the brim4 ,then ,he commanded1 ,draw out now1 ,and bear a cup well filled ,unto the ruler of the feast2 ,and they did as ,he willed4 ,and the ruler1 when he tasted ,the wine from water made1 ,not knowing how it was produced1 ,unto the bridegroom said3 ,each man who spreads a feast1 sets forth ,good wine at first1 of course1 ,and1 when the guests have drunk it all ,produces what is worse4 ,but never at a marriage feast ,has bridegroom done as thou ,who gave poor wine at first and kept ,the good wine until now4 ,thus1 by this first of miracles1 ,did ,jesus show ,his power1 ,and ,his disciples knew ,him ,christ1 ,from that important hour4 ,driving ,out the ,money-,changers4 ,,then the ,jews' passover drew nigh1 ,and to ,jerusalem ,went ,jesus1 and ,his followers ,the journey made with ,him4 ,but when they reached the temple court ,a market there they found2 ,creatures on sale1 for sacrifice1 ,and merchants sitting round4 ,then ,jesus made a scourge of cords1 ,and drove them all outside1 ,and1 angered by their wickedness1 ,the money scattered wide4 ,and the disciples then recalled ,the ,psalmist's ancient word1 ,i have been eaten up with zeal ,unto thy house1 my ,lord4 ,then said the ,jews1 ,we want to see ,what evidence you show ,that you possess authority ,such things as these to do8 ,cast down this temple1 ,jesus said1 ,let its proud walls decay1 ,and ,i will raise it up again1 ,ere three days pass away4 ,they answer1 ,forty years and six ,this temple took to build1 ,and wilt thou rear it in three days8 ,art thou so strangely skilled8 ,but of his body thus he spoke1 ,a temple strong to view1 ,and the disciples1 when ,he rose1 ,recalled that word most true4 ,now1 while in old ,jerusalem1 ,at the passover feast1 ,jesus performed great miracles1 ,by which ,his fame increased4 ,yet ,he gave not ,his confidence ,to any1 great or small1 ,because ,he read the human mind ,and knew the hearts of all4 ,and needed not to be informed ,that man is weak and vain1 ,who will applaud and honor now1 ,and persecute again4 ,a ,ruler of the ,jews4 ,,there was a man1 a ,pharisee1 ,one of the chosen race1 ,who1 in the council of the ,jews1 ,maintained an honored place4 ,the same to ,jesus came by night1 ,saying1 ,rabbi1 well we know ,thou art from ,god1 for no mere man ,such miracles can do4 ,jesus replied1 ,thou dost believe1 ,yet such a faith as thine ,is naught1 unless thou undergo ,an inward change divine4 ,except a man be born again1 ,i truly say to thee1 ,the holy kingdom of his ,god ,his eyes shall never see4 ,then ,nicodemus said1 surprised1 ,how can a man1 when old ,become a little babe again1 ,such wonders to behold8 ,and ,jesus answered1 ,verily1 ,the birth of which ,i speak ,is by the ,spirit's gracious power1 ,which every one must seek4 ,that which is born a little babe ,is but a fleshly frame1 ,but inward birth to all imparts ,the ,spirit's living flame4 ,and1 as the way the wind doth blow ,is not known by the sound1 ,so shalt thou feel1 but not discern1 ,the inward change profound4 ,then ,nicodemus asked again1 ,how can these things be so8 ,christ answered1 ,dost thou rule thy race ,and yet these things not know8 ,i verily declare to you ,the truths that are divine1 ,and ye receive not in your heart ,these precious words of mine4 ,if ,i have told you earthly things ,and you do not believe1 ,how shall you of these heavenly things1 ,my truthful words receive8 ,and no man hath ascended up ,to heaven's throne1 above1 ,but the eternal ,son of man1 ,who hath come down in love4 ,and as a serpent ,moses raised1 ,upon on upright pole1 ,that those who felt a poisonous bite ,might look and be made whole1 ,so must the ,son of man be raised-- ,in hate1 and wrath and strife-- ,that whoso shall believe on ,him ,may have eternal life4 ,for ,god so loved this sinful world ,he gave ,his only ,son1 ,that those who should believe on ,him ,might find their heaven begun4 ,for ,god sent not ,his ,son below ,the wicked to condemn3 ,but that1 through ,him1 salvation might ,in mercy reach to them4 ,he that believes is saved from death1 ,but he that doubts must die2 ,because he has rejected1 thus1 ,the ,son of ,god1 most high4 ,and this is what condemns their lives1 ,that light is shining clear1 ,and men love darkness lest their deeds ,of evil should appear4 ,john the ,baptist4 ,,after these things did ,jesus go ,forth into ,judah's land1 ,attended by his followers1 ,a faithful holy band4 ,john in his holy zeal baptized ,the people all around1 ,in ,aenon1 near to ,salim1 ,where water did abound4 ,and ,john's disciples told him all-- ,how ,jesus1 too1 baptized1 ,and crowds of people went to ,him2 ,but ,john was not surprised4 ,he answered1 ,man can nothing take1 ,except to him 'tis given1 ,and to baptize with water ,was my command from ,heaven4 ,and ye1 yourselves1 can witness true ,i said1 ,i am not ,he-- ,the ,christ1 the long expected one-- ,he cometh after me4 ,full happy is the bridegroom1 but ,his friend1 which standeth near1 ,rejoiceth in his happiness1 ,so ,i am filled with cheer4 ,he will go on1 in power and might1 ,his glory must increase2 ,while ,i1 ,his humble forerunner1 ,must dwindle and decrease4 ,he that descendeth from above ,is ,lord and ,king of all2 ,while he that is mere earthly man ,is tainted by the fall4 ,he that from heaven comes to earth-- ,the mighty ,prince and ,lord-- ,tells men what ,he has seen and heard1 ,and none receive ,his word4 ,yet he that hath received ,his word ,hath set his loyal seal1 ,that ,god's eternal righteousness ,he doth to man reveal4 ,but ,john's bold1 fearless preaching ,now1 suddenly1 must cease-- ,how truly he had prophesied ,unto himself decrease6 ,wicked ,herod4 ,,herod1 tetrarch of ,galilee1 ,john's teaching oft did seek1 ,thought him a just and holy man1 ,and gladly heard him speak4 ,yet ,herod had a wicked heart1 ,and crime had stained his name1 ,for he lived with his brother's wife1 ,and none had dared to blame4 ,but ,john1 with holy courage1 had ,condemned his sinful life1 ,and said1 ,it is not right for thee ,to have thy brother's wife4 ,therefore1 the woman hated him-- ,herodias was her name-- ,and would have killed him if she could1 ,with neither fear nor shame4 ,but ,herod she persuaded1 ,to seize the preacher bold1 ,and in a dungeon's gloomy cell ,his prisoner to hold4 ,now1 when the news of this event ,to ,jesus had been brought1 ,while in the land of ,judah1 ,where ,he baptized and taught1 ,and ,he well knew that word unto ,the ,pharisees had gone1 ,how1 in ,his mission here and there1 ,he plainly favored ,john1 ,he left ,judea's flowerey land1 ,and turned ,his face again ,to ,galilee1 ,his early home1 ,in ,herod's proud domain4 ,yet neither horse nor chariot had ,this royal ,son of ,god2 ,but traveled humbly and afoot ,the hot and dusty road4 ,the ,woman at the ,well4 ,,his way lay through ,samaria1 ,and1 as the noon was high1 ,he came to ,jacob's ancient well1 ,the town of ,sychar nigh4 ,and1 wearied with ,his journey1 ,he by the well sat down1 ,while ,his disciples went to buy ,some food within the town4 ,then1 presently1 a woman came-- ,a daughter of the land1 ,to draw some water from the well-- ,her pitcher in her hand4 ,and ,jesus1 full of pitying grace1 ,beyond what we can think1 ,looked gently in the woman's eyes1 ,and said1 ,give me to drink8 ,and thus1 this poor ,samaritan1 ,who knew but sin and shame1 ,was led to seek the living draught1 ,found in ,messiah's name4 ,and she1 that single pupil1 heard1 ,by the old patriarch's well1 ,the greatest1 grandest lesson ,that e'er from ,jesus fell4 ,and she believed4 ,o1 woman fair1 ,though fallen thou hadst been1 ,the ,searcher of all hearts in thee ,the seed of faith had seen2 ,and traveled through ,samaria1 ,to meet you1 and to tell ,the new and wondrous doctrine ,that you received so well4 ,and now came the disciples back1 ,who wondered that ,he taught ,one humble woman there alone1 ,yet wherefore no man sought4 ,but the woman left her pitcher1 ,and to the city went1 ,and told to every one she met ,the wonderful event2 ,how she had seen a traveler1 ,sitting by ,jacob's well1 ,who all her secret history ,did accurately tell4 ,and1 ,come and see him6 she exclaimed1 ,for he the ,christ must be2 ,such wisdom1 dignity and grace ,none e'er possessed as ,he4 ,meanwhile the ,lord's disciples ,before ,him set some meat1 ,and urging ,him with gentle words1 ,said1 ,master1 come and eat4 ,but1 in that hour1 no mortal food ,his craving want could fill1 ,his heart and mind were wholly set ,to work ,his gracious will4 ',twas now the harvest day of souls1 ,in old ,samaria's fields1 ,and ,he would gather all the fruit ,that faithful labor yields4 ,so ,he1 in answer to the call ,that ,he partake of food1 ,taught the great lesson to all men ,of always doing good4 ,and1 now1 came the ,samaritans ,and begged the ,lord to stay ,and lodge within their city's walls1 ,and teach them every day4 ,and ,he who hearkens when we ask1 ,complied with their request2 ,and in their city ,he abode ,two days1 an honored guest4 ,and many of those men believed ,he was the ,christ--the ,lord1 ,when they beheld ,his holy life1 ,and heard ,his gracious word4 ,the ,nobleman's ,son4 ,,and1 now1 upon ,his journey bent1 ,he turned ,his eager face ,to tread the road to ,galilee1 ,urged on by love and grace4 ,and on before ,him went ,his fame4 ',mongst ,jews both great and small1 ,and teaching in their synagogues1 ,was glorified of all4 ,and ,he was well received by them-- ,the men of ,galilee-- ,who1 at the feast of passover1 ,his miracles did see4 ,there was a certain nobleman1 ,who in ,capernaum dwelt2 ,whose son was sick1 and nigh to death1 ,and great concern he felt4 ,but hearing ,jesus had returned ,to ,galilee1 was glad1 ,and hastened to ,him1 to entreat ,that ,he would heal the lad4 ,then ,jesus said1 to try his faith1 ,unless ye wonders see ,ye will not yield your hearts to ,god1 ,nor yet believe on me4 ,to this remark the nobleman ,made no direct reply2 ,but said3 ,oh1 ,sir1 come down with me ,before my child shall die4 ,jesus responded3 ,go thy way1 ,thy son doth surely live2 ,and the man went1 nor did he doubt ,the word the ,lord did give4 ,and as he traveled to his home1 ,his servants came to meet1 ,and tell him that his son was well2 ,his joy was now complete4 ,he asked them when the child improved1 ,and they1 in answer1 said ,the seventh hour of yesterday ,the burning fever fled4 ,that very hour1 the father knew ,had ,jesus said he lived2 ,and he1 himself1 and all his house1 ,on ,christ1 the ,lord1 believed4 ,in the ,synagogue4 ,,then ,jesus came to ,nazareth1 ,his childhood's quiet home2 ,and1 as to teach on ,sabbath days ,his custom had become1 ,he1 in the synagogue1 stood up1 ,to read the holy ,book2 ,and the writings of ,isaias1 ,when handed ,him1 ,he took2 ,and opened it1 and found the place ,wherein the prophet spake ,of ,israel's ,messiah1 ,who should their bondage break4 ,he read the text1 distinct and clear1 ,then closed the ,book again1 ,and took ,his seat1 while on ,him gazed ,the eyes of all the men4 ,and ,he began to say to them3 ,this day1 in all your ears1 ,this holy ,scripture is fulfilled1 ,after so many years4 ,and they1 in awe and wonder1 heard ,his words of grace and truth1 ,and said3 ,is not this ,joseph's son1 ,whom we have known from youth8 ,but soon their kind and gentle mood ,began to disappear1 ,because ,he told them homely truths ,they did not wish to hear4 ,at last1 the fickle people rose ,in wild and wicked wrath1 ,seized ,him1 and roughly led ,him up ,the sloping1 hillside path2 ,that1 in their raging anger1 they ,might cast ,him headlong down ,the precipice1 one side the hill1 ,on which was built their town4 ,but ,he passed through their very midst1 ,an unfelt1 spirit shape2 ,and left them1 standing wonder-struck ,at this most strange escape4 ,and so ,he went from ,nazareth2 ,his home was there no more2 ,but in ,capernaum ,he dwelt1 ,and showed ,his grace and power4 ,the ,draught of ,fishes4 ,,one day the ,lord stood by the shore ,of lake ,gennesaret2 ,and watched the fishermen1 as there ,they pulled the outspread net4 ,and1 as ,he stood1 the people came1 ,and pressed upon ,him round1 ,to hear ,him preach the ,gospel news1 ,which they so precious found4 ,then ,jesus1 seeing ,simon's ship ,was anchored close at hand1 ,stepped quick aboard1 and gave command ,to push a space from land4 ,and1 sitting down1 ,he taught the throng ,who crowded on the