priests, killing it, and providing the bitter herbs, &c., to be eaten with it.

REFLECTIONS. -1. Wicked men often help each other to do mischief.-The Jews wanted such a man as Judas, and he was prepared to do what they wished.

2. God overrules the wickedness of man for the accomplishment of His own word.-The Jews did not wish to take Jesus during the feast, yet they did so; and thus the death of Christ was publicly and widely known.

3. Evil desires and passions, such as avarice and anger, are as powder to the fiery darts of the wicked one.-Beware of them.

4. Men are often angry with others when they should weep for themselves.

5. Any act which proves our love to Jesus is precious in His sight.

6. A good deed shines a long time in the world.-"Let your light shine."

7. Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us."-While the disciples were preparing the typical sacrifice, He was preparing the true One, Matt. xxvi. 18.

QUESTIONS.-Why was the feast of the Passover kept? Why with "unleavened bread?" How did the Jews wish to take Jesus? Why? What happened at Bethany just then? Who was the woman? What was the ointment worth? Why did the disciples murmur? How did Jesus reprove them? What did Judas do then? What did the Jews promise him? Jesus send two of His disciples? Did they find as He had said? What did they do?

Illustration.-"AN ALABASTER BOX OF..SPIKENARD."

Where did What for?

See v. 3. Alabaster is a species of onyx, or marble," distinguished for being light, and of a beautiful colour, almost transparent." Spikenard is a plant of Arabia and the far East, with a small, slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. She brake the box," that is, the seal by which the mouth was stopped. "It is the custom in Eastern countries still, to stop the bottles which contain essences with cotton, and to seal them with wax; in which form that costly perfume, the attar of roses, is still imported into this country."

AUGUST 2.-AFTERNOON LESSON.
PURSUIT AND DELIVERANCE. -Exodus xiv.
For repetition, verses 30, 31.

SUMMARY.-God commands Moses to lead the children of Israel into a situation of difficulty, telling him how this will induce Pharaoh to follow them. Pharaoh makes great preparation, and pursues the Israelites, who are sorely terrified. Moses teaches them to look for the salvation of the Lord; he lifts up his rod, God divides the sea, the pillar of cloud goes behind them, and so is between them and the Egyptians, and the people pass through. Pharaoh and his host follow, but the Lord causes the waters to return, overflow, and drown them.

I. ENCAMPING.-V. 1-4. Pi-hahiroth," probably the name of a natural locality." Migdol.-"A military watchtower." Over against,-in the face of. Baal-zephon,-"perhaps a well-known place," as the name signifies "sacred to Typhon," or "lord of the north." Encamp.-This was their third encampment after leaving Egypt, Num. xxxiii. 5-7. V. 3. Entangled, &c.-"This turn in their route was a very foolish way, according to human judgment:" they were literally hemmed in on all

sides, but God purposely sent them to the place. V. 4. I will harden,-for the last time. Honoured, by the destruction of those who have so stoutly fought against Me. Egyptians may know, those left in the land. They,the Israelites, obeyed God.

II. PHARAOH IN PURSUIT.-V. 5—9. It was told, perhaps by some of the mixed multitude, who turned back; or more likely by spies sent out from Pharaoh. Turned against the people, &c. They no sooner recovered from the panic caused by the death of the firstborn, than they saw the greatness of their loss: the service of the Israelites could not be easily replaced. V. 6. Made ready his chariot,-had the horses yoked to it. His people,-men of war. V. 7. Chosen chariots,—always in readiness for use. And all,- -as many more as could be prepared in a very short time. Captains.-A troop of horsemen, "royal guards," accompanied each chariot. V. 8. And he pursued,-deaf to all the warnings taught him by the plagues. And, although they went out with a

Illustration.-WAR-CHARIOTS.

See v. 7. "According to the most authentic accounts we have of war-chariots, they were frequently drawn by two or by four horses, and carried three persons: one was charioteer, whose business it was to guide the horses, but he seldom fought; the second chiefly defended the charioteer; and the third alone was properly the combatant.”—A. Clarke.

AUGUST 9.-MORNING LESSON.
THE TRIUMPHANT SONG.-Exodus xv. 1-21.

SUMMARY.-Their miraculous deliverance, and the signal destruction of their late tyrants, inspire Moses and the people to sing a hymn of praise to God; which is partly in celebration of the victory over Pharaoh, and partly prophetic of the downfall of their enemies.

I. THE SONG OF PRAISE.-V. 1—13. This song,-"the most ancient of which there is any memory." Triumphed gloriously,-"in a most illustrious manner shown His power." V. 2. An habitation,-a place for His service and worship; I will " 'glorify Him." (Sept.)

