OM. opposite side to lock up the church for the The child crouched under a seat, hoping to lart after the ladies, but Barbara was too her, and before she could reach the door, it 1 behind the whole party. The key grated s it turned slowly round in the old lock, as left in total darkness. Rushing forward, med loudly, "Barbara! oh, Barbara! do and let me out! Don't leave me here all deed I'll never slip in without your known!" But the old sextoness was deaf, and her cry nor knock, as, taking up the broom, er way quickly to her own cottage, wishing d not stay so late decking churches on Eve, and little dreaming how she had imor Fan. Very desolate and frightened 1 felt, as, after repeated ineffectual efforts oor and make herself heard, she groped g the wall in the direction of the corner usually occupied during the services, Ight be less lonely and more home-like length came upon a seat just behind a ld not be their own corner, she felt sure, e soft cushions were piled about, but nder further in the dark, and shiverad fright, the poor child heaped a bed If I could but sleep," thought little would go over quickly till morning. easy about me all night, that's the gh it's very dismal to be shut up ut perhaps I'm not alone, perhaps re are angels hovering round," t Christmas once, and sang about SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR SCHOOL AND HOME. SCRIPTURE STORIES.-FOURTH SERIES. No. 3. THE MARCH. Chapters to be read-Numb. ix., x. ( parts of). NTRODUCTION.-Have now been at Sinai a whole year; many events happened; that not all. Laws had been given. Remind of three classes-Moral, as referring to conduct; man's three great duties to God, his neighbour, and himself; where are these summed up? Civil, referring to his duties as a citizen. Ceremonial, treating of sacrifices for sin, offerings of thanksgiving, &c. New Tabernacle finished and put up; all in readiness for start to Canaan. I. PASSOVER RENEWED (Read ix. 1—14). When was Passover first appointed? With what object? How Israelites would recall that wonderful night"much to be observed" (Ex. xii. 42). When released from slavery, how would tell the tale over again to children! How gladly would renew memorial of it! How would contrast position then and now! Then, still slaves in enemy's land, deliverance expected, but not come, trembling and anxious; now, been free for a year, enemies all destroyed, seen several miracles, are full of joy and hope. As then, so now, ready to start on journey. Sort of fresh dedication. Picture the scene in the camp. The lambs picked out. What kind must they be? Why without blemish ? Not only looked back to death of first-born, but forward to death of Lamb of God (1 Peter i. 19). For four days-from tenth to fourteenth-lambs kept apart, then killed in evening. What was eaten with it (ver. 11.) as reminding of sufferings in Egypt, and typifying sufferings of Christ? Notice the case of the man prevented by absence, or some ceremonial defilement. Was he excused altogether? Must eat it a month later. But supposing a man neglected to eat at all? Was to be cut off from congregation. Let children learn two lessons from this-(1) Not to make excuses for neglecting religious observances a journey, a secular duty, and so on, not to be an excuse for giving up worship. (2) The danger of neglecting religious duties. May perhaps be cut off from them, and unable to attend them when would. II. THE MARCH. (Read Num. ix. 15-23.) Now a great bustle in camp; order come at last for march. Set their faces towards Canaan. Can picture the scene-fathers and brothers harnessing oxen, collecting flocks, striking tents; mothers packing utensils, clothes; the children doing what can to help. At last all ready; march begun. Notice three things. (1) Their guidance. What always appeared on the tabernacle at night, and what by day? So always watched this cloud. As it moved they moved. Who guided the cloud (ver. 23)? So were really moving by command of God, and so were safe. (2) Their order. Did not move as each liked, but all in regular line. (See x. 14-28.) First, Judah-the royal tribe (Gen. xlix. 8), from whom Christ should comethen Issachar and Zebulon, and then the Tabernacle, borne by the Levites (x. 17); then other tribes in order; last of all Naphthali. (3) Their prayers. (Read x. 33-36.) What went before them? The ark, as the outward type of God's presence, led the way. What words were said when ark moved, and what when it returned? These the first "form of words" in Bible. Can picture people all ready to start, each tribe in its place. Ark held aloft in front; people all in position; Moses in front, lifting up hands, saying appointed words; people catching them up in refrain all along the line, as at Red Sea (Ex. xv. 1, 21). Whole body joining in. So, too, in evening when march over. III. THE LESSONS. Remind children how we too are on march from earth to heaven. Like Israelites have all things necessary given: food for the body, and health for the soul. How is our journey like theirs? (1) Sin must be left behind. Egypt and its slavery a type of sin. If would really seek heaven must forsake sin. This first and most important thing. Let each ask-Is any sin keeping me back from God? (2) We have a guide. God's word is lamp to feet (Ps. cxix. 105). Bible to be read for practical help. Have life of Christ and saints for help and guidance; have directions to warn, help, encourage, &c.; if really follow, cannot go wrong. (3) Duty of prayer. As with Israelites, so us, each day should begin and close with prayer. Remind of Jacob beginning day with God at Bethel (Gen. xxviii. 