NOTES ON THE UNION'S LESSON SCHEME FOR 1870.

LESSON I.-JANUARY 2.

THE CREATION.-Genesis i. 1-31.

Ver. 1.-The name Genesis signifies "generation" or "production." The book that bears this title contains the only authentic account of the creation of the world. The human mind is incapable of reasoning back from the existing state of things to a "beginning." The Creator himself here reveals the mystery of creation: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." We, His children, receive with trusting and humble FAITH the announcement of the Great Father. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear," (Heb. xi. 3.) Existing things were made out of nothing. How made? By God's word of power. Why made? For the glory of the Almighty Maker.

Ver. 2.-Another great mystery is revealed in the narrative of creation-the mystery of Three Persons in the Godhead. (1.) The Hebrew word for God denotes a plurality of persons. (2.) "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (3.)" By Him (the Son of God) were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth," (Colos. i. 16.) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him," (John i. 1-3.) See also Prov. viii. 22-31; Heb. i. 2, 3. The great doctrine of the Trinity—a Triune God-thus revealed at the commencement of the Bible, in the history of creation, holds the same prominent place throughout the Scriptures in the narrative of Redemption.

Ver. 3-25.-The description of creation is preceded (v. 2) by a statement that the earth was formless, confused, chaotic; was devoid of life; was in a state of darkness. Therefore

1. Light is first called into existence. Mark the sublimity and simplicity of the Almighty fiat, (v. 3:) "Let there be light!"

2. Order follows, so that the earth may become a fitting habitation for living beings. Verses 6-19 narrate the successive steps of the operation:

(a) Adjustment of land and water, (v. 6-10.)

(b) Preparation of the land to produce vegetable food for animals, (v. 11, 12.)

(c) Arrangement of the planetary bodies so as to become the instruments of light,

(v. 14-18.) "Firmament," expanse of the atmosphere.

3. Life succeeds-the living beings for whom the earth was made:

(a) Fishes, whales, &c.; fowls, (v. 20, 21.).

(b) Terrestrial animals, (v. 24, 25.)

(c) Man, (v. 26, 27.)

There are two ways in which the progress of creation may be traced or analyzed: (1) By days, (v. 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31=6.)

(2) By the recurrence of the beautiful expression of the Creator's approbation, "God saw that it was good," (v. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31.)

The two methods, however, are not strictly parallel. The second does not exactly correspond to the days of the first, and the expression of the Divine complacency is not given on the second day; while, on the third and sixth days, it occurs twice. The teacher will find it beneficial to contemplate the succession in both points of view.

The history of creation invites to solemn thought upon

1. The power, wisdom, and goodness of God.

2. The co-operation of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ the Son with God the Father in the creation, and, subsequently, in the redemption of the world.

3. The lofty position in which man-Godlike-was placed at his creation; his fall; his restoration-re-creation-through Him, the Word, by whom all things were made.

LESSON II.-JANUARY 9.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.-Matthew i. 18-25; ii. 1-10.

I. The birth of Jesus, i. 18-25.-Bring out the relation that subsisted between Joseph and Mary-they were espoused,-i. e., engaged, but not married. Notice the character of Joseph-a just man, upright, of high character, and tender too. He did not wish to make a public example of Mary,-i. e., did not wish to have her stoned, which the law allowed; but desired to put her quietly away. Even this course he thought upon; he would do nothing rashly, he would wait to see if God would throw any light on this painful matter. See what reward he had. God does interfere; note how, (v. 20.) Examine God's message to him, (v. 20, 21,) and look at the name he was to give the child-JESUS. Why? He is the only Saviour, (Acts iv. 12.) Is He yours? See what He saves from-from sin. This is why men wont have Him. They love their sin, and refuse Jesus, (John iii. 19.) Which will you have-your sins or Jesus? Note, Jesus will not save us in our sins-He saves us from them. This unwillingness to be saved from sin makes the gate to life a strait one. It is wide enough to admit all, if they leave their sins behind; but if they try to squeeze them through, they will fail. Matthew, writing for Jews, delights to point out the fulfilment of prophecy in the events of Christ's life. So here, (v. 22, 23,) he sees in this miraculous conception and birth of Jesus the fulfilment of Isaiah's sign to the impious Ahaz, (Isaiah vii. 14.) Learn how the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, (Rev. xix. 10.) All the prophets testified of Christ. Note further, the wonderful title, EMMANUEL,-i. e., God with us. God in our nature, (John i. 14.) Try and get the scholars to think of this-that this little child was true God, and true man-God manifest in the flesh, (1 Tim. iii. 16;) -and then endeavour to shew why this union of the two natures, (Hebrews ii. 14-18.) Notice, lastly, under this head, Joseph's obedience, (v. 24, 25.) As soon as he knew God's will, he did it. Go and do likewise.

