"Dictionary" will also be found useful. Or if these cannot be attained, a book of Travels in the Holy Land will often furnish abundant information. As an illustration of many hundreds of passages of Scripture in this way, "The Church of Scotland's Mission to the Jews" will be found very interesting. And no Teacher, let me add, in conclusion, will ever regret bestowing minute attention on such matters as these, when they come in his way. His class will improve with his increase of knowledge, and feel grateful for the explanations he adduces to those minor difficulties. And while he keeps their minds fixed primarily on the most important points, these little digressions and deviations will be found at once both pleasing and refreshing.

ON PRAYER.

My mind has of late been much occupied on the subject of prayer, a privilege of which we do not sufficiently understand the value. I would affectionately urge on Teachers the all-important duty. "Be instant in prayer," as the Psalmist says; "pour out your hearts before him." In him all fulness dwells. There is not a want but can be abundantly satisfied, not a desire but can be fulfilled, not a difficulty but can be removed; the weakest may by that means be made strong; even Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. Why, then, should we be so slack in seeking the fulfilment of that promise: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full"? Do we forget that it is only through the Spirit of God that we can overcome all the enemies of our salvation; can obtain the victory over the devil, the world, and the flesh; and can subdue our corruptions? that it is only the Spirit of God which can sanctify us? and how is that Spirit to be obtained, but by pleading the promises of Christ at the footstool of the throne of grace? Let us seek it there, and we shall be sure to find it.

Let us consider this matter in our relation as Teachers. Of what avail is it that we gather around us the children

of our class, and tell them of the love of God; warn them of hell; and set before them the glories of heaven? tell them of all that Christ has done and suffered for them? Of what avail, I say, is all this, if the blessing of God does not rest upon the words spoken? Have ye never read: “Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God only-who can give the increase"?

O my dear fellow-labourers, let me most earnestly beg you to pray more for your children. Oh! remember that every child in your class has an immortal soul: its time here may be short. Oh! seek to bring it into the fold of the Good Shepherd. Jesus loves the lambs of his flock: bring yours to him, and crave a blessing for them. Say, as Jacob, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." A CONSTANT Reader.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Questions on the Articles of Religion, with Scripture Proofs. Intended chiefly for the Upper Classes in Schools after they have been fully instructed in the Church Catechism. Compiled by a Minister of the Church of England. London: Whittaker.

We can confidently recommend this little manual as a valuable help in Schools.

Instruction for the Ignorant: a Catechism. By BUNYAN. London: Nelson.

This is a really useful Catechism, which cannot be in too general use.

LESSONS FROM SCRIPTURE.

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

GENESIS XXIV. 1-28.-Abraham seeks a wife for Isaac. QUESTIONS.-Verse 1. Was Abraham old at this time? How old, about, was he?-140 years. (Comp. xxi. 5. with xxv. 20.) Had Abraham's condition been prosperous? Who are they (David says) that are thus blessed? (Ps. i. 1, 3.)—V. 2. Whom did Abra

ham speak to about the matter he had in hand? Can you tell who this servant was? (xv. 2.)-V. 4. What did he wish him to do? Why would he not have a wife for Isaac from among the Canaanites?-Because they were wicked idolaters. Where was the servant to go to? Where was Abraham's country? (Acts vii. 2.)—Vv. 5, 8. If the woman would not follow him, was Isaac to go to her?-V. 7. Did Abraham think that God would guide his servant? Why was Isaac not to return to Mesopotamia ?-V. 10. Which way did the servant journey? What was the name of Nahor's city? (xxvii. 43.) Who was Nahor? (xi. 27.)-V. 11. What time did Eliezer arrive at the city?-V. 12. What does he do before going further? Was it good to ask for God's blessing on his undertaking? What does St. Paul tell us about praying to God? (Phil. iv. 6.)—V. 14. What sign of God prospering him did he ask?-V. 15. What maiden came to the well just then? What relation was Rebekah to Abraham? Did she come before he had finished praying? What does this shew? (See Is. lxv. 24.)-V. 16. What had Rebekah come to the well for ?-Vv. 18, 19. When the servant asked her for drink, according to his prayer, was she willing to give it?-V. 21. What was passing in his mind at this time? Had he any reason to expect that God would make it successful? (Prov. iii. 6.)-V. 22. What did he place upon Rebekah? Why did he give her these trinkets? -To shew that he believed her to be the person God had chosen for him. Would it have been right for him to doubt, after his prayer? (Matt. xxi. 22.)—V. 23. What did he further enquire of the maiden ?-V. 24. Whose daughter was she?-V. 26. Why did the servant worship the Lord after she had told him?-Her being of the same family as Abraham was another proof that God had led him. (See 27.) Had his master charged him to fetch a wife from his kindred? (verse 4.) Does not all this shew us that God orders the ways of his people? (Ps. xxxvii. 23.)

GLOSSARY.-V. 2. There seems little doubt that this was Eliezer mentioned. (xv.)-V. 18. My lord. She could see he was a great person by the large train of camels that was with him, &c.-V. 21. To wit, to know; in other places, we may express it by namely. (See 1 Kings xiii. 23.)—V. 22. Earring, (margin,) jewel for the forehead. (See verse 47.)-V. 25. Provender, provisions.

