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He was very much pleased to be present at that meeting, but he confessed he felt that there were many gentlemen present who were much more capable of filling the honourable position he was then in than he was-men who were engaged from week to week in the Sabbath school, and who were active agents in that good work. He believed that there was no better work that any man could be engaged in. It was a work that, like charity, was twice blessed." It blessed him that taught, and he that learned. It made them like drill sergeants, who drilled those who would ultimately form the Church, and who would, as they grew up, be good soldiers for Jesus Christ, fighting for the religion which made Scotland what she is, and without which she would be a most insignificant nation. He believed he did not claim too much for his native land when he said that there was no nation in the world that was so Bible reading or law abiding, or so earnest in its devotion to the worship of God. Sabbath schools had been of much use. From his youngest days he had known them; but if Sabbath schools had been useful in the past they were likely to be more so in the future. There was an air of carelessness and indifference and infidelity creeping over the land, which might one day exclude religious teaching from the schools; and when that day came there would be no means by which the children will be taught religion and a knowledge of the Bible except in their homes and Sabbath schools. He trusted that day might never arise, but he very much feared that free education meant secular education. He was sure, however, that Scotland would not receive free education if that education was to be secular. Somehow or other he thought the ministers of the various churches did not take such a deep interest in the Sabbath school as they had done in his young days. This might be a rash conclusion, but he knew clergymen who did not open their Sabbath schools with prayer. He knew some who did not teach the senior Bible class, but who left it to their elders or to enthusiastic young men. These clergymen were, he considered, not doing their duty. In conclusion, Mr. Ewing said that unless a minister took a deep and earnest interest in Sabbath schools they would be comparatively a failure. Men who belonged to the Church he belonged to, and who followed up the instructions of the General Assembly, would be instrumental in bringing up, in future days, God-fearing men.

Mr. EWING was followed by Rev. E. J. BRAILSFORD, who read a paper on "How may ministers add to the power of the Sabbath School as a teaching and saving agency?" This paper will be found entire in another part of our issue for this month. We commend it to the careful perusal of our readers. It was much appreciated, and was very favourably commented upon by the Rev. W. Watson; Mr. Urquhart, Edinburgh; Mr. Parlane, Paisley; Rev. Mr. Jardine, Mr. Thomas Gray, Mr. Glassford, Glasgow; Rev. Mr. Paterson, &c.

Mr. Brailsford was followed by Mr. FREDERICK A. LAING, Glasgow, who gave a "Model Lesson" to a class of about twenty boys in a most instructive and interesting manner, his method of teaching being criticized favourably by many of the clergymen and delegates present.

At the close ex-Provost Paul moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, and Mr. A. T. Watson proposed a similar compliment to Messrs. Brailsford and Laing, which were heartily given.

FRIDAY, 2ND OCTOBER.

The Convention was resumed, at eleven o'clock forenoon, under the presidency of Mr. Alex. Wylie of Cordale. There was a very large attendance of delegates and others. The proceedings began with devotional exercises, and thereafter

The CHAIRMAN said-We are very glad to see such a large audience here as evidence of the great interest in the subject of Sabbath schools, and it gives me much pleasure to take the chair on this occasion. Before the practical work of the Convention commences I may be allowed to make a few brief introductory remarks. The Christian soldier, engaged in that warfare from which there is no discharge, looking abroad over the world and seeing the sin and sorrow which abound-the pride and wickedness in high places, the dishonesty and intemperance amongst men of low degree-when he reads such accounts as those furnished by the "Bitter Cry of Outcast London," and similar testimony from thousands of philanthropists in other cities, of a state of godlessness, crime, abject poverty, and despairing misery, which it would be as impossible to exaggerate as it would be fitly to describe, is prone to despondency, and ready to exclaim in the words of the Psalmist, "How long shall the wicked; how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things, and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? " But while it is undoubtedly our duty, as a Sabbath School Convention, to look existing circumstances steadily and unfalteringly in the face, and sternly to recognise the moral depravity which in our own day and at our own door abounds, yet I think that we may also derive profit and instruction from a retrospect of the past. I say that, comparing the things of the immediate past-say of the last forty years-with those of our living present, there is cause not for despondency, but for much thanksgiving and congratulation, for during that period there has been great and undoubted spiritual progress. It is a difficult thing to measure the degrees of morality, and still more so of its parent religion in different generations, except by their tangible results, for "By their fruits ye shall know them;" and to a few of these I would like to draw your attention, as evidencing an advance in the hidden spiritual life. And I would mention first the remarkable decrease in crime which has taken place in our country. One of the circuit judges, travelling up from the Ayr Circuit Court the other day with a friend of mine, was remarking upon the enormous decrease in the numbers of the criminal class in his circuit, and stating that this was the experience of his brother judges throughout the country; and statistics abundantly bear out his remarks. Rather more than forty years ago, with a population little more than half what it is now, the number of criminal offenders committed for trial in the United Kingdom was 54,000; now there are only 22,000,-less than half the criminals, and in a much larger population. The convictions in the years 1840 to 1842, averaged in Scotland 1120 per million inhabitants yearly; and in 1876 to 1880, only 570 per million, a decline of nearly 50 per cent., owing to which sixteen Scotch prisons have been recently closed, principally for want of occupants. Some people will say that this is entirely owing to a better system of police, but we must recollect that as a police force improves in deterrent, it also improves in detective qualities; and

