eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. LUKE ii. 29-33.

Where was this said?

Ans. In the temple in Jerusalem.

Could men and women of all nations enter the Jewish temple?

Ans. Only a small part of it.

What part of the temple could the Gentiles enter?

Ans. Only the outer court, which was called the court of the Gentiles.

For what purpose did the Jews use this part of the temple?

Ans. And Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. MARK Xi. 15.

What did he say to these dealers?

Ans. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. MARK ii. 17.

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Was the Gentile portion of the temple as sacred to Jesus as any other portion of it? Ans. It was.

Why?

Ans. Because he was a light to lighten the Gentiles. LUKE ii. 32.

How were the Gentiles situated who came to Jerusalem to worship God in the temple?

Ans. They were compelled to worship among oxen, sheep, and lambs, and in the midst of money-changers.

Why were these animals sold in the Gentile court?

Ans. For the convenience of Jews who wished to purchase them for religious sacrifices.

Why was money exchanged there?

Ans. Jews came to worship from all parts of the world, bringing with them the coin of the countries in which they resided; and they wished to exchange it for money current in Palestine.

Why did the Jews permit themselves to so desecrate this part of the temple?

Ans. Because, being the Gentile portion, it was not sacred to them.

Could Gentiles pass into the temple beyond this outer court?

Ans. They could not.

What divided this court from the rest of

the temple?

Ans. A low wall.

What was inscribed upon this wall?

Ans. There were notices upon it in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, that no persons but Jews would be permitted to pass within it except upon pain of death.

How was the next court to the court of the Gentiles reached?

Ans. It was elevated above the court of the Gentiles, and was reached by a short flight of steps.

Did Joseph and Mary, with their child, pass into this second court?

Ans. They did. Being Jews, they could pass into it with safety.

Were people of every nation but the Jewish excluded from the spot where Mary and Joseph stood with their child before Simeon?

Ans. They were.

When Simeon held Jesus, and said that he had now seen what he had long been waiting for, -God's salvation which he had prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel, what were the sensations of the parents?

LUKE

Ans. Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. ii. 33.

What did Simeon assure the mother?

Ans. And Simeon said unto Mary, his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. LUKE ii. 34, 35.

What did Simeon mean by saying that a sword should pierce through the mother's soul? Ans. That Mary would be deeply disappointed in her son.

In what respect would she be disappointed? Ans. She expected that he would be a king of the Jews, and never die.

Where did she expect his throne would be? Ans. In Jerusalem.

How would she be disappointed?

Ans.

Her child would be the Saviour of the whole world; and as he would live an humble life, and die upon a cross to accomplish the great salvation, all the mother's hopes of worldly glory and splendor would be destroyed.

THE MOB AT NAZARETH.

Where was Jesus brought up?

Ans. In Nazareth. LUKE iv. 16.

What did he do there in the early part of his ministry?

Ans. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. LUKE iv. 16.

How were the people affected by his reading of the Scriptures?

Ans. The eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. LUKE iv. 20.

How were they affected by the first part of his address to them?

Ans. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. LUKE iv. 22.

Who was blessed in the days of the prophet