with any hope of success. Elect,-see v. 28. Justifieth,-approves as righteous, Matt. xxv. 23; Rev. xiv. 12, 13. V. 34. Christ that died, is the Judge. "What other can doom us?" Who also, while the Spirit speaks within us. IV. GOD MAKING US 66 MORE THAN CONQUERORS." - V. 35 39. Shall separate, destroy our love to Christ, by over-taxing our patience. As it is written, &c.,―The painful reality and pressure of the evils named, the Apostle keenly feels while he makes this bold, triumphant challenge. I am persuaded, the strongest word he could use, expressing the full assurance of faith and hope. REFLECTIONS.-1. How anxious should we be to obtain the Spirit's help in prayer. Illustration.-"GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH." See v. 30, 33. Chrysostom strikingly says, "He saith not, 'God who remitteth sins;' but, which is much more, 'God who justifieth.' For, when the vote of the Judge Himself acquits, and of such a Judge, of what weight is the accuser?", JUNE 14.- AFTERNOON LESSON. HAIL AND FIRE. SUMMARY.-Our Lesson treats of the seventh plague. It is of a more severe character than any of the former ones; and is, therefore, announced in a very formal and impressive manner. Great destruction is caused to the cattle and growing corn in the fields, and Pharaoh becomes alarmed; but, as in former instances, when the plague is stayed, he refuses to let the people go. I. THE SEVENTH SUMMONS AND THREAT.-V. 12-21. V. 12. The Lord hardened.-Pharaoh had steeled himself against the appeals and gracious strivings of God five times, and now in judgment God withdraws His grace, and leaves this hardened soul to its own depravity. V.13. In the morning, -when Pharaoh was wont to go out to the river, ch. viii. 20. V. 14. Upon thine heart,-i.e., to fill it " with terror, or grief, or rage." That thou mayest know, I will afflict thee till thou dost. V. 15. If now I had stretched out My hand to smite thee as well as thy cattle, (v. 6,) thou hadst been cut off, &c. V. 16. But truly I have "made thee stand," (Margin,) preserved thee alive through the former plagues. To show, Exodus ix. 12-35. &c.-By more dreadful plagues than thou hast yet known. May be declared, &c.-A purpose which has been in course of fulfilment ever since. As yet, &c.-Dost thou still tread upon My people to provoke My vengeance against thyself? V. 18. To-morrow,-to give Pharaoh a little space for repentance, and to teach that God could command it when He would. V. 19. Hail,—a very rare thing in Egypt. The foundation, as a kingdom or nation, v. 24. Send, &c.-A token of mercy in the midst of judgment; an opportunity for Pharaoh to show that he feared God. V. 20, 21 teach that some of the Egyptians were impressed by the former plagues, while others followed the example of their guilty king. II. THE PLAGUE. - V. 22 26. Stretch forth, &c.,- that Pharaoh might know it came at His bidding. Toward heaven,-to signify it came from God, as Pharaoh felt, v. 28. See Margin. Fire ran along,-"not a sudden flash of lightning," but fire mingled, i.e. "formed into balls," rolling on the ground. Smote..man, this was a new terror, for men had not been killed by any former plague. Every, very many, as in v. 6; x. 5. V. 26. Only, God spared Israel, that the effect might more deeply impress the king. BORNNESS. III. PHARAOH'S TERROR AND STUB-V. 27—35. Sinned this time,-"his first confession, but only from fright." Entreat, &c., -as he had asked before, ch. viii. 8, 28; and promised. V 29. I will, &c... As soon as, &c.,for the hail and fire will not hurt me, and at my bidding it will cease. V. 30. But, your request and promise are only the result of terror. V. 31. Bolled,-in blossom. V. 32. Rye, a kind of wheat called "spelt." Not grown up,-of tender growth, not in ear. When Pharaoh saw, &c.-Proof enough that he had spoken through dread, v. 28. Sinned yet more, every refusal made his guilt the greater. REFLECTIONS.-1. God permits hardness of heart and blindness of mind as the punishment of men who persist in rebellion of will and life.-We need not wonder at v. 12. See Rom. i. 21-24; 2 Thess. ii. 11. Let us take warning, and not refuse God's appeals. 2. Things which bring anguish of spirit are more painful than those which inflict agony of body.-Prov. xviii. 14. 3. All God's works are intended to establish His universal supremacy among men.- God could have destroyed Pharaoh sooner, but He desired the fame of His "mighty voices" in Egypt to spread, v. 16. 4. Beware of the influence of bad example.-Through the influence of Pharaoh, some of His servants were as bad as himself, v. 21, 34. 5. Men are frequently terrified when they are far from true repentance.