BIBLE-LESSONS

December 6.-The Power of Prayer. EXOD. xxxiii. 17: "Thou hast found grace in My sight."

1. The prayer of Moses. Do you remember the great sin of the people of Israel while Moses was on the mountain? How were they punished? Besides this, God in His anger said that He would not go with them to the land of Canaan, but would send an angel to go before them. The people mourned when they heard these evil tidings. Moses, too, was full of grief and fear. He knew something of the dangers of the way, and how sad their lot would be without God to help him, and to care for the people. But what could Moses do? Could he take away their sin? or undo what they had done? No, but he could pray for them. And he did this. He said, "I will go up unto the Lord." Then he prayed for himself, and for the people, and said, "I pray Thee, show me Thy way."

2. God's answer.-Would God listen to the prayer of Moses? Yes. He "spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." How full of mercy is the Lord! The people had done most wickedly. The place and the time of their sin had made it very great. Yet, at the prayer of His servant He said, "My Presence shall go with thee... Thou hast found grace in My sight." And He spared the Israelites, and went with them! How great is the power of prayer! Even the youngest and feeblest children may pray. The ear of God is open to their cry. We may pray for others, too, as Moses did. How is it that prayer has so much power? Because of

3. A greater than Moses. - This is the Lord Jesus Christ. But for Him, our case would be worse than that of the Israelites. But have we sinned as they did? Not in exactly the same way; yet we have all "erred and strayed" from the right way, and have done evil in God's sight. He is " angry with the wicked." We must have perished, but that Christ bore punishment, and now—

"He ever lives above,

For us to intercede."

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Then because of Jesus, who thus pleads for us, we too may "find grace " in the sight of God.

REVISION.-How did God intend to punish the Israelites? Why did He, after that, go with them? How did He receive the prayer of Moses? Repeat God's answer to Moses? Why does God hear our prayer? In whose name must we pray?

Dec. 13.-A Message, and its Answer. LUKE Vii. 22: "Tell John what things ye have seen and heard."

1. The message of John.-The wonderful things done by the Lord Jesus were much talked about. The rumour spread far and wide about the wise and kind words He spake, the great miracles He wrought, and especially of His raising to life the widow's son at Nain. The disciples of John the Baptist told all this to their master. He was now in prison where he had been put by the wicked King Herod. They talked of this Teacher who had risen among them. They wondered whether He were that Great One whom the prophets had said should come. John wished his disciples to see and hear Jesus for themselves, and sent them to ask Him who He was. This was wise. Are we in any doubt about Jesus? Is there anything we wish to know about Him? Whom can we so well ask as Himself? He will hear, and will answer, the youngest child who prays to Him.

2. What the messengers saw.-They told Jesus their master's message. He did not at once answer. But "that same hour He cured many" who were brought to Him with sore diseases. They flocked to Him from many places in large numbers; some with evil spirits, others with sickness of body; the lame, the feeble, it mattered not, all alike were cured; and to "many who were blind He gave sight." These men had never known such power, or such love, and were full of wonder at all they saw. But why was it done? Not only for the good of those who were healed, but also, to give

3. An answer to John.-Jesus said, "Go, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard." But what could be learned from that? Did it tell John what he wished his disciples to know? Yes; for none but He of whom the prophets spake could do such things. Who, but the Lord, could heal the sick at a word?

or cure the blind? or give life to the dead? And this is written that we might learn about Jesus, and might trust in Him for our salvation. He is the Son of God who came down from heaven; His power and His love still remain for us. No other Saviour can be found; no other is needed.

REVISION.-What was John's message to Jesus? Whom did he send? What did they see? What answer did they bring? Why was this written? How may we be saved?

Dec. 20.-The Good Shepherd. ISAI. xl. 11: "He shall gather the lambs with His arm."

1. The Shepherd. - Have you ever seen a shepherd with his flock on the hills? He guards them with care by day and night. He finds them a place of safety in time of storm and danger, takes them where food may be had; and in going from place to place, he is careful that the young and the weak shall not be hurt by the journey. The little lambs are soon tried, and are timid too, and easily frightened; but the shepherd looks with pity upon them; when they are frightened he takes them in his arms, when they are weary he "carries them in his bosom." He uses his own wisdom and strength for their good.

