buted much to the pleasantness of January, and superintendents were the proceedings.

urged to do their utmost to get a better attendance of teachers. The Treasurer, Mr. Gray, intimated receipt of £200, bequeathed to the Union by the late Mr. John Mitchell of Moorepark. Office-bearers were nominated for 1883-84.

MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on Tuesday, 13th December-14 members present. The president, Mr. John Morison, occupied the chair. Mr. J. M. Bryce reported that the Annual Services were held RUTHERGLEN SABBATH SCHOOL in St. Paul's Parish Church, on UNION.-The quarterly meeting of Sabbath, 26th November, when ex- this Union was held in the Town cellent addresses were delivered by Hall Side-room, on 13th December, the Rev. Mr. Paton, the minister of 1882-Mr. Ed. Simpson in the chair. the church, and by Professor Lindsay It was intimated that Longbottom's -the president presiding. The at-"Bible Story, with Sacred Song" tendance was most gratifying. The entitled "Elijah -was now in the members of the Visitation Com-hands of the children connected with mittee reported that 13 schools had the Sabbath schools in the district, been visited, and gave some in- and that the Music Festival would teresting information as to the con- be held about the end of February. dition of the schools. The Union The scheme for the visitation of the had under consideration the remit schools of the district had been from the General Union regarding arranged, and was now being carried the Musical Festival intended to be out. It was agreed to have the given by a choir composed of voices Annual Soiree of the Union in selected from the various Sabbath March, 1883. The delegates to the schools throughout the city. It was Kilmarnock Convention gave a satisunanimously agreed to give this factory report of its proceedings. matter every encouragement, and ROTHESAY UNITED PRESBYthe secretaries were instructed to TERIAN SABBATH SCHOOL. - The issue circulars with a view to learn- children attending this school, with ing what support the different their teachers, and a large number schools were disposed to give, as of the congregation, met in the well as the number of voices likely church on New-Year's day. The to be sent. Rev. Peter Macfarlane addressed SOUTHERN DISTRICT UNION.— the children, and thereafter preThis Union met on Monday, 18th sented prizes to those scholars who, December-present, 21 representa- from the results of the bi-monthly tives. Mr. R. Stewart, president, examinations, were found to be the presiding. Mr. Aird made touching most proficient. There were thirty reference to the sudden death of prizes awarded, the first consistMr. Hugh M'Coll of Pollokshields, ing of handsome Bibles, presented one of the honorary directors of the by a member of the congregation. Union; and mentioned that Mr. These were gained by first boy, M'Coll had been connected with the William Hislop; first girl, Rachael Glasgow Sabbath School Union for Kinloch. The second and third many years, having been one of the prizes fell respectively to Walter secretaries so long ago as 1845. J. Smith and William Paterson, Encouraging reports were given in Maggie Bradley and Mary B. Ferby those members of Visiting Com- guson. All the young folks present mittee who had visited societies and on the occasion, whether prize winschools since last meeting. It was ners or not, were presented with a intimated that the Model Lesson little gift suitable for the NewClass for teachers would resume in Year.

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Notes on the Union's Lesson Scheme for 1883.

[These Notes are intended to aid Teachers in their studies at home, and not to be used in the school while teaching.]

Lesson 6.-February 11.

THE FLOOD.-Genesis vii. 1-24.

Ver. 1.-A hundred and twenty years had fled since God doomed the men of the old world to destruction by water. A long space for repentance, of which, if any availed themselves, they were mercifully removed from the evil to come. How much of this time was occupied by the building of the ark does not appear; the period must have been very considerable, during which the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing," (1 Peter iii. 20.) How were the impenitent, unbelieving multitudes of mankind occupied in the meanwhile? Christ tells us, (Matt. xxiv. 38, 39.) Seven days before the commencement of the deluge, Noah and his family are graciously invited to come" into the ark, as the only refuge from the impending judgment. God renews His testimony to Noah, as the only faithful man of his generation. God's covenant with him (vi. 18) included also his family.

