5. Judgment in expressing approbation; how to notice, expose, or punish faults, and when to pass

them over.

The whole to be enriched and sanctified by an earnest, simple "looking unto Jesus" in prayer and in his Word; by self-cultivation and preparation out of School, that in School there may be no hesitation as to what to do or say; and by a loving spirit, which makes the School felt to be a place where good things are taught both by example and precept!

"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." (2 Tim. ii. 7.)

"IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY."

If we would be truly happy, either here or hereafter, we should seek it in the knowledge, the love, and the service of the Lord Jesus.

TO KNOW him is life eternal. (John xvii. 2.)

To LOVE him is unceasing joy. (Psalm civ. 34.)

TO SERVE him is indeed perfect freedom. (Ps. cxix. 45.) The MORE We know him, the more abundant will be our life. (John x. 10.)

The MORE We love him, the more full will be our joy. (Canticles v. 16.)

The BETTER We serve him, the more complete will be our freedom. (Psalm cxix. 165.)

TO INCREASE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM

We should study his word. (Prov. ii. 1—5.) We should meditate on his character. (Psalm civ. 34. Canticles iii. 1—11. iv. 1—8.)

We should rely on his promises. (Psalm ix. 10.)

We should rejoice in every position, however painful, that gives him, if we may so speak, the opportunity of manifesting to us his character. (John xvii. 15. 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.)

TO INCREASE OUR LOVE TO HIM

We should think of his love to us in becoming poor for our sakes, (2 Cor. 8. 9.) despised, (Psalm xxii. 6, 7.)

rejected, (John xviii. 40.) scoffed at, (Mark xv. 29.) scorned, (Mark xv. 17.) treated as a malefactor, (Isaiah liii. 4.) overwhelmed with afflictions and anguish, (Isaiah liii. 10.) cast out for a season from even the Father's presence, (Psalm xxii. 1.) and nailed to the cross bearing the weight of his people's sins and sorrows, (Isaiah liii. 5. Matt. viii. 16, 17.)

We should think also of

HIS LOVE IN PRESENT EXERCISE

Bearing our names on his heart for a memorial before the Lord continually, (Exodus xxviii. 30.) unceasingly mindful of our necessities, (Phil. iv. 19.) sympathizing with our feelings, (Heb. iv. 15.) and sorrows, (Isaiah Ixiii. 9.) compassionating our infirmities, (Psalm ciii. 13.) and our errors, (Heb. v. 2.) accepting our imperfect services, (Heb. vi. 10.) recognizing our drooping affections, Cant. iv. 10.) guiding our wandering feet, (Psalm lxxiii. 24.) protecting our helplessness, (Psalm cv. 14.) keeping us by his Almighty power and his unchanging constancy. (1 Pet. i. 5.)

TO SERVE HIM MORE FULLY

We should unceasingly set him before us as our pattern, (Eph. v. 1, 2.) we should wait upon him for renewed strength, (Isaiah xl. 31.) look to him for his manifold grace, (Heb. iv. 16.) and follow him wherever he leads us. (Rev. xiv. 4.)

O gracious God and most merciful Father, who hast vouchsafed to us the rich and precious jewel of thy Holy Word; assist us with thy Spirit, that it may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to thine own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect building of thy Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

NEVER DECEIVE A CHILD.

NEVER promise him what you do not intend to perform. Never forget to do for him as you promise. Train

him up in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Do not many forget the importance of this precept in respect to deception? Do they not deceive their children without a thought that they are thus teaching them to deceive?

