Intelligence.

Union had been given in the Christian Institute on Friday evening, 6th March. The finished manner in which the various pieces were rendered reflected great credit alike on pupils and on the painstaking and care bestowed on their training by the conductor, Mr. D. S. Allan.

GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL | Sabbath schools on behalf of Mr. UNION.-The monthly meeting of Quarrier's Orphan Homes. It was the Union was held in the Christian reported that the Annual Public Institute on Monday evening, 9th Meeting of the Union would be held March, Sir William Collins, presi- on Thursday, 23rd April. The Day dent, in the chair-present 27 direc- meeting, for the transaction of busitors. Reports were read from Govan, ness, would take place at one o'clock Pollokshaws, Southern, and South- p.m., the Conversazione from 6.45 Eastern District Unions; also from till 7.45 p.m., and the Evening the Dumbarton Union. The Sabbath Public Meeting would commence at Observance Committee reported that eight o'clock. Sir William Collins many of the shareholders of the would occupy the chair, and addresses Glasgow Tramway Company, in would be delivered by Francis W. reply to the Appeal sent to them Clark, Esq., LL.D., Sheriff of Lanarkfrom the religious associations with shire; Rev. James Brown, D.D., St. regard to the Sabbath tramway James U. P. Church, Paisley; Rev. traffic, had written expressing their James Wells, M. A., Pollokshields dissatisfaction at the running of the Free Church, and others. Mr. James cars on Sabbath, and intimating Smith, convener of Music Committee, their willingness to support any reported that a concert by the motion which might be made for Musical Training Classes of the their discontinuance. Gratification was expressed by the committee at the fact reported a few days ago in the Daily Mail, that the car company in London which had ceased to run its cars on Sabbath, now found themselves in a more prosperous condition with six days traffic than when the cars were run on the seven days of SOUTHERN DISTRICT SABBATH the week. The Joint Evangelistic SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on Committee reported that they had the 2nd March,-Mr. R. B. Smith, been invited and had agreed to co-president, in the chair-24 repreoperate with the Glasgow United sentatives present. Mr. George Evangelistic Association in arranging Leitch, jun., was nominated for the for Rev. E. Payson Hammond's office of corresponding secretary. meetings. The committee would be Mr. Shannon reported that the glad to have the aid of Christian work- united prayer meeting had been held ers at these meetings-workers who on Sabbath evening, 8th February, are qualified to speak with the young. and had been fairly well attended. At the request of the Glasgow Union, Also that the model lesson class was Messrs. Allan Coats, William Mac- resumed on Saturday afternoon, the auslane, and James Paterson attended 7th February, and continued to as a deputation from the Paisley prosper. The Annual Business Union, for the purpose of considering Meeting was fixed for Tuesday, the the desirability of uniting with the 24th March, in the hall of Eglinton Glasgow Union in promoting the Street Congregational Church; tea to general interests of Sabbath schools. be served at half-past seven o'clock. It was reported that in response to The draft of the annual reports were the Union's appeal, £235 17s. 11d. read by the secretary and treasurer, had been received to date from the and approved of. It was agreed

to hold another united prayer meeting in the month of May.

history of many of them, yet, after passing from under his care, of the SOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL great majority he knew almost UNION. The directors of this Union nothing. He spoke of the value of met for conference on the 27th kindness in teaching, and assured January. The subject, "Hindrances his hearers that earnest prayerful to Sabbath School Work," was well teaching would save the scholars from considered and ably treated in two degraded lives. He concluded by papers by two of the teachers con- moving that the following gentlemen nected with Fairbairn Free Church. be the office-bearers for the following The usual business meeting was held year:-viz., John Stephen, Esq., hon. on the 24th February-23 directors president; Mr. David Fullarton, present, Mr. P. B. Bryce, president, president; Mr. Robert Kilgour, vicein the chair. Very interesting president; Messrs. T. C. Paterson statements were made by several of and J. W. Middleton, secretaries; the school visitors. Arrangements Mr. Archibald Taylor, treasurer. were made for the annual meeting and soiree, to be held on the 24th March, when the Revs. J. Murray, J. Steel, and Hector Hall, with Sir William Collins and Jos. C. Robertson, Esq., were expected to be present and address the meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. D. Fullarton, who reviewed briefly the work of the Union. He referred to his own early recollections of teaching in Ayrshire, and pressed the teachers' examination scheme on the favourable consideration of the MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH teachers. The Rev. Mr. Thomson SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on addressed the meeting. He exhorted 10th February, Mr. John Morison, teachers to persevere in their work president, presiding-representatives and not to give up even though they present 11. The business consisted chiefly in arranging for the Annual Meeting, to be held on 19th March, and nominating office-bearers for the ensuing session.

by the Rev. Jervis Coats, M.A.; and the choir of Plantation U. P. Church during the evening rendered several anthems very efficiently.

