did the King at once obey? How many plagues had God to send upon Egypt before the children of Israel were allowed to go? What was the first? What was the last? Can you mention any of the others? We can readily perceive that Pharaoh was much frightened. He was especially distressed by the death of the firstborn in his own palace and in all the homes throughout Egypt. But did Pharaoh, even then, really repent? What evidence have we that he was only terrified and troubled, and not really penitent? How did he act when the terror had partly passed away?

No repentance can merit salvation.We read concerning a certain King of Judah who began to repent when he was in a dungeon at Babylon. What was his name? Manasseh, it seems, was really penitent. He had, at length, allowed the Holy Spirit to soften his heart. The instructions given him by his good father, Hezekiah, would now be remembered. Manasseh prayed to God for mercy with all his heart and soul, and God was gracious unto him. But did the repentance of Manasseh in any way merit salvation? Even if he had henceforth loved God with all his strength, and every hour of his future life, was that any more than was due to God? If a tenant who owes the rent of past years, pays the future rent regularly, will that settle the arrears? Could Manasseh fully undo the mischief he had effected? Could he restore to life those whom he had unjustly slain? (2 Chron. xxxiii.)

EXERCISES.-Do bad men ever tremble when they see the consequences of their sins? Is that true repentance? Whose grace do we need in order that we may truly repent? Will true repentance atone for sin? By what means was salvation provided for sinners

ILLUSTRATIVE FACTS.

Chief-Justice Gascoigne.

HENRY IV., among other occasions of sorrow, had to mourn over the folly and lawlessness of his eldest son, then known as Henry, Prince of Wales. Instead of assisting his father in the government of England, the young Prince associated with profligate men, and frequently joined them in deeds which were very discreditable. On one occasion some of Henry's com

panions had been arrested for misconduct, and were placed on their trial before Lord Chief-Justice Gascoigne. The Prince of Wales appeared in court, and stood near the prisoners during the trial, hoping to the judge by showing thus

overawe

men were

accused publicly that the his friends. But the Chief-Justice proceeded just as he would have done if Henry had been absent. This so enraged the Prince of Wales, that he insulted the judge: it has, indeed, been affirmed that he struck Gascoigne. On this, the ChiefJustice ordered the officers to arrest the Prince. Many expected that Henry would resist, as he had many retainers and friends, and was the acknowledged heir to the throne. But it seems that the Prince at once perceived that he had done wrong, and quietly submitted to be led away to prison. Afterwards, when Henry had succeeded his father on the throne, Gascoigne expected to be rebuked, and deprived of his office, He had an audience with the young King, and apologised, explaining that what he did was from fidelity to the royal authority; as he, when seated on the bench, represented, for the time, the King himself. Henry frankly declared that Gascoigne had acted nobly, and confirmed him in his office. (No. II. March 8.)

Shusco, the Mystery-man.

NOT far from Lake Huron, in North America, there lived a little boy, who was left without father or mother when he

was but ten days old. When the boy, whose name was Shusco, was about fifteen years of age, his grandfather determined that he should be trained as a mysteryman. The grandfather blackened Shusco's face with coal, and the lad was required to go without any food for ten days. The only refreshment he had, during that time, was one cup of broth. This long fasting nearly ended in his death. He got over it, however. Still he thought that he had not yet been thoroughly made into a mystery-man; so he endured another period of fasting. He was now regarded as a very wonderful person. He went about deceiving the people, and leading a very wicked life, drinking to intoxication, and lying and cheating without restraint. Some Missionaries were preaching in the neighbourhood, and Shusco's wife went to hear them. She became a true Christian. Shusco was very unwilling to hear anything about sin or the Saviour. At length his wife's loving words prevailed. He declared, "I am sick at heart; I have spent all

my life sinning against God." The Divine law had disclosed the evil before unperceived. Shusco obtained mercy through Christ, and afterwards the law of God was his constant guide. (No. II. March 15.)

A Backslider's vain Boast.

AT St. Christophers, as in many other islands of the West Indies, there are large numbers of negroes who enjoy the love of God in their hearts. They, like ourselves, have need to guard against temptation. The ungodly seek gratification in "the pleasures of sin," and strive to entice their neighbours to join them. One member of Society unhappily yielded, and had to be expelled from the Church of Christ. In his turn he became a tempter. Many strove to bring about the restoration of J. E-, for they still regarded him with good will. But all was in vain. Christmas was approaching, in the year 1852. To a pious friend J. E- profanely affirmed, "I will have my sport out this Christmas." He was at work, one day, in the sugar-mill. Christmas had not arrived. His hand was caught in the machinery, and, in two minutes, he was torn to pieces. (No. II. March 22.)