The importance of truth, without art or deception in the management of children, is illustrated by the incident narrated in the following paragraph from a New York paper:

"Two little boys met on the side walk, and, after some minutes spent in conversation, one remarked to the other, that some little thing might be obtained, if he could obtain a few pence from his parents.' 'But,' said the other, 'I do not need any money to obtain it, for my mother told me I should have it at such a time.' 'Pho!' said the first; 'my mother has promised me so a great many times, and I did not get it; and I do not think you will either.' 'What!' said the other. 'O yes,' replied the first, ‘our mother only tells us so to get rid of us, and I think it will be so with yours.' 'What! my mother tell a lie! I would sooner believe the Bible told lies than my mother!' exclaimed the little fellow, and immediately left his companion with a countenance filled with indignation. What a lesson should this afford to all parents, guardians, and those who have the care of youth."

"SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD."

"SHE hath done what she could," said the Saviour, of one whose devotion to him led her to the tomb of her crucified Lord, to watch for his resurrection. Young Christian, can that be said of you? "She hath done what she could!" Oh, how full of encouragement is the simple story of Mary's love, especially to the female disciple of the Saviour.

There lived in a poor hut, a girl of sixteen. The only means of instruction ever enjoyed by her, did not exceed six months; but her mind was awakened by an ardent desire for knowledge. After she had learned by heart the few books within her reach, she took the Bible, and though she had seldom heard the Gospel preached, yet the Spirit of God inspired her with wonder, as she read the story of a Saviour's love. Her wonder was changed to penitence: she was humbled; she sought pardon; and with a sense cf forgiveness came the inquiry, what she, a poor ignorant child could do for her Saviour? She thought of her brothers; she read to them over and over again the lessons she had learned from the Bible. She had heard of Sabbath schools, and with a determination to establish one among the few neighbours in her vicinity, she persuaded her father to lend his kitchen for a school-room. When the Sabbath came, twenty poor ignorant children filled her room. Soon her school increased; old men and middle aged came, and the youthful teacher was happy; yet with a trembling heart she persevered.

Years passed; and in place of scores, hundreds gathered in that school each returning Sabbath, and it is now in the midst of a flourishing village. A neat church stands by the site of the old kitchen, and the songs of Zion echo from its walls; and the voice of the Gospel minister is heard from its pulpit on the Lord's day. That teacher sleeps! She has gone to receive the blessed commendation-"She hath done what she could."

Yes, she has ceased from her labours; but mark the sequel. A brother also listened to the first lessons of holiness that trembled on her lips, is preparing for the Christian ministry; others are devoted, useful Christians; and one of the scholars is already on missionary ground. Verily, "She hath done what she could."

To every young Christian, we would say, "Go and do likewise.' But do you ask what you can do? Look around you. Are your brothers and sisters better for your example? Are your companions looking to you for a pattern of holiness; or, are you a stumbling block

over which they will plunge into the abodes of the lost? Say, is your heart steeped in the love of Christ? Is it burning with a missionary spirit? You can be a

missionary even where you are: in your own town, in your own neighbourhood; for there are those all around you who seldom hear the sound of the Gospel. Seek them out; bring them to Christ. Thus you may bear fruit to the glory of God: and of you too it may be said, "She hath done what she could."

LUKE xvi. 8.

"The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.'

THERE is generally in a Sunday-school class one or more of those who attend without feeling any real pleasure, or any wish to learn. A poor excuse is gladly embraced for remaining at home a Sunday or two. The natural disinclination for school is now increased. The child judging by past experience thinks, "the first thing I shall get when I go to school again, will be a scolding for having stayed away." However, she is persuaded to go; but her conjecture is right. The Teacher (meaning well perhaps,) begins with reproving the delinquent before the whole class. The child's proud heart directly argues, "I thought how it would be; but if I had known it for certain, I would not have come at all." Instead of good resulting, the least evil probably is a sullenness during the whole lesson, and the Teacher is unable to gain either her obedience or attention.

The offender evidently needs and should have correction, and her proud looks are not to be feared; but could not the faithful, judicious, and tender Teacher, give the reproof at the child's home-keeping in mind the Scripture rule. (Matt. xviii. 15.) Her return to school is a mark of amendment, and should there be received with a smile of encouragement.

Now then for our motto: "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."