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mean to do by calling her a dog? to humble her. 15. How did she reply?-16. Dogs in the East generally lie under the table, but what did she mean by the answer?-17. Was she anxious for some small share in the blessings of Christ ?-18. Can you state what peculiar graces were visible in this woman's conduct?-19. And what was the result?-20. If we steadily and faithfully believe in Jesus what will be the final and eternal result?-21. Are there any souls too depraved for Christ to heal?

MARCH 2.-THE GARDEN OF EDEN.-Gen. ii. 8-17.

NOTES.

Ver. 8, 'Eden,' respecting the exact locality of Eden, see Sacred Topography,* in this Magazine for March, 1842: Mr. Ransom places it on the north-western border of the Persian Gulf. Eden signifies pleasure or delight. Ver. 9, 'The tree of life,' a tree whose fruit imparted immortality to those who ate of its fruit; chap. iii. 22. As the punishment for eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, Adam was not allowed to eat of this tree, and hence he was liable to death. 'Tree of knowledge of good and evil,' it was through this tree man gained the knowledge of 'good lost and evil got.' Ver. 10, ‘A river,' that formed by the junction of the Euphrates and the Tigris running south. Four heads,' or the commencement of the courses of four rivers, two branching northwards and two southwards. Ver. 11, 'Pison,' running south into the Persian Gulf. 'Havilah,' lying on the western shore of the Persian Gulf and south of Eden. Ver. 12, 'Bedellium,' an aromatic gum, or a pearl, probably the latter. All the things mentioned in this verse abounded in that part of Arabia in which Havilah has been placed above. Ver. 13, 'Gihon,' running east of Pison, but in the same direction. 'Ethiopia,' Cush, situated on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf from Havilah. Ver. 14, 'Hiddekel,' the Tigris. 'Euphrates,' the river that bears that name now. Ver. 17, 'Thou shalt surely die,' receive the sentence of death and be liable to die.

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the meaning of the word Eden?-2. In what part of the world have learned men placed it?-3. What did God plant there?-4. In what part of Eden was the garden?-5. Whom did God put in the garden?-6. What trees in particular did he make to grow in it ?-7. Is there a tree of life growing anywhere now? Rev. ii. 7; xxii. 2.-8. Who will eat of this tree of life?-9. If you were to die now, do you think you would eat of it ?-10. What knowledge came to Adam and to all men through the other tree?-11. There is one river mentioned as running through Eden and branching into four other rivers, can you mention their names and tell the direction in which they ran?-12. Where was Havilah and where Ethiopia ?— 13. What did God put Adam into the garden for?-14. Then is it honorable to be employed ?-15. Did he tell him to eat of all the trees?-16. If he disobeyed God's command, what was to be his punishment?-17. When God told him not to touch that tree, did the smallness of the sacrifice lessen or increase Adam's guilt?-18. What ought he to have done?-19. And how should you act when God tells you not to do a thing?-20. If you break God's commandments, what will be the consequences ?-21. Have you not broken them already?-22. How should you feel and act toward past sins? --23. Does an offended God give us great encouragement to confess and forsake our sins? Is. lv. 7; 1 John i. 9.

Entelligence.

Chelsea.-RANELAGH SUNDAY SCHOOL.-On the evening of December 19th, one hundred and twenty young women, all of whom were formerly scholars in this school, sat down to tea in the girls' spacious room, after which addresses were delivered to them by the venerable and beloved minister of Ranelagh chapel, the Rev. R. H. Shepherd; by the Rev. Samuel Martin, of Westminster chapel, who intreated them to remember the advantages they had enjoyed, and the solemn responsibility they had incurred; by Mr. Joseph Maitland, who pointed out to such of the young women as are married, the special duties which devolved on them; by Mr. Dale, who described the great advantages resulting from the Sabbath school instruction; and by Mr. George Downing, the treasurer of the institution, who expressed his deep concern that every individual who had been in the school might be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation. To each female a book was presented, and after several hymns had been sung, and a prayer offered up, the company separated. This is the seventh annual meeting of the kind which has been held at Ranelagh. Miss Shepherd, the honoured and devoted superintendent of the girls' school, has, during that period, kept up a^ communication with the young women since they left it. She is in possession of their residences, is acquainted with the situations they fill, advises with them as to the changes they contemplate, and watches over them with parental solicitude. It is hoped that the report of this meeting will attract the attention of the superintendents and teachers in our Sunday schools, and that an effort will be made by them to adopt, as far as may be practical, a system which has for seven years worked so beneficially at Ranelagh.

