"ENERGY" of the smart quick-witted order is the virtue of our American cousins; and "energy" of a clumsier, but practically effective order, is a characteristic English virtue. It has been well illustrated this week in our public life. The Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Manchester Ship Canal Bill one morning announced their decision in favour of the Bill, on condition that five millions of the necessary capital were subscribed before operations commenced. The telegraph was at once set to work, and before night fell the whole five millions were obtained. Were we disposed to moralize on such a display of energy, we should suggest how easy sacrifice for worldly ends is, and how hard for divine ends! For a ship canal five millions in a day; for the salvation of the world, and realizing the fruitage of the "travail of the Redeemer's soul," money that counts no higher than thousands. When shall we have energy" put into Christ's work at home and abroad? And what could English and American "energy" do for the world if it could devote itself to the winning of humanity for Christ? As society after society, during this month of May, has been telling of deficiency, and eloquence, like that of Price Hughes, has been devoted to arousing the Christian people to deal nobly with adverse balances, we have thought that our mission work evidently needs, what it has never yet worthily had, that "energy" which grips difficulties hard, and makes possible enterprises that may be called heroic, and sacrificing devotments of wealth that, by contrast with the past, may seem sublime. Our great missionary societies ought to deal with millions, not these poor limited and inefficient thousands only.S. S. Chronicle.

66

Notice of Book.

OLD CALABAR; OR, MISSION WORK | in after life a useful career. In the ON THE WEST COAST: A Brief and upbuilding of his character due proHomely Memoir of Rev. Thomas minence is given to the Christian exWells Campbell. By Robert ample of his parents, and their faithStewart, S.S.C. Paisley: J. & R. ful training of him from infancy in Parlane. [129 pp., cloth, 2s.] habits of implicit obedience. But IN this small volume we have a mention is also made of his attendance sketch of the short life of a young at the Saturday Night Mutual Im ardent missionary of the Cross, and provement Society, so long carried also a description of the Old Calabar on by the now deceased Mr. James mission field, so long perseveringly White, optician, and to his attendoccupied by the United Presbyterian ance at the Sabbath class presided Church of Scotland. Born in humble over by Mr. John Burns, of Erskine circumstances in the Gallowgate of Church. Early in life he his Glasgow, Mr. Campbell became a burning and a shining light. His childhood and boyhood were uneventful; but at an early age he evinced an energetic spirit, and a thirst for knowledge which betokened

gave heart to the Saviour; and, when only seventeen years of age, he decided to give himself wholly to the work of the Church, choosing ex pressly a portion of the foreign mission field which he knew to be

always dangerous to Europeans on votion to the work, and his success their first landing. When his father in the prosecution of it, were alike asked him why he did not choose remarkable. But we must not further some other mission field, his reply anticipate Mr. Stewart's interesting was, "The Mission Board have no narrative. It is written in a spirit difficulty in obtaining agents to go and style which will ensure for it a where there is safety and comfort; wide circle of readers. To the young but I am going to the front." His especially we would cordially recomaptitude as a linguist and his de- mend it."

Fragments.

and are dependent on nobody. It is like them, of course, to avoid intruding themselves on other people, and they wish other people to be equally considerate with them. To look out at the world and see how it goes along, without, at the same time, actually becoming part of it, suits their tastes; and consulting their tastes rather than their judgments and consciences, they give themselves up to their guidance. It all does very well, perhaps, while things run along smoothly for them; but this will not always do. The jolts come and then the actual stoppages, when somebody is needed to give sympathy and help. But if there have been no friends before there may be none now. The wise way is to make them and fasten them to ourselves by the living ties of Christian kindness, and then in the days of roughness, with the wheels all heated and complaining, we will have those who will gather about us with practical goodwill.- United Presbyterian.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.-It is easier to do Christ's work, and to do it well, if one allies himself with Christ's followers. Not one Christian in twenty can maintain the desired standard of personal piety and spiritual efficiency outside of the Church. If he could, it would not justify his remaining without. Every such Christian may do much good, but he also is certain to do grave harm. Inevitably his example is quoted-and misrepresented — by others, and often is even made an excuse for not beginning the Christian life at all. Guerilla warfare is neither very respectable nor very effectual, and the unattached Christian, so to speak, is neither as safe nor as consistent in his independence as he needs to be, nor does his work for God prove as fruitful. He always is at a disadvantage, because he refuses to put himself into harmony with the nature of things and the plan of Christ, which bids him become an earnest and active Church member as well as a Christian.- POWER OF THE DIVINE WORD.Congregationalist. An interesting Christian experience FRIENDSHIP.-There are many is related by Dr. Gordon of Japan. people who do not enough cultivate A man, seventy-three years old, friends and their friendships. Pos- living fifteen miles from Kioto, who sibly they are not selfish, that word had been for years studying the being used in its bad sense, but they Bible alone, and had apparently are careless about human society, and prefer to be without the encumbrance of public notice and duty. They have their duties and means of living,

