It is presumed that every teacher will be supplied monthly with the Notes on the Scripture Lessons, and that he will, by the study of them, and by regular weekly attendance at the preparation class, make himself master of the subject, and thus be thoroughly prepared to teach the lessons for the day. It should be remembered that, in consequence of the limited space at command, in some cases a large portion of the lesson selected for the elder classes is necessarily omitted. The teacher, therefore, may have to introduce the subject, or supply a connecting link in the middle. When a short line is inserted, it is to show that either the selection is from two separate chapters, or the continuity of the reading is broken. This gives a larger scope in the selection, and with care will make the lesson more interesting both to the teacher and scholar. 1. The children should be encouraged to commit to memory during the week the Golden Text and the Lesson Verse. 2. Each scholar being provided with the lesson, the teacher should announce the appointed subject, and briefly introduce it in a lively and attractive manner, by the aid of some well-chosen illustration which shall naturally lead on to the main facts or doctrines of the lesson to be taught; thus tending to secure for it the interest and attention of the class. 3. The lesson may then be read by the scholars simultaneously or individually, the teacher reading a portion in turn. 4. The teacher having previously divided the lesson into sections according to its character and meaning, the first section should be read again, and, by suitable questioning, explanation, and illustration, its meaning made plain to the scholars. The other sections should be dealt with in a similar manner. Examination by questions should follow each section. 5. In the foregoing exercises the leading practical truth or truths which the teacher desires to impress on the mind and heart should be constantly kept in view, and gradually brought out as the lesson is proceeded with. The close of the teaching will consist of a brief and earnest attempt to press home the practical application of these truths in the most forcible and affectionate manner. If these suggestions be duly considered, and, as far as applicable to each particular case, be carried out with an earnest spirit, a loving heart, and in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, teachers will not fail to secure the blessing of Him who hath said, "My word shall not return unto Me void." 29 Moses' Song of Remembrance.. Feb. 5 Deborah's Song of Praise 12 Christ's Foes and Friends.. 19 Hannah's Song of Rejoicing. Mar. 5 David's Prayer of Gratitude.. 19 Power over Disease and Death The LIST OF SCRIPTURE LESSONS for the entire year is published at 1s. per 100, and will also be found in the "Sunday School Illustrated Almanack," price The great work of religious instruction will be materially assisted by teachers inducing the parents of Sunday scholars to post up in their dwellings, where it may conveniently and continually be seen, a copy of the List of Lessons or NEW YEAR'S PROSPECTS. GOLDEN TEXT. He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.-PSALM Xci. 11. PSALM xci. 1-12. HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High *shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL. GOLDEN TEXT. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.-LUKE ii. 10. MARK i. 1-11. THE beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the Prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. AN INTERCESSORY PRAYER. GOLDEN TEXT. He ever liveth to make intercession for them.-HEBREWS vii. 25. GENESIS xviii. 17, 18, 23, 24, 26, 31-33. AND the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. |