FIRST, His gracious care of her. If God had left her to herself she would never have recovered from her unbelief. But He, who had " begun a good work in her," did not forsake her. Fresh revelations to her soul by the Holy Ghost, of God's tender mercy, faithfulness, power, and omniscience, "restored her soul" and led her in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. See how He manifested these His attributes to her, as related in Gen. xviii. 13, 14, 15! What touching words!" Wherefore did Sarah laugh?...Sarah shall have a son." It is as if He had said, "What instances of unfaithfulness in Me can Sarah find, that I should meet with such treatment at her hands? Hath one thing failed of all the good things I have promised? Surely as I have acted in times past, so now; 'Sarah shall have a son.' Again, see how He revealed to her His power. He brought home to her heart such truths as these, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" "Wilt thou limit the Almighty?" "Hast thou forgotten the arm of the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth." (Isa. li. 9, 13.) "Can HE not renew thy youth, and give thee strength for this purpose?" At the same time He manifested to her His Omniscience. He not only showed that He read the thoughts of her heart, (for all her objections were said within herself") but He powerfully applied His word to her conscience, which said, "Nay, but thou didst laugh." 66 Thus by His grace did He restore her soul, and his goodness led her to repentance and strong faith; so that "by faith she received" (Heb. xi. 11) the strength she needed, and she is mentioned among the most notable examples of great faith. With reference to God's gracious dealings with Sarah, let us noticeSECONDLY, the rewards He bestowed on her. Not only did He "prepare for her a city," Heb. xi. 16, but He favoured her here on earth, with the visits of His love. For it is recorded in Gen. xxi. 1, that "God visited Sarah." The way in which He visits His people is set forth in 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. This is the portion, only of believers in Christ. For it is written of the Ephesians,-"In whom, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. i. 13. Moreover, as Abraham was the father of all believers; so too for the greatness of her faith, Sarah is distinguished as their mother. (Gen. xviii. 16; 1 Pet. iii. 6.) The Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was no doubt in one respect the most "highly favoured" of all women, and the Papists and others pay her much homage. But it is remarkable, that, both in the Old and New Testaments, Sarah is honoured as the mother" of God's people. For Isaiah says to believers (ch. li. 2), "Ye that seek the Lord ... LOOK UNTO SARAH THAT BARE YOU. Peter also directs our attention to her in the passage considered above, "Ye wives be in subjection, ...even as Sarah,..............whose daughters ye are so long as ye do well.' 66 Dear reader let me ask you to attend to these words. "Look to Sarah;" consider her faith, look to her Saviour, and thus make Him your "all in all.” Ye saints of God, "look to Sarah that bare you " and seek the grace of Sarah's God to enable you to show, as she did, your "works, with meekness of wisdom." And then, as He comforted Sarah, so will He "comfort you,...and make your soul like the garden of the Lord, joy and gladness shall be yours, also thanksgiving and the voice of melody" Isaiah li. 2, 3. June 3rd. SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS. Learn Psalm xvi, 11. THE TURNING OF WATER INTO WINE. Read John ̋ii. 1-11. 1.-Why did Christ honour a marriage feast with His presence? (a) Because marriage was typical of the union between Christ and His Church. Eph. v. 23, 32. 1 Tim. v. 23. (b) Because Christ's presence enhances our joys. Psalm xvi. 11. 2.-What does Scripture teach regarding wine? Deut. xiv. 23. Prov. xx. 1; xxiii. 29–32. Isa. v. 11. I Cor. vi. 10. Rom. xiv. 21. 3.-How did Christ on this and on other occasions rebuke His mother's interference and condemn Mariolatry? Luke xi. 27, 28; viii. 19. N.B.-The term 66 woman was not one of disrespect.-cf. John iv. 21; xix. 26. 4.