nothing, I think, could more satisfactorily attest our progress in 66 the righteousness which exalteth a nation," and absence of the sin which is “a reproach to any people," than this marked diminution of crime. I will not here refer, except incidentally, to the enormous advance made in material prosperity and comfort by our people; but as regards pauperism, I would have you note that since 1849 we have continuous figures; and from these we know that with a constantly increasing population there is an absolute decline in the amount of pauperism. The earliest figures are-of paupers in receipt of relief in the United Kingdom in 1849, 1,676,000; in 1881, 1,014,000. It may be argued that this is the result solely of the increase of the means of life, but those who know the inalienable connection between pauperism and vice, must understand that powerful moral agencies have been at work to account for this amelioration. One of the most hopeful signs of the times is the increase within this period of the mean duration of life among males, from 399 to 419 years, -a gain of two years in the average duration of life; and among females, from 419 to 45 3 years, a gain of more than three years in the average duration of their lives. No such change could take place without a great increase in the vitality of the people. A few weeks ago I had a letter from Mr. Froude, the historian, in which, referring to this subject, he says "If it is as you say, that the physical stamina of the Scotch and English race is proved by statistics to be increasing, my worst alarms for the future will be quieted. Health of body will bring health of mind and conduct, or rather implies it. We shall need both in the times that are coming, for we have surely before us a period short or long of social and spiritual anarchy." But it is to the progress which has been made in education, as being of special interest to this Convention, that I will more particularly refer. "The children of the masses in England are, in fact, now obtaining a good education all round, while fifty years ago they had either no education at all, or a comparatively poor one; whilst in Scotland the superiority of the common school systems is immensely superior to what it was forty years since. In 1830 the ratio of school children to population in England was only 7, and in Scotland 9; whilst in 1881 in both countries it was 15. In 1830 the ratio of adults able to write in England was 55, and in Scotland 77; whilst in 1881 it was in England 84, and in Scotland 88; and this advance in secular education is telling in a most marked and satisfactory manner on the work of our Sabbath schools. Twenty-five years since a large proportion of Sabbath school children were like deaf mutes, requiring to be instructed by long and laborious attention in the very rudiments of language; and the intelligence with which they now come into the hands of the Sabbath school teacher is like the acquisition of a lost sense. The chairman of the Glasgow Sabbath School Union, at the annual meeting last year, remarked that the work had not so much drudgery about it as it had twenty-five years ago, when the teachers had a large number of children who had to learn the elements of reading. Now they had higher material to work upon. While the work in day schools had been raised, the work in Sabbath schools had been elevated to the highest Christian teaching. There can be no doubt that Sabbath schools have been among the foremost moral agencies in conducing to this physical, educational, and social progress,

From small beginnings they have now grown to enormous dimensions, and have exercised the happiest effects on the spiritual wellbeing of the rising generation. To shew, in a few words, the magnitude of the Sabbath school movement, I would simply state that in Glasgow, in round numbers, there are 10,000 teachers and 100,000 scholars, whilst throughout Scotland there are about 55,000 teachers and 565,000 scholars; and in England about 600,000 teachers and 5,250,000 scholars. In England it is to be noted that 11 per cent. of the total population attend Sabbath schools, and in Scotland the proportion is 13 per cent., being only 2 per cent. less than the proportion attending day schools. The amount of material, physical, and moral benefit which this vast agency has accomplished, and is accomplishing, is incalculable, and will only be summed up on the great day of final reckoning. And this Convention, the leaders of this great movement, the commanding officers of one of the most powerful and advanced battalions of that splendid army fighting under the banner of the Captain of our Salvation against the powers of darkness, can now hold council of war, not dejectedly as those contemplating defeat in the face of an advancing enemy, not despondingly as the leaders of a forlorn hope, but hopefully, as assured of victory, yes, even eagerly and triumphantly as those preparing to follow up an enemy beaten all along the line, and pressing on to convert into utter rout the retreat of his forces of ignorance and vice, of godlessness and misery; and I trust that our councils this day may be fraught with blessing to the good cause which we have all so much at heart. Mr. JOHN HONEYMAN, Glasgow, read a capital paper on Sabbath school buildings," which he illustrated by a series of plans. He advocated special buildings for Sabbath school purposes-comfort and elegance in internal fittings.

