branded. But the remains of sin are in all the saints, and it was this feature of it which very much prevailed in Lot's case. He set his mind too much upon riches, worldly ease and pleasure. For when it became necessary that he should change his home, what was the principle which guided him? Was it a desire for God's glory, and the prosperity of his soul? Did he ask, "Where can I sit under a Gospel minister?”"Where shall I find godly society?" No: he fell into that error, alas! so common among Christians, of being too much engrossed with moneygetting and worldly business. Hear the testimony concerning him,"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan that it was well watered," etc., etc.; "and Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan ......and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly......and...Lot...dwelt in Sodom!" Gen. xiii. 10-13; xiv. 12. Nor does God's chastening hand alter his conduct. For even after his captivity he returns to Sodom, he lingers there, yea he needs to be forced away from its allurements. See Gen. xiv. 11, 12; xix. 15, 16.

Child of God, where are you living? Do you dwell in a place where Christ is not faithfully and fully preached? And are you content to dwell there? If so, take warning, it will, as in Lot's case end in sorrow. Make not the excuse, "I hope to be made the means of good to others." See how Lot "vexed his soul" among the Sodomites many years; and how many did he convert? The lamentable answer is to be gathered from Gen. xviii. 26, 32.

Q.

A.

What were the consequences of Lot's folly?

Though he could not perish in hell, being one of Christ's sheep, yet sad troubles came. Yes, Lot had planned a happy old age, with plenty of money and many luxuries. Did he obtain them? No; in everything he was disappointed. Witness the sorrow of his gray hairs ;-the old man's home is a cave in the mountain, the wife of his bosom is turned into a pillar of salt, his family are burnt in the flames, with the exception of two daughters who live to disgrace him, and after death his name is made use of in the description of his wicked posterity! Psalm lxxxiii. 8. Reader, are you, as Lot "righteous" before God? If you are going about to establish your own righteousness," you are not justified in His sight. Oh! if this be the case with you, at once give up this folly. Come just as you are, and that is, "ungodly," to Christ. "Hearken to Him." "Submit yourself to His righteousness." Glory," only and altogether, in the precious, all-sufficient Substitute. See the following Scriptures calling you to Him, Isaiah xlvi. 12, 13 f.c.; Rom. x. 4, 3; iv. 4, 5, 6; 1 Cor. i. 2, 30, 31. Act, therefore, as Paul, Lot, and others, by grace, have acted, as stated in Gal. ii. 16. Thus you will manifest that the Holy Ghost is within you. For all willingness thus to obey the Gospel, if the source of it be considered, is to be traced only to Him. "And if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness," Rom. viii. 10. Or, in other words, because of your sins, the body is dead-under sentence of death, and

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liable to many troubles in this life; but the spirit-the new creatureis alive, nay more, is " LIFE," because of Christ's righteousness. Oh! believer, glory in the communion of "life" which you have with Lot; but fly from his sin, if you would avoid inexpressible, yet inevitable, anguish, perhaps in old age. Oh! heed the warning to saints in 1 Cor. xi. 32, 30, seek an abundant entrance into glory, and to this end follow those precious injunctions in 2 Peter i. 5 to 11.

July 1st.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS.

THE CLEANSING OF THE LEPER.

Learn Luke v. 31-32.

Read Matt. viii. 1-4; Mark i. 40-45; Luke v. 12-15. 1.-What is leprosy? A loathsome plague-in appearance white. Num. xii. 10. It was hereditary. 2 Kings v. 27. Incurable by man. 2 Kings v. 7. Separated from intercourse with others. Lev. xiii. 46. Caused ceremonial uncleanness. Lev. xiii. 8, 11, 22, 44, 45. Fatal. 2 Chr. xxvi. 21.

2. What does leprosy represent? Sin. Is. i. 5, 6. Sin is hereditary. Rom. v. 12; John iii. 6. Incurable by man. Jer. ii. 22; xiii. 23; Job. xxv. 4. Separates from God. Is. lix. 2; Eph. ii. 13. Is called uncleanness. Is. vi. 5. Is fatal. Rom. vii. 21.

3.-What do we learn from the leper's prayer? To seek boldly. Heb. iv. 16. Earnestly. Jer. xxix. 13. Believingly. Heb. xi. 6. Submissively. 1 John v. 14. 4. On what did this leper's faith rest? On Power of Christ. How did Christ honor that faith? ver. 13. Give other instances where faith is honored. Matt. viii. 8-13; xv. 27, 28. Rom. iv. 20.

5.-How was the leper cleansed? By compassion, touch, word, and sovereignty of Christ. How is the sinner to be cleansed? 1 Jno. i. 7; 1 Cor. vi. 11. In what respect does the leper differ from the sinner? Leper felt his disease, and the sinner by nature does not. Rev. iii. 17.

