an apostle, and indeed the only instance of which we read during the life of the world's Redeemer on the earth. Nor is this confession of Christ's proper divinity from a disciple disapproved by the Saviour, but rather commended, "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." St. Mark, in recording this appearance, says, (Mark xvi. 14,) "He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat." St. Paul says (1 Cor. xv. 5,) that "He was seen of the twelve." John does not state any number. Dr. Adam Clarke says, the reading of some principal MSS. of the Epistle to the Corinthians is eleven, and not twelve, although our version happens to be twelve; and several of the fathers say eleven. Dr. M'Knight says, "The twelve was a name, not of number, but of office;" so that St. Paul only meant that Jesus was seen of all then in the apostolic office. Judas had fallen; the apostles were still known as the twelve, although only eleven in number for a few weeks. This was the sixth proof of the resurrection.

Concerning the time of the preceding appearances we have no exact information. The risen Saviour next was seen three times in Galilee. One of these appearances was by appointment and promise, and it took place on a mountain, where the eleven had assembled, "And when they saw Him they worshipped Him;" (Matt. xxviii. 17) "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." Tradition names Mount Tabor as the place where He appeared. It is conjectured by Hales, that the time of this conversation was the second Sunday after the resurrection. This was the seventh proof of the resurrection.

"After these things, Jesus shewed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias." (John xxi. 1.) This appearance was to seven only of the disciples, and is recorded only by St. John in the last chapter of his Gospel. On this occasion the disciples had a miraculous draught of fishes which they brought to land. After they had eaten, Jesus thrice enquired of Simon Peter, "Lovest thou Me?" thrice he replied. He was then informed by what death he should die; verse 18. St. John says, "This is now the third time that Jesus shewed Himself to his disciples, after that He was risen from the dead;" which is correct as far as the disciples only were concerned, for this apostle only records these appearances in bis Gospel, yet He had been seen more frequently by others. This appearance on the sea was probably on the same day as the last. This was the eight proof of the resurrection.

Some writers inform us that another appearance was made on the same day. St. Paul says: (1 Cor. xv. 6,) After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part

This is the

remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." only record we find of this appearance. This has been thought the same as the seventh appearance, but the table at the end shews one to have been to "the eleven," the other to above five hundred. Jesus probably was seen first by the apostles, then soon afterwards, at the foot of Mount Tabor, by the larger number. St. Paul made this a distinct appearance, and it was therefore the ninth proof of the

resurrection.

"After that He was seen of James." (1 Cor. xv. 7.) Only St. Paul records the event; nor does that apostle state either time or place. It is thought to have been before our Lord's last visit to Bethany. It is also thought to have been to James called one of our Lord's brethren, the first Bishop at Jerusalem, the author of an Epistle; and called also James the Just, and James the Less. This was the tenth proof

of the resurrection.

Our Lord next appeared "To all the apostles;" (1 Cor. xv. 7,) Besides St. Paul's record, the Evangelists Mark (xvi. 19) and Luke (xxiv. 50, 51) have left the particulars of this, the last appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, before his ascension into heaven. This was on the Mount of Olives, forty days after the resurrection. St. Luke says, He led the disciples out as far as Bethany ;" and again, writing of the apostles, he says, (Acts i. 3.) "To whom He shewed Himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, been seen of them forty days." This was the eleventh proof of the resurrection.

That there were other proofs St. John plainly states; "many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this Book;" (John xx. 30.) indicating in the next verse that enough of proof was given to induce our belief, "that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." In the last verse of his Gospel, St. John makes a similar statement.

SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS.

"Then Josiah said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the Man of God which came from Judah." 2 Kings xxiii. 17.

What other traces are there, in sacred or profane history, of the use of monumental inscriptions by the Jews?

“A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart is at his left." Eccles. x. 2.

Are there any other passages in Scripture which throw light on this verse, and what is the probable interpretation of it?

(Answers requested.)

The Teacher in his School.

THE NUMBER OF VERSES IN EACH BOOK OF THE BIBLE.

THE following table may be interesting and useful to our young friends who are profitably engaged in committing large portions of the Holy Scriptures to memory, as well as to Biblical Students generally.

Column 1. Contains the numbers assigned in the Masoretic notes on the Hebrew

Scriptures, introduced in Bagster's Comprehensive Bible.

No. 2. Contains the variations, and total number of verses in the English version, as ascertained by the compiler of this table.

Nos. 3 and 4. Show the differences in excess and defect, between Nos. 1 and 2.

This is the number of verses in the English version of the Old Testament, according to the table in Ostervald's Bible, and in the Rev. H. Horne's Introduction to the Holy Scriptures, Vol. 2, Part 1, Chap. 4, Sect. 1, note. It was inadvertently stated to be the number of verses in the whole Bible, in the compiler's remarks on Marginal References in Vol. 3, of this Magazine, page 130.

H. N. C.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.-Eph. iii. 13-21.

Nature of the Passage.-The 13th verse is an exhortation, founded on the topic handled in the preceding part of the chapter,-viz., God's commission to the Apostle to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. The sympathy of the Ephesians with him, against the excess of which he here guards them, then leads him to speak of his feelings towards them, which he describes as finding utterance in prayer for all spiritual blessings. The whole passage thus presents a noble picture of the mutual care and attachment of ministers and their flocks.

Chief Lesson.—The fruit of true Christian fellowship-intercessory prayer. Secondary Lessons.—The trials of God's people are no ground for despondency. God's children are all one family. Christ dwelling in the Christian's heart, reveals and imparts his love.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 13.-"Wherefore." Because of God's glorious purposes of mercy to the Gentiles.