met with difficulties, and recommended them to be firm and cheerful. Dr. Thomas Morrison also gave a most interesting address. He asked the teachers (1) to prepare very fully, GOVAN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. (2) to study child nature, (3) to -The fifth Annual Meeting of this strive to be simple, (4) to illustrate Union was held in the Broomloan what they said, (5) to be patient, Halls, on Tuesday, 10th February, cheerful, and hopeful; and he illus when there was a good attendance trated each point in a very instructive of teachers and others. John manner. An address was also given Stephen, Esq., occupied the chair, and after tea delivered an address, in the course of which he referred in an instructive manner to General Gordon, his prayerfulness and his interest in the young. The secretary's and treasurer's reports shewed that there was an increase in the numbers of teachers and scholars, and that the funds were in a satisfactory condition. Bailie Ferguson moved the adoption of the reports. He had now been a Sabbath school teacher for 25 years; his various classes had been principally composed of girls, and although he knew the

POLLOKSHAWS DISTRICT UNION.The Annual Meeting of this Union was held in the form of a conversazione on 27th February, in the Kirk Lane Hall, Pollokshaws. Mr. Hall, the president, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of teachers. Tea was served in the small hall; and in the large hall there was on view, during the evening, a large assortment of Sabbath school requisites, &c., which

The

contributed much to the pleasant- | interesting report was read from the ness and success of the meeting. visitors to schools,-viz., Messrs. MalThe exhibits were examined with colm M'Lean and George Sutherland. considerable interest by the teachers A marked increase and enthusiasm present. The secretary read the was noted all over the Union. annual report, which shewed a satis- following were nominated as officefactory extension of the Union, and bearers for the ensuing year:-Hon. detailed the work and aims of the pres., A. Orr Ewing, jun., Esq.; hon. directors. The following gentlemen vice-pres., James Campbell, Esq., were elected as directors for the of Tilliechewan; pres., Mr. W. Kinensuing year :-Dr. Ritchie, and loch; vice-pres., George Sutherland; Messrs. Cameron, Drysdale, Fulton, secy., W. Lochhead; treas., Thos. Govan, Grant, Sewell, Somerville, Duncanson; directors, Messrs. John Stark, and Watson. In the course Stirling, John Neil, John Paterson, of the evening there was some music, jun., James Graham, Peter Ewing, and several gentlemen addressed the and William Dick. meeting.

DUMBARTON SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. This Union met on Monday, the 2nd March. The business transacted related principally to the next Scottish National Sabbath School Convention, which is to be held in Dumbarton, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd October next. The local committee had secured the Burgh Buildings for the meetings; and as the expenses would likely amount to £100 or so, an appeal for subscriptions in aid of the Convention had been issued to friends throughout Dumbartonshire. A list of the general topics to be considered had also been drawn up, and the committee were in communication with suitable parties who would introduce them for conference. A special choir for the Convention would be formed, from all the churches in town, by Mr. J. M'Donald, conductor of the Parish Church choir. It was agreed to hold next Annual Meeting of the Union in the form of a conversazione; and a draft copy of the report for the past year was read and adopted. Office-bearers were

FREE ST. PETER'S CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY.-The scholars' examination took place on Saturday, 31st January; the examiners were Messrs. Jos. C. Robertson and Harry Roxburgh, friends from Free St. George's. The first gradethose under 10 years of age-met between one and two o'clock; and there came forward 41 in all, of whom 10 succeeded in obtaining first, 5 second, and 5 third prizes. The second grade met between halfpast three and five o'clock; and 55 came forward, of whom 6 took first, 7 took second, and 8 took third prizes. This and the third grade examination were by written answers, 24 questions being set, of which it was only necessary to answer 20. The third grade met between seven and nine o'clock; and 42 entered, of whom 26 obtained prizes-3 first, 16 second, and 7 third. The examiners were much pleased with the result; the answers, especially of the third grade papers, proved that the teaching had taken firm hold on the minds of the scholars. In some instances, particularly in the oral grade, the answers shewed considerable conVALE OF LEVEN SABBATH SCHOOL fusion in the minds of the scholars UNION.-The quarterly meeting of on questions lying just on the thresthis Union was held on Wednesday, hold of the lesson. This, the 11th March-20 delegates present,- examiners considered, should make Mr. W. Kinloch presiding. The teachers alive to the need for conAnnual Meeting was fixed to be held stant repetition and reiteration of on Wednesday, 25th March. An facts very familiar to themselves,

also nominated for next year.

than it has ever been before. The Visiting Committee stated, that of the 47 schools, 44 had been visited; of these 18 are mission schools, 11 have separate senior classes, 8 have special buildings, 26 meet in church, and 10 in rented premises. Officebearers were nominated for the ensuing year.

but which the young mind is slow to scheme is now somewhat wider spread lay hold of. The large proportion of prizes obtained to the numbers who came forward should be strong encouragement for larger numbers next year; and under the system by which prizes are allotted, not in order of merit, but to all who reach a certain per-centage of marks, each candidate gets the full benefit of his own work, independently of all others. The prizes were given by a lady of the congregation.

