any one to teach them to read the Bible, or to tell them of the love of Jesus Christ in dying to save them from sin and hell and to make them good and happy for ever. And while you pray for them, do not neglect to pray for yourselves.

CHAP. X.

1 IN the last chapter, Jesus commanded his disciples to pray that labourers, or missionaries, might be sent to invite the ignorant and the wretched to come to him for instruction and happiness: and now he sends them out, to labour themselves what kind of power did he give them?

2 What are the twelve disciples called? What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle? ANS. A DISCIPLE is a LEARNER, or one that holds the principles of some great leader: the twelve disciples were called APOSTLES, because they were SENT FORTH, or especially appointed, to preach the gospel to all nations. Every Christian is Christ's disciple; but missionaries are most like the apostles. What are the names of the first four apostles?

3 In the 3d verse, are the names of six others--what are they? But who was Lebbeus Thaddeus? ANS. The disciple who is elsewhere called Judas, not Iscariot; he wrote a letter to all Christians, which is called, The General Epistle of Jude. Where is that Epistle to be found?

4 You have told me the names of ten of the apostles-what are the names of the other two? But what is said of the last of these? Whom did he betray?

5 And now Jesus tells them what they might expect, and how they were to go on; so that this chapter is what Christians now call an ordination sermon-where might not the disciples go ? What are Gentiles? ANs. Every body who is not a Jew is a Gentile. And what were Samaritans? ANS. Those people who lived in that part of Palestine called Samaria. Palestine, you may remember, was divided into four parts, and Samaria lay between two of them-which two?

6 As the apostles were not now to go among the Gentiles, to whom were they to go?

7 That means the Jews-as the apostles went, what were they to do? And what doctrine were they to preach? Two persons preached this same doctrine before-who? What did Jesus mean by the kingdom of heaven? (See on Chap. iii. 2.)

8 What were the apostles to do, besides preaching? And they were to do this freely-why?

9, 10 What were they not to take with them? Then how could they hope to be provided for?

11 When they entered a city, or town, what were they to ask? And if they found a worthy, good man, what were they to do?

12 When they entered a house, what were they to do?

13 And if the people of the house seemed glad to see themwhat then? But if they were not, still the blessing would not be lost -for who then would receive it?

14 And if the people to whom the apostles preached would not hear what they had to say, what were the apostles to do when they left them? And the Jews would understand very well this expression of disapprobation-why? Ans. It was customary with the Jews to shake off the dust of their feet against the Gentiles; and to such a degree did they carry this feeling, that they would not even receive herbs from a heathen country, lest the dust of the country should be mingled with them.

15 What will become of those, in the day of judgment, who would not attend to what the apostles told them? That is, the punishment of those very wicked people who lived at Sodom and Gomorrah, whom the Lord destroyed by raining fire on them, will be more easy to bear than the punishment of those who neglect the gospel of Christ— but where were Sodom and Gomorrah? ANs. Sodom and Gomorrah are supposed to have stood in that part of Palestine called the Dead Sea; the water of which, though very clear, is so exceedingly salt, that fishes cannot live in it; and from this circumstance it is sometimes called the Salt Sea.

16 The apostles were weak and defenceless then what were they like? Those among whom the apostles went were powerful and very cruel-then what were they like? Jesus tells the apostles to be like serpents, yet only in one thing in what? And in what were they to imitate doves ?

17 And of whom were they to beware? Why?

18 Before whom would the apostles be brought? And they would be taken before these kings and governors for Christ's sake; that is, because they belonged to Christ-but what end would that answer?

19 That means, that the people before whom the apostles were taken will not be able to excuse themselves, when Christ calls them to account in the last day, by saying they never heard of him-but when the apostles were before these men, what were they not to do? Why not?

20 Then they themselves can scarcely be said to speak-how is it?

21 In all these persecutions, it might have been expected, that at least men would spare their own relations-but what is foretold, in the 21st verse?

