resign into the hands of the present Assembly the convenership of the Sabbath school committee, which for a long period I have had the honour and the privilege to hold. In view of my interest in this great cause, I hope it will be believed that this resolution had not been come to without very full and anxious consideration. My judgment regarding it remains unchanged; but in deference to the warm and unanimous desire of the committee, and of many other friends, I am willing to continue in office, on the understanding that it is only for another year, if it shall please God to spare me so long.

At the close of Mr. Dickson's address Dr. Adam moved the adoption of the report. He congratulated the Assembly on the convener having yielded to the wishes of many parties, by continuing to act for another year. Mr. Dickson had been convener for thirty years, and it was difficult to say how much they owed to him, especially as editor of the Children's Record. The good which had been done by that periodical, always so varied, fresh, and interesting, could not be estimated. He knew that three missionaries, now labouring in the foreign field, owed their first religious impressions to the perusal of its pages.

The following are the terms of the Assembly's deliverance :"That the Assembly approve of the report, and record their thanks to the committee, and especially to the convener. Further, they record their thanks to the large number of Sabbath school teachers who are engaged in this department of the work of the Church. They express their satisfaction with the statistics and information as to Sabbath schools contained in the report now laid before the Assembly; and they record their thankfulness to God for the many indications of blessing which the report contains. They renew their injunctions upon all Kirk-sessions, Presbyteries, and Synods, that, from time to time, consideration shall be given to this subject. They mark with approval the consideration given by the committee during the past year to the devising of means whereby the Sabbath school teaching may be rendered more systematic and thorough; and they remit to the committee to continue their attention to the subject, with the view of a matured scheme being presented for the consideration of next General Assembly. They anew commend the whole matter of the Church's relations and duty to the young to the continued attention and care of the inferior courts of the Church. Further, they renew their former recommendation, that regularly from the pulpit, and at family worship on Sabbath morning, special prayer be made for the young of the Church, and for the teachers and scholars in all her Sabbath schools. Further, the Assembly appoint Sabbath, the 11th October next, to be specially given, throughout all the congregations of the Church, to service connected with the interests of the young. The Assembly regret to learn that the Children's Record is unknown in not a few of the Sabbath schools of the Church. The Assembly instruct the committee to use all prudent means to introduce it where it is yet unknown. The Assembly remit the overtures anent a graduated scheme of lessons to the committee for consideration."

Christian Work:

A WORD TO SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS.

By the REV. DAVID THOMPSON, Appledore, Devon.

(Read Luke v. 4-7.)

THE miracles of Christ are moral lessons. They are material representations of spiritual subjects. Doctrine and duty are taught by them. Thus the miraculous draught of fishes may teach Christian workers important truth.

I. THAT RIGHT WORK IS NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL.-Peter and Andrew, and James and John, were engaged in right work. Their calling was legitimate, one on which they could ask God's blessing. It was an exposed and dangerous calling; nevertheless, it was lawful. They were fishers. Night being an appropriate time for successful fishing, they were busy when others were resting on their beds. One night they had taken nothing. Do not imagine that there had been careless fishing that night,—that they had not used their nets wisely, that the fault was theirs. No; the word "toiled" shews that there had been earnest labour and wise diligence. If ever fishers were patient and toilsome, it was during that night when no fish were taken.

This fact teaches an important truth,-viz., that Christian workers may do their work rightly, and yet not be successful. Sabbath school teachers may be most faithful in the discharge of duty-teach right doctrine with affection and earnestness-be prayerful and devoted and consistent, yet not have immediate success. Months and years may pass, and no seeming fruit.

This truth has had illustration in all ages. The prophets were not always successful. They had seasons of fruitlessness and depression. Moses over and over again has to mourn the waywardness of the Jews, notwithstanding all his faithful teachings. Elijah, jaded and weary and spiritless, sits down under a juniper tree, and requests for himself death, saying, "It is enongh; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." Isaiah 66 says, Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Jeremiah has bitter lamentations and weepings: "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" Christ and His apostles had their seasons of non-success. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, and says, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" And Paul says, "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Coming down to our own time, we have illustrations of the same truth. The Baptist missionaries in India labour seven years before the first convert is baptized. The missionaries in the South Seas labour fourteen years before they have any manifest success. And have we not painful experience of the same

sad fact? Think on the lessons given in the Sabbath school, and the little return. Weeks and months toiling, yet seemingly no conversions.

Sabbath school teachers, you find it hard work to be at it for years and no visible signs of spiritual good. What restlessness it gives to a faithful spirit;-how in anguish of soul he goes to the mercy-seat, and says, "We have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: ""O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years; in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."

II. NON-SUCCESSFUL RIGHT WORK IS NOT TO BE HASTILY ABANDONED.-The Galilean fishermen, after their hard night's unsuccessful toil, are washing their nets. With down-spirits they may be trying to encourage one another, saying that their next trial may be better. Jesus draws near, and speaks to one of them. Going into his boat, He asks him to "thrust out a little from the land." When Christ had finished His heavenly lessons, He says to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." Thus they were to continue their work,—keep at it with a brave and stout heart. Had Peter objected, and urged the plea that it was useless, that they had tried for hours to no purpose, what would have been the issue? You know it; but his words are, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." The net was dropped into the sea, and Peter labours on.

So it must be with faithful Sabbath school teachers. Although their faith and patience may be tried for want of success, they must still persevere. Work on, and on, and on. They have to do with praying and working. The command is, "Be not weary in well-doing;" "Be faithful unto death;" 66 Occupy till I come." Success-conversion, is with God. He gives the increase. In the day of judgment we are rewarded for our works. And methinks the patient, plodding, praying Sabbath school teacher-he who fights in the dark, battles with discouragements, hopes against hope, keeps at his post in all weathers, he will have a rich crown. It may then be found that he was a greater blessing to his scholars than some of the teachers who had manifest successes on earth. They had a part of their reward here in seeing the fruit of their labours'; but he has it in unexpected fulness hereafter.

