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that by this means a sum of about five pounds might be gathered. In a few weeks they were much gratified to find, when the collecting cards were withdrawn, that the handsome sum of over twelve pounds had been secured." Another says-"We have this year opened a library in connection with our mission school, and find it largely taken advantage of by scholars, the books being eagerly read. We could lend out 1000 volumes if we had them."

TEACHERS' ATTENDANCE.-The influence upon the scholars of regular attendance on the part of teachers is thus referred to by one who is evidently an efficient secretary:- "You will observe from the figures given that our attendance has been very steady this year, especially of the teachers. I have seven teachers-four female, and three male-who have not been absent one night all the year. Seven of the male and nine female have only been absent one night, and only two have been more than two nights. We have 41 scholars who have not been one night absent all the year, and 23 who have only been one night absent; and three female scholars who have not been absent one night these three years."

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MEMORY EXERCISES.-A superintendent says-"We are most anxious that our scholars should not only read the Bible, but also that its truth should dwell in their minds and hearts. Accordingly, during last year we asked them to learn one verse each week, the subject being Salvation. Each Sabbath the verse was intimated from the platform for the scholars to take a note of it; and so on till the end of the year, when they had 52 verses marked down. In January of this year the examination in connection with the repetition of the same took place, when it was found by the examiners that four were entitled to a first-class prize, worth 5/; three to a second-class prize, worth 3/6; and three to a third-class prize, worth 2/. They were presented with these prizes at our annual soiree on the 6th of February. We believe that this plan has been the means of much good. God has given us to know of some very interesting cases of conversion during the past year, not only in connection with our evangelistic meetings, but also in our ordinary school work."

UNION'S CONFERENCES.-The Union's Conferences of Teachers are not attended sometimes as the Directors would like, but that they are of some use is evident from the practical reform described by one who says "I write this to shew that the conference on Infant Classes was not altogether in vain. Our teachers were down at the meeting. I heard the gentleman speak about the seats of infants being uncomfortable. We had a meeting; resolved to get small chairs; we got 60 at 2/8 each. We fitted up a gallery, put them on it, and seated the children on them. We find the children are more comfortable, and the teacher commands their attention better."

PERSONAL AND PRIVATE DEALING WITH THE SCHOLARS should be often practised by teachers. It is an excellent means of bringing the truth home directly to the heart and conscience. A secretary says "I have noted in particular this year the benefit of personal dealing with scholars. Teachers gain their confidence by a few minutes' talk after the class is dismissed. I have found that sometimes young persons are anxious, and what is only needed is, as it were, the hand thrust out, like

Noah's, to pull them into the ark. We have this further encouragement, that children are being blessed unknown to their teachers. This was shewn in the deathbed confession of at least two of our scholars; up to that solemn moment they didn't like to tell their teachers that they had come to decision."

COLLECTIONS FOR BENEVOLENT AND MISSION PURPOSES.-That the Sabbath school may be made a means of training the young in habits of benevolence, is illustrated by the following extract:-"I can't send you a report, but one item may be of use. The scholars have raised, during the last twenty years, close on £900 for church and missionary purposes, and close on £100 in the benevolent box. This has been used in helping scholars to buy clothes, shoes, and other things."

THE CO-OPERATION OF SCHOLARS in working the school may be secured in many ways. A very simple method is mentioned by one who says "As it is very desirable to get the young to interest themselves in Sabbath school work-to give them something to do—to make them feel that they have a share in it, at the beginning of the year we promised to give the boy and girl a book prize who would bring the greatest number of new scholars to the school between the beginning of January and the end of July, the only condition being that they were not to bring them from any other school. The young people shewed the greatest interest in this work, and set about it with great enthusiasm. At the end of July we had no fewer than 32 new scholars who were not in attendance at any school. I am glad to say that most of the new scholars have been most regular in attendance, and behave well in school."

ANSWER TO PRAYER.-An old scholar writes-"About the year 1863 a godly man, and a teacher in this society, resided with my parents. Sometimes he conducted family worship, and never omitted to pray for the little one on mother's knee, that he might be turned to the Lord, and grow up to become useful in the Church. These prayers have been answered. I have consecrated myself to the Lord. I am now engaged as a teacher, and I also act as secretary in the same school."

