the Sabbath school, and is at present so much neglected, it is the duty of the Sabbath school teacher, and friends interested in the cause, to speak out against this wilful neglect, and use what means may yet be at hand for reviving the observance of this most commendable of Christian duties. Means should be taken, by all having the spiritual welfare of the Church at heart, for encouraging heads of families to observe this duty. The non-observance of it is sure to bring upon the nation the curse of an offended God; much has been given, and much will be required. Will our national character, in the past esteemed so highly, now be allowed to be degraded? Will the interests of true religion thus be permitted to decline and decay, and all the fearful consequences of such a declension from the truth be allowed to hang over our heads? Let the answer of every professing Christian be in the negative; let him, by his influence and example, seek to work out his answer in practical reality; let past shortcomings be confessed and repented of, and God's blessing and forgiveness earnestly entreated on this most important matter. Then shall the sacred duty of family worship be conscientiously performed, the Bible have the place and power it ought to have in the hearts of the people, and a summer of happy days be in store for our land. W. S. TEACHERS' WEEKLY PREPARATORY MEETINGS. (To the Editor of the Sabbath School Magazine.) 66 DEAR SIR,—I was interested in noticing a long letter in this month' Magazine, on the above subject, from W. I. H. Having long taken an interest in such meetings, and often lamented the small attendance, especially of young teachers, I eagerly read said letter, expecting to find something in it that might be useful in stirring up a greater interest in such meetings, and, consequently, of adding to their usefulness. But I felt disappointed. I would have liked if W. I. H. had (instead of the last two-thirds of his letter) given us a statement of the "boon, of no small value, enjoyed by the brethren in London and Edinburgh;" we might then have been able to make some improvement here. The London Union commenced a Training College for Sunday School Teachers," in 1862. Two classes were opened on alternate Tuesday evenings, the one for the study of Biblical illustration in its various departments, as applied to Sunday school instruction; and the other for the study of the " 'Principles and Art of Teaching." The classes commenced on 14th January, and closed on 6th May. Fees 1/ per session for each class to teachers connected with the Union, and 2/6 to others. The attendance was considered satisfactory. I have not heard more of said college, whether or not it still exists; I find no notice of it in their Magazine, or Annual Reports since; and I did not hear it mentioned at our late Convention, when the subject was under discussion. The Edinburgh Union, in 1868, commenced a "Sabbath School Teachers' Institute." Arrangements were made for a short course of lectures, the first of which was delivered by the Rev. Dr. W. L. Alexander, on the "Interpretation of Scripture." Concurrent with these lectures, a number of model lessons were given in a central hall in the old town. The Union Lesson for each approaching Sabbath was gone over with a class by some gentleman of recognised ability and experience; all teachers being freely invited, had there the opportunity of seeing how a lesson might be given. I have not learned what success has attended said Institute. The Glasgow General Sabbath School Union's Training Class, which has now existed for some six or seven-and-twenty years, has perhaps been the most successful of its kind in this country. I have not heard of a Training Class that has had as large an attendance throughout. In Messrs. Munsie, Bell, and Morrison, the Union has had gentlemen well qualified for conducting such a class; and the Sabbath school teachers of Glasgow owe them no small debt of gratitude. The change made last year in having the class in three districts of the city-two months in each, instead of six months in the central, has been a great success; and it is to be hoped, that it may induce many societies to commence such meetings amongst themselves; 52 amongst 172 societies, as per last Annual Report, is a very small number. It will not do for societies to wait until they get some talented teacher to give the lesson; a few of the most experienced in each society should agree to take up the lesson in turnwith a class of children—and general conversation after, in order to bring out variety of thought and illustration. It might be an advantage if the minister of the congregation could preside. I would like if some way could be suggested of getting our young teachers to attend such meetings. I have always found that it is the more experienced who are the regular attenders. 9th February, 1870. J. H. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. TEXTS FOR NON-READING CLASSES.-Several correspondents will observe that we have begun to act upon their suggestion, by including amongst the Notes on Lessons the TEXTS chosen from the Union's Scheme for Non-reading Classes. We find that it is not so generally known as it ought to be, that these Texts are printed separately, in very large and legible type, and sold in sheets by Mr. M'Callum, the Union's Publisher. “The Future of Religious Instruction,” No. II., in next Number. The matter for each Number of the Magazine requires to be in the hands of the printers not later than the middle of the month before publication. The insertion of communications sent later cannot be guaranteed. EVEN ME. (By Mattie Winfield Torrey.) "Bless me, even me also, O my father."-GEN. xxvii. 