example shows how much one holy, earnest, devoted, and courageous woman may do in the cause of God. Deborah is needed still to call the careless to action.

Joshua xxiv. 15.

February 12.

JOTHAM'S PARABLE. Judges ix. 7—21.

GOLDEN TEXT.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ONE sin leads to another, and one false step made by a good man, may bring ruin on many. Gideon was a great and noble man. He had seventy sons, but Gideon became too friendly with a woman of Shechem, and by her Abimelech was born. This son did not copy the good deeds of his father; instead of giving honour to his brethren, he resolved at any cost to promote himself. Having formed friendships at Shechem, the men of that place were prepared to participate in the tyranny and cruelty of Abimelech. The men of Shechem made Abimelech king. Hence the cause of Jotham's parable. I. Jotham uttered his parable upon mount Gerizim. This mountain stands opposite mount Ebal. Gerizim is about eight hundred feet high. It was noted as a place well suited for public addresses. It was from this mount that the blessings were announced to God's people. In the present day a man upon mount Gerizim can be distinctly heard for more than a mile. From such a place Jotham's parable would be heard by the men of Shechem. 7. And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice. He had to speak under very painful circumstances; his brother Abimelech (that is, brother by his father, not by the same mother), had cruelly murdered sixty-nine of Gideon's family, and he had purposed to take the life of Jotham, but he had escaped. Some of the men of Shechem told Jotham of the conduct of the fratricide. And with the grief of a slaughtered family upon him, Jotham announced his parable from Gerizim.

II. The parable. Filled with the feelings of grief Jotham uttered the grandest parable of the ancient world. Paulus Cassell, of Berlin, says, 'The parable belongs to the most remarkable productions of Israelitish life, not only on account of its political significance, but also for what may be called its literary character.' Fable and so-called apologue are of oriental, nonIsraelitish, also non-Gracian origin. In the east, fable and tale were always the weapons of mind against violence and tyranny. They furnished the people with individual consolation against general misery. In the same way, Jotham speaks to the tyrant of Shechem in this popular language, which all understand. Now read the parable, vv. 8-15.

III. The truth which the parable was intended to teach. The olive, the fig, and the vine, noble and useful trees, declined the honour, but the bramble that had nothing to recommend it but thorns, aspired to take a place and power for which it had no fitness. 15. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and

put your trust in my shadow. Weakness in power. Ignorance seated upon the throne of government. A worthless man gaining place and power by family influence. An ignorant tyrant ready to sacrifice seventy men in order to gain honour for himself. Such was Abimelech. How often has the way to the throne of earthly honour been stained with blood? had opposed Baal-hence the term Jerubbaal.

Gideon

Learn-1. A bad policy will end in shame. Abimelech had a bad policy. He demanded power at any cost. He ended badly. 2. Sin cannot be concealed. Jotham was numbered among the dead, but he was not dead, he lived to expose the sin of Abimelech. 3. The course of Abimelech was short, he was slain at Thebez. Would you rather be on the throne with Abimelech, or

in suffering with Jotham?

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.

January 15.

CHRIST'S POWER TO HEAL. Mark i. 29-45.

GOLDEN TEXT.

Exodus xv. 26. And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

PREFATORY REMARKS.-In this lesson we meet with a case of leprosy. This fearful malady prevailed somewhat extensively in Palestine, Egypt, Arabia, and Syria. It is a disease of the skin, and is said to exist in several forms That kind chiefly known among the Jews was what is called the white leprosy, because of its being accompanied by a profusion of greyish white scales. It was greatly feared by the people, because of its loathsomeness, and the civil and religious disabilities which those laboured under who were subject to its power. It was regarded in the light of a judgment from God. The physicians made no pretence of curing it; so that he who fell under its influence had little hope of relief, but by the disease wearing itself out. It frequently ended in consumption, dropsy, or suffocation. According to the Mosaic law, a person thus afflicted was unclean, and could not mingle with the people in their social gatherings, or their religious assemblies. These unhappy beings sometimes formed small societies among themselves, and lived outside the cities and towns. See Lev. xiii; Luke xvii. 11-19.