Ver. 2-4.-The distinction between clean and unclean beasts was laid down long after, in the Levitical law, (Lev. xi.;) when certain animals were allowed to be eaten, and the use of others, as food, was prohibited. But here the distinction is referred to in such a way as to shew that it had been recognised long before the flood; and then, undoubtedly with regard to animals to be used in sacrifice. We thus learn that the great Sacrifice that was to be, was typified alike in the Patriarchal and the Mosaic economy.

Ver. 5-16.-Notice is taken of Noah's strict obedience to the Divine commands, both as regarded the construction of the ark and the selection of the strange living cargo consigned to its shelter. Verse 11 describes, in terms brief and simple, but sublime, the process in nature by which the world and its inhabitants were miraculously overwhelmed. We are left to imagine the despair and consternation of the infatuated multitudes, now at last convinced, when it is too late, of the reality of God's long-threatened judgment. How different with Noah, afloat in his great ship!-"the Lord shut him in." (Ver. 16.) As a "preacher of righteousness," Noah, doubtless, amidst reproaches and mockeries, had warned the world of the ungodly, for more than a century, of the fate that awaited them, and thus "he delivered his own soul," (Ezek. xxxiii. 9;) whilst his preparation of the ark was "the saving also of his house," (Heb. xi. 7.)

Ver. 17-24.-These verses record, in impressive words, the completion of the catastrophe. Death reigned supreme over the surface of the earth, as it never shall prevail again, (viii. 21; ix. 11,) till the consummation of all things, when the world shall be destroyed by fire.

What a terrible evidence does the narrative present of the dire effects of human corruption when unrestrained by the grace of God! The wickedness of man so great, the thoughts of his heart so constantly vicious, all flesh corrupt before God, the earth that He created "filled with violence," and the entire purpose of creation perverted by human folly and profligacy. The Lord is described as "grieving" and "repenting" that He had made man, and then as uttering the emphatic and awful denunciation, the fulfilment of which is now before us in the narrative: "Behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life."

Let us learn to imitate the faith and obedience of Noah, and his unwavering trust in the paternal grace and protection of God.

Jesus Christ is the ark of refuge to His faithful followers from the power and punishment of sin. The Apostle speaks of the ark as an emblem of our baptism, or entrance into Christ, (1 Peter iii. 20, 21.)

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 6.-Genesis vii. 1.

Subject to be proved-Sin is Followed by Punishment.

Golden Text-"The Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."Genesis vii. 1.

NOTES.-Note, first, it was God's command to Noah to enter into the ark. So still it is His command to the sinner to come. Note, second, what the command -was-Come into the ark-the place of safety-the refuge from the storm-the hiding place from the tempest. Note, third, that Noah's righteousness saved all his house. "Come thou and all thy house into the ark." Remember Abraham's prayer for Sodom. Saints are the salt of the earth. Now, who is our ark? Apply the lesson. The flood will come-are we in the ark-not near it-not merely looking at it—but in it? That's the important point.

Lesson 7.-February 18.

NOAH'S SACRIFICE.-Genesis viii.; ix. 8-17.

Chap. viii., ver. 1-3.-The flood has served its purpose: all the wicked have been swept from the face of the earth. Forty days sufficed to accomplish this, and now Noah and his family alone remain of the whole human race. God had never forgotten Noah, but now He manifests His care, by using means to assuage the deluge, and to deliver His servant from his imprisonment and from all his fears. The means used were, the stopping of the fountains of the deep, the shutting of the windows of heaven, and the causing a drying wind to pass over the face of the earth.

Ver. 4, 5.-The grounding of the ark was a token of God's care for Noah. It would be a satisfaction to the inmates to know that they were again upon firm ground. The ark rested on a mountain in the country of Ararat.

