we eat or drink in the ordinary way, or the particular way in which we do it, (if not wrong in itself,) cannot affect our moral or spiritual being in the sight of God. The Pharisees had a great deal to say about the meats people ought to eat, and the way or ceremonies according to which they should eat them; but Jesus tells them there is little of religion in such things. We may put into our mouths what we like, under due restraint, and are neither the better nor the worse spiritually; but if we let out of our mouths what is evil,-i. e., bad words, or false, slanderous, and evil speeches, (ver. 19,)-by such things we may be greatly polluted. The mouth, including the organs of speech, is the channel by which all the filthiness of our wicked hearts is sent out, "and they defile the ." It is not the mouth, however, that is the offender; it is the heart, or spiritual part of our nature, that we must chiefly look to if we would serve God acceptably. man." PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. The revealed will of God is the Christian's only rule of faith and practice. 2. The teaching of our Lord, and the whole Word of God, attach great importance to the duty of children honouring and helping their parents. 3. The Christian religion is one, not so much of forms and ceremonies, as of yielding the whole being, soul and body, to the service of God. 4. The necessity of earnest prayer to God, for Christ's sake, that He would put His Holy Spirit into our hearts, and so turn us unto himself, (John iii. 3-5.) Subject to be proved-God knows our Thoughts. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 9.-Psalm ciii. 1, 2. Golden Text-"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."-Psalm li. 10. NOTES.-What is a clean heart? What is the heart in this passage?-That which regulates the life-the spring from which come the issues of life. Now, take the idea of a spring. Turn to James iii. 11, 12, and see what he says on this point. If we wish pure water we must have a pure fountain. If we wish to have a pure life we must have a pure heart. David felt this, and hence his prayer. But David felt his need of divine help. Hence he says-Create, O God! He could not do it himself-God only could. What is it to create?-To make something entirely new. What a change! Create a clean heart, a new creation. Old things passed away-all things become new. The Teacher's Quiver; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON 110.-ISRAEL WORSHIPPING THE GOLDEN CALF.-Exodus xxxii. 1-35. 200. God is the only Object of Worship, (verses 1-10.)-An Irish boy, when the master of the school was one day teaching his scholars how we are forbidden to worship any image, interrupted him by saying, "Please, sir, there is one image we ought to worship." "Indeed!" said the master; "Pray, what is that?" The boy replied, "Why, sir, we are told to worship Christ, who is the image of the invisible God,'" (Col. i. 15.) 201. We should Intercede for Others, (verses 11-14.)-Said a servant to President Bacchus: "The physician said, sir, that you cannot live more than half-anhour." "Is it so? Then take me out of my bed, and place me upon my knees. Let me spend that time in calling upon God for the salvation of the world." It was done; and the good man died upon his knees, praying for the salvation of sinners. LESSON 111.-ISRAEL RESTORED ON MOSES' INTERCESSION.-Exodus xxxiii. 1-23. 202. Those who have Sinned should Repent, (verses 4-10.)-" Which is the most delightful emotion?" said an instructor of the deaf and dumb to his pupils, after teaching them the names of the various feelings. The pupils turned to their slates: one wrote "joy;" another, "hope;" another, gratitude;" another, "love." One came up with a countenance full of peace; and the teacher was surprised to find on her slate the word "repentance." He turned to her and asked why she thought repentance the most delightful emotion. "Oh!" said the girl, in the expressive language of looks and gestures, “it is so delightful to be humbled before God!" 203. We should not be Content without God's Presence, (verses 12-15.)—A pious sailor spent much time in trying to do good to his brother seamen in their boarding houses and other places. One morning he was noticed coming out of his room in the Sailors' Home and going forth into the streets. Shortly afterwards he returned to his chamber; and after remaining there some time he again came down to go out. Captain Richardson having observed something peculiar in his manner, asked for an explanation of his movements. He replied: "After I got out I found Jesus was not with me. I could not go without Jesus; so I went back to my closet to find Him. Now He is with me, and I can go." How simple and beautiful the lesson! How important the truth contained in the Christian philosophy of the humble sailor! "Without Me ye can do nothing." LESSON 112. REVIEW.-THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF FAITH. LESSON 113.-PURITY AN INWARD QUALITY.-Matthew xv. 1-20. 204.-Children should Honour their Parents, (verses 4-6.)—A little boy, about seven years old, was on a visit to a lady who was very fond of him. One day at breakfast there was some hot bread on the table, and it was handed to him; but he would not take it. "Do you not like hot bread?" asked the lady. "Yes," said he, "I like it very much, ma'am." "Then, my dear, why do you not take some ?"-" Because," said he, "my father does not wish me to eat hot bread." "But your father is a great way off," said the lady, "and will not know whether you eat it or not. You may take it for once; there will be no harm in that."-"No, ma'am, I will not disobey my father and mother. I must do what they have told me to do although they are a great way off. I would not touch it if I were sure nobody would see me. I myself would know it, and that would be enough to make me unhappy.' 205. A Fair Outside is not Enough, (verses 7-20.)