shore1 ,and heard1 with joy1 such heavenly truth ,as ne'er was preached before4 ,the sermon ended1 then ,he bade ,simon launch out for fish2 ,and ,simon answered that he would1 ,if 'twere the ,master's wish4 ,but added3 ,we have toiled all night1 ,nor sleep nor rest have sought1 ,but through the water dragged out nets1 ,and yet no fish have caught4 ,still1 while he spoke1 he launched the ship ,out on the waters wide1 ,and let the net down in the sea1 ,the vessel's' rail beside4 ,and lo6 at once1 with fish 'twas filled1 ,a multitude so great ,that the strong net came wide apart1 ,so heavy was their weight4 ,the fishermen their partners called ,to bring another ship2 ,and soon both vessels were quite full1 ,and sinking in the deep4 ,then ,simon ,peter1 in amaze1 ,at ,jesus' knees fell down2 ,and said3 ,o ,lord1 depart from me1 ,my sins to ,thee are known4 ,but ,jesus gently said to him3 ,thou need'st not be afraid2 ,from henceforth thou shalt sinners catch1 ,by my ,almighty aid4 ,and when they brought their ships to land1 ,they--,peter1 ,james and ,john-- ,forsook their vessels and their friends ,and followed ,christ alone4 ,the ,unclean ,spirit4 ,,next ,sabbath1 in the synagogue1 ,when ,he stood forth to teach1 ,the people wondered at ,his force1 ,and mighty power to preach4 ,and one was there within whose breast ,a devil foul had sway2 ,who1 held in bondage most unclean1 ,yet sought to praise and pray2 ,but1 by the devil moved1 cried out1 ,and called the ,lord by name2 ,declaring that he knew ,him well1 ,and also whence ,he came4 ,then ,jesus to the devil said3 ,silence and come thou forth2 ,who came forth1 hurting not the man1 ,but casting him to earth4 ,and all the people were amazed ,at what they saw that day1 ,and said1 ,with power doth ,he speak1 ,and spirits vile obey4 ,and the news spread round the country1 ,and was told from place to place1 ,of the wonder-working prophet1 ,and this miracle of grace4 ,simon's ,wife's ,mother4 ,,when ,jesus left the synagogue ,he did not go alone1 ,but with ,simon and with ,andrew1 ,followed by ,james and ,john1 ,and entered into ,simon's house1 ,where they besought ,his aid1 ,for the kind mother of ,simon's wife ,was in a fever laid4 ,the raging fever quickly fled ,at ,his divine behest1 ,and she arose and ministered ,to every waiting guest4 ,casting ,out ,devils4 ,,now1 when the sun was setting low ,they brought all the diseased2 ,he laid ,his hands on every one2 ,to heal them ,he was pleased4 ,and many devils ,he cast out ,by ,his command and power2 ,and all the people quickly came ,together at the door4 ,the devils ,he forbad to speak1 ,as they around ,him trod-- ,for one and all acknowledged ,him ,the ,christ--the ,son of ,god4 ,and so the word ,esaias spoke1 ,foretelling ,him1 came true3 ,himself bare our infirmities1 ,and all our sickness knew4 ,the next morn1 rising early1 ,before the break of day1 ,he went out to a desert place1 ,to meditate and pray4 ,and ,simon and his company ,went after ,him1 and said3 ,all seek for ,thee and are amazed1 ,supposing ,thou hast fled4 ,he said to them3 ,i go to preach ,in other cities too2 ,for therefore came ,i down from heaven1 ,to teach the ,gospel true4 ,and ,he preached in their synagogues ,throughout all ,galilee2 ,while1 from before ,him1 as ,he went1 ,he made the demons flee4 ,healing a ,leper4 ,,and now it came to pass1 one day1 ,when in a certain town1 ,a leper1 seeing ,jesus1 came1 ,and on his face fell down4 ,and worshipped1 and beseeching ,him1 ,said3 ,lord1 if but ,thou please1 ,thou hast the power to make me clean1 ,from this most foul disease4 ,at once the ,lord put forth ,his hand1 ,and1 with a gracious touch1 ,said3 ,it doth please me--be thou clean2 ,thus prayer availeth much4 ,but ,jesus charged him not to tell ,the miracle abroad2 ,but go straightway unto the priest1 ,and offer gifts to ,god4 ,yet so much more ,his fame went forth1 ,and multitudes came near1 ,that ,he might heal their sicknesses1 ,and they ,his words might hear4 ,but ,he stayed in the desert drear ,while blazed abroad the news1 ,fearing they would proclaim ,him ,king1 ,and thus provoke the ,jews4 ,after some days ,he came again ,into ,capernaum2 ,and it was quickly noised abroad ,the ,master was at home4 ,the ,man ,sick of the ,palsy4 ,,and many people gathered1 till ,the house could hold no more2 ,grave doctors and proud ,pharisees ,thronged in and round the door4 ,and ,jesus preached1 and taught them all ,the precious1 ,gospel ,word2 ,and healed the sick who recognized ,the power of the ,lord4 ,and now behold a kindly act3 ,a bed is borne by four-- ,on which one sick of palsy lies-- ,near to the crowded door4 ,and when they cannot enter in1 ,they to the roof ascend2 ,and1 breaking it1 let down the bed ,on which is laid their friend4 ,thus to the sick man ,jesus spake3 ,thy sins are all forgiven4 ,and then the scribes said in their hearts1 ,who thus blasphemeth ,heaven8 ,immediately the ,lord perceived ,their thoughts1 and answer gave1 ,which is the easier1 from sin ,or from disease to save8 ,but that ye now may learn the fact1 ,and know it from this hour1 ,that to forgive all sin on earth ,the ,son of man hath power2 ,he said unto the sick man3 ,rise1 ,take up thy bed and bear ,it on thy shoulders hence away1 ,and to thy house repair4 ,immediately the man arose1 ,to perfect health restored2 ,and taking up his bed1 went home1 ,and glorified the ,lord4 ,the ,calling of ,matthew4 ,,now1 after this1 as ,jesus passed ,where customs were received1 ,he saw a man named ,matthew sit ,and1 knowing he believed1 ,said to him only3 ,follow me1 ,and ,matthew1 leaving all1 ,rose up and the disciples joined1 ,at this most simple call4 ,then ,matthew--sometimes ,levi called-- ,prepared a splendid feast1 ,inviting a great company1 ,with ,jesus1 honored guest6 ,but ,matthew was a publican1 ,on whom the ,jews did frown1 ,and so were many of his friends1 ,who at the feast sat down4 ,and thus the scribes and ,pharisees ,to the disciples said3 ,with publicans and sinners vile ,why doth your ,lord eat bread8 ,then ,jesus said3 ,not to the well1 ,but sick1 are doctors sent2 ,and ,i came1 not to call the good1 ,but sinners to repent4 ,the ,pool of ,bethesda4 ,,soon after this1 again the feast ,of passover came round1 ,and ,jesus1 at ,jerusalem1 ,all worshipful was found4 ,for1 to fulfill all righteousness ,he taught the people all1 ,and joined the service in ,god's house ,at every stated call4 ,now1 in ,jerusalem1 there is ,at the sheep-gate a pool1 ,bethesda called in ,hebrew phrase1 ,five-porched1 of water full4 ,and in these porches lay a throng1 ,diseased and racked with pain2 ,blind1 halt and withered1 hoping from ,the water help to gain4 ,for1 sometimes1 down an angel went ,and tossed the quiet pool2 ,and who could1 after1 step in first1 ,was sure to be made whole4 ,and one poor sufferer lay there1 ,on that unhappy ground1 ,who eight and thirty tedious years ,infirmity had bound4 ,when ,jesus1 passing1 saw him lie1 ,he knew his wretched case2 ,and ,he who shares ,his peoples' woes1 ,looked down with pitying grace2 ,and kindly asked the man3 ,wilt thou ,be healed of thy disease8 ,well knowing that no earthly boon ,could more the cripple please2 ,who answered1 in dejected tone1 ,sir1 ,i have no kind friend-- ,whene'er the water is stirred up-- ,his kindly help to lend4 ,but while with slow and painful steps1 ,i try to move alone1 ,another suff'rer gets down first1 ,whose limbs are good and strong2 ,then ,jesus said3 ,rise1 lift thy bed1 ,and walk with it away4 ,immediately the man obeyed2 ,and 'twas the ,sabbath day4 ,the ,jews who met him1 therefore1 said3 ,thou'rt doing very wrong1 ,upon this holy1 ,sabbath day1 ,to bear thy bed along4 ,he answered them3 ,the man who did ,the wondrous work on me1 ,of healing by ,his own command ,my long infirmity-- ,he said3 ',take up thy bed and walk1' ,and1 instantly1 there came ,a healthful glow through all my limbs1 ,with power to do the same4 ,then asked they him3 ,what man is he1 ,who thus irreverent spake1 ,commanding thee thus wickedly ,the ,sabbath law to break8 ,but the healed man knew not the friend ,who did him so much good2 ,for ,jesus bore ,himself away ,to escape the multitude4 ,but afterward1 as ,jesus taught ,within the temple gate1 ,he found this man and said to him1 ,behold thy healthy state2 ,now sin no more1 lest worse should come ,upon the guilty soul4 ,then went the man and told the ,jews ',twas ,jesus made him whole4 ,therefore the ,jews did persecute ,the ,lord and seek to slay1 ,because ,he did these wondrous things ,upon the ,sabbath day4 ,but ,jesus preached to them the truth1 ,in language strong and clear2 ,and happy were they who believed1 ,and lent a willing ear4 ,the ,man ,with a ,withered ,hand4 ,,again1 as in the synagogue1 ,the ,lord on ,sabbath taught1 ,a man who had a withered hand ,his kind attention sought4 ,and scribes and ,pharisees around ,watched if the ,lord would use ,his power to heal upon this day1 ,that they might ,him accuse4 ,but ,he1 who knew their evil thoughts1 ,unto the sufferer said3 ,arise1 and stand forth in the midst2 ,and the poor man obeyed4 ,then ,he1 to those who watched ,him1 said3 ,i one thing ask of you2 ,is it on ,sabbath days correct ,evil or good to do8 ,but they replied not1 then ,he said3 ,what man among you all ,shall have one sheep which on this day ,into a pit shall fall2 ,and he will not lay hold on it1 ,and quickly lift it out8 ,that man is better than a sheep1 ,you surely cannot doubt4 ,wherefore 'tis lawful thus to do ,good on the ,sabbath days2 ,and ,he looked on them with surprise1 ,grieved by their wicked ways4 ,then to the man who meekly stood1 ,waiting the ,lord's command1 ,in centre of the synagogue1 ,he said3 ,stretch forth thine hand4 ,and though the hand hung helpless down1 ,the heart with faith was strong2 ,and instantly ran vital force ,the arm's whole length along4 ,then went the haughty ,pharisees ,and the ,herodians rude1 ,and held a council to destroy ,him who did only good1 ,but ,jesus1 knowing it1 withdrew1 ,still followed by the crowd2 ,he healed them all1 but charged that they ,speak not ,his name aloud4 ,the ,twelve are ,chosen4 ,,and then up to a mountain's side1 ,one day1 the path ,he trod1 ,and there alone ,he bowed ,himself ,all night in prayer to ,god2 ,and in the morning called all those ,who ,him their ,master claimed1 ,and1 from amongst them1 chose out twelve1 ,whom ,he apostles named4 ,and ,he ordained this favored few1 ,with privilege to each ,to be with ,him when ,he so willed1 ,or be sent forth to preach2 ,and to have power to heal the sick ,the dumb1 the halt1 the blind1 ,and cast all evil spirits out1 ,that vex and curse mankind4 ,and these were the twelve chosen men3 ,simon1 to whom the ,lord ,had given the name of ,peter-- ,a stone1 both strong and hard2 ,and ,andrew1 ,simon's brother1 and ,the sons of ,zebadee1 ,bold ,james and ,john1 whom ,jesus said ,should ,boanerges be1 ,which means the sons of thunder1 and ,philip1 ,bartholomew1 ,matthew and ,thomas1 ,james and ,jude1 ,both sons of ,alpheus true2 ,simon1 who was a ,canaanite-- ,by ,luke ,zelotes named-- ,and ,judas called ,iscariot2 ,traitor1 for evil famed4 ,healing the ,sick4 ,,he then descended to the plain1 ,to seek for food and rest1 ,when all the people of the land ,in crowds around ,him pressed4 ,the weary sick and those who felt ,the pangs of racking pain1 ,and others vexed with devils hoped ,from ,him relief to gain2 ,and1 following1 sought to touch ,him1 ,as power from ,him had flown2 ,but in compassion ,he beheld ,and healed them1 every one4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount ,st4 ,matthew #e3e-g4 ,st4 ,luke #f3bj-di4 ,the ,sermon on ,the ,mount4 ,,again1 up to the mountain side ,he went1 and took ,his seat2 ,and ,his disciples followed ,him1 ,and gathered round ,his feet4 ,and lifting up ,his eyes on them1 ,he raised ,his voice to teach1 ,declaring those exalted truths ,he came on earth to preach4 ,he told them1 first1 the blessedness ,of purity and grace2 ,and that the souls most like to ,god ,should see the ,father's face4 ,then told them of their high estate1 ,their privilege sublime1 ,to upright stand1 and shed forth light ,upon the realms of time4 ,and taught them of the moral law1 ,and of the law of love1 ,for heart and spirit to be kept1 ,all human laws above4 ,in simple words ,he framed for them ,a solemn1 fervent prayer1 ,by which they