not dead in them-may seem for awhile to be dead, but unless the soil of the heart be diligently watched, the thorns and briars will again grow up apace. An attempt to serve God and Mammon, to combine the two, but in vain-no fruit will be brought forth. IV. But the sowing is not always in vain, for "other seed fell on good ground, and did yield fruit," &c. The large return of an hundred-fold is sometimes obtained in the East, (Gen. xxvi. 12.) Our Lord tells us, (v. 20,) that this class of persons are "such as hear the Word and receive it," adding, in Luke viii. 8, "they which in an honest and good heart," &c. This brings out the truth, that there is an apparent preparedness or fitness for receiving the Word in some persons more than in others; so that preaching may be likened to the scattering of sparks, which, when they encounter combustible matter, cause fire; or to the loadstone, which attracts iron, but no other substance. Not that there can be any fitness in man, other than by God's grace. The "good ground," the faculty to "receive the word, the "honest and good heart," come as much from God as the good seed. The different degrees of fruitfulness, "some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred," perhaps indicate different degrees of fidelity in receiving the Word, for the warning is immediately given, (v. 9,) " He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." There may be a diversity of preparedness or fitness in the soil of men's heartsthere may, undoubtedly, be such things as destroying and souring the soil, treading it to hardness, wasting it away, or leaving it to thorns and briers: yet, by the grace of God, recovery is in all these cases possible. Previous condition may effect the issue, but it now behoves us all to listen to the Word in such a way as to insure, that with God's blessing it may bring forth abiding fruit. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 51.-Psalm xc. 14-17. Subject to be Proved-Profitable Hearing requires Faith and Preparation. Text for Non-Reading Classes. "These are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred."-Mark iv. 20. LESSON LII.-DECEMBER 29. JESUS' TEACHING.-Mark iv. 21-41. I. How to hear, (v. 21-25).—This passage, as well as the two parables which follow, evidently hang upon the preceding parable of the sower, all to illustrate how the Gospel-message was to be published, and what reception it would meet with. "Candle," or lamp, "nothing hid," (v. 21, 22,)—as it would be wrong to hoard up wealth for no purpose, so it would be wrong to hide knowledge, and not impart it to others. "Take heed," (v. 24,) we are responsible for the use we make of God's Word, and for the opportunities we may have of spreading the knowledge of it. Compare Matt. xxv. 20, 21. "For he that hath, to him shall be given," (v. 25,)—the exercised faculty increases in strength, a principle true physically as well as spiritually. II. Parable of the seed growing we know not how, (v. 26-29.)-To shew that seed cast into the ground grows under the creative hand of God, independently of human care and anxiety: or in other words, that the Word of God operates secretly, and not under the control, or by the power of man. Paul plants, God alone can give the increase. Hence the importance of sowing the seed-spreading the Gospel. No one need be discouraged, or think it useless to do good in Christ's name. God will cause the seed to grow in His own good time, (1 Peter i. 23-25.) The blade, the ear, the full corn, (1 John ii. 12-14.) Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, (John iii. 8.) III. Parable of the grain of mustard seed, (v. 30-34.)-The idea taken from a plant well known in the district; its seed small, the plant itself of large growth. Small beginnings have often great results--Abraham, Gen. xxii. 17, 18, Jacob, xxxii. 10. Christ's kingdom was at first despised and rejected of men. His reign was to begin unseen in the hearts of men, gradually but surely extending itself, until all ends of the earth would acknowledge Him to be the Lord, (Dan. ii. 44; Rev. xi. 15.) Great branches-lodge under the shadow, (v. 32.) What was once small and unnoticed will shew itself to be what it really is, the "Strength of Israel," in whom all mankind may trust, (Hosea xiv. 7; Psalms xxxvi. 7; Isaiah iv. 6.) And with many such parables," &c., (v. 33, 34,) only a few of the more striking ones being preserved. Jesus made large use of this method of communicating truth, and no teacher ever used it with such power and kindness. "And when they were alone," Jesus more fully expounded all things to His disciples. 66 IV. The stilling of the storm, (v. 35-41.)-This took place in the evening of the day on which the foregoing parables were spoken, (v. 35.) Jesus was now about to cross over to the "other side," i. e., the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, to the country of the Gadarenes or Gergesenes. They took Him even as He was in the ship," (v. 36,)-proceeded across the lake without any previous preparation, just as He had left off addressing the people. "Other little ships,"-some of the multitude endeavoured to follow Him. "Great storm," (v. 37,)-the Sea of Galilee subject to sudden gusts of wind. The boat was now "full," i. e., shipped a good deal of water. And Jesus was in the "hinder part of the ship," (v. 38,) asleep on a "pillow," the helmsman's seat or cushion at the stern. He required rest, He hungered, thirsted, and was made in all things like unto His brethren, (Heb. ii. 17, 18,) yet without sin. The disciples wondered that He should be calmly' sleeping while they were in such danger. "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" When fear is great faith becomes small. He arose and "rebuked" the wind, (v.39,)-the Creator speaking to the creature, (Job. xxxviii.8-11.) How simple, yet authoritative, the words, "Peace, be still!" How difficult it is for a sinner to trust Christ! yet He will deliver, (Ps. cvii. 25-30). And turning to the disciples, how gently He upbraids them! "Why are ye so fearful?" (v. 40.) He had given them many proofs of His power and affection, yet in the hour of trial they forgot that they had with them one whom even the wind and the sea must obey. feared exceedingly," not now with terror for the waves, but awe-struck in the presence of the Lord. They Comforting thought, that nothing can happen to us without His knowledge and control. He rules the universe, nature and all its powers, for His own glory and the good of His people. Learn to trust in Him at all times, and to look for daily guidance and support from His gracious hand. