VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION OF BELIEVERS.

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is, in fact, an anomaly, and its very name a solecism. For religion is on the part of man the fulfilment of a relation existing between himself and God. The essence of religion is therefore the unbought, unbidden, voluntary homage of the soul to the precepts, promises, and discoveries which such a religion involves. "God is a Spirit, and they who worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth."

MORNING AND AFTERNOON LESSONS FOR EVERY SUNDAY IN THE MONTH.

NOVEMBER 12.

Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xii. 1–23.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xi. 25-27.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 25. What was the feeling of Christ when he uttered these words? Luke x. 21. What "time" is referred to? Luke x. 1720. How is God "Lord of heaven and earth?" Gen. i. 1, 2; Gen. xiv. 19. What is meant by "these things?" The truths of the kingdom of heaven. Could not the "wise and prudent" discover these truths for themselves? Matt. xvi. 17. Who are meant by "babes?" The ignorant and poor. What instances have we of their being revealed to babes? Mark iv. 10, 11. Matt. iv. 18-22. Why were they revealed first to these? 1 Cor. i. 25, 29. Ps. viii. 2.-VERSE 26. What did Christ mean by these words? That he approved of the will of his Father, in revealing his mercy first to the poor and ignorant.-VERSE 27. What things had God delivered to his Son? John v. 20-27. What is meant by man knoweth the Son?" No man can fully understand his nature, how he is God manifest in the flesh, &c. Do any naturally understand the things of God? Ps. xiv. ii. 3. What is meant by knowing the Father? Having a just view of his character as infinitely holy, wise, powerful, good, &c., and a feeling of love to him. Can any one reveal his character besides Christ? John i. 18; xiv. 6;

2 Cor. iv. 6.

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IMPROVEMENT. Dwell on the natural ignorance of man respecting divine things-the condescension of Christ in sending his gospel first to the poor-and the importance of receiving gladly what Christ has revealed.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xi, 28-30. NOTES ON THE LESSON.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxii. 1–19.

VERSE 28. Who are the weary aud heavy laden? Sinners who feel the sadness and heaviness of spirit arising from guilt.

What does Christ mean by saying, "Come unto me?" Believe that I am, as I am represented, the Saviour of the world: believe the testimony of my Father respecting me. What is the rest promised? Rest from the guilt of sin, from the fears of despair, from hell itself. Jer. vi. 16. What will exclude men from this rest? Unbelief. Heb. iv. 11; iii. 19. Will any who come to Christ be rejected? John vi. 37.-VERSE 29. What is meant by the expression "take my yoke upon you?" Obey my precepts, be guided by my rules. Refer also to Lam. iii. 27; Acts xv. 10; Gal. v. 1; How did Christ show his meekness? 1 Peter ii. 21, Why did Christ say, "rest unto your souls?” To show that it was not rest of body; and that he did not promise idleness or sloth to his disciples.-VERSE 30. Is not self-denial connected with religion? Yes. Matt. xvi. 24. How then is its yoke easy? Its pleasures are greater than its trials, and obedience becomes easy in proportion as it is persevered in. Prov. iii. 17, 18.

1 Tim. vi. 1. 23.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon, 1, the willingness of Christ to receive sinners; 2, the fulness of joy which all who serve Christ will experience; 3, the pleasures connected with religion even in this world.

NOVEMBER 19.

Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xiv. 1-24.

Morning Lesson, Matt. xii. 1-8.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

Luke vi. 1. Was it not sin

VERSE. 1. What Sabbath was this? ful in the disciples “to pluck the ears of corn," since they were the property of others? No. Deut. xxiii. 25.-VERSE 2. Have we any instance of any one being punished for breaking the Sabbath? Num. xv. 32, 36.-VERSE 3. Where was David at the time referred to? 1 Sam. xxi. 1.-VERSE 4. What directions were there concerning the shew-bread? Ex. xxv. 30; xxix. 32, 33. Lev. viii. 31; xxiv. 5-9. Where is this act of David's mentioned? 1 Sam. xxi. 3, 6. Mark ii. 25, 26. Luke vi. 3, 4.-VERSE 5. What duties had the priests to perform on the Sabbath? Lev. xxiv. 8. Num. xxviii. 9, 10. 1 Chron. ix. 32. Why did Christ bring forward these cases? To show that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath.-VERSE 6. Where else is it said that Christ should be greater than the temple? Hag. ii. 9.-VERSE 7. Did Christ ever quote this passage before? Matt. ix, 13. Whence is this passage quoted?

Mic. vi. 6, 8. Hos. vi. 6.-VERSE 8. How was Christ Lord of the Sabbath? He, as the author of the Sabbath, had a right to act on it as he pleased, and to change it, as he afterwards did at his resurrection.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell on the duty of spending the sabbath, not as the Pharisees did, in outward acts of devotion merely, but also in devout meditation and prayer.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxiii.

Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xii. 9-13.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

Did Christ

Did Christ Luke xiv. 5.

VERSE 9. Was this the same Sabbath as that on which he plucked the ears of corn? No. Luke vi. 6.-VERSE 10. Is this miracle related by any of the other evangelists? Mark iii. 1-3. Luke vi. 6-10. Do we read of any one who was punished with a withered hand? 1 Kings xiii. 4-6. Do you recollect any other instance of their accusing Christ in this manner? Luke xx. 22, 23. ever ask them this question? Luke xiv. 3.-VERSE 11. at any other time adopt this mode of reasoning? Was kindness to animals inculcated by the Jewish law? Ex. xxiii. 4, 5.-Verse 12. What was Christ's reasoning? If, as the Pharisees affirmed, it was lawful to benefit a mere animal on the Sabbath, was it not lawful to benefit man, who is of so much higher value?-VERSE 13. With what feelings did Christ utter these words? Anger and grief. Mark iii. 5. Did Christ heal any others on the Sabbath day? Luke xiii. 10-13. John v. 5—9; ix. 13, 14. If the hand was withered, how could it be stretched forth? Such power accompanied the words of the Redeemer that it was not only healed, but could be stretched forth even as the other.

