Quest. Which of these is commemorated this day?

Ans. St. John the Evangelist.

Quest. What do you mean by an Evangelist?

Ans. A writer of one of the holy Gospels.

Quest. Who is the Giver " of light to the Church?"

Ans. The Holy Spirit of God.

Quest. How does the Holy Spirit of God "cast His bright beams of light upon the Church ?"

Ans. By shining on "the doctrine of the blessed Apostles and Evangelists."

Quest. What light does this afford us?

Ans. "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. iv. 6.

Quest. Did the doctrine of St. John the Evangelist thus" enlighten the Church?"

Ans. Yes; enabling us to see more plainly the divinity of our Blessed Saviour.

Quest. If "we walk in the light of this truth," to what may we at length attain ?"

Ans. "To the light of everlasting life."

8. THE INNOCENTS' DAY.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, Who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify Thee by their deaths; mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by Thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. Who were the "Innocents" remembered by us this day?

Ans. The infants slain at Bethlehem by command of Herod.

Quest. How did they "glorify God by their deaths ?" Ans. By suffering what was intended for the Infant Saviour.

Quest. How did God" ordain strength out of the mouths of these babes and sucklings?"

Ans. By appointing them to suffer for Christ's sake in this life, that they might praise Him for ever in the life to come.

Quest. What do you mean by praying "that God would mortify and kill all vices in us?"

Ans. I pray that " through the Spirit I may mortify the deeds of the body." Rom. viii. 13. "That the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth I should not serve sin." Rom. vi. 6.

Quest. Will

the innocency of our lives" make our patience under sufferings acceptable to God?

Ans. "If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." 1 Pet. ii. 20.

Quest. What do you mean by "constancy of faith?" Ans. A steady unchanging belief in the reality of God's promises.

Quest. When is this constancy of faith chiefly tried? Ans. When innocent persons suffer greatly.

Quest. Is "constancy of faith" needful to glorify God as well as "innocency of life ?"

Ans. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved.' Matt. x. 22. "Cast not away your confidence, which' hath great recompense of reward." Heb. x. 35.

10. CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.

ALMIGHTY GOD, Who madest Thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true Circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey Thy blessed will; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What was the seal of God's covenant with Abraham?

Ans. Circumcision.

Quest. Did "the blessed Son" of God take this covenant upon Him?

Ans. Yes; for He was "made of a woman, made under the law." Gal. iv. 4.

Quest. For whose sakes was He thus "obedient to the law for man?"

Ans. For our sakes, who should be made heirs of the promise given unto Abraham. Gal. iii. 29.

Quest. What is "the true Circumcision of the Spirit?" Ans. "Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God." 1 Peter ii. 21.

Quest. For what purpose do we pray "that our hearts and all our members may be mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts ?"

Ans. "That we may in all things obey God's blessed will."

Quest. What are "worldly lusts ?"
Ans. Covetousness and ambition.

Quest. What are " carnal lusts?"

Ans. The sinful desires of the flesh.

Quest. Can we obey "the blessed will of God" while these govern us?

Ans. We cannot, for "no man can serve two masters." Matt. vi. 24.

Quest. What is "the will of God" concerning us?

Ans. St. Paul says, "this is the will of God, even your sanctification." 1 Thess. iv. 3.

Quest. What does Christ's "obedience to the law for men" teach us?

Ans. That the seals of the covenant must by no means be neglected.

11. THE EPIPHANY.

O God, Who by the leading of a star didst manifest Thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, which know Thee now by faith, may, after this life, have the fruition of Thy glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What is the meaning of "Epiphany?"

Ans. Manifestation.

Quest. How was "God's only-begotten Son manifested to the Gentiles?"

Ans. "By the leading of a star."

Quest. In what manner did this take place?

Ans. A star appeared to some wise men in the East, betokening to them the birth of Messiah, and then "went before them, till it came and stood over where the Holy Jesus was." Matt. ii. 9.

Quest. How do we "know God now?"

Ans. "By faith."

Quest. How does faith enable us to know God?

Ans. By our belief of what was manifested in Christ Jesus.

Quest. Shall we know God and Christ in any other manner after this life?

Ans. Yes, for "now we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. v. 7. But then "we shall see Him as 'He is.' "The pure in heart shall see God." Matt.

1. John iv. 2. v. 8.

Quest. What is this called in the Collect?

Ans. "The fruition of the glorious Godhead."
Quest. What do you mean by "fruition?"

Ans. Enjoyment.

Quest. Will the manifestation of Christ, when "He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation," give to holy persons great enjoyment?

Ans. Yes, this will be "the fruition of the glorious Godhead."

12. FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.

O LORD, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people which call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What do you mean by "beseech ?"
Ans. Beg earnestly.