Not so may our forgetful hearts, Still own in praise, still ask in prayer. So shall our suns more grateful shine, And showers in sweeter drops shall fall, Jesus, our brighter Sun, arise, In plenteous showers thy Spirit send, LESSON TWENTY-NINTH. MATTHEW VI. 1-8. TAKE heed that ye do not your alms be-fore men, to be seen of them oth-er-wise ye have no reward of your Fa-ther which is in heav-en There-fore, when thou do-est thine alms, do not sound a trum-pet be-fore thee as the hyp-o-crites do in the syn-agogues and in the streets, that they may have glo-ry of men. Ver-i-ly I say un-to you, they have their re-ward. But when thou do-est alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand do-eth: that thine alms may be in se-cret: and thy Fa-ther which se-eth in se-cret him-self shall re-ward thee o-pen-ly. And when thou pray-est, thou shalt not be as the hyp-o-crites are: for they love to pray stand-ing in the syn-a-gogues and in the cor-ners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Ver-i-ly, I say un-to you, they have their re-ward. But thou, when thou pray-est, en-ter in-to thy clos-et, and when thou hast R shut thy door, pray to thy Fa-ther which is in se-cret, and thy Fa-ther which se-eth in se-cret shall reward thee o-pen-ly. But when ye pray, use not vain re-pe-ti-tions, as the hea-then do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speak-ing. Be ye not therefore like un-to them: for your Fa-ther know-eth what things ye have need of be-fore ye ask him. QUESTIONS. What does our Lord say we should not give in order to gain the praise of men? Our alms. What do you mean by alms? Giving to the poor, or showing kindness. to the distressed. What is the only reward those will gain who do good deeds to be seen by their fellow-creatures? The praise of men. Who will reward us if we do good in secret for the sake of Christ? Our Father who is in heaven; but not because we merit it, but for his infinite goodness to us through Christ Jesus. What is meant by sounding a trumpet before us as the hypocrites do? Boasting of our good acts, and doing them on purpose to be seen by others. What does our Saviour teach us by saying, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth"? That we are to do our good deeds as secretly as possible, and not to think well of ourselves because of them. What other duty are we commanded to perform in secret? Prayer. How will God reward those who pray to him in secret. He will answer them openly, and thus show he approves of them. Are we never to pray in public then? Yes, in God's house with our fellowchristians. What are hypocrites? Persons who pretend to be much better than they really are. What is meant by vain repetitions? Saying the same thing over and over again. Who used to do this? The heathen, who thought they should be heard for their much speaking. Why are we not to do this? Because God knoweth what things we have need of before we ask him. What sort of prayers will God not receive? Prayers which come from the lips only. What sort of prayers are acceptable to God? Prayers that proceed from the heart. |