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tendents, and that the plan works well.

CONFERENCE

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each address, and ten minutes for questions on each topic.

He

of the respective churches in Rutherglen had their annual day's outing; the weather being delightfully fine, OF SUPERINTENand favoured with such pleasant DENTS. - Chicago has an active auspices, the youngsters were in great Superintendents Social Union, with glee. The following is a list of the monthly meetings, to which Sabbath schools and their destinations:- school officers, pastors, and their Parish Church, Castlemilk, Cathkin wives are invited. At an early hour Braes; U. P. Church, Mr. Millar's, of the evening a light supper is Fernhill, Cathkin; Free Church, furnished by the school extending Hamilton; East Free Church, Hamil- the invitation. This is followed by ton; West Parish Church, Greenlees an hour of social intercourse, and Farm; United Bible Class Sabbath then practical topics are discussed, School, Blairbeth Estate; Mr. Stark's ten minutes being allowed Sabbath School, Calderwood Glen. After arriving at their respective destinations, a plentiful supply of STATISTICS OF SABBATH SCHOOLS milk and buns was served; after IN GREAT BRITAIN AND Ireland.which the excursionists betook them- Mr. Hartley, of the London Union, selves to the most suitable parts of has been at considerable trouble the field, and engaged in the most lately to ascertain the number of popular of juvenile sports. Shortly Sabbath school teachers and scholars before eight o'clock the processions in Great Britain and Ireland. The Dre-formed, and marched into the results are given, with his comments, town about nine o'clock, all in the Sunday School Chronicle. apparently delighted with their reports a total for England and day's outing. On the same day, Wales of 593,436 teachers, and 10,000 of the children in connection 5,200,776 scholars. This takes no with the Edinburgh schools enjoyed account of Roman Catholic schools. themselves in a similar way. The Twenty per cent. of the whole popuschools in Larkhall also had their lation, or one person in five, is a excursions simultaneously. There Sunday scholar. In 1851 the permay be some difficulty in obtaining centage was 131, in 1833 about 11 the variety of places necessary to per cent., and in 1818 only 4 per admit of this principle being carried cent. The Church of England leads, out beyond a certain point, but it with 195,522 teachers and 2,222,890 seems an excellent way of meeting scholars; next come the Wesleyan the complaint of some superin- Methodists, with 121,187 teachers tendents, viz., that many scholars and 825,625 scholars; followed by attend their school only for a short the Congregationalists, with 86,816 time before their annual trip takes teachers and 686,956 scholars; and place, so as to entitle them to ad- the Baptists, with 45,325 teachers mission tickets; and as soon as it is and 426,520 scholars. The Presbyover they are off to another school terians rank ninth on the list, with where another trip is in prospect in 6,591 teachers and 68,010 scholars. two or three weeks. The statistics for Scotland are: teachers, 53,113; scholars, 561,262. This is 15 per cent. of the population, as against 10 per cent. in 1851. In Ireland the Protestant teachers number 28, 155, with 298,639 scholars, which is 23 per cent. of the Protestant population.

SALARIED SUPERINTENDENTS. The Baptist Superintendent says: We learn that the first Congregational Sunday school of Oakland, Cal., and the Congregational school in New Britain, Conn., each have arranged to have salaried superin

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 84.-August 10.

JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST.-Luke viii. 22-25.

Explain that this Galilean sea, like most inland lakes, was much exposed to sudden squalls. This seems to have been one of unusual severity: "The ship was covered with the waves." "But He was asleep." How significant the words! How closely linked were His humanity and divinity! There is something beautiful and instructive in the readiness with which these disciples, notwithstanding that they were "slow of heart to believe," turn to their Master in times of distress. As truly as the needle trembles to the pole, and as children flee to the arms of their parents when danger is near, so some secret magnet draws them to Christ. Nor was this confidence misplaced. Their "save us, we perish," awoke Him from His calm repose. Seeming indifference was truest solicitude. This was part of their spiritual training. Gradually and unconsciously was He training them to be brave men and "good soldiers," when He would be taken from their midst. "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" How gentle the chiding-how much needed by all! Impress the prayer on the scholars: "Lord, increase our faith." He rebuked the winds-the word is suggestive. "There was a calm," where before there was great stormdrawing forth the wonderment of these timid disciples in words which shew they did not yet fully comprehend "the manifold power of their merciful Lord. Speak of the nearness of Christ to His people still, of His deep solicitude in them, and His readiness to help them by His grace and presence. Many other lessons will naturally suggest themselves here.

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Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 87.-Psalm xxxiv. 15.
Subject to be proved-Jesus hears our Cries.

Golden Text-"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry."-Psalm xxxiv. 15.

NOTES.-This text sets forth God's care for His own. His eyes are upon them. He knows and sees their dangers, trials, difficulties, and struggles. Then He hears their cry. He listens to it-He expects it-His ears are open to it. Sometimes He so acts toward them as to make it appear that He did not see them. He seems to be asleep; but this is to make them cry all the more earnestly. Remember, when Peter was in prison (Acts xii.) it seemed as if the Church's prayers for him were not to be heard, for his release came only a few hours before he was to be led forth to death. (Compare the parable of the importunate widow, Luke xviii. 1-8.)

