SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSONS. FEB. 6. LESSON VI. Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. Luke ii. 40-52. THE SUBJECT.-THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS. KEY-NOTE.-" "THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD," "AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US-FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH."—Luke viii. 11; John i. 14. 40. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. 41. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45. And when they found him not, they 1881. turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48. And when they saw him, they were amazed and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. QUESTIONS. Where did we find Jesus on last Lord's Day? Whither did the Holy Family then go? Chap. ii. 39. How came Joseph and Mary to live at Nazareth? Matt. ii. How long did Jesus remain at Nazareth? Luke iii. 23. What is the subject of this lesson? Of what two parts does this lesson treat? Compare verses 40 and 52. Read verses 41-51 in connection. VERSE 40. What grew in Jesus? What waxed strong? Had Jesus a real body, then? Had He a human soul? What other Nature did He possess? May the phrases, Grace of God upon Him-and favour with God and man, refer to His Divine nature? Why do you suppose St. Luke repeats this same idea for us? 41. Whither did His parents go? How often annually? Ex. xxiii. 17; xxxiv. 23. What feast was due now? 42. How old was Jesus now? Was this the age at which a Jewish boy had to appear before the Lord? Had he to learn a trade, too, then? 43. How many days did the feast last? Whither did Joseph and Mary go after eight days? Did Jesus accompany them? Did His parents know it? 44. With whom did they believe Him to be? Did the pilgrims usually go in groups, according to age and sex? How far did they come, before they sought for Him? Was it usual to look after one's friends at night-fall? 45. Did they find Him in the Caravan? Whither did they then go? 46 When did they find Him? Where? What was He doing? 47. At what did all wonder? Why was there such understanding in Him? 48. What did His mother say when she saw Him? What had she and Joseph experienced during these few days? 49. What did Jesus answer? Who was His true Father? Did Jesus begin to realize this at that age already? 50. Did the rest of the company understand His reply? 51. Where did His parents now go? Did Jesus accompany them? What does subject unto them mean? How long did He stay obedient to them? What model is Jesus at Nazareth? What did Mary do with all the strange sayings she heard about and from her Son? Are all parents and children separated sooner or later? Is there a hope for Christian households to be brought together again? In whose house will they ever be one? After whose Law must the household be governed? Matt. vii. 24-27. 1. Love is the strongest tie That can our souls unite; Love makes our service liberty! Our every burden light. 2. We run in God's commands, INTRODUCTORY WORDS.-The canti--Having a real body, and of perfect cles and hymns which served as preludes health, an increase in stature was natuand accompaniments to the advent of ral. Perhaps this fact is only emphasized our Lord, filling the heavens, the temple, lest men might doubt His real manand many pious hearts, now died away nature. Waxed strong in spirit-filled -into a strange silence, as it were. For (increased in) with wisdom, are sayings thirty years Jesus lived a hidden life, in which teach us that He possessed, likeNazareth, of Galilee. Joseph and Mary, wise, a truly human soul, which develafter returning from the presentation in oped in vigor and strength, as it occurs Jerusalem, intended to dwell perma- with mortals generally. And the grace nently in Bethlehem. There the wise of God was upon Him, may refer to His men from the East visited the Holy divine nature, which, looking through Family. Matt. ii. 1, 2. His mortal garb, challenged the favour, or approbation of God and man. Since St. Luke thought it important to repeat the same idea under different words, and as this is all the notice we have of the youth of our Lord, from infancy to childhood and boyhood, let us accord it its full weight, in order that the fact may be indelibly impressed upon us, that the Son of God entered our race in a perfectly real and natural manner. This strange retinue alarmed Herod, who now saw in Jesus a rival. Hence his cruel decree. Joseph, divinely admonished, fled into neighboring Egypt. How long he tarried there is not known -perhaps three full years. After Herod's death, the family returned to Palestine; but learning that Archelaus had succeeded his father to the throne, who was very like him in disposition, Joseph took his family into the province VERSE 41.-His parents went, as was of Galilee, and settled at Nazareth. the invariable habit and duty of every Here Jesus attained to manhood. His Jewish household, to Jerusalem, thrice boyhood is embraced in the first twelve a year, to attend the three principal years of His life, and constitutes the festivals-the Feast of the Unleavened theme of our lesson. All that is known Bread, of Weeks, and of the Tabernacles. of this early period of His history weEx. 23:17; 34:23. On this occasion learn here. It is not difficult, however, the former feast was due, the passover to imagine the two sources, from which preceding it. emanated those influences that told most in developing the Christ-lad. 1. The Holy Family exerted a benign power over the young Saviour. Joseph and Mary were His earliest teachers. He learned to read the Old Testament Scriptures at their knees. In every Jewish home a copy of the Sacred Books was found; or, at least, a copy of the Law, the Psalter, and a summary of the Prophets. 