Our children are living a shallow life compared with that which gave us our training. We had few books, and some of them were dull and hard. We had no newspapers or music. And Puritan Sabbaths have become a proverb to many for their severity and ruggedness. I would we were all worthier of our start. That sort of life, after all, made manly men and womanly women. It wrought out character in as fine a pattern as ever shone in strength and beauty. Oh, it is a pity to let even one so small a custom as grace at table fade out of use! That pause of decorum, when all are quietly seated, and even the baby closes her eyes, and folds her little hands, when the father rises to his office as a "king and priest unto God," and thanks him for hearing the prayer for daily bread he knows the children offered; oh, how full of might and meaning it is! Ah me, shall I ever forget that first meal, when home for a visit, just after I had become a Christian in the distant village where I was a teacher, my father turned suddenly to me, delegating his intercession for the moment to me, his son! And I am sure all of us will remember the majesty of my elder brother's manhood, when, on the evening of my dear old father's funeral, he did not wait for me, nor suffer me, minister though I was, to summon the broken circle, but calmly and modestly drew forth the Bible, and assumed his primacy at the honoured family altar.

Something was said, just at this point, about there being a few texts which might be in order. It was easy to find 1 Cor. x. 30, 32. There the word occurs, "If I, by grace, be a partaker," means "by saying grace." So in the parallel verse, 1 Tim. iv. 5. So in the explanatory passage, Romans xiv. 6. Then we were reminded by one of our intelligent teachers, that Christ is never recorded to have eaten without invoking a blessing. When He fed the five thousand, (Matt. xiv. 19,) “He looked up to heaven, and blessed and brake" the loaves. When He fed the four thousand, (Matt. xv. 35,) He "gave thanks." When He ate with the two disciples near Emmaus, (Luke xxiv. 30,) He "took bread and blessed it." And even at the institution of the Lord's Supper, (Matt. xxvi. 26,) He "blessed" the bread, and "gave thanks" for the wine.

Another reference was made to the Apostle Paul's example, when he came ashore from shipwreck, (Acts xxxvii. 33-35,) and partook of his first meal. Although he had been almost famished for fourteen days, and although it was evident this poor prisoner was in company with many who were not "sympathetic," he "took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all."

Our time passed away in this study of God's Word so rapidly, that the hour vanished. But I am sure the impression was deepened on all our minds, as to the need and the glory of family religion. Grace at meal was only one part of a great household system. If one wanted to keep up that old form of thanks at the end of the meal, there could be no harm in it. A recognition of God's mercy was always in order. But entire freedom of conscience remained. Particulars might differ, but the general aim of the household should be to glorify God.

So far from fashion's interfering with this ancient and honourable custom, I have observed in Great Britain, on many occasions, that it is a mark of decided ill-breeding to omit grace at table. On public feast-days the ceremony is quite elaborate. In the houses of genteel people, the

guests often stand behind their chairs until the blessing is asked. Even among godless people the practice is retained. It may only be a form, but the form is decent. And I have never noticed an absence of seriousness or becoming gravity, even when I knew the company was decidedly unsympathetic.

Perhaps the most remarkable instances of this I ever knew, have been on some of the ocean steamers. When we crossed in the "Helvetia," the captain, by whose side I sat, invariably, himself, asked the blessing at every meal. And a sedate, respectful gravity attended the exercise. Upon the "Spain," the captain always called upon me for the giving of thanks, and in every instance caused the covers to remain unlifted. When the weather was rough, so that he had to be on duty, he sent audible and public word to me by the head steward, "The captain's compliments, sir, and will you be so kind as to say grace in his absence?"

These magnificent ships were both of the National Line of Liverpool. All honour to those true gentlemen on the sea.

BRICK-MAKING IN EGYPT.-At one place the people were making bricks with straw cut into small pieces, and mingled with the clay to bind it. Hence it is that, when villages built of these bricks fall into rubbish, which is often the case, the roads are full of small particles of straw, extremely offensive to the eyes in a high wind. They were, in short, engaged exactly as the Israelites used to be-making bricks with straw; and for a similar purpose-to build extensive granaries for the Bashaw: treasure cities for Pharaoh.-Jowett's Christian Researches.

