will anxiously lay hold of the hope set before them. (2) That God entreats men to come and be saved. (3) That self-sufficiency and self-righteousness will lead to our rejection, even as they occasioned the rejection of the Scribes and Pharisees. THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Read Luke xv. 1-10. Two sons. This close relationship accounts for the father's delight, described in ver. 20. The portion of goods that falleth to me. The inheritance that falleth to me by right. It was common among the Syrophonicians (if not among the Jews) for sons to receive property in their fathers' lifetime to trade with. He divided unto them his living. He divided the property which he could not legally withhold. Not many days after. He took time to consider; and then not hastily, as an angry man, but deliberately set out on his journey, having converted his valuables, as we may suppose, into money, or property which could easily be carried with him. Wasted his substance. He spent it in gratifying his evil appetites, and in the company of profligate persons. A grievous famine. A great scarcity of food. To feed swine. As a Jew he must have considered this employment of tending unclean animals most degrading. Even in Egypt the swineherds were excluded from the temples. Would fain, i. e. would gladly or willingly. With the husks. Not the pods of some other fruit, but the fruit itself of the "carobtree. It is curved in shape, something like a sickle; hence its name keration, a little horn. No man gave unto him. Whether this may mean, that owing to some reason he could not obtain the husks, or what is more likely, that no one gave him proper food or sufficient money to purchase it, it certainly completes the picture of his suffering. When he came to himself. When he began to relect and recover his better feelings. Yet a great way off. As if the father had never ceased to think of the wanderer, and hope for his return almost against hope. A ring on his hand. A mark of honour (Gen. xli. 42; James ii. 2); a proof that his father had forgiven him. Was dead, i. e. like one dead to his friends; or rather, perhaps, dead in trespasses and error (1 John iii. 14; Eph. ii. 1). [The remainder of the parable is simple enough, and the class should read it to the end. We may now endeavour to trace its design. It was occasioned by the murmuring of the Scribes and Pharisees, because Jesus received and ate with sinners. Two other parables-the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Piece of Money -arose out of the same circumstance; hence we may conclude, that, like these, it was intended to describe the repentance of the sinner, his return to his father, and his father's willingness to receive him once more into favour. In this sense, as has been observed, "the parable is for all times and ages of the world." (See Lonsdale's Exposition of the Parables, p. 103.) But the same author remarks, The parable seems to have reference to the case of the Jews and Gentiles. The Gentiles, after having been long far from God, returned at length to Him through the Gospel, and God willingly received back His outcast children. The Jews, like the elder brother in the parable, were indignant at the thought of the Gentiles being admitted to the same rights and blessings as themselves, and refused to come into that Church which was opened to the Gentiles also."] Application. Deduce by questions the following lessons (1) Men are prone to leave God. (2) While away from Him, they are blind by reason of sin. (3) Trouble and suffering often make them reflect. (4) The recollection of past innocence and happiness adds to their agony. (5) When by God's grace they return in repentance and prayer, their Heavenly Father is glad to receive them. [Dwell here on the danger of leaving God's laws, since we cannot be sure of having time for repentance.] NOTES ON SCRIPTURAL AND LITURGICAL WORDS, BY REV. J. EASTWOOD, M.A. "You will not find that this study of words will be a dull one when you undertake it yourselves. Only try your pupils; and mark the kindling of the eye, the lighting up of the countenance, with which the humblest lecture on words, especially words which are familiar to them in their play, or at their church, will be welcomed by them." Trench's Study of Words. ARTILLERY. This word occurs 1 Sam. xx. 40, where it evidently means "bow and arrows;" also 1 Macc. vi. 51, where the marginal reading is "mounds to shoot," Geneva Vers., "instruments to shoote." It was used long before the invention of gunpowder to denote missile weapons in general: thus, Pol. Verg. (Camden Soc. Transl.), p. 67, "Caractacus chosinge suche place for the plantinge his artillerie." The word is French; and seems connected with art. See also Notes and Queries, 2 S. ii. 414. ASP (Heb. pethen, Gk. aspis), a kind of small serpent, whose bite is said to be so very poisonous that it kills almost instantly, without a possibility of applying a remedy. Calmet says, "It is affirmed with great confidence, that this animal stops its ears to prevent its hearing the voice of any one who would charm it." In four out of the five passages where the word occurs in the Bible, poison is joined with it. In Ps. lviii. 