18), of Nehemiah, Daniel, Paul, and others; otherwise cannot be safe. Let teachers urge this especially on those just starting in life-young servant in first situation, boy going to office, &c.; begin well from first, and never let day go by without prayer night and morning. Then God's presence will go with us, and we shall be safe. Questions to be answered. 1. Describe briefly the feast of the Passover. 2. What two lessons may be learned from it? 3. What three things may be noticed in the march? 4. What form of words was used daily? 5. Give texts speaking of life as a pilgrimage. 6. What lessons may we learn? WISH, Fan, you would go and ask Mary to come over for an hour this evening, and give me a help with all this work, or I'll not have done till midnight." "Yes, Gran, I'll not be long out," replied the child, as, hurrying on her hat and cloak, she left the cottage, and took the way to her cousin's house at the other end of the village. The ground was crisp with frost, and every little pool by the road-side covered with a thin coating of ice, as Fan trotted merrily along, down the well-known street, past the rectory grounds, and on to the church-gate. To her surprise it stood wide open. "What can be going on this evening? thought Fan, "there's never service so late." Turning up the gravel-path she found the great doors only half closed, and peeped cautiously through. It was such a pretty sight, she longed to enter and see more. Ladies and gentlemen were busily employed making long wreaths of holly and ivy, and twining them round the large pillars which supported the gallery. The work seemed so pleasant and amusing, Fan would have liked much to assist; she could at least hold the branches, and hand them up when required, as other little girls were doing; and there was Miss Mabel, her own teacher at Sunday-school, perhaps she would give her something to do if only Fan had the courage to go up and ask; but just as she had taken a few steps forward, the old sextoness appeared with a large broom, sweeping away the scattered leaves and branches which had fallen in the aisle. Immediately the child retreated noiselessly, for old Barbara was a person of whom she stood in great awe; and knowing it would be impossible to effect an entrance as long as the sweeping continued, she remembered grandmother's message, and slipped quietly away to deliver it. On the way home the longing again seized Fan to take another peep at the beautiful church decorations. Perhaps Barbara would have finished by this time, and there might be a chance of getting in. Yes, it was all right, the coast was clear; outside the door on the upper step lay a pile of broken branches and green leaves, and supported against a pillar the long handle of the sweeping-brush-formidable to Fan as a witch's broomstick. Creeping past, she stole cautiously through the half-open door, and stood still in wonder and admiration. All was completed now, and the ladies were preparing to depart, but before the lights were extinguished, lingered a moment to take a last look at their work. Fan hid behind a pew, intending to follow them out unseen if possible, but just as she was gliding from her place of concealment, Barbara, with a lantern in one hand and a large key in the other, advanced from the opposite side to lock up the church for the night. The child crouched under a seat, hoping to make a dart after the ladies, but Barbara was too quick for her, and before she could reach the door, it had closed behind the whole party. The key grated harshly as it turned slowly round in the old lock, and Fan was left in total darkness. Rushing forward, she screamed loudly, "Barbara! oh, Barbara! do come back, and let me out! Don't leave me here all night! Indeed I'll never slip in without your knowledge again!" But the old sextoness was deaf, and heard neither cry nor knock, as, taking up the broom, she made her way quickly to her own cottage, wishing ladies would not stay so late decking churches on Christmas Eve, and little dreaming how she had imprisoned poor Fan. Very desolate and frightened the little girl felt, as, after repeated ineffectual efforts to find the door and make herself heard, she groped her way along the wall in the direction of the corner she and Gran usually occupied during the services, thinking it might be less lonely and more home-like there, and at length came upon a seat just behind a pillar. It could not be their own corner, she felt sure, for several nice soft cushions were piled about, but unwilling to wander further in the dark, and shivering with cold and fright, the poor child heaped a bed on the floor. "If I could but sleep," thought little Fan, "the time would go over quickly till morning. Gran will be uneasy about me all night, that's the worst of it; though it's very dismal to be shut up here by oneself, but perhaps I'm not alone, perhaps "There are angels hovering round," they came down at Christmas once, and sang about peace and good-will to men.' This church may be full of them now, watching over me;" and almost imagining she heard the rustle of their wings as she closed