- Let us seek and pray for the Spirit of deep penitence. 2 Cor. vii. 10. 6. Visitations from God do not of themselves soften the hard heart of man.-This is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. John xvi. 7—11. QUESTIONS.-Who hardened Pharaoh's heart this time? Why? How was this seventh plague to affect Pharaoh? Did it frighten him? v. 28. Did it cause him to let the people go? Why not? How long was he forewarned of the plague? What did God in mercy tell him to do? v. 19. What kind of hail was it? What was the fire like? What did it smite? Did the children of Israel suffer? How was the plague stayed? Why were the flax and barley smitten? Why were not the wheat and rye? Why did Moses "spread abroad his hands?" Illustration.-THUNDER AND HAIL IN EGYPT. See v. 24. "Hail is now extremely rare, but not unknown, in Egypt; and it is interesting [to note] that the narrative seems to imply that it sometimes falls there. Thunder-storms occur; but, though very loud, and accompanied by rain and wind, they rarely do serious injury. We do not remember to have heard, while in Egypt, of a person struck by lightning, nor of any ruin, excepting that of decayed buildings washed down by rain."-Smith's Dictionary of the Bible.' JUNE 21.-MORNING LESSON. THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS.-Exodus x. 1-20. SUMMARY. God instructs Moses to threaten Pharaoh with the plague of locusts. Pharaoh's servants begin to plead with him; and he consents that the men may go, but not the wives and little ones. The locusts are sent, but with no better result than attended the previous plagues. I. EIGHTH SUMMONS AND THREAT.V. 1-6. V. 1. repeats the determination of God to punish Pharaoh with judicial hardness, and His purpose in it, ch. vii. 3—5. V. 2. Speaks of this design in particular relation to the Israelites themselves. That thou,Moses, as the representative of the nation. Mayest tell..thy son's son,-all thy future posterity. Done,-for your Ye deliverance from their tyranny. ferocity, and fearful desolation caused, shall exceed anything of the kind endured or known before. And went out, with indignation, not waiting for an answer. II. PLEADING AND PARLEYING.-V. 7-11. A snare," an occasion of our falling into one calamity after another." The men,-the people. Not yet,-especially after the terrible havoc of the last plague. Brought again, having been sent for. But who," who and who;" tell me particularly. In v. 9 Moses demands the release of all the people and all belonging to them. V. 10, 11 express scorn and contempt for Moses, the people, and God; as if Pharaoh had said, "The Lord will no more help you than I am willing to let you go.' Evil,-is the purpose you seek. Driven out, with some violence, by the officers in attendance. III. LOCUSTS.-V. 12-15. V. 12, 13. "The marvellous character of the phenomenon was, that when Moses stretched out his hand with the staff over Egypt, Jehovah caused an east wind to blow over the land, which blew a day and a night, and the next morning brought the locusts from Arabia." V. 14, 15. Over all the land..in all the coasts. -This plague was more universal than any of the others. Very grievous,-by their numbers and greediness, darkening the land, and destroying the produce of it. IV. REPENTING AND SINNING AGAIN. -V. 16-20. In haste,-in another fit of frenzied fear. V. 17. Forgive,-He seems to feel the wrong he has done to Moses. This death, cause of it; for how could the Egyptians live, if all food were eaten up. V. 19. West wind, -blowing them in the direction whence they came. Red Sea.-"That locusts do perish in the sea is attested by many authorities." Not one, so effectual was the sweep, that Pharaoh might know it was of God. V. 20.-See on V. 12 of last Sunday Afternoon's Lesson. REFLECTIONS.1. The memory of national deliverances ought to produce national thankfulness and obedience.England has had many of these. Are we thankful for them? 2. What manifold resources God has to teach man submission !-How suggestive is the variety of these plagues! What cannot God use to afflict man ? 3. Destruction to the fruits of the earth is death to man, v. 17.-In one way or other we live on what the earth brings forth. Think any day of what you have been eating, and you will find it is so. 4. Moses was the fitting Minister of a merciful, longsuffering God.-He does not chide with Pharaoh, but v. 18. QUESTIONS. -What did God wish the Israelites to tell their children? Why? What plague was now threatened? What were the locusts to do? How were they brought? Where from? What did Pharaoh's servants say to him? Why? Whom did Moses say should go? Did the locusts do what was threatened? What effect had this plague on Pharaoh? How were the locusts sent away? Did the King let the people go? Illustration.