Instead of constantly seeking for something unknown to the learners, expert teachers always welcome the opportunity to review, and thus to reimpress, that with which their pupils are already acquainted. Therefore, we will use our Scripture narrative as a summary of the life of Jesus, which may be divided and questioned upon somewhat as follows:

1. Jesus's works and words (verse 1). By rapid questioning have the class give some of the principal doings and sayings of Jesus. (The interest in and the profit derived from this exercise will depend on the preparation which the teacher has made to ask stimulating questions.)

2. The passion of Jesus (verse 3). Explain the meaning of the word "passion," and in accordance with the suggestions of the preceding paragraph question concerning the sufferings and the crucifixion of Jesus.

3. The forty days (verses 3-8). Ask: What was done with the body of Jesus after the crucifixion? How long did it remain in the tomb? What took place on the Sunday after the crucifixion? What do we call that day? How long did Jesus remain on the earth after the resurrection? To whom did he appear? How many times in all? What did he say to his disciples during one of these appearances? Have some one read aloud verses 4-8. (See Luke 24. 43-49.)

4. The ascension (verse 9). Ask: What does this word mean? When did Jesus ascend? From what mount? To what place? How? Where is Jesus now? What is he doing for us? (See Heb. 7. 25, and recall the lesson for June 2, 1901.)

5. Christ's second coming (verses 10, 11). Who appeared to the disciples as Jesus ascended? What did they say? What do these words mean? While we do not know when or where Jesus will return to earth, we should be comforted with the thought that he will surely come again, and we should so teach.

By Way of Illustration.

BY JENNIE, M. BINGHAM.

"Both to do and teach." Verse 1. Jesus connected his teaching with his miracles, which is a lesson to Christian workers. When he sent his disciples out he said to them, "Heal the sick; preach the Gospel." Medical missionary work, which combines healing and preaching, has

proven to be an effective agency in the spread of the Gospel. When the lawyer came to Christ asking what he should do to inherit eternal life and showed that he was acquainted with the law, Christ pointed out to him the wounded traveler on the Jericho road, and his duty to the men who were in need. On the night of the Lord's Supper he washed the feet of his disciples, thus teaching humility by example as well as by precept. We can best teach what we have done. Preaching and practice complement each other. "Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Verse 3. In the Cologne Cathedral hangs the original pencil drawing of the cathedral, by Gerard, made about 1250. He put into existence plans whose fulfillment would require centuries of labor. The work was begun, but war and political changes left it unfinished. For several centuries the plans disappeared. Then, having been found, work was again begun in 1830, almost six hundred years after the plans were made, and the cathedral was carried to completion. Jesus was going on now to carry out the plans formed from the foundation of the world, and begun by him during his bodily life. The new kingdom is wondrously beautiful, but is not yet completed.-Select Notes.

"But wait." Verse 4. Jesus spent thirty years in preparation for the work of three. Paul spent three years in the wilderness, preparing for the active life of an apostle. Every secular profession and business makes its demand for preparation. A young minister said to Mr. Spurgeon concerning the preparation of one of his sermons, "I threw that off in twenty minutes." "Your audience was with you in that," answered Mr. Spurgeon, "for they threw it off in twenty minutes." "No time is lost in sharpening the scythe; the prelude on the grindstone makes a quicker harvesting. Tuning the instruments is the way to the best music."

Verses 7, 8. The little child in the home would no doubt like to be taken into all the councils which the father and mother have, but often it must be content to know just its duty with assurance of help in doing it and the place where it must be done. This was just the knowledge granted to the disciples. In the new kingdom they were to be not princes, nor prime ministers, but witnesses. This is the perpetual office of Christ's people. A herald is the voice of a message, and therefore may or may not have a personal interest in his work; but a witness is the voice of an experience and must know whereof he speaks.

The order in which promise and command occur here shows how graciously Jesus considered

the apostles' weakness. Not a word does he say of their task of witnessing till he has filled their hearts with the promise of the Spirit. He shows them the armor of power in which they are to be clothed, before he points them to the battlefield. McLaren.

Verses 10, 11. I saw a company of people on the pier in New York watching the outgoing of an ocean steamer, and they did not turn away their gaze, even when it had vanished, keeping their eyes on the horizon where last they had seen it. The gaze of the disciples must have been prompted by love, and it was rewarded by an angel message. But heavenward gaze must be exchanged for earth's duty. The disciples had to come down from the Mount of Transfiguration to share and relieve earth's misery.

A Christian woman who received a great blessing went again and again to the place where she had received it. She thought it was given to prepare her for death, and hoped to go to heaven from that sacred room. But her pastor told her the blessing was given as a preparation for service. Within a short time she was called to an office of great responsibility in the missionary society of her Church.

Heart Talks on the Lesson.