could approach to ,god1 ,and on ,him cast their care4 ,he taught that1 if their neighbors' faults ,were lovingly forgiven1 ,they all might claim in humble faith ,the ,fatherhood of ,heaven4 ,then charged them 'gainst the error made ,from that time until now1 ,that men to different masters ,allegiance can avow4 ,for ,god1 ,he said1 ye cannot serve1 ,and mammon serve beside2 ,in love to one and not to both1 ,your spirit must abide4 ,he then the precious lesson taught ,of ,god's vast providence1 ,which is our faithful guardian1 ,and our secure defence4 ,the little songsters of the air1 ,the lilies of the field1 ,are fed1 and clothed1 from day to day1 ,while they no forethought yield4 ,and man1 much better in ,his sight-- ,how little faith has he1 ,to doubt the providential care ,that all his needs can see6 ,seek first the kingdom of your ,god1 ,his righteousness divine1 ,and all the stores of earthly good ,shall graciously be thine4 ,the ,preacher then went on to charge ',gainst judging others' sin-- ,those fond of spying evil deeds1 ,should with their own begin4 ,and they who ask1 or seek1 or knock1 ,god never will deny2 ,and men to other men should do ,as they would be done by4 ,and it is wise to enter in ,the narrow way and straight2 ,and shun the way where many go-- ,the wide and open gate4 ,though men may openly appear ,what they are not within2 ,yet you shall know1 if in their lives ,you see the fruit of sin4 ,for every good and perfect tree ,doth faultless fruit bring forth2 ,but when you see an evil tree1 ,its fruit is nothing worth4 ,and each tree bearing not good fruit ,into the fire is cast2 ,wherefore1 'tis by their deeds ye know ,the doom of all1 at last4 ,not every one who says to ,me2 ,lord1 ,lord1' shall enter heaven2 ,but he that does my ,father's will2 ,and knows his sins forgiven4 ,many will say to me that day3 ',i've done good in ,thy ,name2' ,i never knew you1 ,i will say1 ,i disregard your claim4 ,therefore1 who hears these words of mine ,and doth not doubt or mock1 ,is like a man who wisely built ,his house upon a rock4 ,and the rain fell and floods came on1 ,and winds blew fierce and long2 ,but that house stood1 securely firm1 ,on its foundation strong4 ,and every one that hears my words ,and disobeys1 shall stand ,like to a foolish man1 who built ,his house upon the sand2 ,and the rain fell and floods came on1 ,and winds blew round and round ,upon that house1 and soon it fell ,in ruins on the ground4 ,the ,centurion's ,servant4 ,,and1 now1 when ,jesus entered ,into ,capernaum2 ,a ,centurion besought ,him for ,a servant1 sick at home4 ,i will come1 ,he said1 and heal him4 ,the ,centurion answered3 ,lord1 ,i am not worthy ,thou should'st come1 ,but only speak the word4 ,for ,i1 myself1 am in command1 ,and whatsoe'er ,i say ,to one1 or to another man1 ,they instantly obey4 ,when ,jesus heard him1 in surprise ,he said to those around3 ,i verily1 in ,israel1 ,such great faith have not found4 ,then said to the ,centurion3 ,go1 ,thy faith the work has sealed2 ,and in the self-same hour he found ,his servant had been healed4 ,raising the ,widow's ,son4 ,,it came to pass upon the day ,succeeding this event1 ,that as ,he journeyed on ,his way1 ,much people with ,him went4 ,along the road ,he traveled on1 ,until ,he came to ,nain2 ,when1 just outside the city gate1 ,he met a funeral train4 ,in sorrow they were bearing forth ,a weeping widow's son2 ,and many sympathized with her-- ,he was her only one4 ,and when the ,lord saw her ,he had ,compassion on her grief2 ,and said unto her3 ,weep no more1 ,i bring you sure relief4 ,he touched the bier1 and all the friends ,stood still in mute surprise1 ,when to the dead ,he spoke3 ,young man1 ,i say to thee arise4 ,and the dead youth sat up1 alive1 ,and to her speechless joy1 ,the mother from the ,lord received ,her resurrected boy4 ,the ,pharisee and the ,woman4 ,,it happened that a ,pharisee ,invited ,christ to eat1 ,when a poor1 sinful woman came ,and worshipped at ,his feet2 ,and washed them with her copious tears1 ,and wiped them with her hair1 ,and kissed them1 and anointed them ,with ointment rich and rare4 ,the ,pharisee1 within himself1 ,said3 ,if this man were wise1 ,and were a prophet1 he would know ,this sinner to despise4 ,and ,jesus1 answering his thought1 ,explained the woman's love3 ,she was a sinner who1 now saved1 ,her gratitude would prove4 ,and while the guests in wonder gazed1 ,he to the woman spoke3 ,thy sins are all forgiven--thy faith ,hath broken ,satan's yoke4 ,the ,blind and ,dumb ,man4 ,,again a man they bring to ,him1 ,of ,satan sore possessed1 ,both blind and dumb1 in wretched plight1 ,but ,jesus gave him rest4 ,the sufferer both spake and saw1 ,when people1 every one1 ,who saw this miracle1 exclaimed3 ,is not this ,david's ,son8 ,but the proud ,pharisees1 in heart ,ignored this title true2 ,and said the wondrous healing gift ,to ,satan's power was due4 ,then ,jesus knew their thoughts and said3 ,what logic ye command6 ,if ,satan cast out ,satan1 then ,his kingdom cannot stand4 ,the ,storm on ,galilee4 ,,and as the multitudes increased1 ,and thronged about the ,lord1 ,he said3 ,i other towns must seek1 ,and in them preach the word4 ,so ,he commandment forthwith gave ,that ,his disciples go1 ,and get a ship in readiness1 ,across the lake to row4 ,then a certain scribe said3 ,master1 ,i'll follow ,thee to-day1 ,by land or water1 wheresoe'er ,thou goest or shalt stay4 ,and ,jesus answered3 ,foxes can ,run into holes for rest1 ,and every bird of air can fly ,into a pleasant nest2 ,but no place hath the ,son of ,man ,whereof it can be said3 ',that is ,his home1 where ,he may lay ,in peace ,his weary head4' ,the scribe had nothing more to say2 ,he1 doubtless1 did not care ,the fortunes of so poor a man ,to follow and to share4 ,another said3 ,lord1 let me go ,my father's grave to make4 ,said ,jesus3 ,let the world do that1 ,come thou1 my portion take4 ,and now the followers of ,christ ,were all aboard the ship1 ,and ,he1 o'ercome with weariness1 ,lay down and fell asleep4 ,and the disciples1 in alarm1 ,their ,master woke from sleep2 ,lord1 we must have thine instant help ,or perish in the deep2 ,when ,he1 in calm and gentle voice1 ,said3 ,wherefore do ye fear1 ,o ye of little faith and trust4 ,while ,i1 your ,lord1 am here8 ,then ,he arose in dignity1 ,and spoke ,his sovereign will1 ,commanding both the winds and sea ,to hearken and be still4 ,and instantly all nature's face ,a tranquil aspect wears1 ,hushed is the tempest1 and the sky ,again serene appears4 ,the men each to the others1 said1 ,in awe and great amaze3 ,what kind of man is this1 whose word ,the fearful storm obeys8 ,the ,legion of ,devils4 ,,now when they reached the other side1 ,all fright and danger o'er1 ,the country of the ,gadarenes ,received them to its shore4 ,but many steps they have not gone ,to reach the city near1 ,when suddenly two unclad men ,from 'mongst the tombs appear4 ,by unclean spirits sorely vexed1 ,no firm restraints could hold ,their demon-strengthened limbs1 or keep ,their frantic souls controlled4 ,and in the mountains and the tombs1 ,with cries1 both night and day1 ,they cut themselves1 and caused such fear1 ,none dared to pass that way4 ,but when the ,lord approached1 a change ,came o'er these men possessed2 ,one fled--the other1 falling down ,in worship1 sore distressed1 ,cried3 ,what have ,i to do with ,thee1 ,jesus1 ,thou ,son of ,god8 ,torment me not1 nor banish me ,to my most drear abode4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,come out of him1 ,thou unclean spirit1 vile1 ,and let thy presence ne'er again ,his tortured soul defile4 ,and then ,he asked3 ,what is thy name8 ,legion1 the man did say1 ,for many1 many devils bold ,within him had held sway4 ,the devils1 knowing they no more ,in this poor man could dwell1 ,imploringly besought the ,lord ,to drive them not to hell2 ,and seeing a great herd of swine ,upon the mountain side1 ,begged ,his consent to enter them1 ,with which the ,lord complied4 ,but though there were two thousand swine ,they could not fight nor flee1 ,the legion entered them1 and all ,rushed headlong in the sea4 ,and they that fed the swine1 alarmed1 ,ran hastily away1 ,and told in town and country round ,the wonders of that day4 ,then every one went out to see ,what wondrous things were done1 ,and still and calm the country lay1 ,and all the swine were gone4 ,and he who long had raged around1 ,a terror to mankind1 ,sat peacefully at ,jesus' feet1 ,clothed1 and of rightful mind4 ,and they who saw the miracle1 ,with eager tongues revealed ,how he of legion once possessed ,so suddenly was healed4 ,then the whole multitude from all ,the country round appear1 ,and beg the ,lord to leave their coasts ,for they were filled with fear4 ,now1 as the ,lord took ship again1 ,the man thus saved from woe1 ,prayed that he might be with the ,christ1 ,wherever ,he should go4 ,but ,jesus answered3 ,nay1 return ,to thine own house1 and tell ,what ,god hath done for thee1 and hence ,with thine own kindred dwell4 ,and the man did as ,jesus said1 ,and told to great and small ,of his most glad deliverance ,from ,satan's dreadful thrall4 ,the ,daughter of ,jarius4 ,,it came to pass as ,jesus thence ,returned1 across the sea1 ,many ,he found awaiting ,him-- ,the men of ,galilee4 ,and behold1 ,jarius1 ruler of ,the synagogue1 drew near1 ,and knelt at ,jesus' feet1 and prayed1 ,in great distress and fear1 ,that ,jesus to his house would go ,and heal his dying child-- ,a little daughter1 twelve years old1 ,in manners sweet and mild4 ,then ,jesus1 whose glad work it was ,to cheer each broken heart1 ,went with him1 followed by the crowd1 ,who would not from ,him part4 ,and a poor woman1 suffering ,from a severe disease1 ,who1 for twelve years1 her money all ,had spent in doctors' fees2 ,when told that ,he was passing by ,came in the crowd1 behind1 ,and said3 ,if ,i may touch ,his clothes1 ,i sure relief shall find4 ,and1 stooping down1 she gently touched ,his garment's hem3 when1 lo6 ,she felt the fountain of her plague ,had ceased at once to flow4 ,when ,he1 perceiving in ,himself ,some loss of power ,divine1 ,turned and demanded of the crowd3 ,who touched this robe of mine8 ,then ,his disciples said to ,him3 ,the people throng round ,thee1 ,they closely press on every side1 ,and sayest ,thou3 ,who touched me8' ,but ,he still looked around1 when she1 ,knowing she was not hid1 ,came1 trembling1 fell down at ,his feet1 ,and told ,him what she did4 ,but ,he said1 kindly3 ,daughter1 thou ,this act must not deplore1 ,thy faith hath healed thee1 go in peace2 ,no plague shall vex thee more6 ,and while ,he spoke1 from ,jairus' house ,came messengers1 who said3 ,trouble the ,master now no more2 ,the little maid is dead4 ,but ,jesus to the ruler turned1 ,and said3 ,you need not grieve2 ,all shall be well with thee and thine1 ,if only thou believe4 ,before ,he reached the ruler's house1 ,he told the rest to wait1 ,and none but ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 ,went with ,him through the gate4 ,and when ,he entered in the house1 ,he found it full of grief1 ,nor did the mourning company ,expect from ,him relief4 ,then ,he said gently to the friends3 ,why make this noise1 and weep8 ,the damsel is not truly dead1 ,but taketh rest in sleep4 ,and they all laughed--a laugh of scorn-- ,well knowing she was dead1 ,when ,he turned out the sneering crowd1 ,and calmly onward led4 ,the father and the mother1 who ,no doubting did betray1 ,and ,his believing followers1 ,to where the maiden lay2 ,then took her gently by the hand1 ,and said1 with pitying eyes3 ,talitha ,cumi2 damsel1 ,i ,now say to thee arise4 ,then instantly the maid arose1 ,and walked upon her feet1 ,when ,he in kindness ordered that ,they give her food to eat4 ,two ,blind ,men ,healed4 ,,now when the ,lord departed thence1 ,two blind men followed close1 ,and1 ,oh6 ,thou ,son of ,david1 cried1 ,have mercy upon us4 ,and when ,he reached ,his lodging house1 ,the blind men entered too2 ,then ,jesus asked3 ,do ye believe ,that ,i this thing can do8 ,they said3 ,yea1 ,lord2 then did he touch ,their eyes1 with fingers kind1 ,and said3 ,according to your faith1 ,be ye no longer blind4 ,forthwith they saw1 and ,jesus charged ,that they let no man know2 ,but they went out and spread ,his fame ,wherever they did go4 ,the ,disciples ,sent ,forth4 ,,straightway the ,lord departed thence1 ,and came to ,his own home1 ,and in the synagogue ,he taught ,when ,sabbath-day had come4 ,the people wondered at ,his words1 ,and asked3 ,how can it be ,that this man has such power gained ,as we both hear and see8 ,for is not this the carpenter8 ,we know his mother well2 ,his brethren and his sisters1 too1 ,all here among us dwell4 ,and so they took offence at ,him1 ,and ,jesus said3 ,in vain ,a prophet much esteemed abroad ,at home would honor gain4 ,and ,he could do no mighty works-- ,save healing a few sick1 ,and teaching in the villages-- ,because their faith was weak4 ,but looking on the people with ,compassion in ,his heart1 ,as scattered sheep1 and ignorant-- ,he called the twelve apart1 ,and sent them forth1 through all the land1 ,to preach1 by two and two1 ,to the lost sheep of ,israel1 ,the ,gospel1 pure and true4 ,death of ,john the ,baptist4 ,,herod1 the king1 his birthday kept1 ,and festive supper spread1 ,for lords1 high captains and chief men1 ,of ,galilee the head4 ,and with the flowing of rich wines1 ,and strains of music sweet1 ,the daughter of ,herodias danced ,on light and airy feet2 ,which dancing so much pleased the king ,he promised1 with an oath1 ,that whatsoever she would ask ,he'd give her--nothing loth4 ,the daughter of her mother asked3 ,what gift shall ,i desire8 ,the wicked woman answered her3 ,john ,baptist's head require4 ,straightway the brazen damsel came1 ,and1 with petition bold1 ,demanded ,john the ,baptist's head1 ,just as she had been told4 ,although the king was sorely grieved1 ,he would not break his word1 ,in honor of the company ,by whom the oath was heard4 ,now1 soon as ,john's disciples knew ,of his most cruel doom1 ,they took his body1 tenderly1 ,and laid it in a tomb2 ,and to the ,master straightly told ,what had befallen ,john-- ,the deed which at the king's command ,his servile guard had done4 ,but fear's dread torment soon drew near1 ,when ,herod heard the news ,of the wonder working ,jesus1 ,now preaching to the ,jews4 ,and he1 with pale and trembling lips1 ,unto his servants said3 ,this is the ,baptist whom ,i slew1 ,arisen from the dead4 ,therefore do wondrous works in him ,show forth themselves1 to prove ,that he a mighty prophet was1 ,appointed from above4 ,feeding the ,multitude4 ,,the twelve apostles1 when the time ,for their return had come1 ,betook themselves with one accord ,to ,jesus1 at ,his home2 ,and told ,him all things that befell ,while they had been away2 ,what they had done1 what they had taught1 ,and how they fared each day4 ,then ,jesus at ,bethsaida ,was with compassion moved1 ,to see the people crowd around-- ,the sheep ,he so much loved4 ,he talked to them of ,god and heaven-- ,the land above all lands-- ,and healed as many as had need ,of healing at ,his hands4 ,then said the twelve3 ,lord do ,thou send ,the multitude away1 ,that they some victuals may procure ,before the close of day4 ,but ,jesus knew that poverty ,oppressed the multitude1 ,and kindly to ,his followers said3 ,can ye not give them food8 ,two hundred pennyworth of bread1 ,philip at once replied1 ,would not a little food for each ,of this great crowd provide4 ,then ,andrew1 ,peter's brother1 spoke3 ,here is a lad1 he said1 ,who two small fishes has1 beside ,five loaves of barley bread4 ,but1 what are they to such a crowd8 ,the ,lord said3 ,bring them here4 ,then seat the people on the grass1 ,by fifties1 far and near4 ,and taking in ,his hands the bread ,and fish1 ,he looked toward heaven ,and blest it in the name of ,him ,from whom all bread is given2 ,then brake1 and the disciples passed ,the broken food around ,to all the multitude1 who sat ,expectant on the ground4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,go1 gather up ,the fragments careless tossed ,upon the ground1 in wanton waste1 ,that nothing may be lost4 ,and the disciples--patient men1 ,went1 stooping1 o'er the field1 ,and fragment of the late repast ,twelve baskets full did yield4 ,and when the ,lord perceived that they ,did meditate to bring ,united force with the intent ,that they might crown ,him king1 ,he urged that ,his disciples should ,take ship and cross the sea1 ,while ,he dispersed the multitudes1 ,and followed secretly4 ,jesus ,walks ,upon the ,sea4 ,,when ,jesus1 up the mountain side ,ascended all alone1 ,to spend some hours in peaceful prayer ,before ,his ,father's throne4 ,meanwhile the twelve were toiling hard ,in rowing o'er the lake1 ,but 'gainst the stormy winds they could ,but little progress make4 ,and ,jesus1 on the mountain high1 ,engaged in fervent prayer1 ,looks on the lake and sees his friends1 ,and feels their toil and care4 ,now comes the fourth watch of the night2 ,the tired men still row ,against a rising1 boisterous sea1 ,while angry tempests blow4 ,but now1 amid the wild uproar1 ,and darkness of the storm1 ,they saw approaching1 o'er the waves1 ,their ,master's much loved form4 ,they failed to recognize their ,lord1 ,with storm and darkness near1 ,supposed ,he was a spirit form1 ,and cried aloud for fear4 ,then straightway ,jesus hushed their cries2 ,be of good cheer1 ,he said2 ,they knew the kind1 assuring voice3 ',tis ,i1 be not afraid4 ,then ,peter1 warm1 impulsive1 bold1 ,said3 ,lord1 if it be ,thou1 ,bid me and let me come to ,thee ,upon the waters now4 ,jesus said3 ,come4 ,then ,peter stepped ,over the vessel's side1 ,and walked securely and alone ,upon the stormy tide4 ,his eyes were on the ,master fixed1 ,but1 looking on the wave1 ,at once he did begin to sink1 ,and cried out3 ,lord6 ,oh1 save6 ,then ,jesus quickly stretched ,his hand ,and raised the sinking man1 ,said3 ,wherefore did'st thou doubt8 and placed ,him on his feet again4 ,and when they step aboard the ship1 ,there is a sudden peace1 ,the wind is still1 the stars are bright1 ,the waves their motion cease4 ,and the disciples1 bending low1 ,their spirits deeply awed1 ,said3 ,of a truth we now are sure ,thou art the ,son of ,god4 ,then comes to pass another thing1 ,they cannot understand2 ,the ship1 so lately out at sea1 ,is now quite close to land4 ,and1 resting from their hours of toil1 ,and filled with wonder deep1 ,the twelve around their ,master's feet ,lie down in peaceful sleep4 ,the ,bread from ,heaven4 ,,the next day1 for the absent ,lord1 ,the people searched around1 ,near to the place where ,he had fed ,five thousand on the ground4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,ye seek me not ,in honor of my power1 ,but for the bread ,i brake to you ,in hunger's helpless hour4 ,labor not so for earthly meat1 ,which perisheth away1 ,but for that meat which shall endure ,through everlasting day4 ,and then ,he preached to them the words ,of saving1 ,gospel truth1 ,of ,bread that keeps the soul in strength ,and in immortal youth4 ,he told them that ,he was the ,bread ,which had been sent from heaven1 ,that ,bread of everlasting life1 ,to all believers given4 ,and some went back1 and walked no more ,with ,him--the ,truth1 the ,way2 ,then to the chosen twelve ,he said3 ,will ye1 too1 go away8 ,then ,simon ,peter answered ,him3 ,lord1 to whom shall we go8 ,thou hast the words of endless life2 ,from ,thee doth wisdom flow4 ,and we believe1 and we are sure ,that ,thou are ,jesse's ,rod2 ,the promised ,christ of ,israel-- ,son of the living ,god4 ,jesus said3 ,have ,i not chosen ,twelve of you to believe1 ,and witness to a sinful world ,the truth which ye receive2 ,and one of you a devil is8 ,he spoke of ,judas vile1 ,who should1 by wicked treachery1 ,the bishopric defile4 ,now1 when around ,capernaum ,the ,lord had done much good1 ,he rose and traveled forth1 to where ,old ,tyre and ,sidon stood2 ,and entered in a house1 that ,he ,might of the crowd be rid1 ,and rest in peace there for a day2 ,but ,he could not be hid4 ,for a woman1 whose young daughter ,had an unclean spirit1 heard ,that ,he was that great prophet who ,could heal her with a word4 ,and1 hast'ning to ,him1 she knelt down1 ,and bowed her weeping face1 ,relating in ,his willing ear ,her daughter's grievous case4 ,but ,jesus answered not a word2 ,the apostles wondered why1 ,and said to ,him3 ,send her away1 ,we're weary of her cry4 ,and then ,he said3 ,i am not sent ,save to the sheep astray ,from ,israel's fold--beloved of ,god-- ,to guide them in the way4 ,now this poor woman was a ,greek1 ,and of ,phnician birth2 ,but she believed great ,david's ,son ,was ,prince of all the earth2 ,and that ,he loved all human kind1 ,of every degree2 ,so1 drawing near1 she worshipped ,him ,exclaiming3 ,lord1 help me6 ,then ,he replied3 ,it is not meet ,to take the children's bread ,and cast it out to dogs1 while they-- ,the children--are not fed4 ,but she said3 ,yea1 ,lord1 very true1 ,yet dogs1 ,thou know'st1 do eat ,the crumbs that from the table fall1 ,beneath the children's feet4 ,o1 woman1 ,jesus answered then1 ,great is thy trusting faith2 ,and be it unto thee1 and thine1 ,whatever thy heart saith4 ,and she went joyful to her house1 ,and found the devil fled1 ,and her fair daughter calm and well1 ,and laid upon her bed4 ,feeding the ,hungry4 ,,and now1 this gracious work performed ,the ,lord returned again ,unto the sea of ,galilee1 ,and through ,decapolis plain4 ,unto a mountain ,he repaired1 ,and sought a quiet seat2 ,but many sufferers followed ,him1 ,and crowded round ,his feet4 ,the eager multitudes brought forth ,the blind1 and dumb1 and lame1 ,and ,jesus healed them1 every one1 ,who to ,his presence came4 ,and all the people glorified ,the ,god of ,israel2 ,and1 much astonished1 they exclaimed1 ,he hath done all things well6 ,then the ,lord sent the people home1 ,and1 taking ship again1 ,sailed with the twelve along the sea1 ,unto ,magdala's plain4 ,there ,pharisees and ,sadducees ,came1 tempting ,him1 and sought ,a sign from heaven that they might know ,the doctrines that ,he taught4 ,but ,he refused to give a sign ,to hypocrites so base1 ,and leaving them1 and taking ship1 ,sailed to another place4 ,curing the ,blind4 ,,now1 coming to ,bethsaida1 ,they bring a blind man down1 ,beseeching ,him to touch him1 ,but ,he leads him out of town4 ,then1 spitting1 moistens the blind eyes1 ,and asks him if he sees2 ,and the man looks up and answers3 ,i see men walk1 as trees4 ,then ,jesus put ,his gentle hands ,on the man's eyes again1 ,made him look up--his eyes were healed1 ,and he saw all things plain4 ,the ,apostle ,peter4 ,,then1 after that1 as ,jesus with ,his twelve disciples walked ,to ,csarea ,philippi1 ,and gravely with them talked1 ,he asked them who the people said ,that ,he1 ,himself1 might be2 ,they answered ,john1 ,elias1 and ,the prophet ,jeremy4 ,he saith3 ,but whom say ye am ,i1 ,who long with you have trod8 ,peter exclaimed3 ,thou art the ,christ1 ,son of the living ,god6 ,then ,jesus answered him3 ,how blest ,simon ,bar-jona1 thou1 ,for flesh and blood hath not revealed ,what thou1 from heaven1 dost know4 ,and ,i say also unto thee1 ,that thou art ,peter sure1 ,and on this rock ,i'll build my church ,from gates of hell secure4 ,keys of authority and truth ,shall unto thee be given2 ,what thou dost bind or loose on earth ,is bound and loosed in heaven4 ,from that time forth the ,lord began ,to tell1 and to explain ,to ,his disciples1 how ,he should ,be killed1 and rise again4 ,but ,peter said3 ,nay1 nay1 my ,lord ,this1 surely1 shall not be2 ,such treatment of the ,prince of ,life-- ,were great indignity4 ,but ,jesus turned and said to him3 ,satan1 get thee behind1 ,thou savorest not the things of ,god1 ,but pride of carnal mind4 ,and then said ,jesus to them all3 ,who will my servant be1 ,must deny self1 take up his cross1 ,and humbly follow me4 ,for whosoe'er will save his life1 ,shall lose it in the end2 ,but he who yields it for my sake1 ,to life in heaven shall tend4 ,for what is a man profited ,if he shall gain the whole ,of this world's pompous wealth and power1 ,yet lose his own poor soul8 ,jesus is ,transfigured4 ,,now ,jesus tarried round these coasts ,till six days passed away2 ,then ,he took ,peter1 ,james and ,john ,up in a mount to pray4 ,and1 as ,he prayed1 ,his face was changed1 ,and shining as the ,sun2 ,his raiment became white as snow1 ,when glistening at noon4 ,and while ,he thus transfigured stood1 ,in ,his apostles' sight1 ,they suddenly beheld two men ,appear1 with ,him1 in light4 ',twas ,moses and ,elias1 who ,talked feelingly with ,him ,about the death ,he must endure ,soon at ,jerusalem4 ,then ,peter spoke--his heart was full ,of holy love and fear3 ,lord1 it is good1 he said1 for us ,to dwell forever here4 ,let us three tabernacles build2 ,the first shall be for ,thee1 ,one be for ,moses1 man of ,god1 ,one for ,elias be4 ,he spoke his heart's sincere desire1 ,but ere the words were said1 ,a bright cloud overshadowed them1 ,and covered every head4 ,and from the cloud a voice was heard1 ,this is my ,son beloved1 ,in whom ,i am well pleased--hear ,him1 ,if ye would be approved6 ,when the disciples heard the voice1 ,they fell upon their face1 ,o'ercome by fear and sore dismay1 ,in that most awful place4 ,and ,jesus1 touching each one1 said3 ,arise and do not fear2 ,and when they looked around they saw ,no one but ,jesus near4 ,and as they came down from the mount1 ,he bade them not disclose ,what they had seen and heard that day1 ,till from the dead ,he rose4 ,and they obeyed1 and of that scene ,no word to others said2 ,but 'mongst themselves enquired what meant ,the rising from the dead4 ,an ,only ,child ,healed4 ,,the next day1 coming to the place ,where they had left the nine1 ,they found a crowd1 glad to behold ,the ,master's face1 ,divine4 ,he asked the scribes3 ,what question ye ,with my disciples here8 ,when one in haste approaching ,him1 ,and kneeling down in fear1 ,said3 ,lord1 have mercy on my son-- ,he is my only child2 ,and a dumb spirit tortures him1 ,and makes him fierce and wild4 ,and often in the fire he falls1 ,and in the water too2 ,and ,i spoke to ,thy disciples1 ,but they could nothing do4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,o1 men perverse1 ,why can ye not believe8 ,how long shall ,i be with you ere ,the faith ye will receive8 ,then to the father3 ,bring to me ,your son4 ,the child was brought1 ,when he fell1 foaming1 on the ground1 ,by the foul spirit wrought4 ,then ,jesus asked the man3 ,how long ,has he been troubled thus8 ,he answered3 ,from a little child2 ,but1 ,lord1 canst ,thou help us8 ,jesus replied3 ,if thou hast faith1 ,then thou shalt have relief4 ,the man cried out3 ,lord1 ,i believe2 ,help ,thou mine unbelief4 ,then ,jesus to the demon spoke3 ,deaf and dumb spirit sore1 ,i charge thee to come out of him1 ,and enter him no more4 ,the spirit cried and troubled him1 ,till1 like one dead1 he fell2 ,but ,jesus took him by the hand1 ,and1 lo6 the child was well4 ,and now the ,master and the twelve ,into a house retired2 ,and the nine came to ,him and asked ,that which they most desired3 ,the twelve then asked3 ,why could we not ,cast out that spirit1 pray8 ,he said3 ,because your unbelief ,stood boldly in the way4 ,for1 verily1 if ye have faith ,as a small1 mustard grain1 ,then shall unto this mountain say1 ',remove to yonder plain4' ,it shall remove4 ,nothing shall be ,impossible to you2 ,yet these foul spirits go not1 save ,by prayer and fasting1 too4 ,jesus ,teaches ,humility4 ,,one day while ,jesus sat at rest ,he asked the twelve to say ,what was it they disputed1 as ,they walked along the way4 ,but they replied not1 for they had ,disputed which should gain ,the greatest rank and power1 when ,their ,lord should come to reign4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,if any man ,desire the highest place1 ,he shall be last1 and servant1 too1 ,within the realm of grace4 ,he set a child in midst of them1 ,then took him in ,his arm1 ,and said3 ,whoso receiveth such1 ,and shieldeth him from harm1 ,receiveth me1 if1 with true love1 ,he does it in my name1 ,and not only receiveth me1 ,but ,him from whom ,i came4 ,the ,young ,lawyer4 ,,and now behold a lawyer rose ,with tempting question vain1 ,and said3 ,master1 what must ,i do ,eternal life to gain8 ,jesus addressed ,his questioner ,with manner frank and kind1 ,and by a parable ,he taught ,his keen and doubting mind2 ,told of the good ,samaritan ,who succored a poor ,jew2 ,then1 in conclusion1 counseled him3 ,go thou and like wise do4 ,at ,bethany4 ,,and as they went1 ,he and the twelve1 ,along the public road1 ,they entered into ,bethany1 ,where ,martha1 kind1 abode2 ,who hospitably welcomed ,him ,into her house to rest1 ,then hastened to provide for ,him ,refreshments of the best4 ,meanwhile her sister ,mary1 ,who long had wished to meet ,the gracious ,lord and hear ,his voice ,sat meekly at ,his feet4 ,but ,martha1 cumbered and perplexed ,with anxious1 household care1 ,and wishing for her welcome ,guest ,a banquet to prepare1 ,entered the room where ,jesus sat1 ,and said3 ,lord1 dost ,thou know ,my sister lets me serve alone8 ,bid her some help bestow4 ,and ,jesus answered in a tone ,of grace yet kind concern1 ,o1 ,martha1 ,martha1 good and true1 ,thou something hast to learn4 ,thou careful art1 and troubled much ,all good things to enjoy1 ,and that thy friends may feast full well ,thy time and means employ2 ,and yet there's but one needful thing1 ,worthy thine utmost thought1 ,and that good part is ,mary's choice1 ,which from her take thou not4 ,the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,,again1 did ,jesus journey on1 ,when1 in a certain place1 ,he lifted up ,his voice in prayer ,with unction1 power and grace4 ,when ,he had ceased one of the twelve ,said3 ,lord1 teach us to pray1 ,as ,john taught those who followed him1 ,we wish to do as they4 ,he taught them then that form of prayer ,which pure devotion is2 ,known as ,,the ,,lord',s ,,prayer ever since1 ,because the words are ,his4 ,then on ,he went1 and preached the truth1 ,along each country road1 ,and taught the people1 high and low1 ,the love and fear of ,god2 ,and told them how ,god answers prayer1 ,if prayer be warm and true-- ,with far more loving1 swift response ,than earthly parents do4 ,the ,woman with an ,infirmity4 ,,now1 in a synagogue1 as ,he ,one ,sabbath day did preach1 ,behold a woman1 quite bowed down ,and listening to ,his speech1 ,a poor1 afflicted sufferer1 ,who bore with groans and tears1 ,a spirit of infirmity ,for fully eighteen years4 ,upon her ,jesus laid ,his hand1 ,and1 suddenly made straight1 ,she rose and glorified her ,god1 ,whose mercies are so great4 ,the ruler of the synagogue1 ,indignant that the ,lord ,upon the ,sabbath day had wrought ,this healing by ,his word1 ,unto the people said3 ,there are ,six days in which you may ,do all your works2--in them be healed-- ,not on the ,sabbath day4 ,then ,jesus answered3 ,hypocrite1 ,doth not each of you think ,it right1 on ,sabbath day1 to lead ,his beast away to drink8 ,and ought not this poor woman1 who ,is ,abraham's daughter1 be ,made loose from pain she bore so long ,through ,satan's tyranny8 ,and all ,his adversaries were ,ashamed when thus ,he chid1 ,while others wondered and rejoiced ,for all the works ,he did4 ,illustration3 ,,finding ,,of ,,the ,,lost ,,sheep4 ,st4 ,matthew #ah4ab-ad2 ,st4 ,luke #ae4c-g ,the ,man ,born ,blind4 ,,when1 coming near ,his journey's end1 ,jerusalem was nigh1 ,he1 one day1 saw a man1 born blind1 ,as ,he was passing by4 ,and ,his disciples questioned ,him3 ,master1 whose sin hath done ,such evil as is this man's lot-- ,his parents' or his own8 ,and ,jesus answered3 ,neither hath ,his parents sinned nor he1 ,but that the works of ,god1 in him1 ,might be made plain to see4 ,i must perform my ,father's works ,while it is day2 the night ,is coming1 when no man can work2 ,but ,i am the world's light1 ,as long as ,i am in the world4 ,and when ,he thus did say ,he spat upon the ground1 and made ,the spittle into clay2 ,and with it ,he anointed thick ,the eyes that ne'er had seen1 ,then said unto the man3 ,go wash ,in water pure and clean4 ,then went the man obediently1 ,and washed his sightless eyes1 ,and instantly he saw all round1 ,with grateful1 glad surprise4 ,the neighbors said3 ,is this the man ,who begged1 and could not see8 ,said others3 ,he is like to him4 ,but he said3 ,i am he4 ,they asked him how he gained his sight1 ,and he1 with thankful voice1 ,told all about the wondrous work ,that made his heart rejoice4 ,and now unto the ,pharisees ,the happy man they brought2 ,and it was on the ,sabbath day ,this miracle was wrought4 ,questioned by doubting ,pharisees1 ,he did to them relate ,the way by which he was relieved ,from his unhappy state4 ,they said the man who gave him sight ,a sinner1 sure must be ,or ,he would not1 on such a day1 ,make a blind man to see4 ,yet others said3 ,how can a man ,who is a sinner do ,such miracles8 ,the healed man said3 ,he is a prophet true4 ,the ,jews would not believe the man ,was ever blind at all2 ,and1 to find out if it were so1 ,they did his parents call1 ,and asked them3 ,is this man your son1 ,who without sight was born8 ,how1 then1 doth he now see so well1 ,yet blind until this morn8 ,the parents said3 ,he is our son1 ,and was born blind1 we know2 ,but know not how he gained his sight2 ,himself the truth must show4 ,the ,jews straightway recalled the man1 ,and said3 ,give ,god the praise1 ,we know this man's a sinner1 by ,his ,sabbath-breaking ways4 ,he answered them3 ,i know not if ,this man a sinner be2 ,one thing ,i know1 that whereas ,i ,was blind1 yet now ,i see4 ,we know that ,god regardeth not ,a sinful man's appeal2 ,but to obedient worshippers ,he will ,himself reveal4 ,since first the world began can ye ,such wondrous power find ,as that a mortal man could heal ,the eyes of one born blind8 ,and if this man were not of ,god1 ,nor down from heaven came1 ,he could do nothing in my case-- ,all glory to ,his name6 ,and then they answered1 wrathfully3 ,thou1 who believest thus1 ,wast altogether born in sin1 ,and art thou teaching us8 ,they cast him out2 which ,jesus heard1 ,and found him1 when alone3 ,believ'st thou on the ,son of ,god8 ,he asked in gentle tone4 ,the man said3 ,lord who is ,he1 that ,my faith to ,him might bow8 ,said ,jesus3 ,thou beholdest ,him1 ,he talketh with thee now4 ,then he said3 ,lord1 ,i do believe1 ,with fervent voice1 and loud1 ,and bending forward to the earth1 ,in reverent worship bowed4 ,illustration3 ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son4 ,st4 ,luke #ae4ae-cb ,the ,raising of ,lazarus4 ,,of ,martha you've already heard1 ,who entertained the ,lord ,when once ,he passed through ,bethany1 ,and ,mary heard ,his word4 ,they had a brother1 ,lazarus1 ,and ,jesus loved the three1 ,and now the young man was brought low1 ,and very ill was he4 ,and his sisters sent a message ,unto the ,lord1 in haste3 ,behold1 he whom ,thou lovest well ,is sick and failing fast4 ,but ,jesus said3 ,this sickness ,comes not that he must die1 ,but for ,god's glory1 that ,his ,son ,be glorified thereby4 ,our friend1 ,lazarus1 sleepeth1 ,were the next words ,he spake3 ,and ,i go hence that ,i may him ,out of his sleep awake4 ,then said they3 ,lord1 if ,laz'rus sleep ,he surely shall do well-- ,thinking that it was natural rest ,that o'er his eyelids fell4 ,then ,he said1 plainly3 ,lazarus ,is cold and still in death4 ,but well1 for your sakes1 'tis that ,i ,went not while he had breath4 ,for so your faith shall be made bright1 ,that may be somewhat dim2 ,but now arise and leave this place1 ,that we may go to him4 ,then ,thomas said--called ,didymus-- ,to the disciples all1 ,let's go1 that we may die with ,him1 ,if death should ,him befall4 ,and now all hearts are sad and still1 ,and many throb with fear1 ,as ,jesus and ,his followers ,to ,bethany draw near4 ,and those who meet ,him tell the news ,of sorrow and of gloom1 ,that ,lazarus has already lain ,three days within his tomb4 ,now ,bethany was very near ,unto ,jerusalem2 ,and many to the sisters came1 ,to see1 and comfort them4 ,and as they sat in silence1 ,their hearts with grief bowed down1 ,the word was brought that ,jesus ,was coming into town4 ,then ,martha went to meet the ,christ1 ,and said unto ,him3 ,lord1 ,if ,thou hadst been here1 my brother ,had recovered by ,thy word4 ,thy brother1 thus the answer came1 ,shall rise again1 ,i say4 ,yea1 in the resurrection morn1 ,she said1 at the last day4 ,i am the resurrection1 and ,the ,life1 the ,lord replied4 ,he that upon my name believes ,shall live1 though he had died4 ,oh1 ,lord1 she answered fervently1 ,i truly do believe ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 ,whom this world should receive4 ,when ,jesus saw the sisters' tears1 ,and tears of those around1 ,he groaned in spirit and was sad1 ,with troubled thoughts profound4 ,he said to them3 ,where have ye laid ,your friend and mine to sleep8 ,they say to ,him3 ,lord1 come and see1 ,then all beheld ,him weep4 ,and then they took