-LOCUSTS. See v. 4, 14, 15. "Never shall I lose the impression produced by the first view of them. I had often passed through clouds of flying locusts, and they always struck my imagination with a sort of vague terror; but these we now confronted were without wings, and about the size of full-grown grasshoppers, which they closely resembled in appearance and behaviour. But their number was astounding; the whole face of the mountain was black with them. On they came like a living deluge."-The Land and the Book. advancement. The rest being displeased, Jesus teaches them in what true greatness consists. He heals blind Bartimæus. I. SAD INSTRUCTIONS.-V. 32-34. See Notes on V. 30-32 of Afternoon Lesson for June 7. In the way,-on His last journey. Amazed,-at His courage and intrepidity after what He had said. Afraid,-apprehending that what He had said would surely come to pass. V. 33. Unto the chief priests, &c. -A particular description of the process of His trial, sufferings, and death, Matt. xxvi. 57, 65, 66; xxvii. 2, 26-31, 35. Gentiles,-The Romans. II. SUPPLIANTS FOR PLACE.-V.35— 40. Come unto Him,-with their mother, who spoke for them, Matt. xx. 20, 21. Whatsoever, &c.,-let ours be the right of choice, as Thine is the prerogative to grant. V. 37. Let us be first in honour in Thy glory, the temporal kingdom they so confidently expected. V. 38. Ye know not,-ye ask in ignorance of what My "glory" is, and surely forget what I have just said, v. 32-34. cup,-of inward grief; the baptism,-of outward blood and suffering. V. 39. The We can, little dreaming what was meant by it, and only caring now to obtain their request. V. 39 may be viewed as a prophecy; for, see Acts xii. 2; and Rev. i. 9. V. 40. Leave out the words in italics: Christ has the right and power to distribute the dignities of His kingdom, as He had taught them, Matt. xix. 27-29; but now He teaches that in doing so He would respect not persons, but characters, Rom. ii. 6, 7. III. THE BEST WAY TO DIGNITY AND HONOUR.-V. 41-45. Much displeased, -for this question of precedence was the very one they had been disputing about, ch. ix. 34. Called them,-to pacify and teach them. Compare the Notes on V. 33-37 of Afternoon Lesson for June 7. V. 42. Ye know,-"that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and hence you imagine the chief in My kingdom will do as they: but it will be quite otherwise."-Wesley. V. 45. Even the Son of man,-the glorious Lord of this kingdom, Heb. i. 2, 3, 8. Ministered unto,-by obsequious slaves, like worldly despots. A ransom,-as the price of man's redemption, 2 Cor. viii. 9; Phil. ii. 6, 7; Heb. ii. 9. IV. A SUPPLIANT FOR SIGHT.-V. 46-52. Bar,-i.e. son of Timæus. Son of David,- -so even he had learnt the character and claims of Jesus. V. 48. He cried the more,-determined not to be silenced by their cold-hearted rebukes. Casting away, &c.,-" through joy and eagerness." V. 51. What wilt thou? as though in allusion to the other suppliants. Sight,- -a very natural and laudable request. V. 52. Thy faith,-which prompted thee to cry, and sustained thee when rebuked. Immediately,- -so the miracle was manifest to all around Him, v. 46. Followed, in proof of his thankfulness. REFLECTIONS.-1. Eagerness in asking is no proof in itself that what we ask is right.-James and John were as eager suppliants as Bartimæus, but not as safe in what they sought. Sometimes people are most anxious for what is most unsuitable for them. 2. Our own desires are not to be the law of God's dealings with us.— -We ask in ignorance, God grants in knowledge. We should ask as the Saviour did, Matt. xxvi. 39. 3. God may call us to suffer, where we hoped to reign.-So it was with these two disciples. We little know what God has in store for us. 4. "Before honour is humility."Jesus Himself served and suffered before He reigned, and John xiii. 15, 16; Matt. x. 23-25; Hymn 322. 5. Urgent need will not submit to be baffled by indifferent people.-It was a small thing to the multitude whether this man's suit was successful or no; but it was as a question of life or death to him. 6. We should use wisely the blessings God bestows on us.