-What Eastern custom is here referred to? Mark vii. 2-4, (each waterpot held about 20 gallons) and what does Mary's conduct teach? (a) To call on the Lord in every strait. Phil. iv. 6. (c) To receive reproof in silence. 1 Pet. ii. 20. Job. xl. 5. Ps. xxxix. 9. 5.-What does this miracle set forth?-His glory as God. John i. 14; xi. 40, 45. and what were the results? 6.-Relate other miracles connected with water? Exod. vii. 17-20; xiv. 21, 22. Num. xx. 11. Judges xv. 19. Matt. xiv. 26-29. 7.-In what other ways does the Lord work silently but omnipotently with His will? (Note-there was no prayer, no command, but He simply willed the change.) In nature-In grace-when God works, what sort of work is it? Gen. i. 31. Psalm cxxxviii. 8. And when God gives how does He give? As a King. James i. 5. June 10th. THE HEALING OF THE NOBLEMAN'S SON. Read John iv. 46– 54. Learn John vi. 37, 44. 1.-Where did Christ perform His second (iv. 54) Galilean (John iii. 2; iv. 45) miracle? Upon whom? Boy. Father? Probably a courtier or steward in Herod's household. Luke viii. 3. What is true nobility? Acts xviii. 11. Countess of Huntingdon often thanked God that in 1 Cor. i. 26 it is not "any " but "many." 2.—What are the three steps mentioned in ver. 47? "Heard " "Went." John vi. 45. Besought." Matt. vii. 7, 8. 66 Rom. x. 17. Contrast 3.-What is faith? Taking God at His word. Gen. xii. 4, cf. Romans iv. 20, 21. Whence is it? Eph. ii. 8. What does the nobleman's perseverance prove? Isa. xlii. 3. What was lacking? He limited Christ's power. Matt. viii. 8, and faithfulness. Ps. 1. 15. Jer. xxxiii. 3. Mark ix. 23. 4.-Give other instances where our Lord tests the faith before granting the bless ing? Matt. ix. 28, 29; xv. 22, 28. Mark ix 23. 5.-When are sickness and trial a blessing? Judges iv. 3. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, and why are they sent? Deut. viii. 2, 3, 16. Ps. cxix. 71. 6.-What lessons may we learn from verses 50 to 53 ? (a) With the word of the Lord there is power. Ps. xxxiii. 9. (c) The path of obedience leads to the blessing. 1 Kings xvii. 5, 6. Gen. xxii. 3-12. (d) To trace the Lord's hand in every providence. Gen. xlv. 5-8. 7.-What was the effect of the son's bodily cure on heart and life of the father? 53. Confession and profession. Rom. x. 10. Josh. xxiv. 15. From Cana to Capernaum 25 miles. People generally travelled on camels about 20 miles a day. Jewish day ended at sunset, and began at sunrise. June 17th. THE DEMONIAC. Read Mark i. 21-28. Luke iv. 33-37. Learn John viii. 44. 1.-Give the place? occasion? condition of man? devil's testimony? v. 34. (b) Demoniacs confess it. Mark v. 9. (c) Jesus addressd them as such. Matt. viii. 32; xii. 28. (d) Apostles assert it. Luke x. 17. Acts x. 38. 3.-Show the power and weakness of Satan's kingdom. (a) Power to tyrannize over men. 2 Tim. ii. 6. (b) to deride and bruise the Son of God. Luke xxiii. 35; xxii. 53. Gen. iii. 15. (c) Too weak to resist His Word. Luke iv. 35, 36. (d) ruin one lamb. Luke xxi. 18. Job ii. 6. Isaiah liv. 17. 4.—What is the purpose of the devil? Matt. iv. 9. To usurp Christ's kingdom. What is the purpose of God? 1 John iii. 8. Give instances during our Lord's ministry of devils acknowledging sovereignty of God. Luke iv. 41. Mark i. 34. 5.-Give proofs of the personality of the devil? Rev. xii. 9. John viii. 44. Luke xi. 15. Matt. xii. 26. James ii. 19. 1 Chr. xxi. 1. Matt. xiii. 19. 2 Cor. iv. 4. Heb. ii. 14. 2 Cor. xi. 3. 6.-What is the Scriptural character of the devil? Proud.-1 Tim. iii. 6. Powerful.-Eph. ii. 2; vi. 12. Wicked.-1 John ii. 13. Subtle.-Gen. iii. 1. Deceitful.-2 Cor. xi. 14. Fierce. Luke viii. 29; ix. 39, 42. Cruel.-1 Peter v. 8. Always active in doing evil.-Job i. 7 ; ii. 2. Cowardly.-James iv. 7. 7.-In what ways does the devil still tempt to sin? Temper.-Psalm cvi. 32, 33. Pride.-2 Sam. xxiv. 1; 2 Chr. xxxii. 25. Sloth. Acts xv. 38. Untruthfulness. -Acts v. 3. What means are we to use? Eph. vi. 13; James iv. 7; 1 Peter v. 8, 9. What promises may we rely on? 1 Cor. x. 13. Rom. xvi. 20. THE DRAUGHT OF FISHES. June 24th. Read Luke v. 1-11. Learn Matt. xix. 27–30. 1.-Mention the place? time? after the sermon on the mount. Matt.v.—viii. Other names of Lake? John vi. 1. The different pulpits the Master used? MountWell. John iv. Ship-Seaside. Mark iv. 1. Posture? Sat. Luke iv. 20; ii. 46; and a Prophecy? Jer. xvi. 16. 