away the stone ,from where the dead was laid1 ,and ,jesus lifted up ,his eyes1 ,and solemnly ,he said3 ,father ,i thank ,thee that ,thou hast ,heard my heart's secret prayer1 ,and ,i know that ,thou dost always ,bow down to me ,thine ear4 ,and when ,he thus had spoken1 ,he cried in accents loud3 ,lazarus1 come forth1 and the dead ,came forth1 bound in his shroud1 ,and his face bound with a napkin2 ,his movements thus were slow2 ,but ,jesus called out1 with command3 ,loose him and let him go4 ,then ,o1 what deep and solemn joy ,the sisters' hearts conceived6 ,while many of the ,jews around ,on ,jesus ,christ believed4 ,they ,brought ,little ,children to ,him4 ,,one day the mothers1 who believed1 ,their little children brought1 ,and from the ,master's gentle hand ,a gracious blessing sought4 ,but the disciples1 in their zeal1 ,said3 ,take these children home1 ,they're in the way of older ones1 ,who for some good have come4 ,but ,jesus loved the little lambs1 ,and much displeased was ,he1 ,saying3 ,suffer little children1 ,that they may come to me4 ,for 'tis such innocents as these ,that ,god's high kingdom win2 ,and all must have as simple hearts ,who gain a place therein4 ,then gently lifting in ,his arms1 ,and folding to ,his breast1 ,he put ,his hands upon their heads1 ,and every infant blest4 ,the ,young ,ruler4 ,,now1 as ,he went forth in the way1 ,a certain ruler came2 ,what shall ,i do1 he frankly asked1 ,that ,i may heaven claim8 ,why callest thou me good8 the ,lord ,enquired in gentle tone4 ,there is none good in earth or heaven ,but ,god1 and ,god alone4 ,thou knowest the ,commandments2 ,keep them in deed and truth1 ,he answered and said3 ,master1 ,i've ,observed them from my youth4 ,then ,jesus looked at the young man1 ,and loved him in ,his heart1 ,and said3 ,one thing thou lackest yet1 ,thou with thy wealth must part4 ,go sell1 and give all to the poor1 ,and stored in heaven 'twill be1 ,then come and cheerfully take up ,the cross and follow me4 ,but the young man was sad at heart1 ,unwilling to obey2 ,his riches he would not give up1 ,so1 grieved1 he went away4 ,and then to ,his disciples ,the ,lord said1 grave but kind3 ,how hardly shall the rich their way ,into ,god's kingdom find8 ,it is easier for a camel ,through a needle's eye to go ,than he who loves his worldly goods ,the bliss of heaven should know4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,blessing ,,little ,,children ,,st4 ,,matthew #ai3ac-ae2 ,,st4 ,,mark #aj3ac-af2 ,,st4 ,,luke #ah4ae1 #af4 ,peter ,questions ,him4 ,,and ,peter then began to say3 ,lo6 we have given up all1 ,and followed and believed on ,thee2 ,what shall to us befall8 ,and ,jesus answered1 ,verily1 ,i say1 no man hath left ,parents or brethren1 wife or child1 ,of home or lands bereft1 ,to suffer for the ,gospel's sake1 ,who shall not find much more1 ,both in this world and that to come1 ,laid up for him in store4 ,but they who will be first on earth ,shall be the last in heaven2 ,and they who here take lowest seats ,shall then have highest given4 ,parable of the ,laborers4 ,,and ,jesus taught them as they walked1 ,by pointed parable1 ,that all shall have an equal right ,who serve the ,master well4 ,he told them of a man who hired ,some laborers to work1 ,and promised each a penny1 for ,the day1 from morn to dark4 ,again at noon1 and later still1 ,he others idle found1 ,and sent them into his vineyard ,to work upon the ground4 ,and then again1 and just before ,the closing of the day1 ,he hired others who should get ,a penny for their pay4 ,but when the eventide had come1 ,and the day's work was done1 ,the men were called1 that each might get ,whatever was his own4 ,the last come were paid first1 and each ,a pleased expression wore4 ,but when the first were paid they thought ,that they should get still more4 ,and when a penny each received1 ,they murmured at the pay1 ,which was the same for one hour's work ,as for the long1 warm day4 ,the good man answered one of them3 ,friend1 ,i do thee no wrong2 ,a penny ,i agreed to give-- ,that doth to thee belong4 ,take that thine is and go thy way1 ,i will to this last one ,give just the same as unto thee-- ,is it not all my own8 ,so shall the last be as the first1 ,and first as last to view2 ,for many be the called of ,god1 ,and yet1 the chosen1 few4 ,foretells ,his ,death4 ,,then ,jesus took the twelve apart1 ,and gravely said to them3 ,behold1 we now are on our way ,up to ,jerusalem1 ,and all things that the prophets wrote ,about the ,son of ,man1 ,shall be accomplished in that place1 ,true to the ancient plan4 ,and ,he shall be betrayed unto ,the chief priests and the scribes1 ,delivered up to the ,gentiles1 ,and mocked with taunts and jibes2 ,and they shall scourge and spit upon1 ,and crucify your ,lord2 ,the third day ,he shall rise again1 ,according to ,his ,word4 ,the apostles listened1 yet these things ,they could not realize2 ,the meaning of the truths they heard ,was hidden from their eyes4 ,the ,request of ,james and ,john4 ,,then came1 as they were walking on1 ,the wife of ,zebedee1 ,who said3 ,lord1 what ,i most desire ,wilt ,thou grant unto me8 ,he said unto her3 ,what wilt thou8 ,she answered3 ,that my sons ,may at ,thy right and left sit down1 ,thy kingdom's greatest ones4 ,then ,jesus to the young men said3 ,ye know not what ye ask4 ,to drink my cup1 my baptism bear1 ,would be too hard a task4 ,they answered3 ,we are strong enough4' ,then ,he said3 ,ye shall try ,to drink my cup1 my baptism bear1 ,while grace shall strength supply4 ,but to sit at my right and left ,i cannot give to you2 ,my ,father doth reserve those seats ,for whom ,he deems them due4 ,be not such lords as ,gentiles are1 ,and who would highest be ,let him be servant to the rest1 ,and take a low degree4 ,e'en as the ,son of ,man came not ,to take a lofty place1 ,but to be minister1 and give ,his life to save the race4 ,blind ,bartimeus4 ,,and now the ,lord ,his way must take ,through ancient ,jericho4 ,the people crowd around ,him there1 ,and make ,his progress slow4 ,and ,bartimeus1 blind and poor1 ,was sitting by the way2 ,another beggar1 sad and blind1 ,sat by his side that day4 ,and when they heard the tramping crowd1 ,and asked the reason why1 ,they learned that ,christ of ,nazareth ,was just then passing by4 ,then each man cried aloud at once1 ,in tones of earnest plea3 ,jesus1 ,thou ,son of ,david1 ,have mercy upon me4 ,and ,jesus had compassion on ,their dark and helpless plight1 ,and gently touched their eyes and said3 ,your faith doth give you sight4 ,immediately their eyes were healed1 ,and both with joyful mind1 ,followed the ,master1 praising ,god1 ,and all the people joined4 ,zaccheus4 ,,and now1 as ,jesus passed along1 ,a rich man hasting came-- ,a chief among the publicans1 ,and ,zaccheus by name4 ,jesus he sought to see1 as did ,the people1 one and all1 ,but could not overlook the crowd1 ,his stature was so small4 ,so he ran on before1 and climbed ,into a sycamore tree2 ,that1 perched above the surging throng1 ,he might the better see4 ,and when the ,lord came near1 ,he raised ,his eyes1 saw him1 and said3 ,zaccheus1 in thy house1 to-day1 ,i will take rest and bread4 ,and then in haste the man came down1 ,and joyfully received ,into his house1 which stood near by1 ,the ,lord1 whom ,he believed4 ,and when the crowd saw what was done1 ,to murmur they began1 ,that ,jesus was content to be ,guest with a sinful man4 ,yet ,zaccheus heeded not1 but stood1 ,and said unto the ,lord3 ,behold1 ,lord1 half of all my goods ,i to the poor afford4 ,and if ,i aught have taken1 ,through falsehood to me told1 ,more than is right from any man1 ,i give it back fourfold4 ,and ,jesus said3 ,salvation is ,to this house come to-day2 ,for this man is of ,abraham's line1 ,though having gone astray4 ,for ,i1 the ,son of ,man have come ,into this world below1 ,to seek the straying and the lost1 ,and save from guilt and woe4 ,parable of the ,pounds4 ,,and as the people all around ,attentively did hear1 ,believing that ,god's kingdom would ,without delay appear2 ,he taught the listening company1 ,by parable profound1 ,how ,god expects ,his faithful ones ,to occupy ,his ground4 ,and as ,he does commit to them ,ten pounds1 or five1 or one1 ,he will reward them1 at the last1 ,by what they each have done4 ,and having finished ,his discourse1 ,wisely instructing them1 ,he went before them1 in the way1 ,up to ,jerusalem4 ,the ,anointing at ,bethany4 ,,six days before the ,passover ,the ,lord appeared again ,in ,bethany1 where ,lazarus dwelt1 ,and his good sisters twain4 ,there1 by a supper in the house1 ,their welcome was expressed1 ,and ,martha served1 but ,lazarus sat ,at table with the guest4 ,then ,mary came and took her place ,down at the ,master's feet1 ,and broke an alabaster box1 ,of odor very sweet4 ,and tenderly she did anoint ,the feet of ,jesus there2 ,and wiped them with the flowing locks ,of her luxuriant hair4 ,then ,judas1 called ,iscariot1 ,his sullen silence broke1 ,and of the woman's costly gift ,thus1 with a sneer1 he spoke3 ,for three hundred pence1 in money1 ,this ointment would have sold1 ,and that would feed and clothe the poor1 ,who hungry are1 and cold4 ,he said this1 though he had no care ,or pity for the poor2 ,but was a thief1 and had the bag1 ,and coveted the store4 ,then ,jesus said3 ,let her alone2 ,against my burial day ,she poured this ointment on my feet1 ,her last regards to pay4 ,the humble poor ye always have ,with you1 to help their needs2 ,but me ye cannot always have ,to show me loving deeds4 ,now many people of the ,jews ,soon knew that ,he was there1 ,and crowded in1 that they might see1 ,and ,his discourse might hear4 ,yet not for ,jesus' sake alone ,had they the visit made1 ,but to see ,lazarus1 whom ,he ,had raised up from the dead4 ,entry into ,jerusalem4 ,,the morning rose with peaceful skies1 ,the first day of the week1 ,and ,jesus forthwith went ,his way1 ,jerusalem to seek4 ,he knew what waited ,him--the thought ,his lofty spirit thrilled-- ,that all ,his ,father's' work be done1 ,and ,scripture be fulfilled4 ,along the road towards ,olive's mount-- ,that oft-trod road--,he went1 ,then two of ,his disciples ,into ,bethphage ,he sent2 ,and said3 ,into the village go1 ,where straightway ye shall see ,an ass tied1 and a colt with her2 ,loose them and bring to me4 ,if any may say aught to you1 ,this shall be your reply3 ',the ,lord hath need of them1' then he ,will cheerfully comply4 ,then the disciples went their way1 ,and found1 as they were bidden1 ,an ass tied1 and a colt1 whereon ,no man had ever ridden4 ,and their owners1 as they loosed them1 ,enquired3 ,why do ye so8 ,they said3 ,the ,lord hath need of them4 ,and then they let them go4 ,and they brought them unto ,jesus1 ,and put on them their clothes2 ,and ,jesus rode upon the colt1 ,while loud ,hosannahs rose4 ,and multitudes of people spread ,their garments in the way1 ,while others strewed palm branches where ,the ,master rode that day4 ,and ,hosannah1 ,son of ,david6 ,they cried with one accord1 ,blessed is ,he that cometh thus ,in the name of the ,lord6 ,but the ,pharisees said3 ,master1 ,rebuke this noisy shout4 ,said ,jesus3 ,should they hold their peace1 ,the stones would then cry out4 ,now they descend fair ,olive's ,mount1 ,jerusalem appears1 ,and ,jesus beholds the city1 ,and over it sheds tears1 ,saying3 ,hadst thou but known the things ,which belong to thy peace3 ,but now from thine eyes they are hid2 ,thy day of hope shall cease4 ,the city's gate they enter now2 ,much moved1 the people say3 ,who is this8 ,some answer3 ,jesus1 ,prophet of ,galilee4 ,then to the temple went the ,lord1 ,to clear its spacious courts ,of those who bought and sold within ,its sanctified resorts4 ,and when the chief priests and scribes saw ,his wondrous works and ways1 ,and children in the temple courts ,shouting these words of praise3 ,hosannah to great ,david's ,son6 ,they very angry were1 ,and said to ,him3 ,these babbling cries ,around1 dost thou not hear8 ,and ,jesus saith unto them3 ,yea1 ,have ye not read the ,word3 ',the mouths of babes and sucklings doth ,thy perfect praise accord8' ,the ,pharisees1 among themselves1 ,said3 ,do ye not perceive ,that ye prevail naught while the world ,doth on this man believe8 ,the ,barren ,fig-,tree4 ,,but now the eventide was come1 ,and ,jesus turned away1 ,and with ,his twelve disciples went ,and lodged in ,bethany4 ,next morning1 as