The Laws of Tongatabu.

IN the month of June, 1862, King George, of the Friendly Islands, and his principal chiefs, were assembled in their Parliament-house at Nukualofa, to accept and ratify a series of laws which had been previously prepared and discussed. It is a wonderful code of law, -in forty divisions. The whole might, in England, be published in a book so small as to be sold for a penny. Yet it seems as though nothing needful has been left out. The laws are wise and good. The King and chiefs were assisted by the

Wesleyan Missionaries, who found them in a state of barbarism, but preached Christ's Gospel to them. To show how comprehensive these laws are, we quote one "concerning cocoa-nut trees." "If any one wish to cut down a cocoa-nut tree, he must first plant three cocoa-nuts, and then cut down the tree; but should he cut down the tree, and neglect to plant the nuts, he shall be fined five dollars." The laws are beneficial. But there is no declaration such as, "Whoever, after transgressing the law, affirms he is sorry, shall be forgiven." Had there been such an appendix, the legislation would not have done much to secure obedience. (No. II. March 29.)

A Burmese Robber.

BURMAH is a country very far from England. There is, however, the same fallen human nature in Burmah as in this country; and, as the Gospel has not been long preached there, a larger proportion of the people are wicked. Robbers are very numerous. One of these was arrested by some officers of justice. He was taken before a judge; and, as his guilt was apparent, he was ordered to be put to death by crucifixion. The wretched man was suspended to a cross, to remain thereon until he died. A Christian Missionary passed that way, whose name was Carey. Mr. Carey was much pained to witness the agonies of the criminal, and thought such a punishment too severe. He therefore went to the governor, and begged that the unhappy sufferer might be released. At length Mr. Carey succeeded. The man was taken down, having been suspended from three o'clock in the afternoon until nine at night. You might well suppose that he would never rob anybody again. But the man did not seek the grace of God. So his evil heart speedily led him astray. He was, before long, in prison again for robbery. (No. II. April 5.)

March 8.-A Great Deed, and a
Great Duty.

MARK V. 19: "Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

was

1. The man possessed.-A poor man once possessed by evil spirits. Satan had got power over his body, as well as over his soul. He dwelt in a wild and desolate place by the seashore, where the dead were buried. Often his friends had taken him home,

and had bound him "with fetters and chains; " but he had broken away again, and had gone back to the same place. None could tame him. Sometimes he cried out and cut himself with stones, and was always night and day among the tombs, so that all men feared to pass that way.

2. The great things done.-Jesus had come to the place where this poor man dwelt. The evil spirits at once knew the Lord, and were afraid at His

presence. But Jesus bade them come out of the man, and, in fear, at His voice they came forth; but prayed that He would suffer them to enter a herd of swine, feeding near the place. He did this, and the swine rushed down the steep hill-side, and perished in the

sea.

How real are the power and the malice of Satan! Soon, many came who saw him that had been possessed, "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind."

3. A greater change.-Do you fear as you hear of the sad state of this poor man? Are you glad of the change he met with? Do you know that we all need a change greater even than this? It is a change of heart. Those who sin are the subjects of Satan : they do his work, and are his children. Christ alone can deliver from this dreadful power of Satan. He will do this, and will give new tempers, and ways, and a new heart, if we pray to Him.

4. The command.-Jesus said to this man, "Go, and tell how great things the Lord hath done for thee." He did this, and "all men did marvel." They were full of wonder at the change. What would this declare respecting Him who had done it? His power and kindness. Have we anything to tell about Jesus? Has He done anything for us? Those whose hearts have been changed should ever be ready to tell to others how "the Lord has had compassion on them.

66

REVISION.-What have we learnt about the man who was possessed?" What about the power and malice of Satan? What is the great change which we all need? How may we get this change? What did the man do who was healed? What duty does our lesson teach us?

March 15.-A Goodly City, and the Dwellers there.

Ps. xv. 1: "Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?"

1. The hill of Zion.-This was one of the hills on which Jerusalem, the chief city of Israel, was built. There King David dwelt, and there he put "the ark of God." David loved this city greatly, and wished that all who lived there should be good. The beauty of Jerusalem, the many important things done there, and the great and good men who had lived there, made the Jews glad to think of their city; and

they called it "the joy of the whole earth."

