LESSON XI.

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

The Afflicted Child. MARK 9: 14-32.

Commit to memory verses 23-24.

14. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

16. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

17. And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18. And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth; and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21. And he asked his father. How long is it ago since this cam unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help

us.

23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst be

Verse 14. What did Jesus see when He came from the mount of glory? What were the scribes doing?

June 11, 1882.

lieve, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26. And the spirit crid, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29. And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting

30. And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

GOLDEN TEXT: “All things are possible to him that believeth." Ver. 23.

INS FRUCTIONS.

Verse 14. He came, down from the Mount of Glory to "the vale of tears Them, the nine disciples. 15. Amazed, perhaps at His appearance, which may still have been radiant with glory. (See Exodus 34: 30). 17. Dumb spirit, the evil spirit rendered the boy speechless. 18. The disciples could not; see ver. 29. 19. Faithless, unbelieving. Unto Me: so He says to every suffering, sinning one. 21. Of a child, since infancy. 22. If Thou canst, the language of doubt. 23. If thou canst believe, addressed to the father. 25. I charge, the command of one having authority. 31. He taught, continued to teach. 32. Afraid to ask, perhaps they shrank from knowing the reality of the coming sufferings.

15. At what were the people amazed? To whom did they run?

17-18. What did the father say to Jesus? What ailed the boy? What caused this affliction? Had the father and the disciples sufficient faith?

31. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

19-20. What lament did Jesus utter? Was He distressed by human suffering? By human unbelief also? What last effort at control did the evil spirit make? What effect had it upon the boy?

21-24. How long had this possession

CATECHISM.

Ques. 24. How are these articles divided? Ans. Into three parts: the first is of God the Father, and our creation; the second of

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God the Son, and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification.

QUESTIONS.

lasted? Could human power overcome the tempter? Did the father seem to doubt Jesus' power? What reply did Jesus give? Το whom are all things possible? What, then, did the father do and say? What prayer did he utter?

25. What "charge" did the Master give? To whom?

26-27. What was the effect? Was the boy saved and healed?

28-32. On what does deliverance from Satan's power depend? What was the theme of Jesus' teaching? Did the disciples comprehend it? Why were they afraid to ask?

In the valley there was a crowd gathered around the disciples, and disputing with them. There was still something remarkable in the appearance of our Saviour, which amazed the people, and drew them around Him. Jesus silenced the Scribes, by asking them what they were disputing about. Before they were able to explain their conduct, one of the multitude said, "Master, I have brought to Thee my son," And then he describes what ailed the afflicted child. What a picture of human woe and misery!

etc.

Then he tells how he had brought his son to the disciples of Christ, and they could not cast out the evil spirit. They could not! What is this but a tale of human weakness? Men cannot cast out Satan. Even disciples at times fail in their attempt to subdue the evil powers of the world.

Jesus sighed because of men's unbelief: "O faithless generation," etc. It is evident that the failure was the result of unbelief; the disciples themselves not exercising much of it, and the father himself was doubtful whether his son could be cured. No wonder they all doubted, when so many evils afflicted the boy: "deafness, dumbness, frenzy, and possession of the devil-and all these from the cradle!"

The father said: "Master, I have brought to THEE my son; for Thy disciples could not cure him." And Jesus replied: "Bring him unto ME." "Of ten this is the direction of Christ to the sin-sick soul. The minister has failed to give comfort; the failure is itself a call from the Lord to Himself."-(Abbott).

Straightway the spirit tare him. The devil does not willingly leave his victims. Sins and evil habits make their power felt most, when men try to break loose from them. Satan has great wrath when his time is short. (Read Revelation 12: 12.) See how the evil spirit

strove to destroy the child, since he was no longer to possess him. Verses 20-22. How long? From infancy the poor child was thus tormented. If Thou canst do anything, he now says to Christ. This was the language of doubt, almost of despair, rather than of faith.

But Jesus assures him that there is no inability on the part of the Divine Healer. I can heal, but canst thou believe? "All things are possible to him that believeth." The healing can be wrought, but only in answer to a humble, child-like trust. "Hence may be learned a useful doctrine, that it is not the Lord who prevents His blessings from flowing to us, but that, on account of our weak faith, it comes to us only in drops."—(Calvin.)

The father's faith in Christ was now awakened, and he cried: "Lord, I believe," etc. The little faith needed to be strengthened: "Help Thou mine unbelief."

