but he is growing. He is not ashamed to stand up boldly now in face of the bitterly hostile Sanhedrim, and to put the practical question of ver. 51-a common-sense question, one would think. The most hardened criminal is not condemned without a fair trial. Extend this privilege to Jesus. You are condemning Him unheard. That is unfair. It was a bold thing to say in such a place; but Nicodemus did it, and this stand would make his next one easier.

Stand up for Jesus, Christian, stand.

Nicodemus could not be answered; and, as is the case often still, he was met with a sneer-a sneer in which there was a misstatement-there had been prophets from Galilee. Jonah and Nahum were both from Galilee. Notice, lastly, ver. 55, and viii. 1, and compare Matthew viii. 20.

Subject to be proved-Jesus Invites All to Come to Him.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 27.-Psalm xlii. 1, 2. Golden Text-" In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink,” (John vii. 37.) NOTES.-The notes on the lesson fully explain this text. We may simply call attention to the universality of the invitation-if any man thirst. All are invited -not one shut out. (Compare Rev. xxii. 17.)

The Teacher's Quiber;

OR, ILLUSTRATIONS

OF THE LESSONS.

LESSON 128.-THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.-Leviticus xxv. 1-17.

232. We require a Sabbath, (verses_2-7.)-When the miners first crowded to California to dig for gold, they worked seven days in the week, until they found they were digging more than gold-they were digging_graves. They, therefore, resolved to rest one day in seven, and they soon found that it was to their temporal advantage to have a Sabbath.

233. The Poor are not to be Oppressed, (verses 14-17.)-A Roman ambassador, when admiring the noble prospect from the window of a certain king's palace, remarked an uneven piece of ground, and asked why it was not made uniform with the rest. A nobleman who was present answered, "It is the property of an old woman who has objections to sell it, though often requested by our king to do so; and he is more willing to have his prospect spoiled than to commit injustice and violence." When the ambassador heard this, he said, "That irregular spot, consecrated as it is by justice, appears more beautiful than all the surrounding scenery."

LESSON 129.-THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE.-Leviticus xxvi. 1-33. 234. God is not to be Worshipped by means of Images, (verse 1.)-A Protestant who rented a small farm under Ålexander, the second Duke of Gordon, having fallen behind with his rent, a vigilant steward, in his Grace's absence, seized the farmer's stock, and advertized it to be sold on a fixed day. Happily, the Duke returned home before the day of sale, and the tenant went to him to plead for mercy. "What is the matter, Donald?" said the Duke, as he saw him enter with sad, downcast looks. Donald told his sorrowful tale in a few words. It touched the Duke's heart, and he gave him a full discharge for the debt. Donald, as he cheerfully withdrew, was staring at the pictures and images which he saw in the castle, and he asked the Duke what they were. The Duke, who was a Roman Catholic, said, "These are the saints who intercede with God for me.' "My lord Duke," said Donald, "would it not be better to apply directly to God yourself? I went to muckle Sandy Gordon, and to little Sandy Gordon; but if

I had not come to your Grace's self I could not have got my discharge, and both I and my bairns had been turned out of house and home."

235. God gives a Liberal Reward to His Faithful Servants, (verses 3-13.)—A military gentleman once said to an excellent old minister in the North of Scotland, who was becoming infirm, "Why, if I had power over the pension list, I would actually have put you on half-pay for your long and faithful services." The minister replied, "Ah, my friend, your master may put you off with halfpay, but my Master will not serve me so meanly: He will give me full pay. Through grace I expect a full reward."

LESSON 131.-JESUS THE WATER OF LIFE.-John vii. 37-53; viii. 1. 236. Only Christ can Quench the Thirst of the Soul, (verses 37, 38.)-During a revival in a town in Ohio, a man, who had been very worldly-minded, was awakened, but for some time concealed his feelings even from his wife, who was a praying woman. She left him one evening in charge of his little girl of three years of age. After her departure his anxiety of mind became so great that he walked about the room in his agony. The little girl noticed his agitation, and inquired, "What ails you, Pa ?" He replied, "Nothing," and endeavoured to quiet his feelings; but all in vain. The child looked up sympathizingly in his face, and inquired, with all the artlessness and simplicity of childhood, "Pa, if you were dry, wouldn't you go and get a drink of water?" The father started as if a voice from heaven had fallen on his ear. He thought of his thirsty soul famishing for the water of life; he thought of that living fountain opened in the Gospel; he believed, and straightway fell at the Saviour's feet. From that hour he dates the dawning of a new light, and the beginning of a new life.

237. Thirsty ones must come to Christ, (verse 37.)-One day a conversation arose in the ward of the hospital at Scutari on the subject of religion. A convalescent had crawled with his crutch to the bedside of a comrade, anxious to know how it had fared with one who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him in

many a fray. "Well, Barry, how are you to-day?" inquired the visitor in a cheerful tone.- "I cannot say 'All's well,' indeed, Stanton, either outwardly or inwardly; but you are the man I was wishing to see.' "And what can I do for you, my good fellow ?"-"Well, the chaplain was here yesterday, and I told him that I was miserable; that I had tried pleasure, drink, everything; and that now my wretched mind was harder to bear than wounds. What do you think he said? In the most solemn and earnest manner he said, 'Try Christ.' All night long these two words have been in my ears, 'Try Christ;' but what can they mean?"-"A glorious meaning they have, Barry. The Son of God is will. ing to save you, if you are willling to believe on Him and be saved. Be in ear nest. He will save you from sin and hell. Trust in Him, and He will not let you perish. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Come to Him, and you shall not be cast out." But, Stanton, are you certain all this is true? You know the life I led too bad almost to be forgiven."-"As true as God himself," answered the pious soldier, reverently; and taking a Bible he read the words, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," and other similar invitations from Scripture. This good news was eagerly listened to by Barry, and the words came as cool water to his thirsty soul. He was induced to seek with earnestness and perseverance an interest in that salvation which Christ purchased by the shedding of His own precious blood, and He did not seek in

vain.

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