Ver. 6-12.-Noah waited forty days, after the grounding of the ark, before opening what is called the window, or aperture, from which he sent forth, first a raven, and then a dove. The raven found carrion in abundance floating on the waste of waters, and thought no more of the ark; but the dove, we are told, found no rest for the sole of her foot. The particularity with which the dove's reception is recorded, evinces the care of Noah, and may also reflect his sense of God's care for him. At the end of seven days the dove was again sent forth, and this time she returned with an olive leaf in her mouth. There is an expression of surprise, doubtless of glad surprise, when the olive leaf was seen. Noah regarded it as a sign of the waters subsiding from the earth. Yet other seven days, and the dove was sent forth a third time, to return no more to the ark.

Ver. 13-22.—The earth was now ready to receive Noah and the inmates of the ark. The precise day of Noah's entering the ark was given, (ch. vii. 13,) and now the day of his quitting it is given as precisely. God had shut him in, and now He bids him go forth. Mark, at once, God's care for Noah, and Noah's obedience to God. He waited upon God." See David's charge to his soul, (Ps. lxii. 5.) Noah was in the ark exactly a year and ten days, that is, as near as may be, a solar year. It is supposed that Noah left the ark about the end of autumn. Since the subsidence of the waters, it is not unlikely that the earth had again brought forth food for man and beast. Noah's first act was to build an altar, and offer burnt-offerings to the Lord. Mark Noah's piety and devotion. What mingled feelings of adoring love and gratitude must have filled his heart! And yet the ark was but a type of Christ. May we own Him as our Deliverer, and present the living sacrifice, which is but our reasonable service, (Rom. xii. 1.) Noah's sacrifice was an acknowledgment of his guilt; of the claim of the broken law upon his life; and of the mercy of God in accepting a substitute. The

burnt-offering was the symbol of this substitution. Note the gracious words in which the acceptance of the sacrifice is expressed, and compare them with what is said of Christ's sacrifice of himself, (Eph. v. 2.) The judgment is passed, and now God reveals His purpose of mercy. He will not again bring a deluge upon the earth, though the heart of man is, naturally, not less evil. Not only so, but God promises positive blessings. While the present world lasts there will be the regular succession of seasons, with their influences, and the alternation of day and night. We can bear witness to the faithfulness of God in this respect. If we trust Him for temporal mercies, may we not as firmly trust Him for spiritual blessings? Like Noah, may we walk with God, being reconciled to Him by the blood of Jesus. May we, in like manner, wait patiently upon God, and serve Him with the obedience of faith.

Chap. ix., ver. 8-17.-God now confirms the covenant with Noah and with his sons,—that is, with his seed after him, which is referred to in chap. vi. 18. This was to give man assurance that the world would not again be deluged with water. Here is additional evidence of the terrible impression which God's judgment had made upon the few survivors, and which, unless removed, would descend as a heritage of dread to their succeeding race-wrath to come. See who it is that delivers us from the wrath to come, (1 Thes. i. 10.) They might be inclined to reason thus: What good will the blessing of fruitfulness do, if, after a few years, all living are again to be swept away with a flood? God meets all such reflections by pledging Himself in covenant. The covenant is between God and man, but God makes it. Mark the use of the same solemn words that were used in announcing the flood, (chap. vi. 17:) "I, behold I." He is a just God and a Saviour, (Isa. xlv. 21; see also Isa. liv. 7-10.) While the covenant was made with man, the lower animals, and even the earth itself, are embraced in the guarantee. Notice, that there is an intimate connection between man's welfare and that of the inferior creatures; moreover, God's covenant should teach us to use, as not abusing them, (see Prov. xii. 10; Eccles. v. 9.) Covenants are sealed on being completed, so God gives a token or seal of this covenant. We call that seal the rainbow: God calls it His own bow. The phenomenon was co-existent with the rays of light; but God now appointed the bow as His seal. Notice, that it was to be "for perpetual generations." We can testify that God is a covenant-keeping God. Thousands of years have elapsed since that covenant was made, and that token given; and we know that God has been faithful to His covenant. If we thus trust His providential care, shall we not much more trust His faithfulness under the new Covenant-that He will do all He has promised? (1 Thes. v. 23, 24.) God is to look upon the bow, that He may remember His covenant. This is the language of men; but we are thereby reminded of our duty-adoration and gratitude. The natural sun's rays are thus a source of comfort to us; far more may we have healing in the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, (Mal. iv. 2.)

