International Lessons: Third Quarter—Quarterly Review

Review Text.—As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.—John i: 12.

Suggestions to Teachers.—The teacher who instructs by lecturing or talking to his class, will find it difficult, without study, to give a clear artistic outline of the last twelve lessons in a few minutes. Perhaps the best plan is to take up your lesson papers; use the questions there given, and require prompt answers from the scholars. There is no better way of reciting a Sunday-school lesson than the old fashioned one used in the day or secular schools. After the questions are asked and answered, then the teacher might call on the different pupils for leading thoughts, favorite lessons, or pointed questions. The superintendent might catechise the teachers for a few minutes as to their social and school duties. If the review be properly studied, and the superintendent and teachers go to the school room in the spirit of the Master, the Review Sunday will be the most pleasant and profitable of the season.

1. The Birth of the Saviour.—This has been a leading thought in all civilized lands, for nearly nineteen centuries. If it had pleased God to withhold his Son, it is hard to conceive what would now be the moral and intellectual condition of the world. It might have been possible that there would have been no dawning of light on the Dark Ages, and it is altogether probable that the veil of superstition and heathenism would have hung over all the fair Christian homes of the present day.

2. The Reign of the Messiah.—There have been kings from the earliest ages of man. Every type of man, and every type of civilization has had its rulers. The best men that the world has ever seen have sat on thrones, and yet no perfect man has ever ruled the people. No one has ever claimed kingship longer than his life. Some have endeavored to perpetuate their names and their kingdoms by appointing successors, but these devices of men have all come to naught. There is a time coming when the most stable government now existing will pass away. The greatest rulers, whose names and deeds now fill many of our printed pages, will soon be forgotten. But Christ's kingdom shall have no end; his glory and honor shall never fail. No one can at the same time serve two earthly sovereigns; but you may be a devoted subject of Christ, and at the same time a worthy subject of an earthly ruler. Christ is the only King that never found fault with himself. He was never perplexed, was never in doubt, never divided between two opinions, never had the sad reflection, "It might have been." He reigns with the sceptre of love; his subjects, human hearts; his kingdom, the whole world. The great [...]