brother) said, there were a few barley loaves and fishes, belonging to a lad among the multitude.

Questions.

What was it gracious in our Saviour to do for these five thousand people? To work a miracle for their benefit. As many of them probably came from a great distance, what would they be in want of? Of food. Did not Philip know, that neither his divine Master or his disciples could raise two hundred pence? Yes. What did Andrew, Simon Peter's brother say? That there was a lad among the multitude who had a few barley loaves and some fishes.

Teacher.

Our Saviour's kindness and consideration are again worthy of remark in this, as in all His miracles. In hot countries grass is very scarce, unless where it is particularly cultivated. He therefore performed this miracle in a place where the people might have the comfort of resting themselves after their journey. "There was much grass in the place, and the people sat down." Our Saviour then took the loaves; but He did not begin to distribute them until he had given thanks to God for the blessing of food. A lesson we ought to learn from, and never sit down to, or rise up from, our meals, without thanking that gracious

gracious God by whose bounty all our wants are supplied.

Questions.

on the

That the peo

What is scarce in hot countries? Grass. Why did our Saviour choose this place where there was grass, to perform the miracle in? ple might rest themselves after their journey. After the people were seated grass, and our Saviour had taken the loaves in His hands, what did He then do? He gave thanks for the blessing of food. What should we learn from His example? Never to sit down or rise up from our meals without thanking that gracious God who gives them.

Teacher.

There is also another lesson given us in the gathering up of the fragments. Though our Saviour had the power to multiply food to any extent, He ordered that nothing should be wasted or lost. And I now repeat, what has often been said to you, that it is a sin to waste a crumb of bread.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent.

ST. JOHN viii. 46.

At the end of the Gospel.

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it,

and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

H

Thou art not yet

Jesus said unto

them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple."

Teacher.

The gospel for this day is taken from St. John. —He was the particular friend and companion of our blessed Saviour, and relates many of His conversations, and private opinions, which the other Evangelists do not mention There are four Evangelists, or preachers of good tidings, Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Questions.

From which of the sacred writers, is the gospel of this day taken? From St. John. What was he? The particular companion and friend of our Saviour. And what does he relate? Many of His conversations and opinions, which the other Evangelists do not mention. What is the meaning of an Evangelist? A preacher of good tidings. Repeat their names? Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Teacher.

The eighth chapter of St, John (from which what you have been learning is taken) contains a conversation between our Saviour and the Jews, relating to His authority, or right, to be their lawgiver, He tells them that if a peras Moses was.

son keep His sayings, that is, follow the rules of the New Testament, he shall never see death. By this He meant, that their souls should never die.-The Jews thought only of their bodies.

Questions.

From what chapter in St. John are the verses you have been learning taken? From the eighth. What does it contain?

A conversation between

Upon what subject?

our Saviour and the Jews. Relating to His authority, or right to be their law-giver, as Moses had been. What does He tell them? That if a person keep His sayings he shall never see death. What do you mean by keeping His sayings? Following the rules of the New Testament. What did our Saviour mean, by saying that the persons who kept the rules of the New Testament should never die? He meant that their souls should never die. What did the Jews only think of? Of their bodies.

Teacher.

Our Saviour tells them, that though the bodies of Abraham and the prophets were dead and turned to dust; their souls were then, and still are, living in the presence of God. Abraham rejoiced, and still does rejoice, to see the blessings of christianity;—to obtain these blessings for you, and for all who hear and obey its precepts, our Saviour

left the happiness of heaven, where he had lived long before this world was created or inhabited; and came down upon earth, and offered himself an atonement to God for all repentant sinners.

Questions.

What did our Saviour tell the Jews respecting Abraham and the prophets? That, though their bodies were dead, and turned to dust; their souls were then, and still are, living in the presence of God. What did and does Abraham rejoice to see? The blessings of Christianity. To obtain these blessings for you, and for all who hear and obey its precepts, what did our Saviour do? He left the happiness of heaven where He had lived long before this world was created or inhabited. When He came down upon earth, for whom did he offer himself an atonement to God? For all repentant

sinners.

Teacher.

God requiring so great a sacrifice for sin, as the death of our Saviour, shews His perfect hatred of sin; and that unless you repent and forsake sin, you cannot expect to find mercy.