25-27. Christ's power is here seen; 1), a power to overcome evil, and 2), a power to restore to newness of life. The cure was perfect.

28-32. Why could not we cast him out? So Christians often ask, when they find themselves unable to overcome sin. This kind** by prayer and fasting. Different degrees of evil require different degrees of earnest effort. (On fasting, etc., see Quarterly Notes.)

Jesus again foretells His sufferings, death and resurrection. That, in reality, was the only way of casting out Satan's possession of earth.

A WEIGHTY TESTIMONY.-Having carefully observed one of the greatest hospitals in London for a quarter of a century, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that seven cases out of ten are owing to drink,-not to drunkenness, for that is often comparatively harmless, but to the constant under mining process. Three-fourths of the disorders of fashionable life arise from alcohol; and when I consider the consequences to posterity of the transmission of the hereditary taint, I sometimes feel inclined to give up my profession, that I may preach a crusade against the enemies of the human race.--Dr. Andrew Clark, in London Lancet.

LESSON XII.

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

The Childlike Believer.
Commit to memory verses 35–37.

33. And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34. But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them : and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37. Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40. For he that is not against us is on our part. 41. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

OUTLINE:

Ques. 25. Since there is but one divine essence, why speakest thou of Father, Son and Holy Ghost?

MARK 9: 33-50.

June 18, 1882.

42. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Verses 33-34. What dispute had the disciples by the way? What led to it? Is such ambition and haughtiness a quality of the Christian?

13. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

35-37. On what virtuę does Jesus teach a lesson? In what Spirit does God dwell? (See Golden Text). Who "made himself of no reputation?" (See Philippians 2: 6-8). Was He highly exalted? What is the rule for being greatest? In what must a Christian resemble a child? How early may a child become a believer? Whom do believing parents, teachers and ministers receive along with the child they instruct?

38-41. Did the disciples do wrong in rebuking the man? Must we oppose every one

45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

46. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

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1. HUMILITY versus HAUGHTINESS. Vs. 33-37.
2. CHARITY versus INTOLERANCE. Vs. 38-41.
3. AVOIDING OFFENCES. Vs. 42-50.

48. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

GOLDEN TEXT: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit." Isaiah 57: 15.

49. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

INSTRUCTIONS.

Verses 33-34. In the house, probably Peter's. Disputed, perhaps because only the three were taken to witness the transfiguration. The greatest, still imagining He would set up an earthly Kingdom. 35. Desire, determine. Servant of all, the amount of work determines each one's position. 36-37. A child, humble, gentle and without haughtiness. Receiveth. Christ and the Father in a little child. 38-40. Forbade him, intolerance, denominational rivalry and exclusiveness. On our part, are all that believe in Jesus and labor in His name. 41. Give cup of water, the smallest act of charity shall be rewarded. 42. Offend, cause to stumble and sin. Better, if he had died in infancy. 43-48. Cut off hand, etc., etc., the nearest and dearest things must be given up if they keep us from Christ and heaven. Hell-gehenna, place of torment. Worm, torturing conscience. Not quenched, endless punishment. 49-50. Salt, which preserves meat from corruption. Salt in yourselv God's grace in your hearts, Fire; the fire of the Spirit here saves from fire of pain hereafter.

CATECHISM.

QUESTIONS.

Ans. Because God hath so revealed Himself in His word, that these three distinct persons are the only true and eternal God.

LESSON XII.

V. 36. He took a child. Christ's love for children was often manifested. This act of taking a child teaches that all true religion begins in childhood, or in awakening the childlike disposition in an adult. The Church wisely takes the child.

June 18, 1882.
Second Sunday after Trinity.

By nature we are prone to be haughty, intolerant, and to give offense. Even in Christians these same traits occa sionally crop out. In our lesson for today Jesus teaches the duty and loveliness of humility, charity, and of avoiding offenses. (See Outline).

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But we may be free of giving offense to others, and yet offend ourselves. Hence if thy hand offend thec." A man depends upon his hand in all his works; that hand he relies upon, perhaps even to the forgetting of God.