Haworth, Yorkshire.-At a meeting held on New Year's Day, to present a memorial to the pastor of the Independent Church, for his long and devoted services, a splendid set of silver castors was presented to Mrs. Saunders, his excellent wife, for her admirable exertions in the Sunday school.

Hexham-CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL.-On December 26th, the teachers and friends held their annual festival in the vestry of the chapel. After tea, an interesting meeting was held, the respected minister, Joseph Walker, in the chair, who, with the superintendents, and several of the teachers, delivered addresses, comprehending the following subjects:-The best mode of conducting social meetings of teachers; the duty of the church toward the school; the best method of managing infant and elementary classes; the importance of teachers' meetings for prayer; the surest way of retaining senior scholars; the duty of a Sunday school teacher in relation to his scholars; the form and quality of Sunday school addresses. These, and other points of interest, occupied the attention of the meeting till a late hour. The addresses were interspersed with devotional exercises. A number of choice verses from appropriate hymns were sung, and amongst the rest

'No happier sight our eyes can trace

'Mid all our mercies given;

Than children growing up in grace

And journeying on to heaven.'

London. The Rev. Alexander Fletcher, of Finsbury chapel, in accordance with his practice for a long series of years, on Christmas day preached his annual sermon to the young. The attendance was unusually large. Upwards of a thou

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poor orphan.' I said, this is just in character, for God hath revealed himself, as the father of the fatherless.' Many friends took pleasure in showing her tokens of their good will; but the best friend seemed always with her, and on one occasion, overpowered her with the bright beams of his love, I called the same day that it took place, O (said she,) how I wanted you here this morninghow I wanted all the teachers here-how I wanted all the scholars here; Jesus revealed himself to my soul in such endearing ways, as filled me with joy unspeakable; I wished to tell every one of you of it, that you might praise him; yea, I wished to tell all the world how precious Christ was to my soul; and I wished to invite all the world to come unto him, that they might have life.' Soon after this, she was received up into glory. A funeral sermon was preached for her, and God blessed it, to the conversion of an interesting person, who had long left the school, but had received impressions there many years ago. Thus God blessed this young person in her life, and made her death a blessing to another. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

II. Little Patty was only six years old when she died. She was a general favourite. I often met her when she was going or on her way to or from the British school; and the little creature would trot after me, or contrive to meet me, and try to get her hand into mine, and then begin- Mr. Knill, shall I say the xxiii. Psalm? I know it Very well, Patty, begin. Then on another, she would say, 'I have learned a new hymn, shall I repeat it?' Oyes.' Then she would say, so sweetly

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Salvation, O the joyful sound,
'Tis pleasure to our ears.",

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The word of God dwelt in her richly, considering her years; and she made it known to all with whom she was familiar. She evinced a delightful confidence in all that Christ said in his invitations and promises; and seemed to have no doubt but he loved her, and that she should go to him. At last little Patty was missed at the Sunday school and at the day school; and it was found that she was very ill, and likely to die. She suffered much, but never murmured; often would she break out into songs of praise, when her parents were about to burst into tears; but if, at any time she saw a tear, she would softly reprove them, by saying, am going to Jesus. O, why do you weep.' On the day that she died, she urged them to sing one hymn more

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before she died; she said, 'I am just going, but I cannot leave you until we have sung. O call my teacher, or bring her, to begin the tune. They came, but they were so overcome with the scene, that they all wept together; and Patty began the hymn, and having finished it, she died.

