THE INFANT & JUNIOR CLASSES.-APRIL, 1883.

BIBLE LESSONS.

April 1.-Simon the Sorcerer.-ACTS viii. 9-25.

Philip in Samaria. -One of the places in which the Gospel was preached was Samaria. The people heard with gladness, as Philip told them what the Lord Jesus had done for them, and "there was great joy in that city," as they saw the wonderful miracles by which Philip healed the sick, and cast out evil spirits. There was living in Samaria at that time a man named Simon, who, by strange and cunning ways, had got great power over the people. They all gave heed to him, thinking that of any other man.

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him to have power given him by God, greater than when they heard Philip preaching the truth about God and Jesus Christ, they believed his word, and were baptized (ver. 12). And even Simon himself "wondered" as he saw Philip's works, and heard his words, and he also believed and was baptized. All felt that this was the true power which had come from God alone.

Simon's mistake and sin.-Soon after this, Peter and John were sent by the other apostles to help on the good work which Philip had begun. Hear what they did (ver. 15). And in answer to their prayer "they received the Holy Ghost." None but those who receive this great gift can tell how great the blessing of it is. As Simon saw the wisdom, and the holiness, and the power of goodness, which it brought, he wished that he might have the power to give the Holy Ghost to whomsoever he would. He saw that it was done through the laying on of the apostles' hands upon those who received it. But was it their hands that brought it? From whom did the power come? Who gave the apostles power to do this great thing? Yet Simon thought they could give him the same power which God had given them. "He offered them money, saying, Give me," etc. (ver. 19).

Peter's warning.-When Peter saw the sin and the folly of Simon in thinking "that the gift of God might be purchased with money," he was grieved and even angry. He told him his heart was "not right in the sight of God," and he bade him repent of his wickedness, and pray to God that he might be forgiven, and so be saved from the danger he was in through his great sin. Simon was afraid now of what he had done. Hear what he said (ver. 24). We do not know whether he repented and prayed for himself. It may be that he did not, and that he perished in his iniquity. Let us remember that all power for good comes from God alone. He only can give it. He gives it to those who obey and serve Him. It cannot be bought for money; it comes only when the heart is full of love to God, and the life is full of willing service to Him.

April 8.-Philip and the Ethiopian.-ACTs viii. 26-49.

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Philip and the Stranger.-(Read ver. 26.) Here is a pleasant story. sooner was Philip's work done in Samaria than other work was found for him. He had been in the crowded streets of a busy city, now he was to go to the "desert." He had been preaching to many, now his errand was to one. He did not know to whom he was to be sent, nor what he was to do, but at the word of the Lord, "he arose and went." This is how all true servants of the Lord obey Him. As Philip went on the desert road, he saw at a distance before him a chariot. In it sat a man with a roll of paper in his hand reading aloud. You may see the form of the roll, and of the chariot, in the picture. Philip could see by the chariot and the servants, and the dress he wore, that the reader was a man of power and wealth. He was one of the chief officers of Candace, the great Queen of Ethiopia, far away in Egypt. He had been to Jerusalem "to worship." He had learnt something about the true God, and had come that long journey from his distant home, that he might join once in the service of the temple, and was now returning home again. As he sat in his chariot he was reading the Word of God.

What the Eunuch read. (Read ver. 29.) Here, then, was the work which Philip had been sent to do. He "ran thither to him," and walking by the side of the chariot heard him read about One who was led as a sheep to the slaughter, who was dumb as a lamb in the shearer's hands, and whose life was taken from the earth. Philip knew that this had been written by the prophet Isaiah. But he was not sure that he who read it knew of whom it spake, nor what it meant. Do you know this? Hear the question Philip asked (ver. 30). This is a good question to ask ourselves about all we read, especially about what we read in God's Word. Now hear the answer Philip got (ver. 31). How wise this was. eunuch did not know this stranger, but it seemed to him that he might learn from him just what he wanted to know. So, as they sat together in the chariot, he asked Philip a question (ver. 34). Could you tell that?

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Deciding for Jesus.-Philip now "opened his mouth," and "preached unto him Jesus.' He told how He had come from heaven, and why He came, and what He did and suffered upon the earth, and how He had gone up to heaven again, and what each one must do if he would be saved. As the eunuch listened to this, he wished that he might have the joy of this salvation; and he was eager to show by being baptized that he was willing to serve the Lord Jesus. As they went on their way they came where a pool of water lay near, and then Philip baptized this new servant of the Lord Jesus. Then Philip went quickly back to other work, and the eunuch went on his way to his home rejoicing in his new service, and in the new love in his heart.

Saul the Persecutor.-We first hear about Saul in the story of the death of Stephen. He "consented" to his death, and helped those who spoke against him and who killed him. After that, he was full of anger against the followers and servants of the Lord Jesus, "haling" them with violence, and casting them into prison. The disciples everywhere were "all afraid of him," he was so great an enemy to the friends of Christ. Hear what is said of him (ver. 1). He was so full of rage and malice against the disciples, that it seemed as though every breath carried with it evil against them. He heard that away in far distant Damascus, disciples were to be found. So he went to the High Priest and got leave to search there for them, and to "bring them bound to Jerusalem." What could be done to stop so fierce and strong an enemy of the Lord Jesus?