2.-Mention the two previous calls of disciples? John i. 35-42. Matt. iv. 18 -22. Afterwards to apostleship. John xxi. 3. What do we learn from verses 4 to 6? (a) Obedience is our duty, results are the Lord's. (b) The Lord's presence and word the secret of success. Contrast. 2 Chr. xxv. 7, 8. Jud. vi. 14. (c) Not to be weary in well doing. Gal. vi. 9. Ps. cxxvi. 6. 4.-Give similar instances of command as v. 4. Jonah i. 2. Jer. i. 7-10. Ex. iii. 10. Ezek. ii. 5-7. Matt. xxviii. 19. Name a similar parable and what does it illustrate? Matt. xiii. 47, 48. The gospel and its effects. Sea, world; fishers, preachers; net, the gospel; ships, the churches; draught, the success; shore, eternity. 6. What effect had this miracle? (a) Fear-as the effect of sin. Gen. iii. 10. Ex. iii. 6; xx. 19. (c) Self-denial. Phil. iii. 8. Heb. xi. 27. (d) Self-surrender. Rom. xii. 1. 7.-Find other passages where self-abasement was the effect of revelation. Job. xlii. 5, 6. Isa. vi. 5. Rev. i. 17. "COMFORTABLE WORDS." FROM THE LIPS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. "Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners......and He spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”—St. Luke xv. HAT beautiful Parables these are! And how sweet an echo do they find in every heart taught by Divine grace its absolute need of a Saviour. One never tires in reading or preaching from them. The Story of the Cross is ever new to those who love Emmanuel's Name. Reader, note well, these are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are not my words, but God's. They are "words of eternal life." Aye, and it is a solemn thought, they are the words which will judge you at the last day. The "man," the shepherd, without doubt represents the Lord Jesus. He is the Shepherd of whom Ezekiel, and all the Prophets spake. He it is who owns the sheep. The sheep, mean His people. They belong to Him. His Father gave them to Him. This is one reason why He values them, because they are the gift of His dear Father. Suppose a friend of yours gave you a locket, or a ring, or a picture, would you not value it, and keep it carefully? And so it is with Christ. He loves, preserves, and cares for the sheep because they were given to Him by God. But one is lost. Here is the picture of all God's people by nature. They are all lost. Some are openly profane, as John Bunyan. Some are self-righteous, as Saul of Tarsus. But all are lost on the dark mountains of sin, unwilling and unable to return to God. And now hear the voice of the Good Shepherd: "Behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out. VOL. VIII. 7 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day (Ezekiel xxxiv. 11, 12.) Yes, verily, the Shepherd comes Himself, He does not send an angel, nor a burning seraph from before His throne, but He comes Himself. I will go after the lost (so it is in the Greek), until I find it.' He lays down His life for the sheep. He shrank not from the thorns-the vinegar-the gall-the cross. And why? Because He loved them. How much that love cost Him! A life of woe-a death of agony. And He gave it all willingly. "He wept in the garden, and died on the tree, The joy set before Him stimulated Him to suffer and to die in order to bring the lost ones home, and now from the heights of glory He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied. Reader, note that word "until." Christ's is a love that knows no weariness. He seeks until He finds. And mark that word "HE." It is Christ and Christ alone who saves the lost. There is none but Jesus-a living-Personal Jesus to do helpless sinners good. He carries the lost one on the shoulders of His grace, rejoicing. He tells the angels of His joy, and all Heaven rejoices together. "The kingdom of God," a modern commentator beautifully says, recognises two successive home-comings in the history of every citizen. The exile discovered and borne back by the discriminating mercy of the Redeemer, comes home when through the regeneration he enters a state of grace; and he comes home under the leading of the same chief, when in the resurrection he enters a state of perfect glory. It is instructive and comforting to |