EXPOSITORY NOTES.-This section is full of instances of Christ's healing power, some being particularly described, while many of them are only spoken of in general terms. We have,

I. The restoration of Peter's mother-in-law to health. 30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. It is likely that she had been completely prostrated by this exhausting disorder, and was lying ina dangerous state. We may be sure that her friends would feel deeply concerned about her safety, and would not only speak to the Master about her, but desire Him to heal her. If we be worthy of the name of men, we shall endeavour to lead our kith and kin to the enjoyment of salvation. 31. And he came and took her by the hand, and

lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. Quite willingly the Healer went into the house of suffering. He came into the world to share in our sorrows, and to remove our disease, by destroying sin, which is their root. Isa. liii. 4. He is ready to work in the privacy of the family, as well as in the place of public resort, and wants to comfort and hallow our home life. He took the afflicted one by the hand, and lifted her up. Doubtless she was too weak to raise herself. Christ supplies all our lack. He giveth power to the faint.' Isa. xl. 29. 'And she ministered unto them.' Her recovery was instantaneous and complete, so that she was able at once to perform the duties of hospitality. Some of the best manuscripts and versions read Him instead of 'them.' Gratitude would prompt her to show kindness to the Lord, and probably to His friends also, some of whom were present. Thus the Saviour secures for Himself a place in the hearts and homes of those He saves.

32-34. And

II. A general healing of diseases, and casting out of devils. at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, &c. What had been done in the synagogue, and in Simon's house, had taken place on the Sabbath. Held back, probably, by their strict notions about the sanctity of that day, the people had abstained from bringing their sick to Christ; but their Sabbath closing with the setting of the sun, they brought all their afflicted ones forth, and great crowds-'all the city'-gathered before the house where Christ abode. He healed those who were brought, not suffering the devils to speak, because they knew Him. This last clause probably means that He made the demons understand who He was, and would not suffer any of them to speak, as the one in the synagogue at Capernaum had spoken, so completely were they subject to His power. He is able to save to the uttermost.

III. An interval of prayer. 35-37. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Jesus had been about His Father's business during a great part of the day, and must also have continued His work of healing far into the evening; and yet at early morn, he retires for private devotion. He might do this as an example to His followers, to to show them that they should betimes seek God in the closet. As a man, He needed communion with His Father, and strength for His sufferings and labour, although as God He could not become weary. Urged, perhaps, by the importunities of multitudes who wanted to see the Lord, Simon and his companions went to seek Jesus. Some might merely wish to gratify their curiosity by seeing and hearing the famous Wonder-worker; but others might be led by nobler impulses, such as a desire to get help for their sick relations, or grace for their own needy souls.

IV. A missionary journey into the towns of Galilee. 38, 39. And he said unto them, Let us go into next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. Whether by the words for therefore came I forth,' He speaks of His object in entering Galilee after John's imprisonment, (v. 14), or of His design in leaving His dodgings that morning, or of the purpose He had in view in coming from heaven to earth, is not very clear. Indeed it is possible that He may allude to all these things; for it was His meat and drink to do the will of His Father,

and that will was that He should preach good tidings to the meek, and proclaim liberty to the captives. Isa. lxi. 1—3. Accordingly He went throughout all Galilee, preaching, and casting out devils.

V. The cleansing of a leper. 40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. We may suppose that persons afflicted with this frightful disease of leprosy would eagerly drink in the news concerning the miracles Christ was working in Galilee. Light had dawned on the mind of this one. He saw in Jesus a great Prophet, and came to Him for a cure. His conduct is clearly marked by humility, reverence, and faith; qualities too often wanting in persons who had much better opportunities of seeing and hearing Jesus, than this man had; but which all must possess before being delivered from the curse of sin, to which we are by nature subject. 41, 42. And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. Pity for the sufferer moved the heart of Jesus to help him, the same feeling that led Him to give His life a ransom for us. He entered into our sorrows. In performing this miracle, He employed both word and deed. The former would have been of itself sufficient; for the Lord's words are creative acts. But He perhaps wanted to show His complete power over disease, by coming into personal contact with one who was subject to a most loathsome malady, and that, as the Holy One of God, He could touch the unclean spirit without being Himself defiled. The cure was instantaneous and complete, showing that it had been wrought supernaturally, and by the power of God. 43-45. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away, &c. The Saviour's reason for giving this strict charge, was, probably, a wish to avoid creating commotions among the people, and thereby coming into collision with the civil authorities, and the scribes and Pharisees, and so bringing on the crisis of His own fate before He had finished His work of preaching the kingdom. The offerings prescribed by the law for a leper who had received cleansing are specified in Lev. xiv. 1-32. This man did not observe the Saviour's injunction about secrecy. No doubt, his joy was great, and he might wish to help other sufferers. But he was not justified in his conduct. Obedience is better than sacrifice, and the Lord would rather have us keep His word than blaze His fame abroad.

