JESUS IN SOCIAL LIFE. THE home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, was made glad by the presence of Jesus. Did they hesitate to express themselves joyfully? Were they embarrassed in the familiar words of domestic life? Had they sad faces, and a restrained manner, and fell into gloom as soon as the Saviour came to the place? We cannot think so. It is the farthest from our thoughts that the personal presence of Christ would have such an effect. His coming was the signal of comfort, freedom, self-forgetfulness, and delight. His words of love brought peace to the heart, allayed the unrest of the soul, and incited all about Him to acts of affection and happiness. Who knows that He did not laugh? unless it be accepted that a smile is proof of greater joy. The Bethany home of Jesus shines in the thought of the world like the bright portals of a hall of light. It was a glad place. The home, to-day and ever, is to be regulated by the spirit of Jesus. How would He do, and what would He encourage, if He were here? Would He allow the impression to be made that our blessed religion is gloomy? Would harshness be in any tones? Would sarcasm or complaint be heard? Would any scolding be there? The heart of every one gives a strong negative. The home of Jesus would be a heaven on earth. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. The matter for each Number of the Magazine requires to be in the hands Intelligence. WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATH | west end of Bath Street, every TuesSCHOOL UNION.-At the bi-monthly day evening from November 7th till meeting of the Directors, held 28th March 19th, inclusive, at eight November, a letter was read from o'clock. These meetings are now the Secretary of the Protestant Lay- going on; the admission is free, the men's Association, dated October lecturers embrace many of the popu27th, announcing that a Controver- lar clergymen of our city, and the sial Training Class was about to be subjects taken up are the leading begun under that Association's aus-points of the Romish controversy. pices. It was to meet in the Class-According to request, the Directors room of Free St. Matthew's Church, have pleasure in calling the attention of Sabbath school teachers to the | Sabbath school teachers and those subject, it being one upon which all interested in the religious instruction Christians should be informed. of the young, was held in the Macdonald Hall, Rutherglen, for the purpose of taking steps towards LECTURES ON THE EVIDENCES. This course of lectures, by Principal Fairbairn and Dr. Islay Burns, is the formation of a Sabbath School attended by upwards of a hundred young men, who are going zealously into a methodical study of the subject. The project-which is that of the young men themselves-is a great improvement upon the common practice of desultory lecturing on all manner of topics; and its success is highly encouraging. Union in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. Provost Baker presided; and there was a good attendance, including Rev. W. F. Stevenson, Rev. John M'Neil, Bailie Scoular, Messrs. J. J. King, (representative of the Glasgow Union,) S. T. Baker, Wm. Stark, John Thomson, besides representatives from all the Associations PROPOSED SABBATH SCHOOL UNION in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. FOR RUTHERGLEN AND CAMBUSLANG. Apologies for unavoidable absence -A meeting of the teachers and were received from Rev. John friends of Sabbath schools was held Brownlie, Rev. T. W. Patrick, on Monday evening, 27th November, Robert Macallum, Esq., Cambusin the Macdonald School, Rutherglen, lang, &c. Mr. Joseph C. Robertson, for the purpose of considering a pro- Convener of Committee, having read posal to form a Sabbath School Union the Minutes of last meeting, intifor Rutherglen and neighbourhood. mated that the Committee had reThere was a large attendance, con- ceived favourable answers to the sisting of representatives of all the proposal to establish a Union from churches in the town, and also from almost every Association in RutherCambuslang. Provost Baker pre- glen and Cambuslang, and accordsided; and there were present the ingly the meeting proceeded to draw Revs. W. F. Stevenson and J. up a Constitution, and appoint officeM'Neil, with Messrs. Clow, Brown, bearers, which are as follows: Richmond, King, Miller, and Taylor, as a deputation from the Glasgow Union. The chairman explained the object of the meeting, and several of the deputation from Glasgow followed with statements as to the importance, benefits, and practicability of local unions of the nature proposed. An animated conference followed; and ultimately, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Stevenson, it was unanimously resolved that the meeting should express its hearty approval of the proposal; and a committee was appointed-with Mr. Joseph C. Robertson of Blairbeth, convener to communicate the result of the meeting to all the societies interested, with the view of securing their concurrence, and to report to another general meeting to be held in a couple of weeks or so.