April 9.

AN EASTER LESSON. 1 Corinthians xv. 12-26.

GOLDEN TEXT.

1 Corinthians xv. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

In the Greek Testament by Dr. Bloomfield, Paul's argument of the resurrection is given by Hyperius in the form of a Sorites, thus:-'If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither is Christ risen; so then our preaching is vain, and we are false witnesses. If our preaching is vain, then your faith is vain. If your faith is vain, then you have in no wise through it obtained remission of your sins. If you have not obtained remission of your sins. Then those who have died with such a faith in Christ, have perished. But if such have perished, then faith in Christ is entertained in this life only. If, in short, faith is had in Christ in this life only, then we are of all men most miserable; inasmuch as we are, on account of this faith, perpetually suffering afflictions and persecutions.' Notice

I. The resurrection of Christ from the dead was not preached by Paul before it was proved. 1. It was not a difficult thing to prove. Either Christ had left the grave or He was still there. The grave was empty, Christ was not to be found there. That fact was admitted on all hands. 2. He had either left the grave dead or alive. If the disciples had carried the dead body away, how had they managed to do it? The grave was kept by soldiers. It was a beautiful moonlight night. Jerusalem was full of people. 3. Who were the first to believe in the resurrection? The disciples? No, the soldiers believed first, and reported the fact to the head men in Jerusalem. The resurrection of Christ surprised the disciples. He appeared to them many times and instructed them in the great doctrines of the Scriptures before they understood the nature of His kingdom. They were so full of the idea of a temporal and earthly kingdom, they were not prepared to understand a spiritual and heavenly one. They needed much teaching. 4. When the disciples believed in the resurrection they made it known to others. 5. Christ had risen from the dead with the nail marks in His hands. The marks were showed to His disciples. 1.) The disciples were honest men. They could state the truth better than any unconverted Jewish historian. There were sceptical men in those days who did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. this chapter is dealing with those sceptics, who resided at Corinth. 2.) He gave to those sceptics the evidence which he and the disciples had of the resurrection of Christ. There were many witnesses, about five hundred who had seen Jesus after He had risen from the dead. The evidence convinced Paul. On that evidence he rested his soul in the face of persecution and death.

Paul in

II. The evidence of the resurrection of Christ which Paul preached was never refuted. 1. The sceptics at Corinth could not refute his argument. Out of five hundred witnesses, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the greater number were alive. Some had died but the majority were alive. The doctrine of the resurrection was preached by Paul within thirty years of the death of Christ. Fifty days after the Crucifixion, Peter proclaimed the resurrection of Christ at Jerusalem. And before the death of the Apostles, according to history, thirty thousand Jews had accepted the doctrine. The fact of the

resurrection, was therefore established at Jerusalem, where the enemies of Christ had every means to refute the doctrine. 2. A fact once proved as a fact of history can never be refuted. Time cannot ignore or alter facts. The facts of history stand together. The facts of the assassination of Cæsar cannot be refuted now. Neither can} the facts of the death and ressurrection of Christ.

20.

III. The resurrection of Christ is the evidence of our resurrection. Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. The power that raised Christ from the dead is still the same. The resurrection of the body is a fact, as seen in the person of Christ. That fact can be accomplished in the general resurrection by the same power that raised up Christ. 21. By man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Here the general is included in the particular. Christ is risen, therefore His people shall rise again at His coming.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.

March 19.

POWER OVER DISEASE AND DEATH. Mark v. 21-43.

GOLDEN TEXT.

Matt. viii. 17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. PREFATORY REMARKS.-From the narrative of events given in this lesson, we may get some idea of the excitement created among the people by our Lord's ministry, the demands made upon Him by those who were in need of help, the work He had to do in fulfilling His mission as the Teacher of salvation, and the great joy that many souls would feel in consequence of the benefits He bestowed wherever He went. Here we have an account of the ruler of a synagogue pressing Him to go to his house to heal his daughter, who was just on the point of death. While on His way to the house of affliction, another sufferer forces herself through the crowd, for the purpose of obtaining a cure, and succeeds, without any one present, save the Lord and herself knowing what is happening. Such is the abundance of the Saviour's healing virtue, and such the blessing that true faith wins.