entered the kingdom in consequence of the private study of the Word, came to Kioto to see a native pastor. Hearing that there were to be bap

tisms on the following Sunday, he meditation, some of which are said earnestly besought baptism for him- to shew a very deep spiritual inself. A committee was appointed to sight, and that he had made himself examine him, when it was found known as a believer in his village, that he had written three small and had instituted prayer and Scripvolumes of Chinese poetry on Chris- ture reading in his family.—The tianity-a result of his study and Presbyterian.

Intelligence.

The ar

course. The succeeding lessons would
be given chiefly by ladies connected
with the Board schools.
rangements for a series of monthly
conferences on subjects of special
interest to teachers were reported.
The new effort of the Union to
arrange Musical Training Classes for
teachers and leaders of praise having
proved very successful last session,
under the leadership of Mr. D. S.
Allan, it was resolved to arrange
another course, to commence on 1st
September.

GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. | which has now been dropped, is -The monthly meeting of the Union again introduced. The Teachers' was held in the Christian Institute, Weekly Training Class would be on Monday, 11th August,-James resumed in the Christian Institute, Howatt, Esq., one of the vice-presi- on Saturday, 13th September; and dents, occupied the chair. Reports Mr. R. B. Smith, of Pollokshields were read from the South-Eastern, Public School, had agreed to open the Southern, and Middle District Unions. It was stated that arrangements were being made for the Union's autumn public meeting of teachers, to be held in the City Hall early in October. It was reported that the next teachers' examinations would be held in March, 1885. The subjects for examination would be as in previous years--(1) Scripture history and doctrine; (2) Evidences of Christianity; (3) Principles and Methods of teaching, with special reference to Sabbath school instruction. The convener, Mr. Thomas Gray, intimated his willingSOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL ness to attend any of the meetings of UNION.-This Union met on 24th June the District Unions to give informa--Mr. P. B. Bryce, president, in the tion to the teachers regarding the chair-26 directors present. In regard scheme. The president, Sir William to the Sabbath traffic carried on by the Collins, had again offered prizes of Tramway Company, it was remitted books to those obtaining the highest to a committee to prepare and issue places in the three branches of exam- a circular to superintendents, to be ination. The Sabbath Observance read in the schools, urging the duty Committee had been communicating upon all of not countenancing the with the Lord Advocate regarding the traffic in any way whatever. proposal in Committee of the House of Training Class for teachers would be Commons to delete the penalty clause resumed in September; and arrangefor Sabbath trading from the Police ments were being made to have Bill for Scotland. As this change special sermons in the district to would entirely destroy the beneficial teachers and parents in course of effects of this part of the bill, it is next winter. hoped that the friends of the Sabbath will use their influence to have this clause re-inserted when the bill,

The

SOUTHERN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. This Union met on Monday, 7th July-22 representatives were pre

A

"There are

sent, and Mr. J. Shannon presided. | labouring in sixteen provinces, numThe subject of Sabbath Morning bering 294 millions of souls. Schools was introduced by Mr. J. native pastor, writing to a missionary Wallace, who advocated their for- in this country, says: mation as both practicable and neces- eighteen provinces in China, and sary. He had tried the plan, and more than 1,000 hien cities, and had found it to work very well-the many millions of people who have teachers, in some cases, coming out not yet heard the Gospel, who are yet to both morning and afternoon in darkness; would that you foreign schools. The subject was well dis- brethren would have great mercy cussed by most of the teachers pre- and would send many ministers to sent; the general opinion being, that China to proclaim the truth. You a change in the hours of public wor- have begotten us into the Gospel, and ship was necessary before morning are our fathers in the faith. We schools could become general. It Chinese ought to spread the Gospel was suggested that a general morn- ourselves, but although there are ing school for the district might be many Chinese doing so, our tried as an experiment; and the re- strength is not sufficient.”—China's presentatives were asked to bring Millions. the matter before their several Societies, and to report at a future meeting.