HOMILETICAL HINTS.-I. By nature we are all subject to the disease of sin. 1. In the lusts which it breeds, it burns and wastes like a fever. 2. In its nature and influence, it is loathsome, hurtful, and fatal like the leprosy. 3. It cannot be removed by any human skill or power.

II. Christ is the Physician who removes this dreadful malady of sin. 1. We must be brought into contact with Him. He must speak to us, touch us, take us by the hand, and lift us up. 2. On our part, there must be the seeking of prayer, the submission of repentance, and the confidence of faith. 3. If we have the requisite qualities of mind and heart, the Saviour will heal us. Pardon, regeneration, peace, and joy will be ours at once.

III. Jesus will require us to afterwards minister to Him according to the laws of His kingdom. In doing this, we shall find full scope for our gratitude and love, and joys that will fill our souls to overflowing

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Sympathy of Jesus with the afflicted. "They tell us that, in some trackless lands, when one friend passes through the pathless forests, he breaks a twig ever and anon as he goes, that those who come after may see the traces of his having been there, and may know that they are not out of the road. Oh! when we are journeying through the murky night, and the dark woods of affliction and sorrow, it is something to find here and there a spray broken, or a leafy stem bent down with the tread of His foot and the brush of His hand as He past; and to remember that the path He trod He has hallowed, and that there are lingering fragrances and hidden strengths in the remembrance -'in all points tempted as we are,' bearing grief for us, bearing grief with us, bearing grief like us.'

Condition of seeking Christ.-A celebrated philosopher of antiquity, who was accustomed to receive large sums from his pupils in return for his instructions, was one day accosted by an indigent youth, who requested admission into the number of his disciples. And what,' said the sage, will you give me in return?' 'I will give you myself,' was the reply. 'I accept the gift,' replied the sage, and engage to restore you to yourself at some future period, much more valuable than you are at present.' In similar language, does our Great Teacher address those who apply to Him.

TALK WITH THE LITTLE ONES.

Jesus was now in a town called Capernaum. The town was in a deep valley, on the borders of a lake, or inland sea. Here He lives sometime--not in a house of His own, perhaps in Peter's--nor now working as a carpenter, always 'going about doing good'-making journeys round about the lake, to Chorazin, Bethsaida, Magdala, &c., and up into the hill country all over Galilee preaching in open air, teaching in synagogues, and healing the sick, When coming to Peter's house one day He found him in trouble. His wife's mother was ill of a fever. Jesus took this afflicted woman by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. When the evening had come and the sun gone down, many sick people were brought to Him in the streets-here a poor cripple on crutches, there a blind man feeling his way— here men carrying a dying friend on a litter-another and another, all the sick in the city! All are cured, not one sent back sick or infirm. After all this work He must have wanted long rest and sleep, yet He got up in the dark night and went into a solitary place to pray. Here we have a specimen of the life of Jesus for months-day after day just like this. What are our lives like? Which of you can say

'I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good!'

CATECHISM ON THE LESSON.

When Christ came out of the synagogue, whose house did He enter? The house of Simon. Who was ill of a fever there? Peter's wife's mother. What did Christ do to restore her? Took her by the hand, &c. After the sun had gone down what did He do? Healed the sick that were brought to Him. Why were not they brought before the sun went down? Because the people thought it would be breaking the Sabbath. In the night what did Christ do? Rose and went into a solitary place to pray.