Earnest Sabbath school teachers labour for the ages. The seed they sow is indestructible. Though hid from view it may yet spring up and yield an hundredfold. Remember the seed of corn that was found in the mummy case: after thousands of years it had not lost its germ, and it brought forth a rich harvest. Thank God for the Bible promise: "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

III. PERSEVERANCE IN RIGHT WORK IS AT LAST REWARDED.-Peter and his co-workers, for their obedience and perseverance, had an abundant reward. "They inclosed a great multitude of fishes." They were more

than compensated for lost labour during the dark hours of night. This, doubtless, was the largest quantity they had ever taken. Methinks Jesus wished to teach Peter an important truth before he becomes a fisher of men. He has a large catch of fish, and must needs have help. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit gave to him, we believe, a larger number of souls. Then, too, he required the help of the apostles to gather them in to Christ.

All seeming unsuccessful Christian work continued, will be at last rewarded. This has had frequent illustration. Take the following case:-"At one point in Dr. Bang's ministry he became greatly discouraged, and attempted to leave his work. A significant dream relieved him. He thought he was working with a pick-axe on the top of a basaltic rock. His muscular arm brought down stroke after stroke for hours; but the rock was hardly indented. He said to himself at last, 'It is useless: I will pick no more.' Suddenly, a stranger of dignified mien stood by his side, and thus spoke to him, 'You will pick no more?''No.' Were you set to this task?'-'Yes.' 'And why abandon it?' -'My work is vain: I make no impression on the rock. Solemnly the stranger replied, 'What is that to you? Your duty is to pick, whether the rock yields or not. Work on.' He resumed his task. The first blow was given with almost superhuman force, and the rock flew into a thousand pieces. He awoke, returned to his work, and a great revival followed. From that day he never had the temptation to give up his commission."

Sabbath school teacher! you believe in the absoluteness of God's word,— in the omnipotence of Divine truth-in the faithfulness of Bible promises. So sure as there is a God, a Christ, a Spirit, an almighty Gospel, a happy heaven, a serious hell, so sure will God reward the prayerful devoted services of His people. Our heart is strong in this conviction. Amid much that may overwhelm or distress we hear Christ saying, "Launch out into the deep." Yes, it is a deep; we cannot fathom it. "Let down your nets for a draught." Are you not ready to say, Saviour, although we have toiled long and taken little, at thy word we let down the net, and wait the issue." So working and so waiting you will have great blessing!

"Blessed

"Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.'

Jottings from School Reports.

MANY notes occur in the Statistical Schedules from which the secretaries of the Glasgow Sabbath School Union make up their annual report. We have gleaned the following extracts in the hope that they may be suggestive and encouraging. To certain teachers some of the remarks may appear commonplace, but to others of less experience they may be perfectly new and useful.

ACCOMMODATION.-On this subject one secretary says "We consider it worthy of note that as many as 245 of those under instruction in our schools are above 15 years of age.' This, we believe, to be largely attributable to the separate accommodation provided for the senior classes."

SENIOR CLASSES.-If we are to retain our adult scholars as they grow up, we must not only accommodate them separately from the younger children, we must also keep pace with them intellectually by making the class exercises suit their capacity. This is done effectively in the following instances:-"The class under Mr. Sis of a very advanced character, and meets in a room, separate from, but simultaneous with the general school. During the early months of last year the 'Evidences of Christianity' was their subject matter of study; at the close of this study a written examination on the same principle as the 'Teachers' Competitions' took place, when prizes were awarded to three of the young men for the excellence of their papers. Seven submitted themselves for examination; the prizes awarded-books-were value for about £2. The remainder of the year was occupied with essays on the 'Parables of Christ, and the first book of Samuel.' From this class during the year we have drawn two very promising teachers for the general school, of the less advanced, which meets in the east hall at the same hour. In order to interest our young friends in the Sabbath question, we offered two prizes, some time ago, for the two best papers on the 'Institution and claims of the Sabbath.' Three essays was the result on paper, but the frequent reference to it and occasional remarks from the desk must, with God's blessing, have produced a deeper and more intelligent reverence for God's holy day." "Miss G- -'s is an advanced female class of great promise and considerable prosperity. The subjects of study are classified as doctrinal, practical, and historical, while the first Sabbath of each month is occupied with the study of some one of the New Testament women. A circumstance worthy of note-as the outcome of a morning meeting formed from this class, for the study of the 'Evidences of Christianity,' is the fact that one of the young women succeeded in passing the Teachers' Examination on that subject. One new teacher was got from this class during last year. The teacher feels assured of God's blessing, and that through varied experiences He is maturing them to more perfect goodness and sweetness of character, enlarging their knowledge, widening their sympathies, and exciting them to emulation in all good works."

LIBRARIES.-The importance of this auxiliary to our work is thus referred to by one-"The library in connection with the school is doing an immense amount of good, both as regards instruction and keeping the children in their homes on Sabbath and week nights. Although small as regards the number of volumes, it is doing a good work, keeping the scholars out of bad company, to a certain extent, and making their homes more attractive to them. As the Sabbath school work is shewing a steady increase, we hope (should all go well) to report larger figures, both in school and library, next year." Another says "The teachers, some time ago, considered it advisable to add some new books to the library, and to replace others which were a good deal worn. For this purpose they supplied the scholars with small collecting cards, trusting