II. The visit of the magi, or wise men, ii. 1-10.-Wise men or magi, who were the learned class in Persia and Assyria. These came from the East,-i. e., some country east of Judea,-probably one of the countries mentioned. Notice how they were led-a star had appeared in the east; some peculiarly conspicuous constellation which they associated with the birth of the King of the Jews, (v. 2.) There was a very general expectation over all the Roman world at this time, that some great man was to arise in Judea. Hence, probably, the reason why these men, when they saw the star, went to Jerusalem. Learn, from their anxiety to worship this King, how we ought to act. What think ye of Christ? How far would you travel to worship Him? These men came thousands of miles. They were earnest seekers, and they found. All who seek shall find. Notice, next, the effect of all this on Herod. This was Herod the Great, a monster of cruelty and jealousy. These strange stories about this child, combined with those mentioned in Luke, (chap. i., ii.,) filled him with uneasiness and trouble. Who can this child be? Is he one day to be king?-and the old tyrant was afraid. Jerusalem also was troubled. The people knew Herod's temper, and they knew not what he might do in a fit of jealous suspicion. He summons the Sanhedrim; asks where the Christ, their expected Messiah and Deliverer, was to be born. They can easily tell him, for Micah had foretold the exact place, (Micah v. 2.) Herod immediately forms his plans; he sends for the wise men, tells them to find out Jesus, and come and inform him, that he also might do Him homage, (v. 7, 8.) His real object was to kill Him, lest He might prove the Christ, and so wrest the kingdom from him. The way of transgressors is hard. That which was the best news this world ever heard-the birth of Jesus--caused fear and terror to this wicked man. And so one day will Jesus to all wicked men, (Rev. vi. 15-17.) If we are His, He is our peace-He came to seek and save the lost; but we cannot escape if

we neglect the great salvation. The wise men, not knowing Herod's real intention, promised to bring him word, and so departed. The star, finally, guided them to the very house where Mary and Joseph were. Learn from this, how early Christ began to suffer. When a mere child, His life was sought. Verily He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs. His sorrows were caused by our sins; His joy is our salvation.

LESSON III.-JANUARY 16.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN.-Genesis ii.

I. The Institution of the Sabbath, 1-3.-Creation was finished in six days; on the seventh God rested. Explain the word; it does not mean that God was weary. What did God do to the seventh day? He blessed it,-i. e., put a special blessing on it-made it the best of all the seven; and He sanctified it,-i. e., set it apart from the other days-consecrated it to himself only, in commemoration of His work. Learn how old the Sabbath is; it comes down from Paradise. Learn how highly God valued it. What do you think of it? Point out what our Sabbath commemorates; the completion of Christ's redemption work.

II. Adam and Eve created.-Read verse 7, and verses 18-25 together, leaving the intermediate verses in the meantime. Adam made of dust; how low his origin on the one side; how little to be proud of. But notice the other side, God himself breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Man has a soul as well as a body. Both body and soul are from God; but the body is earthly, the soul is spiritual. The body is the tent; the soul is that which holds communion with God. How precious must this living soul be! What will you give in exchange for it? When God had made every living thing, He brought them to Adam to give them names, (verses 19, 20.) Among all these creatures there was no companion found for Adam. He was a living soul-was immortal-far above the beasts that perishmade in God's own image; and so God provides a special help-meet for him. Note how (verses 21, 22) woman was formed from a rib taken from man's side; she was to be man's equal, his companion, and neither his superior nor inferior. God himself brought her to man. This was the first marriage in this world; who performed it? Note how old marriage is; like the Sabbath, it, too, comes down from Eden. The Sabbath and marriage were both appointed by God; and all history shews, that nations are happy in proportion as they honour these ordinances of God. III. Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, 8-17.-Note the site of the garden. It was in Eden, somewhere near the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, (10-14.) This is really all we know, or need care to know. Had it been of importance to us, God would have told us the exact spot. He has not told us, and we need not seek it. If men did know, they would likely pervert the knowledge, and make the site a "holy place," as is done with places in Palestine to this day. Note, as of more importance, that it was a garden planted by God himself, (v. 8.) He would provide for His creatures. Read John xiv. 2, 3, and see the counterpart of this in the Paradise above. God's house has many mansions. Christ has gone to prepare a place for all His own. Is He preparing one for you? Note further, that God puts man into it, (v. 15.) So does God still. He puts every boy and girl in the place He pleases. Try and feel this, and learn, in whatsoever state you are, to be content. And still further notice, man in Paradise was not to be idle, (v. 15.) He was to dress the garden, and keep it. Learn, that we were made to work. God who made us, knows what is best for us. He knows that idleness is not good for Satan finds some mischief for all idle hands. Never seek to be idle. hand of the diligent maketh rich. Note now the covenant made with man. could eat of every tree save one, (16, 17.) Note who made this covenant. He had a perfect right to do so, for all was His. Note the penalty of disobedience-death. "The wages of sin is death." Learn from the whole section this great lesson: God wills the happiness of His creatures. He planted a garden for Him; He found a help-meet for Him; He gave him free use of every tree save one. Surely God is ood.