22 What feeling would men cherish towards the apostles? Really, to be hated by every body is so very disheartening, that we

should think the apostles would be almost ready to give up their religion-what encouragement had they, to stand firm to the end of their lives?

23 When they were persecuted, however, they were not to stay in that place, and get imprisoned that, you know, would hinder them from doing more good-what were they to do?

24 And they need not expect to be better received than Christ was -why not?

25 Then, as our Lord was reviled, what may his servants expect?

26 True; if we become Christians, we must expect to be called such names as puritans and methodists; but the apostles were told not to fear-why not?

27 And Jesus had told his disciples many things by themselves where should those things be published? But would not that be very awkward? ANS. No: their houses had flat roofs, and were not so high as ours; and when the Jews had any thing of importance, which they wanted to be generally known, it was common with them to tell it aloud, on the tops of their houses.

28 But the people among whom the apostles went were able and quite willing to kill them; and yet they were not to be afraid of them! -why not? Then whom should they fear? And who is this Being?

29 For how much were two sparrows sold, in those days? That is, three farthings of our money, being one-tenth of a Roman penny-and yet what is said of one sparrow?

30 And what is said of the hairs of our heads?

31 Then what should not the disciples do? Why not?

32 Still, so hated and persecuted as Christians were, some might wish to be Christians without letting any body know but what was there to encourage them to come forward boldly, and profess their love to Jesus Christ?

33 And if there were a few disagreeables in doing this, they had something a great deal worse to expect, if they were either afraid or ashamed to own Jesus for their Lord-what was it?

34 What did Jesus tell his disciples not to think? Then what did he come to send? But is not Christianity a peaceful religion? ANS. Certainly it is; for when Jesus was born, angels sang, PEACE ON EARTH, AND GOOD WILL TO MEN: but owing to the evil tempers of men, it will occasion quarrels not that Christians are quarrelsome; but wicked men hate Christians, and WILL quarrel with them. But are there no bad tempers among those who call themselves Christians? ANS. Yes, there are; but then it is not BECAUSE they love Jesus Christ,

but because they do not love him

ENOUGH.

35 Who, in particular, will quarrel with people for being Christians?

36 So then, a man's principal foes will be-who?

37 You know we always tell you to love and obey your parents; for it is right you should: but then you must love the Lord Jesus Christ more-for what does he say, in the 37th verse, of those who do not?

38 Who, in the 38th verse, are said to be unworthy of Christ; or, as we should say, not deserving the name of Christians? What does that mean? ANS. It means, that we should not mind the sneers and contempt and hatred of our former wicked companions; and that we should be willing to bear any unkindness, and any cruelty, rather than not be Christians.

39 What is said of the disciple who finds his life? And what does this mean? ANS. That he who is so careful of his life as to keep out of danger when duty to Christ calls him into it, shall, with all his care, find himself a loser; for, though He may save his LIFE a few years, he must die sometime, and then he will lose his sout. But what is said of the disciple who loses his life, for Christ's sake? And what does this mean? ANS. That he who is willing to brave all dangers, and to

risk even his life, from love to Christ, shall be a gainer; for though he may die in the service, he shall receive EVERLASTING life.

40 In receiving Christians, (that is, heartily loving them,) whom, in the last great day, will Jesus consider us as having received, or loved?

41 What encouragement was there for a person to receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, or because he was a prophet? There are no prophets living now; but if we receive any righteous, or good man, because he is such, what reward shall we have? And yet do we deserve rewarding? (See on Chap. vi. 3, 4.)

42 By these little ones, Jesus meant all good people; and here is something very encouraging to the POOR: do not think that because you are poor, therefore you can do nothing for Christ: there are many Christians poorer than you are; and you might now and then give them a halfpenny or a penny, instead of laying it out in gingerbread and such things: and there are none of you so poor that you cannot be kind; for there are many ways of being kind which cost nothing at all, and even these are pleasing to Jesus if they are done from love to him-for what does he say, if we give only a little water to a Christian because he is a disciple of Christ?