GENERAL REMARK.-" In all thy ways acknowledge him" is the advice given us by Solomon. Abraham's servant acted up to it in this instance. When he had reached Haran he would not go on with his business until he had asked God to direct him, in a special

earnest prayer. "And he shall direct thy paths" is the promise

attached to those who follow the advice. God directed Eliezer's

path. Before he had done speaking, Rebekah comes down to the well, fulfils every token mentioned in his prayer, and says that she is of Abraham's "kindred." O! let us, in all matters, beg for God's guidance, sincerely, humbly, fervently, that we receive the promise.

AFTERNOON LESSON.

LUKE XVI. 19-31.-The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

QUESTIONS.-Verse 19. What was the condition of the man mentioned in this verse?-V. 20. What was that of Lazarus? Where was he laid?-V. 21. What did he desire for his food?V. 22. What became of the beggar, after a time? and where was he taken after death? What do you mean by Abraham's bosom ?—A place of rest and happiness with Abraham. Lazarus was poor; was he taken to heaven because he had been poor?-No. Why did he gain an entrance there?-Because he was poor in spirit, and trusted in Christ his Saviour. (Matt. v. 3.)—V. 23. What became of the rich man after death? Was he sent to hell simply because he had been rich ?-No; but because he had trusted in his riches, (Mark x. 24.) and, laying up treasure for himself, had not been rich towards God. (Luke xii. 20, 21.) When in hell, whom did he see afar off?-V. 24. What did he ask Abraham to do? What did he mean by this?—That he might send Lazarus to give him ease.— V. 25. What does Abraham say? If it was a just punishment on him, could he complain? (Lam. iii. 39.)—V. 26. What else does he say? If we continue careless, can we hope that others will be able to rescue us from hell?-(See Ezek. xiv. 20.)-V. 27. If he could be delivered, what further does he wish Abraham to do?—V. 28. Why was Lazarus to go to his father's house?-V. 29. What does Abraham tell him? What did he mean by Moses and the prophets? -The word of God, the Scriptures. Are the Scriptures able to make us wise to salvation? (2 Tim. iii. 15.)—V. 30. Did the rich man think one going to them from the dead would be more likely to convert them?-V. 31. Was this so? If we do not attend to what the Bible says, is it likely that we shall to any thing else?

GLOSSARY.-V. 19. This was a parable, not a real occurrence, and brought forward by our Lord to reprove the covetous and worldly spirit of the Pharisees. (verse 14.)—V. 25. The rich man had received and thought only of enjoying his good things during his life-time, without a thought of God: it was a just punishment for this ungodly conduct that he now received his evil things, &c.

GENERAL REMARK.-Oh! the misery of wealth, without the love and fear of God. Oh! the blessedness of poverty, with them.

The rich man gives up his heart to enjoy this world, without looking beyond it, and in hell he lifts up his eyes in torment. Lazarus lies in poverty and wretchedness at his gate, but full of faith and humility, and he is carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. Whether rich or poor, let us strive to serve God for Christ's sake, that when we die we may go to rest.

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

GENESIS XXIV. 29-67.-Rebekah married to Isaac. QUESTIONS.-Verse 29. What was the name of Rebekah's brother? Why did he go out to the well?-As the acting head of his father's house, to invite Eliezer in.-V. 31. When he asked him to come in, how does he call him?-V. 32. What did Abraham's servant first do after entering the house? What does his attention to his camels shew? (Prov. xii. 10.)—V. 33. Why would he not eat at first? Does not this shew his disinterestedness ?-V. 35. What did he tell them about Abraham's condition ?-V. 36. What did he say about Sarah ?-V. 37. What did his master make him swear about?-V. 38. Was he to go to his master's kindred for a wife, Vv. 39, 41. if the woman would not follow him ?-V. 42. When he came to the well that evening, what did he first do?-V. 44. Whom did he desire to be the woman chosen?-V. 45. And what had happened before he had done speaking?-V. 46. Did Rebekah willingly give him drink?—V. 47. And whose daughter was she?-V. 48. Why did he then worship God?-V. 49. What does he now ask them to tell him ?-V. 50. What did Laban and Bethuel say? Was it not good for them, when this appeared to be God's will, to fall in with it? V. 51. Were they willing to let Rebekah go?-V. 52. What did Eliezer mean by worshipping the Lord ?-V. 54. When did he wish to return to his master? What rule does St. Paul give us about our business? (Rom. xii. 11.)—V. 55. How long did her parents wish Rebekah to stay with them?-V. 56. What reason does the servant give for wishing to return at once?-Vv. 57, 58. When Rebekah was asked, was she willing to go?-V. 59. What was this nurse's name? (See xxxv. 8.)-V. 60. Repeat the blessing given to Rebekah ?-V. 62. Where was Isaac coming from at this time? Where was Lahai-roi? (xvi. 7, 14.)—V. 63. What had he come out for? To meditate on what? (See Ps. i. 2.) What is said in the margin that he did? Shall we get on in religion, if we do not pray to God?-V. 64. When Rebekah saw Isaac, what did she do? What did this shew?-Her respect.-V. 65. What did she further do? What did this shew?-Her modesty:-V. 67. What did Rebekah become to Isaac ?