5, xci. 13, pethem is translated adder; whilst, on the other hand, in Ps. cxl. 3, adder, which is there the translation of an entirely different word, is, when quoted by St. Paul (Rom. iii. 13), rendered asp. ASSAY (Fr. essayer) occurs several times in the sense of "try, attempt;" it is now almost confined to trying the purity of metals. 1 Sam. xvii. 39, "He assayed to go, for he had not proved them;" i.e." He tried whether he could go, for he had not, &c." Bacon (Ess. xv.) speaks of "disputing, excusing, or cavilling upon mandates, as being an assay (i. e. first attempt, by way of trial) of disobedience." Piers Plowman: "Good is that we assaye, Wher he be deed or noght deed." "I shal gon and asaye." Pol. Verg. p. 78: "Assayth expugnation of divers castells." ASSWAGE, used three times: Gen. viii. 1, as a verb neuter, "the waters asswaged," i. e. "subsided;" Job xvi. 5, 6, where the original word is one elsewhere translated "restrain, tie up, withhold;" and Ecclus. xviii. 16, where it means "cause to cease.' In Visitation of Sick, we have "asswage his pain." So Piers Plowman, Vis. 2715, 16: "May no sugre ne swete thyng Aswage my swellyng." ASTONIED, an old form of ASTONISHED, used seven or eight times in the older copies of our version as a translation of four different words, all expressing "struck dumb with amazement, thunderstruck.' Pol. Verg. p. 71, "The auncient fighting menn astonied at the first commotion of the Brit tains, &c." The word is connected with stun; Fr. étonner. AT ONE (Acts vii. 26). Nares gives this phrase as an adjective, meaning "united, agreed." "So been they both atone' (Spenser). The verb atone is said to mean reconcile, make one; so the Atonement would be the act of making us at one with God, reconciling Him to us and us to Him. Shakespeare uses atonement in this sense of reconciliation, "If we do now make our atonement well, Our peace will, like a broken limb united, Be stronger for the breaking." 2 Hen. IV. act iv. sc. 1. The Hebrew word for atonement is from the root caphar, "to cover" (i.e. expiate) transgression. AT THE LAST and (Prov. xxix. 21) at the LENGTH are antiquated usages for at last and at length. In this latter text the Heb. has simply," shall have him become his son after him." Piers Plowman, "I conjured hym at the laste" (Vis. 9614). Polyd. Verg., constantly." 66 ATTENDANCE, used 1 Tim. iv. 13 for " attention" (proseche, "give attention to"). In 1 Kings v. 10, 2 Chron. ix. 4, 1 Macc. xv. 32, "attendance of servants;" i.e. "retinue of servants, establishment, staff." In Heb. vii. 13, "attendance at the altar," i. e. "act of attending," which is the most usual meaning. ATTENT (2 Chron. vi. 40, vii. 15), from Lat. attentus. The Heb. word is in other places rendered by the more usual form, attentive. Intelligence. An interesting meeting, convened by the Ven. Archdeacon Wickham, and having for its object the mutual aid and encouragement of those engaged in the work of Sunday-school teaching, was held at Oswestry on the 1st of May. During the earlier part of the proceedings, a number of the clergy, including the Ven. the Archdeacon, addressed the assembled teachers-of whom about 120 were present from Oswestry and the adjoining parishes-upon several of the most important subjects connected with the work, such as the character of the Sunday-school teacher, the subject-matter to be taught, the preparation required, adult-classes, &c. After this, tea was provided; and interesting conversation, arising out of the subjects brought forward by the speakers, as well as on various other points of great importance, was maintained for some time, and all present were much pleased with the result of this the first experiment of the kind in the neighbourhood. Many must have been stirred up to renewed zeal in their work, and many must have carried away with them useful practical hints which will conduce to its greater success. It is hoped so valuable and pleasant a gathering will not be the last of the sort. The usefulness of such a plan has been proved in the south of England, where the results of these gatherings of Sunday-school teachers have been most gratifying; and the same results would doubtless follow the same efforts in other parts of England. Notices of Books, [The Church Sunday scholar's Prayer-Book, comprising a Liturgy, Daily Private Prayers, and other occasional Prayers, by the Rev. B. E. Dwarris; published by W. Kay, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 24 pages, price 2d.] The following "Prayer for a little Child" is an extract; but the book contains prayers for scholars of an advanced age, as well as a School-Liturgy, mainly in the form of versicles and responses, with short prayers: "God sees me in the dark, and God hears me when I pray. Hear my prayer, great God, and bless me; and bless my father and my mother, and bless my brothers and my