REGENERATION.

God of truth! it is Thou who hast shed down each ray
Of the sunshine that blesses and gladdens my way;
From the depths of my spirit, to Thee will I give
Ever-thankful affection as long as I live.

Create my nature pure within,
And form my soul averse to sin;
Let Thy good Spirit ne'er depart,
Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.

I cannot live without Thy light,
Cast out and banished from Thy sight;
Thy holy joys, my God, restore,
And guard me, that I fall no more.

A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring:
The God of grace will ne'er despise
A broken heart for sacrifice.

Oh, may Thy love inspire my tongue!
Salvation shall be all my song;

And all my powers shall join to bless

The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness

61

Part FFF.

TIMES AND SEASONS.

LESSON XXX.

CHRISTMAS.

1. What do we celebrate on Christmas Day? The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Where did his birth take place? "In Bethlehem of Judea."

St. Matthew ii. 5.

3. To whom was this good news first announced? St. Luke ii. 8, 9.

4. What was the message of the angel? St. Luke ii. 10, 11, 12.

5. What glorious sight did the shepherds then see? St. Luke ii. 13, 14.

6. Why was the name Jesus given to the child? "Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." St. Matthew i. 21.

7. What is the great blessing which Jesus brings to us? Acts iii. 26.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and Life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.

Let us, then, with angels sing:
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."

LESSON XXXI.

CHRISTMAS.

1. What greater blessing did Christ bring to the world than had been given by all who went before Him? St. John i. 17.

2. What was the exclamation of John the Baptist when he saw Jesus coming to him?

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" St. John i. 29.

3. In what words of the prophet Isaiah does our Lord describe his own ministry? St. Luke iv. 18. .

4. How does He speak of His work in answer to the messengers of John the Baptist? St. Matthew x1. 5.

5. What is God's greatest and best gift to us, for which we specially rejoice at this Christmas season? St. John iii. 16.

6.

EASTER.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King:
Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow
As far as sin is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

65

LESSON XXXII.

EASTER.

1. How did our Lord foretell His death and resurrection to His disciples?

"Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill Him, and the third day He shall be raised again." St. Matthew xvii. 22, 23.

2. When did the women come to the sepulchre to anoint the body of the Lord after His crucifixion?

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