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 52.-Paraphrase xiii. 1, 2, 7, 8. Text for Non-Reading Classes. "The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."-Mark iv. 28. The Teacher's Quiver; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON LI.-Points for illustration:―The pulpit, the preacher, and the parable—the sower, the seed, and the soil—the trodden, the stony, the thorny, and the good ground (100)-all hear; the many ways of losing, the one way of keeping-bring forth fruit (101, 102.) 100. How the seed is choked." Mary, my love, do you remember the text of this morning?"-Mary: "No, papa, I never can remember the text, I've such a bad memory.' Mother: "By the way, did you notice Susan Brown?”—Mary: “Õh, yes, what a fright! She had on her last year's bonnet done up, a pea-green silk, a black lace mantilla, brown boots, an imitation of Honiton collar, a lava bracelet, her old ear-rings, and such a fan. Oh, my!" Mother: "Well, my dear, your memory is certainly bad." 66 101. Practical hearing.—“Is the sermon done?" was asked of one who returned from church sooner than usual. No, not yet," was the answer, "it is preached, but it still remains to be done." 102. Fruitfulness.-It is said of the Rev. Dr. Franklin that he had a passion for fruitfulness. His signet ring had for a device a fruit-bearing tree, with the motto from Ps. i. 3. And when near his end, being asked by his son and pastoral successor for some word of condensed wisdom to be treasured up as a remembrance and a prompter, he breathed into his ear the word "FRUITFUL."-Bowes. LESSON LII.-Points for illustration:-Christians should shine (103)— Christians should grow (104)--the secret workings of the Spirit— small beginnings-Christ in the boat-Jesus hath power over all storms (105-106.) 103. Light-bearing.-The fishing-vessels on our own coasts are bound by law to carry lights at night. Not only must the light be on board, but is required to be hung at least at a certain height, so as to be readily seen at a distance. So Christains must not only have the light, but have it where it will shine before men. 104. Christian growth.-Most children, I think, like to grow. Some of you, I am sure, have stood against the wall at home, and had a pencil mark put just where your head reached to, and then have watched how, month by month, or year by year, the mark had to be put higher and higher. Perhaps some of you, too, may remember (as I do) how sorry you felt when you discovered that, so far as height went, you had stopped growing. Again, most children like to have plants or flowers growing, like to see the tiny little stems shooting up through the earth, and the leaves bursting out, and the bud and blossom opening in all their tender beauty. But there is another growth of which we must think-not growing taller, or growing older, or growing cleverer, but what is far better than all these-growing in grace. God could have made us all as He made Adam, full-grown men at once; and He could make us all at once perfect in holiness too. But He chooses that we should come into the world as little helpless babes, dependent for a time upon the care of others, and only by degrees growing big and strong. Even so, when by God's grace we are born again—that is, become His child— we are at first only "babes in Christ," very helpless and weak in all that is good. Like the plant, however, the growth in grace is gradual and progressive. And this is comforting and encouraging to young servants of Jesus. There is no getting to perfection all at once-no coming by one step out of sin and into the full likeness of God. To become like God, we grow like Him. God's two books-the book of His word and the book of His works-alike teach that you must grow. There is no standing still in life. You are either growing better or you are growing worse-you are growing in grace or you are growing in evil. To grow in grace you must lay aside every weight and the sins that most easily beset you. He would not be a wise gardener, surely, who, wishing his trees to grow tall, hung heavy weights on every branch. So you must very carefully avoid everything that may hinder your upward growth. You must beware of bad habits, bad books, bad company. You must come every day to Jesus in earnest faithful prayer, that He would help you to leave off sin and grow like himself, who was separate from sin. Then, unlike the plants, you will grow for ever; for eternity will hardly suffice to learn all the love of Jesus, or utter all His praise. -J. R. P. 66 105. Safety in storms: An Infidel's testimony.—When Volney was on board a vessel during a violent storm at sea, the ship being in imminent danger of being lost, he threw himself on the deck, crying in agony, “Oh, my God! my God!" There is a God, then, Monsieur Volney?" said one of the passengers to him. "Oh yes!" exclaimed the terrified infidel, "there is! there is! Lord, save me!" The ship, however, got safely into port. Volney was extremely disconcerted when his confession was publicly related, but excused it by saying, "he was frightened by the storm, and did not know what he said." 106. Safety in storms: A Believer's testimony.—"He who sends the storm steers the vessel." So said an old ship-captain to me when describing a fearful storm at sea; when he told of the awful gale, the vivid lightning, the billows mountains high, the ship tossed about like a plaything for the rude winds and waves to buffet; then his voice became softened, his eye glistened amid tears as he added, "But, madam, He who sends the storm steers the vessel, and at last we are brought safe into port." "That is a very comforting thought, captain," said I; "I wish we could all remember it when storms are raging, and there seems little hope of peace and safety." "Yes, ma'am, it is a great comfort, and if we only believe and trust all will be right. When the storm of adversity sweeps over us, and the sunshine seems shut out forever by clouds of sorrow, when we cry aloud in our anguish, All thy waves and billows have gone over me,' let this ray of light into the sinking heart, and all will be right in His good time. The clouds will disperse, the sunshine glisten over the waters, the mighty winds and waves at His voice will cease their raging, and there will be a great calm,'-that 'peace of God which passeth all understanding.""-Teacher's Treasury. END OF VOLUME XXIV. M'LAREN & ERSKINE, PRINTERS, GLASGOW. |