APRIL 6.-THE TWO BUILDERS.-Matt. vii. 21-29.

NOTES.

Ver. 21, 'Saith Lord, &c,' implying a submission to Christ; 'he that doeth, &c,' obedience to Jesus is the evidence, not the foundation, of our title to heaven. Ver. 22, 'Many, &c,' showing that the number of gifted, but graceless, hypocrites may be great. Ver. 23, 'Knew,' appeared. Ver. 25, Rain, &c,' land floods ; in the east houses are praised, not because they have stood so many years, but because they have resisted so many rainy seasons. Ver. 29, 'As the scribes,' whose lectures were trifling narrations of foolish traditions.

QUESTIONS.

1. Is it in these times an easy thing to profess Christ's religion?— 2. But how are we to prove that we really possess it?-3. Why will no mere lip service please Christ? Prov. xxiii. 26; Mark vii. 6.—4. If we do the will of God, will that entitle us to a place in glory?—5. Why not? Luke xvii. 9, 10; 1 Cor. iii. 11.-6. How may we show that we cordially rely on Christ for salvation? Gal. v. 6; Jas. i. 22. -7. Is there reason to fear that many have trusted to their gifts and their privileges and have neglected practical obedience to Jesus? 1 Cor. xiii. 1.3.-8. How will Jesus treat such persons at the last day? Luke xiii. 26-28; Matt. xxv. 41.-9. Gifts are earnestly to be prized, but what is of more value than many talents?-10. Christ had two kinds of hearers, can you describe them?-11. Why is a practical obedient hearer like a wise builder? 1 Tim. vi. 19.-12. How may we all expect to have our religion at some time put to the test? by affliction, death, and judgment.-13. What kind of religion will stand these trials ?-14. How are the disobedient hearers described?-15. Is sand a good foundation for a house?-16. What are some of the sandy foundations on which persons may build their hopes of heaven? (1.) That they are better than others. (2.) That they do their best. (3.) That God is too merciful to punish his own creatures with everlasting woe.-17. What will become of such foundations? Is. xxviii. 17.-18. And what will be the doom of the soul that builds upon them?-19. As Christ teaches with divine authority, are we bound to believe him?-20. Does he address you by his word which is taught in the Sunday school?-21. Then what reception should you at once give his message?

Entelligence.

Hexham Scotch Church Sunday School assembled on December 25th, and gave the children tea, after which suitable addresses were delivered by W. Fairless and E. Ridley, and some concluding remarks offered by the respected minister, James Gordon, all of which were listened to with considerable attention: when dismissed, the teachers sat down to a social repast, and then retired to the chapel, it being the evening for the usual weekly lecture. The following fact is deserving of notice, as showing what one individual may accomplish in a school. It is scarcely twelve months since this young minister settled in Hexham. At his coming the school was very low, having not many more than 30 children and a few teachers; now there are 130, with a corresponding number

of teachers, and although there are three public services every Lord's day, the minister finds time for attending the school once, at least, nearly every Sabbath, and, besides, conducts a large Bible class of upwards of 40 persons, comprehending most of the teachers, during the week. We heartily wish him the blessing of God in all his undertakings. When will ministers generally see it their duty, esteem it their privilege, and find it their interest, in the highest sense of the word, to recognize and take part in the Sabbath school? They profess, all of them, to love and follow the good shepherd; then let them be mindful of his lambs!'

North Collingham.-The teachers in the church Sunday school of this parish presented to the Rev. H. L. Anders, the curate, on Christmas-eve, a copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible, beautifully bound, and bearing an inscription expressive of the donors' attachment and respect.

Shotley-field, Durham-On Sabbath day, November 24th, 1844, a public service was held in the Baptist chapel, of this village, on behalf of the Sunday school, when the children and their parents, the teachers, and friends to the cause, were severally addressed by E. Ridley, of Hexham. On the following day, the children had tea, and each one was presented with a book, after which there were some pleasing recitations. The teachers and friends also partook of a social repast, which was succeeded by an interesting meeting, addressed by the Revds. Wm. M'Gowan, pastor of the Baptist church, and I. Mellis, of the same communion, Middleton; Mr. Officer, Wesleyan minister, Shotley bridge, and Mr. Clement, a lay preacher. The said service proved refreshing, and the blessing of God was devoutly sought upon it. It was indeed pleasing to witness the minister and his people, the teachers and their youthful charge, the parents and their offspring, thus socially convened for mutual edification; but more especially for the spiritual welfare of the youth of the locality, who are thus being trained in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord.' A convenient augmentation of the funds of the school was realized as one desirable result.-Respecting those social tea meetings, associated with Sunday schools, &c., (the propriety of which has been questioned by some grave and good people,) the writer would observe, that where well and wisely' conducted, under the direction of truly pious and spiritually-minded persons, the Divine blessing being prayerfully sought thereon, they seem calculated for vast and various usefulness; but on the contrary, when in the hands of persons of little circumspection, and perhaps less piety; when the children are taught to regard the tea and plumcake as the chief good, and the teachers are looking forward to the pleasantry, gossip, and eclat of the occasion, as its main attractions, then, such meetings,-call them anniversaries, festivals, soirees, or what you please, exert an equally pernicious influence on Sunday schools, and are subversive of the hallowed character, and godly objects of the institution. In our early years, we conscientiously opposed them, and now, after much thought and some experience, we have arrived at these sober conclusions.-(CORRESPONDENT.)

