London. In Memoriam-Maud. GONE to the land of purity and bliss! Gone where bright angels hover round the throne; We think of her as walking golden streets; We think of her as in sweet pastures green, We think of her as on the Shepherd's breast MRS. J. C. WITHERS. Intelligence. GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION, | formed. The Public Meetings Com-The monthly meeting of directors mittee reported that the Annual was held in the Christian Institute Autumn Public Meeting of Teachers on Monday, 8th September-James would be held in the City Hall, on Howatt, Esq., one of the vice- Thursday, 2nd October-Sir William presidents, in the chair. There Collins, President of the Union, in were 36 directors present. Reports the chair. Rev. G. Gibson Gunn, were read from the Middle, Govan, M.A., St. George's Parish Church; Southern, and South-Eastern District Rev. John Tainsh, Free Tron Unions. The Scheme of Scripture Church; Rev. Robert Campbell, Lessons for 1885 was submitted by Calton U. P. Church; Rev. Alex. the Publication Committee, and, Oliver, B. A, Regent Place Church, with a few suggested alterations, it and others, would take part in the was approved of. The Committee proceedings. The Choir of Bath on Senior Scholars reported that, Street U. P. Church, under the with the view of ascertaining the leadership of Mr. Turnbull, would exact position of the schools in conduct the praise and render regard to senior classes, schedules several anthems. The Music Comhad been issued to all the Societies. mittee reported that the Music The Committee consider that classes Classes of the Union, conducted by for senior scholars (above fifteen Mr. D. S. Allan, had been com years of age) meeting separately from menced on the 1st September, when the general school, are essential con- an introductory address was given comitants of every Sabbath school; by Mr. James Smith, convener. and the Committee, so far as they There had been a most encourag can, are desirous of giving advice ing attendance, the area hall of and assistance where difficulties exist the Christian Institute being quite in the way of such classes being filled. SOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL of Teachers' Preparatory Meetings; UNION.-This Union met on the also, that the Annual Sermon should take place early in November. The following were appointed delegates to the Convention to be held at Kirkcaldy in October:-Messrs. John Morison, Robert Coats, J. M. Bryce, and Robert Agnew. A 26th August-Mr. P. B. Bryce, president, in the chair,-30 directors present. Reports were given in from the various sub-committees, and arrangements were made for a Social Conference of directors and friends, to be held on the last SOUTHERN DISTRICT SABBATH Tuesday of September. Several SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on delegates were appointed to attend Monday, the 1st September-Mr. the Kirkcaldy Convention; and the R. B. Smith, president, in the chair, following Syllabus approved of for 20 representatives present. the Teachers' Training Class, to be conducted in the Union's Hall, 12 Landressy Street, Calton, on the Friday evenings: Sept. 5.-David Ross, Esq., M.A. 12.-Mr. David M'Aulay. 19.-Miss Ellen Robertson. 26.-Miss Agnes Dickson. Oct. 3.-Mr. William Wilson. 10. Mr. John Clanachan. 17.-Mr. Robert M'Intyre. 24. Mr. R. B. Smith. 31.-Mr. John Ruthven. Nov. 7.-Miss M'Callum. : letter was read from Mr. William Harrison, resigning the office of corresponding secretary, owing to business arrangements. In accepting his resignation, the directors agreed to enter upon their minutes an expression of their thankfulness to Mr. Harrison for the zeal and devotion which he had displayed during the twelve years he had been secretary. Mr. Harrison's name was added to the list of directors. It was decided to resume the Model Lesson Class in November, on the Saturday afternoons; also, to make arrangements for the Annual Sermon in November, and the United Prayer Meeting in October. Several delegates were appointed to the Scottish National Sabbath School Convention, to be held in Kirkcaldy in October. 14. Mr. William Barr. 21.-Miss M. Eaglesom. 28. Mr. Andrew Hoy. Dec. 5.-Miss M. Jackson. 12. Mr. J. W. Steven. 19.-Miss M'William. 26. Mr. Robert Reid. MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL VALE OF LEVEN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on the 12th UNION.-The usual quarterly meeting August Mr. Robert Agnew in the of this Union was held in the U. P. chair. A report was given in of the Hall, on Wednesday, the 19th inst.proceedings at the previous meeting 23 delegates present, Mr. Malcolm of the General Union, particularly M'Lean, president, presiding. The with reference to the subject of conditions and particulars of a ComPenny Shows," which had been petitive Examination of Scholars in sent up for consideration from this Bible Knowledge were read from a Union. It was agreed that the copy of a circular which had been matter should be further inquired distributed among the teachers, viz., into, and that the meeting form An examination paper is to be set on itself into a committee for this pur- the Scheme of Lessons in use in the pose; and, if possible, to take action different schools during the months with the Society for the Prevention of September, October, and Novemof Cruelty to Children. It was ber current, -the