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LESSON IV.-JANUARY 23.

JOSEPH'S FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.-Matthew ii. 11-23.

I. The flight, and its cause, 11-15.-Note first, the conduct of the wise men, (v. 11,) they saw Mary and the child, and they worshipped Him, not her. Then they gave Him presents-mark the kind, all Eastern. And so, when Herod is plotting the death of this child, others are bending in holy reverence before Him, and worshipping Him as King. Happy wise men: unhappy Herod. And so it has ever been. On which side do you wish to be?-with those who cry, Crucify Him, crucify Him; or with those who cry, Lord, remember me. You must be on one side or the other. The wise men did not go back to Herod. See why, (v. 12.) God warned them not to go-likely told them Herod's true reason for wishing to know where Jesus was. Jesus was in great danger. Herod will soon learn that the wise men are off, and may do, as we know he did, some rash cruel act; and Joseph and Mary are all unconscious of danger. But God interposes, (v. 13;) and so Joseph and Mary, with the young child, depart into the land of Egypt, (v. 14,) and remain there until Herod's death. Matthew again points out the fulfilment of prophecy in all this. He quotes Hosea xi. 1, which was primarily spoken of Israel, and shews that it also applied to Christ. The whole Old Testament was typical of the New. The flock, of old, went in the footprints of their great Shepherd.

II. Herod's cruelty, 16-18.-Whenever he learned that the wise men had gone home, he was filled with rage; he was afraid that the wonderful child, about whom such strange stories were being told, might live and become a rival; and to prevent this, he forms a hellish plan. Read it, (v. 16,) and learn the fearful wickedness of the human heart. If any one had told Herod, when he was a boy playing at his father's home, that he would become a blood-stained tyrant, and the murderer of innocent babes, he would have said, "Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?" and yet he did it. God's grace alone can keep us from being as wicked. Think of the lamentation in Bethlehem on that day; picture the soldiers coming suddenly on the little town, entering every house, and killing, without pity, every child under two years of age. Matthew quotes a passage from Jeremiah (xxxi. 15) which describes the mourning. Rachael died when "there was but a little way to come to Ephrath," which was Bethlehem, (Gen. xxxv. 16-20,) and was buried there; and the prophet, with a vigorous touch of poetic imagination, represents her as incapable of resting in her grave at the sight of that dreadful massacre. She looks from her grave, on the ridge that overlooks Bethlehem, on the cruel scene enacting below, and weeps for her children.

III. Joseph returns to Palestine, 19-23.-Point out the remarkable connection between Egypt and Palestine. It sheltered Abraham, and Jacob and his seed, for many a long day; and now it becomes a refuge for Christ. Surely something good is in store for a land that has so often been the safe hiding-place of God's people. Read Isaiah xix. 23-25, and you will see that God has blessing in store for Egypt. He never forgets even a cup of cold water given to a disciple. And so Egypt shall be blessed; and this short stay of Christ's in that land may be the means of blessings manifold. When Joseph returned, he found Archelaus, one of Herod's sons, reigning over Judea; and so he went north to his own district, Galilee, and took up his abode in his own native city of Nazareth. Here, for about twenty-eight years, Jesus lived in quiet seclusion, growing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and man, working quietly at His trade of a carpenter, and content with the lot assigned Him. What a lesson for us! He was rich, yet He became poor for our sakes. Surely we shall count no sacrifice too great if He asks it of us.

