6. Does the conduct of children affect the happiness of their parents?

A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. (10 Pr. 1.)

7. Did Christ display an example of obedience to his mother and Joseph ?

He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. (2 Lk. 51.)

8. When Christ was dying on the cross, how did he manifest his tender care for his mother?

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son? Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (19 Jn, 26, 27.)

9. Does Christ claim more from us than even our parents? He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. (10 Mt. 37.)

10. How does St. Paul command obedience to parents? Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment, with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (6 Eph. 1, 2, 3.)

11. Does God approve of obedient children? Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is wellpleasing unto the Lord. (3 Col. 20.)

XXXIII. DUTIES TO BROTHERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBOURS.

Commands to-Love, to, a test of character-Manner of performing this duty-Advantages of.

1. Are we forbidden to hate our brethren? Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. (19 Lev. 17.)

2. In our dealings are we required to guard against oppressing each other?

If thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another. (25 Lev. 14.)

3. What is our duty to a brother in distress? If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him. (25 Lev. 35.)

4. What command did God give by Zechariah?

Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother.-Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (7 Zech. 9, 10.)

5. Will God punish those who are unforgiving to their brethren?

And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (18 Mt. 34, 35.)

6. How does the Apostle enjoin brotherly love?

As touching brotherly love, ye have no need that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. (I. Thes. 4.9.)

Let brotherly love continue. (13 Heb. 1.)

7. How did Cain wickedly express himself as to his brother?

Am I my brother's keeper? (4 Gen. 9.)

8. Are we warned against imitating Cain's awful example?

Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God; neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another : not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own deeds were evil,. and his brother's righteous. (I. Jn. 3. 10, 11, 12.)

9. What is the awful state of him who hates his brother ? He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness.-He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (I. Jn. 2. 9, 11.)

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10. Does love to our Christian brethren afford a test of our own characters?

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (I. Jn. 3. 14.)

11. How must friendship be manifested?

A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (18 Pr.24.)

12. What benefits arise from friendship?

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (27 Pr. 17.)

13. Is real Christian kindness manifested in the conduct as well as in the profession?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? (2 Jas. 15, 16.)

14. Does true friendship continue in adversity?

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (17 Pr. 17.)

15. How does the Psalmist praise brotherly love?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (133 P. 1.)

XXXIV. DUTY TO THE KING, TO MASTERS, AND TO ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY.

Commands to-Reasons of Manner of performing.

1. Are we all commanded to be subject to the higher powers? Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (13 Ro. 1, 7.)

2. Is submission to the king and our governors a dutý? Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. (I. Pet. 2. 13, 14.)

3. What comprehensive exhortation does St. Peter give? Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I. Pet. 2. 17.)

4. Are we told to avoid those who are given to change? My son, fear thou the Lord and the king; and meddle not with them that are given to change. (24 Pr. 21.)

5. Is obedience required of servants ?

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service as menpleasers; but, as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good-will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. (6 Eph. 5, 6, 7. See also 3 Col. 22, 23, 24.)

6. Are masters to be greatly honored?

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed: and they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. (I. Tim. 6. 1, 2.)

7. Are fidelity and meekness enjoined on servants ? Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining; but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (2 Tit. 9, 10.)

8. Are servants required to obey even "froward" masters? Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: for this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (I. Pet. 2. 18, 19.)

XXXV. LIFE-ITS UNCERTAIN AND

FADING NATURE:
OF PRESENT TIME.

IMPROVEMENT

Scripture estimate of Life-The fading nature of Life, and the flight of Time, illustrated from NATURE by the Wind, Clouds, Vapour, Smoke, Shadows, Dust, Flood, Grass, Flowers, Leaf, Eagle, Moth: -from ARTIFICIAL OBJECTS, by the Weaver's Shuttle, a Post, Swift Ships, a Foundation in the Dust, a Measure, a Hand-breadth :from MAN'S EMPLOYMENTS, by a Watch in the Night, a Sleep, a Tale, the Days of an Hireling, a Pilgrimage, a Sojourning, Art of Numbering.-Exhortations as to our fading Lives.-Danger of Delay.-End of Time.

1. "What is your life?" (4 Jas. 14.)

It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (4 Jas. 14.)

2. How did Jacob speak of his life to Pharoah ?

The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been. (47 Gn. 9.)

3. How does Moses contrast the eternity of God with man's fading life?

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up: in the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (90 P. 3 to 6.)

4. Does Moses compare our years to a tale?

We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (90 P. 9, 10.)