-On Monday evening, 18th December, a second meeting of President, Provost Baker; Vice- of Burnside, John R. Gray, Bellevue; in carrying out the objects of the Dr. Scott, Ruther House. It was Union. On the motion of Rev. Mr. agreed to invite the co-operation of Stevenson, a vote of thanks was the Foundry Boys Religious Society awarded to the Provost for presiding. 1872. Notices of Books. MRS. GIBBONS' PARLOUR-MAID. An before he was put to death by his Episode in the Life of Susan brother John's orders. The account Clemens. By M. G. HOGG. Edin- of his imprisonment, after his de burgh: William Oliphant & Co. position, is a mournful feature of the book. Amongst his numerous writings, the translator fails to mention his hymns. One of these, named "Eric's Death-Song," is a beautiful and touching expression of profound contrition and humble Christian hope, breathing a spirit which reminds one of the fifty-first Psalm. Mrs. Overend might do worse than give us a translation of it. A WELL-CONTRIVED and well-told THE BESIEGED CITY and THE HEROES THE WANDERINGS OF MASTER PETER MASTER PETER came to Saardam in Holland in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and worked as a journeyman carpenter in a ship builder's yard. It was his chief desire to acquire a practical knowledge of the art of building ships; but, while living at Saardam, he also worked at forging iron, making ropes, sawing timber, drawing wire, THE principal figure in this pleasing and manufacturing paper. His name volume of Swedish History is that of was Peter Michaeloff, but he was the Christian hero, Gustavus Adol-known amongst his fellow-workmen, phus, and the events are those of the with whom he was a great favourite, Thirty Years' War. Due prominence as Peter Baas, or Master Peter. is given to the religious character of He made himself a wooden cabin this devout soldier, and of his ser- or workshop, which only strangers vices in the cause of religious freedom. Historical notices are introduced of the predecessors of King Gustavus Adolphus, including Eric and his brother John, whose atrocious conduct to each other can only be accounted for on the ground of insanity. Eric was guilty of the most astounding cruelties, but appears to have been recovered to a right state of mind were allowed to enter, and who, by the way, were observed to pay scrupulous deference to Peter. People came to him with messages evidently of importance, and the messengers had sometimes to mount the rigging of a man-of-war before they could deliver their papers to Peter, who might be found, on such occasions, sitting astride on the cross trees, working at his vocation, and children to their parents, and, generdressed in the garb of a pilot. Before ally, of the young to the aged. This all was done it turned out that the natural and scriptural duty is much mysterious Master Peter was issuing neglected in these days. Whoever orders to the army of the Ukraine, has had concern with the administrathen fighting against the Turks. tion of the Poor Law must have been Peter, in short, was none other than often grieved with instances where the Czar of Russia! At the time able-bodied and well-to-do children, referred to he accepted of an invita- without compunction leave their aged tion from King William to visit Eng- parents to the tender mercies of the land, and arrived from Holland, off Inspector of the Poor, and to close Greenwich, on the 10th of January, their pilgrimage in the Poor's House. 1698. His strange history and odd The sermon last preached in the series manners produced a powerful sensa- by the Wesleyan Pastor at Perth has, tion in London. The principal inci- at the request of the Directors, been dents of Peter's career are thrown into printed in a cheap form. The talented a very captivating form in this volume, preacher took for his text the reand a useful turn is given to the nar- spect paid by King Solomon to his rative, which is thusfitted to entertain aged mother. From this text he and instruct the youthful reader. It has drawn much original thought, is a rare book for the boys. This is and enforces the duties of children not the first time we have had occa- and the young to parents and the sion to admire the good taste of Mrs. aged in a very practical and imCampbell Overend's translations and pressive manner. The wide circulaadaptations of works of historical tion of so seasonable a pamphlet may interest for young readers. The be blessed to mitigate the extent of volume before us is also a favourable the undoubted grievance now existexample, in scope and tendency, of an extensive series which Messrs. Oliphant & Co. have issued for the benefit of the young. ALICE HERBERT and EMILY'S CHOICE. ing. SILVER SPRAY, and Other Sketches from Modern Church Life. London: Elliot Stock. 