examination folagreed that this Union co-operate lowing on the first Saturday of with the Barony Parish Society and the Church of Scotland Sabbath School Association in the carrying on December. Prizes and certificates are to be given in proportion to the number of marks gained. Questions are to be set for junior and senior | Scottish National Sabbath School scholars,—the junior below twelve Convention, the matter was taken years of age, and the senior above up by the meeting and carefully twelve. It is also recommended considered. that each school might offer special prizes for its own scholars. After some conversa tion, it was unanimously decided to invite the Convention to Dumbarton in 1885. It was reported that the Baptist Sabbath School had been visited; and a letter was read from the secretary, stating that the teachers had agreed to again become affiliated with the Union. ROTHESAY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN NORTH-WESTERN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. This Union met on 9th September-22 directors and representatives present, Mr. John Gray in the chair. The Public Meetings Committee reported arrangements for a series of Model Lessons, similar to those held last year in Woodlands CHURCH.-This Congregation cele U. P. Church. They are expected brated its centenary a few weeks to begin in November. The following ago. The Sabbath school in congentlemen were appointed delegates nection with it is, we understand, to the Seventeenth Scottish National the oldest one in Buteshire. An Convention, to be held at Kirkcaldy interesting historical record has been in October :-Messrs. J. M. Storrar; prepared by the minister, the Rev. D. R. Kilpatrick, jun.; W. H. P. M'Farlane, B.A. It, together M'Lure; J. D. Kidd; Grant Paton; with a report of the recent centenary William Stewart. proceedings, will be published shortly in the form of a memorial volume of 100 pages or so, which Mr. Higgie, the superintendent of the Sabbath school, will supply to subscribers at 1s. per copy. Parties who wish copies should address their orders at once to Mr. George Higgie, Printer, Rothesay, as only a limited number will be published in addition to those actually subscribed for. DUMBARTON SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. The quarterly general meetof this Union was held in the Free High Church Hall, on Monday, 1st September. The Rev. D. Gunn, president, presided, and delivered an able address on "The Religious Training of the Young." The Union having been asked to undertake the arrangements for the Eighteenth 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 93.-October 12. MOSES AND THE PLAGUES.-Exodus viii. 1-32. Connection: God hardened Pharaoh's heart that he would not let the people go. (Compare Romans ix. 17, 18.) By this means an opportunity was given of shewing God's power, and of punishing Pharaoh, and through him the Egyptians. Note.-A nation often suffers for the sins of its rulers. Mention the miracles that are recorded in chapter vii. Then come to those in our lesson. The miraculous character of all the plagues may be pointed out in the following particulars : (a.) They came at the command of Moses. (b.) They left on his intercession. (c.) Some of them happened entirely out of the natural course of events. (d.) They affected only one part of the country-the Israelites escaped. Take up now the plagues in this Lesson: 1st. The Plague of Frogs, (verses 1-15.)-Frogs were also worshipped in Egypt. They were reverenced as emblems of deity, and are now abhorred. "Because Ephraim has made him altars to sin, many altars shall be unto him to sin." God may give us, to the full, opportunities of shewing how we hate Him, and let us see that we are only plaguing our own souls. The magicians could do so. They could not take the frogs away, but they could bring more out of their hiding-places. They could imitate judgments. Pharaoh prays that the frogs may be taken away. He does not pray that his sin be forgiven, or his heart be changed, only that his punishment may cease. My punishment is greater than I can bear.' This is a very different cry from, Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned." The prodigal did not say, I have lost my money, my clothes, I am starving; but he said, I have sinned! 66 With great humility Moses asked Pharaoh, at his pleasure, to fix the time when the plague would be removed. He wanted there should be no mistake, but that it should come sharply out that it was God who removed it. It was done at the very moment. God keeps His promise; but Pharaoh hardens his heart. Scholars should remember their times of sickness, and what they said then. Have they kept their word? 2nd. The Plague of Lice, (verses 16-19.)-The significance of this plague will be learned from this. The Egyptians kept all infected with lice out of the temples. For a priest to enter a temple with any vermin upon him was the highest profanation. Hence the explanation of the magicians in verse 19. They feel this to be the finger of God. Yet Pharaoh hardened his heart. 3rd. The Plague of Flies, (verses 20-32.)