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flowers from Egypt at those seasons of the year when Italy could not produce them. But afterwards, to render these luxuries more easily attainable during the winter, the Roman gardeners erected green houses, warmed by hot water pipes, and by artificial temperature kept roses and lilies constantly in bloom. They carried their hot houses to such perfection, that in the reign of Domitian, when the Egyptians thought to pay him a splendid compliment by sending roses on his birthday in winter, their present excited ridicule. It was like hauling coals to Newcastle.

Clemence Isaure, a French lady who lived in the latter part of the fifteenth century, bequeathed to the Academy of Toulouse, a large income, exclusively for the celebration of floral games, and the distribution of five prizes for as many poems. The prizes consisted of an amaranth and a rose of gold, and of a violet, marigold, and lily of silver The will also required that every three years, on the day of the commencement of the floral games, the members of the Academy should scatter flowers on her tomb. Ronsard, the French poet, took the first prize, and received in lieu of the accustomed rose a silver image of Minerva. Mary, Queen of Scots, was so much delighted with the poem that she sent him a magnificent rose valued at £500. But enough on this point.

The general sentiment the world has expressed by flowers, are those of love, honor, refinement, charity, holiness and happiness. A Synod at Nismes, about A.D. 1284, ordered the Jews to wear a rose on their breasts, that they might be distinguished from Christians and not receive the same attentions. At one time, too, in certain parts of Germany, a crown of red roses was the punishment of immorality. As an offset to this, we may mention a beautiful custom that prevails in the Valley of Engadine in Switzerland. If a man accused of a crime is able to justify himself, the day on which he is delivered from prison, a young and beautiful girl presents him with a white rose, called "the rose of innocence."

Seneca made a raid upon the greenhouses of Rome, and denounced them as tending to effeminacy and vice. He tells one rich old curmudgeon that he could not sleep if one of the rose petals,

with which his bed was spread, happened to be curled. And Cicero, who rendered Verres immortal by the unmerciful castigation he gave him, tells that citizen not only that he is a robber; but such a lazy, effeminate libertine, that he would not know when spring came if he did not see the flowers in bloom. But Seneca, great as he was, could not do away with the green houses. It appears, however, that some of the nobles did appoint a board of eminent physicians to determine what kind of flowers were suitable to place in crowns, without detriment to health; and that the doctors reported the parsley, the ivy, the myrtle, and the rose as possessing peculiar virtues for dissipating the fumes of wine.

Less men than Seneca and Cicero might have told emperors and patricians that if their palaces had not been hotbeds of iniquity, seething with drunkenness and licentiousness, the wreath put on their virtuous brows would not have killed them, even though their courts had smelled like the city of Cologne, where a great English poet says he recognized seventy-two separate and well defined odors, some of them not very pleasant.

We of course repudiate the idea of the old German already alluded to, who found in the rose a universal panacea even for physical evils.

Had this virtue been found, Nero and Marc Anthony might have been spared. But to relieve all the disorders with which our humanity is afflicted, there must be in the remedy some inherent quality sufficient to cure sin. There is only one Balm in Gilead sufficient for that. And this leads me to remark that what I have yet to say will be in regard to flowers viewed from a Christian standpoint, and if you will bear with me yet longer, I would like to inflict a few of what my little daughter calls my "Christianaray ideas" you. I must premise, however, that the world has its æsthetic tastes. The beautiful can be looked upon and enjoyed in its measure in the sphere of nature, as over against the sphere of grace. Athens was once the most refined city in the world, and at the same time the most idolatrous and immoral. During the middle ages, the cultivation of flowers, as well as art, in the northwest

of Europe, was confined to the monks | about what they might hear. The effect and nuns, who kept their gardens while upon them would be such as arsenic and every one else was off at the wars. But water are said to have had upon rats, the Church does not now monopolize in the good old times when adulteration these things. Some people who make did not belong to the apothecary's art. no pretensions to Christianity appreciate Many a person's first mouthful would flowers more than very many pious per- prove the death dose, but you would sons do. There is a worldly thrift say, "If the rose can drive away the and taste that often expresses itself in evil spirit, let the bush be planted, even this way, and although Christianity though he tear some as he goeth out." without flowers is better than flowers The preachers and churches would have without Christianity, it is certainly bet- a good time generally; the lawyers ter to have the flowers alone than neither certainly, and even the doctors, would Christianity or flowers. have more leisure, for there would be less sickness, because less wounded, troubled, broken hearts. Ah! though the rose may be appointed of God as means to help keep the mind in proper, healthful channels, they cannot, as the old German supposed, exorcise the Demon. The strong man keepeth his palace, and until a STRONGER ONE come his goods are in peace.

