T. Of what is peace the fruit?

S. Of the Spirit. Gal. v. 22.

T. What are the words of the blessing pronounced by the minister in church?

S. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus." Phil. iv. 7.

The Epistle. Rom. xii. 6.

HAVING then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another: not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

T. What does St. Paul notice in this Epistle?
S. The different gifts bestowed upon the Apostles.

K

T. From whence did these divers gifts come?
S. From "the same Spirit." 1 Cor. xii. 4.
T. When were they given to them?

S. On the day of Pentecost, when "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts,ii. 4.

T. By whom did St. Peter say the gift of prophecy was foretold?

S. By the prophet Joel, in these words: "And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids, in those days will I pour out My Spirit." Joel, ii. 28, 29.

T. We read of Paul and Barnabas ministering before the Lord, with other prophets and teachers, with fasting and prayer (Acts, xiii. 2); what was the result?

S. "The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."

T. Where do we read of some chosen to distribute alms? S. When the deacons were appointed (" seven men of honest report, and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom," Acts, vi. 3, 4) to attend to the daily ministration.

T. The different exhortations in this Epistle to those who teach, exhort, and give alms, would show that these were distinct offices in the ministry of the Church. How does St. Paul strengthen this idea? 1 Cor. xii. 28.

S. "God hath set some in the Church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

T. [St. Paul's exhortations are to all Christians.] What is dissimulation?

S. Putting on the appearance of what we are not; deceit and falseness.

T. How shall we abhor evil, cleave to that which is good?

S. If we love God and keep His commandments.

T. What is the Christian's love to be

S. Brotherly love: kind affection towards each other. T. How are we all brethren?

S. Through Christ who sanctifieth us. "For which cause He is not ashamed to call us brethren." Heb. ii. 11. "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Matt. xxiii. 8.

T. What is it to prefer one another in honour?

S." In lowliness of mind each to esteem other better than themselves." Phil. ii. 3. In our Saviour's words, "Go and sit down in the lowest room." Luke, xiv. 10.

T. How is our business to be performed?

S. Not slothfully, but with diligence, as serving the Lord. T. What do we read in Ecclesiastes, ix. 10?

S. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might."

T. What is the highest motive for industry?

S. To do all "to the glory of God." 1 Cor. x. 31.
T. What is the hope in which we are to rejoice?

S. The hope of forgiveness and eternal life. We must "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. v. 2; and "Rejoice, because our names are written in heaven." Luke, x. 20.

T. What is tribulation?

S. Trouble, sorrow, persecution, which Christians must suffer in this world. John, xvi. 33.

T. What is it to be instant in prayer?

"Men

S. Persevering, importunate, without ceasing. ought always to pray and not to faint." Luke, xviii. 1.

T. What is hospitality?

S. Kindness to strangers.

T. [This was a necessary virtue in the times of the early Christians, during their persecutions and wanderings.] How were Christians encouraged to this? Heb. xiii. 2.

S. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Abraham and Lot are instances of this. Gen. xviii. 3; xix. 2.

T. What examples have we of some who prayed for those who persecuted them?

S. Our Saviour, who prayed for His murderers "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke, xxiii. 34. St. Stephen, who prayed for those who stoned him: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Acts, vii. 60.

T. What does being of the same mind one towards another mean?

S. Agreeing in opinion and faith.

T. [Therefore we should pray for the unity of the Church, and avoid those who make divisions. Rom. xvi. 17.] What is the sin of causing divisions in the Church called?

S. Schism, 1 Cor. xii. 25: schism in the body."

"There should be no

T. What is it not to mind high things?

S. To be humble, not anxious for honour, or preferment, or worldly distinctions.

T. Who is our perfect example of humility?

S. Our Saviour, who says, "Learn of me; for I am

meek and lowly in heart." Matt. xi. 29.

T. What is it to be wise in our own conceit ?

S. To think much of ourselves.

The Gospel. St. John, ii. 1.

AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants which drew the water knew,) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.

T. What do we here observe in our Lord's conduct? S. He was attending a marriage-feast, thus doing honour to the holy state of matrimony, and giving His sanction to the feast and enjoyment which celebrated it. T. How does the Prayer-Book remind us of this in the office of matrimony?