'My tribulations for you." The persecution he had undergone, and was still suffering, on account of his determination to preach the Gospel to them. Compare Acts xix. The rage of the unbelieving Jews was especially excited by the determination of St. Paul, and the other Apostles, to preach to the Gentiles. See Acts xiii. 45-50; xvii. 4, 5, 12, 13; xviii. 5, 6, 12: xxii. 21, 22. And it was the hostility of the Jews which led to St. Paul's imprisonment, and the worst of his sufferings. Acts xxviii. 17-20.

At these sufferings he feared the Ephesians might be dismayed-they might be led by fear of similar persecution to abandon a religion which entailed such sufferings on its followers.

Verse 14.--" For this cause." Lest they should be discouraged. He feared that they might faint, verse 13, and therefore prayed that they might be strength. ened, verse 16.

Learn from this, that one great trial of a Christian's faith is that his religion brings on him the hostility of many of his fellow-men.

"I bow my knees." I pray; the usual and proper attitude in prayer. 2 Chron. vi. 13; Dan. vi. 10; Luke xxii. 41, &c.

Imprisonment forbad the Apostle's personal intercourse with his beloved converts, but could not shut him out from communion with his heavenly Father, nor prevent him from one of the noblest exercises of friendship—intercessory prayer. Verse 15.-"Of whom." Of Jesus. "The whole family." All the children of God, whether unfallen angels or redeemed men. "is named." Called his. Both angels and redeemed men are called the sons of God, Job xxxviii. 7; 1 John iii. 1. And they are one large family, i.e., have one Father, Ruler, Protector, Provider-are to each other brethren-have each their relative and individual duties and have at length one home.

Verse 16.-"The inner man." The soul.

Verse 17.-"Dwell in your hearts." See John vi. 56; xiv. 17, 23.

"Rooted."

Like a plant or tree, drawing nourishment through its roots. Matt. xiii. 6; and see Hosea xiv. 5. "Grounded." As a building on a foundation. See also Matt. vii. 24, 25.

"Verse 18-19.-" Breadth, &c." The vastness, in every way, of Christ's love; they might see something of this; but in its full extent it was beyond their reach. So Phil. iv. 7. "Filled with all the fulness of God." 2 Peter i. 4. What a wondrous privilege for Man!

APPLICATION.

Do we plead for others in this spirit of intercessory prayer ?

T

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.-Eph. iv. 1-6.

Nature of the Passage.-An exhortation to Christian consistency; and especially to the virtue of unity; grounded on the foregoing declaration of God's free mercy to the Gentiles, and confirmed by the truth that they all had the same privileges, the same hopes.

Chief Lesson.-Divisions in the church are opposed to Christian consistency, and contrary to the whole spirit of the Gospel.

Secondary Lessons.-Our privileges throw a great responsibility on us that we should walk worthy of them. Humility is essential to unity, and self-exaltation destructive of it. Those for whom Christ died should look on one another as brethren. EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Verse 1.-After setting forth in the 3rd chapter the glorious privileges to which the Ephesian converts (Gentiles ch. 1, iii.) had been admitted through the preaching of the Gospel, the apostle proceeds to found thereon this appeal to them to walk in holiness and in love. Note the stress laid on the pronoun, I, Paul; it would come with great force to those who had known him, who had profited by his preaching, and had witnessed the persecution he had endured for the truth's sake, and because he persisted in his missionary efforts.

"Therefore." Because of their calling and privileges. "The prisoner of the Lord." Prisoner for the Lord, for his Gospel's sake, and because He had permitted it so to be. That ye walk worthy, &c." A man's life is said to be his walk, (Gen. v. 24; Acts ix. 31), because his actions and his conversation shew what object he is in pursuit of he is known and judged by means of them. conduct, called by our Saviour two ways or paths. God had called them to a knowledge of the Gospel, and a share of its glorious privileges—what conduct would be worthy of this state? This St. Paul proceeds to enlarge upon. Compare Matt. vii. 16—18; and Ps. xciii. 5. "Becometh." Ephes. v. 3; Phil i. 27.

There are two lines of Matt. vii. 13, 14.

Verse 2.-Lowliness avoids giving offence, long-suffering is slow to take offence, and forbearance is quick to forgive offence. Long-suffering and forbearance are needful, because man is but man, and therefore imperfect.

Verse 3." Endeavouring." Note from this that it needs effort to preserve unity. Satan tries to sow dissensions, false brethren and open enemies make the same effort, and even true Christians sometimes give way to a spirit of independent selfishness.

"Unity of the Spirit." The unity which the Holy Spirit produces. "In the bond of peace." Peace, like a chain, would bind them together.

Verse 4." One body." The church, consisting of many members, but with one head, Christ. Rom. xii. 5; 1 Cor. xii. 12; Col. i. 18. "One spirit." It is the same Holy Spirit who dwells in (though in different measures,) and sanctifies all God's children. 1 Cor. xii. 4-11. "One hope." See Acts iv. 12. There is but one atonement, one way to pardon here, one way to glory hereafter.

Verse 5.-" One Lord." Jesus Christ. "One faith." One code of truths to be believed. Gal. i. 6-9. "One baptism." By water; typical of the Holy Spirit. Matt. xxviii. 19.

Verse 6.-"Above all." Ruling them. "Through all." Pervading them. "In all." Sanctifying them.

The argument is, that they who are fellow-sharers in these great privileges, are bound to live like brethren in love.

APPLICATION.

Do we walk consistently with our calling?