June 25. REVIEW OF THE QUARTER'S LESSONS. GOLDEN TEXT. Matt. xxvii. 54. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. DURING the past quarter, we have been occupied in the main with considering those words of truth, and works of mercy and power, by which Jesus showed Himself to be the Son of God. The astonishment that filled the people, as they listened to His sayings, was only surpassed by that which they felt when, by a word or touch, He healed the sick, or in some other way, equally marvellous, He proved that He was able to do what no other man ever did. With a view to preserving and deepening the impressions that these things may have made on us, let us go a second time through these wonderful scenes in the most wonderful history ever written. Our first lesson was about the calling and mission of the twelve, Mark vi. 1-13. As introductory to this calling of the Apostles, we have an account of Christ's ministry in Nazareth, and the treatment He received when he stood up to teach there. Some spoke of him slightingly, if not even scornfully, because He, one of themselves, and a man of lowly origin and calling, professed to be a prophet. There are persons who crave for the strange and farfetched, while they despise more precious things that are close at hand. The people of Nazareth were in a hard, unbelieving state of soul, and therefore Jesus could do very little good among them. He left them, and went forth to teach others. He also sent His apostles to preach and work miracles of healing in the cities of Israel. He wanted the whole nation to have the blessings of the gospel, to repent, and receive both natural and spiritual benefits, in the shape of freedom from diseases and evil spirits, and the enjoyment of true rest, by faith in the Saviour. Then we had the account of the Baptist's death, Mark vi. 14-29. The murder of John was in some respects a type and foreshadow of the killing of Jesus by the Jewish rulers. The Baptist had excited the displeasure of Herod and his concubine, by reproving their sin; and their resentment culminated in his murder. The faithful preaching of Christ roused the hatred of the rulers against Him, and they pursued Him with bitter, unslumbering malice to the death of the cross. John's martyrdom was brought about in a most shameful manner. There was no trial, or examination; but he was -secretly slaughtered, at the instigation of a vile woman. Certain forms of law were observed in the case of Jesus, but false witnesses were suborned, and He was slain without the least proof of guilt. Those who serve Christ may expect persecution. The next lesson was about feeding 5,000 persons in the desert, Mark vi. 30-44. The people thronged to hear Christ, in such crowds that He and His followers had not leisure for taking their meals, and, to obtain a little quiet, He retired to a desert place. But the multitude followed Him. He taught them; and, night coming on, He gave them food, that they might not faint, as they returned home. In this miracle we see the feeling that prompted Jesus in His ministering to men. He was moved with compassion. We also behold His ability to control the untoward conditions that may surround us. In the desert, and with scarcely anything to depend on for comfort and help, He supplies thousands of needy souls. We, moreover, see the all-sufficiency of Christ's provision for men. Every one gets enough, and there is still abundance left. After this we read of Christ walking on the sea, Mark vi. 45–56. The people were in a very excited state after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and desired to make Christ their king. He probably wished to get Himself and His disciples away to a quieter region. He sent the latter off by sea. He might have gone with them. Possibly, He had two reasons for not doing so. He desired a season of private prayer. He wished to show His followers His complete mastery of nature, even when its mighty forces were in their most angry moods. This miracle was part of the training of these disciples. It was a lesson on the all-sufficiency of the Saviour, and the necessity of having Him with them in every part of life's voyage. The subject of the fifth lesson was the tradition of men, Mark vii. 1—16. Tradition is something delivered by one person to another, for the purpose of being handed down. Among the Scribes and Pharisees of Christ's time there were certain decrees, or teachings, concerning religion, which were held sacred, as having come originally from heaven, though they were not written in the Law. The falsehood of this doctrine was manifest from the fact that many of these traditions contradicted God's word. We must hold by the Bible in all things, whatever becomes of human opinion. Our sixth lesson was entitled Sufferers brought to Christ, Mark vii. 24—37. In it we have two cases of healing. One is a cure performed by Jesus on the daughter of a Canaanitish woman, into whom an evil spirit had entered; and the other is the making of a deaf and dumb man hear and speak. These sufferers show what fearful mischief sin has wrought in