_Greater than angels._ In His person, His work. His exaltation to glory; testified by Scripture, _e.g._ Psalm ii. 3 tells of Christ's eternal Sonship--also referred to by St. Paul as fulfilled in His resurrection (Acts xiii. 33). _King over all._ Christ also a King. Rules in righteousness (Psalm xlv. 6, 7); received throne as victor over His enemies--sin, death, and the devil (xii. 2). Raised high above all. =Lesson.= Christ is King--honour Him; He is Saviour--love Him; He is God--fear Him. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and so ye perish. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. Christ in the Old and New Testaments. A weaver, who had made an elaborate piece of tapestry, hung it upon the tenterhooks in his yard. That night it was stolen. A piece of tapestry was found by the police, which seemed to answer the description; but, as the pattern was not unlike that of other pieces, they wanted more definite proof. It was brought to the weaver's yard, and there the perforations in the fabric were found to correspond exactly to the tenterhooks. This was proof positive. In like manner, if we place the life and character of Christ against all the prophecies of Him in Scripture, they will be found to correspond exactly. 1899. _New Series. The Gospel according to St. John._ JANUARY 1ST.--=Christ the True Light.= _To read--St. John i. 1-14. Golden Text--Ver. 4._ New Year--new course of lessons. This Gospel records the deeper spiritual truths of Christ's teaching, especially about His own Nature and Person. It sets Christ forth as God. St. John tells his object in writing a fourth Gospel in chap. xx. 31, which the class should read. I. =The Nature of Christ= (1-3). _Eternal._ In the beginning, not of the world, but before all creation, from everlasting. _Divine Word._ Christ is the expression of the mind of God. Came to reveal God to man (xv. 15). _Living Person._ The Word not a mere attribute or power of God but a distinct Person. "With God" from everlasting. Not inferior to the Father, but very God Himself. _Creator._ As well as Saviour and Governor of the world (read Col. i. 16, 17; Heb. i. 2). II. =The Office of Christ= (4-13). _Source of Life._ As very God He had life in Himself, which He poured forth on His creation (vv. 25, 26; xvii. 2). _Source of light._ The life from Son of God is cause of man's inward spiritual light by which he is saved. _Himself the light._ World was in spiritual darkness at Christ's coming. _Giver of light._ No man has light in himself, however great his natural powers. All true light is from Christ. _Rejected._ By His own. The world He made knew not its Creator (1 Cor. i. 21). The nation He chose to be His own special people (Deut. vii. 6) received Him not.