My father's God,-a thankful confession of the truth of ch. iii. 6, 15. A Man of war,-"the Hero of the battle." The Lord,-Jehovah, ch. iii. 14. V. 4. His host," military force." His chosen,— the pick and pride of his army. V. 5. As a stone, that in which they trusted, helping to sink them, ch. xiv. 25. V. 6. Thy right hand,-omnipotence. Hath dashed, it shatters and utterly destroys every foe. V. 7. "In the fulness of Thy Majesty Thou pullest down opponents," as a building is taken to pieces. Consumed,- -as by fire, alluding to "the pillar of fire" out of which God looked, ch. xiv. 24. V. 8. The blast, &c.-The strong east wind poetically described, Ps. xviii. 15; Isai. lxiii. 11-14. Were congealed,- "A poetical description of the piling up of the waves like solid masses. V. 9. Said,-full of vain confidence, and breathing vengeance, Judges v. 30. My lust,-revenge shall "cool itself upon them." V. 10 repeats v. 5. V. 11. The gods, (Margin, "mighty ones,")-or those supposed to be gods by the Egyptians. Glorious,-glorified in the most sublime perfection of Thy nature by the wonders wrought in Egypt, and at the Red Sea. Fearful, &c.,-i. e., to be praised with the greatest fear and reverence. V. 12. The earth swallowed, they were buried in the sand, or mud, at the bottom of the sea. V. 13. Redeemed,-from the bondage of Egypt. Hast guided,towards the Holy Land, which Thou hast promised to them," v. 17.

II. THE SONG OF PROPHECY.-V. 14 -19. Palestina,-Philistia, "the Philistines being the most valiant people in that country to which the Israelites

were to go, and therefore here mentioned." V. 15. Edom, descendants of Esau, Gen. xxxvi. 15-18. Moab, -See Num. xxii. 3. Canaan, —Josh. v. 1. V. 16. Still,-dumb and motionless as stones, having no power or heart to resist the passage of the Israelites. V. 17. The mountain, &c.- Meaning, perhaps, Canaan generally, which was a very mountainous country; but certainly referring to Mount Sion, as His peculiar dwelling-place, Ps. lxxviii. 54; lxviii. 16; cxxxii. 13, 14. V. 18. For ever and ever,-because no earthly power can possibly withstand His arm. V. 19 repeats the sentiment of v. 1, 4, 5, 10, 12, which, indeed, is the subject of the song.

All the

III. MIRIAM. V. 20, 21. Prophetess," because she had a gift of composing hymns in praise of the Divine Majesty;" also Num. xii. 2. Of Aaron,-and Moses also, whom she watched as a babe in the ark of bulrushes, ch. ii. 4. V. 20. Timbrel,called by us a "tambourine." women, &c.-In this way victories were celebrated many years afterwards, Judges v.; 1 Sam. xviii. 6, 7. Miriam answered,-Moses, and the men who sang with him, in triumphant chorus replying to all they said of the glorious strength of God.

REFLECTIONS. 1. National deliverances should be the subject, and should inspire the song, of national praise to God.-His hand may not be so visible, but it is as really there as in this instance.

2. The more we see of God's wondrous works, the more should we adore the perfections of His name.

3. His mighty doings in the past are the pledge to us that He will maintain His supremacy for ever, and make all His enemies to "lick the dust."-See Isai. li. 9-15.

QUESTIONS.-How old is this song? Who sings it? To whom is it sung? On what occasion? What does it say of the Lord? v. 1. What was He to them? v. 2. How does it say Pharaoh was destroyed? v. 5, 10. What did the enemy intend to do? v. 9. How is God praised in v. 11? What is said about Edom, Philistia, and Canaan? Where would God bring His people to dwell? What was Miriam ? What did she do?

Illustration.-FRUITS OF VICTORY.

"On the next day, Moses gathered together the weapons of the Egyptians, which were brought to the camp of the Hebrews by the current of the sea, and the force of the winds assisting it; and he conjectured that this also happened by Divine Providence, that so they might not be destitute of weapons."-Josephus.

row.

AUGUST 9.-AFTERNOON LESSON.
SOLEMNITY AND SORROW.-Mark xiv. 17-42.
For repetition, verses 22-24.