Wakefield.-At a meeting recently held in Zion chapel, to commemorate the Jubilee of the London Missionary Society, a Bible and hymn book, elegantly bound in Turkey Morocco, were presented to Mr. Ed. Robinson, who has, for above twenty years, rendered most efficient help to the Sunday school, as a mark of esteem, previous to his removal to Leeds.

Printed by JOSEPH GILLETT, Brown Street, Manchester.

THE NEW ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON.

MOST of the thousands of our readers are personally interested in the commerce and trade of Great Britain. Many of them will become merchants; they will not fail, therefore, to be delighted with some notice of the New Royal Exchange, in London. In that grand building our merchants meet daily, to transact business with those of all nations. Merchants, ship-owners, captains of ships, and persons trading on the sea, assemble in great numbers, buying and selling vast quantities of goods brought from, or carried to, all the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia.

Our engraving might lead us to call the attention of our

E

readers to the history of commerce, as we have such abundant intimations of it in the Scriptures: but as to the earlier notices of it, we only refer them to Gen. xxiii. 16; xxxvii. 23, 25, 28, 36.

The kings, David and Solomon, greatly encouraged commerce, both by sea and land, especially with Hiram, king of Tyre; and his people assisted Solomon in building and fitting out a fleet of merchant ships; so that by his great success, riches and honours flowed into his kingdom. And it is said that he made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees as sycamores that grow in the low plains.' 2 Chron. ix. 27. Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; besides that which chapmen and merchants brought.' ver. 13, 14. For the king had a navy at Tharshish with the navy of Hiram; once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, and ivory, and apes, and peacocks. And Hiram sent in the navy of ships his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. And came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.' 1 Kings ix. 27, 28; x. 22. See evidences of ancient commerce. Ez. xxvii.

Commerce has never been carried on in any country to the extent that it has been in England, since the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and from that period there has been a Royal Exchange in London. Before that time the merchants used to meet in the open air in Lombard-street, in the city. But in 1531, Sir Richard Gresham, the 'king's merchant,' and sheriff of London, proposed to King Henry VIII. the erection of a building for their convenience. His son, Sir Thomas Gresham, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, offered, in 1564, to the citizens of London, to erect such a building at his own expense. Sir Thomas laid the foundation stone, June 7th, 1566; and before the end of the following year it was roofed in with slate. It was not fully used for business until it was publicly opened by the visit of Queen Elizabeth, January 23rd, 1571, when it was proclaimed by her Majesty's herald with the sound of trumpet, "THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.' This noble building was burned down in the great fire of London, in 1666; but it was rebuilt with greater splendour, at an expense of £69,979 11s.; or, including some charges upon the Mercers' Company, £80,000. This was publicly opened September 28th, 1668; but it was burned to the ground

in the night of January 10th, 1838; and the present magnificent edifice erected in its stead, at a cost of about £400,000!

This truly grand building stands nearly due east and west; the extreme length, from the portico on the west to the columns on the east is 308 feet. The place is much broader at the east end than the west-the width of the west end being only 119 feet, while that of the east is 175 feet. The dimensions of that part used for the meetings of the merchants, is an area of no less than 170 feet by 112 feet, of which 111 feet by 53 are uncovered and open to the day. The extreme height, to the apex of the pediment at the west end, is 74 feet; and the height of the tower at the east, to the top of the vane, is 177 feet.

The first stone of the New Royal Exchange was laid by Prince Albert, January 17th, 1842; and the building, when finished, was opened by the Queen and Prince Albert, attended by many of the nobility and a vast concourse of people, on Monday, October 28th, 1844. At the request of Prince Albert, the inscription was given in English, rather than in Latin,

" The Earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.’ In the commerce of our country every Christian must feel a deep interest when he recollects, that it is commercial rather than agricultural nations which are to evangelize the world.

The Voice of the Months.

No. 4, APRIL.

MY DEAR YOUNG Friends,

Although weak and wicked people often make one month oppose another, and April punish for the crimes done in March, I am happy to say our family is most united. We live in the exercise of mutual affection, as brothers and sisters ought to live, and delight to second each others' efforts. With great pleasure therefore, I fulfil my part of our family agreement, and address a letter to you.

It was wise in the ancients to give names significant of some thought, and I am glad that mine has a meaning. Aprilis, from Aperio, I open,' reminds you of the opening beauties of the fields and gardens. Now the lambs frisk around the sheep, the plough-boy whistles along the opening furrow, the trees bud and the birds carol their praises, and all nature opens her rural delights.