OFFER TO TEACHERS.-The publisher of the "Teachers' Storehouse and Treasury" is offering to Sabbath school teachers for a short time the volume at half-price,—viz., one shilling, or post free for one shilling and

NORTH-WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on the 10th March,-18 present -Mr. J. D. Kidd in the chair. The fourpence. Our readers should take scholars' examinations were reported as having been held on Friday, 6th March. There were 532 competitors, being 30 fewer than last year; these, however, represent 18 societies as compared with 14 last year, which shews that the interest in this

advantage of this offer, as the work is a complete storehouse of useful material for their use. As the number to be sold under this arrangement is limited, early application should be made to Mr. Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, E. C.

Notes on the Union's Lesson Scheme for 1885.

[These Notes are intended to aid Teachers in their studies at home, and not to be used in the school while teaching.]

Lesson 119.-April 12.

THE HONOUR OF HUMILITY.-Matthew xviii. 1-14.

Verses 1-4.-The disciples of Christ entertained erroneous views of the nature of His kingdom, not yet understanding that it was to be spiritual—not material and temporal; and, according to Mark and Luke, some of them had been disputing about their respective claims to office and honour in His government. Jesus shews that pride and ambition are opposed to the character and spirit of His true disciples. They must be "converted" before they can enter the king dom at all—that is, be changed, turned, renewed in the spirit of their mind; and when they are thus admitted into His spiritual kingdom, their crowning honour will consist in their being humble, meek, docile, unambitious, and submissive as a little child, and willing to be "the least of all, and the servant of all.”

Verses 5-7.-"Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me," said the Lord, referring primarily to the child in the midst of the disciples, and generalizing the remark so as to include all His child-like followers. How should we 66 receive" Christ ?—with simple faith, deep affection, a trustful, a teachable, and submissive spirit; so we should love, cherish, and instruct His dear "little ones," the lambs of the flock, and in like manner confide in and be friend the poorest and least distinguished of His followers. "Offend" and offence," in verses 6, 7, 8,-causing any of Christ's followers, young or old, to stumble and fall, by scandals and inconsistencies in the lives of Christian pro

66

fessors, as well as by wrongs and cruelties perpetrated upon them by enemies of the truth. The "mill-stone," in the East, was so small as to be turned by the hand, and resembled the old quern or hand-mill of western countries. "Two women shall be grinding at the mill," &c. The appearance of the upper stone, perforated for the admission of the grain, suggests how it might be slung round the neck, and shews the appropriateness of the figure.

Verses 8, 9.-"Offences" are inevitable in this bad world, where God is pleased, for wise but inscrutable reasons, to permit them; but " woe "is denounced upon those who are the cause of them; and if this "woe" shall surely overtake such as despise, injure, and ensnare any of these "little ones," what shall the end be of inconsistent, self-deceiving, and misleading disciples? The true disciple is therefore urged to rid himself of every cause and occasion of such "offences," although the pain of doing so should be like that of cutting off a hand or a foot, or plucking out an eye. Enter into life halt or maimed with one eye.' It is not to be understood that in this state any will ever enter heaven; the figure of speech means, that even were it possible, still to enter thus maimed would be far preferable to being cast into the place of punishment in possession of the "offending" member.

"

Verse 10.-The true disciple may well receive "these little ones" with the esteem and reverence due to them on the Master's account, however humble and despised they may be in the world, when it is remembered that "their angels do always behold the face" of their Father who is in heaven. "Their angels; "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ?" (Heb. i. 14.) Who can estimate the privilege of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ, when even the youngest, the obscurest, and the weakest of His "little ones are cared for and watched over by angel ministers, sent on messages of love and mercy from the Father?

Verses 11-14.-Christ illustrates, by the parable of the lost sheep, the individual interest He feels in every lamb and sheep of His flock, and shews that it is the will of their heavenly Father that not one of these little ones should perish."

Marks of a true Disciple.-1. Conversion, being regenerated or born again, (John iii. 3,) including his being justified and sanctified through the righteousness of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. 2. Humility, which, arising from conscious unworthiness, lies at the basis of the Christian character. 3. Faith in Christ, receiving and resting upon Him alone for salvation. 4. Love of the brethren; "faith worketh by love," alike to God and man. 5. Holiness of heart and life, prayerfulness, self-scrutiny, self-denial; seeking to exercise a wholesome example in the world, and carefully avoiding whatever might cause a brother to sin and fall. 6. His living under the power of the world to come; conscious of his being under the special and tender care of Him who is not willing that any of His little ones should perish; and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.

Subject to be proved-Christ Loves and Cares for Children.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 15.-Psalm ciii. 16, 17.

Golden Text-"Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."-Matthew xviii. 14.

NOTES.—First, explain the text. Take "little ones" literally for little children. Then the great and gracious truth-it is not our Father's will that one should perish. He wishes them all to be saved. Observe the interest He has in them little ones-a very tender word; little and not able to bear much; little and not much thoughtfulness to be expected; little and easily led. But all this makes them dearer to our Father. Second, what encouragement to us in dealing with them! In teaching them, in trying to lead them to the Saviour, we are doing the very will of our Father. If such is His will, we may expect He will bless our work and own it. Be not weary in well-doing.