sum of £100. They trust that with your help it will be largely benefited this year. The other Association to which a portion of your collection will be given, is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; and we think the very name of it will awaken feelings of interest and sympathy. Many of you, we doubt not, have seen and known cases of children, even in your own neighbourhood, who were sadly neglected and cruelly treated, who frequently had not sufficient food to eat, and whose clothes were dirty and ragged; and there are large numbers of such children in Glasgow. The principal cause of this cruelty and misery is the drunkenness of the parents or guardians of these children; and the object of this Society is to rescue them from the evil influences which surround them, and give them a chance of becoming good, useful, and respectable men and women when they grow up. The Society was only formed last year, but some idea of the necessity for it and the work it has done may be gathered from the fact, that it has already inquired into 555 cases, involving the welfare of 1,100 children. Of these, 598 have found refuge in the Shelter which the Society has opened at 169 Hill Street, Garnethill, 4,221 meals have been given, 187 have been clothed, and 200 have been placed in Homes, Training Ships, and Industrial Schools. On behalf of these Societies, then, the Directors beg your collection ; they ask you to think of your own blessings of health and comfort, and then of the suffering and misery of so many round about you, and to shew, by your contributions on their behalf, how much you are growing in the spirit of love and sympathy which so characterized our blessed Savour, who went about doing good. In name of the Glasgow Sabbath School Union, WM. COLLINS, President. JAMES RICHMOND, Secs. JOHN INGRAM, Vice-Pres. JAMES MACNAIR, JAMES SMITH, Hon. Treasurer. GLASGOW, November, 1885. Toys for the Infirmaries. A CORRESPONDENT sends us the following practical suggestion, which we certainly commend to the consideration of teachers; but, on looking at it, the question occurs, Why should we limit our sympathy to the children's wards of our hospitals, or to the season of Christmas? We have the poor always with us, and there are many of them sick who do not reach the Infirmary, whose parents, as well as the little sufferers, would be greatly cheered by neighbourly Christian visits and little deeds of kindness: About Christmas and New-Year time we often see in the newspapers appeals for toys, &c., for the children in our infirmaries and sick hospitals. Would it not be possible for the teachers to interest their scholars to open their young hearts towards their brothers and sisters in affliction? I would suggest, that where a school is large enough, they might provide a Christmas tree furnished throughout with toys, &c., for one of the wards. In the case of small schools, two or three might join together to furnish a tree between them. The girls could dress up little dolls, and the boys might invest some of their spare pennies in providing toys. Each tree could be named after the school which gifted it. If a committee of teachers were appointed from those schools which took up the matter, it could easily be wrought out, and every children's ward in our infirmaries and hospitals would have its own Christmas tree. Any one who has seen how these little trouble-tossed bairns appreciate a little "minding" of this sort will at once see what an amount of joy this would give to the little ones. A small posie of snowdrops and a little picture book placed on each sick child's pillow on Christmas morn would not cost a great deal of money, and oh! what a lot of happiness it would be to them! What more blessed way could there be of working out the sentiment of that beautiful natal hymn sung by the herald angels on the plains of Bethlehem? It is not yet too late this year to put it into practice, if the teachers would only take up the matter. CAMBUSLANG, November, 1885. J. M. G. Weak Points that Should be Strengthened. AN American newspaper, The Interior, commenting upon the Sabbath School Statistics of the Presbyterian Churches in the States, says :"The Sabbath school statistics of our General Assembly reveal some curious facts. Certain of the larger and more popular churches seem either not to believe in Sabbath schools, or to be sadly deficient in juvenile material. For instance: the Madison Square Church in New York City (Dr. Parkhurst's) reports 910 members, and only 135 in its Sabbath school. The Brick Church in the same city reports 716 members, and only 100 in its Sabbath school. Calvary Church reports 159 members, and no Sabbath school. On the contrary, the Eighty-fourth Street Church reports 110 members, and 325 in the Sabbath school. The Allen Street Church reports 200 members, and 840 in its Sabbath school. The Phillips Church reports 130 members, and 300 in its Sabbath school. The University Place Church reports 1,210 members, and 2,557 in its Sabbath school. Crossing from New York to Brooklyn we find that Dr. Talmage's great church, with its 3,169 members, has only 1,396 in its Sabbath school. Why, 2,000 at least of those communicants ought to be in Bible classes. And if they have not children of their own, they could find at least a thousand neglected children in that great city whom they could clothe and bring into the Sabbath school. All honour to the churches that are studying the Bible and trying to save the children. But alas for the churches who care only for eloquent preaching, and are too proud or too lazy to do missionary work." The Editor further says: "Our churches report a Sabbath school membership of 720,059. This looks well. But let us examine it. There were 644,025 communicants. Of these all who can ought to attend the Sabbath school, either as officers, teachers, or members, of a congregational Bible class. It is safe to say that 500,000 of our church members could attend the Sabbath school if they realized that it is not for the children merely, but is the congregation studying the Word. That is the true idea of what we call the Sabbath school. Well, the 500,000 communicants could bring with them, of their own children and of others, at least 500,000 more. Hence our Sabbath school enrolment ought to be a round million. Of the present membership reported we do not believe that over 200,000 are communicants. Let 300,000 more communicants join the congregational Bible classes, and that fact would attract more outsiders, and soon the attendance could be doubled. The great point to press in our Sabbath school work, is not so much the gathering in of neglected children, as the gathering in of the members of the church." We desire to echo, most sincerely, this last remark; and without, in the least degree, relieving parents of their duty,—a thing, of course, which not even the Church can do,--we would entreat our churches of every denomination, through their ministers and church courts, to shew a real, a practical, and a special interest in the religious training of the young. 