NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. We cannot undertake to return rejected communications. 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. - SPOUTMOUTH INSTITUTION. - The | Testament. A paper was read at annual meeting of the members of the close of the thirteen or fourteen this old-established and meritorious lessons (conducted once a-week) by Institution was held on the 19th of Mr. Campbell, on some of the errors May, in the rooms in St. Andrew's in the present translation of the New Square, to which it has been trans- Testament. The object of the class ferred in consequence of the removal is to instruct members in translating of the ancient Spoutmouth in the from the original, and thus acquiring progress of the city improvements. fresh impressions of the text of ScripThe Rev. James Johnston occupied ture. A Greek Testament and Greek the chair, and there were present- lexicon are always lying on the table. Councillor John Craig, Mr. M. S. Tait, The income of the year amounted to of the Ferguson Bequest, Mr. M. about £20, of which £17 consisted Wotherspoon, Mr. Connal, of Park- of donations from friends. The rent hall, the founder of the Institution, of the rooms amounts to £13, which, and Mr. Gillespie, its conductor. The with taxes, leaves but a small margin rooms were decorated with evergreens for expenditure upon the objects of from Parkhall; and the Herbarium the Institution. Amongst these, howof dried plants of the valley of the ever, it was gratifying to find a conClyde was laid out for inspection in tribution to missions of £1 14s. The the Chemistry room. An address rooms had been well supplied with suitable to the spirit and aims of the newspapers. Of the books in the Institution was delivered by the library, 193 volumes had been taken chairman; after which reports on out by the members for perusal. Four the diversified work of the past year volumes of M'Millan's Magazine and were given in, shewing undiminished two volumes of the Leisure Hour have interest on the part of the members in been added to it during the year. Mr. all the objects of self-improvement, John Walker had presented the Instireligious, literary, and scientific, for tution with £2 worth of chemical which they are associated. One new apparatus; and the Institution_had feature was presented on this occasion, received a gift of photographs of Loch in the form of a report from a Greek Lubnaig, and of Rob Roy's grave, class, which had originated in some which were visited in July last, when remark made at the last annual soiree, the members of "The Spout" enand had been conducted by George joyed their annual trip. Campbell, an old member of the Institution, and now a divinity student -the average attendance being 16. The class book was the Edinburgh Academy Greek Grammar. Copious exercises were also given in the Greek GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CHURCH OF SCOTLAND-SABBATH SCHOOLS.Mr. Young, Monifieth, submitted the report on Sabbath schools, which shewed that there are now 1777 schools in connection with the Church, THE MAY MEETINGS OF THE LONDON RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. The aggregate incomes of the religious societies this year, so far as ascertained, are as follows:Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Jewish Missions, ... attended by 147,402 children; with | had been going on under both heads an average attendance of 117,914. since 1868. A grant of £50 was These were taught by a staff of 13,158 voted from the Synod's Home Misteachers, superintended or taught by sion funds to the Edinburgh Sabbath 939 ministers. 124 ministers neither School Union towards the support of taught nor superintended. There a Sabbath school agent for Scotland. are 640 churches and chapels where libraries were established and in operation, and 393 were without any such agency. 15,262 adults attended classes on the Lord's-day, 5173 attend Bible classes on week days. The contributions to the Assembly's committee's funds during the year amounted to £75; £890 3s. 2d. have been contributed in the various schools for missionary purposes. There is a decrease of 46 in the number of schools returned, of 889 scholars enrolled, and of 662 in the average attendance. The convener noted with regret that the sum contributed for missionary purposes was less by £67 5s. 94d. than it was last year. £659,299 179,593 50,793 Colonial and Continental 35,599 Education, 163,827 377,224 Other Societies not £1,466,335 The London Missionary Society's Anniversary Meeting was one of the largest ever held, Exeter Hall being filled to overflowing. Anxiety to see and hear Robert Moffat no doubt brought many to the meeting. The chairman, Sir Bartle Frere, late Governor of Bombay, in an address remarkable for its Christian humility and fervour, bore most important testimony in favour of missions in India. The report, by Dr. Mullens, the secretary, contained an extract from a written address by the Queen of Madagascar, in which she thanks the missionaries and the friends beyond the seas for their work; and adds, that it rejoices her heart when all do what they can to extend the kingdom of God upon earth, according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The income of the Society amounted to £107,000. GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREE CHURCH-SABBATH SCHOOLS.