John Skinner, and M'Hardy. The speakers generally acquiesced in the suggestions of Mr. Doak. Rev. John Duncan also addressed the meeting as to the work of the Sabbath school teacher.

Fragments.

66

A HOLY LIFE. A holy life is swered, "Yes, if you are a good boy?" made up of a number of small things. He climbed into the trap; and when Little words, not eloquent speeches I asked, "Are you a good boy?" he or sermons; little deeds, not miracles looked up pleasantly, and said, "Yes, or battles, nor one great heroic act sir." "Can you prove it?"-"Yes, of mighty martyrdom, make up the sir." By whom?"-"Why, by true Christian life. The little con- mother," said he promptly. I stant sunbeam, not the lightning; thought to myself, "Here is a lesson the waters of Siloam "that go softly" for boys and girls." When children in the meek mission of refreshment, feel and know that mother not only not the "waters of the river, great loves them, but has confidence in and many," rushing down in noisy them, and can prove their obedience, torrents, are the true symbols of a truthfulness and honesty by her, they holy life. The avoidance of little are pretty safe. That boy will be a evils, little sins, little inconsistencies, joy to his mother while she lives. little weaknesses, little follies, indis- She can trust him out of her sight, cretions and imprudences, little feeling he will not run into evil. Í foibles, little indulgences of the flesh; do not think he will go to the saloon, the avoidance of such little things the theatre, or the gambling-house. as these go far to make up, at least, Children who have praying mothers, the negative beauty of a holy life. and mothers who have children whom they can trust, are blessed indeed. Boys and girls, can you "prove by mother" that you are good?— S. S. Times.

"PROVE IT BY MOTHER.". -While driving along one day in my trap, a little boy six or seven years old asked me, "Please, may I ride?" Ian

Intelligence.

GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. | secretaries of the various societies, -The monthly meeting of directors and to the clergymen of the city and was held in the Christian Institute suburbs. It was also agreed that on Monday, 9th June-Jas. Howatt, any teacher or Sabbath school friend Esq., one of the vice-presidents, in would be supplied with a copy upon the chair. There were 36 directors making application for it at the present. Reports were read from Union Rooms, or by sending a postal the North-Eastern, North-Western, wrapper for its transmission. A subWestern, Govan, and Pollokshaws committee had been appointed to Unions. The Publications Committee make up a list of psalms and parareported that they had agreed to phrases suitable for use in the service print 2000 copies of the Forty-Seventh of praise in the Sabbath school. Annual Report of the Union, and was reported that the Seventeenth that copies would be distributed, Scottish National Sabbath School as formerly, to the subscribers and Convention would be held at Kirkdirectors, to the superintendents and caldy on 9th, 10th, and 11th October

It

May, and was largely attended, 36 directors being present. Mr. A. A. Haddin, president, occupied the chair. The principal business was the re-adjusting the various committees and appointing delegates to the General Union. The Committee on Music reported that the City Hall had been secured for the Musical Festival on Friday, 19th December, and they hoped to submit the completed programme to next meeting of directors.

next. The subjects of papers and enjoyable meeting was closed with conferences would be subsequently praise and prayer. The first busiannounced. The committees on Sab-ness meeting for session 1884-85 was bath Observance, Music, and Senior held in same place on Monday, 19th Scholars, and the Executive Committee, reported progress. NORTH-EASTERN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The Annual Meeting of this Union was held in the Hall of Sydney Place U. P. Church on Monday, 28th April, and was largely attended. Mr. John Stuart, the retiring president, occupied the chair. After tea and devotional exercises the secretary's and treasurer's reports (both of which indicated substantial and satisfactory progress) were read, and their adoption moved and seconded in stirring addresses by Rev. John Murray, of Calton Parish Church, and John Ingram, Esq. Mr. Alexander Black moved, and Mr. D. Riddell seconded, the election of 17 honorary directors, and the following office-bearers for 1884-85:-President, Mr. Andrew Aitken Haddin, C. E.; vice-president, Mr. Samuel Patmore; treasurer, Mr. James Smith; secretaries, Mr. Chas. Rigg and Mr. William R. Pearson. The Rev. Wm. S. Goodall, of Greyfriars U. P. Church, delivered a thoughtful address to teachers; while Mr. Patmore, as convener of the Committee on Music, bespoke the hearty and enthusiastic co-operation of all present in promoting the Musical Festival, which had been fixed for the Friday before Christmas, when Ward's cantata, "The Nativity," and a miscellaneous programme, would be rendered in fourpart harmony by scholars and teachers. The enjoyment of the meeting was enhanced by the excellent singing of a choir of 50 Sabbath scholars from Barony Sabbath school, under the leadership of Mr. Bird. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Stuart for his valued services as chairman of the meeting and as president of the Union for two years; and a similar compliment having been paid the speakers and singers, a most

NORTH-WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on 13th May-Mr. James D. Kidd, president, in the chair. It was reported that the annual meeting had been held on 27th March, and that the meeting had been very successful. The course of Saturday Evening Joint Model Class Meetings, held in the Hall of Woodlands Road U. P. Church, had been very successful. It was intimated that Westbourne Free Church Mission Sabbath School Society had agreed to join the Union. It was reported that 18 schools, representing 14 societies, had taken part in the Scholars' Examination. Of 909 scholars who promised to compete, only 562 had come forward to write papers. Of these 451 passed with at least 50 per cent. of marks, which shewed an improvement when compared with previous years' figures. A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Thomas Gray, who had drawn up the questions, and was still examining them and arranging them according to merit. Attention was drawn to the large number of junior scholars who had not written the Lord's Prayer correctly, whole petitions, in some cases, having been left out. Committees for the ensuing year were also elected.

WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on

Monday, 26th May-22 directors | convener; Music, Mr. W. H. Murray, present Mr. Joseph C. Robertson, convener; Districts, Mr. R. D. Macpresident, in the chair. It was re- Ewan, convener; Training Classes, ported that the thirty-eighth annual Mr. Hugh Reid, convener; Annual meeting had been held in the Hall of Sermon, Mr. Thomas N. Hill, conTrinity Congregational Church on vener. 14th April, and was well attended. POLLOKSHAWS AND THORNLIEBANK After tea, addresses were delivered SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The busiby the retiring president (Mr. Sloan), ness meeting of this Union was held Rev. Dr. Pulsford, Rev. Mr. Fergus, on Friday evening, 16th May. The Mr. William Maclean, jun., and Mr. president, Mr. Hall, occupied the James Milligan, M.A. Office-bearers chair. It was reported that the profor the ensuing year were elected as posal to have a repetition of the follows:-president, Mr. Joseph C. Musical Festival was reluctantly Robertson; vice-president, Mr. Wm. abandoned. A Music Committee James Mitchell; treasurer, Mr. Jas. was appointed for the current year. Connell ; secretaries, Messrs. Thomas It was proposed that the quarterly M'Kim and Thomas N. Hill; direc- meeting of the Union should take tors-Messrs. Alexander Sloan, Wm. the form of a conference; and several Kirkland, T. S. Paterson, Robert suitable subjects for discussion were Graham, Thomas Spears, John Mac- suggested. It was also agreed that Intyre, James Hunter, James Mac- it take the form of a Model Class. Omish, R. D. M'Ewan, and Andrew It was suggested that we should M'Innes. It was also reported that follow the example of some of the the musical demonstration in connec- other District Unions, and have at tion with the Choir Competition one of our winter meetings an exScheme had taken place in the hibition of books suitable for Sabbath Queen's Rooms on 21st April-Mr. school teachers. The quarterly meetRobertson presiding and although ing was held in the Free West the schools in the district had not Church on the evening of Friday, taken part in it to the extent antici- 30th May-Mr. Maxton, president. pated, the concert had been fairly There was a comparatively_good successful. Mr. W. H. Murray attendance of teachers. Mr. R. B. acted as conductor. The examiner's Smith, of Pollokshields, after a few award in the competition was read, preliminary remarks on what should the first place being gained by the be the aim of a teacher, conducted a choir of Kent Road U. P. Church Model Class before the Union with Sabbath School (Mr. W. B. Clunie, much acceptance, and subsequently conductor), and the second place by gave some practical hints on the art the choir of St. Vincent Established of teaching, which were much appreChurch Sabbath School (Mr. John ciated by the teachers present. W. Bennett, conductor). The com- GOVAN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL mittee on Training Classes reported UNION.-The bi-monthly business that the joint Model Lesson Class had meeting of this Union was held on now closed. The course, which had ex- Monday, 26th May, when Mr. D. tended from 12th January to the end Fullarton occupied the chair; and of April, had been most successful, there were present 14 directors and and largely taken advantage of by representatives. A report was given the teachers. The thanks of the of the Union's quarterly prayer meetUnion were awarded to the ladies ing, held in Plantation U. P. Church and gentlemen who conducted the Hall on Sabbath, 11th May. class. Committees for the ensuing attendance of teachers had been year were appointed as follows::- about 55. A report was also given Visiting, Mr. J. Gardner Maclean, of a visit paid to Baptist Church Sab

The

bath School Society. Arrangements were made for the prayer meeting to be held in the beginning of August. The secretary was instructed to record in the minutes, and also to transmit to Mr. Matthew Paterson, late president, and to Mr. Samuel M'Ilwain, late secretary, the cordial

thanks of the Union for the services rendered by them to the cause of Sabbath schools in the district. Mr. Wightman gave notice that, at next meeting, he would bring up the question of the advisability of arranging for a musical demonstration.

Notes on the Union's Lesson Scheme for 1884.

[These Notes are intended to aid Teachers in their studies at home, and not to be used in the school while teaching.]

Lesson 80.-July 13.

THE PARABLE of the Sower.-Matthew xiii. 1-9; 18-23.

Ver. 1, 2.-The fame of Christ, on account of His wonderful cures, had drawn a great multitude to Him (as Luke viii. 4 tells us) out of every city, and they crowded around Him as He sat by the side of the Sea of Galilee-that sea beside which so many of His wondrous works were performed.