3 Pastoral Catechism. Do you believe in prayer?—Then come to the prayer meeting. Do you believe that the Lord blesses the two or three and the greater number in proportion?—Then bring some neighbour or friend with you. Do you want to have a good meeting? Then look up the subject on the card, and seek some illustration, or anecdote, or text of Scripture, or some thought, and let us have it. Do you love your church ?—Then shew your love by your attendance, help, and good speaking. Do you love your pastor?-Then help him in his work. "Where there's a will there's a way." Are you good?—Then never say ill of your brethren and neighbours. Do you want people to think you are good?-Then DO good. BY THEIR DEEDS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. Notices of Books. SEEKING AND FINDING ALMANACK | THIS Almanack is designed to proFOR 1886. London: S. W. Partridge & Co. [12 pp., price 1d., or 6s. per 100.] mote daily Bible reading and study. It contains a text of Scripture for every day in the year, arranged in monthly subjects; but their place in the Bible is not mentioned, and it is left to the Bible student to find out the references, which are to be entered daily in spaces left blank for the purpose. It is intended for use in Bible classes and families; and the proper use of it will certainly afford profitable and interesting employment, for young people especially. THY SAVIOUR; OR, WORDS TO THE YOUNG ABOUT SOME OF THE NAMES OF CHRIST. By the Rev. C. A. Salmond, M.A., author of "A Woman's Work," &c. Glasgow: Charles Glass & Co. THIS admirable little work is from the pen of the young and talented minister of Free St. Matthew's, who has already made his mark in the field of religious literature. It consists, as the title implies, of a series of short discourses on the names of the Saviour, arranged alphabetically, according to their initial letters. The first address, for example, is on the "Advocate," the second on the "Beloved," the third on the "Captain," and so on. They were originally given as the children's portion, from week to week, in the preacher's Sabbath forenoon services, and were exceedingly popular. They are not less likely to be so in their present form. They are couched in language eminently suited to children; the style is clear and attractive; the expositions and illustrations simple, natural, and fresh; while the lessons i suggested by each discourse are pointed, plain, and practical, and therefore telling. The little book is invitingly got up, while the price is almost nominal. As a gift to our Sabbath scholars at the coming NewYear, we cordially recommend it to the special notice of superintendents and teachers; but apart from such a purpose, its merits are certain to secure for it otherwise, and very soon, a large circulation. NEW-YEAR HYMNS FOR 1886. By Various Authors. Glasgow: John M'Callum & Co. HYMNS suitable for distribution amongst the young at the New-Year are indispensable in many schools. Specimens of those published by Messrs. M'Callum & Co. have been sent us. We can cordially recommend them as simple and evangelical. Printed on stiffish cardboard, with a beautiful gold border, and nicely coloured, they are cheap at 3s. per 100. Superintendents ordering 100 or more may have the name of their school printed on them. But if this is wanted by any school, the orders for such would need to be transmitted to the publishers at least two or three weeks before the holidays come on. THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE. Glasgow: John Menzies & Co.; also Christian Institute, 70 Bothwell Street. THE October number of this Magazine commences the seventh volume. It is a most valuable journal for young men. It is now the recog nised organ of the Young Men's Christian Associations in Scotland; and as a medium of communication between those who are interested in the work of such associations its usefulness cannot be overstated. In addition to intelligence, many original articles appear in its pages from time to time from well-known writers, whose words are always welcome. ALL THE WORLD FOR CHRIST: A MISSIONARY ADDRESS ΤΟ THE YOUNG. By the Rev. William Duncan, author of "Born a Saviour," "God's Presents," &c. 32 pp. Glasgow: Aird & Coghill. IN this racy and sensible address to the young Mr. Duncan mentions several very practical ways by which the young may help in the work of missions, and also the motives which should urge them to take an cluding postage.) interest in such service. The address (1/ monthly, 12/6 per annum, inthroughout is eminently practical; for instance, he says "If all the Sabbath scholars in the world at the present time were to give each a halfpenny a-week, it would make no less a sum than £1,400,000,-that is, nearly a million and a-half sterling in a year; and with that sum four thousand missionaries could be supported; and what a difference to the heathen world in a single year would the earnest efforts of four thousand missionaries make ! What power would they add to that already at work in diffusing Gospel light in these dark lands, and in hastening the time when the whole earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!" GENERAL GORDON. By the Rev. ONCE A MONTH: A Magazine for THIS journal is not new to us, and CLASS ROLL-CARD. Glasgow: John New Books. THE CHILDREN OF AFRICA: Written for all English-speaking children. By their old friend, the author of "The Children of India," and "The Children of China;" with Map and Illustrations. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 259 pp., price 5s. PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM THE PARABLES OF CHRIST. By A. L. O. E., author of "Rescued from Egypt;" "The Shepherd of Bethlehem;" The Young Pilgrim," &c. London: Morgan & Scott. 242 pp., price 3s. 6d. |
