66

Of this strange couple the evangelist endeavoured to make friends. The man was highly intelligent, and with a cultured mind prejudiced against the Gospel, it was necessary to begin with the evidences of Christianity. He listened attentively to the relation of the advent of Christ, and exclaimed, "Well, that is remarkable." He was then more fully referred to the prophecies pointing to the Messiah, and he said, They are quite overwhelming. I do not believe any man can contradict them." He was spoken to about the Saviour's sufferings, and it was observed that tears ran down the poor infidel's cheek. He was touched in the heart, His faith in Atheism vanished, though the question of miracles seemed still to be associated with some difficulty. Suppose I read the narrative of the Jew who received sight?" said his friend. "Do, sir, I should like to hear it." The man listened to the passage, and then said, "That must be true; it carries conviction on the face of it.” He then heard the account of the raising of Lazarus, and on learning how Jesus wept," he interrupted, "Ah, that was compassion like a God. I cannot help admiring the character of Christ." The poor fellow became more deeply impressed, and was greatly affected. "I believe now there

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is a God," he cried, "though I have for a long time doubted; but I will never write against Christianity again if I recover. I see such a loveliness in the Christian system, since I have been afflicted, that I begin to love it. Infidelity now appears a cold and heartless thing." "Yes," answers the other, "it leaves a man to die like a brute; not so the Gospel of Jesus." "No! that blooms with immortality." Still the man remained for some time in gloom and doubt. He admired prayer, though he could not use it; for after such a course as his, it looked like mocking God. He would have given worlds to appropriate as his own a hymn which was read: "Let the sweet hope that thou art mine," &c.

He was now frequently found in tears; and on his friend's leaving, he would say, "When will you come again?" He also confessed, "My trust in infidelity is gone. You have no conception of the agony my mind is in. Virtue without Christ is folly." A dark array of terrors passed through his soul, which gradually subsided as he became enabled to make the coveted gift of prayer his own, and to rejoice in faith. His health was providentially restored. He separated from the woman with whom he had lived in adultery, and returned to his wife and home. After so singular and painful an experience he could well testify, "Infidelity is an aching void, a blank, a blot, a dark and fearful chasm, in which hope sinks, and all that renders life desirable is swallowed up; but religion lights up the gloom, and dispels the dark clouds which hang over human

destiny,'

Pure and

THE BIBLE AND 'HELFS."-The Word of God is pre-eminently a book for direct reading, and is never seen in its glory if we will persist in wearing the coloured spectacles of another man's comment. cool are its streams if we drink immediately from the well-head; but when the precious crystal has long stood in earthen vessels, its freshness is gone; the truth is there perhaps, but not the life. We should let texts lie on our hearts till they melt into them like snow-flakes dissolving into the soil.-Spurgeon.

The preaching of the Word in some places is like the planting of woods, where, though no profit is received for twenty years together, it comes afterward.-Fuller.

NOTICES 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.
We cannot undertake to return rejected communications.

Intelligence.

Fi

GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. held on Tuesday evening, 29th October. —The ordinary meeting of Directors Visiting Committee reported that all was held on Monday evening, 18th the Schools in the Western District November. A report from the West- had been visited during the last two ern Union was submitted, also a cir- years, and that this winter they purcular from the Middle Union, having posed visiting the forenoon meetings reference to their Visitation, Music, instead; which was agreed to. and Magic Lantern Schemes. The nance Committee reported that in a Publications' Committee reported pro- few days circulars would be issued to gress in Library Books' Scheme, &c. the different societies for subscripThe Public Meetings' Committee tions. According to replies received reported progress in arrangements to circulars sent to societies since for meetings of the Teachers' Model last meeting, regarding winter enterLesson Class in the Western and tainments and soirees, the Union Eastern districts of the city. The finds it would be impossible to fix a Unions' Committee reported steps taken towards the formation of local Unions in various towns. The Sabbath Observance Committee explained the position of the question of a Juvenile Sabbath Union. Mr Dumbreck was authorized to use the name of the Union in exhibiting his model of Jerusalem. Agreed to suggest to District Unions the necessity for using all legitimate means towards obtaining fuller and more correct statistics from societies.

night, week, or month to suit all parties, but recommend societies to take great care in distributing soiree tickets to their scholars. Convention Delegates' report left over till next meeting. Regarding Scholars' Libraries, the Secretary reported what the General Union had agreed to do in this matter. It was intimated that Richard Chalmers, Esq., would conduct the Teachers' Model Lesson Class on the Friday evenings of January and February, in the hall WESTERN DISTRICT SABBATH of Free St. Matthew's Church, Bath SCHOOL UNION.-The ordinary bi- Street. Various arrangements were monthly meeting of this Union was made in connection therewith.

