with an average attendance of 18,372 scholars, being an increase over the previous year of 656 scholars on the roll, and of 169 on an average attendance. The libraries of the various societies, it was further stated, consisted in all of about 15,000 volumes of sound, instructive, and amusing with these Services." A third paper | Sloan, C.A., one of the secretaries, was read by the Rev. Mr. Wells, on read the annual report, which stated "The best Mode of Conducting Sab- that the various schools in connection bath Services in Churches for these with the association had been carried Young People." All the three papers on with unabated vigour and zeal were judiciously short, practical, and throughout the year. At 31st Dec. to the point. Several gentlemen from last there were in the city and suburbs Paisley and Greenock took part in the 167 schools, 2030 teachers, and 21,090 Conference. The subjects discussed scholars; in the country, 25 schools, were the desirableness, but the diffi- 197 teachers, and 2151 scholarsculty, of procuring access for the child-giving a total in the city and suburbs ren into the churches on the afternoon and in the country of 192 schools, of Sabbath; the importance of uniting 2227 teachers, and 23,241 scholars, the parents with the children in these services; the propriety of ministers rendering their discourses intelligible and applicable to the young, not only of their own congregations, but to the youth of the neglected classes, who, through the present agency, may be drafted from the streets and closes of the city, first into the forenoon meet-literature. Upwards of 1300 Bibles ings, now in prosperous progress, and thence into such churches as may be thrown open to them on the afternoon of Sabbath. The all but habitual neglect of the young in the ordinary ministrations of the Sabbath, was repeatedly referred to by speakers as a remarkable anomaly. The Rev. Mr. Russell was of opinion, that preaching might be rendered as intelligible and impressive to the young as to the adults of a congregation; not the least attentive of his own hearers, and none of the sleepers, were amongst the young. But the preaching fitted to impress either out the year. must not be in the style of a paper glad to report a decided improvement prepared for a philosophical society, in the scholars' collections during the but in the direct and earnest manner year. In 1868, 32 societies reported of a lawyer addressing a jury.-It collections to the amount of £219 4s. was announced that the papers read 6d., while for 1869, 38 societies reon the occasion would be published. ported £290 17s. 8d., shewing an The Conference was altogether grati- increase of £71 13s. 2d. The directors fying in its spirit, and hopeful in its called attention to the work carried results. on in connection with the Old Gorbals Mission, as detailed in a lengthened report by Mr. Campbell, the missionary. They also noticed the meeting of the Sabbath School Convention, held in Glasgow in October last; and concluded with an earnest appeal to the teachers to be even more diligent GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL AssoCIATION. The twenty-third annual social meeting of this association was held in the City Hall, on Wednesday evening, 2nd March. The chair was occupied by Mr. Archd. Robertson, president of the association. Mr. A. and Testaments had been sold to the scholars throughout the year, and 112,000 tracts and religious periodicals had been distributed. There was a marked increase in the number of weekly prayer and preparatory meetings held by the teachers; but there were still a considerable number of societies in connection with which no such meetings were held; and the directors earnestly urged upon those societies the serious consideration of the subject. The Sabbath-day services for non-church-going children had been well maintained throughThe directors were in the future than in the past. The were three more Societies connected Rev. W. C. E. Jamieson, of St. with the Union; one of those formerMatthew's, moved the adoption of ly reported to the Middle District the report. The motion was seconded Union, and two had been but recently by Bailie Watson, and it was carried formed. The increase in the general by acclamation. The following office- schools was 17, while there was a bearers were, on the motion of Mr. decrease of 15 separate schools; this Wm. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Alex. decrease being accounted for by the Ronaldson, declared duly elected for fact that several separate schools had, the current year:-President- Mr. during the year, been converted into Archd. Robertson; Vice-Presidents-general schools. The increase of Mr. John Pirie and Mr. John Neilson teachers was 56, and of scholars, 421; Cuthbertson; Convener of Mission and the average attendance was 443 Committee-Mr. Wm. Kerr; Treasurer-Mr. Henry Taylor; Secretaries -Mr. Alex. Sloan, C. A., and Mr. James Brown. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Rev. Dr. Monro, of Campsie, and the Rev. J. R. Scoular, Milton Parish. WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATHSCHOOL UNION. A Soiree in connection with the Western District Union was held on Tuesday evening, 15th March, within the Assembly Rooms, Bath Street. Mr. T. Henderson, the president, occupied the chair; and along with him on the platform were the Rev. A. Bonar, the Rev. James Forfar, Messrs. Macmillan, Ronald, Mitchell, Morrison, Cuthbertson, Barr, Sinclair, and Alexander. Mr. Ronald, the secretary, read the Annual Report, which shewed that there had been a steady increase in the number of schools, teachers, and scholars. The returns shewed 64 Societies reporting to their Union. Those Societies maintained 132 general schools, and 69 separate schools, i. e., schools which consisted of one class only-in all, 201 schools, in which 2168 teachers were engaged teaching 24,318 scholars. The average attendance of the latter was 17,661. Those schools had collected £485 10s. 8d. for missions; 30 Societies had weekly evening meetings for their scholars; 43 Societies had periodical prayer meetings of their teachers; and 20 had teachers' meetings for the preparation and rehearsal of the Sabbath lesson. Comparing these figures with those of the previous year, they found that there more than during the previous year. The collections for missionary purposes was £106 16s. 9, of an increase over that of the former year. Mr. Morrison nominated Mr. Thomas Macmillan as president for the ensuing year; and this proposal having been seconded by Mr. J. N. Cuthbertson, was unanimously agreed to. An excellent address was subsequently delivered by the Rev. Mr. Bonar. MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION ANNUAL MEETING. - The Annual Meeting and Soiree of this Union was held in the Lesser Trades' Hall, on Monday evening, 7th March. Mr. A. K. Murray, president, occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by the Rev. Drs. Burns and Forbes, Messrs. Michael Connal, Matthew Wotherspoon, Henry Clow, Robert Wilson, and other gentlemen. After tea, the chairman, in a few appropriate remarks, introduced the business of the meeting. The secretary's report was then read by Mr. Thomson, from which it appeared that the ordinary meetings had been well attended; Societies had been visited by deputations at their schools; and a simultaneous canvass of the district had been made on the plan of temporary allocation. The returns of the canvass shew that 381 young persons, in the Middle District Union of Glasgow, between the ages of six and sixteen, were not in attendance on the Sabbath school. The attention of Societies had also been directed to the desirability of having Forenoon Services for the young, and Prepara tory Meetings for teachers; and in- engaged in it. In his opinion it was timation had been given that a sub- a great work, and he believed there committee had been appointed to never was a time in which it was assist, if necessary, in the formation more energetically carried on in Glasof such meetings, and in helping them gow than at present. The secretary forward. The number of Societies read a report, which shewed that the connected with the Union was stated various schemes of the Union were to be 24. Schools, 107; teachers, in a prosperous condition. It ap1042; scholars, 10,007; shewing a de- peared that there were 98 schools crease of 3 Societies, and 58 scholars; under the supervision of the Union, an increase of 4 schools, teachers same being the same number as last year; as last year. The average attendance 1150 teachers, male and female; there. of teachers during the past year had were on the rolls, 11,879 scholars, been 87 per cent., being an increase and the average attendance was 9238. of per cent.; and of scholars, 75 These figures seemed to shew a slight per cent., being an increase of 1 per decrease from last year; but this was cent. £294 2s. 6d. had been collected attributed to the fact that the schedfor Missions. Forty-three scholars ules issued by the Union to be filled had become members of the Church, in by the various schools were more and 40 had become teachers. Mr. minute than formerly, and the returns M'Omish read the treasurer's report, had consequently been more correct. which was satisfactory. On the mo- The amount collected for mission tion of the Rev. Dr. Burns, seconded purposes during the year had been by Mr. Robert Wilson, the reports £192 18s. 104d., shewing an increase were adopted. The following office- over last year of £31 58. 