the ointment might have been sold, and the money devoted to charitable purposes. John xii. 4, 5.-VERSE 10. How did Jesus act towards the woman? He commended her. What did Jesus say to

the disciples? He reproved them for their ungenerous remark; and assured them that they would always be able to assist the poor, whilst the time of showing respect and love to him personally and exclusively was exceedingly limited. Luke vii. 46, 47.-VERse 12. How did our Lord regard this anointing? As

a preparation for his burial, which would soon take place.-VERSE 13. In what way did he show his approval of Mary's conduct, and his control over future events? By causing it to be recorded for a memorial of her wherever the gospel would be preached. Psalm cxii. 5; Mal. iii. 16.

IMPROVEMENT.-Seriously urge upon ourselves the following inquiries :—Are we cleansed by Christ from the leprosy of sin ? Do we show our gratitude for mercies conferred upon us and our kindred? Do we esteem any offering to Christ too costly? Will our conduct be held in grateful remembrance? Proverbs x. 7.

AUGUST 18.

Morning Reading, 2 Kings iv. 1-37. Morning Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 14-25. NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 14. Who was Judas Iscariot? One of the twelve apostles. Matt. x. 4. Who were the Chief Priests? They are supposed to have been presidents of the various courses of priests appointed by David. They formed part of the Sanhedrim, or ruling court of the Jews. 1 Chron. xxiv. 19.-VERSE 15. What was the sin of Judas? Avarice, or love of money. Matt. xix. 23; Mark x. 23; Luke xviii. 24; 1 Tim. vi. 10. What is a covenant? An agreement or bargain between two parties. Gen. xvii. 4; Psalm lxxxix. 28; Jer. 1. 5. What was the value of thirty pieces of silver? About three pounds fifteen shillings; the sum appointed by law to be paid for a slave who had been accidentally slain. Ex. xxi. 32; Zech. xi. 12.-VERSE 16. He sought a convenient time to put him in their power.-VERSE 17. What is unleavened bread? Unfermented bread. What feast is here referred to? The feast of passover. Ex. xii. 15. It consisted of the paschal lamb, which was eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Ex. 3; Deut. xvi. 3; Numbers ix. 11. What does the inquiry of the disciples indicate? Their humility and desire to serve their master. At this feast the houses at Jerusalem were open, and a selection was all that was necessary.-VERSE 18. What did Christ mean by saying "My time is at hand?" His time

of suffering and deatn. John vii. 30, xiii. 1.-VERSE 21. Did our Lord know who would betray him? Yes; he was acquainted with the base intentions of Judas. John ii. 25.-VERSE 22. What effect did the announcement produce? The disciples were painfully grieved, and for themselves anxiously appealed to their Lord.VERSE 23. How did Christ disclose the traitor? By referring to him, whilst dipping his hand into the dish.-VERSE 24. What is meant by "goeth?" Is hurried to death. Were the sufferings of Christ foretold? Psalm xxii.; Isaiah liii.; Zech. xii. 10. What is woe? Misery, wretchedness. Did the office of Judas exempt him from blame and punishment? No; the curse of Christ was denounced upon him : his very existence was an evil to him. -VERSE 25. What is meant by "thou hast said?" Thou hast said what is true. Matt. xxvi. 64.

IMPROVEMENT. -Pray for grace to be kept from evil desires, evil purposes, and evil deeds. Observe the institutions of Christseek his direction-remember his omniscience-submit to his inspection-and dread his displeasure.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. xv. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 26-30.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 26. When was the Lord's Supper instituted? When the paschal lamb had been eaten. Mark xiv. 22. What is meant by blessing the bread? It was set apart to a sacred use. Gen. ii. 3. In what sense could the bread be the body of Christ? It was merely a representation of his body, which was broken.-VERSE 27. What did the cup contain? Wine. Did our Lord acknowledge God's goodness? Yes; he gave thanks. In telling his disciples to drink all the wine, he wished them to enjoy all the benefits of his atonement.-VERSE 28. What did the wine represent? The blood of Christ. What is a testament? A will or covenant. What is the New Testament? The covenant of the gospel, as distinguished from the old covenant of God with the Jews. Blood was shed to con firm a covenant. Hebrews x. 16, ix. 20. putting away and remission of sins means forgiveness of sins. Eph. i. 7; Heb. ix. 22; Rev. vii. 14.-VERSE 29. What was this kingdom? The state of things he was about to establish. John xviii. 36, 37. What is meant by drinking with Christ in his kingdom? It signifies the mutual joy of Christ and his disciples, occasioned by his atonement. This joy would not be experienced till the kingdom was established. Luke xxii. 29, 30.-VERSE 30. How did they conclude this solemn feast? By singing a hymn ex. pressing their joy in Christ. It was customary to sing a hymn at

What is remission? A

the conclusion of the paschal supper.

Whither did they afterwards go? To the Mount of Olives, which was separated from Jerusalem by the valley of Jehoshaphat and by the brook Kidron.

IMPROVEMENT.-Reflect upon the love of Christ, and the purposes of his death; earnestly seek a personal interest in the benefits of his death, and a holy and joyful fellowship with him and his disciples.

AUGUST 25.

