ful not to be carried away with? [Ans. Every blast of vain doctrine] What is meant by vain doctrine? [Ans. That which is contrary to the gospel.] Should we be ready to run after every person who calls himself a gospel preacher? [Ans. No.] Is it not very presumptuous in ignorant people, to pretend to explain the doctrines of Christ? [Ans. Yes.] With what dispositions should we study the gospel? [Ans. With diligence and humility.] What assistance should we pray for to enable us to understand and profit by the sacred writings? [Ans. God's grace.]

St. Philip and St. James's Day. May 1.

Instruction.---To know God truly, is to know him as he is revealed in Scripture, and we should live according to the laws he has made known to us. Christ is called the Way, because we must believe in him in order to go to heaven; he is called the Truth, because his promises are sure and cannot fail; and he is called the Life, because eternal life comes by him. One principal part of the knowledge of God is, to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that salvation and eternal life come through him, and him alone.

Questions.---Was St. Philip one of the twelve Apostles? [Ans. Yes.] Was St. James one of them also? [Ans. Yes.] Where do we learn to know God truly? [Ans. In the Scriptures.] How may Jesus Christ be said to be the Way to heaven? [Ans. Because we must believe in him to get thither.] How is he the Truth? [Ans. Because his promises are sure, and cannot fail.] Why is he styled the Life? Ans. Because eternal life comes through him.] Did the Apostles St. Philip and St. James believe this? [Ans. Yes.] What way did they stedfastly walk in from this belief? [Ans. The way that leadeth to eternal life.] What do we in this Collect pray to be enabled to do? [Ans. To follow their example.]

St. Barnabas the Apostle.

Instruction.---St. Barnabas was not one of the twelve, but was called and ordained of Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles, by the revelation of the Holy Ghost. The Apostles were endued with many singular gifts, such as speaking in languages they had never learnt, prophesying, healing the sick, casting out devils, and performing other miraculous. works, which we are not to expect: but manifold gifts

are bestowed upon all true Christians, such as ability to understand the holy Scriptures, strength to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, patience to endure the trials of this mortal state, and many others which we should pray for, and also for power to use them as the Collect expresses.

Questions.---What singular gifts did God bestow upon the Apostles? [Ans. The gift of tongues, prophesying, healing, casting out devils, &c.] What were the uses of these gifts at that time? [Ans. To prove the truth of what they taught.] Are these gifts necessary now that the gospel is in our hands? [Ans. No.] Are there any other valuable gifts which are necessary to our comfort and happiness? [Ans. Yes.] Can we understand the Scriptures aright without the help of the Holy Spirit? [Ans. No.] Can we resist temptation without the grace of God? [Ans. No.] Can we endure the trials and troubles of life without the same aid? [Ans. No.] Is it not a sad thing to be destitute of these gifts? [Ans. Yes.] Upon whom will God bestow them? [Ans. Upon those who pray for them.] In what way should we use all these gifts? [Ans. To the honour and glory of God.]

St. John the Baptist's Day. June 24, commonly called Midsummer Day.

Questions.---Who was John the Baptist? [Ans. The forerunner of the Messiah.] Whose son was he? [Ans. The son of Zacharius and Elizabeth:] Was he wonderfully born? [Ans. Yes.] Whose way was he sent to prepare? [Ans Our Saviour's.] What doctrine did he preach? [Ans. "Repentance.] Did John declare Jesus to be the Messiah? [Ans. Yes.] Did not John preach heavenly doctrine and lead a holy life? [Ans. Yes.] Where do we read an account of John's life and doctrines? [Ans. In St. Luke's gospel:] What is it our duty to follow? [Ans. His doctrineand holy life.] If we follow his doctrine, what should we do in respect to our sins? [Ans. Repent of them.] What does the Collect say we should constantly speak after his example? [Ans. The truth.] What should we boldly rebuke? [Ans. Vice.] And fo. what should we patiently suffer? Ans For the truth's sake.] The truth of what? [Ans

The truth of our holy religion.] Whose grace must enable us to do these things? [Ans. God's grace.]

St. Peter's Day, June 29.

Instruction.---The excellent gifts bestowed upon St. Peter, were the gift of tongues, the power to preach the gospel, to cast out devils, and perform many other miracles. The flock our Lord commanded him to feed, were those who should be converted to Christianity, and the food he was to give them was the knowledge of its doctrines. The pastors signify ministers of the gospel.

Questions.---Was not the gift of tongues, and the other gifts bestowed upon St. Peter, very excellent ones? [Ans. Yes.] Who were meant by the flock he was to feed? [Ans. His converts.] What food was he to give them? [Ans.. The knowledge of the gospel.] Is not the word of God now taught by the Bishops and Ministers? [Ans. Yes.] Do they not in so doing feed their flocks? [Ans. Yes.] Who are meant by their flocks? [ns. The people God has committed to their care.] Is it not very important to the flock to have a diligent and good shepherd? [Ans. Yes.] Who is the shepherd of a congregation? [Ans. The Minister.] When God's Ministers diligently preach God's word, what should the people do? Ans. Obediently follow the same.] What crown is to be the reward of their obedience through Jesus Christ? [Ans. The crown of everlasting. glory.]

