them picture to themselves what would be the effect of having the Thames turned into blood, with the fish dying, and producing a dreadful stench.

Second. This history shows the power of God, and how he can make our very blessings become punishments.

LESSON LIX.

THE PLAGUE OF FROGS, LICE, AND FLIES.-EX. VIII.

Text-Prov. xxix. 1.

First. Read over the account of each plague: question the children particularly with the view of showing to them how insignificant are the instruments by which the Almighty often effects great purposes. Lead them also to observe the rebellious heart of Pharaoh.

LESSON LX.

THE PLAGUES OF MURRAIN OF BEASTS, OF BOILS, AND BLAINS, AND OF HAIL.-EXOD. IX.

Text-Prov. xxix. l.

First. Read the account of each plague, and let the children have a clear idea of the nature of the punishment, and then lead them to remark how the Lord visited all that belonged to the Egyptians with

a curse. Their food, animals, and vegetables, all bore marks of his power and indignation, but worst of all to bear, was the visitation on their own persons.

Second. Lead them to remark how long-suffering the Lord was even to Pharaoh, and how greatly he provoked God by hardening his heart immediately after the punishment was removed at the prayer of Moses.

LESSON LXI.

THE PLAGUES OF LOCUSTS AND DARKNESS.-EXOD. X.

:

Text-1 John i. 5.

First. Describe to the children what a locust is like it is a large grasshopper: these insects come in such vast swarms that the air is darkened by them: they are very voracious, devouring vegetation, so that a country that before their arrival might have been as a fruitful garden, is often left without even a blade of grass. How small the instrument sent as a scourge by the Almighty, yet how great the destruction! Try and make the children picture to themselves this total darkness: no one could occupy themselves. What an awful token it was of God's displeasure; but his people had light-what a proof of his power-sending darkness and light just as he pleases. Apply this spiritually.

LESSON LXII.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FIRST-BORN OF THE
EGYPTIANS.-EXOD. XII. 29, 30.

Text-1 Cor. x. 11.

Lead the children to conceive the scene of distress that ensued when the Lord sent his destroying angel, who carried death into every Egyptian house, smiting the first-born of rich and poor alike, and also of animals. What a night of horrors: how awful the cry of distress in the darkness of midnight. In this history we behold the punishment of those who continue to harden themselves against the Lord. Let us take warning.

LESSON LXIII.

THE INSTITUTION OF THE PASSOVER.-EXOD. XII.

1-28.

Text-John i. 29.

Call upon the children after reading the account to them to tell you the directions respecting the passover, and explain to them their typical import. A lamb, without blemish or spot, a type of Jesus, who was wholly without sin: the lamb was to be killed, representing the death of Christ, and his blood that

cleanseth from all sin: it was to be eaten; we must meditate upon Christ, receiving him into our hearts. Unleavened bread to be taken with it; leaven represents hypocrisy and sin; these must be put away. Bitter herbs are a type of repentance and sorrow for sin; we must mourn for our sins, which caused Jesus such suffering. Nothing must be left of the lamb this was because, in that hot country, it immediately became corrupt, and then it could not represent Jesus, whose soul was holy, and whose body was raised from the grave before corruption took place. This feast was called the Passover, because it was instituted when God sent out an angel to destroy the first-born of Egypt, and passed over every house that had the blood of the lamb on the door-posts. So at the last day, when Christ comes to judge the world, those only will be saved, who are washed in the blood of Christ.

LESSON LXIV.

THE ISRAELITES LEAVE EGYPT WITH RICHES, GUIDED

BY THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE.-EXOD. XII. 31-41: XIII. 20-22.

Text-Isaiah xxx. 21.

Lead the children to draw from this history the truth, that God has the disposal of all hearts. The Israelites, though slaves to the Egyptians, went out

of their country laden with their riches. The Israelites had to journey through the wilderness. See that the children understand what a wilderness is, and the necessity of having a guide to direct them. The Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night.

Application. In our journey through life we need a guide. Christ will lead us by his Spirit, if we earnestly seek his help by prayer, and by studying his word, that we may be instructed in his will.

LESSON LXV.

THE CROSSING THE RED SEA.-EXOD. XIV.

Text-Exod. xiv. 14.

Endeavour to make the children picture to themselves the perilous situation of the Israelites. The sea before them, behind them Pharaoh and his host. Hedged in on all sides, no arm but that of omnipotence could save them, but the Lord made a path for them through the sea, and by faith they passed the Red Sea, as by dry land; the waves as a wall on each side of them. Lead the children to picture out this scene. The Israelites crossed in faith, but when Pharaoh assayed to follow, he and all his hosts were drowned.

Application. When we walk by faith looking to the Lord Jesus, we are safe.