her eyes, Fan fell into a peaceful sleep. Come, Mabel," said her sister, as they left the church, "let us hurry home, we have a great deal to do this evening." "Yes, I want to finish little Fan's frock, that it may be ready for her to wear to-morrow. I told her to come for it early in the morning." Soon the whole party were seated round a table drawn close to a blazing fire in the comfortable drawing-room of the rectory, trying to complete a number of Christmas presents before going to bed, when a knock came to the door, and hearing voices in the hall, Mabel went out, and returning in a few moments, said, “”Tis old Sally, come to inquire if we have seen anything of her grandchild. It appears she sent her of a message to Mary's house early in the evening, and she has not come back since. What can have kept the little one out so late? Sally was not uneasy till Mary arrived without the child, and said she had started for home a long while ago, then she asked at all the neighbours' houses, and can't get any account of Fan." Every assistance was given to the old woman in her search after her missing grandchild, but without success. There was no sleep that night for poor Sally. Mabel, too, felt very uneasy about her little pupil, and going early in the morning to see if she had returned, found the old Gran crying bitterly, and declaring this would be the saddest Christmas she had ever spent. Mabel laid the little frock which she had brought quietly on the table, and tried to speak some comforting words, though she hardly knew what hope to suggest. 'We ought to pray for her, Sally," she said; you know God can take care of her wherever she is." "Yes, Miss, I have been asking Him all night; but how can I go to church without my child beside me as usual, especially on Christmas Day?" Re "Oh yes! go, Sally; it will do you good. member, when Jesus was lost, it was in the Temple His mother found Him. Just dress yourself now, and come in with me before the congregation assemble; no one will observe you in your own corner." Sally dried her eyes, and muffling herself up in a large shawl and old-fashioned black bonnet, allowed Miss Mabel to conduct her by a private entrance to the church. Barbara had but just opened the doors, and was busily engaged kindling a fire in the stove. "Now," said Mabel, after she had placed the old woman in a seat, "I must run home for a short time, there's so much to be done this morning." Sally sat quietly in the far corner of a pew behind a pillar, and, burying her face in her hands, wept silently, and prayed earnestly that her child might be restored. So intent was she on her petitions, that she did not perceive when Barbara left the church, or heed anything passing around, until a rustling sound close by attracted her attention. "Some of the congregation beginning to arrive," she thought. "Well, no one will notice me," and the head was bent lower than before. Presently some one touched her hand, and a soft child-like voice uttered the one word, "Gran." At that touch, that voice, the old woman raised her head, and started from her seat with a cry of joy, for there was little Fan standing beside her in the usual position. "God has heard me while I was yet speaking," she exclaimed, "and sent back my child. Oh, Fan, where have you been?" "Gran, don't tell Barbara, she'd be so angry, but I slipped in here last evening when they were dressing the church, and got locked up." "For the whole night, dear? and weren't you frightened at being alone?" "Yes, at first; and I fretted because you'd be unhappy, Gran. But the angels were here all night too, taking care of me, and I got among the warm cushions, and fell asleep till it was light in the morning. I'm glad you came so early, for I couldn't escape when Barbara opened the door, because she laid her broom against the handle, and I was afraid of making a noise by knocking it down, so I hid under a seat till she was gone." "Come home, my child, and get your breakfast. You'll have time to put on your nice new frock before service yet, and Miss Mabel will be so surprised to see you here! After all, thank God, we'll have a happy Christmas! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' S. T. A. R. THE "QUIVER" BIBLE CLASS. 20. Quote some words from the Epistle to the Philippians which show that St. Paul had visited the town of Philippi. 21. What was the sign by which the man of God who was sent to Jeroboam attested the truth of his mission ? 22. From what passage do we gather that it was customary for nations in olden time to take their gods with them to battle? 23. What act of the Israelites seems to have been prompted by this custom? 24. Give the name of one of the earliest martyrs of the Christian Church in the days of the apostles. 25. Quote the prayer of Agur, in which he sets forth the happiest condition of man in this life. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 32. 9. Zacchæus, who was a man of small stature (Luke xix. 3, 4). 10. "Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon" (Num. xxi. 14). 11. "And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard" (Ezek. v. 1). 12. Tertullus (Acts xxvi. 1). 13. "For that righteous man (Lot) dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds" (2 Peter ii. 8). 14. Mention is made of one of his daughters as being married to a priest (Neh. vii. 63). |