awake him? Ought they to have been fearful? Ought not our religion to give us confidence at such times? (See Ps. xlvi. 1-3.)-V. 26. Does Christ tell them that they wanted faith? What did he mean by faith?-An unwavering trust in God's providential care over them.-V. 26. How did he still the tempest?-V. 27. What effect had this exhibition of his power on his disciples ?— V. 28. What country did he land in? Where was this country? (See Luke viii. 26.) Who met him?-V. 29. Did they acknowledge him to be the Son of God? What does St. James tell us as to the belief of the devils? (See ii. 19.)-V. 31. What request did they make of him? What answer did our Lord give?-V. 32. What became of the swine who were then possessed?-V. 3, 4. Why did the whole city go out to meet Jesus? What made them ask this of him? (See Luke viii. 37.) What would rather be the desire of the true Christian? (See Ps. ci. 2.) Does Christ promise to come to and abide with those that love him? (See John xiv. 23.)

GLOSSARY.-V. 23. Into a ship, literally, the ship, for he had determined before to cross over the lake. (See v. 18.)-V. 28. Gergesenes, St. Luke calls them Gadarenes, as also St. Mark, which is indeed the more appropriate name, as the metropolis, or chief city of the country, was called "Gadara." Gergesenes is synonymous with Girgashites.-V. 28. Devils, or demons, evil spirits, whom God permitted to torment men.

GENERAL REMARK.-The amazement of these Gergesenes, at beholding the power of Christ, worked a terror in their minds, lest he should exert it against them, and this terror drove them to pray that he would depart out of their coasts. We, too, should be impressed with a feeling of wonder at this mighty power, but it should work faith in us towards a Saviour so almighty, and this faith should lead us to pray that he would come into our hearts, and ever take up his abode there.

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.

GENESIS Vi. 13-22; vii. 1-10.-Account of the Flood. QUESTIONS.-Verse 13. What is the determination which God here repeats to Noah? Why was the earth to be destroyed?-V. 14. What command did God give to Noah ?-Vv. 15, 16. Give the description of the ark.-V. 17. Why is God's purpose again repeated? -To shew its fixedness, and to draw the attention of the world to it.-Vv. 18, 19. What purpose was the ark to serve? What does God intend by saying that he would establish his covenant with Noah? That he would confirm his promise of preserving him from destruction, and so of making the chosen seed to spring from him.

-V. 20. What was the first reason why the animals were brought into the ark?-V. 21. What was the second?-Ch. vii. 1. Why was Noah to be saved in the ark? How many days before the flood came was this command given? (See 4.)-V. 5. Was Noah obedient to all God's commands? What did this shew?-That his faith was sincere, and his religion genuine. What does St. Paul say about this obedience shewing his faith? (Heb. xi. 17.) Is not this the true way of shewing that we believe in God?-V. 6. How old was Noah when the flood came? Give his age exactly from the 11th

verse.

GLOSSARY.-Gopher wood, cypress, probably, or cedar.-Rooms, (margin,) nests, cells to separate the clean from the unclean beasts, &c.-Pitch, a resinous, sticky, soft substance, called bitumen.— V. 15. Cubits, each about one foot six inches.-V. 18. Thy sons' wives, we may judge from hence that the ark was not 100 years in building, for the eldest of Noah's sons was born only 100 years before the flood, and here they are spoken of as married.-Ch. vii. 2. Clean, fit to be used in sacrifice to God.

GENERAL REMARK.-God's justice and mercy are seen strongly blended in this account. His justice in separating between the righteous and the wicked-preserving Noah and his family from destruction, and "bringing in the flood" upon the world of the ungodly for their sins. His mercy, in allowing so long a time between the prophecy and its accomplishment, if they would but repent: "His days shall be an 120 years;" and, further, in giving repeated warnings beforehand of his purpose. (See ch. vi. 3, 7, 13, 17; vii. 4; and 1 Peter iii. 20.) Let us remember this two-fold character of God, and seek him while in his mercy he may be found.

AFTERNOON LESSON.

MATTHEW XX. 1-16.-The parable of the Labourers hired into the Vineyard.

QUESTIONS.-Verse 1. What is meant here by the kingdom of heaven?-The visible church of Christ in the person of its head. Who is represented by the householder ?-Christ, the Head of the Church. Who by the labourers hired? What by the vineyard? What by the householder going out early in the morning?-Christ, in the morning of the Gospel dispensation, going forth to call his disciples to their work.-V. 3. What hour did he go out the second time? Did he find others idle?-V. 6. What was the last hour of going out? Did these agree to work in the vineyard? Did Christ likewise call men into his church at different times?—Yes; his dis

iples first, and afterwards the seventy; besides which, many successively became his followers during his whole ministry.-V. 8. How did the Lord of the vineyard distribute the hire to each ?Vv. 9, 10. Did they all receive alike?-Vv. 11, 12. Why did the first murmur?-V. 13. How are they answered? Explain how this dealing was just.-Because they had agreed with the master beforehand, and therefore could not complain when this was given them. Is there any other reason to account for this decision ?—The first comers might have been slothful and negligent; the last sent, active and diligent; and so they were paid according to their work. -V. 16. What declaration does our Lord conclude with? Was this the object he had in view in speaking the parable? (See ch. xix. 30.) Are there not many professing Christians who do not really belong to Christ?—But each one will receive at least according to his work. (See Rom. ii. 6.) Does Christ promise a blessing to those who sincerely follow him? (See xix. 27-29.) But will these rewards be given for the merit of the works themselves? (Luke xvii. 10.) For whose sake, then, will Christ reward his people?