Notices of Books.

TALK BY THE WAY. Paisley: J. & | Scripture precepts and examples; and

E. Parlane.

CHRISTIAN Conversation is inculcated by the writer with a skilful array of

judicious hints are added as to times for keeping silence as well as times for speaking on religious themes.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL ALMANAC for
1873. By REV. MATTHEW BROWN,
Hightae. Glasgow: John M'Cal-
lum.

We have received an early speci-
men copy of this publication, which
is the production of a gentleman to
whom the youthful readers of the
Magazine were once indebted for a
New-Year's story. The Almanac is
of a
varied and novel character,
affording useful information and prac-
tical suggestions to Sabbath School
teachers and others. Three pages
are devoted to ecclesiastical and edu-

cational statistics. The Almanac is a
neat and comprehensive pennyworth.

readers. In spirit and style his is a model address to children. This will prove itself emphatically the girl's book of the season. Mr. M'Nab's threefold motto is briefly, living in, for, and with Christ, and is treated of mixture of anecdote and personal illusin an engaging manner, with a due adtration. The tone of the book will recall to Sabbath school teachers who the cordial interest evinced by the were present at the Perth Convention author in the spiritual well-being of the young.

The Children of a King, by Mr. Gibson, is another excellent contribution to the juvenile literature of the season. It describes with vividness and force the true dignity of the Christian life. The three publications fident that they will carry with them are neatly illustrated. We are con their own recommendation, and that their success will be equal to their deserts.

LEAVING SCHOOL: A CRISIS; con-
taining friendly counsels to those
who have been taught in Sunday
and Week-day Schools. By REV.
A. LANGLEY. London: Elliot
Stock, Paternoster Row.
THE author shews much Christian
wisdom, sympathy with the young,
and knowledge of the world. His
little book is well suited for being
placed in the hands of youth on
leaving school.

NOTES ON THE UNION'S LESSON SCHEME FOR 1872.

LESSON L.-DECEMBER 15.

ACHAN'S TRESPASS AND PUNISHMENT.-Joshua vii.

Jericho was devoted to utter destruction. Of the people, only Rahab and he relatives were spared. The property of the inhabitants was given to the flames excepting only their gold and silver, and their vessels of brass and iron, which were consecrated to the treasury of the Lord. Such was the commission given by the Lord to Joshua, to be executed by the children of Israel. In his instructions to the people, Joshua warned them against the sin and danger of appropriating any of the spoil of the city to their own use-"Lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it," (vi. 18.)

Verse 1.-Amongst the thousands of Israel who devoutly respected the commandment of God, there was only one man so covetous and daring as to disregard it. Achan took of the accursed thing, and his guilt provoked the Lord's anger against the entire people. "They were all one body; nor could any part be infected with so dire a disease without the detriment and danger of the whole."

Verses 2-6.-Meanwhile, a detachment of the army is sent by Joshua to capture the town of Ai. They expected an easy conquest after the fall of Jericho, but are ignominiously repulsed, and six-and-thirty of their number are slain.

Verses 6-9.-Joshua and the elders are overwhelmed with grief for this unexpected and unaccountable reverse, and prostrate themselves in self-abasement before the ark. The natural disappointment and dejection of the military commander find vent in an unworthy murmur that the Israelites have been brought over Jordan to be exposed to defeat and disgrace; but in a more commendable spirit Joshua shews his zeal for the honour of God by pleading for what is due to His great name.

Verses 10-15.-The Lord graciously accepts the prayer of His servant, and gently rebukes his despondency and faltering faith. Joshua is informed of the cause of Israel's discomfiture, and instructed how to bring about the public detection of the delinquent who has caused Israel to sin and suffer.

Verses 16-26. The alert commander lost no time in following the instructions he had received. He "rose up early in the morning," and commenced the inquisition. Early rising was evidently a habit of Joshua's, (iii. 1; vi. 12-15; viii. 10.) The process of examination (14, 17, 18) resulted in the conviction of Achan, who confessed his sin, (20, 21,) acknowledging that he had coveted and appropri ated "a goodly Babylonish garment," together with a quantity of gold and silver. The scrutiny into tribe, family, and household, appears to have been determined by lot. Notice how the magisterial fidelity of Joshua is tempered with tenderness in addressing Achan, (20,) and in pronouncing upon him the sentence of death, (25.) "So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger," (26,) and blessed the obedience and faithfulness of Israel with a succession of victories, till all the land was conquered, and the people rested from war.

PRACTICAL LESSONS.

1. At the siege of Jericho the Israelites learned that "wisdom"-heavenly wisdom-"is better than weapons of war." The defeat at Ai taught them that "one sinner destroyeth much good," (Eccles. ix. 18.)