sisters. Forgive me, O Lord, every thing Thou art angry with me for, and go not far from me in the night. May Jesus Christ fold me in His arms when I am asleep, and take me up into heaven when I die. Amen." Notices to Correspondents. "A Sunday-school Teacher" is thanked for his communication, which we hope to insert in a future Number. "L. M. R." is thanked, but his "Notes" have come to hand too late for Ascension Day. THE Meetings of this Society have been attended during the last month by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Romney, the Bishops of Winchester, Oxford, Worcester, Salisbury, St. Asaph, and Llandaff; Lords Lyttelton and Redesdale; Rev. Lord John Thynne, Rev. Sir H. Thompson, Bart.; Sir Thomas Phillips, Ven. Archdeacon Sinclair, C. W. Puller, Esq., M.P.; Rev. Canon Jennings, and R. Twining, Esq. Special Notices. UNPAID SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscribers who have not yet remitted the usual subscription of 2s. 6d., when paid in advance, are invited to do so without further delay. The Editor will thereby be saved an application by post, and the necessity of charging the Paper at the full rate of 3s. a-year, or 3d. a Number, including postage. ADVERTISEMENTS. Advertisers are particularly requested to observe, that the latest day for receiving Advertisements is altered from the 26th to the 25th of the month. Building Grants. The following Grants have been voted by the National Society in aid of building schools: The Treasurer has been authorised to pay the Grants voted to the Schools in the following places, now reported as completed: The Anniversary Meetings. ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual Meeting of the members of the National Society was held on the 18th June, in the Central Schoolroom, Sanctuary, Westminster. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury presided. There were also present, the Bishops of Bangor, St. Asaph, Salisbury, and Sodor and Man; Lord Bayning, Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart.; Sir G. Baker, Bart.; Rev. Sir Charles Farnaby, Bart.; Right Hon. W. Henley, M.P.; Hon. W. Cowper, M.P.; W. J. Garnett, Esq., M.P.; Hon. and Rev. W. Scott; Venerable Archdeacons Sinclair and Thorp; F. H. Dickinson, Esq.; R. Dimsdale, Esq.; R. Twining, Esq.; Rev. Canons Jennings, Coleridge, Burgess, Jacob, Smart, Rev. Charlton Lane, &c. His Grace opened the meeting with prayer, and after a few remarks, proceeded to the election of auditors. R. W. L. Lutwidge, Esq., and C. J. Sharpe, Esq., were re-elected. The Report having been read by the Secretary, the Rev. John G. Lonsdale, his Grace the President announced the result of the ballot for members to serve on the Committee. T. D. Acland, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Wordsworth; Sir Thomas Phillips; and Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart., were the successful candidates. The Hon. W. Cowper, Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, moved, That the thanks of this meeting be given to his Grace the President and the Committee of this Society for the Report presented by them; and that this meeting desires to express its earnest hope that exertions will be made by the friends of the Society to meet the deficiency in its funds occasioned by the withdrawal of the Queen's Letter. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Cowper observed, that The Society not only greatly aided by its practical operations in the education of the working-classes, but stood as a witness to the principle which he was happy to think was now generally acknowledged, that the education of the poorer classes was a matter which it was the duty of the owners of the property on which they resided to provide for. It was acknowledged that one means for improving the condition of the poor of this land was by providing schools for their children. The records of the Privy-Council Office showed a degree of patient, self-denying, energetic zeal on the part of the clergy in this matter which was worthy of all admiration. It was not an unusual thing for a clergyman to make himself responsible for ten times the amount of his annual income in order to carry out the work in which he was engaged. Blame had been attached to the system of training which young women in village-schools received from the Society. It was said that it had a tendency to excite their imaginations, and to induce them to aspire to a position above their own sphere. There might be some truth in this, but he did not think the schools were blamable. It was rather an instance of the general improvement of society, where every one was seeking to attain a higher position than they were originally placed in. This feeling of ambition was the natural result of the cultivation of the mind. The resolution referred to a deficiency of the funds in consequence of the withdrawal of the Queen's Letter. The Government having in other cases recognised the voluntary principle, did not think it was in conformity with that principle that her