or beast, but they add much to our enjoyment of life. Ver. 14, 'Let there be lights, &c,' the sun, moon, and stars; let the atmosphere become so rarified or cleared that those lights may be visible from the earth as soon as there is any creature made to see them; 'signs and seasons,' summer and winter are produced by the relative position of the sun to our earth; a day is formed by the revolution of our earth on its own axis, which makes it appear to us as if the sun were going round the earth; a month is formed by the journey of the moon round our earth; a year is formed by the journey of our earth round the sun. Ver. 16, 'Two great lights,' the sun and moon; these are called two great lights, not because they are really the greatest that we see, but because they appear so to us. [The teacher may turn here with advantage to the two papers by Dr. Dick, inserted in the Sunday School Magazine for January and February, 1844.]

QUESTIONS.

1. Do you remember what was made on the first and second days of the creation?-2. What did God say on the third day?-3. What did he call the dry land ?--4. And what the waters ?-5. When God had seen the dry land and had called it earth, what did he then say? -6. What was the seed intended for ?-7. Was it necessary that God should make it in a miraculous manner after the first time?-8. Has the earth continued to bring forth these things ever since.-9. Are all the things that grow absolutely necessary to keep man and animals alive?-10. Then why do you think God made them?-11. How should we feel towards God for his care to render us happy? Ps. cvii. 31.— 12. What was the next thing that God said?-13. What were those lights intended for?-14. How many lights did God make ?-15. Which were these two great lights?-16. Were these two the only lights that he made?-17. Why are they called two great lights?18. Is the sun very useful to us?-19. What good is the moon to us?-20. Do you know that some persons in the world worship the sun and moon as if they were God?-21. Why is this very wrong? Ex. xx. 4, 5.-22. How is it that you know better?-23. As you know better, how ought you to feel?-24. Will knowing the proper object of worship save us? John iv. 23, 24.-25. What should we do for those heathens who worship the heavenly bodies and other idols?

JAN. 26. THE YOUNGER AND THE ELDER SONS.-Luke xv. 21-31.

NOTES.

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Ver, 22, 'Robe, ring, shoes,' see Gen. xxvii. 15; xli. 42; Is. xx. 3: Jas. ii. 2. Ver. 24, 'Dead,' to religion, happiness, and God. Ver. 25, 'Music, &c,' these were common among the Jews, but differed totally from the promiscuous dances and revellings of present times. Ver. 29, ‘A kid,' a young goat of far less value than the calf in verse 27. Ver. 30, Thy son,' the language of contempt, he did not say my brother. The penitence of the son was of more importance than the prodigality. Ver. 31, 'All that, &c,' as elder son he was heir to all, and should not have grumbled at a little expense in welcoming home a lost brother.

QUESTIONS.

1. What have been your thoughts and feelings about the former part of this subject?-2. At what part of the prodigal's history, did it close?-3. He confessed his sins even after he saw his father's for

giveness, shall we always grieve over our sins after God has pardoned us? Ezek. xvi. 63.-4. Was the prodigal reproached by his father? Mic. vii. 9.-5. What command was given to the servants?-6. Were these the honours of a servant or of a son ?-7. And what does it all teach us about our penitent return to God?-8. In what respect was the son 'dead' and 'lost' before ?-9. How was he alive' and 'found' now?-10. Did the joy go through the household?—11. When a sinner is converted, how do Christians feel?-12. Why?— 13. What followed the younger son's being replaced in his father's affection ?-14. What does the elder brother represent? The proud self-righteous pharisee.-15. How ought he to have acted?-16. Do proud people ever like to see others raised above themselves ?-17. If we see persons more honoured by God than we are, should we envy or should we love them ?-18. Can you show why it is 'meet' that there should be rejoicing over the repentance of sinners ?—19. What are some of the benefits resulting from conversion to the church and to the person himself?-20. Why should there be special joy when young persons are converted?-21. From the whole, will you believe the following truths, and pray for the Spirit to write them on your souls ?-(1.) When we depart from God, we lose all joy and dignity:-(2.) If we feel wretched in the ways of Satan, we should at once resolve to go to God: (3.) The Lord will fully forgive and save us :-(4.) All saints and angels will rejoice over conversion:-(5.) If we keep away from our heavenly father, eternal famine and woe must be our portion.