8d. The bearers for 1870-71, proposed by Mr. income for the year was £47 5s. 10d., Clow, and seconded by Mr. Wother- and there was a balance left in the spoon, were duly elected:-viz., Presi- treasurer's hands of £10 13s. 1d. The dent, Mr. A. K. Murray; Vice-Pre- adoption of the report was moved by sident, Mr. Neil Boyd; Treasurer, the Rev. John Edgar, M. A., seconded Mr. Peter M'Omish; Secretaries, by Mr. James Miller, and cordially Messrs. Wm. Thomson and Henry Taylor; Directors, Messrs. Robert W. Sinclair, Thomas Hamilton, Jos. J. King, John Steel, Wm. M'Naught, James Tennant, John Callum, and Robert J. Anderson. Addresses were also delivered by the Rev. Dr. Forbes and Mr. Michael Connal. SOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The twenty-fourth annual meeting and soiree of this Union was held on Tuesday evening, 15th March, in the Mechanics' Hall, Calton. Mr. Robert Corbet, president of the Union, occupied the chair, and was supported by the Revs. John Edgar and John F. M'Gregor, Free St. Luke's; Messrs Templeton, Robertson, Thomson, Miller, Richmond, and Binnie. The chairman referred to his long connection with Sabbath school work, and expressed the pleasure he had always felt while agreed to. Mr. Thomas Binnie subsequently introduced, as a subject for conference, "General Sabbath Schools the arrangements essential for their efficiency," which afterwards engaged the attention of the meeting. The following were elected office-bearers for 1870-71:-President--Robert Corbet, Esq.; Vice-Presidents-Messrs Wm. Galloway and Archd. Allan; Treasurer-Mr. James Richmond; Secretaries-Mr. David Whitelaw, 52 Main Street, Bridgeton, Corresponding Secretary; Mr. James Cunningham, 301 London Road, Minute Secretary; Honorary Directors-The Hon. Wm. Rae Arthur, Lord Provost, Bailie Burt, Councillor Moncur, Messrs. John Thomson, James Thomson, George Thomson, Walter Macfarlane, James Templeton, Thomas Binnie, William Holms, James Robertson, John Garroway; Acting Directors-Messrs. Jas. C. Brown, Alexander Waddel, Wm. son. for the assistance of their preachers. In Samoa itself there were, when the speaker left, 5000 Church members, with a thousand candidates for the same privilege. The Samoans mainMISSIONS TO THE SOUTH SEA tained religious ordinances among ISLANDS.-On Monday evening, 7th themselves, and also contributed to March, a public meeting was held in send the Gospel to the other islands. the Wellington Street U. P. Church, They had an institution for the educaunder the auspices of the Glasgow tion of young native preachers, and Sabbath School Union, when the at present there were 85 students. Rev. Henry Nisbet, who has been a Twenty young men were generally missionary for nearly thirty years in sent forth annually, and these went Polynesia, gave an account of the either to their native islands, or to progress of the mission at Samoa and others, as evangelists. The work other islands of the Pacific Ocean. was a most interesting one, and still The attendance was not so numerous needed much encouragement, as there as might have been expected from the were groups of islands where the light interest of the occasion. Councillor of the Gospel had not penetrated. Taylor, the president of the Union, At the close, a vote of thanks was presided. The Rev. Dr. Black opened awarded to Mr. Nisbet for his inthe meeting with prayer. Mr. Nisbet, teresting address. with the aid of a large map, showed WORK BY THE SABBATH SCHOOL the positions of the many islands DEPUTY.-My last report was given grouped under the name of Polynesia, in September, 1869, and I have now pointing out those inhabited by to give a notice of my doings since. different races, and those into which The places visited are as follows:Christianity has been introduced. Airdrie, Alva, Berwick, Spittal, He described the customs and man- Tweedmouth, Biggar, Beauly, Coatners of the Samoa islanders, exhibit- bridge, Crieff, Dunse, Eyemouth, ing specimens of their native manu- Garvald, Greenock, Milton, Petty, factures, dresses, war-implements, Paisley, Peebles, Skirling, Shawlands; &c.; and the districts visited are indicated by the following names:-Attadale, Glen Shiel, Loch Hourne Head, Port Hulm, Loch Alsh, Loch Arkaig, Struy, Kintail, Loch Carron, Kilillan. In many of the towns above named friends are working faithfully, though few in number compared with the numerical strength of the congregations. Several of the country districts are much