A RAGGED SCHOOL BOY'S HONESTY.—Our Ragged school teachers, in their daily toils, it is easy to believe, would feel the crosses of their lifework to be unsupportable were they not lightened by extraordinary encouragement. Some of the half-clad uncouth natures who, till assisted by the mission agency, were subjected to evil influences on all sides, have received what in time of trial has conquered evil, and asserted the supremacy of good. A newspaper boy once picked up a parcel containing £350, and dazzled by the vastness of the prize, and concealing his fortune from his associates, he made for Liverpool, intending to emigrate, and be a great person in a foreign clime. But, at Liverpool, conscience spoke, and the teaching of the class rose in condemnation until the lad could not proceed. When he would have stepped on board the ship a voice within said, "THE MONEY IS NOT YOURS;" and so, returning to London, he gave the parcel to his mother, an extremely poor but honest creature, who unhesitatingly returned the whole to its lawful owner. Now, how did that boy profit by ragged school teaching in a temporal sense merely? Instead of three hundred and fifty, he received only twenty pounds; yet, by being apprenticed with that amount, it went further than any ill-gotten gain by introducing him to a good position for life. The owner of the money also discovered that schools may return blessings into the bosoms of their promoters.— Sword and Trowel.

Science without Religion is insane; Reason without Revelation gropes about in the dark; and Philosophy loses her holy ordination as priestess of the Most High, unless she be faithful in her office as the bearer both of incense and of light.

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Intelligence.

GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. Statistics' Committee submitted drafts -The ordinary meeting of Directors of the Statistical Schedules proposed was held on Monday evening, 21st to be issued at the close of the year, October. Preliminary to the business, which were approved of. and in keeping with the proposal of SOUTHERN DISTRICT SABBATH the London Sabbath School Union, SCHOOL UNION.-The bi-monthly a short meeting for special prayer meeting of this Union was held in was held. Reports of the proceed- Buchanan's Temperance Hotel, on the ings of the following District Unions evening of the 23rd September, at were read, viz., Middle, North- 8 o'clock. It was intimated that the Eastern, Partick and Hillhead, Rev. Dr. M'Auslane, of London, South-Eastern, Southern, and North- would preach the Annual Sermon Western. On their own recommend- on behalf of the Union about the ation the Publications' Committee were empowered to raise, if possible, £50 to assist in supplying Sabbath School Societies with the Library Books of the London Union at a greatly reduced rate, and to have the scheme carried out immediately. The completed Lesson Sheet for 1873 was submitted, and approved. The Public Meetings' Committee reported the arrangements for the Model Lesson Class. In addition to Mr. Morrison taking charge of it during November and December, on the South-side, Mr. Richard Chalmers had agreed to conduct it, during January and February, 1873, in the West-end, and Mr. C. D. Wason, during March and April, in the East-end. A quantity of copies of the Report of the Perth Convention proceedings, now being printed, was authorized to be purchased. The

middle of December. The letter on Sabbath School entertainments was submitted to the meeting, but there was no remedy agreed upon for the evil complained of. It was reported that Mr. Morrison, of the Free Normal School, had kindly consented to conduct the Model Lesson Class during November and December. Several communications from Moderators of Kirk-Sessions and Sabbath School Societies were read by the President, generally favourable to the celebration of the Lord's Supper by Sabbath School Teachers. The circular on Universal Prayer having been placed before the meeting, it was resolved, that on Sabbath, the 20th day of October, a Specal Prayer Meeting be held in Erskine Hall, and that printed notices be circulated among the teachers, setting forth the nature of the meeting. A general

attended, was altogether most agreeable, the addresses being more than usually interesting and instructive.

outline of the proceedings at the | Stephen's Church, for the purpose of Perth Sabbath School Convention holding a conference of the teachers was given by the President, Mr. of the district on matters relating to Aird, and Mr. M'Callum made a few Sabbath school work. Mr. Gray preremarks on the impressions of the sided, and after devotional exercises, gathering. conducted by the Rev. John Douglas, SOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL Mr. J. N. Cuthbertson read a paper UNION. The usual bi-monthly meet- on a few Personalities to Sabbath ing of this Union was held on School Teachers, Mr. William Keddie Thursday evening, 10th October- gave an address on Local Schools and James Templeton, Esq., in the chair. District Visitation, and the Chairman A letter from the General Union gave a short account of the proceedregarding a proposal to hold all Sab-ings of the Sabbath School Convention bath school entertainments between at Perth. The meeting, though thinly the 15th December and 15th January was read, and the matter referred to Schools' Committee, with the suggestion, that from 15th December to 15th MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL January would probably be found UNION.-The usual bi-monthly meetthe most suitable time. Another ing of this Union was held on 8th letter from the General Union, invit- October - Mr. John Steel in the ing special prayer for the scholars of chair. The Committee appointed to our schools, was also laid before the make arrangements for Music Class, meeting. It was agreed to order reported, that having been unsuccessfifty copies of the report of the Perth ful in procuring the Hall of AnderConvention. Messrs. Wm. E. Robert-sonian University, they were unable son and James Miller, representatives to carry out the instructions of last of this Union at the Convention in meeting. The Committee was reapPerth, gave interesting and sugges-pointed, with full powers to arrange for tive reports of the proceedings. It a Music Class if a suitable Hall could was remitted to the Public Meetings' Committee to arrange for a social meeting of the Union, to be held in November.

