See v. 17. "It is known that the Egyptians were careful to keep all infested with lice out of their temples. Their priests were clad in linen garments when they ministered in them, and every precaution was adopted to keep themselves free from such vermin. But in this visitation the plague was in man and in beast. The vermin clung to all,- King, and priest, and peasant alike. Their sacred animals were also infested with them. Contempt was poured on all the gods of Egypt. The magicians themselves felt the prevailing disgust, and acknowledged that this was 'the finger of God."' -Biblical Natural Science. "We may hence see what an abhorrence the Egyptians showed towards this sort of vermin. The judgments inflicted by the hands of Moses were adapted to their prejudices. It was, consequently, not only most noisome to the people in general, but was no small odium to the most sacred order in Egypt, that they were overrun with these filthy and detestable vermin."-Bryant.

II. FLIES.

See v. 24. "The most numerous and troublesome insects in Egypt are the flies. Men and beasts are cruelly tormented by them. You can form no conception of their fury, when they want to settle upon any part of your body. You may drive them away, but they settle again immediately, and their obstinacy wearies out the most patient man. They are particularly fond of fixing on the corners of the eyes, or the edges of the eyelids; sensitive parts, to which they are attracted by a little moisture."Sonnini's Travels.

MAY 17.-AFTERNOON LESSON.

THE MOUNT AND THE DUMB SPIRIT.-Mark ix. 1-29.

For repetition, verses 23, 24.

SUMMARY.-Our Lord is transfigured in the presence of Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, and John; shows what Malachi meant by Elijah's coming; and dispossesses a young demoniac.

I. A PROPHECY.-V. 1. This verse should form part of the former chapter. Of the prophecy itself different views are taken. According to some it foretells the miracles of Pentecost, and the overthrow of Jerusalem. According to others, it simply announces the fact of the transfiguration "six days" (v. 2.) before it occurred. The kingdom of God come with power.-Matthew (ch.

xvi. 28) says, "The Son of Man coming in His kingdom;" and Peter, speaking of the transfiguration, says, "The power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. i. 16.) "There was given on the Mount a picture of what Christ would be in royalty and glory, when He should sit down on the right hand of God."

II. THE TRANSFIGURATION.-V. 2, 3. Transfigured,-changed in appearance. Shining, &c.-His Divine nature shone through the vail of His flesh with a splendour which communicated itself to His very raiment. Fuller,a thickener and cleaner of cloth. No

Illustration.-MOUNT TABOR.

See v. 2. "Do you suppose that this is the scene of that stupendous event, the Transfiguration? I see it called in question by many modern tourists and critics. No more noble or appropriate theatre for such a glorious manifestation could be found or desired.... There are many secluded and densely-wooded terraces on the north and north-east sides admirably adapted to the scene of the Transfiguration. You can examine this vexed question at your leisure, and have as good a right to form an

independent opinion on it as anybody else; for all that is known about it is found in Matt. xvii., Mark ix., and Luke ix., which you can see at a glance contain nothing very decisive against Tabor. The topographical indications are very uncertain and obscure."-The Land and the Book.

MAY 24.-MORNING LESSON.

PLAGUES OF MURRAIN AND BOILS.-Exodus ix. 1-11.
(For repetition, verses 5-7.)

SUMMARY.-Pharaoh, remaining obstinate after the removal of the flies, that plague is followed by two others,-the murrain, and the boils.

I. THE MURRAIN OF BEASTS.-V. 17. The hand of the Lord,-His power manifested in judgment. Upon thy cattle.-The animals specified are, (1.) the horses,-used in war; (2) the asses, -employed as the beasts of burden; (3) the camels,-in the service, principally, of travellers and merchants; (4) the oxen, by whose help the land was ploughed; (5) the sheep,-prized, mainly, for their wool. All these were smitten by the terrible murrain. How formidable a scourge this was, we may partly judge, from the cattle-plague which prevailed, not many months ago, in different parts of England. This Egyptian plague was immeasurably worse, as it visited ALL the cattle that were out at the time in the field, and was everywhere fatal. V. 5. To-morrow. -By thus foretelling the evil, God showed His knowledge and power. From this the Egyptians would perceive that the destruction of their cattle was not merely accidental. V. 7. And Pharaoh sent messengers, through the land. This inquiry made it known that the dead cattle in every case belonged to himself and other Egyptian owners, and not one to the Israelites. The hand of the Lord was here so clearly visible, that the continued "hardness" of the King appears truly marvellous.

II. THE BOILS AND BLAINS.-V. 8 -11. The former plague was upon beasts only; this was also upon men. The Israelites were compelled to labour in the brick-kilns; and now the ashes of the furnace probably of those very brick-kilns-are made the means of a grievous punishment to their oppressors. Compare Deut. iv. 20; 1 Kings viii. 51; Jer. xi. 4. The body was covered over with burning eruptions, or inflammatory swellings; and,

though not mortal, it was an excruciating affliction. See Deut. xxviii. 27; Rev, xvi. 2. V. 11. Even the magicians, who appear to have been present at all the previous interviews between the King and Moses, were so afflicted with boils, that they were unable to stand before Moses. They could no longer withstand the servants of Jehovah, though Pharaoh still remained as obstinate as ever.

REFLECTIONS.-1. Unbelief attends to neither general nor particular commands. -Here is a general one,- Repent, and believe the Gospel: who obey it? Here was a particular one, addressed to Pharaoh,- "Let My people go: how did he regard it?