neglected, and will require future visits in order to institute schools and classes. In one district an interesting class was found taught in the kitchen of a farm-house, several of the children coming between four and five miles in order to attend. After minute examination, it proved to be the only one in a district twenty miles long by ten miles broad, with a considerable population. In several places it is encouraging to and then touched upon the condition in which they were under heathenism, when cruelties of all kinds were indulged in, and cannibalism was found in some of its worst aspects. In the whole group of the Polynesian islands there are 300,000 Christians; but, in treating of the progress of missions there, Mr. Nisbet confined himself to the Samoan islands, which consist of a group of ten, with a population of 35,000. The mission was commenced 35 years ago, and had prospered so well that these islands were now essentially Christian. In the course of that time the Bible and other educational books in the Samoan language, of which he produced specimens, had been printed at the mission press; and there were also books of a more advanced stage for students in their institution, and find people willing to undertake work | and with this companion and a Testawhen they have some one to shew ment he was spending his many solithem how to begin. Many are, no tary hours at his employment on the doubt, deterred by never having tried Sabbath day. He was like Bunyan's teaching before, and fearing to face shepherd boy in the Valley of Humithe public criticism they may get if liation, singing with a blithe heart. anything should go wrong at first. In the above-mentioned places I have In certain Highland districts a diffi- visited thirty Sabbath schools, held culty is experienced where the change personal interviews with thirty-five in language is going on from Gaelic ministers and other influential perto English. Some good teachers could sons, addressed twenty-five schools be got, but they can only teach and and meetings of young people, and read in Gaelic, while the young peo- forty meetings of teachers, parents, ple, but imperfectly understanding, and the public generally. The meetand unable to read Gaelic, can only be ings varied in attendance; thus there taught in English. It is cheering to were 25 attended by 20 to 50; 18 meet with any example of the influ- attended by 60 to 100; 12 attended ence of religious teaching. While by 150 to 200; 6 attended by 300 to searching for a Sabbath school in a 400; 4 attended by 500 to 2000. country district, I heard singing at They have been well attended, consome distance, and, crossing a field, siderable interest has been shewn in saw a boy herding cattle, lying on the the objects sought to be obtained, and ground with a book before him. He the cordiality with which I have been was singing the well-known tune received is very encouraging. The "Kilmarnock." On my approach he chief subjects brought forward during started up in some confusion, and the past three months were-Parenhid his book. Some interesting reli- tal Instruction, Training Classes for gious conversation followed, and it Teachers, Teachers' Unions, and the appeared that he got to church only Institution of Infant and Senior once a-month, but to the Sabbath Classes. A considerable number of school, three miles off, every Sabbath, the meetings were devoted to the -the only place, he said, where any principles and practice of religious one spoke to him of a Saviour. By- instruction, accompanied by examples and-by he took courage, and shewed of classes taught and otherwise.--C. me his book, which was a collection S. INGLIS.-From the "Scottish Sabof psalms and hymns set to music; bath School Teachers' Magazine." Notices of Books. THE SCOTS WORTHIES. By JOHN it commemorates, and will perform HOWIE. Revised and Corrected by REV. W. H. CARSLAW, M.A., Helensburgh. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. Part I., March, 1870. WE heartily welcome this new edition of the Scots Worthies, which is not only well printed, and finely illustrated, but is edited by a lineal descendant of the Howies of Lochgoin, who has, no doubt, a hereditary love of the book and the Worthies whom con amore the grateful task he has assumed. The work is to appear in monthly parts. It would gratify us to reflect, that the introduction of this truly national book to our young readers had inspired them with reverence for the toils and sufferings of the Scottish Reformers and Covenanters in the cause of religious and civil liberty; and that the perusal of John Howie's simple narratives had imparted to them half the pleasure we |