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they made signs to his fa-ther how he would have him call-ed. And he ask-ed for a writ-ing ta-ble, and wrote, say-ing, "His name is John." And they mar-vel-led all. And his mouth was o-pen-ed im-me-di-ately, and his tongue was loos-ed, and he spake and prais-ed God. And fear came up-on all that dwelt round a-bout them; and all these say-ings were nois - ed a- broad through-out all the hill-coun-try of Ju-de-a. And all they that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What man-ner of child shall this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him, and the child grew, and wax-ed strong in spi-rit, and was in the des-erts till the day of his show-ing un-to Isra-el.

QUESTIONS.

Of whose birth have you been reading? Of the birth of John the Baptist. What was done on the eighth day? They came to circumcise the child. What did his mother say when they wished him to be called Zacharias?

"Not so, but he shall be called John." Why did his mother wish him to be called John?

Because the angel had commanded Zacharias to call his name John.

What did his father do, when he was asked?

He wrote, saying, "His name is John." What happened to him immediately? His mouth was opened, and his tongue. loosed, and he spake.

Do you remember why he had been dumb, and unable to speak?

Because he had not believed the angel sent from God to foretell the birth of John.

Were the people much astonished? Yes fear came upon all them who dwelt about them.

What was with John the Baptist?

The hand of the Lord.

What more is said about John?

That he waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the days of his showing unto Israel.

What is meant by his showing unto Israel?

His preaching to them, and forewarning them of Christ's coming.

You remember reading, a short time ago, that Zacharias was struck dumb because he did not believe the message God sent him by the angel, Gabriel. Now, you see, when he showed his faith in God by his obedience, his punishment was removed, his tongue was loosed, and he spake and praised God. We may learn two things from this. The first is, that sin is always punished; if not in this world, most certainly in the

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world to come, unless it is repented of and forsaken; then, and not till then, may we hope for pardon. If you have displeased God, pray for his forgiveness, and for grace like Zacharias, to serve him better for the time to come. Follow, also, the example of Zacharias in praising God:-as soon as he recovered his speech, he used it to glorify his heavenly Father. Do you praise him for all his gifts to you, and use them for his honour and glory?

Oh! where doth beauty dwell without one taint of earth?

'Tis on the cheek of infancy still pure as at its birth, Before the lip has learned to feign a joy unfelt within ;

Before the eye has shed one tear of penitence for sin.

Fit object of affection's love art thou, most blessed

child,

On whom, in her dark hour of age, a grateful mother smiled;

Sent to prepare the Saviour's path, to preach his holy word,

To wait in meek humility the coming of the Lord!

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