GRANDCHILDREN.

GATHER together, you great and goodly company who are interested in the grandchild in your own house, and let us help each to a better understanding of the meaning and the richness of this relation. We will not begin with the creation or the deluge, nor undertake to give a history of grandfathers and grandchildren since the day of Enoch; nor will we go into the philosophy of the parental love, that is the key to the whole matter. We know that we love our children, first of all, from a certain instinct, because they are ours; and we know that, while with the lower animals this love ceases with the dependence of the young animal upon the parent for aliment, with the human being the love deepens as the relation of parent and child is ripened and strengthened by growing sympathy and mutual service. Now this very affection that we have for our own children does not rest in them alone, as they grow in years and knowledge, and rise into youth and maturity. We still yearn for a little child to love, and there is a void in the house where there is none. Good Providence has benignly met this need of our nature by ordaining, that when our children grow up, their place shall be supplied, or rather truly filled, by children of theirs; and so the child is not set aside, but rather restored in the grandchild.

I do not exactly know how to analyze the kind of affection that is ready to cling to a grandchild. We love that little fellow at once, without waiting for moralist or theologian to define the feeling or urge the duty. He is blood of our blood, and bone of our bone, and in the form that most expresses dependence and wins protection. He is the child of our child, and we love him for our sake, for his mother's or father's sake, as well as for his own sake. We see in him not only himself, but the whole world of affection with which he is related. In that boy or girl in our daughter's arms, we see as in a mirror the face of our daughter when she was in her mother's arms; and that mother's face smiles again upon us with new grace, whether from the earthly home or from the heavenly mansion.

If

Then this child is nearer our heart from being an interpreter of the plan of God for our human life. He shews to us how it is that God is ever educating us for himself, and calling us to live in fresh and undying affection, by ever setting, like Jesus, a little child in the midst of us. we have only our own children to love, the time will come when they will grow up, and be full of new interests and cares that may come between them and our hearts. When these children of ours have children, their affections are softened, and their hearts are quickened toward us and ours toward them by this new attraction, that sends a child into the family, not to be a rival of any, but the friend of all.-Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D., in "Harper's Magazine."

HOME.-God help us to make home heaven-like, that heaven may be home-like; that, as the dear circle on earth grows narrow and poor, the kinsmen of our hearts may gather on the far shore to await the blest reunion, where we and all who belong to us, whom our souls claim by the rights and hold by the bands of love, shall be forever with each other and with the Lord.-Rev. J. Baldwin Brown.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.

THE Rev. J. G. Woods relates a curious Jewish legend respecting the introduction of the starling into Palestine :—

"Many years ago a strange bird appeared in Jerusalem. It was caught, and brought before a celebrated rabbi for examination, in order that he might decide whether it belonged to the clean or the unclean birds. After examining it, he could not make up his mind to either side of the question, and left the disputed point to be settled in a different way. He ordered the bird to be placed on the roof of a house, and to be carefully watched, in order that the birds which associated with it might be noticed. For some time no birds of any kind would recognise the stranger, until at last there came a raven from Egypt which claimed acquaintance with it. In consequence of this the starling was ever afterwards classed with the raven, and considered as an unclean bird."

Let our youthful readers learn from this the evil of bad company, since we shall surely be damaged in our reputation, if not in our actual habits, by association with ungodly men. He who would hopefully offer the prayer, "Gather not my soul with sinners," must anxiously take heed that he stand not in the way of the wicked in his daily life.-Sword and Trowel.

BE COURTEOUS.-Sabbath school teachers should always be courteous to their pupils. Nobody appreciates a little attention so much as a child, and with no one will a little go so far. Children have claims upon us all the more sacred if they are friendless and neglected. They have rights which older people are bound to respect.

A WORLD WITHOUT PRAYER.-Did you ever reflect what the world would be if for one day the voice of prayer was hushed?-if no petition went up for the restraining power of God on the acts of wicked men-no blessing of heaven was invoked on prayerless friends and neighbours? Oh! we should learn then how much we owe to these prayers. Even the most hardened sinners are saved from a thousand evils by the prayers of their godly associates. If there had been but ten righteous men in Sodom, it would have been spared its fearful doom.-S. S. Times.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The matter for each Number of the Magazine requires to be in the hands of the printers not later than the middle of the month before publication. The insertion of communications sent later cannot be guaranteed.

Intelligence.

GREENOCK SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. | terly Meeting of this Union:-"On -The following is the report sub- this, the occasion of the First Quarmitted, on 3d May, at the First Quarterly Meeting of our Sabbath School

a power for real and lasting good in the community. The Union is composed of 46 schools, comprising 765 teachers,-viz., 375 gentlemen, and 390 ladies; 6,191 scholars, 2,991 boys, and 3,200 girls, with an average attendance of 4,704 scholars in the month of March.