We do not usually find the people who love and cultivate flowers to be the worst and most improvident members of any community. People whose ideas are entirely utilitarian-in whom the beautiful things of the world excite no emotions, are oftenest contracted and illiberal in all their views-moral dyspeptics; and when all the innocent and legitimate pastimes by which the toils and cares of life may be relieved are ignored, we are apt to have great stupidity, or, what is worse, gossips and busy bodies in other men's matters. Louis Napoleon understood this. He was always amusing the French to keep them from malicious mischief-to himself. The ancients had this idea, too. They consecrated the rose to Harpocrates, the patron of silence, of which it was the symbol, and they presumed that when they could say any thing to a man-or woman-under a rosebush, they could say it in confidence. That was just the meaning of their sub rosa.

I

All this by way of parenthesis. started out to say only that even in a worldly point of view, honors and flowers ought to go together. Moreover, I have noticed during a ministry that has extended through half of my life-time, and chiefly among the poor, that those people in the humbler walks of life, whose natural promptings have led them to whitewash their cottages, and train the jessamine and morning-glory by the door, or plant the marigold in the yard during the summer, are not generally the persons to whom my deacons have had to carry coal and potatoes in the winter.

It was the custom in some of the northern countries, too, to suspend a rose over their table at their feasts, to How Paganism is Sustained. remind the guests that honorable silence "It is the mothers of India that keep was to be preserved in regard to every- the idols on their pedestals," says Carlething said during their meals. A little ton. The way to hurl the idols down, of that old Roman honor, pagan though then, is to reach the mothers, by whom it was, would not be amiss now. You they are supported. And it is the may think this suggestion uncharitable, mothers and daughters of Christian but if you were speaking, you would say lands who, by their agencies, must give that if you could enforce the code, you to these heathen women a knowledge of would make many that you wot of take the true God, and lead them to cast breakfast, dinner and tea, lunch between away their idols for themselves and for meals, and strawberries at night, sub their children. And if the girls of the rosa. You would pen them up between present-the mothers of the future-can silence and starvation. And it would be educated in the Christian faith, do you good to see two chronic gossips while their minds are enlightened and chewing and swallowing opposite to each disciplined by intelligent study, is there other, with the dread consciousness that not hope, great hope, that the idols of. they dare not say one dishonorable word their country may be dethroned?

JANUARY 3.

GOSPEL LESSONS.

LESSON I.

The Epiphany,* St. Matthew ii. 1-12.

1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5. And they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

What does Epiphany mean?

1875.

8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

QUESTIONS.

1. Where was Jesus born? Why is it called Bethlehem of Judea? Who was king at this time? Which Herod is this? Who came at this time to Jerusalem? Who were these wise men? From what Eastern country did they come? Were they Jews or Gentiles?

2. What question did they ask? Who is meant by the King of the Jews? What did they say that they had seen? What did they mean by His star in the East?

3. What effect did the hearing of these things have upon Herod and upon the people of Jeru salem? Why should they be troubled?

4. What did Herod do? Who were the chief priests? Who were the scribes? What did Herod ask of them?

5, 6. What did they answer? What prophet spoke these words?

7. What did Herod then do? What is the meaning of privily? Why did he wish to have this information? What did he really intend

8. Whither did he send them? command them to do? Did he

to acknowledge and honor Jesus? What was his intention? v. 13, last clause. Of what sins was he here guilty?

9, 10. After having heard Herod, what did the wise men do? What continued to lead them? Whither did it bring them? Why did they rejoice when they saw the star?