Morning Reading, 2 Kings v.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 31-35.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 31. What is it to be offended because of Christ? To be displeased with the dishonour and trials to which the profession of his name would expose us. Matt. xix. 22; John vi. 66. See notes on Matt. xxiv. 10. When would the disciples be offended? In that same night, even after a rich enjoyment of his grace and love. Where do the words "I will smite," &c. occur? Zech. xiii. 7. Who smote the Shepherd? The Father. Isaiah liii. 10. Who was the shepherd? Jesus Christ, for he feeds, guards, and leads his people. Isaiah xl. 11; John x. 11, 14; 1 Peter ii. 25. What would become of the sheep when the shepherd was smitten? They would be scattered. Matt. xxvi. 56.-VERSE 32. Our Lord looked forward to his resurrection, and his going before his disciples into Galilee. Mark xvi. 7. What was Galilee? One of the divisions of the Holy Land in the time of Christ.-VERSE 33. What does the assertion of Peter indicate? Ignorance of his own weakness; a conviction of his superiority to the other disciples; presumption and self-confidence.-VERSE 34. What was the cockcrowing? The morning patrol of the Roman guard round the governor's house. What is denying another? Disowning him.-VERSE 35.

Did Peter persist in his assertion? Yes; and the other disciples adopted it for themselves.

IMPROVEMENT.-Remember that Christ notices the sins of people; and learn to mourn over and avoid them. Never make rash and self-confident assertions; but prayerfully aim at a steadfast and uniform adherence to Christ.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. xvi.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 36–41.

NOTES ON THE LESSON,

VERSE 36. Where was Gethsemane? It was a small village on the Mount of Olives. Thither our Lord sometimes repaired. To whom did Christ say, "Sit ye here," &c.? To the disciples who ac

companied him from Jerusalem, except the three mentioned in the following verse.-VERSE 37. Who were the two sons of Zebedee? James and John. Matt. x. 2. These three apostles had beheld his transfiguration-now they had to behold his humiliation and sadness. Matt. xvii. 4.-VERSE 38. The words "exceedingly sorrowful," are expressive of the most intense agony, extending even to death. Luke xxii. 44. Why were the disciples commanded to watch? Lest by supineness and sleep they should be unprepared for the trials and dangers awaiting them. 1 Thess. v. 6.— VERSE 39. Why did he retire a little further? To give expression to the fulness of his grief in prayer. To what does the word "cup" refer? To the cup of suffering or of trembling. There was the cup of wrath as well as the cup of salvation. Psalm lxxiv. 8; Isaiah li. 17; Jer. xxv. 15, 17; Matt. xx. 22, 23. The cup of poison was offered to prisoners taken in war.-VERSE 40. Why was Peter especially addressed? Because he had been foremost in asserting his strong attachment and entire devotedness to Christ. Such an appeal under such circumstances was most affecting.-VERSE

41.

What is a temptation? A trial; a test. What is meant by entering into temptation? Being overcome by it. What is the import of the words, "the spirit," &c.? That they were sincere friends, but that their own powers were weak in resisting temptation. These words may be regarded not as an excuse in mitigation of their sins, but as a motive to their prayer and vigilance. IMPROVEMENT.-Admire the patience and submission of Christ : and remember that "he bore our sins and carried our sorrows." Watchfulness and prayer can alone secure us from the power of temptation.

SEPTEMBER 1.

Morning Reading, 2 Kings vi.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 42-46.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 42. Our Lord renewed his prayer, and expressed more entirely his resignation to the will of the Father. Psalm xxii. 1, lxxxi. 1; Hebrews iv. 15.-VERSE 43. Did the disciples regard his appeal and exhortation? No; they again slept. They were not sufficiently impressed with a sense of their danger.-VERSE 44. The drowsiness of the disciples did not make him insensible to the duty of prayer. Luke xviii. 1; 2 Cor. xii. 8; Col. iv. 2; 1 Thess. v. 17.-VERSE 45. What did he afterwards say to them? They might continue in sleep, as the hour of trial had actually arrived. Who are the sinners here alluded to? The Jewish rulers and peo

the conclusion of the paschal supper. Whither did they afterwards go? To the Mount of Olives, which was separated from Jerusalem by the valley of Jehoshaphat and by the brook Kidron.

IMPROVEMENT.-Reflect upon the love of Christ, and the purposes of his death; earnestly seek a personal interest in the benefits of his death, and a holy and joyful fellowship with him and his disciples.

AUGUST 25.

Morning Reading, 2 Kings v.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 31-35.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 31. What is it to be offended because of Christ? To be displeased with the dishonour and trials to which the profession of his name would expose us. Matt. xix. 22; John vi. 66. See notes on Matt. xxiv. 10. When would the disciples be offended? In that same night, even after a rich enjoyment of his grace and love. Where do the words "I will smite," &c. occur? Zech. xiii. 7. Who smote the Shepherd? The Father. Isaiah liii. 10. Who was the shepherd? Jesus Christ, for he feeds, guards, and leads his people. Isaiah xl. 11; John x. 11, 14; 1 Peter ii. 25. What would become of the sheep when the shepherd was smitten? They would be scattered. Matt. xxvi. 56.-VERSE 32. Our Lord looked forward to his resurrection, and his going before his disciples into Galilee. Mark xvi. 7. What was Galilee? One of the divisions of the Holy Land in the time of Christ.—VERSE 33. What does the assertion of Peter indicate? Ignorance of his own weakness; a conviction of his superiority to the other disciples; presumption and self-confidence.-VERSE 34. What was the cockcrowing? The morning patrol of the Roman guard round the governor's house. What is denying another? Disowning him.-VERSE 35. Did Peter persist in his assertion? Yes; and the other disciples adopted it for themselves.

IMPROVEMENT.-Remember that Christ notices the sins of people; and learn to mourn over and avoid them. Never make rash and self-confident assertions; but prayerfully aim at a steadfast and uniform adherence to Christ.

Afternoon Reading, Exod. xvi.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xxvi. 36-41. NOTES ON THE LESSON,

VERSE 36. Where was Gethsemane? It was a small village on the Mount of Olives. Thither our Lord sometimes repaired. To whom did Christ say, "Sit ye here," &c.? To the disciples who ac