34. Sin-beguiled, my feet have wandered Youth, and health, and hope, I've squandered, Lord, can such as I be shriven? Is there pardon yet with thee? Enter all the silent chambers Of my weak and trembling soul; All my help must come from thee; Undeserving of thy favour, I am poor, and weak, and blind. There's salvation full and free! He who sedulously attends, pointedly asks, calmly speaks, coolly answers, and ceases when he has no more to say, is in possession of some of the best requisites of man.-Lavater. CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.-There are times when the pressure of unseen things comes very near the heart; when death, or a wakeful night, or even some wayward mood of sadness, startles the spirit from its sleep, and half reveals that there are unutterable mysteries around it. Welcome that hour with prayer, for it may waken thee to a life that yet thou hast not dreamed of; a life of purer thought and deeper affection; a narrow path beset with suffering, and watered in its beginning with bitter tears, yet brightening on to unutterable glory. Seemeth it hard to thee to forsake thine idols, to forsake thy very self for Christ and heaven? Then let the curtain fall again, and strive to make the best of earth. Gain at least the world, if thou wilt lose thine own soul. Brighten that heart with flashes of strange fire, which must hide from the pure light of heaven. These few short years, ere darkness close over thee for ever, drink deep of joy. Eat, drink, be merry, for to-morrow we die." Whatever thou wilt do, dream not, by paltering with thy Maker, to escape with a halfservice, and thus lose both heaven and earth.-Grace P. Chalmers. A MIND TO WORK. We have the following quaint skeleton of a sermon clipped from an old newspaper: Text-Nehemiah iv. 6: "The people had a mind to work." This refers to the members of the Jewish Church, who re-built the walls of Jerusalem. 1. Notice their circumstances: (a.) They are poor, very poor. (b.) They are greatly harassed by their enemies. 2. Notice their disposition: (a.) They had not a mind to rest. (b.) They had not a mind to look on. (c.) They had not a mind to talk. (d.) They had not a mind to plan and advise. (e.) They had not a mind to find fault. 3. Notice the result: (a.) Their work was done. (b.) It was well done. Application." Go thou and do likewise." THE CHRISTIAN TOUCHSTONE.- "If a man love me, he will keep my sayings." "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." This is the best standard by which to try the quality, or, the quality being ascertained, to estimate the strength of the religious affections. Without suffering ourselves to derive too much complacency from transient fervours of devotion, we should carefully and frequently prove ourselves by this less doubtful test, impartially examining our daily conduct, and often comparing our actual with our possible services-the fair amount of our exertions with our natural or acquired means and opportunities of usefulness.- William Wilberforce. PLAIN TEACHING.-In "Uncle Tom's Cabin " Topsy is presented to us standing demurely, with her hands crossed, before Miss Ophelia, on a certain Sunday afternoon, to say her catechism. Topsy had a good memory, and learned "to say" her catechism very fast; but Miss Ophelia took no trouble to "make it plain." Thus, the saying of the catechism proceeds, and Topsy repeats-"Our first parents fell from the state wherein they were created," &c. But there is a twinkle in Topsy's eye; some idea has evidently crossed her mind. Miss Ophelia observes this, and asks, "What is it, Topsy?"- Please, missus, was that ar' state Kentuck?" "What state, Topsy?"-"That state they fell out of; I used to hear massa say we all come from Kentucky." Philip was a plain teacher; he not only read the words, but gave the sense, (Acts viii. 35.) "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE." DON'T SCOLD. We mean ministers, parents, teachers, and all others, who need such admonition. Parents and teachers are in special danger of doing this. They are annoyed again and again by carelessness and disobedience, and the tendency to utter harsh, clamorous, and severe rebuke, is so strong, that many fairly acquire the habit without realizing that they even know how to scold. Especially let ministers guard this evil habit. If your congregation is small on the Sabbath; if it is reduced almost to zero by a storm; if the prayer-meeting is dull, and the brethren hold back; don't scold. It does no good. There is a better way.-The Congregationalist. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO ASCERTAIN THE EXACT WORDS THEY EMPLOY.-Inaccuracy in the citation of proof-texts is needless and unfortunate. 1. Be sure you are quoting that which is in the Scriptures. The Governor of Tennessee had no right to put in his message the line, "Now is the winter of our discontent," as the utterance of "the prophet;" it is not in the Bible that you will find the sentimental figure of Sterne: "The Lord tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb." 2. Be sure you are quoting the passage as it is in the Scriptures. No man would ever find in the Bible the absurd jumble he sometimes opens his prayer with: "O Lord! we would put our hand on our mouth, and our mouth in the dust, and cry out, Unclean, unclean, God be merciful to us, sinners." Children sit with wonderment under a confusion of acts and images so incongruous and impossible. Four texts are spoiled to construct this nonsense. was Job that laid his hand on his mouth; it was the youth in Lamentations that put his (not Job's) mouth in the dust; it was the leper in Leviticus who was to put a covering on his upper lips (not his hand on his mouth,) and cry, Unclean; it was the publican (with hands beating his breast, and out of the dust altogether, in the temple) who said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner." This is no way to quote God's language when speaking to Him.-Studies for Teachers in "The Hive." It |