human nature; while in the Saviour's treatment of them, we see the compassion and help that came to men by the mission of the Lord. In connection with the casting out of the demon, we behold the remarkable earnestness and faith of a mother. After this we had for our subject a miracle and its lessons, Mark viii. 1–21. The miracle is that of Christ feeding 4,000 persons with a few loaves and fishes. In this case the natural may suggest the spiritual. Men's minds and hearts need supplies of suitable food, namely, the truth that meets their wants. Jesus gives all they require. The bread of the Pharisees was corrupt and hurtful. The Lord's disciples were slow to take in His teaching, as perhaps many of us are. The eighth lesson was named seeing and confessing the Christ, Mark viii. 22 33, and dealt with two matters of great interest. The first was the opening of a blind man's eyes. In this case there was a peculiarity; the cure was wrought in stages. At first, the man saw dimly; then the Lord touched him a second time, and he beheld things clearly. There was no want of power in Jesus; but probably the man's faith was defective. In the other part of the lesson we find some very interesting conversation between Christ and His disciples, as to the opinions held concerning Him by the men of His time, and the fate that would shortly befall Him, in His being put to death. We have Peter's confession, his rebuking Christ, and the severe reproof the Master adminis tered to him. The ninth lesson was on following Christ, Mark viii. 34–38; ix. 1. It deals with the question of Christian discipleship, in its bearing on the highest wellbeing of men. To barter godliness for worldly gain, is to lose all things; to follow Jesus, is to secure every advantage worth caring for; and he who gives up most for the Saviour, will get the best portion. In lesson ten we have an account of the Saviour's Transfiguration, Mark ix. 2-13. This event took place in the presence of five persons, three of them belonging to earth, and the other two to heaven. The scene was one of transcendent glory. The two great leaders of the old dispensation talked with Jesus about His approaching death. That death, though sad, was grand. Though an everlasting reproach to the Jewish rulers who brought it about, both earth and heaven are profoundly interested in it. In the eleventh lesson we had the case of an afflicted child. Mark ix. 1429. This sufferer was brought by his father to the nine disciples who waited at the foot of the mountain where the Transfiguration took place. A demon inflicted dreadful tortures on this youth. The followers of Christ could not expel the fiend. The Lord felt deeply and spoke earnestly about this occurrence. After He had reproved the people, and taught the child's father the importance of faith, He delivered the afflicted one from his tormentor, and won great glory for His own cause. He often has to make up for our failures. The last lesson of [the series had for its subject the child-like believer. Mark ix. 30-50." In it we see the weakness of men, in the desire they commonly have for power and greatness. We also see the method and aim of Christ in setting up His kingdom among us. Pride and selfishness have no place found; for them in His religion. The servant should imitate the Master, who humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, and who thereby obtained a name that is above all others. Philip. ii. 3-11. 1. How many apostles did Jesus call? 2. In what manner was John the Baptist put to death ?1|3. What number of persons did Christ feed in the first miracle of loaves and fishes, and what number in the second? 4. How did Jesus get to His disciples when they were overtaken by a storm on the sea. 5. Which of the disciples were present when Christ was Transfigured. 6. What great men from the other world talked with the Saviour on the mountain. 7. What was the subject of discourse on that occasion. LESSON TEACHINGS TO BE REVIEWED AND REMEMBERED. Lesson 1.-I must work for Christ. Lesson 2.-I must never cherish hate toward any one. Lesson 4. I must never fear when Christ is near. Lesson 5.-I must serve God with heart as well as lips. Lesson 9.-I must bear the cross for my Saviour. Lesson 10.-I must wait to meet Christ in His glory. July 2. CHRIST AND THE CHILDREN. Mark x. 13-16. Matt. xviii. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. PREFATORY NOTES.-Christ had left Capernaum and proceeded towards Jerusalem by the farther side of Jordan, that is on the east side of the river, which He probably crossed a little below the Sea of Galilee, and passed by Decapolis and Gadara, and ascending the table land above, passed through Ramoth Gilead to the fords of the Jordan near Jericho. This would be Christ's third journey to Jerusalem, and His second journey through Peræa. In His first journey east of the Jordan He visited Bethabara and was baptized by John, but in His second journey through Peræa, it is supposed, that He passed from Gadara through the middle of the country, and again crossed the Jordan about three miles north of the Dead Sea. This is indicated by the fact that during the journey the disciples plucked ears of corn as they passed through the fields. Travellers state that the plains of Mamre and Esdraelon, through which this route passes, are among the most fertile in Palestine, and to this day are covered with similar fields of corn. Lange says, 'Christ's abode in Peræa embraces three occurences: the treatment of the subject of divorce, the bringing of the little children to Jesus, and the rich young man. These transactions all belong doubtless, to the second abode of Christ in Peræa. EXEGETICAL NOTES.