willing to be esteemed the last and least of all.-VERSE 5. How is it that we receive Christ, when we receive a little child? If we love a person because he is lowly and meek, and has the spirit of Christ, we love Christ also.-VERSE 6. What is it to offend?' To cause to fall or sin, or to put anything in another's way, so as to hinder his piety. What did Christ mean by these little ones?' Humble christians. Are they elsewhere called 'little children?' 1 John ii. 1, 12, 18, 28. Was this mode of drowning persons a common punishment? Yes, and practised by the Greeks and Syrians and surrounding nations. What was our Lord's meaning? That it would be better to die than to commit the sin of opposing the happiness of others.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the necessity of our having very lowly, teachable spirits, in order to receive the approbation of Christ.-Matt. xi. 29.

MARCH 17.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings vii. 13-37.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xviii. 7—14.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 7. What do' offences' here mean? Things that will produce sin. Why must offences come? Such is the corruption of human nature, that there will always be some persons trying to make others sin. Is he awfully guilty who causes such offences? Yes.-VERSE 8. Did Christ intend that we must really cut off our hand and foot, and pluck out our eye? No, these things are said as a strong figure, to teach us that the dearest objects if they cause us to sin must be abandoned-even if it be as painful to part with them, as to cut off our hand and foot. Did our Saviour often repeat this sentiment? Yes. Matt. v. 29, 30; Mark ix. 42-48. What is the meaning of halt' and 'maimed?' Lame, and with the loss of limb.-VERSE 10. Are christians ever despised? Yes, by those who do not love Christ. What is a mark of God's peculiar favour to his children? That angels are their guardians to watch over them. Heb. i. 14. If christians are ministered to by the highest and noblest of beings, is it not our duty to give them all honour? Yes.-VERSE 11. What other reason is given for not despising them? Because Jesus came to save them: those cannot be thought worthy of contempt, for whom the Son of God shed his blood.-VERSE 12. What did Jesus intend to teach his disciples by the parable of the sheep? That if God rejoices when a sinner turns from his wicked ways, we ought to rejoice too, and not despise those whom he thus loves.

IMPROVEMENT. Show the importance of always honoring those Matt. xxv. 45; Mark ix. 41.

whom God honours.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xliii.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xviii. 15—20.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 15. What does 'brother' here mean? A fellow-professor of religion. Why are christians called brethren? Because God is their common Father. If a brother injure us in any way, how are we to reprove him? Tell him alone of his fault.-VERSE 16. If he will not hear us, what are we to do? Get others to influence him. Did the law of Moses require two or three witnesses in such a case? Yes; Deut. xix. 15.-VERSE 17. How are we to act, if he still refuses to hear these? To bring him before the church to be admonished, and if possible reformed. What is the church ?' Either the whole body of believers, Ephes. i. 22, 23, or a particular society of believers meeting in one place. Acts ix. 31; 1 Cor. i. 2. If he refuse to hear the church, how are we to treat him? Look upon him as an obstinate guilty man, and cease to have any religious intercourse with him.-Verse 18. To which of the apostles did Christ speak these words before? Matt. xvi. 18, 19. Why did he use the same words to the other disciples? To signify that all the apostles had the same power and authority in the church. Then the church of Rome is unscriptural in ascribing supremacy to Peter? Yes.-VERSE 19. Does this promise refer primarily to the apostles? Yes; but it may also be applicable to the ordinary prayers of believers.-VERSE 20. If christians meet together in Christ's name in England, Africa, America, in almost every part of the world, will he be present with them all at the same time? Yes, they will all experience the truth of this promise. What does this teach us?

That he is omnipresent, and therefore God.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the importance of prayer, and on the sweetness of the privilege of having the presence and blessing of Jesus, if we pray aright.

MARCH 24.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings vii. 38-51; viii. 1—11.
Morning Lesson, Matt. xviii. 21-35.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 21. What did Peter mean by 'my brother?' His fellowman.-VERSE 22. Does Christ often inculcate the duty of forgiveness? Mark xi. 25; Matt. vi. 14, 15; Luke xvii. 3, 4.-VERSE 23. Who was the king intended to represent? God. How are we

his servants? We are entrusted with various blessings, and ought to devote all that we have to the service of God.-VERSE 24. How much was a talent? 750 ounces of silver, which is £187. 10s. of our money.-VERSE 25. Was it a common thing for debtors who could not pay to be sold? Yes; Kings iv. 1; Neh. v. 8.-VERSES 26, 27. What truth is intended to be taught in these verses? That God is ready to forgive all who come as penitents to seek forgiveness.-VERSE 28. How much was the penny? Sevenpence half-penny. What was the law concerning debt? Deuter. xv. 2, 7, 8, 10.-VERSES 29, 30. What kind of conduct was this? It was cruel. As his master had forgiven him the ten thousand talents, he surely ought to forgive his fellow-servant the hundred pence. -VERSES 31, 32, 33. What lesson is taught us in these verses? That if God forgives us, we ought to forgive one another. Does any one of the apostles reiterate the lesson? 1 John iv. 11-20.VERSE 34. What do we learn from this verse? That God will never forgive those who do not forgive others.-VERSE 35. Is this fact stated anywhere else? Mark xi. 26.