SUMMARY.-At the supper of the Passover, Jesus foretells the treachery of one of His disciples, to their surprise and sorHe institutes the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; after which they go to the Mount of Olives, where He forewarns them of their fear and cowardice. Led by Peter, they all declare their willingness to die with Him. Coming to Gethsemane, He withdraws, and wrestles with God, "being in an agony;' meanwhile the three disciples sleep, for which Jesus rebukes them. On His return the third time, He bids them rise, because the betrayer is at hand.

I. THE TRAITOR DISCOVERED.-V. 17-21. In the evening,-"when the hour was come" for eating the Paschal lamb, Luke xxii. 14; Exod. xii. 6-8. V. 18. They sat,reclined; at first the supper was eaten standing, Exod. xii. 11; afterwards it was eaten as an ordinary meal. Jesus,-"was troubled in spirit," &c., John xiii. 21.

Which eateth,- -as a friend cordially attached to Me. V. 19. Sorrowful,-that such a thing could possibly be suspected, and "looked one on another" to detect the traitor, and then, one by one, asked, Is it I? V. 20. That dippeth, &c."Which, it seems, Judas was doing at that very time," Matt. xxvi. 23; Luke xxii. 21; John xiii. 23-26. V. 21. Goeth, to death. As it is written.Isai. liii. 3-9; Dan. ix. 26. Woe,corresponding with the awful character of the crime. Good,-better; i. e., he had better not have lived at all, than live to do this, Matt. xxvii. 3-5; Acts i. 18.

II. THE LORD'S SUPPER.-V. 2225. Took bread,-"towards the end of the supper." Blessed,-not the bread, but gave thanks to God, according to the practice of the Jews. Brake,-an act significant of His own sufferings, 1 Cor. xi. 24. This is, meaning, this represents My body. V. 23. The cup, -of thanksgiving, which the master of

the family gave to each guest after
supper. V. 24. This, signifies My
blood shed for you. New testament,—
or covenant, placed in contrast with the
old, Exod. xxiv. 6—8. V. 25 is pro-
phetic of His speedy departure: "I
shall not keep another Passover with
you here."
Fruit of the vine,-wine
made of its grapes. New,-in the same
sense as 'new heavens," &c., to denote
spiritual refreshment and joy.

66

III. CAUTION GIVEN, AND SELFCONFIDENCE EXPRESSED.-V. 26-31. An hymn." It consisted of six Psalms, from Ps. cxiii. to cxviii." Mount of Olives. - On the east of Jerusalem,

66

over the brook Cedron," John xviii. 1. V. 27. Offended,-made to stumble and to flee from Me like terrified sheep, Zech. xiii. 7; ver. 50. V. 28 is a promise to cheer them, which was strictly fulfilled, ch. xvi. 7. V. 29. Peter said, &c. -Brave words, well meant, but not well kept. V. 30. Unto him,-with more direct and solemn warning. Crow twice.-It was accustomed to crow first at midnight, and again at break of day; the latter is called cock-crowing, ch. xiii. 35. Thrice,-three times, v. 66 -72. V. 31. More vehemently,-with more emphasis and boldness; indignant, perhaps, that either his courage or his love should be suspected. Said they all,-influenced by Peter's example, but with less confidence.

IV. GETHSEMANE: SORROW AND SLEEP.-V. 32-42. A place. - St. John calls it a garden. Gethsemane.The word signifies "valley of fatness," or, an "olive-press." Shall pray, "yonder," Luke xxii. 41. V. 33. Peter, &c. These three had seen His glory, Matt. xvii. 1-9; now they were to witness His grief and agony.

Sore

amazed. "The original word imports the most shocking amazement, mingled with grief: and that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful,

See v. 20. "The Jews, at the observance of this ordinance, used a bitter sauce, made of bunches of raisins mixed with vinegar, and other seasoning of the like kind, which they said represented the clay which their fathers were compelled to use in Egypt in making brick; thus reminding them of their bitter bondage there. This was, probably, the dish to which reference is here made."—Barnes.

II. GETHSEMANE.

See v. 32. "Gethsemane signifies the place of oil-presses; and was probably so called from the presses there used to obtain the oil from the olives, which gave its name to this celebrated mountain and district."-R. Watson.

AUGUST 16.-MORNING LESSON.
TRANSGRESSION FORGIVEN.-Psalm xxxii.

SUMMARY.-See heading of the Psalm. David teaches that safety and gladness are found through the forgiveness of sins; that in order to this there must be sorrow, confession, and prayer. God, by his mouth, gives us instruction, and warns against a disposition to refuse it.

I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS.-V. 1, 2; 10, 11.-Transgression, -literally means, going over," or "beyond;" and so, sin is any breaking