-The first use the healed man made of his eyesight was to see the way Jesus went, that he might follow Him. QUESTIONS. Why were the disciples "amazed?" Why "afraid?" Who were to condemn Christ? Who to kill Him? What did James and John want? What "glory" did they mean? What is meant by the "cup?" the "baptism?" How were the Saviour's words fulfilled in James? in John? Why were the other disciples "displeased?" What did Jesus say about the Gentiles? Did He say it was to be so with the disciples? What then? What is the example He has set? What was the name of the blind man? Where was he? What doing? What did he beg of Jesus? What did the people say? Did he cease? What did Jesus when He cured him? What did the blind man do? Illustrations.-I. JERICHO. See v. 46. "This was a large town, about eight miles west of the Jordan, and about nineteen miles north-east from Jerusalem. Near to this city the Israelites crossed the Jordan, when they entered into the land of Canaan, Josh. iii. 16. It was the first city taken by Joshua, who destroyed it to the foundation, and pronounced a curse on him who should rebuild it, Josh. vi. 20, 21, 26."-Barnes. II. AN INFANT'S THOUGHT, THANKSGIVING, AND PRAYER. "God ought to give him some eyes," said a dear little boy less than three years old, as I told him a sad story of a poor blind boy who had never seen the blue sky, the pretty birds and flowers, the beautiful stars, or the dear faces of his Papa and Mamma. His heart was touched, and tears stood in his own bright eyes as he asked, "Why didn't God let him see?" Carefully and soothingly as I could, I explained to the little one, that God knew best, and for some good reason, which we could not understand, had made some poor children blind. He seemed satisfied; and when I asked him if he did not love the good God who had given him eyes to see so many beautiful things, he replied, in his sweet, lisping way, "I do love God, and I want to tell Him, thank you, now; and, slipping from my arms, he knelt on the carpet, and whispered in low, soft tones, "O God in heaven, I thank You for making me see. Please give the poor blind boy some eyes too, for Christ's sake. Amen." In a moment he climbed to my lap again, with so sweet and happy a look on his face, that I could not but believe the gratitude expressed in that simple prayer was sincere and heartfelt as it was beautiful. JUNE 28.-MORNING LESSON. FREE GRACE. SUMMARY.-St. Paul is deeply grieved on account of the unbelief of his countrymen, especially considering their privileges. He distinguishes between the natural and spiritual seed of Abraham, and shows how the preference for Jacob was altogether an act of God's gracious choice, indicated before the children were born; and from this he teaches the free grace of God towards men generally. I. ST. PAUL'S PATRIOTISM.—V. 1—5. (1.) Its grief.-V. 1—3. In Christ,I appeal to Him as the Searcher of hearts. In the Holy Ghost,-instructed, quickened, guided in its testimony by Him. This solemn declaration is made in the most solemn manner possible. V. 2. Great heaviness, &c.,deep grief, and unceasing distress of mind. V. 3. I could wish,—if allowed by God, and likely to be available for their conversion to Christ. Accursed,anathema: devoted to destruction, 1 Cor. xvi. 22; Exod. xxxii. 31, 32. The flesh,-by natural descent, Phil. iii. 5. (2.) Its glory, v. 4, 5.· Who,-are distinguished by these honours: Israelites,-sons of Jacob, whose name was changed, Gen. xxxii. 28; the adoption, -as a nation, to be the people of God, Exod. iv. 22, 23; Hosea xi. 1; the glory, of the Divine Presence, the symbol of which rested over the ark, Exod. xiii. 21, 22; xxv. 21, 22; Ps. lxxx. 1; the covenants, (Margin, "testa Romans ix. 1 — 18. ments,")-with Abraham, Gal. iii. 16, 17; with Moses, Exod. xxiv. 8. Giving of the law,-Exod. xx.; the service,of the temple, a matter of special boasting with them; promises, particularly of the Messiah. V. 5. The fathers,— whose piety and faith in the promises are a rich national heirloom. Of whom as to His human nature-Christ came, the most distinguished honour they had, or could have. Over all,the Lord of angels and of men. Blessed, &c.,-words generally added by Jewish writers, after the name of God, as an expression of reverence. By their use here, St. Paul shows his reverent faith in the Divinity of Christ. II. NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL CHILDREN.-V. 6-8. Not as though, this is not to say the Word, &c., failed of its purpose. Not all Israel,-spiritually. Of Israel,-naturally. V. 7. Neither,is the contrary true. V. 8. But, &c.,Gen. xxi. 12. Of the promise,-who believe as Abraham did, Rom. iv. 12, 13. III. ELECTION OF JACOB.-V. 913. V. 11. As they were not yet born it was impossible for Jacob to have done anything to merit election, or for Esau to forfeit it; yet then (v. 12) it was said, &c.,-Gen. xxv. 23. Jacob,-i.e., his posterity. Esau,-his posterity. Loved..hated, words used comparatively, to teach that the descendants of |