2. Unbelief fears neither near nor distant calamities.-Here was a near one,-"To-morrow the Lord shall do this thing" it failed to dismay King Pharaoh. Here is a distant one,"The wicked shall be turned into hell: " are you afraid of it? They who resolve to sin to-day, are not likely to repent on a death-bed.

3. Unbelief considers neither ordinary nor miraculous events.-When there is no difference in outward circumstances between the righteous and the wicked, many remain impenitent, on the plea that "all things come alike to all men." In the Lesson an undeniable difference was made between the Jews and the Egyptians; yet Pharaoh still hardened his heart.

4. Unbelief equally despises comforts and calamities.-The former of these plagues left the people free: the latter brought them all into misery. People at ease wonder how Pharaoh could remain stubborn under such calamities. In the days of youth and health we are surprised that the sick and aged, who are so near death, are not religious; but the wonder is that the goodness of God does not lead us to repentance. Repentance is much less likely in age and sickness, than in youth and health.

To put off repentance, is to harden the heart against God. Wilful hardness is commonly followed by judicial hardness. God is just; and if you shut your eyes against the light, you may lose the power to open them.

QUESTIONS.-What was the fifth plague? why was it sent? What animals were smitten by it? What was the use of horses? asses? camels? oxen? sheep? Whose cattle were not injured? why? Why was the sixth plague sent? What was it? How was it produced? What was its effect on the magicians?

Illustrations.-I. THE MURRAIN.

See v. 3. "The murrain is a very contagious disease among cattle, the symptoms of which are a hanging down and swelling of the head, abundance of gum in the eyes, rattling in the throat, difficulty of breathing, palpitation of the heart, staggering, a hot breath, and a shining tongue; which symptoms prove that a general inflammation has taken place."-Dr. A. Clarke.

II. SPRINKLING ASHES.

See v. 8. "When the magicians pronounce an imprecation on an individual, a village, or a country, they take ashes of cows' dung, or those from a common fire, and throw them in the air, saying to the objects of their displeasure, 'Such a sickness, or such a curse, shall surely come upon you!'"-Roberts.

III. THE PLAGUE OF BOILS.

See v. 10. "At the present time forms of smallpox, characterized by great ulcerous inflammation, have fallen with deadly power on many men and beasts. Whole flocks of sheep have been destroyed by it; and, in one or two localities, many households have been made desolate. The boil with blains may not have been identical, but the import of these terms is to be sought in some such violent cutaneous disease."-Biblical Natural Science.

MAY 24.-AFTERNOON LESSON.

THE USE OF THE LAW.-Romans vii. 4-25.

SUMMARY.-The Apostle here describes the transition from a state of nature to a state of grace.

I. DEAD TO THE LAW.-V. 4—6. Wherefore. The word refers to the former verses, which show that Christians are no more bound to the law than a widow is bound to her late husband. By the body of Christ,-i.e., through His sacrificial death. See Heb. x. 10. V. 5. When we were in the flesh,-i.c., before we believed, and became new creatures. The motions of sins,-i.e., sinful "passions;" (Margin;) or, incitements to sin. Which were by the law. Not that the law originates bad desires; but that the carnal mind resents restraint, doing what is forbidden because it is forbidden. V. 6. Delivered from the law,-i.e., as the means of our justification, and from its condemnation. That being dead,or, "we being dead to that." (Margin.) See cho vi. 2. In newness of spirit.In a spiritual manner, or from the heart. Not in the oldness of the letter.Not with a bare outward service.

II. CONVICTED OF SIN.-V. 7-13. Having shown how believers are delivered from the law, the Apostle now

looks back to the time when this great
change took place, and describes the use
of the law in bringing it about. From
this point to the end of the chapter
he speaks, as of himself, concerning
the misery of one who is under the
law. What he describes, however,
he had himself experienced, in com-
mon with all who have obtained
deliverance" through Jesus Christ our
Lord." V. 7. Is the law sin ?-The
words, "the motions of sins, which
were by the law," (v. 5,) might lead
some to such an inference. Had not
known sin,-i.e., that there was such a
thing. Had not known lust,-i.e., that
it is wrong to covet. But sin,-the
carnal mind. V. 8. Taking occasion.
&c.-It was irritated by the restraints
of the law, and sinned in defiance of
it. Concupiscence, evil desire.
was dead.-It was less active; it in-
curred no sense of guilt; it produced
no fear of danger. V. 9. I was alive,
-i.e., safe, happy, virtuous, as I
thought. Once,-i.e., before the law
began its work within him. But when,
&c.,-when the Spirit applied it to
the conscience. Sin revived.-It was
"dead," but now it sprang to life.

Sin

Illustration.-DEAD BODIES BOUND TO CAPTIVES.

See v. 24. The horrible custom here referred to is thus described by Virgil, in his story of the tyrant Mezentius :

"The living and the dead, at his command,

Were coupled face to face, and hand to hand;

Till, choked with stench, in loathed embraces tied,

The lingering wretches pined away and died."-The Eneid.

MAY 31.-MORNING LESSON.

THE SPIRIT GIVEN AT SAMARIA AND EPHESUS.-Acts viii. 14-24; xix. 1-7.

SUMMARY. Peter and John visit Samaria, where the Holy Spirit is given in answer to their prayers. Simon proposes to purchase the power to impart the Spirit, and Peter unmasks him. Paul finds devout men at Ephesus, upon whom he lays his hands, and they receive the Holy Ghost.