6.-What did Christ wish to teach in verse 44? Obedience to ceremonial law. Lev. xiv. 3-10. Which was then binding, now done away in Christ. Rom. x. 4. And what practice does it refute? Priestly Confession.

July 8th.

THE CENTURION'S FAITH.

Learn John v. 24.

Read Matt. viii. 5-13; Luke vii. 1-10. 1.—Mention the time, place, and person on whom this miracle was performed? A prophecy? Isa. xlii. 6, 1. c. Another instance of a Gentile coming to Christ?

Matt. xv. 22.

2.-How was this servant regarded by his master and why? ver. 2. Doubtless on account of his faithfulness. Give other examples of good servants? Gen. xxiv. 12—14, 27, 34–49; xxxv. 8; xxxi. 38, 40; xxxix. 3; 2 Kings v. 2-4. Name some of the duties of servants to masters? 1 Pet. ii. 18; Eph. vi. 5; Titus ii. 9, 10; Gen. xxiv. 12, 27, 48; 2 Sam. xii. 18; 1 Cor. iv. 2.

3.—Why did the Centurion send to Jesus? He had heard of Jesus. John iv. 47; Rom. x. 14, 17. He had a felt need, verse 3; xviii. 13; John xi. 3; Matt. xiv. 12; Ps. xv. 17. He believed Christ's power to heal, verse 7; Eph. iii. 20. 4.-How was the Centurion's faith evidenced? It excluded self boasting. Rom. iii. 27; Eph. ii. 8, 9. It worked by love. Gal. v. 6; 2 Thess. i. 3; Philem. 5. 5. Name the threefold judgment here? Judgment of men, "He is worthy." Judgment of self, "I am not worthy," like Jacob, Gen. xxxii. 10; prodigal, Luke xv. 19. Judgment of Lord, "I have not found so great faith."

6. What was the result? Matt. viii. 13. Learn to look for present salvation. John iii. 36; Rom. viii. 1; Eph. ii. 8.

July 15th.

Read Luke vii. 11-16.

THE FUNERAL AT NAIN.

Learn John v. 25.

1. Name the three greatest miracles of our Lord? One just dead. Matt. ix. 18. One on road to burial. One in grave four days. John xi. 39. The city? Cause of crowd? Man's age and circumstances? Mother's condition? Lord's words? Effect on multitude?

2. What attributes of Christ are here shown? Compassion. Heb iv. 15; Matt. xv. 32. Benevolence. John xi. 35, 43, 44. Power and sovereignty. Mark v. 15, 19. 3. Of whom is this man an illustration? Sinner, no spiritual life, no breath, no feeling, no motion. Eph. ii. 1; Rom. v. 12; Luke xv. 24. Whence must spiritual life come? John i. 13; iii. 3, 5, 8; Ezek. xxxvii. 9, 10, 14.

4.-How was the young man raised? verse 14. How are sinners raised to newness of life? John v. 21, 24, 25; Eph. ii. 5; Col. ii. 12; Rom. vi. 4.

5. What do we learn from this miracle? Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14; Rom. viii. 11; John xiv. 16, 17; vi. 44.

6. What were the evidences of life in the man? verse 15. Acts ix. 11, 20. Breath of prayer. Mark v. 19, 20; 2 Cor. v. 17. Speaking for Jesus. Ps. lxvi. 16; xxxiv. 11; li. 13; John iv. 29.

7.-Is there any sorrow similar to that of mourner for only son? Zech. xii. 16. July 22nd.

THE STORM.

Read Matt. viii. 23-27; Mark iv. 35-41; Luke viii. 22-25. Learn Ps. cvii. 28, 29 1. What are the four leading points in this miracle? Storm, verse 24. Cry, verse 25. Rebuke, verse 26. Effect, verse 27.

2. How are the two natures of Christ manifested here? Luke viii. 23, 24. Give other instances? John iv. 6, 10, 13, 14; xi. 35, 43, 44; Matt. xv. 32, 36, 37; xxi. 18, 19.

3.—Give instances of persons in danger calling on God? xxxviii. 2; Jonah ii. 1; Ps. lxxviii. 34; cvii. 6, 13, 27, 28.

Isa. xxxvii. 14;

4.—Mention some promises proving Christ's love and care for His people? Isa. xlix. 13-16; liv. 7, 8; Matt. vi. 32, 33; 1 Pet. v. 7; Ps. cxxi. 3—5.

5.-What are the cries of sinners when awakened to a sense of their danger?

Luke xv. 17-19; xviii. 13, 38; Acts ii. 37; xvi. 30.

6.-What may be implied in the words "pass over unto the other side?" John

v. 24; 1 John iii. 14; Col. i. 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9, 10.

