COMMENTS.-The theme of this lesson | is, the trust in the protecting and the providing providence of God, which all His faithful servants may and should possess.

24. Masters. Those who have entire control over a man, and whom he must obey in all things. If two masters agree in what they command, he can obey both; but, if they have separate and opposite interests, he cannot do it, because they will command opposite and contradictory things. Mammon. This is a Chaldean word, and means wealth, money, as over against the true God, our Saviour here regards wealth as a person, an idol-god.

25. Take no thought. This expression does not mean that we are to lay aside all thought, concern and effort in regard to worldly things; but rather that we are not to be full of anxious thought and care (which distracts and divides the soul) so as to be led to neglect our souls. God, having given unto us life, which is the greater gift, will not neglect to give us the less,-food and raiment. 26. We are immortal creatures, made in the image of God, which the fowls of the air are not, and therefore we are much better than they. If God provides for these, surely we may trust in Him to provide for us, if we use the strength and knowledge which He has given us.

27. A cubit is the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, about 21 inches. Stature. This word means in the original Greek, both height in size and length of life. Either or both meanings give a good sense. For, as it is impossible for a grown man to add an inch or even a hair's breadth to his height, or a day, or even a minute to the length of his life, by any amount of anxious care or worry, so it is also impossible for him to procure any worldly thing, food or raiment by taking such anxious thought. God must help us if we are to succeed truly in anything.

28. The lilies of the field. In the fields and meadows of Palestine grew many kinds of wild flowers, the most beautiful of which was the imperial lily, which was of large size, of purple, gold, and white colors, and in shape somewhat like a crown.

29. Solomon in all his glory. The reference here is to the magnificent appear

ance of Solomon, when, on public occa sions, clothed in his splendid royal garments of purple and gold, with a crown upon his head, he sat on his ivory throne, called also his throne of glory. 2 Chron. ix. 17-19.

32. The Gentiles. Heathen, idolaters, who had no true knowledge of God, nor of eternal life, and consequently lived chiefly in and for this world."

33. First. This word means here, first in the order of time, that is, early in life; and then, also, that the seeking of the kingdom of God, etc., should be the chief and most important concern of our whole life The kingdom of God means here, as often elsewhere, the church, the divine institution which Christ founded on the earth for the salvation of men. In the Church we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits, He being made unto those who believe in Him, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. All these things. All temporal necessaries, as food, raiment, and these in abundance also, if it be necessary that we should have them in order that we may the better serve God and do good.

34. The morrow shall take thought, etc. The future, to-morrow, next month, or next year, will provide for itself when it comes. Or rather, our heavenly Father, in whose hands our times are, will take care of us and provide for us in all future time. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. "Every day has its own trials, troubles, and toils. We should not increase these by bringing into it those of to-morrow. "The seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, the ever new devotion and sacrifice of the will to an entire obedience; must be to the children of God, while they live in the flesh and in the world, the trial and "evil" of every day. With this they should be without, and not burden themselves beyond the will of their heavenly Father," by anxious fears about the to-morrow which may never come, and which, if it does come, will be fully provided for by the same heavenly Father.

A NEW material of breakfast costume is called "Batiste." It resembles linen, being only a little thicker.

11. When did the event recorded in this lesson | take place? Where did it take place? What is the meaning of Nain? Where was it situated? Who accompanied Jesus at this time?

12. What did He behold as He came nigh to the gate of the city? Why is the city spoken of as having a gate? Did the Jews bury their dead outside of their cities? Who was this dead man? Did the fact, that he was the only son of his widowed mother make his death a very great affliction to her? Why? Who accompanied her? What may this fact prove concerning her?

dead in coffins? If not, how did they prepare them for burial? Why did the Lord touch the bier? What did the bearers do? What did the Lord say to the dead young man?

15. What then took place? What did his sitting up prove? What did his speaking prove? What did the Lord then do? What does this miracle prove concerning the divine character of our Lord?

16. What effect had this miracle upon those who saw it? What is the meaning of fear here? What did the people do and say? Of what similar miracles performed by prophets did this miracle remind them? 2 Kings xvii: 17-23; Kings iv: 32-37.

17. What is recorded in this verse? What is the meaning of rumor? Does Jesus still pity and help those who are in affliction? Heb. iv: 15, 16.

Yes; either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects, or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm fidelity and truth, to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbor; for such an oath is founded on God's word, and

the old and new testament.

102. May we also swear by saints, or any other creatures?

No; for a lawful oath is a calling upon God, as the one who knows the heart, that He will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely; which honor is due to no creature.