BY MRS. J. H. KNOWLES.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Do you catch the deeper meaning of that precious saying of Jesus? I wish I could unfold it before you as it speaks to me. How greatly to be coveted is this simple, believing, open, receptive heart that sees God in everything! He longs to have us see him. From the days of Eden until now he has been seeking to reveal himself. All the lessons of the year that we have studied in the Old Testament have proved this. And now in this last revelation of himself through the Holy Spirit, he makesmay I say it?-a final effort to reach our hearts and make us see and understand him. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit." The things of the Spirit of God are God's thoughts toward us; they are really the only things worth knowing; they include his thoughts of us in the creation of this beautiful world for our present dwelling; his thoughts of us in the capacities he has given

us of body, mind, and spirit; his thoughts of us in redeeming us from sin through Jesus our Saviour. The things which God hath prepared for them that love him! What height and depth, what length and breadth of wonder, beauty, blessing are in these things revealed to us by his Spirit. And we never really see any of them in their true significance until they are so revealed. "We never find God through nature, but we find nature through God."

"Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees takes of his shoesThe rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."

Only the pure in heart see God in all that he has made.

In our lessons of last year we read, "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Desolation, emptiness, darkness; order, beauty, light, and life from the overbrooding, all-pervading Spirit. As it is in the creation of the material world, so in the re-creation of our spiritual nature. He is the renewing, re-creating Force which brings order, beauty, light, and life into human hearts empty, dark, and desolate through sin. From the time the morning stars first sang together the Holy Spirit has been in the world and has spoken to the hearts of men. Old Testament history has many illustrations of this. But as there was a day when the eternal Son of God was born upon earth so there was a day when God the Spirit came to abide with us, and to do a special work in human hearts which he alone can do. So very essential it is to your really knowing God, and the things that are freely given to you of God, that you should open your mind and heart to the coming of the Spirit in you, personally and individually, that I do most earnestly pray you may study these lessons with a devout purpose to learn as much as you can understand of what they teach. Indeed, I hope you may learn far more than you can understand; for in the work and mission of the Holy Spirit there is life and light and love and blessing which "passeth understanding."

Jesus said, "I have many things to say to you which you cannot hear; but the Spirit will guide you into all truth. He will take of mine and show it unto you." He said the Spirit would reveal to us our sin. We never know how really vile sin is until we see it as God sees it. He said the Spirit would show us that the one great sin is not to believe in Jesus the Saviour, that we are not condemned because we have a sinful

nature, which really we cannot help, but we are condemned for not believing in the Saviour who died to save us from sin. He said the Spirit would show us this Saviour, and show us that Satan is a conquered foe whom we need not fear so long as we take refuge in the Redeemer who has conquered him. He said the Holy Spirit would be our Comforter, to stand by us, uphold us, strengthen us, and fill us with sweet peace.

That which most fills us with wonder is that Jesus said it was really better that he himself should go away, so that the Spirit might come. That must be an unspeakable blessing indeed which is better than the visible, human presence of the Lord Jesus. These wonderful days of Pentecost prove that it was better. Transformations were wrought by the power of the Spirit in the men and women who had been with Jesus in the intimacy of friendship for years. The miracle of conversion and regeneration in millions of souls since that day proves it. There are signs and wonders through the Spirit in missionary lands now, equal to those early days of the church in Jerusalem. The book of the "Acts of the Apostles" is not finished. We are living in the age of the dispensation of the Spirit. Will you open your heart to him so that he may take of the things of Christ and show them to you?

The Teachers' Meeting.

Two good outlines are suggested for this lesson on page 21 of the Illustrative Notes. A very simple and effective one is that of "The Lesson Homily:" The Proof; The Promise; The Power....Two others will be found, one in the Intermediate Series of Lesson Helps, and one in the Senior....What has the Church on earth while its head is in heaven? 1. Knowledge of the Word; 2. The Forgiveness of Sins; 3. Power from on High; 4. The Spirit of Testimony; 5. The Certainty of a Risen Christ; 6. The Expectation of a Returning Christ....The ascended Jesus is: 1. The glorious King of heaven, and we are, or ought to be, his servants. 2. He is a gracious intercessor and advocate with the Father. 3. He is a companion and helper. “Lo, I am with you alway."

Songs from Epworth Hymnals.
No. 1.

133. How firm a foundation.
157. O holy Saviour.

179. Since Jesus is my friend. 182. Far out on the desolate billow. 184. Safe in the arms of Jesus.

No. 2.

18. Praise the Lord! 44. Jesus lives.

80. Lift up your hearts to things above. 103. When in the tempest he'll hide me. 129. There's not a ray of sunshine.

Library References.

BY REV. S. G. AYRES, B.D.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.-The best critical commentary on the Acts is by Paton J. Gloag, D.D. The best brief exegetical commentary is by T. M. Lindsay. The best exposition is by G. T. Stokes, D.D., in the Expositor's Bible. Other books of value are: Stifler, Introduction to the Acts; Clark, Harmony of the Acts; Farrar, Early Days of Christianity. With this little library and the Illustrative Notes the Bible student will derive much profit from the study of the lessons in the book of Acts.

