At twenty minutes past five all teachers are present, and the superintendent gives out a verse of a hymn of consecration, aspiration, prayer, or praise, and mentions that after they have sung this together one of the teachers —naming him—will lead their prayers shortly. Then, rallying round the blood-stained banner, all, consecrating themselves anew, and humbly bowing at the Captain of their Salvation's feet, cast the burden of the work upon Him, and breathe upon His ear their high and holy ambition to be co-workers with Himself in the redemption of the world. Thus renewing their strength, a little band may fearlessly open its school-door to the wildest, roughest children that can be found in street, court, close, or alley. This consecration service need not occupy over five minutes, and no genuine teacher cares to miss it. The doors are opened at 5.25, for the children to meet their teachers at the appointed places. Promptly to time the superintendent's bell rings, doors close, and school opens by singing some familiar and suitable hymn. Prayer follows, the superintendent leading, and all, teachers and scholars, repeating clause by clause after him till, upon his praying, “Our Father which art in heaven," all join to the end of that grand old prayer.

Those late are now admitted, the superintendent, secretary, or teacher giving each a gentle rebuke as they pass to their classes. Class rolls are carefully marked, and strangers pointed out to the superintendent, who gathers all into a class by themselves, under the care of one teacher willing to bear the worry of such an annoying charge.

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Any class without a teacher (for sometimes cases occur when teachers are prevented, by unforeseen circumstances, from being present) is now put under one who gives himself to the school as 'any one's substitute," and ere long becomes a most useful personage; or it is joined for the night to some small neighbouring class, or relegated (much to its dislike and hurt) to the strangers' class. All this, by the hearty assistance of the secretary, is done in a very few minutes; but meanwhile the main body of the school has set to work, the children each repeating last Sabbath's reward ticket. Whilst lessons proceed, the strangers may be taken to replenish or enlarge existing classes, or to form classes for new teachers, the teacher of strangers greatly aiding in making suitable selections. But it is always well to try these children for at least two Sabbaths before entering their names upon the class roll, lest they prove irregular. The alphabetical index, now applied to the strangers' class, discovers little stragglers there, and shews at once where they should have been.

All in order, the secretary now writes up new class rolls, extends his notes of additions to existing classes, puts inscriptions upon reward prizes ; then, roll-book in hand, but speaking to nobody—unless addressed-goes right round the school, filling up the general roll.

No teacher leaves his class during school hour, and this observed tends much to maintain quiet and order; for whilst all become accustomed to the superintendent and secretary's quiet tone and step, no teacher can leave his place without more or less disturbance and distraction. During lessons the main object of the office-bearers is to give each teacher the greatest possible facility in attending to his work of teaching; and they will not interfere with any teacher unless thereby they may support some

weary one, or share a too heavy burden. Yet, whilst keeping aloof, and busy about visible things, these may be yet more deeply engaged pleading at the mercy seat for grace to be bestowed upon some one they had observed "growing a-weary." Who knows who plants our props oftentimes? The office-bearers attend to everything except direct teaching, and, all eyes and ears, observe the least inquiring glance of any teacher, and by a return glance or sign signify that they shall attend at earliest convenience. Generally speaking, a smile, a look of surprise, or a quiet signal from the superintendent, will set right a restless scholar, or stir up a sleepy one, or arrest a playful one, as somehow they seem instinctively to look towards him soon after going wrong. Many a skirmish we have seen end in victory for the superintendent thus, with no bloodshed, none even wounded. Should a class thoughtlessly talk too loudly, neighbouring classes generally do likewise, and the superintendent may touch his bell when all teaching will immediately cease, and every eye turn inquiringly towards the platform. A short explanation sets all to rights, and greatly improves the comfort of both teachers and scholars.

At fifteen minutes past six o'clock a stroke of the superintendent's bell warns all that it is time for lesson to close. A second stroke, two minutes later, precedes the announcing of an appropriate hymn, which is no sooner begun to be sung than the patter of many little feet tells that the infant class is being scattered through the hall, and the little ones nestle into big brothers' and sisters' arms, just in time to join in singing the hymn they have learnt at home. Intimations of auxiliary work are made, and school is closed by a pre-appointed teacher leading prayer, which should be suited to the subject of the day's study and God's dealings with scholars or teachers. (The senior classes are closed by their own teachers.) Promptly at half-past six the girls begin to move out, followed by the boys, each shaking hands with her or his teacher on rising.

The teachers of all departments draw together as class by class leaves; and so soon as the noise of the last boy's feet recedes sufficiently, the superintendent requests all teachers to join daily in private prayer on behalf of certain classes and teachers-naming them by their teachers. Any intimations are made now-new teachers are introduced, and receive "the right hand of fellowship"-(to use an orthodox phrase)-short thanksgiving prayer is led by a teacher-materials replaced properlythe superintendent's poor relief box kept in mind-and all retire. The superintendent and secretary are generally last to leave the premises.