Lesson 85.-August 17.

JESUS AND THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA.-Luke viii. 26-39.

On landing on the eastern side of the lake He was met by a demoniac Matthew says two; but probably the one was much more severely afflicted than the other. Note the description of this man, (ver. 27 and ver. 29,) he was exceedingly fierce, (Mark says,) so that no man might pass that way. But yet his case was not desperate. He was drawn by irresistible impulse towards Him who came to destroy the works of the devil, (1st John iii. 8;) and in this lay hope for him. He met Jesus. Note this. He came to Him, and so he was saved.

Note, (ver. 28.)-You have the two persons there. The man throws himself down before Jesus, but the evil spirit in the man speaks. Mark the devil's

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speech. He knows that he is in the presence of a strong Man, who is able to drive him out, and he cries to be left alone. This is always the devil's cry,-Let me alone, torment me not. He wishes nothing more than to be let alone, for then he knows his victim is secure. Simple neglect has slain its ten thousands. Pray God not to leave you alone, but to stir you up to cry like the jailor"What must I do to be saved?"

Verse 30.-This was an extraordinary case, many devils had entered into him. Verses 31-33.-The "deep" does not mean here the sea, but the abyss-the bottomless pit; they had no desire to be sent back there. Explain that the Jews were forbidden to keep swine-the swine was an unclean animal. Jesus did not send the devils into the swine, He merely suffered them; He simply did not prevent them.

Verses 34-36.-Note the contrast: the wild demoniac is sitting at the feet of Jesus-at rest now-all the madness and unrest gone. No place for rest like sitting at the feet of Jesus. He is clothed, and in his right mind. What a change! But Jesus can do this still, and will do it to all who ask Him. Verses 37-40.-The people prayed Jesus to depart from them. They valued their swine more than they valued Him; and He took them at their word. He left them. It is a terrible thing to think more of our earthly possessions than of Jesus. They will continue with us, at the best, only for a little time: He abideth ever. The man would fain have followed Jesus, but he was sent home to tell there what had been done to him. We ought to do good to those at home, and tell them what the Lord has done for us.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 88.-Luke viii. 39.
Subject to be proved-We should tell others of Jesus.

Golden Text-"Return to thine own house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him."-Luke viii. 39.

NOTES.-True home missions-every one a missionary. To whom?-first, to those of his own house. This is how the Gospel is to be spread. True conversion calls on every one to follow Jesus; but this following does not necessarily imply that we are to go and preach. Much more often our sphere of duty is at home. Jesus sent this cured man home. Go home and tell. And you see how he published the news-how he was, in fact, a great home missionary.

Lesson 86.-August 24.

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS.-Luke viii. 40-56.

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We have before us in this lesson the request of Jairus, the cure of the woman on the way to Jairus' house, and the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead. 1st. The Request of Jairus, (verses 41, 42.)-Jesus had just returned from Gadara to Capernaum, when He was waited on, among many others, by (or elder) of the synagogue," with an urgent request that He would come and heal his daughter, who "lay a-dying.' In the manner of the approach of Jairus to the Saviour there is everything to admire. While importunate, he was humble and respectful, hopeful and believing: “he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought Him that He would come into his house.' In Jairus we see a loving and affectionate father deeply concerned for the life of an "only daughter"-an interesting girl of twelve years of age. Perhaps this only daughter was an only child, and she had so entwined herself in the affections of her father that she had become the object of his most tender solicitude. To the appeal of parental affection on the part of Jairus, our sympathizing High Priest, who can fathom every deep feeling in our nature, was not indifferent, and immediately He accompanied him.

2nd. The Cure of the Woman on the Way, (verses 43-48.)-In the throng which followed Jesus to the house of Jairus, was a woman who had suffered from an "issue of blood," for the long space of twelve years. She had exhausted all her means in trials of medical skill to no purpose; and now

she is not only diseased, but penniless. Poverty and affliction are sorry companions, and the bearers of them should be the objects of our commiseration and kindly regards. There is, however, a ray of hope in the heart of this woman. She thought if she could but touch "the hem" (or fringe) of Christ's garment, she would be cured. Great was her faith! She resolved, she touched, and was cured! Her hopes were fulfilled-her wish was granted-her relief was instantaneous; and she was ready to depart, as she thought, without notice; but in this she was mistaken, as Jesus immediately inquired, "Who touched me?" There was a general denial as to the touch by the persons close by; and Peter, with the other disciples present, gave utterance to their astonishment that Jesus should have paid any attention to a mere touch in so great a crowd. But Jesus again affirmed, "Somebody hath touched me;" and gave as His reason for knowing it, "I perceive that virtue [or healing power] is gone out of me. How close the affinity of Christ to suffering humanity! Seeing she could not remain hid, the woman came trembling," and, falling down before Jesus, acknowledged the touch, explaining the motive which prompted her to it, and how she had become immediately cured. With loving words Jesus soothed the trembling one, gave her credit for her faith as a means of cure, and sent her away in peace. How grateful must this good woman have felt to such a Saviour! and as He is the same Saviour still, sympathizing in all our afflictions, how ready should we be to go to Him in every emergency!