the ,lord returned1 ,quite early in the day1 ,he wanted bread1 and looking1 saw ,a fig-tree in the way4 ,without delay ,he went to it1 ,to get some figs to eat2 ,but ,he found only leaves thereon1 ,which are not good for meat4 ,and then the ,master spoke to it-- ,spoke to the useless tree-- ,and said3 ,henceforth1 forevermore ,let no fruit grow on thee4 ,into the city then ,he went1 ,and in the temple taught1 ,and preached to all who thronged around ,and ,his instructions sought4 ,but the chief priests and elders came1 ,and asked ,him3 ,who gave thee ,authority to do these things ,that we both hear and see8 ,and ,jesus answered3 ,i1 also1 ,will ask one thing of you1 ,which1 if you tell me1 ,i will tell ,who prompts the things ,i do4 ,the baptism of ,john1 whence was it1 ,from heaven1 or of men8 ,this question1 which ,he asked of them1 ,they could not answer then4 ,for thus they reasoned with themselves3 ,if we shall say from heaven1 ,he will say3 ',why not1 then1 to him ,was your attention given8' ,but yet1 if we shall say of men1 ,the people's wrath we fear2 ,for all hold ,john a prophet true1 ,and his name they revere4 ,and so they said3 ,we cannot tell4 ,he answered3 ,nor to thee ,tell ,i by what authority ,i do the things you see4 ,and then1 as evening fell1 the ,lord ,with ,his disciples went ,unto the mount of ,olives1 where ,the night they often spent4 ,and in the morning they returned1 ,and lo6 as they passed by1 ,they saw the fig-tree in the way1 ,all withered up and dry4 ,and ,peter then remembered well3 ,master1 behold1 he said1 ,the fruitless tree which ,thou didst curse ,is withered all and dead4 ,and ,jesus1 answering1 said to them3 ,verily1 ,i say to you1 ,have faith in ,god and doubt ,him not1 ,and ye shall such things do4 ,and who shall to this mountain say1 ,in firm1 believing faith1 ',be thou cast forth into the sea1' ,it shall be as he saith4 ,and whatsoever ye desire ,and ask for when ye pray1 ,believe that ye receive the gift2 ,it shall be yours straightway4 ,and when you pray forgive all those ,who have offended you1 ,that so your ,heavenly ,father may ,forgive the wrongs you do4 ,the ,law of ,love4 ,,now1 ,master1 said a ,pharisee1 ,thus tempting ,him again3 ,which commandment is the greatest ,that the law doth contain8 ,jesus said3 ,thou shalt love the ,lord ,thy ,god with all thy heart1 ,and all thy soul and all thy mind-- ,this is the first great part4 ,and the second is like to it3 ,thou shalt thy neighbor love ,in the same way thou lov'st thyself2 ,by deeds this new law prove4 ,upon these two commandments-- ,within the spirit wrought-- ,hang all the law that ,moses wrote1 ,and all the prophets taught4 ,the ,widow's ,mites4 ,,and now the ,lord was sitting where ,he could the people see ,as they cast their gifts of money ,into the treasury4 ,and many rich cast in large sums2 ,then came a widow1 poor1 ,and she threw in two mites1 which make ,one farthing1 and no more4 ,then the ,lord called ,his disciples ,and said to them3 ,verily1 ,this poor widow has cast the most ,into the treasury4 ,for all they1 of their abundance1 ,offered1 some less1 some more1 ,but she1 of want and penury1 ,did cast in all her store4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,wise ,,and ,,foolish ,,virgins4 ,st4 ,matthew #be3a-ac ,the ,hypocrites4 ,,jesus spoke to the multitude1 ,that gathered at ,his feet3 ,the scribes and ,pharisees do sit ,in ,moses' sacred seat4 ,do1 therefore1 what they bid you do1 ,but follow not their way2 ,for they1 themselves1 keep not the law1 ,nor do they what they say4 ,for they bind heavy burdens ,for other men to bear2 ,but will not give a helping hand ,to ease another's care4 ,and all they do is to be seen ,of men they daily meet2 ,their outward garments they adorn1 ,down to their very feet2 ,and love the upper rooms at feasts1 ,and greetings in the crowd2 ,and the chief seats in synagogues ,and titles make them proud4 ,but be not ye called ',rabbi1' for ,to ,christ that name is given2 ,and call no man father on earth2 ,your ,father is in heaven4 ,nor be ye masters called1 for ,one1 ,even ,christ1 your ,master is1 ,and he that would be greatest1 let ,the servant's place be his4 ,and whoso shall exalt himself ,shall be low and abased1 ,and he that humbles himself shall ,to lofty seat be raised4 ,he ,weeps ,over ,jerusalem4 ,,and then1 ,his gentle spirit grieved ,for ,israel's sin and pride1 ,with tender pity in ,his voice1 ,he sorrowfully cried3 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem6 ,which doth the prophets kill1 ,and stonest them sent unto thee1 ,the promise to fulfil2 ,how oft would ,i have gathered ,thy children to my breast1 ,as a hen her brood doth gather ,beneath her wings to rest4 ,and ye would not4 ,and now1 alas6 ,behold your sad estate1 ,your doom is nigh1 your house is left ,unto you desolate4 ,moreover1 ye shall not see me ,until ye say the word3 ',blessed is ,he that cometh in ,the name of ,israel's ,lord4' ,and ,his disciples then ,he warned ,to watch1 and faithful be1 ,not knowing at what hour they ,the ,son of ,man should see4 ,parables of the ,virgins and ,talents4 ,,and then ,he pictured to their minds1 ,in parables most clear1 ,what should take place before the throne ,when the ,lord should appear4 ,the fate of the ten virgins1 ,of whom but five were wise1 ,and five were foolish1 without grace1 ,he placed before their eyes4 ,and of the nobleman who went ,to travel far away1 ,and to his servants talents gave1 ,their wisdom to display4 ,and two their talents used in trade1 ,and brought their master gain1 ,which pleased him so he raised them up ,o'er cities fair to reign2 ,while one was slothful1 loving ease1 ,his talent hid away1 ,and brought with it a vain excuse ,upon the reck'ning day4 ,but his lord answered wrathfully1 ,he no excuse would take1 ,but told him what he should have done1 ,a lawful gain to make4 ,then ordered that they take and cast ,nor pity him1 nor spare-- ,the unprofitable servant ,out into dark despair4 ,the ,corn of ,wheat4 ,,and while ,he taught the people all1 ,from highest to the least1 ,some ,greeks appeared1 who had come up ,to worship at the feast4 ,the same approached to ,philip1 who ,was of ,bethsaida1 ,saying3 ,sir1 we would the ,master see1 ,and from ,him knowledge draw4 ,philip and ,andrew went apart1 ,and they informed the ,lord ,that polished strangers1 standing near1 ,desired to hear ,his word4 ,the hour--the long-approaching hour-- ,is come1 the ,lord replied1 ,when ,i should close my earthly work1 ,and should be glorified4 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,except a corn of wheat ,sink in the ground and die1 it will ,alone produce no meat4 ,but if it die1 it brings forth fruit2 ,and he that life doth love ,shall lose it3 he that hates it gains ,eternal life above4 ,if any man will serve me1 then ,let him come after me2 ,and where ,i am1 there1 also1 shall ,my faithful servant be4 ,now is my soul in agony1 ,and what more shall ,i say8 ,father1 save me from this sad hour1 ,my human heart would pray1 ,but for this cause--that ,i might die-- ,unto this hour ,i came1 ,so in my heart ,i cry3 ,father1 ,glorify thine own name6 ,then came there a voice from heaven1 ,saying1 in clearest strain3 ,i have glorified it1 and ,i ,will glorify it again4 ,the people standing by were sure ,that thunder shook the air2 ,but others said3 ,not so1 it is ,an angel's voice we hear4 ,jesus answered1 and said3 ,this voice ,came not because of me1 ,but that ye all might understand ,the power of ,deity4 ,now is the judgment of this world2 ,its prince cast out shall be2 ,and ,i1 if ,i be lifted up1 ,will draw all men to me4 ,the ,traitor ,judas4 ,,now ,satan to the carnal heart ,of ,judas entered in-- ,he that was called ,iscariot1 ,who money loved to win4 ,and he went unto the chief priests1 ,and bargained to betray ,his ,master to their evil power ,if they would give him pay4 ,and his base scheme these men were glad ,to hear and understand1 ,and thirty shining silver coins ,they weighed into his hand4 ,and from that time he sought a way ,he could1 by sign or word1 ,in absence of the multitude1 ,deliver up his ,lord4 ,the ,upper ,room4 ,,now came the first day of the feast-- ,day of unleavened bread-- ,when the ,passover must be killed2 ,and the disciples said3 ,where wilt ,thou1 ,lord1 that we shall go ,and preparation make ,for ,thee to eat the ,passover1 ,and we1 with ,thee1 partake8 ,peter and ,john ,he then sent forth1 ,saying3 ,as ye walk the street1 ,a man1 bearing a pitcher ,of water1 ye shall meet4 ,then follow him into the house1 ,and to the good man say3 ,the ,master needs the guest-chamber ,to keep the feast to-day4 ,and a large1 furnished1 upper room ,he unto you will show4 ,then the disciples went and found1 ,as the ,lord said1 'twas so4 ,now1 at the evening hour1 the ,lord ,with ,his disciples came1 ,and sat down round the table where ,was served the paschal lamb4 ,and ,he said unto them3 ,i have ,desired with every breath ,to eat this ,passover with you1 ,before ,i suffer death4 ,washing the ,disciples' ,feet4 ,,this being over1 ,jesus rose1 ,and laid ,his robe aside1 ,and a towel girded round ,him1 ,so free was ,he from pride2 ,and with water in a basin ,washed the disciples' feet4 ,o1 lowly ,master6 loving ,lord6 ,thy meekness is complete6 ,but ,simon ,peter would refuse1 ,with love and high esteem1 ,this humble office should be done ,by ,jesus unto him2 ,till ,jesus1 checking his proud will1 ,answered decidedly1 ,by saying3 ,if ,i wash thee not1 ,thou hast no part with me4 ,then ,peter cried3 ,lord1 not my feet ,only from stain be free2 ,but also let my hands and head ,be purified by ,thee4 ,jesus said3 ,he whose feet are washed ,is every whit made clean2 ,and ye are clean1 but not you all-- ,he ,judas1 false1 did mean4 ,so1 when the ,lord had washed their feet1 ,and had ,his robe put on1 ,and took ,his seat1 ,he said3 ,know ye ,what ,i to you have done8 ,then taught them that if ,he1 their ,lord1 ,had washed their feet1 then so ,should they to one another ,such act of grace bestow2 ,that they to ,his example ,should prompt respect accord1 ,well knowing that the servant is ,not greater than his ,lord4 ,jesus is ,betrayed4 ,,now1 after this1 was ,jesus sad1 ,and trouble did display2 ,for one of them who sat with ,him ,he said should ,him betray4 ,and then1 all being sorrowful1 ,said3 ,is it ,i8 in turn4 ,but ,he said3 ',twere good for that man ,if he had ne'er been born4 ,now the disciple ,jesus loved1 ,who next ,his bosom lay1 ,at sign from ,peter asked3 ,who1 ,lord1 ,would vilely ,thee betray8 ,jesus said3 ,when ,i dip the sop ,it shall be that man's lot4 ,and when ,he dipped ,he gave it to ,judas ,iscariot4 ,yet upon ,judas' callous heart ,no softening touch it gave3 ,but ,satan entered into him1 ,to harden and enslave4 ,jesus said3 ,what thou do'st1 do now4 ,none knew what this did mean2 ,but ,judas rose and left the room1 ,and sought a different scene4 ,the ,last ,supper4 ,,and now the evening shades had closed1 ,and night was o'er the sky2 ,supper was ended and lamps lit ,within that chamber high4 ,the ,lord took bread1 and1 blessing it1 ,he brake in pieces small2 ,saying3 ,take1 eat1 this is my body1 ,once broken for you all4 ,then took the cup1 and1 giving thanks1 ,he gave it to them1 too2 ,saying3 ,drink ye1 for this is my blood1 ,which is poured out for you4 ,and eat this bread1 and drink this cup1 ,for memory of me4 ,but ,i'll not taste the wine till ,i ,my ,father's kingdom see4 ,peter's ,warning4 ,,then ,peter cried out in alarm3 ,lord1 whither goest ,thou8 ,i will go with ,thee unto death1 ,or unto prison now4 ,jesus said to him3 ,verily1 ,before the cock shall crow1 ,this day thou wilt deny full thrice ,that thou the ,lord dost know4 ,promise of the ,comforter4 ,,again the ,master's voice arose ,in precious converse sweet1 ,the last and richest lessons1 ,with wisdom most replete3 ,let not your heart be troubled1 ,believe in me1 most true1 ,for in my ,father's house ,i shall ,prepare a place for you4 ,and on1 in soothing accents1 flowed ,upon their listening ears ,words which1 while they increased their love1 ,excited still their fears4 ,for ,he talked of going from them1 ,yet being with them still1 ,and giving them what they should ask1 ,if they would do ,his will2 ,and said ,he would pray the ,father ,the ,comforter to send-- ,the ,holy ,ghost--who1 teaching them1 ,would lead them to the end4 ,and again ,he said unto them1 ,as ,he1 at first1 had said3 ,let not your heart be troubled1 ,nor let it be afraid4 ,the ,parable of the ,vine4 ,,when it was time to go1 ,he said3 ,arise1 let us go hence1 ,and they all stood and sung a hymn ,ere they departed thence4 ,then out into the shadowed street1 ,after the close of day1 ,the ,lord and ,his eleven friends ,walked slowly on their way2 ,on towards the mount of ,olives1 where ,his custom was to go1 ,along the well-known path which crossed ,where ,kedron's waters flow4 ,and still the ,master1 as ,his wont ,when walking with ,his friends1 ,continued teaching golden truth ,the which to glory tends4 ,he likened ,himself to a vine1 ,while they the branches were2 ,his ,father was the husbandman1 ,who of the plant had care2 ,and charged them that they must bear fruit1 ,and never barren prove2 ,his ,father should be glorified ,through faith that works by love4 ,and charged them to abide in ,him1 ,and thus much fruit return2 ,and warned them 'gainst the dreadful fire1 ,where barren branches burn4 ,he then unfolded to their view ,the things that should be done1 ,when ,he1 their ,head1 should go away1 ,and they be left alone2 ,and told them if they asked of ,god1 ,in ,his name1 any thing1 ,such prayer would quickly rise to heaven1 ,and joyful answer bring4 ,again ,he spoke to them of love1 ,and of ,his blessed peace1 ,and said1 as ,he had overcome1 ,so should their warfare cease4 ,his ,prayer for ,his ,disciples4 ,,and then ,he stood and raised ,his eyes ,to heaven's transparent dome2 ,and in the same clear voice ,he said3 ,father1 the hour is come4 ,then followed such a solemn prayer1 ,with holy nearness filled1 ,as human lips ne'er breathed before1 ,by faith however thrilled4 ,the prayer ended1 then ,jesus crossed ,over the ,kedron brook1 ,and the last walk1 in silence calm1 ,with ,his disciples took4 ,christ in ,gethsemane4 ,,on ,olivet a garden grew-- ,gethsemane its name-- ,and here1 in that portentous hour1 ,the ,man of ,sorrows came4 ,the shadows of the midnight fell1 ,and silence reigned around1 ,as ,he and ,his eleven friends ,trod the familiar ground4 ,then1 ,oh6 such heavy agony ,descended on ,his soul1 ,that even ,his strong spirit was ,unable to control4 ,he said to them3 ,exceeding woe1 ,beyond all mortal grief1 ,o'erwhelms my soul2 watch here while ,i ,in prayer shall seek relief4 ,then went a little farther off1 ,and on ,his face ,he fell1 ,and offered up this earnest prayer3 ,if it be possible1 ,my ,father--,oh6 ,my ,father6-- ,let this cup pass from me4 ,nevertheless1 ,thy holy will1 ,and not my will shall be4 ,then1 coming back to those ,he left1 ,a mournful watch to keep1 ,he found them prone upon the ground1 ,and wrapped in heavy sleep4 ,but ,jesus said3 ,sleep now and rest1 ,the hour is close at hand4 ,behold the ,son of ,man betrayed ,to an ungodly band4 ,at the ,palace of the ,high ,priest4 ,,and as ,he spake1 behold a crowd ,with lanterns and with swords2 ,and ,judas1 traitor1 came before1 ,with kiss and guileful words4 ,but ,he who reads all hearts1 and points ,to what ,he finds amiss1 ,said3 ,judas1 dost thou thus betray ,thy ,master with a kiss8 ,then gently turning to the crowd1 ,he asked them3 ,whom seek ye8 ,they said3 ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,he answered3 ,i am he4 ,and the armed band led ,jesus ,along the city road1 ,up to the high priest's palace-- ,caiaphas' abode4 ,meanwhile sat ,peter by the fire1 ,wondering how this would end1 ,and feeling wholly powerless ,his ,master to defend4 ,a servant1 passing1 said to him3 ,thou with this man hast been4 ,but ,peter in great fear replied3 ,i know not what you mean4 ,and soon another said he had ,of ,jesus' friends been one1 ,but ,peter cursed and swore that he ,had never ,jesus known4 ,just then the cock crew1 shrill and clear1 ,and ,jesus turned ,his face1 ,and full on ,peter cast a look ,of love1 reproach and grace4 ,then over ,peter's aching heart ,repentant anguish swept1 ,and he rushed out into the dawn1 ,and bitterly he wept4 ,christ before ,pilate4 ,,and now the morning beams appeared ,the council of the ,jews ,led ,jesus to the judgment hall1 ,that they might ,him accuse4 ,and ,pilate gathered to his aid ,chief priests and rulers all1 ,and ,jesus stood before him in ,the royal judgment hall4 ,and ,pilate said unto them3 ,ye ,have brought this man to me1 ,saying1 ',he perverts the people1' ,but no fault in ,him ,i see4 ,nor yet ,herod2 for ,i sent you ,with your prisoner to the king2 ,but no offence to ,roman law ,could you against ,him bring4 ,i1 therefore1 will chastise ,him ,and order ,him released2 ,for 'twas custom he should free to them ,a prisoner at the feast4 ,but they exclaimed3 ,away with ,him1 ,and cried1 with one accord1 ,that he release ,barabbas1 ,and crucify the ,lord4 ,now ,barabbas was a robber1 ,and they knew his record well2 ,he for murder and sedition ,lay in a prison cell4 ,why1 what great evil hath ,he done8 ,pilate1 the third time saith2 ,for he knew it was for envy ,that they desired ,his death4 ,pilate's ,wife's ,dream4 ,,again upon the judgment seat1 ,to end this cruel strife1 ,sat ,pilate1 when a servant came ,with message from his wife4 ,beware--the word the lady sent-- ,that thou no evil do ,to ,him who stands before thee now-- ,that man so just and true4 ,for ,i while sleeping on my bed1 ,have suffered1 in a dream1 ,much anguish and distress of mind1 ,this day1 because of ,him4 ,then ,pilate saith to ,jesus3 ,art thou the very king ,the ,jews expected should appear1 ,and their salvation bring8 ,my kingdom1 ,jesus answered1 ,is not beneath the skies1 ,else to protect me from the ,jews ,my servants would arise4 ,art thou a king1 then8 ,pilate asked4 ,thou sayest it1 the reply2 ,for ,i was born1 and hither came1 ,the truth to testify4 ,pilate said to ,him3 ,what is truth8 ,then left the judgment hall1 ,and said unto the ,jews3 ,i find ,in ,him no fault at all4 ,then ,pilate1 taking water1 washed ,his hands before them all2 ,and said3 ,this just man's blood on me ,shall not in judgment fall4 ,then answered all the people3 ,let this man's blood be shed2 ,and let it fall on each of us1 ,and on our children's head4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,crucifixion ,st4 ,matthew #bg3ce-ch2 ,st4 ,mark #ae3bd-bh2 ,st4 ,luke #bc3cc1 #cd2 ,st4 ,john #ai3ah-bd ,the ,crucifixion4 ,,it was outside the city wall ,of proud ,jerusalem1 ,that ,roman soldiers crucified ,whom ,pilate dared condemn4 ,but from the suffering ,nazarene ,no word of murmur came2 ,patience appeared through keenest wrong1 ,and dignity through shame4 ,only this kind and earnest plea ,their malice from ,him drew3 ,father1 ,i pray1 forgive them now1 ,they know not what they do4 ,the ,mother of ,jesus4 ,,now there stood by that dreadful cross ,the mother of the ,lord1 ,whose soul with sharpest agony ,was pierced1 as with a sword4 ,when ,jesus therefore saw her near1 ,and ,his disciple1 ,john1 ,the man whom ,he loved best1 ,he said3 ,woman1 behold thy son4 ,then said to the disciple3 ,thy mother here behold6 ,and ,john thenceforth his loving care ,around her did enfold4 ,the ,darkened ,sun4 ,,now 'tis high noon and1 solemn sight1 ,the sun withdraws his face1 ,and shadows1 over all the land1 ,the beams of day replace4 ,all nature1 wrapped in solemn awe1 ,stood shuddering in dismay1 ,as hours of stern1 ,almighty wrath1 ,passed tediously away4 ,once1 from the cross1 an anguished voice ,came languidly3 ,i thirst1 ,and then a cry1 as though the heart1 ,so full of love1 had burst4 ,eli1 ,eli1 these were the words1 ,lama ,sabachthani8 ,oh6 what acutest agony ,wrung forth that mournful cry6 ,meanwhile a sponge1 in vinegar1 ,one standing near ,him dips2 ,and1 putting it upon a reed1 ,he lifts it to ,his lips4 ,he then1 with exclamation loud1 ,his voice aloft doth send1 ,saying3 ,father1 now into ,thy hands ,my spirit ,i commend6 ,and1 then1 behold6 the temple vail ,from top to bottom rent2 ,an earthquake shook the city's walls1 ,the rocks to pieces went4 ,and the centurian1 with his guard1 ,seeing these signs abroad1 ,exclaimed in fear3 ,now1 of a truth1 ,this was the ,son of ,god4 ,the ,burial4 ,,now a good man1 ,joseph by name1 ,of wealth and high renown1 ,in secret a disciple true1 ,of ,rama's ancient town1 ,besought that ,pilate grant to him ,permission to remove ,the body of the ,crucified1 ,whom he had learned to love4 ,and then came ,nicodemus1 ,with aloes and with myrrh-- ,another who had been of ,christ ,a secret worshipper4 ,and these two men1 who ne'er had made ,profession1 great or small1 ,prepared the sacred body for ,an honored burial4 ,they wrapped it1 with the spices1 ,in clean1 white linen clothes2 ,according to the way in which ,the ,jews their dead dispose4 ,then reverently laid it down ,in ,joseph's tomb--quite new1 ,which he had hewn from out the rock1 ,his own last sleep in view4 ,the ,resurrection4 ,,the ,sabbath passed in sullen calm ,the ,lord of all things slept1 ,and some exulted in their crime1 ,while others mourned and wept4 ,it passed1 it ended1 and1 behold6 ,while darkness veiled the sky1 ,midst shock of earthquake1 there came down ,an angel from on high4 ,he sought the silent sepulchre1 ,and rolled away the stone-- ,the heavy stone that filled the door-- ,and took his seat thereon4 ,his features shone with lightning glow1 ,his robes were snowy white2 ,with solemn awe the keepers shook1 ,and fell1 as dead1 with fright4 ,women at the ,tomb4 ,,meanwhile the day began to dawn-- ,the first day of the week-- ,and sorrowing women early came1 ,the sacred tomb to seek2 ,with spices and with ointments sweet1 ,to preserve the precious clay2 ,and saying3 ,who shall roll for us ,that heavy stone away8 ,but when they reached the sepulchre1 ,they saw the stone removed1 ,and1 entering in1 they also missed ,the form of ,him they loved4 ,instead1 they saw a strange young man1 ,sitting up on the right1 ,clothed in a long1 white flowing robe1 ,and they were filled with fright4 ,and he said unto them3 ,fear not1 ,ye seek ,him who was slain4 ,he is not here4 ,he's risen indeed1 ,come1 see where ,he has lain4 ,illustration3 ,,they ,,cast ,,the ,,net ,,on ,,the ,,right ,,side ,,of ,,the ,,ship ,,and ,,were ,,not ,,able ,,to ,,draw ,,it ,,for ,,the ,,multitude ,,of ,,fishes4 ,st4 ,john #ba4 #f ,the ,ascension4 ,,on sacred ,olivet1 once more1 ,the apostles met their ,lord1 ,and looked with rapture on ,his face1 ,and heard with joy ,his word4 ,he spake with old-time gentleness1 ,and dignity1 and love1 ,commanding that they should not from ,jerusalem remove4 ,but wait there till the promise of ,my ,father come1 ,he said1 ,of which you heard me plainly speak ,the night ,i was betrayed4 ,for ,john baptised with water1 ,but ye shall feel the glow ,of baptism with the ,holy ,ghost1 ,not many days from now4 ,and as ,he talked ,he led them on ,as far as ,bethany1 ,when they1 together1 forward came ,and asked ,him earnestly1 ,saying3 ,lord1 wilt thou at this time ,to ,israel restore ,the kingdom in such splendor ,as it enjoyed of yore8 ,but ,jesus said unto them all3 ',tis not for you to know ,that which the ,father doth intend ,respecting things below4 ,but ye shall be endued with power1 ,and strength1 and majesty1 ,after the ,holy ,ghost has come ,upon you from on high4 ,and ye shall witness unto ,me ,both in ,jerusalem1 ,judea and ,samaria1 ,and lands ye now condemn4 ,and then ,he lifted up ,his hands1 ,and blessed them as they stood1 ,while ,he ascended from their sight1 ,their ,master1 great and good4 ,and they beheld ,him rise aloft ,into the ether bright1 ,until a cloud enveloped ,him1 ,and bore ,him from their sight4 ,and while they looked up after ,him ,toward heaven1 amazed and sad1 ,behold two angels stood by them1 ,in white apparel clad2 ,which said3 ,ye men of ,galilee1 ,why stand ye1 gazing up1 ,as though the ,lord had gone away1 ,and left you without hope8 ,as ye have seen ,him rise to heaven ,in majesty sublime1 ,so1 in like manner1 shall ,he come1 ,in the allotted time4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,bold type is shown as strong4 ,italics are shown thus3 sloping4 ,small capitals have been capitalised4 ,illustrations have been moved out of mid-paragraph4 ,variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained4 ,punctuation has been retained as published4 ,in the list of illustrations ,return of the ,prodigal ,son #bgh has been corrected to #cgh