GOVAN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The bi-monthly business meeting of this Union was held on Monday, 11th August,-Mr. D. Fullarton occupying the chair, and 16 directors and representatives present. A report was given of the quarterly prayer meeting held on the preceding Sabbath in the hall of Free St. Mary's Church, which had been of a profitable character and exceedingly well attended. A satisfactory report was given of a visit paid to Free St. Mary's Church Sabbath School Society. It was suggested that a Sabbath School Choir competition might be arranged for, but the matter was left over till next meeting. It was agreed that a Model Lesson Class should be conducted some time during the course of the winter, and a committee was appointed to care for this, arranging that part of the meetings should be held in Plantation and part in Govan. A social meeting of superintendents and representatives was arranged to take place in October.

THE CHINA INLAND MISSION.The China Inland Mission has sixtynine missionaries and over one hundred native pastors and evangelists,

THE LOVEDALE INSTITUTION.-The

Lovedale Institution in South Africa is engaged in a very important work. It was founded more than thirty years ago by Rev. Wm. Govan. It is non-sectarian and undenominational, though it belongs to, and is supported financially and exclusively by the Free Church of Scotland. All colours are to be found in the institution, representing nearly all the tribes of South Africa. Christian instruction in the great doctrines of the Bible, and in the practical duties of religion, form the first public work of the day in all the classes. This regular instruction in scriptural truth is separate from the ordinary morning and evening worship in the dining halls. It is also separate from various other religious meetings and services, some of which are held by the natives themselves. Prominent among these is the Wednesday meeting, held at noon in the church. At that hour all work in the place ceases. The blacksmith drops his hammer, the carpenter his saw, and the printer his types; the class books are laid aside, and all adjourn to a meeting which lasts one hour, in which Europeans and natives take part, and which is recognised by all as one of the pleasantest in the place.

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 89.-September 14.

MOSES IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN.-Exodus ii. 11-25.

From the death of Jacob to the birth of Moses there was a period of about a hundred and twenty years, during which the Children of Israel in Egypt multiplied to such a degree as to rouse the jealousy of the Egyptians, who endeavoured to repress their increase by imposing upon them oppressive labour, (Exod. i. 10-12;) failing which they had recourse to the cruel and barbarous expedient of killing and drowning their infant sons. The people, nevertheless, under the favour of the God of their fathers, continued to multiply, and "waxed very mighty."

It was in this crisis that Moses was born, the future Lawgiver, Prophet, and Deliverer of Israel, and a type or emblem of Christ. The remarkable manner in which the infant Moses was preserved from the bloodthirsty law of the king, is in accordance with the great events of his life. He was by birth a Levite. His sister Miriam and his brother Aaron were born before the murderous edict had gone forth against the Israelites, and had grown up unmolested. Apart from that helplessness of infancy which appeals to all hearts, there must have been something peculiarly beautiful and interesting in the aspect of the infant Moses. He was a goodly child" in the eyes of his mother, (v. 2;) his parents "saw he was a proper child," (Heb. xi. 23 ;) he was "exceeding fair," marg. "fair to God," (Acts vii. 20.) This would intensify the yearnings of natural affection to preserve the child's life; but from Heb. xi. 23 it appears that his parents were also actuated "by faith" in the means they adopted for his protection; and "faith" in God being wrought in their mind by the Divine Spirit, they fearlessly risked their own lives in saving the life of their infant,— "they were not afraid of the king's commandment." Moses was, in his rescue, a type of Christ, (see Matt. ii. 13.)

The incidents here narrated are amongst the most picturesque and touching in the Holy Scriptures. "No romance," remarks Chalmers, could have been more skilfully framed for the purpose of setting all the affections in play than this simple and beautiful story, the placing of the babe by the river sidethe watching of him by his sister-the approach of Pharaoh's daughter to the spot-the crying of the child, and its influence on the sensibilities of a woman's heart-the offer of the sister to call a nurse, and thus the restoration of the babe to its own mother again."

Passing from ver. 10 to 11, we make the transition from the childhood of Moses to his manhood. His education is referred to in Acts vii. 22,-he "was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds." But a higher wisdom was preparing him for his life-work as the deliverer and lawgiver of Israel. See the resolution to which he was brought "by faith' in Heb. xi. 24-26, to relinquish his social distinction and privileges at the court of Pharaoh, and cast in his lot with the people of God.

Ver. 12. The slaying of the Egyptian might seem, at first sight, to be an unauthorized and lawless act on the part of Moses; but we may rest assured that he would not take the law into his own hands without a Divine and special

warrant.

Ver. 13, 14.-Moses would redress wrong even though an Israelite was the wrong-doer; but in this case he simply rebukes his countryman. Compare Acts vii. 25 and you will see why he acted so. He supposed they would have understood that he was to be their deliverer; evidently he had some Divine intimation of this, and imagined that he had only to lift his hand and they would rally round him. But he had still forty years of solitary training to undergo before he was qualified to be their deliverer. And so,—