Teacher.

The verses you have been repeating are part of a conversation which our Saviour held with the Scribes and Pharisees. They pretended that they were the only true pastors of the church.-On the contrary, they exactly answered the description of the false pastors, against whom Ezekiel prophecied in the 34th chapter. The good pastors are described by the prophet Isaiah, as gathering men together under the Gospel dispensation, as a shepherd gathers his sheep into the fold.

Questions.

From what conversation are the verses you have been learning taken? From a conversation between our Saviour and the Scribes and Pharisees. What did they pretend to be? The only true pastors of the church. In what chapter of Ezekiel are the false prophets prophecied against ? In the 34th chapter. Who describes the good pastors? The prophet Isaiah. And what does he say they will do? Gather men together under the gospel dispensation, as a shepherd gathers his sheep into the fold.

Teacher.

Our Lord Jesus Christ having declared Himself to be the good Shepherd, shews His love for His sheep, or as it is meant, the good and repentant part of mankind, by professing His readiness to lay down His life for them.

Questions.

Who has here declared Himself the good Shepherd? Our Lord Jesus Christ. And how does He prove His love for His sheep; or as it is meant, the good and repentant part of mankind? By professing His readiness to lay down His life for them.

Teacher.

In the latter part of the Gospel, our Saviour says, He knows His sheep. Having the power to discover the secrets of all hearts, He knows who are desirous of pleasing God; and is also known of them, for they take pains to learn from their Bibles, who and what He is; and endeavour to follow His blessed example.

Questions.

What does our Saviour say in the latter part of the Gospel for this day, which you have already read; and will hear read again at church? He says He knows His sheep. What do you understand by that? That He knows the secrets of all hearts. Does He know who are desirous of pleasing God? Yes. And how do they who are desirous of pleasing God, become acquainted with His laws? By reading their Bibles. Let me hope that you will do so, and also endeavour to follow the example of your Saviour.

The Third Sunday after Easter.

ST. JOHN, xvi. 16.

"Jesus said to His disciples, A little while and ye shall not see me; and again a little while and ye shall see me; because I go to the Father. Then said some of the disciples among themselves, What is this that He saith unto us, A little while and ye shall not see me; and again, a little while and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father?

Teacher.

A short time before our Saviour's crucifixion, He informed His disciples of many particulars relating to His own future sufferings; and what would be their feelings and actions thereupon."Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."

Questions.

What did our Saviour inform His disciples of, a short time before His crucifixion? Of many particulars relating to His own future sufferings. And anything relating to their own feelings and actions thereupon? Yes. What did He say their sorrow should be turned into? Into joy.

What was it that would make them sorrowful? His death. And what would turn their sorrow into joy? His resurrection.

Teacher.

His death and resurrection are the two events He had in view when He addressed His disciples in the words you have been repeating. "A little while and ye shall not see me "—that is, after my death I shall be hidden from you in the graveand you who do not yet know the Scriptures, will lament my death as the destruction of all your hopes.

Questions.

What two events had our Saviour in view when He told His disciples what you have been learning and repeating? His death and resurrection. What did He mean by, "A little while and ye shall not see me?" That after His death, He should be hidden from them in the grave. And as they did not then know the Scriptures, how, or in what manner would they lament His death? As the destruction of all their hopes.

Teacher.

But what a happy change does He foretel! "Again a little while and ye shall see me."After a short absence from you in the grave, I shall again come to you. Our Saviour did not mention the time He should stay on earth after His resurrection, and before His ascension; but as He had told them they should see Him again, it

could be at no other time.

and ye shall see me."

66

Questions.

In what words does our Saviour foretel the happy change from this seeming destruction of all their hopes? Again a little while and ye shall see me." Did our Saviour mention how long He should remain on earth from His resurrection to His ascension?

No.

Teacher.

He remained on earth forty days, which would appear but a little while to Servants who loved and revered their Divine Master so much! But He tells them, it could be but for a little while, because He was going to the Father. His office on earth having been so completely fulfilled, He must return to His Father and their Father, in heaven From thence He would send the blessed Spirit, the Comforter to enlighten their understandings, to fix their faith, and to support them under all their future sufferings.-The same divine assistance is still given to every humble and sincere Christian.