He therefore went into a ship, probably one of the fishing-boats which were on the lake, and, pushing off a short distance from the shore, He had, as it were, the ship for a pulpit, while His audience were before Him, and could easily hear what He said.

Ver. 3-9.-Sitting with His face to the shore, with the hills in all their beauty rising before Him, He saw, probably, a sower going forth to sow, and He at once gave utterance to the parable of our lesson. Pointing to the sower, and thereby attracting the attention of the multitude, He exclaimed-"Behold, a sower went forth to sow." While he sowed, some fell by the way-side, on the beaten path adjoining or going through the field, where those that passed along trod it down, or the fowls of the air, eagerly watching for food, picked it up and devoured it. Some fell upon stony places, where there was only a slight coating of earth; and under the heat of an Eastern sun, and having no root, it soon was scorched. Some fell in the place where the roots of the thorns had not been properly cleared away, and these springing up, prevented growth, and choked it; while other fell on good ground, and brought forth plentifully. What illustrations could easier reach the hearts of the audience, or what similies could be more plain to them? Travellers state that they have seen the same sight as is pictured, and had the parable brought home with power to their hearts.

Ver. 18-22.-In these verses Christ explains the parable, for even His disciples (see ver. 8, 9) could not understand it, and asked for an explanation. We should ask the scholars to act thus, by striving to understand what they hear, and by asking for any explanations.

1. Those by the Way-side.-Way-side hearers who hear the Word—that is, the seed preached or read-but whose hearts are hardened, or not prepared to receive it, and who only hear without attention, and so no impression is made. They think more of the world and the things thereof; and while in God's house or in the Sabbath school, their thoughts are far upon the mountains of vanity. Satan, who goes about as a roaring lion, has full possession of them, and so the seed takes no root at all.

2. Stony Places.-Those who receive the Word with joy, but for want of root fall away in hour of temptation. At first sight they appear more hopeful than the previous class. They hear the Word, think of it, but their hearts are not

touched; and whenever trouble or difficulty appear, they straightway forget what they have heard, and fall away into their old sinful ways.

3. Thorns.-Their hearts are not so hard as any of the preceding. The Word sinks into them, and produces fruit, but not good fruit,-and why? The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life are too strong for them. They go to church, listen attentively, acknowledge they are sinners; but they cannot give up the world, and so they wither away.

4 Good Ground.-Hearers in deed and truth, who love and believe in Christ, pray to Him, and who are wise unto salvation, and at last will receive the end of their faith, and an inheritance among those who are sanctified, heirs of God, and joint-heirs of Jesus Christ.

5. The Seed is God's Word. The field is the world. The fruit, the results. To which part do we belong, or are our hearts like? Oh! that we and our scholars may choose that good part, and so bring forth fruit abundantly to God's honour and glory. May God, in His mercy, grant that the love of sin may not prevail in any of them, and so cause that unfruitfulness which is, has been, and will be the ruin of so many!

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 83.-James i. 22.

Subject to be Proved-We must not be Careless Hearers.

Golden Text-"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."-James i. 22.

NOTES.-Illustrate the difference between hearing and doing. A boy is told by his mother to do a certain thing,-he does it. This is hearing and doing. He does it not. This is hearing, but not doing. Apply this to God's Word. He says, Thou shalt not take My name in vain. Whoever reads that hears it. Whoever takes God's name in vain hears, but does not do. He who reverences God's name hears and does. Many practical illustrations can be given of the great truths that we must hear and also do. Hearing is very good, but without doing it is useless. We only deceive ourselves when we think that we can please God by hearing alone. Compare vii. 21, and particularly 24-27.

Lesson 81.-July 20.

THE PARABLE OF THE TARES.-Matthew xiii. 24-30; 36-43.

The Tares.-The chief aim of this parable appears to be to set forth the danger to which the progress of Christ's truth and cause is exposed from the opposition of the great enemy of God and man.

Ver. 24-30.-The story is extremely simple, and may be brought within the compass of almost any understanding, and made interesting to it. It is the case of a man who had sowed good seed in his field. In the parable of the Sower the lesson turned upon the different kinds of soil, and the quality of the cultivation. Here it is supposed that there was the good soil, and that it had been well cultivated. The man sowed good seed, looking forward to the harvest, hoping for the work of his hand to experience joy, "according to the joy of harvest.' “His enemy," however, takes his action to frustrate the man's hopes; and if he could not secure that, it would be "a heap in the day of desperate sorrow;" he, at all events, does what he can to injure and blight. Speak of the enemy's malice and craft, and of its opportunity," while men slept," that is, when they were not thinking of such a thing.

The surprise (ver. 27) and proposal (ver. 28) of the servants give minuteness and colour, and add a human interest to the story, which the teacher should not overlook, nor pass by. By these and the other details, if vividly brought out, the teacher may hope to stir the fancy and fill the imagination of his scholars, and so fix the basis of instruction.