you enjoy, in being Christians; but then you must not be Christians only in name. To be a good Christian requires self-denial, and constant watchfulness against the snares of the Devil. Yet be assured, that to resist any sin, brings tenfold more happiness than any sinful pleasure whatsoever; a happiness that will last through time and eternity! The Fourth Sunday in Advent. ST. JOHN I. 26, 27, 28. "John answered them saying, I baptize with water; but there standeth one among you whom ye know not. He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me; whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. Teacher. Except our blessed Saviour himself, there is no character in the Bible from which we may learn a better lesson of humility, than from that of John the Baptist. You know I suppose that there were two of the disciples of your Lord, of that name; John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for your Saviour Jesus Christ; and St. John the Evangelist, who writ the gospel that goes by his name, three Epistles, and the Revelations. He outlived the time of your Saviour's ascension nearly sixty years. Questions. How many Two. From What character in the Bible gives the best lesson of humility, except that of your blessed Saviour? That of John the Baptist. of the disciples were named John? which are you to learn humility? the Baptist. Who was the other? Evangelist. What did he write? Gospels, three Epistles, and the From John St. John the One of the Revelations. And how long did he outlive the ascension of your Saviour? Nearly sixty years. Teacher. John's disciples became Christians, because he had prepared their minds to enter into that holy engagement. If we have the humility of John the Baptist, we shall always bear in mind, that whatever we have and also the power of enjoying what we have, is bestowed upon us by God Almighty. "In Him we live and move and have our being." From Him we have the greatest of all blessings, that of the redemption of our souls from sin, and everlasting death by our Saviour's atonement; and the assistance of His Holy Spirit, to put into our minds good desires and resolutions, and also humility Questions. Did John's disciples become christians? Yes If we have the humility of John the Baptist, what shall we always bear in mind, or have present to our thoughts? That whatever we have is given us from God. In whom do we live, and move, and have our being? In God. What is the greatest of all blessings? Redemption from sin and everlasting death by our Saviour's atonement. And what does his Holy Spirit put into our minds? Good desires and resolutions and Humility. Teacher. This virtue was not known (much less practised) among the heathen or Gentile nations; they had It is the no name for it in their languages. Christian Religion alone which gives true humility, or humbleness of mind. Those who are proud and conceited, and rebellious against authority, are not Christians, whatever they may call themselves; their high notions are put into their heads by the Devil, whose pride made him rebellious in heaven, and occasioned God Almighty to drive him from thence. Questions. Was the virtue of humility known or practised No. among the heathen or Gentile nations? Had they even a name for it? No. What religion gives us true humility, or humbleness of mind? The Christian Religion. Who are not christians whatever they may call themselves? Those who are proud and conceited, and rebellious against authority. Who puts those high notions into their hearts? The Devil. What made him rebellious and drove him from Heaven? Teacher. Pride. As pride is born with you, and shews itself in your earliest years, you cannot too soon begin to conquer it; for, be assured that pride will as surely keep you from ever gaining admission into Heaven, as it drove Satan and his angels from thence. You are then to behave yourselves humbly and reverently to God Almighty; obediently and respectfully to your parents, teachers and superiors; and with kindness and civility to every one. Christmas Day. This day is kept in remembrance of the birth or nativity of your Saviour, and mine; the Lord Jesus Christ! He left his state of happiness and glory in Heaven, to take upon himself the form of a poor helples infant, the son of a carpenter's wife! So poor were his reputed parents that his mother could obtain no better lodging than a stable, and For afterwards so poor was he himself that he had often no lodging at all. He continued in this humble and laborious station, discharging the duties of it to God and man, until he attained the age of thirty years. He then entered upon the great work for which he came into the world. nearly three years he preached the word of God, such as is contained in the Gospels. He healed the diseases of the soul and body, and then laid down his life as an atonement to God's justice for those sins, which no repentance or merits of our own can wash away. He has also given us the most positive assurance, that if we do our duty in this life, we shall be happy with him, and with those good people we have loved on earth, through all eternity. When thousands and ten thousands of years are passed away, we shall still have a happiness that can never end. This therefore is the cause why the present day and season is a time of rejoicing. School children call it their holyday, but those who are old enough, ought to bear in mind, that holydays, strictly speaking, are days of holiness and good conduct. As Christians you have abundant reason to rejoice and to be thankful; but remember that every breach of decency and good manners, all riot and disorder, are offences against your God, and will endanger to you the great blessings, which this day, if not abused |