prison by Herod, He left Nazareth where He had been brought up by His mother and His reputed father, and came and dwelt in Capernaum, which

is upon the sea coast: that is upon the borders of the lake of Gennesareth, which you already know is called the sea of Galilee, and the lake of Tiberias.

Questions.

In what chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, and at what verse are these circumstances began to be mentioned? In the 4th chapter and the 12th verse. By whom was John the Baptist cast into. prison? By Herod. What town had our Saviour been brought up in, by His mother and reputed father? Nazareth. Upon hearing of John being cast into prison, where did he go to? To Capernaum. Where is that town situated? On the sea coast, that is, on the borders of the lake of Gennesareth. What other names has that lake? The sea of Galilee, and the lake of Tiberias.

Teacher.

This change of our Saviour's abode took place soon after His return from being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness. God Almighty seems to have given Him greater power and authority for having so steadily resisted or withstood the temptations of that wicked spirit. In the lecture of

last Sunday, you were told that the night He had spent in prayer, brought down a blessing on His preaching, on the following day; so had His withstanding in the wilderness all temptation to sin, given Him fresh power to resist it in future, and to exhort His disciples and the multitude to do the same.

Questions.

Where had our Saviour lately returned from when He changed His place of abode from Nazareth to Capernaum? From being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness. Why did God Almighty seem to give Him greater power and authority? Because He had so steadily resisted those temptations. Who is this spiritual enemy which still is tempting you to do evil, as he did your blessed Saviour? The Devil. What were you told in last Sunday's lecture? That our Saviour had spent the night in prayer. And did not that seem to have brought down a blessing upon the labours of the following day? Yes.

Teacher.

This is a lesson to all Christians, to follow as far as they are able, the example of the Master after whom they are named. It is not expected that while you are in health, and labour for your bread or your learning, that you are to spend the

N

night in prayer, but you cannot be good Christians or expect the blessing of God on your labour or your learning, unless you ask for it by prayer.

Questions.

These instances that I have mentioned of our Saviour having an increase of power and grace given to Him, because He had withstood temptation and asked God's assistance, what lesson do they give us? To follow His example.

Teacher.

You are also to follow the example of St. Peter, (Simon he is there called) in the Gospel of this day. Our Saviour ordered him to let down the nets for a draught of fishes. Though he and his companions had toiled all night without taking anything, he obeyed immediately, and his obedience was rewarded without any delay. The reward of your obedience may not be so instantaneous, or so easy to be seen; neither will you be called upon to undergo the persecutions and to suffer a cruel death, as did St. Peter; but from every one of you it is required, that you always remember, how entirely your happiness after death depends upon your obedience while you are in

life!

Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

ST. MATTHEW v. 20th and following verses.

"Jesus said unto His disciples, Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

Teacher.

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, consisted in outward appearance, without any real love of God, or of religion. I fear this outward appearance of religion continues to be practised by hypocrites, even in these days of Christianity. Too many persons are like the Scribes and Pharisees, they go to church, talk of God, and His grace, and yet perhaps never offer up a prayer in secret, or do an honest or good action, unless it is likely to be talked of by their neighbours.

Questions.

In what did the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees consist? In outward appearance,

without any real love of God, or of religion. What are those people called, who in these days of Christianity, are like the Scribes and Pharisees? Hypocrites. What do these hypocrites do? They go to church, talk of God and of His grace. And what do they not do? They never offer up a prayer in secret, or do an honest and good action, unless it is likely to be seen and talked of by their neighbours.

Teacher.

Hypocrisy, or pretending on any occasion to be what you are not, is extremely wicked, and wrong towards those you wish and perhaps can deceive, -but towards God, it is not only wicked, but the greatest folly. How is it possible to deceive Him, who knows every thought of your heart, who is about your path, and about your bed, and spieth out all your ways?

Questions.

What is the meaning of hypocrisy? Pretending to be what we are not. Is it not very wrong

Yes.

to do so towards those we wish to deceive? But what is it when you attempt to practise it towards God? Not only wicked but foolish. Why is it not only so wicked but so foolish? Because God knows all our thoughts. What is He about, or what does He watch over? He is about my