24. False reports spread rapidly, and get exaggerated at each step, (ver. 28, 29, 34, 38.)-In a certain terrace, the servant at No. 1 told the servant at No. 2 that her master expected his old friends, the Bayleys, to pay him a visit shortly. The servant at No. 2 told the servant at No. 3 that the family in No. 1 expected to have the Bayleys in the house every day. No. 3 told No. 4 that the bailiffs were about to visit No. 1, and that the mistress was like to die of vexation. And the report went on increasing till it got to No. 32, who assured the last house, No. 33, that the officers had apprehended the gentleman at No. 1 for killing his poor dear wife, and that it was confidently expected that he would be executed. Absurd as this story may seem, it is not unlike what takes place daily. And the report got up against Paul had a similar origin and an equally striking progress. "The flying rumours gathered as they rolled; LESSON 273.-PAUL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.-Acts xxiii. 1-11. 25. Christians enjoy peace of conscience, (ver. 1.)-A wealthy and beautiful young lady once went with a friend to see an old woman who had been confined to bed for thirty years, suffering from a painful complaint, and who was apparently near death. The young lady was surprised at the contentment and patience of the suffering woman. The old Christian spoke of happiness and peace, of the mercies she already enjoyed, and of the joys she was so soon to know. The young lady, turning to her friend, said, "I would gladly change places with that poor creature to have her peace." The saint went to her rest; but the lesson was not lost. The young lady sought the Saviour, and soon possessed the same peace. 26. God protects His faithful Servants, (verse 11.)-Queen Elizabeth, in a fit of anger, once threatened to throw Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador, into a dungeon. "I have a master," he boldly replied, (referring to Philip II.,) "who will protect me as his subject, not to speak of my being his ambassador.' How much better ground for confidence have the faithful servants of the King of Kings! LESSON 274.-PAUL AND FELIX.-Acts xxiv. 27. We should strive "to have a Conscience void of Offence," (verse 16.)-A little Sunday school boy, who was in a situation, one Saturday received from his master a sovereign in mistake for a shilling. The boy had a sad battle about that sovereign. His conscience said, "You must give the sovereign back to your master, it is not yours." Temptation said, "Your master gave it to you, keep it Willie, perhaps it was not a mistake; and if it was, it will never be found out." Conscience says, "Don't listen to temptation, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."" Then temptation pleaded, " In any case, wait till to-morrow." But conscience replied, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.' Remember the text of last Sunday,Thou God seest me.' In a few minutes Willie was at his master's house. It was a mistake. The master took back the sovereign, and said very little at the time; but Willie was happy. His master soon promoted him; and in every way he found the advantage of remembering that God sees us, and of living, like Paul, in "good conscience before God. 28. See the Folly and Danger of Delay, (ver. 25, 27.)-Archias, a magistrate of the city of Thebes, was seated at a feast, surrounded by his friends, when a messenger arrived in great haste, with letters containing an account of a plot formed against his life. "My lord," said the messenger," these letters contain serious news, and I am requested to ask you to read them at once." "Serious things to-morrow," replied Archias, laughing, and then put the letters under his pillow. This delay was fatal. The conspirators, that same evening, rushed into the banqueting room, and put the careless magistrate and all his guests to death. It was a great folly; but not greater than that of those who, though kindly warned of the value of their souls, yet, like Felix, put off its concerns to another day. So much has the above been improved in construction and in optical qualities, that it is fairly entitled to be called the New Lantern. It is now, without exception, the best and cheapest instrument for Societies having frequent exhibitions. The result obtained by the Triplex Wick with Paraffin is second only to the Lime Light. It gives a clear well-defined picture of 9 to 10 feet diameter. When Lime Light is used (for which it can be readily adapted) a splendid picture, of 12 to 20 feet, is obtained. Prices, with Triplex Wick Lamp for Paraffin or any of the lighter Mineral Oils, £4 4s. With apparatus for Lime Light in addition, £8 12s. A liberal discount is allowed to Societies. The Exhibition Lantern is another instrument got up with a similar object in view, viz., to obtain a good distinct picture with an instrument of moderate price, and easily used. It is, of course, not to be compared with the first-named in efficiency, but its price would be a recommendation to some. Price 30s. Large variety of Slides to choose from. Magic Lantern Entertainments arranged for. Terms and lists of subjects on application. JAMES BROWN, 78 76 ST. VINCENT STREET, GLASGOW. THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING AND CONVERSAZIONE will be held in the HALLS of the CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE, 70 Bothwell Street, on Thursday Evening, 20th April, 1882. EX-BAILIE SCOTT, President, will occupy the Chair. The Annual Reports will be read, and Addresses delivered by the REV. JAMES PATON, B.A., St. Paul's Established Church; REV. R. M. THORNTON, Wellpark Free Church; REV. ALEX. BROWN, Pollokshields U. P. Church; BAILIE DICKSON; ROBERT GOURLAY, Esq.; and Others. The Choir of the Glasgow United Young Men's Christian Association will give Selections of Sacred Music. Teachers' Diplomas will be presented at this meeting to those who have passed the Union's Examinations for Teachers. Tea will be served in the Lesser Hall from 6.45 till 7.45 o'Clock, for which Tickets (6d. each) may be had from MESSRS. J. M'CALLUM & Co., 174 Buchanan Street, and at the Union's Rooms, 70 Bothwell Street. The business proceedings will be conducted in the Large Hall, where the Public Meeting will be held at 7.45. A Collection will be taken on retiring on behalf of the Funds of the Union. BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AT HALF-PRICE. UNDER the Union's Private Library Scheme, Teachers in Schools affiliated to the Glasgow Union are supplied with Commentaries and many other valuable books helpful to them in their work, at One half the published prices. Catalogues and Forms of Application may be obtained from the Secretaries of the Union, 70 Bothwell Street; and specimens of the volumes offered can be seen in the Office of the Union, No. 7 Room, Christian Institute. TRAINING CLASS FOR TEACHERS. THIS Class meets every Saturday Afternoon, at 5 o'clock, in the LARGE HALL adjoining FREE ST. PETER'S CHURCH, corner of Waterloo Street and Mains Street, (off Argyle Street.) The Lessons of the Union's Scheme will be taken up as under : Acts xxiv., 8, No Meeting. 15, MISS AGNES DICKSON, 22, THOS. H. WATSON, Esq., "" 29, THOMAS KERR, Esq., Acts xxvii. 27-44, Paul in Rome. Subscriptions, to 15th March, for DUNOON CONVALESCENT SEA-SIDE HOMES. Gillespie U. P., 9/7 Renfield St. U. P., 44/6 36/ Barrowfield Free, .. 11/3 37/6 .. Lansdowne Congl., 9/6 As the Collections for this Scheme will be closed on 15th April, those Schools which have not yet contributed, but intend doing so, will greatly oblige by remitting to J. S. KELT, Esq., the Hon. Treasurer, 125 Ingram Street, before that date. SUBSCRIPTIONS ON BEHALF OF All friends of the Union are respectfully asked to assist in increasing the number of Contributors to its funds, in consequence of its extended operations. Subscriptions sent to J. S. KELT, Esq., the Hon. Treasurer, 125 Ingram Street, will be acknowledged monthly in the Magazine. SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT UNION. FOR the convenience of Teachers resident in the Eastern District, this Union has instituted a Teachers' Training Class in the Union's Hall, 12 Landressy Street, near Bridgeton Cross, every Friday Evening, at 8 o'Clock. The Glasgow Union's class of childrer +ht her Manahan wha |