2. The School of the Synagogue furthered the religious knowledge commenced at home. This the Jewish child entered usually at the age of six years, where the study of the holy books was diligently attended to. Our Lord gave abundant proof of His familiarity with all the sacred records, in later years. Without anticipating anything that fell properly to His older years, let us now look at the incidents related to-day. NOTES. This section contains two topics: I. The natural growth of Jesus. Vs. 40 and 52.-II. Jesus lost and found. -Vs. 41-51. VERSES 40 AND 52.-The child grew. VERSE 42.-He was twelve years old, and had then attained the age at which a Jewish boy was obliged to appear before the Lord, and learn a trade, too. VERSE 43.- When they had fulfilled the days, which were eight, (Matt. 26:2) -one was for the Passover, and the other seven, for the days of unleavened bread. The child Jesus tarried behind. A boy is considered a youth, in the East, after he is twelve. He could, consequently, go where He liked, without supervision. or being led by the hand. Joseph and Mary, like many other parents, knew not of His delaying, but supposed that He had started with the group from Bethlehem. The start is always at night; the crowd great; the roads narrow; the noise and confusion bewildering--all this rendered it impossible for each group to know whether all its members were by. It was usual for families and clans to become separted. VERSE 44.-But they, supposing Him to have been in the company of Bethlehem's pilgrims, after they had gotten 15. some distance from the first great throng, went a day's journey, to the first night's encampment, and then found Him not in the caravan, with none of the kinsfolk and acquaintance. The expression, sought Him, reads properly, sought Him earnestly, that is, anxiously and diligently. They now became greatly alarmed, lest He might be lost forever, amid such a multitude. any VERSE 45.-And when they found Him not by night-fall, when it was usual for friends to look about for each other, and for every clan to see whether of its members had strayed, nothing was left but to return to Jerusalem. Perhaps others had missed of their number, likewise, since it was not an uncommon thing, by any means, and thus a small company was formed in search of their missing relatives. VERSE 46.-After three days they found Him. They re-entered the city on the evening of the second day; and on the following day they found Him in one of the schools of the Jewish Rabbis, which were held in the several courts of the temple-sitting in the midst of the doctors, or learned lawyers and teachers, hearing, and asking them questions; not attempting to teach them-which would have been unbecoming in one of His age. Remembering that He "increased in wisdom," yea, was filled with it, it is not strange that a holy passion should have drawn Him towards the teachers in His Father's House, and attracted Him long. Besides, the mystery of His nature, and of His relation to God, was just budding into consciousness within Him. Absorbed in the Law and the Prophets, He had dismissed all other thoughts. In the light of His after-years we can better see the reason of this incident than His parents could. VERSE 49.-His reply was gentle, but lofty-a very soft rebuke.-How is it that YE sought me? Why should they even think of Him as astray, or, in wrong relation to the right? Wist YE not that I must be about My Father's business? The light of Heaven was lighting up within Him. The Divine Son was outgrowing His childhood. He was enjoying an incipient consciousness of H s higher origin and mission. For a moment His Heavenly Father's House was a stronger magnet than the home of His foster-father at Nazareth. VERSE 50.-And now, again, He went down from His spiritual elevation which He so sweetly enjoyed in the Temple - near to Heaven above-and is hidden in subjection at Nazareth. Still, even here, He manifests Himself, shining as a light in a dark place, to all generations of youths as the Model Son. He loved, obeyed and labored here, until His hour came. But His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. What a grand treasury of precious facts Mary's bosom was; whence the Evangelists could subsequently draw forth what, but for it, must have been lost. The Christian household finds a grand chapter to study in this lesson. Parents and children alike. VERSE 47.-And all were astonished at the understanding and answers of one 1. Parents must anticipate the fact of so young and yet so intelligently inter- losing their children. Sooner or later this ested and enthusiastic in matters so far experience comes to all homes. beyond the average boy. There He 2. A pious homestead, in which a. tarried during the teaching hours, for Christian discipline is maintained, can the better portion of three days, doubt-remove the prospective separation in less, eating and sleeping at the numerous hope, since it is not a finality. booths and stalls, which were numerously planted about during the festive seasons. VERSE 48.--And His mother spoke first, which was very natural under the cir 3. The finding for all such households, will supervene in our Father's House on High--a meeting without a parting. FEB. 13. LESSON VII. Septuagesima Sunday. Luke iii. 7-18. THE SUBJECT.-THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. KEY NOTE.-" GO YE ALSO INTO THE VINEYARD, AND WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT I WILL GIVE YOU."-Matt. xx. 4. 7. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8. Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11. He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 1881. 15. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whe ther he were the Christ, or not; 16. John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 17. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 18. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. QUESTIONS. Whose son was John the Baptist? Chap. i. 5. What do we know of his infancy and boyhood? Chap. i. 59-63, 80. Where had he spent some years of his manhood? How long did he remain in the desert? What was John's mission? Chap. i. 76-79. Do the four Evangelists speak of his preaching unto Israel? VERSE 7. Whence did the multitude come? Matt. iii. 5. What did he do, besides preaching, to such as became his disciples? What did his baptism signify? John i. 25-27. What id he call the people? What does this mean? Rev. xii. 9. What is meant by the wrath to come? 8. On what virtue did John insist? How were they to show their repentance? Against what did he warn them not to depend on? Why not? What nations were probably meant by the stones? 9. To what does he now compare the people? To what does he liken God's judgments? What is meant by the axe lying at the root of trees? What should occur to fruitless trees? 10. Had his preaching any effect on the people? What did they ask? 11. What answer did he give them? What principle did he mean to teach them by such advice? 12. Who came next? Who were these? 13. What did he say to them? Had these not done so before, likely? 14. What other class came now? How did he advise them to do? 15. Whom did the people now believe John to be, from the exalted doctrine he taught? Had the people been waiting for the Messiah? 16. How does he compare himself with Christ? How does he contrast his Baptism with Christ's? 17. To what does he compare the Jewish nation? To what does he liken the good and bad spirits among them? What does he mean by the fan ? 18. What more is said of John's Preaching? What was John's end? Does the Preaching of the Gospel lead men to Christ still? John i. 15-16. What is the name of this Lord's Day? How long before Lent does this day stand? How many days before Easter does word mean? this 1. Jesus, my Saviour and my Lord, 2. Make me to know and understand 3. Help me to read the Bible o'er 4. Oh, let it purify my heart, ship. He calls the nation a generation of vipers, by which he means a herd of the old serpent, or Satan. By his question -Who hath warned you? he means to say, that their consciences have been smitten by the effect of his preaching on the masses round about. By the wrath to come is meant the desolation and destruction which was about to come upon their nation, for their wickedness. Mal. iv. 6. " REMARKS.-Somewhere in Hebron lay the home of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of the forerunner of Jesus. The son of a pure and worthy priest, and of priestly descent on his mother's side, as well as destined for the priestly office himself, his parents early trained him for the holy office. He became familiar with the history of his people, the Law, and the Temple service. He, doubtless, also enjoyed all the advantages of the schools of the Synagogues, to VERSE 8. Bring forth therefore fruits which pious Jews diligently sent their worthy of repentance, that is, change children. But though by birth, circum- your life, and thereby prove the sincerity stances, and early training greatly of your sorrow for the reigning wickedfavored, the young herald of Jesus must ness over the land. Only thus can the have felt his extraordinary position and judgment be averted. Do not trifle calling. Being under the vow of a with your convictions, and flatter yourNazarite, he caught the spirit of the selves by the thought that you are heroes of his race, such as Samson and descendants of Abraham, the friend of Samuel, who spent their time in solitude, God, and that you will on that account retirement and with God. We do not be spared the deserved punishment. know how soon certain pious desert col- God is able of these stones, which you onies rose. From St. Luke we learn that regard as symbols of the dead Gentiles, John spent years in the wilderness-to raise up children, or a faithful seed, chap. i. 80.-" And the child grew, and unto himself. waxed strong in spirit, and was in the desert till the day of his showing unto Israel." The wilderness was a sacred region to the Jews. Thence came the Law, the Tabernacle, and Worship. Thither holy souls had resorted, and by self-denial in food and dress, by prayer and communion with God, made ready for their mission. John came thence as the prophet and preacher of the nation. His appearance arrested attention. His spare form, his uncut hair, his rough garments, his strong voice and hearty earnestness, all made him very like the ancient prophets-like Elijah the Tishbite, whom all expected to come in advance of the Messiah. His introduction is recorded for us in the 3rd Chapter of St. Matthew, vs. 1-12. NOTES.-VERSE 7. The multitude of hearers was very great, and composed of all classes of Jews, from Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan. Matt. iii. 5. To be baptized of him. The habit of bathing or washing, has been familiar over the East from the earliest ages, as a symbol, by whicn spiritual heroes would teach the necessity of cleansing the soul from sin, by repentance and a change of life. This symbol John adopted as a rite, by which he admitted all converts to his disciple VERSE 9. The trees represent the individual Jews. The axe was a picture of God's visitations, which were at the door--lying ready to be called into execution. A searching, probing season was at hand, when every fruitless tree was to be felled and burned in the fire of judgment. VERSE 10. The people were terribly moved by the sermon of the earnest preacher. They cried aloud—“ What shall we do then, in order to escape these times and punishments?" Three classes take it greatly to heart, and ask for advice :— VERSES 10-14. The people-publicans the soldiers. The masses had been living a life of selfishness and covetousness. John would have them to order their conduct on the principle of charity and love. They were to give and lend, one to the other. Those having two coats were to share with those having none. And their meat, or food, as well as raiment, they were generously to distribute among the poor. The publicans, or tax-gatherers, who had been exacting and unjust in collecting the tribute, were to take only as much as was ordered. They were to discharge their official duties honestly and without unwarranted oppression. The soldiers |