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3rd. The Raising of Jairus' Daughter from the Dead, (verses 49-56.)—The cure of the woman of the "issue of blood" must have been very assuring to Jairus in regard to the recovery of his daughter by the same power; but just as Jesus was sending the woman away, there came a messenger from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Thy daughter is dead: trouble not the Master." This must have been a sore stroke to the affectionate father when his hopes were at the highest; and his heart might have sank within him had not Jesus cheered him with the words, "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole." The words of Jesus are balm to wounded spirits; and, trusting in Him, the darkest clouds in Providence are seen to have "silver linings." Arrived at the house, Jesus limits His attendants to the three privileged disciples; and, on entering, He found the usual wailing for the dead on the part of sorrowing friends and relatives, and also, as was the custom, by hired mourners. Jesus sought to suppress this noisy expression of grief, by saying that the maiden "is not dead, but sleepeth;" from which statement He wished it understood that the life was not beyond recovery. As was to be expected from carnal unbelievers, these mourners received Christ's word of comfort with distrust and ridicule-"They laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead;" and since such conduct was unsuitable for an occasion so solemn, Jesus 'put them all out" before proceeding with the miracle. Accompanied by the father and mother of the child, and the three disciples, Jesus now entered the chamber of the dead, and, taking hold of the stiff cold hand of the dead one, He said to her, "Maid, arise;" and immediately "her spirit came again, and she arose straightway.' Referring to this coming again of the spirit, Matthew Henry remarks: "This plainly proves that the soul exists and acts in a state of separation from the body, and therefore is immortal; that death does not extinguish this candle of the Lord, but takes it out of a dark lanthron." Jesus "commanded to give her meat;" and the fact that the maiden was in a condition to receive and relish her food, shews that she was not only living, but vigorous, and altogether different from what she had been before the spirit left her. We are not surprised that the "parents were astonished" at the power of Him who is indeed The Wonderful;" and their gratitude would, doubtless, equal their astonishment. What mingling emotions of tenderness, thankfulness, love, and delight, would fill the hearts of parents and child! Truly, as a scene of marvels, the house of Jairus is, at this time, a more suitable subject for the imagination to dwell upon than for the pen to describe. Jesus charged the parents that "they should tell no man what was done;" but we doubt they would not long keep the matter a secret.

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PRACTICAL LESSONS.

1st. Behold in Christ a never-failing friend.

2nd. See the value of faith, as the channel by which we receive the Divine blessing.

3rd. Let us rejoice in Christ Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 89.-Ecclesiastes xii. 1.

Subject to be proved-The Young may Die.

Golden Text-"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."-Ecclesiastes xii. 1.

NOTES.-The command, REMEMBER, implies that we are apt to forget. Whom?Thy Creator-Him who made us, supports us, sustains us-our Father. When?In youth. Of course, always; but the wise man knew that if we begin early the remembering will be the easier.

"Learn young, learn fair;
Learn old, learn sair."

And he gives his reason. Evil days will come. Cares, riches, pleasure, will make it difficult to remember when we are old. Those that seek early shall find.

Lesson 87.-August 31.

REVIEW-THE GREAT TEACHER.

"The common people heard him gladly." "Never man spake like this man.' These are two of the testimonies borne to Jesus as a teacher. In this review notice how He teaches, and what He teaches.

I. How?-Both by parable and miracle. Explain what a parable is, and shew how it is suited to convey instruction. It is just a story. But He teaches many lessons by His miracles, as we shall see.

II. What ?

(a) The need of repentance. Barren fig tree; and especially the need of showing repentance by fruit. I have come three years seeking fruit. He expects fruit.

(b.) The planting, growth, finding, and final winding up of the kingdom. (1.) The Planting.-Parable of the sower. Four kinds of soil-but only one produces fruit. Three fail. Be not careless hearers. But tares may be sown among the wheat. What then? Shall we root up the tares ?-No, by no means. No persecution allowed in Christ's Church.

(2.) The Growth.-Mustard seed and leaven. Two sides-one external, outward, visible; the other inner, secret, but always operative.

(3.) The Finding of the Kingdom.-One came upon it as he was doing the daily work God had given him-tilling his field. He came upon the hidden treasure. The other was an anxious inquirer-an earnest seeker after truth. In his search he has found many goodly pearls, and at last found the pearl. (4.) The Winding Up.-The drag-net.

These seven parables can be naturally arranged into three groups of two each, with the seventh coming in to complete the whole.

(c) The power of Jesus,

(1.) Over the elements-stilling the tempest. Incidental lesson—His ear is open to the cry of the distressed.

(2.) Over the human spirit, stilling the tempest of the soul, and bringing peace to the poor devil-distracted heart. The Gadarene demoniac.

(3.) Over death and the grave. Raising of Jarius' daughter.

These are the main points for review.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 90.-John vii. 46.

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