Questions.

Do you suppose he asked questions as any other boy would have done at his age? No. What did he know himself to be? The Son of God. And why had he left that state of glory in heaven, where he thought it not robbery to be equal with God? To redeem us from our sins. But although he was thus God, as well as man, did he neglect the duties of his lowly station? No. Where did he return to with Joseph and Mary? To Nazareth. And how did he shew his duty as a son? He became subject unto them.

Questions,

The duty and obedience meant by this expression, would lead him to be useful to them, as well as obedient; no doubt he assisted them in procuring an humble but honest maintenance. Consider the good instruction you may draw from even this short account of your Saviour's youth. From his attending in the temple to be examined in religious knowledge, you find that it is your positive duty to learn your Catechism, and the tasks set you in this place, as well as to attend to the sermons you hear at church, and the instruction contained in good books. From your Saviour's being in subjection to his parents, you cannot but see that it is your duty to be obedient to your's, provided

those commands are not contrary to the commands of God. I hope few parents are so wicked as to teach their children to break any of the commandments; but if they should do so, it then becomes the duty of the child, to obey God rather than its wicked parents.

Questions.

Ought not children to be useful to their parents, as well as obedient? Yes. How are you to imitate your Saviour in acquiring religious knowledge? By learning our catechism and tasks, &c. Ought you not to be subject to your parents, as he was to his? Yes. But if they ever should be so wicked and thoughtless as to order you to break a commandment, what then? We ought to obey God rather than such wicked parents.

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany.

"

ST. JOHN i. 10, 11.

[At the end of the Gospel.]

Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him."

Teacher.

According to the predictions of the Prophets, the Messiah was to manifest his glory, and prove

himself to be the Messiah, or the Son of God, by performing miracles. A miracle is something out of the common course of nature; and we read in the New Testament, that our Saviour often appealed to the miracles he wrought, as proofs of his being the very Christ. The works that I do, says he, they bear witness of me; if ye believe not me, believe my works, that I came forth from God.

Questions.

What was the Messiah to do, according to the predictions of the Prophets? To prove himself to be the Messiah, or the Son of God by miracles. What is a miracle? Something out of the common course of nature. Did your Saviour often appeal to, or desire his followers to notice those miracles, as proofs of his being the Messiah, or Son of God? Yes. What did he say bore witness of him? The works that he did.

Teacher.

In the Gospel for this day, we have an account of the first miracle he wrought. By the power of his word he changed a large quantity of water into wine, which, in the common course of things, requires time and labour to bring it to perfection; and this change was brought about so suddenly and secretly, that none of the company knew what was done, until the servants, by your Saviour's

command, took some of it to the master of the feast, who tasted and found it excellent.

Questions.

Where is the account given of the first miracle your Saviour performed? In the Gospel for this day Does not wine require time and labour to bring it to perfection? Yes. By what power then, did so large a quantity of water become changed into wine? By the power of our Saviour's word. When did the company first know that it was done? When our Saviour commanded the servants to bear some of it to the governor of the feast.

Teacher.

This miracle was performed in the presence of the Virgin Mary, several of our Lord's disciples, and a large number of guests.-Among the disciples were St. Peter, his brother St. Andrew, St. John, Philip of Bethsaida, and Nathaniel, of Cana of Galilee, in which city the miracle was performed. Cana is the capital of Galilee, as London is of England.

Questions.

In whose presence was this miracle performed? In the presence of the Virgin Mary, several of the disciples, and a large number of guests.

Which of the disciples were there? St. Peter, and Andrew his brother, St. John, Philip of Bethsaida, and Nathaniel of Cana of Galilee. In what city were they assembled in this manner? In Cana. Of what country was it the capital, as London is of England? Of Galilee.

Teacher.

The miracle thus wrought by your Saviour, was not to encourage drunkenness, or any disorderly conduct. All his works and words were done, and spoken, to amend the hearts and actions of men, and not to increase their wickedness. It was the custom in that part of the Eastern world, in which your Saviour lived, to give feasts on particular occasions, even among the poorer classes in society. There is reason to suppose, that the person to whose house he was invited, belonged to that class, and perhaps could ill afford to entertain so large a company, increased as it must have been, by the friends and disciples of your Saviour.

Questions.

You cannot suppose it possible that your Saviour could perform this miracle, with a view to encourage drunkenness, or any disorderly conduct? No.

What object had all his words and works; what did he wish to amend? The hearts and What was the custom in the

actions of men.