2. The crimes of individuals involve the guilt of a nation when left unpunished. Be not "partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure," (1 Tim. v. 22.) Members of the Christian Church are enjoined to look diligently, lest any "root of bitterness" spring up amongst them to "trouble" them, as Achan "troubled" Israel, (v. 25,) and "thereby many be defiled," (Heb. xii. 15, 16.)

3. Covetousness is described by the Apostle as idolatry; the worshipper of Mammon cannot also be the servant of God. "The love of money," says the same Apostle, "is the root of all evil;" and it is the prevailing and characteristic sin of our time. Love of money and fondness of dress "pierced" Achan and his hapless family "through with many sorrows." In an age when wealth is the paramount object of pursuit, and men are valued by society chiefly on account of their gold, the Christian-and especially the youthful Christian entering upon active life-had need to pray: "Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil." Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 50.-Psalm cxxxix. 1-6. Subject to be proved-Secret Sins are known to God.

Text for Non-Reading Classes.

"Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done." -Joshua vii. 20.

LESSON LI.-DECEMBER 22.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.-Mark iv. 1-20.

Our Lord had again gone forth from the house in Capernaum to "the seaside," (v. 1,) i. e., the shore of the Sea of Galilee, an inland lake of about 16 miles long by 6 miles broad,-"the most sacred sheet of water which the earth contains,' (Stanley.) "And there was gathered unto Him a great multitude," so that Jesus had to enter the boat provided by His disciples, (ch. iii. 9,) and to speak from its deck while the crowds of people stood upon the sandy beach. "And He taught them many things by parables," (v. 2,) or comparisons, a figurative method of teaching, wherein the idea or lesson is brought out in connection with some familiar object. When asked by His disciples why He did so, our Lord explains, (v. 10-13.) The group of parables contained in this chapter were probably the first, as they are perhaps the richest which He spoke.

First comes the PARABLE OF THE SOWER, (v. 3,) founded, like so many others, on the common things of life. What a dignity and significance do our Lord's words here give to the toils of the husbandman! Perhaps at the very time there may have been a sower at work near Him. He was himself the chief sower; His entrance into the world, a going forth to sow; the word which He proclaimed, the seed; the hearts of men, the soil; and they who came after did but carry on the work.

I. "And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside,” (v. 4,) fell on the hard footpath or road, and lay exposed to the feet of passers, or to the flocks of birds which follow the husbandman. Of this parable we have an interpretation by our Lord himself, (v. 14, 15.) In Matthew the expression "and understandeth it not," is applied to this wayside hearer-important as indicating the state of mind in which the Word of God fails to produce any effect. He has exposed his heart as a common road to every evil influence, until all higher and heavenly truth has become unintelligible to him. And besides, there is Satan, the personal Wicked One, watching to snatch away every possible advantage, sending his ministers in the shape of evil thoughts, desires, and lusts.

II. There was other seed which at first promised better, but ultimately had no better result: "Some fell on stony ground," (v. 5, 6,) or rather, rocky placesground where a thin coating of earth covered the face of a rock, into which roots could not penetrate, and through which no moisture could be reached. At first this seed grew all the quicker, but having no depth of earth, was soon scorched and withered by the sun's heat. Compare Jonah iv. 8; James i. 11. In verses 16 and 17, our Lord explains that this class of hearers, attracted by the first beauty and loveliness of Christianity, "receive the Word with gladness,;" but lacking all deep earnestness, and not having counted the cost of discipleship, “when affliction or persecution cometh for the Word's sake, immediately they are offended.' would have promoted the growth of the seed, if it had had root enough, (Jer. xvii. 8,) so trouble and afflictions do strengthen true faith, as the furnace purifies gold: but they cause possessors of a merely temporary faith to fall away, for such "have no root in themselves." Similar ideas, Matt. vii. 25; xxv. 4. The tree depends on its unseen root, so the Christian's strength lies in that life which is hid with Christ in God. Compare 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18; Heb. x. 34.

As heat

III. "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit, (v. 7;) fell into ground which had not been cleaned or purged of thorn roots, which consequently grew up, overtopped the good seed, shut out the light, and drew away the moisture and richness of the earth. In this case it was not want of soil, nor shallowness of soil, but the lack of careful husbandry in not rooting out the noxious growths. Compare Prov. xxiv. 30-32. In verses 18 and 19 we learn, that by "the thorns are meant two distinct and somewhat dissimilar causes: first, the crushing oppressive side, struggle for subsistence, "the cares of this world," and then the flattering seductive side, "the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things." In the case of persons in whom such influences have choked the Word, the world has not lost its power over them; the old man is