LESSON V.-JANUARY 30.
THE FALL OF MAN.-Genesis iii.

I. The Fall, 1-8.-Note the agent-the serpent. Read Rev. xii. 9, and learn what the serpent was; character of serpent-subtle, i. e., cunning. Note his mode

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of attack-he attacks the woman-probably alone-why? He begins by casting doubt on God's command, (v. 1.) Can it be true that God said, ye were not to eat of that tree? What should the woman have done when this attempt was made? Read James iv. 7, and learn. See how Christ acted, Matt. iv. 10. But how did the woman act? She dallied with the temptation, and began to reason with the tempter, (v. 2, 3.) See how dangerous it is to listen to any temptation to evil. Always shut your ears to it. The serpent becomes bolder, (v. 4,) and charges God with being a deceiver, and as jealous of the position which man would reach if he did eat, (v. 5.) God is afraid of you, he says; He wishes to keep you in slaveryto keep some good from you; that is why He has forbidden you to eat. Read John viii. 44, and learn the true character of the devil from the beginning. Note how this temptation succeeded. The woman saw that the tree was good for food, was pleasant to look at, and one which would make them wise. You have there the lust of the eye, the lust of the fiesh, and the pride of life. So the woman took of the fruit,-broke God's command, and induced her husband to do so also. Notice how the serpent deceived them. He said, "Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." They did know now good and evil; but it was good gone, past away, and evil, or sin, ever present. Their eyes were opened; but what did they see? (v. 7,)--themselves naked-without any covering exposed to God's wrath and anger. See what they did to cover themselves,-sewed fig leaves a poor covering; how much better the covering God gave them, (v. 21.) Learn from this what we all do when first we find ourselves naked,-we try to do some good, thinking that will cover us; but nothing will cover us, save the covering-the robe-which God himself has provided. See further how man, from being a child, becomes a slave, (v. 8.) God is now terrible to them-they run from Him-they hide. Sin always drives us away from God. Remember Peter: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man," (Luke v. 8.) God and the sinner cannot agree. The sinner will always flee from God. The Lord Jesus has made peace. Have you found it?

II. The Curse, 9-19.-God will not forsake His creatures. He walks in the garden; and even when Adam and Eve hide, God goes in search. Compare parable of lost sheep. Oh! the greatness of God's seeking love. Adam still hides; but God calls him, (v. 9.) Notice Adam's excuse, (v. 10,) and see how God, from his own mouth, condemns him, (v. 11.) Adam said, he was afraid, because he was naked. But God answers, How did you come to know this? It could only be in one way-by transgression. Thus convicted, Adam, like all sinners, becomes a coward, (v. 12.) He blames his wife, nay, he even blames God himself. The woman whom Thou gavest, &c. Had you not given her, I would not have fallen. The woman blames the serpent, (v. 13.) Notice the curse upon the serpent, (v. 14, 15,) and particularly the blessed promise of v. 15. Shew how the seed of the woman-i. e., Christ-did thus bruise the head of the serpent. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. Notice, secondly, the curse on Eve. She is put in a position of subjection; and, thirdly, the curse on Adam, (v. 17-19;) in this curse, we have a curse on the ground, (v. 17, 18;) we have a life of labour assigned as man's lot (v. 19;) and death as the end of life, (v. 19.) See from all this how poor and short-lived is the triumph of sin. See further, the exceeding grace of God, who mingled mercy with judgment, and when denouncing a curse, gave the promise of a Saviour to redeem from that curse.

III. Adam is driven from Paradise, 20-24.-Before expelling them, God clothed them. What skins were these?-not of animals killed for food, for flesh was not eaten until after the flood. Hence, in all likelihood, these were the skins of animals slain in sacrifice; God thus teaching them, that without shedding of blood there can be no remission; and that no covering will suffice for man's sins, but one which rests on an atonement made. God then sent him forth from Eden, (v. 23) -drove him out. Note the word drove. God will drive all sinners from His presence for evermore. God protected the garden. He placed a cherubim and a flaming sword, which became the symbol of the Divine presence, and towards which, it is likely, man worshipped. Hence Cain is said to have gone out from the presence of the Lord, (chap. iv. 16.)