IMPROVEMENT. Reflect upon the great compassion of God toward sinners, and the absolute necessity of cultivating a forgiving spirit. Matt. v. 7.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xliv.

Afternoon Subject, The establishment of religion an injury to scripture truth.

CONVERSATION ON THE SUBJECT.

Differences of

What did we speak of in our last conversation? opinion respecting what the bible teaches. What did we state to be the causes of such differences? Ignorance, idleness, prejudice, self-interest. There is another cause-do you know what I refer to? I think you said priestcraft was one. Yes, I said priestcraft, and the establishment of religion by the state. What is priestcraft? It is professing to be a teacher of religion for the sole purpose of making gain by it. Does an establishment of religion by the state tend to the increase of priestcraft? Yes; by making the office of minister or clergyman respectable, fashionable, and comfortable; and thereby inducing many to enter upon it who are not fit for it. Does this tend to multiply differences of opinion? Yes. When religion is established there must be a creed, and whether that creed be right or wrong, it remains as the creed of the establishment, and the clergy of such an establishment always feel it to be their interest to perpetuate that creed. Is that a bad thing? Yes. It must be a bad thing to be influenced in religious matters by

pecuniary considerations.

What do you mean by pecuniary con

siderations? Suppose a clergyman of the Church of England were to refuse to subscribe the thirty-nine articles, he would lose his living. The fear of losing that living would induce him to consider carefully before he refused to subscribe. I call that a pecuniary consideration. And is this injurious to truth? Yes. It must be when so many men in the country read their bibles under a constant feeling of fear lest their creed should be wrong and they have to lose their livings. Did any clergymen ever lose their livings by changing their religion? Yes. On Bartholomew day, August 24th, 1662, an act, called the Act of Uniformity, came into operation in the Church of England, requiring all ministers who would continue in the church to subscribe the thirty-nine articles, and declare their assent and consent to the common prayer book. In consequence 2000 worthy ministers left the established church and became dissenters.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the importance of loving truth for its own sake.

MARCH 31.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings viii. 12-30.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xix. 13—15.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 13. How were these little children brought to Jesus? Probably they were carried. Luke calls them 'infants.' Luke xviii. 15. Why did their parents wish Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray? Because they thought it would benefit them in some way. What did the laying on of hands mean? It was a sign of a blessing conferred, or of a blessing sought. See Matt. ix. 18; Acts xiii. 2, 3. Did the disciples rebuke the infants? Mark x. 13. Why did they rebuke them that brought the infants? Because they imagined that the infants would annoy Christ. Did they annoy him? No. See next verse.- -VERSE 14. Did Christ praise the disciples for their treatment of the infants? Mark x. 14. How did he treat the infants? "He called them unto him." Luke xviii. 16. Why did Christ utter these words? To show to the disciples that he was willing to receive even little children, and to encourage other parents likewise to bring their children to him. Did Christ at any other time show affection to the young? Matt. xviii. 2. Did the young ever show their gratitude to Christ? Matt. xxi. 15. What is meant by the kingdom of heaven? The gospel dispensation. This shows that children were free to all the blessings of this dispensation.-VERSE 15. Did Christ say any

thing else before he laid his hands on them? Mark x. 15. Did Christ do anything besides laying his hands on them? Yes. x. 16.

Mark

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the importance of being brought to Christ in early life, by parental instruction and Sabbath school teaching.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xlv.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xix. 16-22.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

The sixth,

What did all

VERSE 16. Was this a person of influence? Luke xviii. 18. Where and how did he meet Christ? Mark x. 17. Did any one else ask Christ this question? Luke x. 25. Why did he call Christ "good master?" From feelings of courtesy-following the customs of the day. What did he mean by “eternal life?" Eternal happiness. Why did he come to Christ? Because he had heard that he was a prophet of great power. VERSE 17. Why did Christ take notice of the expression, “good master,” in this way? In order to rebuke the custom of using words without meaning. When Christ said, "keep the commandments," did he repeat what had been enjoined before? Lev. xviii. 5; Ezek. xx. 11, 13, 21.VERSES 18, 19. What commandments were these? seventh, eighth, fifth, and tenth. Ex. xx. 12—17. these commandments refer to ? Our duty to our neighbour. did he not mention the rest? To show that even in these, the lesser duties, the young man was defective. -VERSE 20. Had he kept these commands? Perhaps he had to a certain degree, but not in spirit. What does the word "lack" mean? To want. "What lack I yet?" means, what other command is there which I have not obeyed?-VERSE 21. How was Christ disposed towards this young man? Mark x. 21. Why then did Jesus tell him to sell all that he had? In order to try his obedience, and to show all that was in his heart. What did Christ mean by treasure in heaven? Heavenly joy and glory.-VERSE 22. Why was he sorrowful? He was unwilling to make such sacrifices, for the sake of obtaining eternal life.

Why

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the folly of being half religious, and the greatness of the reward promised by Christ to his faithful followers. Verse 21; Matt. vi. 19, 20.

APRIL 7.

Morning Reading, 1 Kings viii. 31–43. Morning Lesson, Matt. xix. 23-26.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 23. Does Christ say that a rich man cannot enter? No,