GLOSSARY.-A penny, about 8d. of our money.-V. 3. The third hour, nine o'clock.-The market-place was the usual resort of idlers.-V. 12. Thus Paul, who was the last called, at the eleventh hour, as it were, which he often refers to, was more abundant in labour and the work of an apostle than those who were commissioned earlier, and blessed accordingly.-V. 16. Many called, outwardly, by profession, name, and ceremonies, to be Christians, but few chosen, sealed by the Spirit to be members of the heavenly Jerusalem.

GENERAL REMARK.-Great is the difference between the nominal and real Christian in God's sight. Many are admitted into Christ's vineyard, here, and receive the penny's worth of numerous external privileges and blessings, but few are the labourers whom the Master approves of, and who will receive the hundredfolds of spiritual mercies, and, in the end, everlasting life. Let it warn us against formality, hypocrisy, and slothfulness, that "many are called, but few chosen."

SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.

GENESIS Vii. 11-24.-Account of the Flood continued. QUESTIONS.-Verse 11. What month, and day of the month, did the flood commence? Did it begin on the same day that Noah entered into the ark? (V. 13.) How did it set in?-V. 12. How long was the time of the first rain's continuance? Does it appear to have been no longer on the earth? (See v. 18, 24.)-V. 16. Was Noah in perfect safety in the ark? Why was he thus kept safe?

What does David say respecting the guardianship of God over his people? (See Ps. xci. 1, 2, 7, 8.) Is it not promised that "a man" shall be a refuge for us against terror? (Is. xxxii. 2.) Who is meant by this man?-Jesus Christ, the Son of man.-V. 19. How high did the flood rise? What is there in this verse which shews it to have been universal?-V. 21. Was every thing destroyed? Why was "every man" destroyed? Who are meant by "every man"? (See Peter ii. 5.)-V. 23. Who only remained alive out of all?— V. 24. How long did the waters prevail? Did the waters begin to abate after this time? (See ch. viii. 3.)

GLOSSARY.-V. 11. The second month, that is, October, as their year began in our September.-Windows, (margin,) floodgates, pouring down the rain in torrents.-V. 12. The rain from heaven might only have continued this time, while the breaking forth of the waters of the earth have caused the flood after this so mightily to increase.-V. 20. Fifteen cubits, as it seems, above these hills, V. 24. or counting thirty days to a month, five months.

GENERAL REMARK.-What cannot the mighty power of God effect, is our instant thought on reading over this account. What resources at his command to deluge the whole earth with a flood of waters overtopping the highest mountains! And all this was exhibited in inflicting judgment on the ungodly! It cannot be incredible that the same God should at last destroy this earth by fire, as he has declared. (2 Peter iii. 5-7.) Let us be careful that we so ponder over the fact recorded of the first judgment, that we look to escape the terror, as surely recorded, of the last.

AFTERNOON LESSON.

LUKE Viii. 4—15.-The parable of the Sower.

QUESTIONS.-Verse 4. What is meant by a parable?—A short story, conveying some religious instruction. Why did he use this kind of instruction?-It was more attractive, and in accordance with the style of those Eastern countries, while to those who would not believe their meaning was more unintelligible than common language. (Matt. xiii. 11, 13, 14.)—V. 5. What does this parable describe? Where did the first parcel of seed fall? What two mischanges befel it?-V. 6. Whereon did the second fall? What became of it, after it had sprung up?-V. 7. Whereon did the third? What became of it? How many parcels, then, of unprofitable were there?-V. 8. Whereon did the rest fall? How did it fare?V. 9. Did his disciples understand this parable of their master?V. 11. What does he say is represented by the seed?-V. 13. What class of hearers is represented by the wayside seed? By whose in

fluence is its good effect done away?-V. 13. What class of hearers by that on the rock?-Those who are affected and impressed for a time with what they hear, but not effectually. What cause hinders a good effect here?-V. 14. What class by that among thorns ?Those from whose hearts the good impression is effaced by cares, business, or pleasures. What causes make them fall away?-V. 15. What class by that on the "good ground"? What is meant by an honest and good heart ?—A sincere and unprejudiced determination to attend to what they hear. Ought we not, then, to take heed how we hear? (See v. 18.)

GLOSSARY.-Parable, an illustration, or illustrative story.V. 5. Trodden down, its goodness crushed out by the passer-by, or carried off by the fowls. So Satan bruises and mutilates, as it were, the word we receive, or carries it off entire-makes us forget it, in order that its effect may be destroyed.-V. 10. Mysteries, dark sayings.-As David, I will open my mouth in a parable, shew dark sentences of old.-V. 14. No fruit to perfection, the seed comes up, as it were, looking fair and pleasant to the eye, but it is soon choked by the entangling roots or thorny branches of the cares of this world.

GENERAL REMARK.-There were three different classes of unprofitable hearers, only one that brought forth fruit with patience. There are many roads by which men run to ruin, but only one of life. Which of these classes do we belong to? Have we yet laid up the word in our heart, and are we bringing forth fruit patiently? Let us take heed how we hear.

QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.

GENESIS Viii.-Account of the Flood continued. QUESTIONS.-Verse 1. What is meant by God remembering Noah? What first made the waters assuage?-V. 3. At the end of what time did they begin to abate?-V. 4. How long was it before the ark rested on land? Where is Mount Ararat?-One of a chain of mountains, called by that name, running through Armenia.V. 5. How long after were the mountain tops seen?-V. 7. What animal did Noah first send out to ascertain the state of the earth? What became of it?-V. 8. What did he send out again?-V. 9. How did he tell that the waters were not dried up ?-V. 10. How long did he stay now?-V. 11. How was he assured that the earth was dried?-V. 12. What became of the dove then?-V. 14. When did Noah go forth from the ark? How long had he been there? (Comp. ch. vii. 11.)-V. 15. Did he go out by command, as he went in? What does David say about God ordering our ways? (Ps.