St. James the Apostle. July 25.

Instruction.---This Apostle is surnamed the Great, as the other James was styled the Less, probably to distinguish the one from the other. His mother Salome was nearly related to the Virgin Mary. It does not happen in the present state of the Church, that Christians are called upon to forsake all to follow Christ, as this Apostle did, but every one is called upon to forsake all carnal affections.

Questions.---Who did tlre holy Apostle James leave without delay, when Christ called him? [Ans. His father, and mother, and all that he had.] If we are not called to forsake either father, or mother, or property, what are we called upon to forsake? [Ans. All worldly and carnal affections.] What are carnal affections? [Ans. Sinful affections that be

long to the flesh.] When we have forsaken all sinful desires, what shall we be the more ready to follow? [Ans. God's holy commandments.] Who are most ready to do the will of God, those who have set their affections on the things of this world, or those who are ready to part with them when God pleases? [Ans. Those who are ready to part with them.]

St. Bartholomew the Apostle.

August 24.

Instruction.---St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve Apostles, and is supposed to be the same person who was before called Nathaniel.

Questions.----What did God give his apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach? [Ans. His word.] What should we pray God to incline all ministers to do? [Ans. To preach the same gospel as the Apostles preached.] What should we pray God to incline us to do in respect to the word? [Ans. To love it.] Ought we to receive any new doctrine differing from the Apostles, or not to be found in their writings? [Ans. No.] If we love God's word, shall we not be inclined to obey it? [Ans. Yes.]

St. Matthew the Apostle. September 21.

Instruction.---This apostle wrote one of the gospels, for which he was particularly well qualified, as he was an eyewitness of our Lord's actions, and acquainted with the Virgin Mary. This apostle is also called Levi.

Questions.---What worldly advantages did Matthew quit to follow our Lord? Ans. His place in the receipt of custom.] Did our Lord promise to make him any recompence for this sacrifice in this world? [Ans. No.] Did not Saint Matthew shew by his readiness to obey this call, that he had no covetous desires? [Ans. Yes.} What do we in this Collect pray for grace to forsake? [Ans. All covetous desires.] What is being covetous? [Ans. Desiring money greedily.] What is meant by an inordinate love of riches? [Ans. Loving them too much, being over anxious to obtain the good things of this world.] Who do we desire grace to follow? [Ans. Jesus Christ.] How can we follow Jesus Christ? [Ans By believing in him, and following his example.]

St. Michael and all Angels, September 29, commonly called Michaelmas Day.

We are

Instruction.---Angels are happy spirits who dwell in heaven, and are employed as the messengers of God. told in Scripture, that they love mankind, and rejoice in the repentance of sinners; likewise that they perform good offices for those who are heirs of salvation, meaning pious and good men: but we must not worship angels, because they are the creatures of God as well as ourselves, though of a higher and more perfect nature. St. Michael is mentioned by name in Scripture, and is supposed to be an archangel or prince of angels. Saint John, in the book of Revelations, speaks of Michael as having driven Satan and his wicked angels out of heaven. This festival was appointed in acknowledgment of the many good offices done for the Church, by the ministry of angels.

Questions.---Have we not accounts in Scripture of the appearance or angels to men on several occasions? Ans. Yes.] Are they friends or foes to mankind? [Ans. Friends.] What does our Saviour say the angels do when a sinner repenteth? [Ans. Rejoice. Is it right to worship angels? [Ans. No.] Why not? [Ans. Because they are only creatures.] Are we their equals? [Ans. No.] Has not our Saviour told us that those who shall be admitted into heaven, will be equal to the angels of God? [Ans. Yes.] Who is Saint Michael supposed to be? [Ans. An archangel.] What is meant by an archangel? [Ans. A prince of angels.] Whose will does it become both angels and men to perform? [Ans. God's will] How do we desire God's will may be done in the Lord's Prayer? [Ans. In earth as it is in heaven.] By whom is it done in heaven? [Ans. By the angels.] As we are intended to be like the angels hereafter, how should we prepare ourselves here for such a glorious state? [Ans. By striving to be good as they are.] Do angels appear to men now? Ans. No.] Though we cannot see them, may they not be present to us? [Ans. Yes.] Why cannot we see them? [Ans. Because they are spirits.] What form did they take when they did appear on earth, as we are told in Scripture? [Ans. The human form.] Is it not delightful to have hopes of being the companions of angels hereafter? [Ans. Yes.]