Saul's Conversion. (Read ver. 3-4.) As this company of men, led by Saul, drew near to Damascus, "suddenly," when nothing of the sort was expected, a brigh light shined round about their leader, as though it were a long continuous flash of lightning. He fell to the earth. What happened then? What did this question mean? Who asked it? Saul, himself, asked this question (ver. 5). How the answer startled him! Jesus, whom he had persecuted, was "the Lord " of heaven. No wonder that he trembled and was astonished. But how wise his next words were. Repeat them (ver. 6). The men about him saw the light and heard a voice, but they did not know what was said, nor see him who spoke. When Saul arose from the earth he was blind. They led him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and could eat no food. Who can tell the thoughts which filled his mind in those days of darkness? Thoughts of his past life, its mistakes and wrong doing, and thoughts of the future too. He repented, and with a changed heart determined to live a life of loving service to the Lord Jesus.

The work Saul had to do.-Describe the mission of Ananias-his fear of Saul, because of his errand to Damascus, and what the Lord said about it (ver. 10-16). Saul was now a changed man, chosen of the Lord to bear His name to Gentiles, and Jews, and kings, and to suffer for His name's sake. What was changed in Saul? This change of heart is called conversion. All must have it if they would be safe and happy. God alone can make this great change. It is made in many various ways. Few are converted as Saul was. But all who wish it must be willing to submit to the Lord as he did, and to be filled with the Holy Ghost.

April 22.-Saul Preaching Christ.-ACTS ix. 19-31.

Saul's new life.-As soon as Saul was converted, he set to work in the Lord's service (ver. 20). He let everyone about him know of the great change which had come upon him, without fear and without waiting. He told them of the wrong of his past life, and he "preached" that, Christ, whom he had despised, and whose disciples he had persecuted, was "the Son of God." Those who heard him were amazed; they could not understand it. Hear what they said (ver. 21). But this did not stop him. He read, and thought, and prayed, and God helped him, so that he "increased the more in strength," and proved again that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. This change in Saul brought about

The hatred of the Jews.-Those who had been his friends now became his bitter foes. "The Jews took counsel to kill him." They tried to catch him, and "watched the gates day and night that they might kill him." So great was his danger, that his friends could only save him by letting him secretly down in a basket through a window in the wall to the outside of the city, and so he escaped. Then he went to Jerusalem. See what happened to him there (verses 26, 27). What did he wish to do? Why were the disciples afraid of him? What did Barnabas do and say? So great had been the evil Saul had done, that it was not till Barnabas had told the strange story of his conversion, and of his bold preaching of Jesus in Damascus, that they could believe in the change that had come. Then were they glad, indeed, and thankful to receive him "with them, coming in and going out, in Jerusalem." He did the same work there, and got into the same danger as at Damascus (verses 29, 30).

What Saul's conversion brought.-We have heard something of this. The change it wrought in him. He loved what he had before hated: the Lord Jesus, and His people, and His work. The change it wrought in others. Those who had feared him now loved him; many who had esteemed him and served him, now hated him. It brought him into danger. This was what the Lord had said to Ananias, "he must suffer for My name's sake." It spread the work of God, and brought happiness to many (ver. 31). For to Saul and to others it brought safety and joy for ever. Was all this enough for what he had given up? Was it worth while to have the loss of friends, and danger and suffering, for such a change? To answer these questions aright, let us think of another-"What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

April 29.-Dorcas Raised to Life.-ACTS ix. 32-43

The miracles at Lydda.-Peter, like the other apostles, was ever busy in the great work given him to do. As he passed, while doing it, "throughout all quarters," he came to Lydda. (Read and explain ver. 33). This helpless man lay upon his bed, as he had done for eight years. When Peter saw him, he, like his Master, "had compassion " on him. As he saw him there, he felt that Jesus was willing to cure him. Note what he said, and what followed (ver. 34). Was it Peter who made Æneas whole? What did Peter say? How wonderful this was. The power of Christ who had gone had given him strength. See, too, what other good followed (ver. 35). "All that saw him turned to the Lord."

The miracle at Joppa.-Joppa was a town a few miles away from Lydda. There were disciples there. One of them was a good and kind woman named Dorcas. She "was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." Many a widow's heart had been made glad, many a poor and sick person had been comforted by what Dorcas had done and given. Her life had been full of good to others. "When the eye saw her it blessed her," "when the ear heard" her kind voice "it gave witness" to the joy it had. But it came to pass in those days that she was sick and died." The good must die as well as the wicked. It is sad when such a life ends, and great sorrow fell upon the disciples at Joppa when they knew that Dorcas had gone. What could they do in this time of great grief? They heard that Peter was at Lydda. If he could only come, they thought that he might help them. So they sent to ask him, and he arose and went to them. They took him into the chamber where the dead body of Dorcas lay. The widows stood weeping around her, and showed him the garments she had kindly given them. Now hear the rest (ver. 40). Here was another wonder! The way in which it was done, and the words Peter used, were like those which Peter had once before this seen and heard. When was that? (Matt. ix. 23, 24).

What the miracles taught.-It showed that the power which Jesus had was given to the apostles, and that they were doing the work which He had appointed. So when Peter presented Dorcas alive, and when he healed Æneas, many "turned to the Lord," and "believed in the Lord." Now this was better even than merely healing the sick, or giving life again to the dead. Then, too, it showed that the loving mercy of Christ was still put forth to man; and it teaches the same to-day. Have you "turned to the Lord?" Do you "believe in the Lord?"