11. When they came into the house, what did they see and do? What did they mean by wor shiping Him? What did they present unto Him? What is frankincense? Ex. xxx. 34, 35. What is myrrh? What did they mean by presenting these costly gifts to the child Jesus?

12. Did the wise men return to Herod? Who warned them not to do so? Why did He so warn them? What is meant by their departing to their own country by another way? Was this whole occurrence a manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles? compare Isaiah 1x. 3. To whom does Christ still manifest Himself? What should such offer to Him? Does God still defeat the plans of the wicked, as He defeated Herod ? Does He also still defend those whom He loves, as He defended Christ?

CATECHISM.

I. Lord's Day.

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life! Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and death? and makes me sincerely willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him.

Answer. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that, without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation; and therefore, by His

2. How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happy?

Three; the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.

On account of peculiar circumstances, our series of Lessons on the Gospels begins with the Civil instead of the Church Year. For this reason also, and because Epiphany rules several of the Sundays which follow it, the Gospel for Epiphany is used for the second Sunday after Christmas, instead of the proper Gospel for the day. Teachers should not confine themselves to the exact words of the questions as given in the Lesson papers. On the contrary, they should adapt each question to the capacity of the scholars. A like method should also be pursued with the comments. Each lesson should be begun by reading the Gospel aloud by the scholars, verse by

verse in turn.

COMMENTS.-1. Bethlehem of Judea, to distinguish it from Bethlehem, in Galilee. It was about six miles south of Jerusalem. Herod, the son of Antipater, was surnamed the Great, to distinguish him from other Herods mentioned in the New Testament. Luke iii. 1; Acts xi. 1 and xxv. 26. He was a very deceitful, wicked and cruel man. Wise men from the East. They are also called Magi, that is, learned men, probably priests and astrologers from Persia, who, as disciples of Zoroaster, were expecting a Redeemer. Owing to the prophetic declarations made in the Old Testament concerning this event (Ps. lxii. 11-12; Isaiah xlix. 7; lx. 3-6), these Magi were early considered to have been kings-the representatives of the Gentile world, which through them did homage to our Lord.

2. The King of the Jews. A King who was not only born of the Jews, and would rule over them, but also over other nations. His Star in the East. They knew that a heavenly sign would be connected with the earthly appearance of this king. It was an opinion widely spread throughout the ancient world, that great events, occurring on earth, had their corresponding phenomena in the heavenly world, where they made themselves visible in the form of stars. Astronomical calculations prove that just before the birth of our Lord very remarkable conjunctions of the planets of our system took place. Some suppose it to have been a particular star, and as such the fulfilment of the prophecy recorded in Numbers xxiv. 17.

4. Chief Priests. Not only the high priests who were then actually engaged in the performance of the high priest's duties, and those who formerly held the office of high priest, but also the chief priests who were at the head of the twenty-four classes of priests, all of which were members of the Sanhedrim. Scribes. Those who transcribed the Scriptures and were learned in their meaning and skilled in their interpretation.

5, 6. This prophecy is found in Micah v. 2. In this remarkable prophecy the insignificant city, Bethlehem, is described as the birth-place of the Messiah, and a contrast is instituted between its earthly debasement and its spiritual glory.

7. Privily. Secretly. Herod, no doubt, adopted this secrecy in order that he might get for himself alone all the knowledge which the wise men possessed, so as to use it for his own purposes, and also to prevent any political agitation.

8. Worship him. Herod's real purpose was not to acknowledge and honor Christ, but to destroy Him, and thus make his own reign longer, and secure the throne to his sons. He was guilty

of the basest falsehood and hypocrisy.

9, 10. When they saw the star, etc. The mysterious star is still their guide. While in Jerusalem they seem to have lost sight of it, but now, as they resume their journey, they see it still shining in the east, and they are filled with joy. Following it, they are led not only to Bethlehem, but to the very house where Christ was. To their eyes the star now ceased its motion and stands fixed over the house.