FEB. 2.-THE FIFTH AND PART OF THE SIXTH DAYS' CREATION.-Gen. i. 20-25.

NOTES.

Ver. 20, 'The moving creatures that hath life,' all fish and amphibious creatures; and fowl,' these were not made out of the water but out of the earth; chap. ii. 19. Ver. 21, 'Great whales,' this word might include great fishes of all kinds, crocodiles and sea monsters of all descriptions; 'every living creature that moveth,' all smaller fishes, water insects, &c. Ver. 22, 'God blessed them,' imparted to them animal enjoyments, and made life a source of pleasure to them. It is a proof of God's benevolence that what is really necessary to the continuance of animal life, such as eating, drinking, exercise, &c, should be in itself a source of animal enjoyment. Ver. 24, 'The living creatures,' a general term, including the three specific ones that follow; 'cattle,' tame animals; 'creeping things,' short-legged creatures and reptiles; 'beasts of the earth,' wild beasts.

QUESTIONS.

1. After God had created the sun, moon, and stars, what did he say?-2. After he had said this, what did he do?-3. When all these things were made, what did God do to them ?-4. What do you think it means when it is said that he blessed them ?-5. Is there not another and a better sense in which God blesses some of his creatures? Ep. i. 3.-6. Who are those who receive God's best blessing? -7. Should you not like to have it ?-8. Can you tell me how you may obtain it?-9. When God had blessed the fishes and the fowls, what did he say to them?-10. On what day were the fowls and the fishes made?-11. What did God say on the next day?-12. What do you understand by the living creature?-13. What by cattle?— 14. What by creeping things ?-15. What by beasts of the earth?-16. Did the earth bring forth these things without God's help ?-17,

When these things were all made, what was ready for the happiness of each kind?-18. And plenty of food for them all to eat?-19. Does God take care of these things now? Ps. civ. 28.-20. If God takes so much care of all these things, and wishes to see them happy, what do you think of those children who try to torture them?

Entelligence.

Bolton.-A copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible has been just presented to the Rev. T. Ireland, as a mark of great esteem, by the Bible class under his care, in the Sunday school of St. George's church.

On Thursday evening, November 21st, the teachers of Mawdsley Street Sabbath school, Bolton-le-Moors, assembled for the purpose of presenting to their esteemed superintendent, Mr. John Hamilton, a copy of the Imperial Family Bible, as a token of the sincere respect and grateful feelings which they cherish towards him, for his assiduous and persevering labours amongst them, through the period of fourteen years. Mr. W. Brown, (Mr. Hamilton's colleague,) after descanting in an admirable manner on the excellency of the Scriptures, and paying a deserved tribute of congratulation on the harmony existing betwixt them, presented the Bible in the name of the teachers. To this, Mr. Hamilton responded, in a deeply affectionate manner, acknowledging the propriety of Mr. Brown's remarks, and the obligations under which, by a sense of their kindness, they were now laying him, more than ever to be earnest in the work of faith and labour of love, in which they were all united. The meeting was then addressed by some teachers, intermingled with the singing of a few delightful hymns, until the close, which took place about ten o'clock. All appeared highly delighted with the engagements of the evening.