Majesty's name should be used in the way it had hitherto been in connection with the Royal Letters; they therefore thought it was the duty of the friends of the Society to raise funds by other means. F. H. Dickenson, Esq., seconded the resolution. He approved of the withdrawal of the Queen's Letter, and would trust to the voluntary principle to make up the deficiency in the Society's funds. of The Bishop of St. Asaph proposed, and the Venerable Bishop of Bangor seconded, a vote of thanks to his Grace the Archbishop for presiding. In returning thanks, his Grace alluded to the present position of the Society in consequence the withdrawal of the Queen's Letters; and expressed a wish and hope that the clergy would call the attention of their congregations to the debt of gratitude most parishes owed to the Society for the grants which had been made by it towards building their school-premises. Wherever a grant had been made, his Grace considered that the clergy had the strongest reason for making an annual collection on behalf of the Society. The meeting was then closed with the usual benediction. ANNUAL MEETING OF SECRETARIES, ETC. OF DIOCESAN AND LOCAL BOARDS. The Annual Meeting was held at the National Society's Office, on Wednesday, June 17th. The chair was taken by the Lord Bishop of Oxford at 12 o'clock. There were also present, the Bishops of St. Asaph and Salisbury; Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart.; the Rev John G. Lonsdale, Rev. A. Wilson, Rev. S. Clark, Rev. R. Chaffers, F. S. Warren, Esq., and the following from the dio ceses of CANTERBURY: Rev. M. Onslow, Rev. LONDON: Rev. John D. Glennie. ELY: Rev. J. G. Howes, Rev. H. B. EXETER: Rev. W. Heberden, Rev. G. Hill, Rev. G. W. Procter, Rev. A. Tatham, and Rev J. K. Cornish, GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL: the Archdeacon of Bristol. LICHFIELD: Rev. Robert Hey. LINCOLN: Rev. H. H. Brown. MANCHESTER: Rev. P. Marshall. NORWICH: Rev. W. A. Ormsby and Rev. A. M. Hopper. OXFORD: Rev. Henry J. Ellison, Rev. F. K. Leighton, and Rev. W. H. Scott. PETERBOROUGH: Rev. Lord Alwyne Compton and Rev. Henry J. Barton. ROCHESTER: Rev. John Bramston, Rev. W. B. Ady, Rev. Arthur Pearson, Rev. J. Blomfield, Rev. Charles Burney, Rev. E. K. Burney, Rev. W. B. Dalton, and Rev. Lewis Deedes. SALISBURY: Rev. Prebendary Smart, Rev. M. W. Mayow, Rev. J. Watts, and Rev. Samuel Lane. WORCESTER: Rev. George Peake and T. H. Galton, Esq. · The meeting having been opened by prayer, the minutes of the last meeting were read. The Secretary reported that the Committee of the Society had taken into special consideration the resolutions passed at the meeting of last year, and had agreed to communicate with the Committee of Council on the subject of those several resolutions. That in December of last year, a deputation appointed by the Committee, and consisting of the Lord Bishop of Oxford, Sir Thomas Phillips, and Archdeacon Sinclair, had waited upon the Lord President of the Council, in order to urge upon him the points in which an alteration in the existing Minutes of the Privy Council was considered desirable; and had afterwards placed in his hands memoranda of the arguments used by them. The Secretary further stated, that these memoranda, and the answer received within the last few days, had been printed, and would appear as an appendix to the Annual Report of the Society. Printed copies of these documents were distributed in the room. They will be found appended to this account of proceedings. The meeting then proceeded to consider the subjects proposed for discussion. Nos. 1 and 2 were taken together. They were as follows: 1. Is it desirable that the principle involved in the Factory-School Act should be brought to bear by legal enactment upon the case of children of all classes of the community; and if so, in what form? 2. Would it be desirable for the Legislature to discourage the total withdrawal from education of children of tender years by an assessed tax levied on their employer, on a sliding-scale graduated inversely according to their age, and voidable in certain cases by certificates of partial attendance at school? After a long discussion, it was agreed almost unanimously, that no legislative enactment on the subject of the two foregoing resolutions is, in the opinion of this meeting, desirable. 3. The regular establishment of evening-schools, aided by parliamentary grants, as the obvious remedy for the evils threatened by the present premature employment of boys, especially in the rural districts— was considered at some length; but no resolution thereon was passed. 4. The expediency and best mode of carrying into effect a system of diocesan examinations, with prizes, for children above thirteen years of age. The prizes to consist of apprenticeship-fees, places of domestic and other services, and pupil-teacherships. It was agreed to defer the consideration of this subject until the next year's meeting, and that the members present be requested to procure information upon it in the interim. |