OUTWARD RESULTS.-" W- Street school is a small mission school in one of the most miserable parts of the city. When it was commenced two years ago the children in it were ragged and filthy, and their behaviour of the worst description. The teachers are much gratified by the results of their labours; the average attendance is good; the children now come out in decent clothes, while their attention and behaviour is all that could be desired." A country superintendent says "Since this Sabbath school was re-established, it has been observed that Sabbath desecration is less prevalent in the district than formerly. The scholars are attentive, and tell at home what they see and hear at the Sabbath school, so that in some cases the non-church-going hear words of truth which but for the children they would not know. Monthly periodicals of an elevating class are distributed amongst the scholars; and these, along with library books, are carried home by the children, and read both by parents and children. At Christmas the scholars obtained more than two hundred signatures to the total abstinence pledge; and we believe that many of those who signed will keep it."

SPIRITUAL RESULTS.-"Four girls in one of the more advanced classes, and one in another, profess to have found peace in believing during the past year, the teacher's personal dealing being blessed in this way.""During the past year there have been several instances of conversion in the school."___“ Among our scholars some hopeful cases of decision for Christ occurred in connection with our Mission work during the past year."-"During the year our progress has been slow, but the attention and hearing of the girls has been very gratifying, and give, in many instances, good reason to believe that the truth is beginning to have a true place in their hearts, to the glory of the Lord and Jesus Christ."

Several of our scholars have died during this year. One case in particular is worthy of mention, as it cannot fail to be a means of encouragement to all engaged in teaching. The scholar I refer to was an invalid for some time. She was dismissed from the Infirmary as incurable, but she was admitted to the Broomhill Home. As might be expected, her sufferings increased, and gradually she became perfectly weak and helpless. In the midst of all this she was composed and happy, and the Christian fellowship she enjoyed was a great comfort to her, and helped to fit her for that land where trouble is unknown; her last words were, 'I am going to be with Jesus; tell mother, if I do not see her on earth again I shall meet her in heaven.'

Eighteenth Scottish National Sabbath School Convention.

THE programme of the arrangements, so far as they have been fixed for the Eighteenth Scottish National Sabbath School Convention at Dumbarton on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd October, is as follows:

On Thursday evening, at seven o'clock, the proceedings will commence with a Conversazione, to be held in the Lesser Burgh Hall—A. Orr Ewing, Esq., M.P., presiding; after which, at eight, in the Burgh Hall, a paper will be read by the Rev. E. J. Brailsford on "How may ministers add to the power of the Sabbath School as a teaching and saving agency?" and at nine, Frederick A. Laing, Esq., Glasgow, will give a Model Lesson.

Friday's proceedings will begin at 11.30 a.m.,-Chairman, Alex. Wylie, Esq., Cordale, when, after half an hour's devotional exercises, a paper on "Sabbath School Buildings" will be read by John Honeyman, Esq., Glasgow. Thereafter a paper on "Temperance" will be read by Bailie Selkirk; an address on "Infant Classes" will be given by Charles S. Inglis, Esq., Edinburgh; and a paper on "Missions in connection with Sabbath Schools," by the Rev. Buchanan Blake.

In the evening, J. Campbell White, Esq., Crosslet, will preside; and at seven o'clock the first paper will be read by Rev. Jas. Rennie, who will take

"Music" for his subject. David Ross, Esq., Principal of Dundas Vale Training College, will address himself to a consideration of the "Teachers' Library;" and Dr. Thomas Morrison, Free Church Training College, will treat of the "Co-operation of parent and pupil necessary to successful Sabbath School Teaching." At this meeting, also, a paper on the "Spiritual Results arising from Sabbath School Work," is expected to be given. On Saturday morning, at nine o'clock, there will first be a Public Breakfast, when addresses will be given by various gentlemen; and at three o'clock in the afternoon-James Campbell, Esq., Tillichewan, presiding—there will be a Children's Gathering in the Burgh Hall, to be addressed by the Rev. Alexander Andrew, Glasgow; Rev. Robert M'Lean, Kilcreggan ; Rev. William Patrick, Kirkintilloch; and others. The Convention proceedings will be closed on Sabbath evening by a sermon, to be preached in the Free High Church, at 6.30 p.m. A choir, under the leadership of Mr. John M. Donald, A.C., will lead the singing at all the meetings of the Conference; and in one of the Burgh Building rooms there will be an exhibition of publications and appliances for the use of Sabbath schools. Accommodation for Delegates will be provided for one or two evenings, as may be required; and it is earnestly desired that the names, occupations or professions, and addresses of all the Delegates, will be sent to Mr. John Douglas, Levengrove Terrace, Dumbarton, not later than 15th September.

Notices of Books.

BIBLE ACROSTICS. London: The stimulus to peruse the Bible during Religious Tract Society, 56 Pater- the week, which is almost always noster Row. needed.

