Salvation's "day-spring from on high" was given by thy breath

To those who sat in sorrow's gloom, and in the shades of death,

The "Prophet of the Highest" named-the promise did release

Man from sin's penalty by words of pardon and of peace.

LESSON SIXTH.

MATTHEW I. 19-24.

WHEN Jo-seph, who was be-trothed to Ma-ry, found she would have a child, he, be-ing a just man, and not will-ing to make her a pub-lic ex-am-ple, was mind-ed to put her a-way priv-i-ly. But while he thought on these things, be-hold, the an-gel of the Lord ap-pear-ed un-to him in a dream, say-ing, “Joseph thou son of Da-vid, fear not

to take un-to thee Ma-ry thy wife, for that which is con-ceiv-ed in her, is of the Ho-ly Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name, Je-sus, for he shall save his peo-ple from their sins." Now all this was done that it might be ful-fill-ed which was spok-en of the Lord, by the proph-et, say-ing, "Be-hold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, be-ing in-ter-pret-ed, is, God with us." Then Jo-seph, being raised from sleep, did as the an-gel of the Lord had bid-den .him, and took un-to him his wife.

QUESTIONS.

What kind of man was Joseph?

A just, or good man.

Whose son was he called?

The son of David.

What name was to be given to the heavenly child?

Jesus.

Why?

Because he should save his people from their sins: that is, from the guilt of sin, and the punishment of sin.

What prophet foretold that Jesus should be called Emmanuel ?

The prophet Isaiah; in chapter vii., verse 14.

Did Joseph believe the angel?

Yes.

How did he show his faith?

By doing as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

And this is the way in which we must show our faith, namely, by doing that which God commands us. It is in vain to read the bible, and say we believe it, if we do not obey its precepts. It is useless to learn our duty, if we never strive to perform it. The faith which will make us children of God, and try to please him by doing what is right, is the gift of God himself, who, by his grace, makes us willing to obey him, and to forsake sin, which he hates.

Mary shall bear a wondrous child,

The Father's only Son:

The object of God's dear delight,
His own, his holy One.

Jesus shall be his blessed name,
For he the lost shall win;
His mission is to seek and save
A people from their sin.

The Virgin's child is "God with us,"

Our Lord Emmanuel;

May we, thy helpless little ones,

With thee for ever dwell.