11. They fell down and worshiped

3. Herod..... was troubled. He was troubled, filled with fear and anxiety, for several reasons. 1. Because every great event, when starting suddenly into existence (as in this instance, the ap-him. pearance of the Magi, their question, the star), produces terror. 2. Because if a king of the Jews had truly been born, then his rule and power would soon come to an end, which, also, the Pharisees had foretold. All Jerusalem with him. There was a general expectation of the Messiah entertained by the Jews at that time. When they heard, in Jerusalem, through the wise men, that He had been born, they were filled and agitated with hopes and fears in regard to the reality and results of His advent.

This is the Eastern mode of saluting a distinguished person. It may also have been a solemn acknowledgment of the supernatural character of the new-born infant, dimly perceived by the wise men. They presented unto him, etc. These gifts were costly, and were offered as an expression of homage appropriate to a king. It is also suggested that these rich gifts, especially the gold, were very necessary to Mary in her poverty, particularly in view of her journey to Egypt. These gifts have also been regarded as typical of certain facts in the history of our

Lord. The offering of gold might mean | it would be as useless for any one to that He was a king, frankincense that try to get interested in the recital of He was God, and myrrh that He should die.

12. Being warned of God in a dream. They evidently intended to return to Herod, to report to him the result of their journey to Bethlehem. To prevent this, God warned them in a dream not to do so, but to return to their own country by another way than the one that led up to Jerusalem. They heeded the warning-obeyed God, and disobeyed Herod.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.-1. Christ

manifests Himself to the hearts and minds of all who, like the wise men, earnestly, devoutly, and believingly seek

Him.

2. If He thus manifests Himself to us, then we should be willing to offer to Him not only the "fruit of our lips"praise and prayer-but ourselves "as living sacrifices," consecrating ourselves on the altar of the gospel in soul and body, property and life, to His most blessed service and praise.

that Hebrew babe's rescue, as it would be to grow enthusiastic over the bursting of one of the myriad bubbles that broke against the side of the bulrush vessel he was hidden in.

THE Bible Class Magazine has a capital remedy for grumbling-a disorder, by the way, very prevalent in Sundayschools and religious circles. It is becoming, we are sorry to say, very common and of a malignant type among simple, cheap and always at hand. The religious newspapers. The remedy is in a word of 4 letters-SING. remedy and application are expressed It does not much matter what you sing, Try it. be it treble or bass, only that you do it only that it is right and good; or how, heartily. If the attack is mild, a few bars, sung piano will effect the cure. If symptoms are decided, twenty to thirty bars, three-four time forte and lively, should be tried promptly and repeated at intervals. If the patient is disinchoruses. A persistent course of this clined to solos, let him try duets or kind of treatment will cure the most

3. God's defeat of Herod's wicked plan a warning to all who plan and do evil, and his defence of Christ are en-confirmed cases, and the habitual grumcouraging to all who love Him to persevere in doing so in spite of all enemies.

A MERCHANT in New York is said to have stopped to admire and praise a beautiful child as he was crossing the park one day. In the end he discovered that it was his own child, whose very being, not to say bloom and beauty, he had lost sight of in his devotion to money-making, during early and late hours. Too often, we fear, churches are strangers to the Sunday-school which they ought to know, and love, and care for; which craves the strong arm and the wise counsel and paternal watchfulness which are its birthright.

THE FINDING OF MOSES.-About four thousand years ago a little boy was saved by a princess from drowning in the Nile river. "Life," says Jean Paul, "should in every shape be precious to us; for the same reason that the Turks carefully collect each scrap of paper, because the name of God may be written upon it." If it were not for this name of God, possible to be written upon every human history,

bler will become noted for cheerfulness and urbanity. Try it. Cultivate habits of praise. The more singing the less grumbling. Speak "to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord."

No SHEAVES.-A suffering child of said to her pastor, a few hours before God, who was lately laid in her grave, she died, "I feel as if I were going to

heaven without sheaves." She had

any

lingered long with consumption, which wasted her young life away just as she had finished her first score of years; and her chief wish for a longer life was that she might "do more for Him who had done so much for her."

But the patient sufferer knew not how her quiet testimonies for Christ, and her exemplary submission to His will and her latest joys, rising even into rapture, had ministered to those who saw and watched her during her illness. And she went home with her pale thin hands full of golden sheaves-the sheaves of sanctified trial and of ripened faith.

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