SCRIPTURAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND. THERE is a great struggle going on now for Scriptural education in Ireland-for freely offering to the rising generation the word of the living God. I consider it to be to the honour of the Established Church in Ireland, that out of 2000 Clergymen, in spite of all the influence and all the power that is on the other side, 1700 have put their hands to a paper, saying they will never join in any system of education, that does not allow them freely to put the word of the living God into the hands of the young. It may be in the will and purpose of God, to allow the scaffolding of the Established Church to be swept from under her; but I trust that, when they fall, they will fall not disgraced by having joined with Popery in keeping the Scriptures from the rising generation. Whenever they do this, in my judgment they will deserve to be removed as unfaithful, as insecure as being Protestants in name, but ready to be, in practice, any thing for gain. In the Scriptural Schools in Ireland there are now 103,000 persons reading the Scriptures: and I am happy to say, that out of that number 33,000 are Roman Catholics; who, in spite of all the opposition that comes from their priests, and of any influence on the side of the National Board, come and read that word which is able to make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.-Bishop of Cashel. BIBLE SOCIETY-MADRAS. THE word of God is "the incorruptible seed;" and though, when scattered, it may lie buried in dust long out of sight, it "liveth and abideth for ever." Its benefits, though real, are not always apparent or immediate. In this country, more than almost any other, the good seed needs to be sown by the living, anxious sower, and long watched and watered. As the sword of the Spirit in the hands of the preacher, the teacher, the affectionate sympathizing and prayerful friend, the Divine word has the greatest power. Most of the correspondents of the Society, who have spoken of its beneficial effects, do it in this connection; but in some instances the human agency is less apparent. Dr. H. Gundert gives the following interesting facts "We also rejoice in real good wrought by God's holy word. A Mapla youth has been converted, less by direct teaching in our boarding-school-which he entered, he himself hardly knows howthan by the incessant study of God's word; which even now, in his sometimes adventurous excursions to preach to his countrymen, is his inseparable companion. Jesus, especially according to St. John eternal life-the light shining in darkness—the love of the onlybegotten,-these are the foundations on which his inward soul rests -from which he derives the calm and joyful peace so necessary for those in his position. "A Hindoo doctor was baptized in September, after an acquain tance with us of only two months, because, in that short time, he became so thoroughly acquainted with the word, which he read day and night, both alone and to his relations, that the moment he was enabled to break through his earthly ties we were constrained to receive him into full fellowship. He has out-grown our other Christians in his hunger and thirst after the unadulterated word. *** His wife has nobly followed him, learned to read since her baptism, and knows already many Psalms by heart. "Also the Tamil youth, whom I mentioned last year as being prevented by his father from reading the Scriptures, has not been able to shake off the impressions received from them. He has believed in the Lord Jesus, and was baptized in December; yet he is not bound up with the word in the way in which the abovementioned are, by whose instrumentality, to the praise of God be it said, a spirit of more diligent and independent study of the Scriptures has been diffused among the older converts." The Rev. Mr. Hobbs writes "I have no time to enlarge on the benefits resulting from the circulation of the Scriptures. It is the means in the hands of its Divine Author of converting and sanctifying the soul in this country, as well as elsewhere, and its effects are visible in the amendment of life and godly conversation of numbers amongst our people. If I could not get Bibles to give to our youths, I would break up my schools, and, like the Roman Catholics about these parts, discourage education rather than promote it. Faith and experience convince me, that the reading of the word of God is generally the only means of changing the mere nominal convert into the contrite, sincere, and consistent disciple of the Lord." The Rev. J. M. Lechler writes "The benefits resulting from the distribution of the word of life are incalculable. The sacred Scriptures are the living principle of our Schools, and of all those who enjoy Christian instruction in connexion with the Salem Mission: without them, nothing could be done. I take this opportunity to return my warmest thanks to the Committee of the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society for the liberal aid they have hitherto afforded us. All in connexion with us are desired to learn to read the word of God for themselves; and during the past year we had several additions to our Bible classes. Among these is a man who very lately cast in his lot with the Christians. He was convinced of the sinfulness of idolatry, and the truth of Christianity, by reading the Bible. He possesses several portions of Scripture, which he considers his most valuable property; and he says he shall consider himself a debtor to the Bible Society, until he has in a measure made restitution for their invaluable gifts." FOR THE FIRST BLANK PAGE OF A BIBLE. Here, (as the place where Jacob trod,) Hard though my pilgrim couch may be, Refreshed and strengthened for my road, The "ladder" of his Word doth prove For, "Thou art with me still!" If hence my faith can pierce on high, NEW YEAR'S HYMN. The spring has passed, with all her flowers, And the golden leaves of autumn's bowers Are fallen now and dead; And winter's winds are moaning drear, Among the leafless trees, As if the farewell of the year Came sighing on the breeze. The parting year and wintry wind That we are journeying, sure and fast, Then let us pardon seek from him, Entreating, for the Saviour's sake, In all we seek or undertake, Then shall our path be like the light And till our faith is lost in sight, WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."-JAMES iv. 14. What is life? A passing vapour, Short, uncertain in its stay; Fitful as a flickering taper, Borne, like withered leaves, away: What is life? A pilgrim's travel To his last, abiding home; Where all mysteries unravel, Where man meets his final doom: What is life? 'Tis to the wicked They will reap eternal anguish, From the seed that here they sow: What is life? To thee, O Christian, O thou great eternal Saviour, Life will then be heavenly treasure, Present peace-eternal pleasure. W. H. K. CORRESPONDENCE. SCRIPTURAL DIFFICULTIES. DEAR SIR,-If you think proper, I should feel much obliged by your allowing the following question to appear in the "Teacher's Visitor," and by your supplying an appropriate answer. How are these two declarations to be reconciled? Acts ix. 7.-"Stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." Acts xxii. 9.-"Saw indeed the light, but heard not the voice of him that spake unto me.' Respectfully yours, R. F. S. I have been induced to propose this, from an opinion that Sunday-school Teachers ought to be prepared wisely to meet objections which infidelity may oppose to the reception of the holy Scriptures. Sometimes, indeed, their scholars will put questions of this character, and then they feel the need of giving an appropriate reply. Bath, September 19, 1845. SUBJECTS FOR SCRIPTURE PROOFS. DEAR SIR,-In teaching a class of children it is a plan very commonly pursued to set them a subject, and encourage them to find texts from Scripture to prove it; but perhaps many, as well as myself, have found a difficulty sometimes in selecting suitable subjects. |