Bridgenorth.-The children belonging to the National Blue Coat and Sunday schools of the Church of England, have recently had their annual treat given them. At one o'clock on the first day they assembled at the National school, and from thence proceeded in regular order, headed by a band of music, to a beautifully situated field, adjoining to the town; here they enjoyed themselves till half-past three o'clock, when they proceeded to St. Leonard's church, where a very suitable address was made to them, by the Rev. C. F. Broadbent, vicar of Worfield, from 2 Timothy iii. 14, 15; after this they returned to the field, and partook of refreshment. The next day they assembled at the same hour, and proceeded from the National school as before to the field, where eight tables were formed into two squares, tastefully decorated with flowers, and a plentiful supply of bread and butter and plum cake. Tea was supplied to the different tables by the ladies, teachers, &c. The band, at intervals, playing suitable airs. After tea, the children resumed their play, during which, the clergy, with Mrs. and Miss Whitmore's, of Apley Park, and many of the most respectable ladies and gentlemen, with the several teachers, upwards of one hundred in number took tea, &c., while the music and the cheerful countenances of all enlivened the scene. The children belonging to the schools amounted to above six hundred and fifty in number. The days selected for this treat, were the race days, and it was peculiarly pleasant, not only to see such a number of the rising generation kept away from the corrupting scenes of the race course, but also to observe the large number of the inhabitants of the town, amounting to several hundreds, who

also preferred coming to witness the gratification and innocent enjoyment of the children, to that of resorting to the races; the complete success which has attended this plan, may, it is hoped, be an encouragement to the managers of other Sunday schools to make the experiment. Great praise is due to Mr. Barber, the master of the National school, by whose exertions the funds were raised, and the whole of the arrangements conducted.

Greenwich.-The foundation stone of a new building for the use of Sabbatlı and general instruction for all classes, was laid adjoining the Independent Chapel, on November 21st, by the Rev. Dr. Reed, accompanied by an admirable address. The Rev. H. B. Jeula, the beloved minister of the place, read a memorial, beautifully inscribed on vellum, stating the origin and objects of the institution. It was then deposited in glass with some of the current coins, and all was put into the cavity prepared for it. The doxology was then sung, after prayer by the Rev. J. Pulling, of Deptford, by the children of the Sunday schools, who then adjourned to the chapel, where tea, &c. was distributed. In the evening a public meeting in favour of religious education was held; silk purses, containing considerable sums of money, collected from persons unconnected with the congregation, were handed in by the Misses Riches, Walker, and Simmons. The whole proceedings were of the most delightful character, and the most sanguine expectations of usefulness are cherished.

Hamworthy, near Poole.-An anniversary meeting of the Sabbath school connected with the chapel at this place, was held on Sunday, November 10th, when the teachers and children were addressed in the evening, by the Rev. W. Galton, their minister, from Prov. viii. 17. The children sang an original tune and hymn, composed expressly for the occasion, by Mr. J. Jenkins, the superintendent, and a collection was made to defray the expenses of a tea, which took place on the Wednesday following. The children and teachers were again affectionately addressed by their respected minister, and mutual encouragement was afforded to each in the prosecution of their work of love. The school has but lately been re-opened, scenes of confusion having unhappily arisen; but we are happy to say, it is now prospering, and the scholars are increasing.

Luton.-A spacious school room was opened for Sabbath school instruction, in connexion with the Independent chapel, on the 26th of November, by a tea party. The proceeds, exceeding twenty pounds, were given to the school funds, the trays being furnished gratuitously by several ladies.

Obituary.

Died, on Sunday, November 3rd, at the house of her brother, a surgeon, in Wigan, Miss Harriet Latham, aged twenty-four. This interesting young woman had long been a very consistent teacher in the St. Paul's Chapel Sunday school. Her death was most affecting. On the very day on which she was publicly to have been received into the church of Christ, she was found in her bed-room a corpse. Her previous health had been remarkably good: but a fit, to which she had been liable, seized her, and her spirit we fully believe ascended to the church of the first born, and to the everlasting Sabbath of heaven. The event was improved on November 10th, to a large congregation, from Jer. xv. 9. 'She hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day.' On the following Sabbath, the sermon was, by request, repeated in the Independent Chapel, Hindley, where the departed had recently resided, and where also her Christian deportment had excited universal admiration.

BY THE REV. W. URWICK, D.D., OF DUBLIN.

Reader!-look at the annexed Engraving. It presents one example among thousands how man has 'changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature instead of the Creator, who is blessed for ever

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