Bailie SELKIRK, of Glasgow, read a paper on "Temperance in relation to the Sabbath school." He said that the relation of temperance to the Christian life, as well as to the moral and social condition of the people, was too direct and important to admit of its being ignored. Much of the apathy that exists in regard to the evils of the drinking system is due mainly to several causes-ignorance of the true nature of intoxicants, a pleasurable relish for them in so-called moderation, and an imperfect idea of the havoc they are working among all classes. On no other theory could it be reasonably explained why Christian men and women have not, long ere this time, unitedly and fearlessly set themselves to grapple effectively with the demon of strong drink. Efforts to deal effectively with the evil had largely failed, because the matter had been too much treated as if it were a question of the abuse of a thing innocent in itself. And yet nothing had been more clearly demonstrated by science, in recent years, than that alcohol was not food or force-was not a natural stimulant-did not impart heat-gave no power to brain or muscle; but, on the contrary, weakened the powers of digestion-lowered the temperature of the body— caused nervous irritation-disturbed the functions of the brain, the seat of reason and self-control-stimulated unnaturally the action of the heart, and created an abnormal appetite, which, in many cases, became uncontrolable. Nor was this all. It ate up natural affection and self-respect, destroyed the moral sense, and rendered its victims positively indifferent

to their future welfare. In effecting a complete reform, something more required to be done than merely to convince. The plea for the entire disuse of strong drink was based on Christian duty, though many excellent people were content to rest it on the ground of Christian expediency. As regards the bearing of the temperance question on their work as Sabbath school teachers, he maintained that a high ideal of their work would more and more constrain them to discountenance drink in every possible way-for Christ's sake, for the children's sake, and for their own sake. Besides the difficulties of their work arising from the natural enmity of the heart to God, there were the various influences from without, arising from vicious parents, miserable homes, bad companionships, and seductive pleasures; all of which are fostered by strong drink. These constituted a most serious difficulty in the way of doing any real or permanent good to young lads and girls. He maintained that a grave responsibility rested upon them all in regard to this matter. Were all the professed followers of Christ to forego entirely the use of strong drink, the sacrifice, if such it could be called, would be but small; yet it would confer untold blessings upon the young, and upon society generally. Mr. CHARLES S. INGLIS, Edinburgh, gave an address on "Infant Classes." He advocated special accommodation for infant classes in the Sabbath school. He thought also that ladies made better teachers for such classes than gentlemen. They had more patience with the children, and were, as a rule, better able to conduct the singing. He also thought that a system of teaching by pictures was advisable.

Rev. BUCHANAN BLAKE, M.A., Bombay, read a very interesting paper on "Missions," in the course of which he gave some reminiscences of his missionary labours in Bombay. Foreign missions formed but one part of the great work of Christ's Church,-a part largely neglected, no doubt, but still a part. India had now 586 missionaries to a population of 250,000,000, or one missionary to about 500,000. Bombay had one missionary for every 50,000; while in great tracts of the country a missionary is never seen. Generally speaking, 2000 at home had three ministers. In concluding his paper, Mr. Blake said the aim of the Christian Church should be to let all its resources be given for the preaching of Christ. Thus would their Christian sympathy touch India and China, and in God's good time Christ would be recognised as King of kings where He had been mocked and reproached.

Full discussions followed the papers, and the different gentlemen were cordially thanked.

Mr. JAMES PARLANE, Paisley, submitted a report from the Convention Committee as to what they had done in carrying out the remit of the previous year's Convention respecting the "Training of Teachers." The memorial to church courts had been duly transmitted, and with good results. They had also been in communication with the Hawick Sabbath School Union as to the place of meeting for next Convention, and that Union had agreed to invite the delegates to meet there in 1886.

A public dinner was given in the afternoon in the lesser hall, at which about 150 delegates were entertained. The Rev. Wm. Watson, president of the local union, presided, and the speakers were Dr. James Richmond, Glasgow; Mr. Fairley, Paisley; Mr. Urquhart, Edinburgh; Mr. James