WE have been favoured with the
first set of Bible Acrostics which the
Society proposes to publish. They are
printed on coloured cards, and taste-
fully got up.
Teachers and heads
of families may use these, with much
advantage, in testing the knowledge
of those under their care, and as a
means of rivetting useful lessons on
the memory. Having ourselves used
"Pleasant Hours with the Bible,"
(also published by the Tract Society,)
as one of the memory exercises, while
conducting a large Bible class, we
can testify to the interest and pro-
fitable character of such exercises.
With the questions printed on cards,
which can be given to each scholar
to be filled up at home, and returned
on the following Sabbath, there is a

SIX SHORT RULES FOR YOUNG

CHRISTIANS. By BROWNLOW NORTH, B.A. Stirling: Drum. mond's Tract Depot.

THIS is a nice ornamental card, containing Mr. North's brief counsels to young converts, with a covenant form on the back, such as young persons should be encouraged to sign. It is well fitted to bring the wavering, old or young, seriously to consider their position. It could be used with advantage in Bible classes. Intelligent scholars could be asked to take it home, think and pray over it, and if they can honestly do so, they could be invited to fill it up and return it, for the satisfaction of their teacher-retaining in their own possession

another copy similarly dated and signed. The "covenant" card reads: "I, the undersigned, receive Jesus to be my precious Saviour; and I promise, with God's help, to live as His loving child and faithful servant all my life."

UNION HYMNAL; with

223 hymns, chants, and psalms, which are specially suitable for schools and children's services, upwards of 30 having been added to this edition. It can be had in a variety of styles and binding. Words alone at one penny per copy: with two parts harmony it is twopence, and with four accompany-parts ninepence in paper covers; but bound in limp cloth it is one shilling. The sale of it already has been very large; and as the additions made to it are all of the most popular choice hymns and melodies, we have no doubt its popularity will be increased.

ing Tunes. New Edition. Paisley: J. & R. Parlane. THIS Hymnal has been compiled with care and fine taste by a Committee of the Glasgow Sabbath School Union. The new edition consists of

Books Received.

LILY HOPE AND HER FRIENDS: A Tale. By Hetty Bowman. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 268 pp., price 3s. 6d. AUNT MARGARET'S VISIT; or, The False and the Real. By Jane M. Kippen. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 284 pp., price 3s. 6d.

TALES FROM THE HOLLY-TREE FARM. By

Mrs. M. B. Bickerstaffe. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 112 pp., price 1s. 6d. AUNT MARGERY'S MAXIMS: Work-WatchWait. By Sophia Tandy. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 112 pp., price

1s. 6d.

MARY BRUNTON, and Her One Talent.

By

E. A. D. R. London: Hodder &
Stoughton. 112 pp., price 1s. 6d.
THE BIBLE INTERPRETER: An Illustrated
Dictionary of the Holy Scriptures.
London: Morgan & Scott. 210 pp.,
price 1s. 6d.

ANNO DOMINI; or, A Glimpse at the World

into which Messias was Born. By J. D. Craig Houston, B.D., The Religious Tract Society. 161 pp.

HENRY MORGAN; or, The Sower and the Seed. By M. H., Author of "Nothing to do," &c. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 96 pp., price 1s.

WITLESS WILLIE, THE IDIOT BOY. By the
Author of "Mary Mathieson,"
"Harry
Linton," &c. London: Hodder &
Stoughton. 96 pp., cloth, 1s.
ARTHUR FORTESCUE; or, The School-Boy
Hero. By Robert Hope Moncrieff.
London: Hodder & Stonghton. 96 pp.,
cloth, is.

THE STORY OF A RED VELVET BIBLE. By
M. H., the Author of "Rosa Lindsay,'
&c. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
95 pp., cloth, 1s.

&c.

MARY MANSFIELD; or, No Time to be a
Christian. By M. H., Author of
"Labourers in the Vineyard,"
London: Hodder & Stoughton. 95 pp.,
cloth, 1s.

THE SANGREAL; or, The Hidden Treasure;
How it was Sought, and where it was
Found. Author of "The Story of a Red
Velvet Bible," &c. London: Hodder &
Stoughton, 95 pp., cloth, 1s.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, (chapters xiii.-
xxviii.,) with Introduction, Maps, and
Notes. By T. M. Lindsay, D.D., Free
Church College, Glasgow. 64 pp.,
paper cover, 4d. Glasgow and London:
Blackie & Son.

Fragments.

STUDY. Nothing more surely fatigues and benumbs the mind than too prolonged attention to one subject. TRUE HAPPINESS.-The only true way to be happy is to take the drops of happiness as God gives them to us

every day of our lives. The boy must learn to be happy while he is plodding over his lessons, the apprentice while he is learning his trade, the merchant while he is pushing his business. If he fails to learn this

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