7.-What is God's command to His people in danger or trial? Not to fear. Gen. xv. 1; Ex. xiv. 13; Isa. xli. 10, 13, 14; John xiv. 1; Matt. xxviii. 5.

July 29th.

THE DEMONIAC AND THE SWINE.

Read Matt. viii. 28-34; Mark v. 1-20; Luke viii. 26–39.

Learn Isa. lxi. 10.

1.-What is a demoniac? and what other name is given to Gadarenes? Matt. viii. 38. From whom were they descended? Deut. vii. 1.

2.-Describe demoniac's condition? verses 27-29; and of what is it illustrative? Of sinner. Eph. ii. 2, 3; Isa. i. 6; lvii. 20. Contrast those led by grace, Jer. xxxi. 3; Hos. ix. 4, with those driven of the devil. 1 Pet. v. 8; 2 Tim. ii. 26. 3. Mention four things in which he resembles a sinner? "Abode in the tombs." Eph. ii. 1-5; John v. 24. State of restlessness. Is. lvii. 20, 21. Misery or crime. Rom. iii. 16, 17. Insanity. Eccles. ix. 3.

4. What comfort may God's children draw from verses 31-33? That all powers of hell are under His control. 1 Cor. xv. 25; Eph. i. 22.

5.-When is the evil spirit cast out of a man? At conversion. John iii. 5; Ps. cx. 3, f.c.; Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27, 37; Acts ix. 1-11. And what great change is seen in the demoniac? verse 35. Sitting. Luke x. 39. Clothed. Isa. lxi. 10.

In right mind. 2 Tim. i. 7; Acts xx. 19.

6. What practical command does Christ enforce from verse 39? Matt. x. 32; Ps. lxvi. 16; Rom. x. 10.

(These Lessons are continued Monthly.)

THE ANCHOR CAST WITHIN THE VEIL.

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil,

"Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus."-Heb. vi. 19, 20.

T

HE hopes of the man of the world are all uncertain. They have no real foundation. They perish. But the Christian's hope is the anchor of his soul, both sure and stedfast, because it springs from faith in God's Word,-"I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope." Yes! and such an anchor is sure and stedfast. Perhaps one of my readers thinks, “I wish I knew I were saved." Let me then say that assurance is not necessary to salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Let us clearly distinguish between Faith and Assurance. Faith is a knowing and feeling that none but Christ can save. But Assurance is being able to say-"He loved me and gave Himself for me." In that wonderful book, the "Pilgrim's Progress," we read of Mr. Fearing, a man without Assurance, and others too who seemed to have little comfortable persuasion of their acceptance with God, and yet Bunyan tells us that Little-Faith and Ready-to-halt got to Heaven as well as Great-heart. I believe there are thousands of true believers in Christ who never enjoyed the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins. If there are such among my readers, what shall I say? Let me quote the words of the Holy Ghost which are most applicable to such-"Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thank God our anchor is sure and stedfast, for as we journey homewards we meet with many storms. But " who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" And like St. Paul we may joyfully answer, "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The man who has his anchor within the veil may look backwards and forwards, he may 8

VOL. VIII.

look upwards and downwards, and then boldly say that no created thing in heaven, on earth, or in hell can separate him from his Saviour.

The anchor enters within the veil. The anchor, sailors use, of course, is cast downwards, but the Christian's anchor goes upwards, and is bound around the Eternal Throne with the golden links of electing and redeeming love. O reader, where is the anchor of your precious soul? Is it upwards or downwards? Is it cast upon friends-money-position-a good name-good works or sacraments? Sure I am that every anchor-except that which clings to a living, risen, personal SAVIOUR-will snap asunder when you need it most. The true anchor enters within the veil. And Who is there? CHRIST OUR PRIEST-pleading for His people the merits of His Death. The Anchor then, is fastened on CHRIST! Oh! happy they whose souls are thus secured! I said, Christ is within the veil that is, in the very Presence of God-as our Priest, and He is more than that, He is the Forerunner of His people. He is their Representative. He is their Head, and where the Head is, there the members must be. They are one with Him. Oh! what a different tone it gives to life to know we are one with the risen Saviour! The soul then feels a stranger and a pilgrim here, and can enter into the spirit of such words as these

"Lord, it belongs not to my care

Whether I die or live;

To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.

"If life be long, my days are blest
When they are spent for Thee;
If short my course, I sooner rest
From sin and trouble free.

"Come, Lord, since grace has made me meet
Thy blessed face to see ;

For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be?

"My knowledge of that life is small,

The eye of faith is dim;

But this I know, that 'Christ is All,'

And I shall be with Him."

Christ is the Forerunner of His people inasmuch as He is now preparing a place for them. "In My Father's house," says He, "are many mansions:-many abiding-places, as the Greek word