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 7.-Genesis viii. 22.

Subject to be proved-God Delights to Save.

Golden Text-" While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”—Gen. viii.22.

NOTES.-We have in this verse God's promise to Noah, and through Noah to the human family. Note, first, how timely was the promise. The earth had been covered with the flood. May it not be so again? God graciously meets this rising fear in Noah's breast. Note, second, the fulness of the promisefour pairs to make, as we should say, assurance doubly sure. Note, third, that the promise does not guarantee the perpetuity of the present order of things. It is, "while the earth remaineth"-but only so long. Learn from 2 Peter iii. 1-10, how men turn this promise to their own ruin; but men's perversion of it will not keep back the coming of the day of the Lord. What lesson should we draw from this? (2 Peter iii. 11.)

Lesson 8.-February 25.

REVIEW.-THE WORLD BEFORE THE FLOOD.-Hebrews xi. 1-7.

THE main points for review are few, easily remembered, but deeply important. The first three points are admirably summed up in our Shorter Catechism.

I. What is the work of creation? What do we learn from Genesis regarding this?

(a.) God is the Creator of all things.

(b.) God created all things from nothing.

(c.) God created all things by the word of His power.

(d.) God created all things very good.

II. How did God create man? What do we learn from Genesis regarding this?

(a.) God created man in His own image.

(b.) The features of that image were knowledge, righteousness, holiness, and dominion over the lower creatures.

III. Did our first parents continue in the state wherein they were created? Go briefly over the outline of the fall as given in Genesis iii., and you will have the answer to this question. Note, as the one great lesson from this, that by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation-that by the fall all men became sinners. Note, also, the great promise of a Saviour. Sin and salvation; that is the subject of the Bible from beginning to end.

IV. Sin brings forth fruit unto death. This is invariably true. Sin, death; these two God has joined. Illustrate this from the story of Cain and Abel. Many subordinate lessons may be drawn from this narrative; particularly this, which can never be too often impressed upon children, the danger of giving way to ill temper. We do not know what it may lead to. A very little leak may sink a vessel. The beginning of strife is like the letting out of water-first a drop, then a few drops, then an almost imperceptible flow, then a small stream, and so on until it becomes a mighty torrent, carrying havoc and destruction in its course. Resist the beginnings. Note, try in all these lessons and apply the warning to the actual case of children. Avoid vague generalities. Try and strike home-" Thou art the man.'

V. The last three lessons may be taken together for review, for they treat of one subject. We have,

(a.) The rapid degeneracy of mankind. Apply to the class. Boys and girls cannot remain neutral; if not growing better, they must be growing worse. This is a law. Hazael was indignant when Elisha foretold his cruelties, and said quite sincerely, “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” But he lived to do it.

(b.) God's long-suffering; but it will one day come to an end. Make this clear. "My Spirit will not always strive with man.' Hence the lesson for the children, "Quench not the Spirit." Shew how they may do this in themselves, and may help to do it in others. The youngest scholar has had serious impressions and strivings of the Spirit. He puts them aside. He is quenching the Spirit. A companion has serious impressions-he is ready to burst into flame, burning love, you throw cold water on his fervour. You are quenching the Spirit.

(c.) God will always provide for His own. See how He provided for Noah, carried him safely through the flood. But His promise is pledged to every one who loves Him. "He will never leave them nor forsake them." NEVER. Note the word and its fulness of meaning.

(d.) Shew, finally, how Noah was saved. He was in the ark. That's the grand thing. IN-OUT; there is a terrible difference between these words. Not one outside the ark was saved, not one inside was lost.

Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 8.-Hebrews xi. 6.