-Mr. Wm. Dickson, elder, (Edinburgh,) submitted the report on Sabbath schools. The number of schools (congregational and missionary) was 1696, and of Bible classes (including ministers') 860, making a total of 2556. The Sabbath school teachers numbered 12,383; and the teachers of senior classes, including ministers, numbered 840, and the total number engaged in teaching was 13,223. The number attending the Sabbath schools, in ordinary schools, was 119,431, and the scholars at the senior classes numbered 28,401, making the total number under instruction 147,832, being an increase over last year of 2788. The Sabbath school missionary contributions during the year amounted to £2116 19s. 11 d., being an increase of £374 19s. 8d. for the last twelve The Religious Tract Society has months. had a very busy and successful year, SYNOD OF UNITED PRESBYTERIAN The circulation from the central and CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOLS.-Mr. foreign depots was nearly fifty milInglis reported from the Committee lions. Many millions of German and on Sabbath Schools:-Number of French tracts were distributed among teachers in 1870, 10,490; number of the soldiers engaged in the late war, scholars, 83,440. A steady increase at an expense of over £5000. Notices of Books. THE GREAT SOCIAL EVIL: its Causes, a stupendous national sin, which most people are disposed to repel from their thoughts, but which it is very plain must speedily be dealt with,firmly, but tenderly, as regards the one class of transgressors for whom been reserved; and with stern and impartial justice towards those of the other sex, who are at once the originators and promoters of the great social evil. The book therefore appears in good season. Ir is more than thirty years since the devoted and excellent author of this volume began to investigate and un-punishment and shame have hitherto fold the extent of the plague-spot which is the reproach and canker of our Christian civilization. The results of his self-denying and persevering labours, brought down to the present time, are here stated and discussed with equal prudence and earnestness. It needs moral heroism to do the strange work which Mr. Logan has accomplished, and Christian delicacy to tell the world about what he has seen and known. We honour the author for both qualities, in respect of which his name stands associated with that of Wardlaw and Guthrie, amongst the clergy, and Tait and Miller, in the ranks of medical writers. His pages are a sad, heart-sickening record of the progress and results of tution. It is not for us here to examine into the remedial measures proposed. Its re-publication in this extended and comprehensive form will serve an important purpose, if it tends to create and foster a public opinion which will bring all that is virtuous in society at large-and especially in female society to brand with burning shame and social exclusion the man, of whatever rank, who is known to be a betrayer of innocence, and a supporter of prosti NOTES ON THE UNION'S LESSON SCHEME FOR 1871. LESSON XXVIII.-JULY 9. JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND REBUKES AMBITION.-Matt. xx. 17-28. 1. Jesus and "the twelve" were now on their last journey towards Jerusalem, in the midst of a multitude of people who expected He was about to set up Messiah's glorious kingdom. This expectation was probably shared in even by the disciples, and to counteract this mistake, "Jesus took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold," &c., v. 17-19. He had told them so before, ch. xvi. 21, but He now repeats it more distinctly than ever. He was to be betrayed, condemned, scourged, and crucified, all as prophesied in Isaiah liii., &c., and yet "the third day He shall rise again." This prediction by our Lord must often have been thought upon by the disciples afterwards, and to this day it forms a standing evidence to the truth of the Gospel. 2. The disciples were loathe to accept literally the gloomy prospect which these words of our Lord held out to them. They perhaps fancied that the intimation of sufferings, death, and resurrection, was only a figurative description of the great difficulties and obstacles He was to meet with. And so (v. 20, 21) we find James and John, with their mother, making this request of Jesus, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom." This was not true faith on the part of this mother, but merely a desire for worldly advantage to her sons-to have them exalted above the others, not because of any fitness on their part, or because it was right, but merely because she wished it. It never can lead to any good-in fact it is sinful-to profess attachment to Christ in the hope of worldly gain. 66 3. Kindly and mercifully Jesus deals with their ambition, (v. 22,) " Ye know not what ye ask." Then comes the searching question, "Are ye able to drink of the cup?" &c. You must share my cross, if ye would share my crown. They say unto Him, We are able." Rash men! Here again they knew not what they said. Jesus bears with their weakness, does not chide, informs them they shall drink indeed of His cup; but as to the seats of honour in the future kingdom, (v. 23,) they shall be given to those for whom they are prepared. The desire of James and John for earthly glory was effectually checked. They learned to love the nobler greatness which their Master placed before them. James was the earliest martyr of the apostles. John bore testimony for Jesus in the lonely isle of Patmos. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus, they wear the heavenly glory now. 4. "And when the ten heard it," &c., (v. 24.) The ten were ambitious too, and were displeased at the attempt of James and John to overreach them. "But Jesus called them unto Him,” (v. 25-28,) and shewed them that while in earthly kingdoms favourites obtain posts of honour, in His kingdom the truly great will be the most humble, the most holy, the most useful in doing good, the most like to Jesus himself. His life was the greatest earth has seen, just because it was the most holy, the most loving, the most self-sacrificing, "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." 5. See in this passage a beautifully combined illustration of Christ: (1,) as our prophet, foretelling the future, v. 18, 19, and instructing the ignorance of His disciples, v. 22, &c.; (2,) as our priest, giving His life a ransom for many, v. 28; and (3,) as our king, none may dispute His sway, or interfere with His Father's will, v. 23. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 80.-Psalm xvi. 8-11. Subject to be Proved-Jesus is Omniscient. Text for Non-Reading Classes. "Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death."-Matt. xx. 17, 18. LESSON XXIX.-JULY 16. BLIND MEN CURED.-Matthew xx. 29-34. I. The Connection.-Jesus was on His last journey to Jerusalem. He had crossed the Jordan, and passed through Jericho, accompanied by a great crowd who were going up to the Passover, which was nigh at hand. He was pressing on -He went before them, says Luke. Such was the desire with which He desired to eat this Passover. II. The Miracle, v. 30-34.-Two blind men sat by the road side, probably begging. It was a well-frequented road at all times, but particularly so at that spring season, when the Galileans went up to the feast. The men, hearing the tread of the multitude, asked what it meant, and were told that "Jesus of Nazareth was passing by." This was an opportunity which might never occur again, and they resolved at once to take advantage of it. Blessed blind men! they knew their opportunity and they seized it. How often does Jesus of Nazareth pass by us! He passes by every time we hear of Him, or read of Him,--every time we come to the Sabbath school; but how often do we allow Him to pass on! He would gladly stay, He would abide with us, if we only asked Him, but alas! we know not that we are blind, and so we do not cry unto Him. See how different it was with these poor men. Whenever they learn who it is, they cry out; no halfhearted, weak cry, but a loud, earnest cry for mercy. They had heard of this great wonder worker, of His infinite compassion and tenderness, and they cry for a share for themselves. See here their faith and their perseverance. Now, note that at first Jesus seems to heed them not. He passes on, and the multitude, thinking them a nuisance, begin to rebuke them and tell them to hold their peace. "Do you think that Jesus can be troubled with the like of you? hold your peace." Now this would have damped the ardour of many, but not so with these men. And this was just what Jesus wanted. He was trying their faith, as He tries the faith of His people still. He often seems to hide himself. He is often on the hill-top, when His Church is toiling in the troubled sea below. But He will come in due time for their deliverance, and grant them their heart's wish. "They cried the more;" the more obstacles thrown in their way, the harder will they press on. Oh that we had more of this holy resolution to get to Christ at all hazards! to reach Him, though it were but to touch the hem of His garment. Mark now the rich reward. Jesus stood still. He had heard their cry. He came to minister, and here was an opportunity, and He would not miss it. Do we seize all opportunities of doing good? He then called the men. How gladly they would obey. How willingly would they come to Him. Notice now the strange question-What will ye that I do unto you? They have only one thing to asksight. They knew they were blind, and they ask sight. How strong was their faith!-no shadow of doubt in His power or His willingness. They assume both. This strong faith could not but prevail-He had compassion on them, and gave them what they wished. So still, Jesus can give sight-He can open the blind eyes, and shine in the darkened heart. But men wont ask Him; they allow Him to pass by, and they continue blind. Finally, notice these men followed Him. All nature was new to them. What glory burst upon them at the moment their eyes were opened! But they saw one object only, and that was Jesus. Is He to us the chiefest among ten thousand? Is He the altogether lovely one? Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 81.-Paraphrase xxxix. 4-7. Text for Non-Reading Classes. "Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him."— Matthew xx. 34. LESSON XXX.-JULY 23. QUAILS AND MANNA SENT.-Exodus xvi. 11-36. I. The Circumstances.-The people were in the wilderness, in the peninsula of Sinai, a barren, rocky desert, with no food, with the certain prospect, to all human appearance, of speedy starvation. No wonder that they murmured. Their case was very hard, and we must not judge them hardly. Moses, as in all similar circumstances, betakes himself to God, who promises supplies of food. II. Quails and Manna sent, v. 12-36.-Go over the story, and bring out the simple meaning first. Quails were a kind of partridge. Manna came in the morning, and had to be gathered ere the sun was hot. Picture the scene,-every morning the ground all round the camp was covered thick with what seemed hoar frost, and the people might be seen crowding out, each with a vessel in his hand, gathering the day's supply. Now note these things about the manna:— |