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.-Milligan's Ascension of Our Lord is the latest and most satisfactory book on the subject.

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.-Hare, Mission of the Comforter. Dunn, Mission of the Spirit. Scribner, Pray for the Holy Spirit. Kuyper, Work of the Holy Spirit.

SERMONS ON THE LESSON.

Verse 3. Tillotson, John, Works, vol. viii, page 308. Barrow, Isaac, Works, vol. ii, page 481. Vaughan, University Sermons, page 97. Homiletic Review, vol. xxxviii, page 230.

Verse 5.-Homiletic Monthly, vol. iv, pages 449, 605. Free Church Pulpit, vol. iii, page 23. Verse 8.-The Homiletic Review, vol. xviii, page 429; vol. xxvii, page 334; vol. xxx, page 240. The Treasury, vol. iv, page 343. Baker, Living Waters, page 146. People's Church Pulpit, page 145. Newman, J. H., Sermons, vol. ii, page 440. Banks, Fisherman and His Friends,

pages 161, 172. Liddon, Easter Sermons, vol. ii, page 259.

'Verse 9.-Edmondson, Short Sermons, page. 411. Banks, Fisherman and His Friends, page 181. Tillotson, John, Works, vol. viii, page 359. Payson, Works, vol. iii, page 115. Farrar, Fall of Man, page 76. Burrell, Spirit of the Age, page 370.

Verse 10.-Homiletic Monthly, vol. vi, page 459. Farrindon Sermons, vol. ii, page 447. Verse 11.-Chalmers, Thomas, Sermons, vol. i, page 150.

YE 2

HAVE RECEIVED?

Against the declaration of Jesus we set the searching question of St. Paul, "Have ye received power?" The privilege is inestimable, and embraces all a follower of the Lord needs to perform his work and do his will; but how many can claim it with unfaltering faith and purpose? Let us remember that if power is received it must be used; power can only be retained when it has an avenue for operation. If we are willing to be doers and pray to be equipped and strengthened the Holy Spirit shall not be long withheld. Coloring.-Upper and lower line, white and purple; "power," red; remainder, white.

REVISED VERSION.

[Jan. 12.

And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were 3 sitting. And there appeared unto them

heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Ho'ly Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Je-ru'sa-lem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Gal-i-le'ans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Par'thi-ans, and Medes, and E'lam-ites, and the dwellers in Mes-o-po-ta'mi-a, and in Jude'a, and Cap-pa-do'ci-a, in Pon'tus, and A'sia, 10 Phryg'i-a, and Pam-phyl'i-a, in E'gypt, and in the parts of Lib'y-a about Cy-re'ne, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and A-ra'bi-ans, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Home Readings.

M. The Promise of Power Fulfilled. Acts 2. 1-21. Tu. Peter's testimony. Acts 2. 22-36.

W. The prophecy. Joel 2. 21-32.

Th. Power of the Gospel. Rom. 1. 9-16.

F. Life by the Spirit. Rom. 8. 1-14.

S. The Spirit of Might.

Eph. 3. 13-21. S. Gifts by the Spirit. 1 Cor. 12. 4-13.

Lesson Hymn.

[Hymnal: No. 286. Tune: State Street. S. M.]

Lord God, the Holy Ghost!

In this accepted hour,
As on the day of Pentecost,
Descend in all thy power.

We meet with one accord

In our appointed place,

And wait the promise of our Lord,—
The Spirit of all grace.

Like mighty rushing wind

Upon the waves beneath,

Move with one impulse every mind;
One soul, one feeling breathe.

Questions for Senior Scholars.

1. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

What made this a peculiarly appropriate time for the baptism of the Holy Ghost?

What were the outward manifestations of the Spirit?

What particular gift was bestowed upon them? For what was this gift evidently given?

tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and 4 it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under 6 heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them 7 speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying, Behold, are not all these which speak GalSileans? And how hear we, every man in

our own language, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cap10 padocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from 11 Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.

2. The Preaching of Peter.

To what extent was the world represented in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost? What occasioned so much surprise among those who heard and saw the disciples?

Questions for Intermediate Scholars.

1. How the power came (verses 1, 2). For what did the disciples wait?

Was it only for the day to come, or also the proper spiritual condition?

What are some advantages in Christians meeting together?

What is the necessary condition of a successful prayer meeting?

From what place did the Spirit come?

In what measure?

Did the disciples expect him on this day?

2. What the power was like (verses 3, 4). What was the sound of his coming?

What was seen?

How many of them received the power? What two mighty forces are here combined in a visible form?

What miraculous power was given?

How is this translation of the Gospel now accomplished?

3. Who were benefited by the power (verses 5-11).

What had brought the Jews scattered in every nation together at Jerusalem?

What was the character of these visiting Jews?