MORNING AND AFTERNOON LESSONS FOR EVERY SUNDAY IN THE MONTH. DECEMBER 10. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xvi. 1–19. Morning Lesson, Matt. xii. 38-42. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 38. Do any of the other evangelists relate this? Mark viii. 11, 12; Luke xi. 16. Did the Pharisees at any other time make this demand and obtain a similar answer? Matt. xvi. 1, 4. Who was Jonas? Jonah i. 1. What The Ninevites had Why did the Pharisees demand a sign? That they might have clear and direct proof of the Messiahship of Christ. But had they not had such a proof? Yes, in his former miracles, and in his fulfilment of prophecy. Why then did they not believe? John viii. 45.VERSE 39. Did Christ call them by this name at any other time? Mark viii. 38; Matt. xvi. 4. is meant by the sign of the probably heard something of Jonas and of the interposition of God in his behalf, and in that they had a sign of the divine mission of Jonas. Luke xi. 30.-VERSE 40. Where is this recorded? Jon. i. 17. Why did this calamity come upon Jonah? Because of his disobedience. Jon. i. 1-17. How was Jonah rescued from this danger? Jon. ii. 10. What is meant by "the heart of the earth?” The grave. Did Christ at any other time foretel this event? Matt. xvi. 21; xvii. 23, &c. Did it happen as Christ foretold it? Matt. xxviii. 5. 6; Mark xvi. 6; Luke xxiv. 1-8.—Verse 41. What was Nineveh ? The capital of Assyria-a very large city. Where do we find an account of the repentance of the Ninevites? Jon. iii. 5-9. How was Christ greater than Jonas? See Jon. iv. 1-3; and John i. 1-4.-VERSE 42. What queen? Of Sheba. 1 Kings x. 1. 29, 30, 32, 33. 1, 2. How did Solomon show his wisdom? 1 Kings iv. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell, 1, upon the superiority of Christ to all others: 2, upon the sin of rejecting him. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxvii. 1–29. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xii. 43–45. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 43. Does any other evangelist relate this parable? Luke xi. 24. What is meant by "the unclean spirit ?" An evil disposi tion, or any sin to which a person is addicted. Our Lord speaks figuratively, suiting himself to the Jewish notions. Does the term "unclean spirit" refer to anything else, when used in scripture? Luke viii. 29, 30. What is meant by the unclean spirit going out of a man? Avoiding sin for a time; or outward reformation. What is meant by the unclean spirit walking through dry places, seeking rest and finding none? It is a figure of speech. Sin is avoided for a time-but is pursued again afterwards.-VERSE 44. What does this mean? The unconverted heart easily returns to sins which have once been loved.-VERSE 45. How do you explain this? As the one unclean spirit brought seven others, so when the heart returns to any one sin which it had forsaken, other sins also are sure to follow. Does scripture confirm this? 2 Peter ii. 20-22; Heb. vi. 4-6. In what respect is the last state of that man worse than the first? He is more hardened and sinful, and there is less hope of his recovery. What did Christ mean by the last words of this verse? That the Jews, reformed for a time under John, should afterwards become worse than ever. They proved this by crucifying Christ. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell, 1, upon the necessity not only of reformation of conduct, but also of conversion; 2, upon the danger of a relapse into sin after it has been avoided. DECEMBER 17. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xvii. Morning Lesson, Matt. xii. 46-50. NOTES ON THE LESSON. any other of the evangelists ? Who were his mother and Did his brethren believe in What was the general Luke ii. 51; John xix. Luke i. 48; John ii. 5. VERSE 46. Is this incident related by Mark iii. 31-35; Luke viii. 19-21. brethren? Matt. xiii. 55; Mark vi. 3. Christ? John vii. 5.-VERSES 47 and 48. conduct of Christ toward his mother? 25-27. Did his mother believe in him? Would Christ have thus spoken of his mother if she was to be worshipped as the Virgin Mary? No.-VERSE 49. In what other place does Christ call his disciples brethren? Matt. xxviii. 10. What did Christ mean by these words? That he loved his disciples as much as men do their nearest relations.-VERSE 50. What is meant by "doing the will of God?" John vi. 29; Luke viii. 21. Did Christ do the will of his Father? John iv. 34; vi. 38, 39. What is said of such as do the will of God? Luke xi. 28; Ps. i. 1, 2; Matt. vii. 21. Does Christ claim a relationship with the pious anywhere else? Heb. ii. 11-13. How are christians brethren to Christ? Rom, viii, 29; Heb. ii, 17, 18, IMPROVEMENT. Dwell, 1, upon the necessity of doing the will of God in order to true happiness; 2, upon the privileges arising from our becoming disciples of Christ. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxvii. 30-46. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xiii. 1-9. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 1. What sea was this? The sea of Tiberias.-Verse 2. Does any other evangelist relate this? Mark iv. 1.-Verse 3. What are parables? Illustrations from natural objects by which great truths are made simple. What is the seed? Mark iv. 14; Luke viii. 11. Who is the sower? The minister of the gospel.— VERSE 4. What is the meaning of this verse? Verse 19; Mark iv. 15; Luke viii. 12.-VERSE 5. What are the stony places? Verse 20; Mark iv. 16.-VERSE 6. What is the meaning of this verse? Verse 21; Mark iv. 17; Luke viii. 13.-VERSE 7. What does this mean? Verse 22; Mark iv. 18, 19; Luke viii. 14.-VERSE 8. What is the meaning of this? Verse 23; Mark iv. 20; Luke viii. 15.-VERSE 9. What is the duty inculcated in this verse? Serious attention to the truth. What lesson did Christ intend to convey by this parable? That the good received by the preaching of the word depends on preparedness of heart. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell, 1, upon the necessity of divine grace to prepare us for the hearing of the gospel: 2, upon the sin and danger of hearing without profiting and without bearing fruit to the glory of God. DECEMBER 24. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xviii. Morning Lesson, Matt. xiii. 10-17. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 10. Did the disciples ask Christ this question in the presence of the multitude? Mark iv. 10.-VERSE 11. What are the " mys. teries of the kingdom of heaven?" The great truths of the gospel which had not been revealed before. Col. i. 25-27; Eph. iii. 9-11. Who can reveal these truths? Matt. xi. 25; xvi. 16, 17; 1 Cor. ii. 10.-VERSE 12. What does this mean? That every man shall receive in proportion to what he improves. Did Christ impress this truth at any other time? Matt. xxv. 21, 29; Mark xii. 9. Have we any examples of this? John i. 50.-VERSE 13. What other evangelist relates this? Mark iv. 12. What does this mean? It means that the Jews understood the parables in their literal meaning, but were ignorant of the truths conveyed by them. Is this description used by any one else to show the character of an ignorant people? Jer. v. 21; Ezek. xii. 2.-VERSES 14, 15. From what portion of scripture are these words quoted? Isai. vi. 9, 10. What do these verses mean? That the Jews were so sensual and rebellious that they would not understand anything contrary to their own sinful nature. Have we any example of this? Ex. vii. 13, 14.-VERSE 16. What does this mean? That the disciples are blessed because they understand what Christ intended them to understand in the parables.-VERSE 17. What were these things? They saw Christ and heard the truth from his lips. John viii. 56; Eph. iii. 5, 6; 1 Pet. i. 10, 11. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the superior privileges we enjoy under this dispensation, and our aggravated guilt, if we reject the salvation of the gospel. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxviii. Afternoon Subject, We must study the Bible for ourselves. CONVERSATION ON THE SUBJECT. What do you remember about our last conversation on tradition? ...Do you think that every one who reads the Bible understands it properly? No. Why not? Because there are so many differences of opinion respecting what it contains. [Let the teacher mention some instances.] Would it not be a desirable thing to have some one to explain it to us without mistake? It seems at first desirable, and yet I think God would have sent us such help if it were needful. Has God sent, or promised to send such a person to us? No. Does not the Pope of Rome profess to be an infallible teacher? Yes. Do you think him so? Certainly not. Why not? For several reasons: 1, He is a mere man, and many Popes have been very wicked men; 2, Because no Pope ever gave proof that God sent him to teach men; 3, Because one Pope has believed one thing and another Pope another, and they cannot both be right. Do you think the church of Rome an infallible teacher of the truth? No. Why not? Because it has taught different things at different times; and even now teaches many things contrary to the word of God-such as the worship of saints and images, &c. Do you think the church of England an infallible teacher? No. Why not? Because it teaches different doctrines in different portions of its formularies; and because its ministers preach different truths-some preaching the gospel and some puseyism. Does the church of Rome claim infallibility? Yes. Does the church of England? No. Is any other church or denomination infallible? No. Is any minister infallible? No. Is your minister infallible? No. Then why do you listen to him? Because I wish to hear what his views of the truth are, that I may be assisted by him in studying the word for myself. Then you do not assent to what he says, because he says it? No: it is my duty to compare what he says with scripture. And what if you find it to agree with scripture? Then it is my duty to assent to it and receive it with submission. But may you not be deceived in comparing what he says with scripture? Yes: I may err as well as he; and therefore I ought seriously and with prayer to seek God's aid that I come to the knowledge of his truth. Well, we shall continue this subject in our next conversation? may IMPROVEMENT. Show the importance of having right views about our personal responsibility in searching the scriptures. Rom. xiv. 11, 12; Gal. vi. 5. DECEMBER 31. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. xix. 1–23. Morning Lesson, Matt. xiii. 24—30 NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 24. What is meant by "the kingdom of heaven ?" The gospel dispensation. What is the "good seed?" Verse 38. Does any other evangelist relate this parable? Mark iv. 26-29.-Verse 25. What is meant by this? That hypocrites are mingled with the godly in the church of Christ. What were tares? Weeds which grew in Palestine, very much resembling the genuine wheat.— VERSE 26. What does this mean? That christians are distinguished from others, not by their profession, but by their fruit. Matt. vii. 16-20.-VERSE 27, 28. Who are the servants of the householder? The angels. Verse 39.-VERSE 29. What is the meaning of this verse? That the sinner and christian sometimes resemble each other in outward profession so much, that it would be scarcely possible to separate them here.-VERSE 30. What is the meaning of this? Verses 39-43. Can God distinguish between men? Jer. xvii. 10; Matt. xxii. 11, 12; Matt. iii. 11, 12. When will hypocrites be separated from true christians? Matt. xxv. 32, 33. When will the good be gathered together? In heaven. IMPROVEMENT. Show the folly of hypocrisy-since it will be detected at last. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxxi. 3—24. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xiii. 31-35. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSES 31, 32. Was this mustard seed the same as that which is now in common use? No. It was the seed of a very large shrub. In what other passage did our Lord illustrate his meaning by a |