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him, and would rather give their bodies to be burned, than worship any god except their own God.

What did king Nebuchadnezzar say should be done to every one that should speak a word against their God? He said they should be cut in pieces, and their house's be made a dunghill; because that no other God could deliver in this manner.

What should you be afraid of, dear children? We should be afraid to be wicked.

If you are afraid to be wicked, need you fear anything else? We need not; for the Lord loveth the righteous and delivereth them from all trouble.

QUESTIONS PREPARED FOR PICTURES NOW IN USE.

JOHN THE BAPTIST.

What does this picture represent? John the Baptist. Why was he called the Baptist? Because he baptized the people.

Who were his parents? Zacharias and Elisabeth; his father was a priest, and his mother descended from the family of priests.

Whom did the family of the priests descend from? Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the tribe of Levi.

Did John's parents love and serve the Lord? They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Were they old people? They were, and had no child until John was given to them.

Did God promise to give them this child? An angel appeared to Zacharias while he was worshipping God in the temple, and told him his prayers were heard, and that his wife Elizabeth should have a son, and that they should call his name John.

What more did the angel say to him? He said to him, Ye shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at the birth of the child. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

When Zacharias did not believe the angel, and asked

him how he should know it would be as he said, what did the angel say? He said, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings, and behold thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed.

Why was Zacharias caused to be dumb? Because he did not believe what the angel told him.

Was he ever able to speak again? After the child was given to them, and his mother said he should be called John, they asked his father what he would have him called; he asked for a writing table and wrote, his name is John; then his tongue was loosed, and he spake and praised God.

What did he say to his son? Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.

Who is the Lord? Jesus Christ.

How was John going before Christ to prepare his way? He was to begin to preach before Christ did, and teach the people to repent of their sins.

What is said next of this child? He grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until his showing unto Israel.

What was his clothing and his meat? His clothing was camels' hair, and he was girt about with a leathern girdle, and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

When he came into all the country about Jordan preaching, what did he say? Repent ye, for the kingdom

of heaven is at hand.

Who went out to hear him preach? The people of Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and they were baptized of him in Jordan confessing their sins.

Can you tell me anything more which he said to the people? He said the axe was' ready, and every tree which did not bear good fruit, should be hewn down, and cast into the fire.

What did he mean by trees which did not bear good fruit? He meant people who do no good, but do evil. When the people asked him, What shall we do then,

what did he tell them? He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

When the publicans said to him, Master, what shallwe do? what did he say to them? Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

Who were the publicans? Men who gathered money of the people to pay to the rulers, and sometimes took money for themselves, which was not due to them.

When the soldiers demanded of him, saying, What shall we do? what did he say to them? Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.

Who were the soldiers? Men prepared to fight when an enemy comes to hurt the people.

Did John reprove king Herod for his sins? He did, for Herod was a wicked man and had taken away Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and John told him it was not right.

Was Herodias a wicked woman? She was, and she was very angry with John, and wanted to kill him, but she could not, because Herod was afraid to have him killed, for he knew he was a good man, and had done nothing worthy of death.

What did Herod do to him? He shut him up in the prison.

How did Herodias induce Herod to kill John after he was shut up in the prison? Herodias' daughter went in and danced before Herod and pleased him, so that he told her he would give her what she would ask for; and her mother told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist.

Was Herod willing to cut off his head and give it to her? He was sorry to hear her request, for he knew it would be wrong to kill such a good man; but he sent men who cut off his head and brought it in a charger to Herodias' daughter, and she presented the bleeding head of this good man to her mother.

What did they do with his body? The disciples took up his body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST.

Whom does this picture represent? Joseph and Mary with the child Jesus.

Was. Jesus once an infant? He was, and many people came to see the infant Saviour and to worship him.

How did they know that this babe was the Saviour? Angels were sent from heaven to some shepherds who were watching their flocks by night, to tell them the Saviour was born.

When the angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, how did they feel? They were afraid.

What did the angel say to them? Fear not, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Did the angel tell them where they should find the Saviour? He told them that he was in Bethlehem, and there they should find him, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

Did many more angels appear at this time? Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

When the angels had returned to heaven, what did the shepherds say? They said, Let us now go even to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.

Did they go immediately? They came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in the

manger.

Did these shepherds rejoice, and tell others what they had seen? They did, and returned glorifying and praising God.

Who came into the temple to see the child Jesus, when his parents brought him in to present him to the Lord? Simeon.

How did he know where to find him? God had told

him he should not die, until he had seen Jesus, and as he was waiting to see him, the spirit directed him to come into the temple.

What did he do when he had found the infant Saviour? He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

What other person came in and found him in the temple? Anna the prophetess.

Who was Anna? She was a widow of a great age, who served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

What did she do when she saw the child? She gave thanks unto the Lord, and spake of him to others.

What other persons came a great distance to see the infant Saviour? Wise men from the east.

How did they know the Saviour had come into the world? God made it known to them by a star which appeared in the east.

How did they know which way to go to find Jesus? God caused the star to go before them, and show them the way—until it came and stood where the young child

was.

Were they delighted to see the star? When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding joy.

Did the wise men go to Herod first to inquire for the child? They did, and he was very much troubled to hear that a child was born who was to be king of the Jews.

What did he say to the wise men? Go and search for the child, and when thou hast found him, bring me word that I may come and worship him also.

Did Herod wish to worship the child as he said? He did not; he only wished to destroy him through fear that he would take his place as king.

What did the wise men do, when they found the young child with Mary his mother? They fell down and worshipped him and presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Did they return to Herod and tell him where, they found the child? They did not, for God told them in a

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