EXPOSITORY NOTES.-Having been desired by the Gadarenes to quit their coasts, Jesus re-crossed the sea, and found multitudes waiting for Him 22, 23. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, &c. The synagogue was a place of worship where the law was read and expounded. Its affairs were managed by a college of elders, having a president, called the ruler, and who had the principal charge of all matters connected with it. Jairus was in great sorrow. His only daughter, a girl of twelve, was in a dying state. By his behaviour, he showed his humility, and a strong desire for Jesus to give him help. He had faith in Christ, but it was somewhat weak. He believed the Lord could save his child from death, but to do that He must go to the house where the sufferer was, and lay His hand on her. His faith was not equal to the centurion's, who said Jesus could heal His servant by a word. Matt. viii. 5-13. Though weak, the ruler's faith was genuine, and so Christ went with

him. On the way an interruption occurred which caused some delay, and was probably a source of trial to the ruler's anxious heart. Feeble faith often meets with difficulties. 25-29. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, &c. This was a very distressing case. For twelve years the sufferer had borne her burden, she had spent her all in seeking a cure, she had tried many physicians, and the result was that she was no better, but worse. Medical science was not in a very advanced state among the Jewish doctors, some having recourse to the most absurd methods of treating such cases as this. See A. Clarke's notes on the passage. Even in skilful hands patients often become worse, if they do not improve. This woman had heard of Jesus, and formed the plan of touching His garment for a cure. In this she might not be altogether free from superstition, inasmuch as she deemed it needful to come into contact with something belonging to Christ's person. We may easily understand why she desired to avoid observation. The nature of her complaint would make her shrink from openly stating her case. The law of Moses declared her unclean. had no right to be in that crowd. Lev. xv. 19. These things help to bring out into relief the beauty and strength of her confidence in Jesus. Her touch is not to be regarded as a superstitious cleaving to the relics of some dead saint, but the contact of a trusting soul with the living, omnipotent Healer. The robe was a kind of material link, or instrument, whereby she laid hold of Jesus; not in itself necessary, but in this case allowed because it was associated with a true faith, though one not altogether free from weakness. The cure came according to expectation. The malady which for twelve years had stubbornly refused to yield to any remedy that men might try, departed in a moment. 30-34. And; Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? &c. By 'virtue' is meant influence to heal, the nature of which, and its mode of operation, are things beyond our knowledge. We must not suppose that this had gone from Christ without His concurrence. He is always open to the touch of the believing soul. This is His attitude towards men as their Saviour. What we believe for, we have with His full knowledge and consent. He knows who has, and who has not, fellowship with Him. He does not ask the question for information. Several reasons might lead Him to put it. His disciples did'not understand its true import, and wondered that He took any notice of a touch in a crowd of excited people. Many, probably, pressed against Him, but one especially made her presence felt. Her soul had touched Him, and brought His healing power into operation. He might wish the crowd to know what had taken place, and the woman to confess her cure, that in acknowledging Him she might obtain still further blessing, in the assurance that He would give her. She was afraid, thinking, probably, that He was about to rebuke her for stealing a cure, so she came trembling, and told Him all the truth. Then came the gentle, tender, consoling words, 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole,' &c. While He was speaking thus, a messenger came from the ruler's house, to say that the sick child was dead, and that there was no need for the Lord to proceed further. Those who sent word seemed to think that though Christ might heal the sick, He

