THE CITIES OF REFUGE. THE GOLDEN TEXT. THE Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses : That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.-JOSH. XX. OUR LOVING REFUGE. DEAR Saviour, I am very sure Thy heart is kind to me, And that Thou wouldst my soul receive, If I would come to Thee. But draw me to Thy loving side, Lord, what can such a weak one do, But seek the refuge of Thy love, "Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."- Heb. vi. 18. Subject." The Cities of Refuge."-Josh. xx. OUTLINE LESSON. Eastern custom-to avenge kinsman's death by killing the man who caused it, even if he caused it accidentally and unintentionally. No use for God to forbid this injustice, for men would not have obeyed. So six Cities of Refuge appointed-what for? ver. 3. Could a real murderer get shelter there? No: he would be delivered up to the avenger, Deut. xix. 11-13. I. There is a Refuge for the Christian in time of trouble. Ps. xlvi. 1—“God is our Refuge." Not for all. When the rejectors of God come for refuge from calamity, what will God say? Prov. i. 24-28. II. There is a Refuge for the repenting sinner from the pursuing wrath of God. Christ is the sinner's Refuge. And here there is no distinction. We are all like the wilful murderer, and yet the gate is open for all. "Oh, depth of mercy! can it be That gate was left ajar for me?" I. There is no other refuge. No other city could protect the manslayer. None but Christ can save us. "Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee." 2. It is accessible to all. The six cities were conveniently placed, and easily reached. "Thou art near, O Lord!" 3. We must not leave it. The manslayer had no safety outside, Numb. xxxv. 25-28. Nor have we outside Christ, John xv. 6. 4. But inside the safety is complete. "Safe in the arms of Jesus." John x. 28. A FEW Sabbaths ago a little boy who has not yet seen seven summers, but who has had the advantage of pious training, was left at home with the servant-maid in the evening during the time his mamma was attending divine service. The maid and the little fellow were profitably employed in reading a portion of the Word of God. The sad account of the Saviour's sufferings was the chapter chosen; and when they had finished reading the chapter, himself. It was evident, however, that his little heart had been touched, for presently the servant observed that he was weeping, and said to him— "What's the matter, Harry?' "I was pitying some one," was the reply. "Whom were you pitying?" "I thought it was so shocking for Jesus to die upon the cross." A friend being told of this, asked the dear child if it would not have been better if Jesus had not died. "No," was the quick reply, "it would have been worse, for then we could not go to heaven." How very pleasing to think that one so young should have such correct views of the great plan of salvation. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. SAFE in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, Over the jasper sea. Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest. Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from the world's temptations, Sin cannot harm me there. Free from the blight of sorrow, Free from my doubts and fears; Only a few more trials, Only a few more tears! Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, Ever my trust shall be. Wait till I see the morning Break on the golden shore. JESUS! lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the raging billows roll, While the tempest still is high: Till the storm of life is past; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, oh leave me not alone; Still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed; All my help from Thee I bring: Cover my defenceless head With the shadow of Thy wing. SINGING FROM THE HEART. THOSE Who do not own the Saviour They may seem to love His ways. Jesus, for the sinner dying, Made a new and living way, To Sunday and Day-school Teachers, &c. THE WEEKLY WELCOME. With Engraving, Letter-press, and Music, in BOTH notations, with special reference to the "International Series of Sunday-school Lessons for 1875." Four pages. Price 2s. 6d. per 100. Published every Tuesday. Sunday-school Teachers, will you PRESENT these papers to your scholars ? It is particularly requested that the weekly orders be given through local booksellers. |