lesson, we have a noble picture of a real high priest. It refers to Jesus.

He is called a high priest because the writer was reasoning with the Hebrews, and trying to show how much better the new gospel was. He used many of the old words and phrases to prove that Jesus put a new meaning into old things. Jesus never called himself a high priest, but we can see how the name might have force with the Jews.

Some of the high priests were cold, haughty, and stern. The people knew it, but did not dare to say much.

This writer to the Hebrews says: In Jesus we have a high priest who is tender and loving. He has suffered. He knows our troubles. He will have sympathy. So let us draw near with boldness; for he will listen, and understand our needs. Old and New.

In this picture of the better high priest we see what is meant by the Old and the New. The old religion was made hard and strict; the new was loving and forgiving. The old had many forms; the new did not care for them. The old high priest lived by himself, was rarely seen, was fond of attention, and demanded obedience. The new high priest, Jesus, went about among the people, served others, blest little children, and ruled by love.

66

Because of this great difference Jesus was not accepted by the people, only by a few. They expected that a man of God" would show power like a great general or worship at the temple, like Aaron of old. They did not like the priests and their harsh, selfish ways; yet they were afraid to follow Jesus because he seemed too much like themselves.

Truth or Form.

We must learn, what was not understood then, that truth is the only real thing, and form is but the garment. A high priest is not made by his clothes, however striking. The old way was to make religion seem strong and true by forms; the new way, the Jesus way, is to prove our religion by character.

The great thing to learn from our Passage is that Jesus helps us by his example. He lived on the earth, suffered, and conquered. We have a guide in him. He is not one who speaks from the dim, mysterious corner of a temple, bidding people go and do their duty to God and man. No. These are

the words of Scripture:

Our high priest is one who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and, having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation. Come with Me.

Jesus does not say, Go! He gives the invitation, Come!

He does not stand aloof and watch our struggles. His spirit attends those who are seeking light and life. "Come with me," he says, "and we will live the good life. Come with me, and let us walk toward the light." Not in one temple made of wood and stone, but in each temple of a human heart, the Master is heard with his loving message.

HINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Facts about the high priest and the Jewish priesthood will prove interesting to the pupils.

2. Describe clearly the differences between prophets and priests in the Hebrew national life.

3. Distinguish for the pupils the fitness and the unfitness of the term "high priest " as applied to Jesus.

4. Bring out the contrasts between the Old and the New,— between the "law" of Moses and the "gospel" of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

Did

Who was a great man among the Jews? Can you tell what a high priest did? What was the duty of other priests? they dress differently from other men? Was the high priest always kind and good? How does this name apply to Jesus? Why is he a better high priest than the old ones? What is a religion of form? What is a religion of spirit? Who was the first Jewish high priest?

BUT

UT be

PRACTICAL RELIGION.

ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will shew thee my faith. Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren.

JAMES, chapters one and two.

Doers.

PRACTICAL RELIGION.

We

This Passage comes well after the Great High Priest. saw in that selection how forms were of no value in themselves. There must be something great and good behind forms. Here the doers are praised.

There is nothing in all the Epistles so much like the teaching of Jesus about good works as these words on practical religion. We mean by "practical religion" our faith at work. There were some particular reasons why this letter was written. Arguing.

The author of the Epistle of James found the Christians discussing doctrines and arguing over passages from the Jewish Scriptures. Some said this, others said that. Now arguing is good when it does not waste time and confuse persons. But many there are who like to spend their days in sharp discussion about right and duty, though they seem slow to set an example. So this letter was written to stop arguing.

Discouragement.

The next object was to give the early Christians patience. Many of them were downcast. They expected to see greater results. Some believed Jesus would come back at once, and lead them on to happiness. He did not appear. The first followers of Jesus were persecuted or disliked, and it was not easy to be hopeful and steadfast. In this letter were words of encouragement,-- sunshine on the clouds of trial.

Faith.

One other thing we find. Some of the early Christians misunderstood the words of Paul, and thought it was possible to be a follower of the Great Teacher by faith, by believing on him and taking the name of Christian. After that they might do much as they pleased. Now this was not what Paul meant when he preached "faith," but you see it was easy to get the wrong understanding. Many persons do so now, in our times. Live Up.

So this Passage speaks out boldly against these three errors, and called the Christians to live up to their professions. It is a

fine sermon to-day, and needs to be preached everywhere. For many live down to selfishness or pride or laziness.

What is it that makes us admire the gospel of Jesus? The good it does in the world. When it comes into power, it heals the sick, helps the poor, makes people generous, spreads justice, and exalts righteousness.

Fruits.

Jesus said the same many times in parables and precepts: "By their fruits ye shall known them"; "Not those who say Lord, Lord, but those who do the will, and practise my doctrine, shall enter the kingdom of heaven."

Of course, the first thing is to believe something. You cannot have a harvest of wheat unless you plant seed. Faith is that seed. Faith in God, in the truths of Christianity, faith in something high and grand. But of what value is such faith when it is only in words? Nothing comes of it.

Living Faith.

What is meant in our lesson is this, that the real proof of faith is works, deeds, character, actions. No one can be sure he has faith or is a Christian until his actions show it. No one will believe he is what he says he is until he does something to prove his words.

The Looking-glass.

The picture of a man gazing at himself in a mirror, and then going away, forgetting all he saw, is striking.

So persons will look into the truth of Christianity and see their better selves, but afterward they forget. This means that, when we read the Bible or go to church or think of Jesus, we see what we ought to do; but later on we forget, and do not live up to our standards.

Some Rules.

I think we ought to remember always certain rules about faith and works:

We know enough now

1. Practise what we already know. to be better than we are and to do more good.

2. Have faith that we shall know more and feel more, the more we are doers. Jesus said, Do the doctrine and learn the truth.

3. Make our hearts earnest and our minds clear, and then we are sure to have works in plenty. A deep faith makes a high character.