2. The Good Shepherd.-All this may help us to think of the Lord Jesus. Of Him the prophet said, "He shall gather the lambs with His arm." He guards His sheep from harm. He gave His life for them; more than this could not be done. But who are His sheep and His lambs? All who trust in Him, who listen to His voice and follow Him, and give Him their hearts. No little lamb is too small to be cared for by the Shepherd; no little child is too young to be one of the lambs of Christ's flock. Is there "a little one" in trouble? Jesus will comfort and help such a one. Is there a dear child who has to go through life without father, or mother, or friend, and who is weary with the journey? Jesus will pity and tenderly care for that one. Is there one who is sad because his heart is evil? or because others try to hinder him from doing right? Even to these the voice of the Good Shepherd calls, "Come unto Me,. and I will give you rest." Christ knows His sheep,

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and they know His voice and will follow Him. Do you know the voice of this Good Shepherd? He will lead you safe through life, and will take you to His fold in heaven.

REVISION.-What is a shepherd? What does he do for the sheep? How does he treat the lambs? Who is "the Good Shepherd?" Why is He so called? Who are His lambs? What does our lesson say He will do for them? What does that mean?

Dec. 27.-The Sinner and the
Saviour.

LUKE vii. 44: "She hath washed My feet with tears."

1. A sinner saved.-Jesus once went, with many others, to a feast, in the house of a Pharisee. As they lay round the table in the manner of that land, a woman entered, and stood at the feet of Jesus behind Him, weeping. She brought with her a box of precious ointment, sweet smelling, and very costly. It was what was there used to anoint the heads of kings, or men whom others wished greatly to honour. Her tears fell fast upon the feet of Jesus, and she wiped them with the long "hairs of her head." Then she kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment she had brought.

2. How she made known her gratitude. -Those in the house wondered at what they saw the woman doing. Some were angry; and the Pharisee thought that Jesus could not be a prophet, or He would have known that this woman was a sinner, and would not have let her touch Him. But Jesus knew why she did all this. She had been frowned upon and despised by others, but she knew that Jesus had come to "call sinners to repentance." His good and loving words had brought comfort to her heart, though they had filled her with grief for her sins, and she now felt that He had forgiven her. Need we wonder that she wept for shame at her sins? and for love to her Saviour? She brought the best she could get, and did the most in her power, to show her gratitude and love for Him who had saved her. Jesus was pleased to receive this, and told those about Him that, though her sins were many, they were all forgiven.

3. The woman's example.-Like her, we all are sinners. None of us can

with him for some time, instructing and encouraging him; and then left with my heart full of joy and gratitude to God for this token of His goodness. I continued to visit him in the Infirmary, and-after his removal thence-at his own home. There his mother told me of the marked change in his temper and manner which had taken place during his absence from home,

His pain was often very great, but he never manifested any impatience; and soon began to tell his mother what God had done for his soul. His parents being very poor, his mother was often absent during the entire day, and he was left alone in a reclining position. On one occasion, when she returned in the evening, he told her what a blessed day he had experienced, saying, he thought before, that God had pardoned his sin; but he had never felt so happy as on that day.

One evening, in the spring of 1850, he rallied a little, and got out sometimes, with the aid of a crutch. I visited him at intervals, during the summer, and always found him in possession of the peace and patience which only trust in God can supply. On one occasion, when my absence had been longer than usual, he seemed rather pained; but said, "My Saviour never leaves me."

Near the close of the year, he was again admitted into the Infirmary, where I found him with the same constant reliance upon the wisdom of God. He once said, "If it had not been for this affliction, I might have been in the world, and without religion, like so many others."