-A gentleman once entered a hall with his son. They saw a number of well-dressed people, some of them standing together in groups, others apart; some sitting in various postures. The son's attention was fixed by a pleasant looking gentleman, somewhat gaudily dressed. He said, "Father, who is that gentleman? He seems a mild, pleasant looking person; but what a singular dress he wears! Who is he ?"-"Ask the gentleman who stands near you," said the father. So the boy asked, "If you please, sir, can you inform me who that gentleman opposite is?" No answer. The boy thinks it strange. At last the father tells him, "My son, these are only wax figures: there is no life in them: they are all outside-very fair to look at, but there is no soul, no life: they are outside, and nothing else." So it is with those whose religion takes the form of outward observances only. FOR GLASGOW AND THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. Contributions received from Sabbath School Societies, &c. Amount acknowledged for 1884 (see Magazine for August), Sighthill Free Church, (additional), Free St. George's Church, Queen's Park U. P. Church, -£100 4 0 2 18 10 15 S 1 19 6 09 6 0 19 0 200 1 13 4 1 14 6 1 0 0 1 17 2 - 1 10 9 6 2 3 0 16 0 Elgin Place (Grove Street School), Partick Free Church, Adelaide Place Baptist (Mission), St. Luke's Parish Church, Shamrock Street U. P. Church, vanced Girls' Class, Tollcross Free Church, Free Middle Church, Coatbridge, 1 7 1 Shawlands Parish Church, 0 12 2 1 1 0 Henderson Mem. Church, Jun. Bib. Cl., 0 10 Queen's Park Free Church, The Directors of the Mission, in again returning thanks to the numerous Sabbath School teachers and scholars in Glasgow and throughout the country who have so kindly contributed to carry on its operations, desire to call attention to the Benevolent department of their work, a statement of which they consider will be appropriate at this season of dull trade and destitution. It will, of course, be evident that anything which deprives the father of his income, affects very directly the children dependent on him for subsistence, so that this subject has an interest for Sabbath School scholars and teachers alike. By means of the Endowed Benevolent Fund, specially raised to help capable and deserving men to engage in some business on their own account, the Directors have been enabled to relieve, to a very considerable extent, the distress which many of the blind, as a result of their affliction, have been called upon to suffer. £134 were given during the year, in grants, to 33 men who applied for capital to start them in little trading concerns on their own account. It is surprising what even a blind man can do who is possessed of energy, perseverance, and a hopeful spirit. Upwards of 80 blind men have been helped from this Fund, the majority of whom have succeeded very well; and in some cases the success has been remarkable, 30/ weekly being, in a few instances, earned by men who, previous to receiving our assistance, were without occupation or income. In addition to the gifts which were converted into stock to trade with, about £90 were spent in providing coal and other necessary comforts for the very poor; and this form of aid was most acceptable and helpful to those whose life, in most cases, is little better than a constant struggle for existence. While giving prominence here to the benevolent aspect of the work, the Directors wish it to be distinctly understood that, in the various operations of the Mission, the material has always been made subordinate to the educational and spiritual,-temporal assistance being regarded as means to the ultimate end,-viz., the spiritual wellbeing and salvation of all placed under their care. The number on the roll of the Mission remains much the same; losses by death, and other causes, being rather more than balanced by discoveries during the year,-the total in all the districts of Glasgow, Renfrew, Ayr, Lanark, Dumbarton, Bute, and Argyll, being 1,189. *Sabbath Schools in Glasgow and suburbs desiring to have one of the mission's agents to address the children, will please communicate with the Superintendent. We hope to be able to issue our usual pictorial leaflet to the scholars shortly. Glasgow Sabbath School Union. SCRIPTURE LESSON SCHEME, 1885. NEW SERIES LESSON SHEETS, 2s. per 100; per Post, 2s. 3d. THE Lessons are a continuation of the Series for last year; and the Scripture passages chosen are of the most interesting and fundamental character. They are grouped into sets of two months for Review purposes, a method which has given general satisfaction. With very few exceptions this Lesson Scheme is used in all the Schools in Glasgow and Suburbs, and also very extensively throughout the country-the circulation being 150,000 copies annually. A Column with Psalms and Paraphrases has been added to the Sheet for 1885, as a Memory Exercise. SCRIPTURE LESSON SCHEME for INFANT CLASSES. SECOND SERIES. Price 3d. per dozen or 2s. per 100. Specimens on application. Now Ready, Crown 8vo, in Neat Cloth Boards, Price 1s. 6d., THE SABBATH SCHOOL MAGAZINE; VOLUME XXXVI. Cases for Binding this and previous years' Volumes, 6d. each. Price One Penny, or 10d. per Dozen. THE SABBATH SCHOOL ROLL-CARD May now be had, printed on untearable card. It shews one year's attendance at a view, and may be commenced at any date. To be had at the UNION'S ROOMS, 70 BOTHWELL STREET, or from the Booksellers. JOHN M'CALLUM & CO., 181 BUCHANAN ST., GLASGOW. DIAGRAMS AND VIEWS FOR EVENING LECTURES, SABBATH SCHOOLS, & BIBLE CLASSES, FOR HIRE. THE following are some of the subjects illustrated:-The Life and Ministry of our Lord (Three Series), Astronomy, Geology, Pompeii, Nineveh and Assyria, Scripture Types, China, Pilgrim's Progress, Travels of St. Paul, Catacombs at Rome, India and Hindoos, Palestine, Ancient Egypt, The Druids and Ancient Britons, Tabernacle, Missionary Scenes, Wanderings of the Children of Israel, North American Indians, Arctic Regions, &c., &c. Each View is three feet by four, printed on strong Cloth, and boldly coloured. Particular attention is directed to the Scripture Series, for Sabbath Schools, Missionary Illustrations, and Maps. Detailed Lists, and Terms of Loan, may be had on application. JOHN M'CALLUM & CO., 177 to 181 BUCHANAN STREET, GLASGOW. |