And now that all are gone, let us have a moment's talk about them. These teachers are drawn from one and every evangelical church amongst us, yet as teachers they know no one denomination. They are deeply impressed with a sense of the value of the work in which they are engaged, else the difficulties in the way would prove too great. They are earnest Christians, knowing the preciousness of redeeming love themselves, and full of longing to communicate saving knowledge to the children they teach. They have learned the new, the eleventh commandment, and have it graven on the very palms of their hands. The meekness and gentleness of Jesus himself are written in their whole bearing towards their scholars, and towards one another. They see behind a pair of black eyes, set in a careworn dirty face, an immortal soul, which they wish to win for

Jesus-a gem which it may be their glory to polish for the crown of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

They know their little ones wherever they may meet in hall or street, and do not blush to smile and speak to them. They have ever echoing in their souls, in pleading accents, the request of their great Father, "Take this child and nurse it for Me." "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." "Lo, I am with thee always." They set their face as a flint to do the Lord's work; even though, exhausted with the effort, they may have again and again to fall back upon His allsustaining mercy and grace, and plead for the pardon of that sin which stained and marred their services, that their little ones may be carried past them to see Jesus only.

The difficulties that beset them are many. There are the inborn vice and deceit of the children; their savage passions; their perversity and readiness to lie; there are the dirt and vermin that they carry with them, and these are no trifling matters, for many a time do teachers have to thank one another for saving them from carrying home living specimens of their children's tormentors. To visit the homes whence their children come, to sponge a wan little cheek, and rest a dying head upon one's shoulder whilst administering a little beef tea, just made over a few smouldering embers, then to speak of Jesus, and kneel in prayer by a bed of shavings and sacking, tests to the very uttermost the charity, the devotion, the piety of those engaged in Mission Sabbath School work. To give a shilling to a sick child's father to procure a cab to convey it to the Infirmary, and find, two hours later, that still he rocks feverishly upon his bed of rags, whilst his father lies helplessly drunk upon the floor beside him, through the abuse of your charity, is no small trial. To be told by your landlady that she can no longer lodge you because of your taking part in mission work, (as we have known done,) is also a severe test. But these things sift and fan till, in a mission school of some years' standing, the teachers left are the most devoted, and the best fitted for the work. One hour a-week they meet for united prayer, and plead as if they felt, "How shall I go up to my Father and the lad be not with me?" And here they do indeed renew their drooping hearts, and warm themselves for work, till, by-and-by, they have a few of their children to meet for prayer too, and share their own blessed experience.

One word as to rewards and auxiliary work. Rewards are of God. The promises of the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, and the offer of the crown of life, undisputably prove it; so let us follow the high example. Our rewards can be inexpensive.

To meet your whole scholars near the outside of the town on a Saturday afternoon, each with bread and jug; then march, four deep, a mile into the country, there to spend an hour or two, and have tea on the grass before marching home again, costs very little, and is grand fun, giving precious opportunities of becoming acquainted, and of giving your children confidence in you.

A little tea party of one's class in one's own house costs little, and is very much thought of.

A cricket club for lads above 16 is a simple matter, and, with a teacher

for captain, is a most harmless and healthy recreation, and so glues a lad to his seat, that he hardly can tear himself off, and may fix him in his class long after his teacher has been bowled out.

A sewing class for older girls, with a teacher to read very striking stories, has wonderful power over them; and a rescue band meeting once a-week breaks up the long winter evenings with entertainment and instruction, whilst giving a fine opportunity to preach temperance.

A well organized Dorcas Society has its sphere of usefulness; and if each child only gets supplies on applying through its own teacher, and that teacher is watchful, it may do much good.

Then a church pew costs little, and you can meet your children under the same sanctuary roof, and worship the same God, much to your mutual profit. Oh! and there you can sit and think of the glorious time when you and they shall form part of the great white-robed multitude out of every kindred and nation, and people and tongue, who stand before the throne of God and of the Lamb, and serve Him day and night in His temple, and where God himself shall wipe all tears from their faces.

An interesting discussion followed the reading of this Paper; and in reply to questions, Mr. Shepherd said:

We are told "That the one half of the world does not know how the other half lives." It's quite true. Go and see. You tell me, "I don't quite like." Oh! go, it will do you good; and if,-after you have seen with your own eyes the condition and need of your little neighbours, you can refuse to go and work for their good, you had better look into your own heart, and see if the precious blood has been sprinkled there at all.

"Is one hour long enough for a mission school?"-We say, plenty. The children are sharp,-everything about them goes at high pressure,and to teach, we must be smart and pointed, and not let them think our school a weariness.

Holidays?-Never; plod on, wear out polished and bright, reflecting your Lord's glory, but never submit to rusting. On re-opening a school lately a teacher missed part of her class. Meeting a girl, she asked why she had not come back now that the school was re-opened; to which the little one replied, “Oh, your skule was sa' lang shut Î gaed till. Very right, we think.

Visit? Yes, do visit at first opportunity after you miss your scholar. Don't wait for weeks, and then be met with,—"Johnnie? He died ten days ago, and never a teacher cared for him." It thrusts like a bayonet to hear that! Why not rather have the joy of speaking of Jesus' love to your little one, and as you wet his parched lip and watch his closing eye, hear him tell you in his own accents, "No, no faird. Jesus is wi' me. Jesus!"

I'm

FAULT-FINDING.-The world is not won by denunciation. Tell a boy that he is disagreeable, and how quick one loses influence over him! We must commend the good in people,

You will remember that we asked you to give your Hospital Sunday Collections last year for the benefit of the Dunoon Convalescent Homes. We have now to return you our hearty thanks for the very liberal manner in which you responded to our Appeal. Your contributions amounted to nearly £400, which is the largest sum you have yet raised for any of our Charitable Institutions. And we feel sure that you have a reward in the very thought that your liberal offerings have helped to relieve the distress, and to cheer the hearts of a large number of little sufferers, especially when you remember that "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord," and that what is done for the very least of His brethren, our Saviour regards as kindness shewn to Himself.