could not raise the dead. 36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. The tidings of the child's death might have shaken the father's hopes. Jesus encouraged him by an exhortation to maintain his faith. All things are possible to him that believes. While the Saviour leads Jairus to expect something, He keeps him in the dark as to what it shall be. 37-40. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James, &c. The special favour shown to these disciples seems to indicate that Christ attached great importance to this act of raising the dead. Arrived at the ruler's house, the Saviour found a great tumult, and many persons weeping and wailing. Some of these mourners were doubtless members and relatives of the family; others, perhaps, persons in the habit of attending funerals as hired mourners. In Matt. ix. 23, minstrels' are spoken of, by which pipers and flute-players are meant. The preparations for the funeral had already begun. Jesus rebuked these noisy mourners, and at the same time startled them by asserting that the damsel was not dead, but only slept. Dead she certainly was from their point of view, but from His who quickeneth whom He will, and who intended to revive her speedily, she was merely sleeping. Ignorant, unbelieving, unsympathetic, irreverent souls, they laughed Him to scorn, like many in these days who despise His person and work. Having put the scoffers out, He went into the room where the corpse lay. 41. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi, &c. The words Talitha cumi are from the Syriac, and mean, as is said, Maiden, arise. 42. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked, &c. The reality of the miracle was shown by the maiden's power to stand up and walk at once, and also by her ability to take food. Such food she would need; and by ordering the friends to give it, the Saviour showed His tender regard for her. All were astonished. Jesus charged those who had witnessed the miracle not to publish it. The fact of the restoration could not be kept secret, but there was no need to divulge the method by ..which it had been brought about.

HOMILETICAL HINTS.-These two cases may serve to illustrate the work of faith.

I. Faith has its objects. 1. Personal. To get help for ones self. 2. Relative. To obtain the restoration of a dying child, &c.

II. Faith has its trials. A crowd may be in the way. The case may become aggravated while we seek redress. The child dies.

III. Faith has its encouragements.

He says, 'Be not afraid, only believe.'

Christ can be reached by pressing.

IV. Faith has its triumphs. It gets what it seeks, and obtains the Lord's assurance besides. Go in peace.'

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Virtue gone out.-Virtue at one time meant strength; now it is used to denote purity. Jesus means that power had gone out from Him. Virtue cannot leave one and pass to another without a loss to the giver. There can be little doubt that the sacred body of Jesus had to suffer for being the medium of healing, and that very costly was the honour of being the shrine

of Divinity. Perhaps one reason why Jesus had to toil in His early life as a carpenter, was to invigorate His frame, and fit it for the three years of waste which lay between the baptism at Jordan and the cross of Calvary.

Fear not, only believe.-A poor widow was weeping in the room where lay the body of her husband. Their only child came to them and said, 'Why do you weep so, mother?' The mother told him of their loss, and especially referred to their poverty. The poor-house will receive us.' Looking into her face, the little fellow said, 'Is God dead, mother?'

Mourning scene.-Among the sounds was one of loud wailing coming out of a house in one of the narrow streets. It was 'the wail about the dead,' but it seemed quite an uproar. It brought to mind such words as Jer. ix. 20, 21, and Amos v. 16. Still more exactly did it seem to resemble the scene at Capernaum in Jairus' house, where the mourning is called a tumult,' and the mourners are said to have 'wept and wailed greatly.' The sounds appear quite inarticulate; but I believe they were repeated for days.

TALK WITH THE LITTLE ONES.

When Jesus and His disciples came back from beyond the sea a great crowd met Him on the shore. One of the chief men of the city named Jairus, came to Him and said, 'My little girl is very sick and going to die; please to come and see her and touch her that she may get better.' Jesus went with him and a crowd followed. As they were going a woman who had been afflicted many years came behind Him and touched the hem of His robe, and was instantly cured. Immediately after some one came from the house of Jairus saying, 'Your little girl is dead; do not further trouble the Master.' But Jesus said, 'Do not be afraid, only believe.' They went to the house and found it full of weeping people. Jesus went into the room where the little girl was lying dead; and He took hold of her cold hand and said, 'Little girl, arise.' As soon as the words were spoken she rose up and walked as well as ever. She was at that time twelve years old. Jesus bade the people not to tell what had happened, for He did not want people to be always coming to Him to work miracles, as that did not leave sufficient time for Him to preach the gospel.

CATECHISM ON THE LESSON.

What did the ruler ask of Jesus when He returned to Capernaum? To heal his dying daughter. How was a diseased woman healed while Jesus was on His way to the ruler's house? By touching the garment of Jesus. What did Jesus say to the woman? Thy faith hath made thee whole. What did Jesus say to the ruler when news came that his daughter was dead? Be not afraid, only believe. By what words did He call back the dead child to life? I say unto thee, arise.

March 26.

REVIEW OF THE QUARTER'S LESSONS.

GOLDEN TEXT.

Luke xxiv. 19. And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.