O Saviour, who at Nain's gate Didst dry a widow's tears, And raise her only son, the prop Of her declining years;

What holy raptures, Lord, through Thee Thy suffering saints await,

When raised from death by Thee they stand
At Thy own City's gate!

What ecstacies will then be theirs
In that blest city, Lord,

When sons to parents will by Thee For ever be restored!

O grant us so together, Lord,
To live in holy love,

That we together may be join'd
In holy bliss above.

Members of Christ our bodies are,
The Holy Spirit's shrine:
Then grant us so to use them now,
That they may be like Thine.

naum.

COMMENTS.-The miracle recorded in this lesson was performed on the day after his visit to Capernaum, where He healed the Centurion's servant. Both these miracles had regard to human life, the one being a restoration to health from sickness, the other, restoration to life from death. Nain means fair or beautiful, and was a small town or city in Galilee, about 25 miles from CaperIt was beautifully situated on the slope of a little mountain, in full view of Mt. Tabor and the heights of Zebulon, hence its name. It is now a small village, and is called Nein. 12. Gate of the city. Most of the 12. Gate of the city. Most of the towns and cities of the East were enclosed by walls, through which access was obtained by gates. A dead man carried out. The Jews buried their dead outside of their cities, as is most generally the case now also among all nations. That many people accompanied the widow may prove that she was much respected by her friends.

13. He had compassion on her. The sight of the mourning widow awakened the deep pity of our Lord, and this shows, that He was truly a man, possessing deep human feelings and sympathies.

14. Bier. This was an article on which the dead were carried, and was usually simply a board, supported by four poles, which served as handles. The Jews had no coffins or boxes for the dead. The corpse was only wrapped in linen and bound about the face with a napkin. See further concerning the Jewish customs in regard to burying the dead, Nevin's Biblical Antiquities, pp. 149-152.

His

15. He that was dead sat up. sitting up showed that his life and strength had returned. Began to speak. This showed that his consciousness, his mind or soul, had also returned. This wonderful miracle proves that Jesus was true God as well as true man.

16. Fear. This word does not mean here, that the people became afraid, as we say, but that the sight of the great miracle awakened within them a holy awe and solemn sense of the presence of divine power in Jesus. This is evident from their conduct.

17. Rumor. The fame of our Lord as a great prophet, who was able to raise the dead, spread not only through Judea, but also through Galilee and Samaria.

Punctuality.

General Washington was a pattern of punctuality. When he engaged to to be at the door of the hall just as the meet Congress at noon, he never failed clock was striking twelve. He always dined at four o'clock; and if the guests whom he had invited were not present, the dinner went on precisely at the appointed hour, without waiting for them. Washington would make no apology. but simply remark, “Gentlemen, we are punctual here." When those people got another invitation to dine with the President, they would be sure to be in

time.

horses to sell, which the President A person had a "pair" of beautiful wanted to buy. Five o'clock in the morning of a certain day was fixed as but the horses were not brought till a the time for Washington to see them; quarter past five, when the owner was told that the President had been there

at the hour appointed, but had gone chance of selling his horses by his away. The man thus lost a good delay of one quarter of an hour.

SEPTEMBER 19.

1. And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath-day, that they watched him. 2. And behold there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3. And Jesus answering, spake unto the law yers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day?

4. And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go:

5. And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ox or an ass fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath-day?

6. And they could not answer him again to these things.

7. And he put forth a parable to those which

1875.

were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

9. And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

10. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

1. What is recorded in this verse concerning Jesus? What is meant by one of the chief of the Pharisees? On what day did this take place? Were the Jews accustomed to give feasts on the sabbath-day? Neh. viii. 10. What did those who were present do? What does that mean?

2. Who is specially mentioned in this verse as being present? What kind of disease is the dropsy? Do you think that this sick man was also one of the invited guests? Why was he probably brought there?

3. What did Jesus answer and say to the lawyers and Pharisees? Had they asked Him any questions? Why, then, is it said he answered? What was the commandment concerning the keeping of the sabbath-day? Ex. xx. 8-12; XXXV. 2.

4. How did they treat His question? What is the meaning of they held their peace? Why did they probably keep silent? What did Jesus do?

7. What did He then do? What gave rise to His speaking this parable? What is meant by chief rooms? What kind of spirit did these persons manifest by choosing the chief places? 8, 9. What advice did Jesus give them? 10. What seat should they take? Why should they take the lowest seat? What is here meant by worship!

11. What does Jesus give as the moral lesson of this parable? What is the meaning of exalt? What of abase? What spirit does Jesus here condemn ? What spirit does He approve? What does Solomon say about pride and humility? Prov. xvi. 18, 19. xxix. 23.