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The doctors having again advised his return home, one Sabbath morning shortly after, I saw him, and thought him dying. His sufferings were very severe, and he lay for some time with closed eyes; but now and then uttering such sentences as these "Blessed Jesus; Thou art with me!" "My pains are very great, but Thou dost help me to bear them." "I know Thou wilt not give me more than I can bear," &c. Having read a chapter and prayed with him, I went to the house of God. As I entered, the Minister was reading Isaiah lv., as the first Lesson, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to

the waters!" How applicable the succeeding words seemed to my poor scholar, when I thought of his illness, his poverty,"And he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Strange to say, he again rallied, although from this time he was never able to walk, but had to be assisted from his bed to a chair, his affliction preventing him from either sitting upright or lying straight. Towards the close of his illness, he became pitiable to behold; the weight of his swollen legs stretched his body to an unusual length, and it became quite curved from lying so long in one position. Hitherto, he had been able to beguile the lonely hours by reading his Bible, &c.; but now his head became too weak for that. I often visited him at that period; and, while pained and distressed by his sufferings, my faith was strengthened, and my heart was often cheered by witnessing the sustaining power of grace within him. He never murmured or complained to me, although I have since learned that he had, at times, only bread and water to sustain him, until his mother's return in the evening from work. When once she remarked upon the length of his affliction, he replied, "No, mother, it is not long; it never was: God has always been with me, and the time has never seemed long."

On the Sabbath preceding his death, I saw him for the last time; and, although sunk to the last stage of exhaustion, his mind was still at peace. After I had talked with him a little, he requested me to sing,

"There is a land of pure delight," &c.

I could not sing; but, having read the hymn to him, he burst into tears, and expressed a desire to go to "that happy land." I exhorted him still to be patient; in which he immediately acquiesced, and expressed his fears lest I should think him impatient.

On the morning of his death, he called his mother to him, threw his arms around her neck, thanked her for all her care and trouble on his account, and exhorted her to meet him in heaven. He then tried to sing "Halleluia!" but his strength failed. After a time, he began to repeat

the Lord's Prayer, saying as far as "Thy will be done." This he repeated several times. After a convulsive fit, he seemed "Bless to summon all his strength to say, the Lord!" These were his last words, and shortly after uttering them he fell asleep.

"O may I triumph so,

When all my warfare's past; And, dying, find my latest foe Under my feet at last!"

W. R. C.

"No Room for them in the Inn."

SON of Man, who on this day
In the Bethlehem manger lay,
Wherefore 'neath so poor a shed
Didst Thou rest Thy blessed head?
Could we nothing costlier spare,
For Thy shelter and Thy fare,
Of the goods Thyself had given,
Thus to welcome Thee from heaven?

From the Bethlehem inn to-night
See the windows stream with light;
Crowds across the threshold tread,
Cheerly hail'd to board and bed;
While the greatest, the chief Guest,
Friend the dearest and the best,
Rudely thrust aside must be:
"Lord, there is no room for Thee!"

O, how meekly Thou didst take
Thy sore portion for our sake!
All along Thy path of pain,
Urging the same plea in vain :
Entrance ever-now as then-
Entrance to the souls of men.
Must the answer ever be,
"Lord, there is no room for Thee!"

Son of God, when Thou shalt come,
Heralded by trump of doom,
'Companied with legions bright,
Steeping all the world in light,
Laying bare the secrets dread
Of the wailing quick and dead,—
Late, too late, the cry will be,
"Lord, we must make room for Thee!"

But Thou-0, Thou Friend Divine !-
Knowst that we would fain be Thine;
But the hearts enslaved by sin
Have not strength to let Thee in.
Come Thou in Thy love's great might,
Burst the barriers, take Thy right;
Sanctify us, till we be

Tabernacles meet for Thee.

Son of Man, we trust the love
Thou didst once so dearly prove:

Pray, "Thy kingdom come," nor fear
To behold its wonders here.

Son of God, at Thy right hand, Where Thy ransom'd brethren stand, "Lord, our hearts," the cry will be "Have no room except for Thee." -Miss Macready.

The Nobleman's Jester.

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A CERTAIN nobleman had a fool, who one day so amused him with his wit, that he gave him his cane; and told him, whenever he could find a greater fool than himself, to bring it back to him. process of time the nobleman came to be very near death; and, sending for his attendant, bade him farewell. "Where is your Lordship going?" asked the fool.

am going to another world," was the reply. "And when shall you return ?” "O, I'm never to return." "No!" said the man; "then has your Lordship made any preparation for the journey?" "Alas! I have not." "Then take back your cane," said the man, "for never could there be other folly so great as that."Bishop Hall.