Union, it may be proper shortly to he has now paid to Greenock; and recapitulate the various steps taken they would also take this opportunity in its formation. At the Sabbath of expressing their sense of the great School Convention held in Glasgow, kindness of the Edinburgh Sabbath in October last, Greenock was repre- School Union in so freely giving them sented by 18 Delegates; and a ma- the benefits of that gentleman's serjority of these having met on their vices. The unanimity with which return, the desirability of forming a the various schools have been brought Local Union, embracing all the Evan- together, has been, in a great degree, gelical Denominations, was discussed, owing to the able way in which Mr. and the proposition was unanimously Inglis set forth the advantages of such approved of. The various superin- united efforts, and his many valuable tendents were then called together, suggestions as to the improved workwhen the proposal, being submitted, ing of the Sabbath schools, if in any met their cordial concurrence. A large measure taken advantage of, general meeting of teachers was then are eminently fitted, through the convened in the Temperance Hall, blessing of God, to make the Union and addressed by C. S. Inglis, Esq., on the benefits to be derived from such Unions. At this meeting resolutions were unanimously past, agreeing to the formation of an Union, and appointing a small Committee to communicate said resolutions to the various schools, requesting each to send a Delegate to compose the committee, and to work out the Union. Of the 50 Sabbath schools in Greenock 41 at once responded, by naming representatives, and five have since signified their adherence. The first work of the Committee was to elect Office-Bearers, and to draw up a Constitution and Rules for the guidance of the Union, copies of which have been put into the hands of the teachers. The second was to request Mr. Inglis, whose previous visits were so much appreciated, to make a more prolonged stayed among us, and, by means of a series of meetings in various parts of the town, to awaken a deeper interest in Sabbath school work. These meetings, 34 in number, now brought to a close, have been so admirably fitted to stimulate the whole work of the religious instruction of the young, that the Committee cannot but feel assured that much permanent good will result. The Committee would gratefully acknowledge the very great obligations under which Mr. Inglis has placed the Union, through the three visits

SABBATH SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.-The Rev. Mr. Young, Monifieth, reported to the General Assembly on the Sabbath schools in connection with the Church. There were reported in operation 1,815 schools, taught on an average during ten months of year; 14,914 children had been enrolled, with an average attendance of 118,249; and 13,077 teachers were engaged in the work. As a rule, the schools were under the superintendence of the ministers.

SABBATH SCHOOLS OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-At the recent Synod meeting, the Rev. James Inglis, of Johnstone, gave in the report of the Committee on Sabbath Schools:-There is a gain on the whole year of 217 teachers and 487 scholars, the numbers being,— In 1867, teachers, 9536; scholars, 75,062. In 1868, teachers, 9753; scholars, 75,549. In looking back over period of eleven years, it is found that, though the returns exhibit a little fluctuation, there is, on the whole, considerable progress. In 1858, the teachers were 8055, and

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scholars, 65,972; which, compared | sent defects?" II. "To what extent with 1868, shows for the last year an is it desirable to have Infants or very advance of 1698 teachers, and 9577 Young Children in our Schools, withscholars. In the same period, the out separate Class-rooms?" III. number of communicants has in- 66 Young Men's Classes." IV. "The creased from 157,801 to 177,905, or Government of Schools." V. "The 20,104. In 1858 there was one necessity for a thoroughly wellteacher for every 19 members, and arranged Scheme of Lessons for our in 1868 one teacher for every 18 Schools." VI. "How to give the members. The Committee had had Sabbath School greater status and under consideration a scheme of les- influence in the community." VII. sons for children, and also the ques-"The importance of Sabbath School tion of establishing separate services Inspection, and of Statistical Inforfor children. Dr. Thomson, in mov-mation." VIII. "The desirableness ing the adoption of the report, called of a National Sabbath School Union attention to the invaluable labours of for Scotland." A Conversazione in Mr. Charles S. Inglis, Sabbath school the evening, when incidental subdeputy. All the denominations in jects, started during the discussions, Scotland were receiving benefits from will be considered. Friends of Sabhis lectures, counsels, and visits, and bath schools, who have interested not least, the United Presbyterian themselves in such subjects, are inChurch. Mr. Inglis was doing much vited to intimate their readiness to to raise the standard of Sabbath contribute papers. Those who do not school teaching throughout the land. feel called upon to take this prominent SABBATH SCHOOLS OF THE FREE position, are earnestly requested to CHURCH.-Mr. W. Dickson, Convener be present at the meetings, and, by of the Committee on Sabbath Schools, the free expression of their opinions, reported to the late General Assembly, endeavour to promote the formation that the number of Sabbath schools, of such practical conclusions as shall congregational and missionary, was conduce to the better religious edu1713; private classes, including minis- cation of the young, and the greater ters', 884-total, 2597. Sabbath prosperity of Sabbath schools. Comschool teachers, male, 6161; females, munications are to be addressed to 6025-total, 12, 186; teachers of senior T. J. Harkness, Esq., 10 George classes, including ministers', 889. Total engaged in teaching, 13,075. Sabbath scholars, male, 55,060 female, 62,004-total, 117,064: in senior classes, male, 11, 188; female, 16,792,-total, 27,980. Total under instruction, 145,044; increase on last year, 4446.