III. W. Brown was fifteen years old, and was one of the 34 scholars who learned the whole gospel of John by heart. He had a great knowledge of the scriptures, and very clear views of God's plan of saving sinners. A thousand convictions had darted on his conscience; but it seems that the death of a younger brother produced the deepest and the lasting conviction. This brother was in the school for some years, and had also a great knowledge of the scriptures. The parents are pious people, and of course, would help on the children in the good way. On the night the boy died, he said to his father, Let us sing a hymn, father.' 'No,' said the father, it will wake your brothers and sisters.' 'I need sing the praises of God,' said the boy, and he led off the tune himself; and just when in the act of singing, his voice faltered-his pulse failed-he ceased to breathe. It was only a few months after this, that William became very poorly. His doctor said, it was a decided consumption; and for sometime the youth was confined at home. But one Sunday morning, the weather was inviting, and William said, 'I must go to my Sabbath school once more,' and he came, but it was the last time. He gave me great comfort when I visited him, though he had not much abiding comfort himself. It was only glimpses, with oft returning clouds. When he was nearly expiring, he wished to see his sister, another of our scholars, and with his dying breath, he said, 'O, sister, you will soon follow me; don't make light of your soul,' Thus another of our dear boys was removed.

It is painful to see such ravages by the cold hand of death; but we will look at the bright side, and see them casting their crowns at the feet of Jesus. The end of the

school is answered. The soul is saved-the spirit is in glory.

'No more fatigue, no more distress,

Nor sin, nor death shall reach the place;
But every power find sweet employ,

In that eternal world of joy.' Hallelujah.

O that all our teachers and all our scholars may die as happily as did Charlotte and Patty and William Brown. Amen.

FEARFUL RESPONSIBILITY.

To parents, in a great degree, is committed the future and immortal destiny of their children. The example, the conduct, the temper, the whole character of the parent begins to exert its moulding influence on the infant mind at the early dawn of its existence in the world. Look at that infant in the cradle, or that child with tottering footsteps just beginning to lisp the parent's name! There is a vital spark lighted up in that little bosom a lambent flame, which will never be quenched, but will exist and burn when the fires of the old celestial sun have gone out by reason of age. Parent! what image, what character, shall be stamped on that plastic mind which God has entrusted to your care? Shall it bear the lineaments of heaven-the pure image and superscription of its Maker? Shall it be a spotless and happy spirit, redeemed by atoning blood, and exulting for ever before the throne on high-a star in the eternal diadem; or shall it be a guilty, polluted, moaning, suffering spirit in the world to come, reproaching your unholy example, your want of piety, your neglect of duty, as the instrumental cause of its ruin? Parent! fix your eye of affection on that child, now so dear to you. Trace its onward career. Send your winged thoughts after it, as its spirit flies to eternity, and begins the journey of countless ages. Think of your child a million of years hence. Think of him, as happy or miserable, by your fidelity or neglect. Viewed in this light, the birth of a child is an event of no small importance in its relations to eternity. Children appear on this stage of action candidates for endless felicity or woe. A destiny of honour or infamy, of pleasure or pain, is inevitable. They must be happy or miserable, and very much depends on parents in which of these states their children shall find their ultimate and unalterable doom.

The responsibility of parents is, therefore, one of fearful magnitude, and one that should be most scrupulously regarded with an humble dependence on the Divine assistance, and a steady reference to that future and eternal world, where the transactions of the present life will be matter of careful review and impartial retribution. And there is no way of avoiding this fearful responsibility, and no way of relieving its pressure on the hearts of parents, but by a careful and constant training of their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a most hearty co-operation with those blessed institutions, the Sunday schools of Christ's Church.

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