IMPROVEMENT. Show how Christ is our pattern in benevolence, how the Sabbath is to be employed in doing as well as getting good-how Christ is able to heal our spiritual diseases.

VERSE 14. Did any agree with the Pharisees in their designs? Mark iii. 6. What other instances have we of their desire to destroy Jesus? John v. 18; x. 39; xi. 53.-VERSE 15. Where did Christ go to? Mark iii. 7. From what parts did the multitude come? Mark iii. 7, 8-VERSE 16. Why did Christ give them this charge? Because he wished to shun applause and to keep himself hid from those who hated him until "the hour" should come.-VERSE 17. Who was Esaias? Isa. i. 1.-VERSE 18. Where is this prophecy?

What is meant

Isa. xi. 2, 3. Isa. xlix. 6.—

Isa. xlii. 1-4. Is Christ in any other part of scripture called God's servant? Isa. lii. 13. Did God ever show that he was pleased with Christ? Matt. iii. 16, 17; xvii. 5. John iii. 35. by the expression, "I will put my spirit upon him?" How did Christ "show judgment to the Gentiles?" VERSE 19. What does this mean? Matt. xi. 29. Verse 16.VERSE 20. What is meant by Christ not breaking the bruised reed, and not quenching the smoking flax? His tenderness toward the weak and humble. Isa. lxi. 1. How did he send forth judgment unto victory? By effecting a complete salvation for man, and rising victorious over every foe.-VERSE 21. What other prophecy was there respecting this? Isa. xi. 10.

IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon, 1, the meekness of Christ; 2, the duty of trusting in his name. Ps. ii. 12.

Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxiv. 1–28.

Afternoon Subject, The evils arising from following tradition.

CONVERSATION ON THE SUBJECT.

Tell me what you remember about our last conversation on tradition...... Why did our Lord condemn the Pharisees for following tradition instead of the law of Moses? Because Moses had written in the law all that it was needful to observe, and the traditions added to that law were corruptions of it. Did this lead to any serious evils? Yes. The law was broken by observing tradition instead. Mark vii. 1-13. Do you know of any who imitate the Pharisees in the present day? Yes. The Roman Catholics, or Papists. What difference is there between these and the Pharisees? The Pharisees broke the law by their traditions; the Roman Catholics break the gospel. What is the belief of Roman Catholics respecting tradition? That it is of equal authority with the Bible. Can this be right? No: for if the truths or things handed down by tradition had been important, they would have been written in the Bible. Have you any other reason for thinking this belief to be wrong? Yes. The Bible itself condemns such belief by asserting its own sufficiency. Is. viii. 20; 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. How do the Roman Catholics seek to justify themselves in following tradition? They say that Christ and his apostles uttered and commanded many things which are not recorded in the New Testament; that those who lived in the time of Christ and his apostles spoke of these things to their children, and they to their children after them, and so on; and that it is quite right for us to obey such sayings thus handed down to us. What do you think of this explanation? I think that if Christ and his apostles uttered and

commanded many things not recorded in the New Testament, they were not important for us to know; and further that it is most likely that what they did utter and command has not been correctly handed down by tradition. So that I think the Roman Catholics are not justified in following tradition. Do you know who teach the Roman Catholics what traditions they must obey? Yes their priests. Cannot the people judge for themselves whether such traditions are true? No. They must believe all that the priest teaches. May they not compare their traditions with the Bible, to see if they agree with or contradict it? No. The Bible is forbidden to be used in this way, and in many cases is forbidden to be used altogether. Has this led to any evils? Yes. The Roman Catholics worship the Virgin Mary, and bow before the crucifix, and make idols of wafers; and many other wicked things they do, through not following the Bible only.

IMPROVEMENT. Invite the class to pity rather than deride those who are taught to follow tradition instead of scripture; and dwell upon the privileges they enjoy who are brought up as Protestants, and are taught to study the Bible.

DECEMBER 3.

Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xv. 13—37. Morning Lesson, Matt. xii. 22-30.

NOTES ON THE LESSON.

VERSE 22. Is this related by any other evangelist? Luke xi. 14.VERSE 23. What did they mean by asking, "Is not this the Son of David ?" Is not this the promised Messiah, who was to be a descendant of David?-VERSE 24. What does " Beelzebub" mean? The "Lord of idolatry." Why did they call Beelzebub the prince of devils? Because they thought idolatry, of which Beelzebub was lord, to be the chief evil. What then was meant by this accusation? That the design of Christ in this miracle was to drive the people from the worship of the true God to idolatry. Do any of the other evangelists relate this circumstance? Mark iii. 22; Luke xi. 15.-VERSE 25. Does Christ know the thoughts? Yes. Matt. ix. 4.-VERSE 26. What is meant by Satan's kingdom? His rule on earth.-VERSE 27. What children are here referred to? Some of the Pharisees who professed to be able to cast out devils. Acts xix. 13-16.-VERSE 28. What is meant here by the "kingdom of heaven?" The christian dispensation. Matt. iii. 2. What does this verse mean? That the casting out of devils which God only could effect, was a proof of God's working with Christ, and therefore a proof that the kingdom had come.-VERSE 29. What is the meaning of this? That he must be more powerful than Satan who