V. 33, 34. In the house-possibly this was Peter's home, which was in Capernaum. "What we too eagerly dispute by the amid the stir and excitement Jesus says: way, of the world, is often rectified in the house, in the calm second thought and self-examination of the closet." What dispute, etc.? Their dispute It becomes his trust, his idol. Or it did not take place within His hearing, may take liberties with the rights and yet He knew of it. Greatest-vainly privileges of others. Cut it off, then. imagining that He was about to set up That is, cease to rely upon it, restrain an earthly kingdom. The Gospel re-it. Hand, foot and eye are the nearest cords the faults of the disciples, as a and dearest personal treasures. A warning to us not to commit the same. man's right hand may denote his cunning, on which he depends, or his possessions. The foot may denote his swiftness in running to evil. His eye lusts after what it sees. Deny all these senses and organs, rather than let them offend against you and drag you down to hell. (See Quarterly).

V. 35. Called the twelve. The first outbreak of ambition and strife must be checked at once. Jesus ever calls men to account for their haughty actions. If any man desire to be first, etc. He that exalteth himself shall be humbled. Exaltation comes by humble service, by being "servant of all."

Hell-gehenna, the valley of Hinnom, south-west of Jerusalem. Here it means the place of torment. Worm denotes memory and conscience, which never die, but reproach and torment the wicked forever. That inward fire is unquenchable.

Salt and fire are symbols of God's presence and purity. Fire purifies; God's Spirit cleanses the heart. Salt preserves from corruption; so God's grace in the heart preserves it from unholiness, and from final destruction.

V. 37. Receiving the child is the receiving of Christ also, and of His Father. The Creator and Redeemer dwell in it; for it does not reject God.

Vs 38-41. John now feels reproved, and makes a confession that he and the others had acted in a haughty manner. The man was casting out devils-a good work, certainly. Moreover, he did it in Christ's name; then he must have been a believer in Christ. But he followeth not us! Here is the language of bigotry and denominational intolerance. Jesus rebuked His disciples, and thereby has taught us all not to hinder a good work, though it may not be done by our party. Forbid him not. Vs. 40 and 41 contain much encouragement for the Church.

Vs. 42-50. Jesus warns against giving offences-that is, causing any one to fall from the faith, or to renounce his belief in Christ, or to cease laboring in His Church. It is also a warning against seducing weak believers, by undermining their integrity. Many adults are but Christ's little ones-mere babes and beginners in grace. Hinder not, but assist them, for they believe in Christ.

LESSON XIII.

Supt. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin and in his own house. (Mark 6: 4).

School. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. (6: 5).

QUARTERLY REVIEW.
RESPONSIVE READING.

Supt. If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Cor. 15: 14).

Sch. But now is Christ risen from the

dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. (1 Cor. 15: 20).

Supt. And they did all eat, and were filled.

Sch. And they that did eat of the

loaves were about five thousand men.

Supt. When they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.

Sch. Immediately He talked with them, and said unto them: Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Supt. There is nothing from without a man that, entering into him, can defile him.

June 25, 1802

Supt. The Lord is good to all.
Sch. He hath done all things well:
He maketh both the deaf to hear, and
the dumb to speak.

Sch. Evil things come from within and defile the man.

Supt. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Sch. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Recite in concert the SUBJECT and GOLDEN TEXT of all the lessons.

CATECHISM, Ques. 14 to 26.

QUESTIONS.

Lesson 1. How many Apostles did Jesus send forth? What power did He give them?

Supt. Who say ye that I am?

Sch. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Supt. Who-oever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cro:s, and follow Me.

Sch. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose

his life for My sake and the gospel's,

the same shall save it.

Sch. Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.

Supt. I dwell in the high aud holy place.

Sch. With Him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit.

GOLDEN TEXT: "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs." Acts 2: 22.

CATECHISM.

whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him. Supt. This is my beloved Son, in

Sch. And they saw no man any more, save Jesus only.

Supt. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

2. Who first rose from the dead, to die no more? On what day?

Ques. 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

Ans. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them, who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence), is for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely that I have no doubt He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body; and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for He pleship? Are you a true disciple? is able to do it, being almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

9. What are the conditions of disci

10. What occurred on Mount Hermon? What did God's voice declare? 11. What miracle did Jesus work when He came down from the Mount? What did He say about faith?

12. Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Christ? With whom does God dwell? etc., etc.

3. How often did Jesus miraculously feed the multitudes?

4. Who walked upon the sea? What effect had this upon the Apostles?

5. Must we obey, the traditions of men, or God's word? What defiles a man?

6. What woman was so strong a believer in Jesus? What was done to a deaf stammerer?

7. With what is hypocrisy compared? 8. What confession did the Apostles make? Of what is it the basis?