2. The heavenly city.-The Bible speaks of heaven as the "new Jerusalem." But its beauty and joy shall be greater than that of the city which David built. "No city on earth is so fair.” No dweller there shall ever be sick or sad. There shall be no more sorrow nor death; for no sin is there. It is "the city of God and the Lamb." Is not this a good place in which to live for ever?

3. The dwellers there.-David, thinking of this, said, "Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?" Then he tells who they shall be. Those who do right, who speak the truth, who are just and kind to those about them. None can do these things but such as fear the Lord. If we would live happy now, and dwell for ever after death in that goodly city, we must put away sin, and give our hearts to the Lord Jesus, who died for our salvation.

REVISION.-Where was the hill of Zion? What city was built on it? Why were the Jews so fond of Jerusalem? Of what other city did it make men think? Why is heaven a better place than Jerusalem? Who are those who dwell there? How may we prepare for heaven?

March 22.-The Child Restored. MARK V. 41: "And He took the damsel by the hand."

1. The anxious father.-Jesus one day stood by the sea-shore. Many persons were there; some were busy at their work, others, in large numbers, gathered round Jesus and His disciples, when a man pressed earnestly through the crowd, and fell at His feet. He had come to beg Jesus to go home with him and heal his little daughter, who was very ill. This little girl had kind friends, and a pleasant home. Her father was "a ruler;" yet, though she had all that money and kindness could get her, she had fallen sick, and now lay at the point of death. Then the father, in his distress, came to Jesus. Will you

learn to go to Jesus when in trouble? See, too, how this man prayed. He "besought Him earnestly," being sure that Jesus could do what he asked.

2. The willing Saviour.-Jesus was ready to comfort this father, and at once "went with him" to save a little

child. How full of love is the Saviour! No child is too young, or too feeble, or too poor, to be noticed and blessed by Him. As Jesus was on His way,

the sad news came that the child was dead. Jesus knew how sorely this would grieve the sorrowing father, and in tender pity said to him, "Be not afraid, only believe." But was it not now too late to help? No; the power of Jesus is greater even than the power of death.

3. Life from the dead.-When they came to the house, many persons were there, some weeping, making a loud noise. But Jesus put them all forth, and took with Him into the silent chamber, where the dead child lay, only the father and mother, and three of His disciples. Then He took the cold and lifeless little hand in His, and said, "Damsel, arise!" At the voice of Jesus she at once arose, and sat up; and He gave her, a living child, into the hands of her mother. Children, then, may die. Some die very young. Yet Jesus will raise the dead at the last day. And He can now raise dead souls to life. When are souls dead? Will you go earnestly to Him for this life?

REVISION. Why did the father come to Jesus? How did he ask for what he wanted? What may that teach us? Why did Jesus go? What did He do? What may we learn from this?

March 29.-The Sure Word.

Ps. xviii. 30: "The word of the Lord is tried."

1. What it is to "try."-When men wish to know the worth of a thing, they try it. There are various ways of doing this. Gold and silver are

tried by being melted in a fire. In this way, too, they are freed from what is impure. If an engine is made, it is tried, that it may be seen how it will work. If a beam of wood, or iron, is to bear a heavy weight, it must first be tried, that its strength may be known. If it bear the test, we may afterwards depend on it. So men's words and actions are tried. If their promises are kept, and their truth and goodness are seen in time of trial, we may depend on them, and trust their word.

2. The sure word of God.-Men's words often fail; sometimes through deceit often when they do not wish it, because they have not power, or they forget, or do not know how, to carry them out. It is not so with God. Did any word of His ever fail? No. Every promise has been kept, every threat has been fulfilled. power, and all wisdom. There is no failure with Him; no words of His ever came to nought. Men have often tried to set them aside; but that cannot be. There is no king so strong, no 'man so wise, that he can do this.

He has all

3. Trial should bring trust.-A child depends on the word of his father; for he knows his goodness and strength. This is how we should trust in the Word of our Heavenly Father. Where is that Word? Yes, every word of God is sure. Are we in trouble? Let us trust in that sure Word of power. Are we in fear, through sin? Let us trust in His Word, which bringeth salvation.

REVISION. What is it to try a thing? How is gold tried! How are men's words tried? Why do we know that the Word of God is sure? Why should we receive His Word? How may we trust it?

58. In 2 Cor. xii. 13, Paul tells the Corinthians he had not been "burdensome" to them. How did he get his living in Corinth ?

59. Abraham lived thirty-five years after the marriage of Isaac. Prove this. 60. How ". many days" are meant in Acts xiii. 31?

H.