-We have here I. The conduct of the Mother's of Israel. The mothers were anxious about their children, and they brought them to Jesus. 13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them. These were very little children. The account which Luke gives of them shows that they were young infants. He uses the term Brephos which refers to newly-born infants. Evidently they were children in the arms of mothers, or little children led by the hand. Why did the mothers bring their children to Christ? The reason is given in these words, that he should touch them. The afflicted woman had touched the fringe of His garment and was healed. Jesus touched a leper, near the foot of the mountain, and he was made clean. He also touched the dumb man on his tongue and gave him the power of speech, and when He touched the hand of Peter's mother-in-law the fever left her. See Matt. viii. 3-15; Luke v. 13; also viii. 45-47. Those mothers had faith in the power of Christ to bless their children. They had heard of His fame. Peræa was only separated from Judea by the river Jordan, and Christ was well known on both sides of the river. But why touch the children? they had no fever, nor leprosy, nor affliction of any kind. Then why touch them? Those mothers believed that there was a bless The ing in His touch and they desired that blessing for their children. whole transaction is full of nature, What is there more natural than for a mother to desire a blessing for her children. Jesus is still the same. His touch still conveys a blessings. Are you like the mothers of Peraa? Do you desire a blessing for your children? Then take them to Jesus. Take them by your prayers. Take them in faith. In seeking a blessing for your children you may meet with difficulty. The mothers of Israel met with difficulty, for the disciples opposed them. 13. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them. The Master was engaged in discussing a great social question, and why trouble Him with a number of little children. Little children cannot believe, cannot understand the kingdom of Christ or the law of Moses. There are men who profess to be the disciples of Christ to-day who object to the children. II. Jesus approved of the conduct of those Mothers of Israel. The disciples may rebuke but the Master approved. Those mothers might have been discouraged by the words of the disciples, but Christ showed His sympathy with the children and corrected His disciples. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Two things are suggested by these words1. That Christ was willing to receive little children. 2. That the children were capable of receiving Christ's blessing. He had a very different opinion of the little ones to that entertained by His disciples. Those children were innocent. They had not personally and consciously violated the law of God. If they had been affected by the sins of others, they were not personally guilty of actual sin. They had no impure motives. Judas kept his eye on the money of the church. Some of the disciples were anxious to have places of honour in His kingdom, but those little children were free from such sordid motives. Therefore Christ not only received them but He commended them and blessed them. 2. The children were capable of receiving His blessing. Who can measure the soul of a child? Some children show great genius early in life. He blessed them. There was no mere empty show in Christ. When he professed to give a blessing He gave it. He knew the capacity of each of those children, and He suited His blessing to their condition. He might have given them a blessing for the future. The Hebrews believed that the prayers of good men, and especially of prophets, were powerful and never missed their fulfilment. Jesus was regarded as a great Prophet, and the parents desired that the children should receive His prayer and blessing. See Gen. xlviii. 14; Numbers xxii. 6, and Luke ii. 28. III. Jesus turned the visit of the mothers and the children to a practical purpose. From the humble disposition of the children Jesus enforces the importance of humility in receiving the kingdom of God. 15. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. There are two thoughts suggested by childhood-dependency and submission. 1. Dependency. The child depends on its mother in the reception of the blessings of life. The children have not experience in the practical affairs of life. The mother ministers to their weakness, and helps them. So in receiving the king |