3. Why should we watch and pray?
4. What do you mean by a shield?

5. What is the Christian's shield?

6. What do you mean by casting away your shield?

7. What do you mean by "assault?"

8. Are we frequently exposed to the attacks of our spiritual enemies?

9. How are we to be prepared for these assaults?

There is one thing, dear Children, which you must always remember. Before you can pray or watch aright, or, indeed, do any thing that is acceptable to God, you must belong to Jesus Christ, you must have a new heart, for all promises of special blessings are confined to the people of God. The least child, who loves Jesus, may get strength from him to withstandall spiritual enemies; but the oldest person, if left to himself, cannot stand for a moment. Seek then to love your Saviour, and then watch and pray to serve and follow Him wholly.

SCRIPTURE TEXT.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. v. 8.

10. What is the meaning of " vigilant?" 11. What is the meaning of "adversary?"

12. Why are we continually exhorted to be watchful?

13. What are the three great enemies of the soul? 14. What do these enemies want to do?

15. Which of these enemies is named in the text? 16. What is he said to be like?

17. Why is he like a lion?

18. Is the devil a watchful enemy?

19. When are we most likely to be overcome by our enemies?

20. What did Jesus tell his disciples to do, lest they should fall into temptation?

21. How are our spiritual enemies to be resisted? 22. What are we told that the devil will do if we resist him?

23. What do you mean by "resist?"

24. Was Jesus ever exposed to the temptations of Satan?

25. How did he resist them?

26. And what did this great enemy do?

27. Can you tell me any texts in Scripture, in which we are exhorted to watchfulness.

How important is it to be well acquainted with the Word of God! David says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." Seek to have your memory well stored with this precious Word, and pray for grace to use it as your guide in every difficulty.

Scripture to be read in class...

Luke xxii. 31-62.

Scripture to be learnt at home.... Eph. vi. 10-18.

SUBJECT XXIX.

SELF-EXAMINATION.

Did I this morn devoutly pray,

For God's assistance through the day?
And did I read his sacred Word,

To make my life therewith accord?
Did I for any purpose try,

To hide the truth, or tell a lie?
Was I obedient, humble, mild,
Such as becomes a Christian child?
Did I my thoughts with prudence guide,
Checking ill-humour, anger, pride?
Did I my lips from aught refrain,
That might my fellow-creature pain?
Did I with cheerful patience bear
The little ills we all must share?
To all my duties through this day,
Did I a due attention pay?

And did I, when the day was o'er,

God's watchful care again implore?

1. What are the last two duties, concerning which you have learnt, as necessary to keep you walking in the ways of God?

I am now going to tell you of a third, which is very important, and which I dare say you do not practise. It is SELF-EXAMINATION.

2. Do you know what that means?

3. What does the Bible tell you your heart is?
4. Is it easy to know the state of your own heart?

Then before you examine yourselves, or ask your heart questions, you should pray to God to search your heart, and make you well acquainted with it.

5. What should you want to know about your heart?

6. Do you remember any little prayer of David's, that is very suitable before you examine yourselves? 7. How often should you examine yourselves?

8. Should you try to recollect your thoughts, as well as your words and actions?

The hymn which you have begun to learn, tells you some questions which you should ask yourselves at night; and when you have asked one question, you should stop and think whether you have done in the day, the duties which it names, or whether you have carelessly neglected them.

9. What is the use of this?

10. How many questions have you learnt to-day? 11. What is the first?

12. What do you mean by "devoutly?"

13. What do you mean by "God's assistance?" 14. What is the second question?

15. You should always read some part of God's Word every day. Acts xvii. 11. What should you

read it for?

16. What does that mean?

17. What is the next thing your hymn tells you

to ask?

18. What is a lie?

19. Is lying a great sin?

20. Are children apt to commit this sin?

You should then be very careful to think over your conduct during the past day, and recollect whether you have not, either at school, or at home, tried in some way to deceive, in order to get something that you wished to have, or to escape some punishment. Do not answer this question hastily, but try and bring to mind all that has passed during the day.

21. Your next question takes in three Christian duties. What are they?

22. To whom do you owe obedience?

23. What is it to be humble?

24. What is meekness?

25. Are you humble by nature?

26. How do children shew their pride?

You see that disobedience is a great sin in the sight of God, and you know that you are often inclined to disobey your parents and teachers; therefore be very particular to answer these questions truly as in the sight of God, who knows your thoughts. If, when you have asked these questions, your conscience tells you that you have been guilty in any of the points which have been named,

27. What should you do?

Scripture to be read in class..... Ps. lxvii.
Scripture to be learnt at home. .Jer. xvii. 9, 10.

SUBJECT XXIX.-PART II.

1. Do you remember what I told you last Sunday was the meaning of self-examination?