NORTH-WESTERN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The Union met on the evening of Tuesday, the 8th October. The Directors and representatives met at 7.30, and considered the subject of Sabbath school entertainments, attention to which had been solicited by the General Union and the Western District Union. A unanimous opinion was expressed as to the desirability of putting down Soiree Hunting on the part of the scholars; but the meeting was not so unanimous as to the adoption of the suggestion, that in order to do so these entertainments should be held in one week. At the close of the consideration of this subject, the Directors and representatives adjourned to the large hall of Free St.

be obtained. The Magic Lantern having been put into thorough working order, it was intimated that Societies would shortly be advised of the terms on which they could have an exhibition of it to their scholars. The HalfYearly Prayer Meeting was held in the Hall of the Free Tron Church, on 22nd September, about 100 being present. The Visitation Committee submitted a circular offering to visit Societies at their Business Meetings, and suggesting several subjects for consideration. One of the Delegates to the Convention at Perth handed in a written report of the proceedings, and the Delegates were awarded a vote of thanks for their attendance. Mr. Laird gave an interesting report of the business which had occupied the attention of the General Union at its recent meetings. A circular from the Western Union, and a letter from the Secretary of the General Union,

was read to the meeting, regarding | Sabbath of the month, and only to Sabbath School entertainments. Va- regular attenders. The consideration rious opinions were expressed, but of the stationary or retrogressive it was ultimately decided to request character of Sabbath schools in the the Visitation Committee to ascer- city, adjourned from last meeting, tain if Sabbath School Societies would was then taken up; and the Secretary, be willing to carry out the sugges- in accordance with instructions, read tion of the Western Union, and have a statement compiled from the Statistall their entertainments in one week. ics of the North-Eastern District for The circulars from the London Sunday the last three years. Comparing 1869 School Union and General Union with 1870, there was an increase of 10 were also read, suggesting special teachers, 324 children on roll, and prayer on certain days for Sunday 396 in attendance. Comparing 1870 schools; and representatives were re- with 1871, there was a decrease of quested to see that the matter was 15 teachers, an increase of 204 childbrought before their several Societies. ren on roll, and a decrease of 332 in NORTH-EASTERN DISTRICT UNION. attendance. Comparing 1869 with -The ordinary meeting of this Union 1871, there appears to be a decrease was held on the evening of Monday, of 5 teachers, and an increase of 528 7th October. There were present 13 children on the roll, and 64 in attendDistricts, and Mr Salmon, the presi- ance. The following facts were also dent, occupied the chair. After the brought out:-I. Teachers-In 7 sousual routine business, the Convener cieties, the number of teachers has of the Visitation Committee reported remained stationary. In 4 of these that arrangements had been completed the number of scholars has also refor the usual visits being paid to mained stationary, while 3 shew schools in the District. The Chair- an increase. In 10 societies, the man made a report regarding the number of teachers has increased. Institute under the care of Free St. In 8 of these the number of scholars John's congregation, for the establish- has also increased, while 2 shew a ment of which they had received decrease. £100 from the legacy of £300 given to the Union by the Trustees of the late Alex. Mitchell, Esq. Two rooms in Duncan St. had been specially fitted up for the purpose; £45 had already been subscribed of the £60 required by the terms of the Bequest; 32 young men had already expressed a desire to join, and it was being opened that evening by Professor Keddie. A letter from the secretary of the General Union anent Sabbath school entertainments was then read. From the statements of those present, it would appear that in a majority of cases Soirees take place during January and February. It was therefore suggested that February be named as a suitable month within which all such entertainments might be held. It was also suggested in connection with this subject, that Periodicals should be given uniformly on the first

In 14 societies, the number of teachers has decreased. In 9 of these, the number of scholars has also decreased, while 5 shew an increase. II. Scholars.-In 14 societies there has been an increase both on roll and in attendance. In 8 societies there has been a decrease both on roll and in attendance. In those societies where there has been an increase of both teachers and scholars, the proportion is 12 on roll and 10 in attendance per teacher. In those societies where there had been a decrease of both teachers and scholars, the proportion is 28 on roll, and 20 in attendance for each teacher.

-Consideration of the above statement led the meeting to the conclusion that practically the schools had made no advance during the last three years, and that this could be accounted for only by a deficient supply of teachers. The responsibility for this