1872. CHAPEL Life amongst the Baptists would have been a more appropriate title for this book, except in so far THE books for young people furnished as it touches upon phases of religious by Messrs. Oliphant take a wide geo- profession which are common to all graphical range. The two tales in the Churches. The trials of ministhis little volume describe scenes in ters; the straitened circumstances of domestic life in British North Amer- many who are pastors to people of ica. They are fitted to impress moral wealth; the pernicious effects of the and religious principles on the youth- adulation paid to moneyed men in ful mind, and are tastefully written.congregations; the arrogant assump THE DUTY OF THE YOUNG TO THE tion of superiority by vulgar purseproud people; a worldly spirit eating into the Christian life of congregations; the weakness of the tie uniting pastor and people; the disinclination of fashionable congregations to engage personally in mission work amongst the poor; the widening gulf in conFOR many years it has been the prac-gregations between the rich and the tice of this Society to have preached poor; the want of genial Christian kinda sermon, specially, on the duty of ness and brotherly feeling amongst life. LABOURERS TOGETHER those worshipping together, and sit- The largest proportion of the wan ting together at the Lord's table,- derers brought to this shelter are the these and other topics are treated children of Roman Catholic parents. with a firm, impartial, but withal The physical, educational, and Chris friendly hand. Along with lively cha- tian training of these "city Arabs" racteristic sketches on the gloomier appears to be conducted with encour side of the picture, the true sources aging success. The little book con. of spiritual life and activity are tains several affecting descriptions of carefully pointed out and enforced. the forlorn condition of these hapless The book consists of thirteen sketches, children-orphans in the most mourn. exhibiting not only the results of in- ful sense-and of their recovery to timate observation and experience of the habits and hopes of a Christian congregational life, but discriminating perception of character. The colouring, so to speak, is laid in with skill; and the picture, as a whole, is vigorous, life-like, and entertaining. Although exposing the faults and foibles of ministers and congregations, the spirit of the book is such as becomes its Christian character and aim. Considering that the author possesses a copious vocabulary, and writes with fluency and vigour, it is to be regretted that he should condescend to such affected phrases as "the grand old ordinance of baptism," "grand old Gospel, grand old doctrine," "his grand old Baptist ancestors," &c., all after the manner of Tennyson's "grand old Gardener and his Wife." 29 66 WANDERERS BROUGHT HOME: The A PLEASING account, from the pen of WITH GOD: Words of Encouragement, Counsel, and Help for Sunday School Teachers. By the REV. GORDON CALTHROP, M. A. London: Elliot Stock. 1871. THE author's primary purpose is to encourage Sabbath school teachers; and none will read his earnest, glowing, and eloquent pages, without carrying away somewhat of his fer vour, and being cheered on in the arduous but noble work of instructing the young in religious truth. THE HIVE: a Storehouse of Material for Working Sunday School Teachers. Vol. IV. London: Elliot Stock. 1871. WE have had the satisfaction of repeatedly recommending this publica tion to the attention of teachers, and now content ourselves by expressing the pleasure we feel in seeing such a meritorious work pursuing its career of usefulness with undiminished success. NOTES ON THE UNION'S LESSON SCHEME FOR 1872. LESSON I.-JANUARY 7. MOSES' TRESPASS AND AARON'S DEATH.-Numbers xx. 1-29. I. The occasion of the trespass, 1-6.-The people had, at the close of their forty years' wandering, again reached Kadesh, on the border of the promised land. Miriam died there, and the mourning for her would detain the people. It was a dry, parched land, wherein there was no water. The people murmur, and gather themselves against Moses and Aaron. The murmuring is of the usual sort; they |