-The gad-fly (in the Hebrew, zebub,) was an object of worship. Baalzebub was the lord of the flies. But the object of their reverence now becomes their torment. Notice also the miraculous nature of this plague, as brought out in the division made between the Egyptians and the Israelites, and in the prediction as to the exact time, (verses 22, 23.) Note, incidentally, the lesson-the Lord knows how to protect His own. (Compare Psalm cxi. 1-16.) r Pharaoh so far gives in, (verse 25.) Observe he says, 'Go, sacrifice in the land." Moses declines this offer, (verses 26, 27,) and Pharaoh apparently yields, (verse 28.) In leaving Pharaoh on this occasion Moses solemnly warns him (v. 29) what the consequence of further deceit will be. Pharaoh had many warnings, but his heart was proud and stubborn. Learn the important lesson given in Proverbs xxix. i. This was true of Pharaoh, and will be of all who, like Pharaoh, harden their hearts and reject reproof. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 96.-Proverbs xxviii. 13. Subject to be proved-When Trouble is removed God is often forgotten. Golden Text-"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."-Proverbs xxviii. 13. NOTES.-Two courses of conduct. 1st. To cover one's sin,-i. e., to seek to conceal it from God, imagining that thereby it is forgotten. The consequence -such an one shall not prosper. Take Achan as an example. 2nd. To confess and to forsake. Observe the two-not the one, but both. The consequence of such conduct-he who does so shall have mercy. Take King Manasseh and Zaccheus as examples. Lesson 94.-October 19. THE FIRST PASSOVER.-Exodus xii. 1-28. What preceded and occasioned the institution of the Passover is narrated in previous chapter:-the favour with which the Israelites were regarded by the people of Egypt generally the threatened death of the first-born-the anger of Moses-and the continued hardening of Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land. The immediate purpose of the first Passover was to distinguish the Israelites from the people among whom they were living-its celebration afterwards was to keep in remembrance the mighty deliverance that God wrought for them, and to point forward to the greater deliverance, of which it was a type. This first Passover was celebrated 1500 years before the coming of Christ. Passover-so called, because the destroying angel passed over the houses of the Hebrews. Picture rapidly the celebration, and the Passover-night,—to impress the salient points on the mind of the scholar. On tenth day of month a lamb, without blemish, is selected, kept apart till fourteenth day; at evening it is killed. The head of every Jewish family is seen at the door of his house, with the basin of blood in his hand, sprinkling the side-posts and the upper door-post with the blood, by means of a bunch of hyssop. The door is then shut for the night. The family, in deep solemnity, partake of the flesh of the lamb as directed, and wait calmly the passing by of the death-angel,-through faith in the power of the blood on their door-posts. Confident waiting in the homes of the Israelites; but we can easily realize the dread anxiety in the Egyptian homes. No saving blood on their door-posts. The hours pass slowly on, amid a deep and awful silence over all Egypt. Midnight comes,-and the passing through of the angel is known to the Israelites by the great cry issuing from every Egyptian dwelling: "for there was not a house where there was not one dead." -our Paschal Lamb-Christ; plainly This Passover a type of our Passover,and beautifully so. Thus, chiefly, The sacrifice was a lamb-Christ is the Lamb of God, (Isa. liii. 7; John i. 29, &c.) The lamb was set apart-Christ was slain from the foundation of the world, (Rev. xiii. 8,)—was designed in purpose and in promise. The lamb was without blemish, that it might image Jesus,-was slain, that its blood might yield deliverance; so Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. It is noteworthy that Jesus was crucified at the Passover, on the same day of the same month, that He solemnly entered Jerusalem four days before, the day on which the paschal lamb was set apart. The death-angel could pass only those houses which had the blood-sprinkled door-posts,-typical of the solemn truth, that only the souls sprinkled with the blood of Jesus can escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin. “We are come to the blood of sprinkling," (Heb. xii. 24.) The Israelite required to apply the blood as God directed, if he wished to enjoy the blessing. To keep it in the basin, to sprinkle it anywhere than on the door-posts, was valueless;-to have done so would have been to invite the death-angel. So we must accept salvation, through the blood of Jesus, in God's own way. Illustrations may be given here of salvation sought-but never found-away from a simple resting in Jesus, our Paschal Lamb,— "Jesus, thy blood and righteousness Can you sing that as the expression of the real feeling of your heart? The lamb, after being slain, was roasted with fire,-typical of the sufferings of our Paschal Lamb: "A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,”—bruised, oppressed, afflicted, (Isa. liii.) The lamb was afterwards to be eaten,-typical of the necessity of our appropriating Christ as our own- "Feeding upon Him," as the Shorter Catechism expresses it. The lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs, to remind them of their bondage in Egypt,-typical of the sorrow for the sin they must cherish who feed on Jesus. Henry and Scott remark: "It was all to be eaten; those who, by faith, feed upon Christ, must feed upon a whole |