SCOTTISH NATIONAL SABBATH SCHOOL CONVENTIONS.-The Third Scottish National Sabbath School Convention is announced to be held in Dumfries, on Thursday, the 22d, and Friday, the 23d days of September next. The following are the subjects to be brought under consideration:-I. "Upon what principle should our Scottish Sabbath Schools be based? and with whom rests the responsibility of removing their pre

Street, Dumfries, President of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Sabbath ; School Union.

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LONDON RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.--The reports of the May Meetings of the London Societies exhibit the following as the subscriptions for the past year:-The British and Foreign Bible Society, (including subscriptions and sales,) £182,265; the Wesleyan Missionary Society, £145,751; the Church Missionary Society, £141,828; the London Missionary Society, £104,670; the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, £106,434; the Baptist Missionary Society, £39,339; the Church Pastoral Aid Society, £51,994; the London City Mission, £40,616; the Wesleyan Home Mission, £25,787;

the Irish Church Mission, £23, 197; | Auxiliaries, 765 schools, 16,782 teachthe London Jewish Society, £33,879; ers, 191,100 scholars; 165 Country the Colonial and Continental Church Unions, 2,907 schools, 71,639 teachSociety, (Evangelical,) £33,806; the ers, 550,099 scholars-making a total Sunday School Union, (sales,) £26,803; of 3,672 schools, 88,421 teachers, the Ragged School Union, (subscrip- 741,199 scholars; shewing an increase tions and fees,) £45,240. In giving on last year of 147 schools, 1,752 the above list, the London Weekly teachers, 32,191 scholars. The inReview remarks with propriety, crease in London amounts to 48 "Large as the figures appear, they schools, 708 teachers, and 9,885 scholwould sink into utter insignificance ars. The statistics of the country if placed side by side with the schools shew an increase of 4 unions, amounts spent on the most trivial 99 schools, 1,044 teachers, and 22,306 amusements or superfluous luxuries; scholars.-Annual Report. and it is manifest, when we make such a comparison, that the Church of Christ is yet but at the beginning of that vast enterprise-not to be completed till the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ."

SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-From the annual Report, issued lately, we learn that the schools number 895; teachers, 7,621; scholars, 61,617. The total receipts for the year have LONDON SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.- been £1,783 16s. 3d., and the total The statistical returns received from expenditure, £1,509 15s. 7d., leaving the metropolitan Auxiliaries once a balance in Treasurer's hands of again exhibit an increase over pre- £274 0s. 8d. By comparison with vious reports, as will appear from the last year's income, this amount shews following figures:-12 Metropolitan a gain of £458 5s. 2d.

NOTES ON THE UNION'S LESSON SCHEME FOR 1870.

LESSON XXIX.-JULY 17.

THE TRIAL OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH.-Gen. xxii. 1-19.

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I. The Command, 1, 2.-Notice the word "tempt." Read James i. 13, and you will see that God does not tempt to evil. It means "tried" or proven;" tested the strength and sincerity of his faith. Note the severity of the trial-"take thine only son," and, therefore, all the dearer to him. And not only so, the promise was in Isaac. If he is offered up, how then is the promise to be fulfilled? For twentyfive long years Abraham patiently waited the birth of Isaac; and now he is to be taken from him, (Rom. iv. 20; Heb. xi. 17-19.) He was not only "his only son," he was also the son "whom he loved;" and yet this is the son whom God commands him to offer up. Surely Abraham had need of strong faith to obey this command! II. The Response, 3-14.-Abraham never questions the command. He knows that it is his duty to obey; and so he sets himself to carry out the order. should we. Whenever we have ascertained the will of God on any point, we should set ourselves to do it, however painful, (Matt. v. 29-30.) Isaac carries the wood; so Christ carried the cross. Note their conversation on the road, (v. 7-8,) and see how Isaac's question must have gone to his father's heart. Describe the whole scene, the men left at a certain point; the father and son toiling on alone up the steep ascent that led to Mount Moriah; the building of the altar of rough unhewn stone; the placing of the wood in order; the binding of Isaac, and the laying of him on the wood. When all these preparations had been made, the old man, without the least hesitation, being strong in faith, lifts his hand to offer up his son.

So