age of 80 years, grandfather to his wife Mariamne -He publicly executed Marianne, his amiable wife, and her mother Alexandra-Lo caused his two sons Alexander and Aristobulus to be strangled in prison.

Can you mention any circumstances which occurred at his death?

A. Just before his death he assembled the chief men of the nation at Jericho. He shut them up in the circus and made his sister promise that she would have them slain the moment he died. He thought this would cause mourning at his death, when he knew all would rejoice to be rid of him. The promise of his sister was not performed. Herod died in great misery, of a most loathsome disease. How long did he reign over Judea?

A. About 37 years.

Can you give the names of any other Herods mentioned in the New Testar ent?

A. 1. Herod Antipas, son of Herod the great, and tetrarch of Galiice and Perea. See Matt. xiv, and Mark vi. 2. Herod Agrippa. See Acts xii.

Zacharias was a descendant of Aaron-where is the appointment of Aaron recorded?

A. In the 28th chapter of Exodus.

In what year of the world was this appointment? A. It was about 2500 years after the creation, and about 1500 before the birth of Chris*.

Were there any priests before the time of Aaron ?
4. The only person called a priest before, was Mel-
chisedek; (Gen. xiv. 18-20.) but from the begin-
ning, sacr..ices were offered by the fathers of
families, as Noah, Abram, Job, &c.

What were the principal duties of the priest's office?
A. To offer sacrifices and burn incense.
Who instituted these ceremonies?

A. God.

What did he teach his people by them?

A. To expect the atonement and intercession of Christ.

When did such sacrifices cease to be offered?

A. Soon after the death of Christ.

Why have not Christians since offered bloody sacrihces?

A. Because those sacrifices were intended to repre sent the sacrifice of Christ until he came. He has come, and offered himself once for all, and by that "one offering, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Zacnarias and Elisabeth walked in all the command. ments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless : What are some of his commandments?

A. Repeat Exodus xx. 3-17.

Why should the commands of God be obeyed? A. Because our Creator has a right to rule his creatures, and his commands are holy, just, and good. An angel appeared to Zacharias: Did God often send messages by them in old time to his people? A. He did.

Why does he not send them now to communicate his will to man?

A. Because he has given a full and sufficient revelation of his will in his written word, which may be communicated to all mankind.

Incense was burnt daily: What was represented to the children of Israel by the burning of incense? A. The intercession of Christ, and the devotions of saints.

Of what was the holy incense made? Ex. xxx. 34. 4. Of sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum: these sweet spices were to be mixed with pure frankincense, and it was death to make this com pound for any other purpose.

How often was incense burned by the priests?
A. Morning and evening.

The prayer of Zacharias was heard: Does God hear

B

and answer the prayers of Christians at the pre sent day?

A. He does.

How must prayers be offered to be accepted?
A. In faith and in sincerity of heart.

In whose name must we pray?

A. In the name of Christ.

Why not pray in our own names?

A. There is no other name given under heaven. among men, whereby we may be saved.

Zacharias was punished for doubting the word of the Lord, spoken by the angel: Who were the firs persons in the world that doubted the word of the Lord?

A. Adam and Eve.

How were they treated for their unbelief?

A. They were cursed and driven out of Paradise. Is unbelief a very great sin?

A. Yes it is.

Is it as bad to disbelieve God's word now as it was then?

A. Yes.

What promise is made to those, who, like John, scek Christ in early life?

A. Those that seek God early, shall find him?

Gabriel stood in the presence of God: What effect

should God's continual presence have upon you? A. It should keep us pure from unholy thoughts. words and actions.

LESSON II.

Luke Chapter i. verses 26-38.

The appearance of the angel to Mary to foretell the birth of Christ.

Hark, the glad sound: the Saviour comes!

The Saviour promis'd long:

Let ev'ry heart prepare a throne,

And ev'ry voice a song.

SERIES I.

26. Who was sent from God?

To what city was he sent?
In what part of the Holy land is Galilee?
27. To whom was the angel sent ?
What was the virgin's name?

What is meant by the house of David?
Who was David?

Is Christ spoken of in Scripture as a descendant of David. Isaiah xi. 10. Rev. xxii. 16.

28. What did the angel say to Mary? How was Mary highly favoured?

Is it right to worship the virgin Mary?

29. How did Mary feel, when she saw the angel?

What is meant by her casting in her mind?

Why was she troubled and perplexed? *

30. What did the angel say?

Why should she not fear?

What is it to find favour with God?

How can sinners find favour with him?

Can you find favour with him if you continue in sin?

31. What is said in this verse?

What is the meaning of the name Jesus? Matt. i. 21. How does the Lord Jesus save his people?

32. What was he to be?

Whom was he to be called?

Who is the Highest?

What was the Lord God to give him?

How could Jesus be the Son of the Highest--and

also son of David?

33. Over whom was he to reign?

How long was he to reign?

What is said about his kingdom?

Had any thing like this been said of Christ, by any of the prophets? Isaiah ix. 7.

What is meant by the House of Jacob?

Will Christ ever rule over the other kingdoms of the world? Rev. xi. 15.

What will be done to those who are unwilling that he should rule over them? Luke xix. 27. Why will it be of no use for them to oppose him? 34. What did Mary say to the angel? 35. How did the angel answer her? Is the Holy Ghost God? Acts v 3, 4. Who is meant by that Holy thing?

36. What did the angel say about Elisabeth? Who was Elisabeth? Luke i. 5.

37. What is said in this verse?

What does that mean?

38. What did Mary say ?

What did the angel do?

What is a handmaid?

What did she mean by handmaid of the Lord? Should you not imitate Mary's submission to the will of God?

What was the great message he came to bring to her?

SERIES II.

Where was Nazareth situated?

To whom had Gabriel foretold the birth of John? Luke i. 13.

How long before this?

Was it important that Luke should mention the fact
of Christ's being born of the family of David?
In consequence of this, he is called the offspring of
David; how is he then the root of David?

What will be the state of the world when Christ's kingdom shall be every where established?

Who now hinder the establishment of that kingdom?
By what means can his kingdom be promoted?
Can you repeat the prediction of Isaiah respecting
his peaceful reign? Isaiah xi. 1—9.

Can you repeat the blessing and prophecy of Jacob upon Judah, to whose tribe David belonged? Gen. xlix. 8-12.