force your children to learn a lesson, nor lead them in any way to consider it as a task, rather, kindly desire them to prepare it, and not only so, but if you would encourage them as much as possible, you must prepare it with them, and thus show your interest in them and their work. Your little ones will then be anxious to keep in mind what they are taught at school, in order that they may have the pleasure of telling you, and catching your approving smile. Thus many a sweet domestic hour will you pass together in mutual improvement and good will. You will always find this kind of encouragement successful and profitable to all parties concerned.

Fourth.-Help your children to APPLY, during the week, what they learn on the Sabbath. 'Before parents can do this,' says the same writer, they must attend to the former request, to question them on what they have learned. Remembering the lessons so as to be able to repeat them perfectly on the following Sunday, will be of little use to the children, if they do not remember them so as to influence their conduct during the week. The Teachers cannot watch over the words and actions of the children, this must be the parents' work. For instance, if they see them quarrelling, to remind them of some text or verse of a hymn, which they have learned on the subject—if the children promise, as they are so ready to do, that they will not be naughty again, to remind them that they have been taught to ask God to help them to be good, and that of themselves they can do no good thing. If the various doctrines and precepts of God's word were thus continually brought before the children, what happy results, with God's blessing, might we expect would follow.' This, dear friends, is one of the most important parts of your duty, and one of the most effectual ways in which you can work with us. You must watch over your children's characters, and bring the instructions they receive on the Sabbath to bear upon their daily habits and faults. This is training them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' and bringing them, as far as we ourselves are able, to see and feel the nature and power of religion. If this method of applying what they learn is neglected, they will have but very faint and partial notions of what piety is, and will be increased in head knowledge, while their heart and conduct remain unaltered. In this way only can be corrected the very common notion, that learning the word of God and knowing the truths of the gospel is religion, while its very

essence and power in regulating the heart and life is wanting. This will, more than anything else, realize in their minds the excellence of piety. This, on your part, will be seeking God's blessing in the use of appointed means. And if these, your efforts, are joined with consistency in your own life, frequent earnest prayer, long-suffering, kindness, and constant watchfulness, they will be in time crowned with success, and you will see your children' grow up like olive branches round your table,' exhibiting all the freshness and vigour of 'plants of God's planting, that he may be glorified.'

Keep, then, dear friends, these four things in mind— 1st, The use and object of the Sunday School, and the motive you should have in sending your children. 2nd, The duty which is laid upon you of giving them right notions on these points, both by word and deed. 3rd, The importance and happy results of encouraging them to learn their lessons, and preparing them with them. 4th, And the necessity of helping them to apply, during the week, the instructions they receive on the Sabbath.

Wallingford.

C. W.

THE CHILD'S THOUGHTS RESPECTING THE SUNDAY

SCHOOL.

There is a happy place,

Where little children meet,

To sing of Jesu's grace,

And sit at Jesu's feet,

To learn of him a life of love,

And seek a sweeter world above.

There is a happy day,

'The best of all the seven,'

When children read and pray,

To find the road to heaven,

Kind Jesus! guide us lest we stray,

THOU art the life, the truth, THE WAY.'

Jesus! our dying friend,

We joy to hear of thee,—

And till this life shall end,

And through eternity,

We'll sing thy love to fallen man,

'And praise thee more than angels' can.'

To thee we look and call,

While here below we roam,

Bring children,-teacher,-all

Safe to a better home;

Then shall we shout in louder strain,

'Worthy the Lamb that once was slain.'

Wallingford.

C. W.

Roman yoke: Son of David,' thus Christ is often called, Ps. lxxxix. 35-36, Is. xi. 1, Jer. xxxiii. 15. Ver. 10. 'Moved, &c,' some with joy, others envy, others wonder. Ver. 11. 'This is Jesus, &c.' this description of Jesus was very defective; Luke tells us, chap. xix. 41-44, that amid all this joy, Jesus wept at the judgments coming on his enemies.

QUESTIONS.

1. Why was Christ now going to Jerusalem ?-2. Can you describe the place where Jesus now was? See the Map.-3. How did he know that there was an ass in Bethphage?-4. What pious use should we make of Christ's omniscience? Ps. cxxxix. 7-12.-5. Were the disciples to bring the animals without the consent of the owners ?— 6. How were the owners induced to give up the colt?-7. Does God ever force us to do anything?-8. If our wills are renewed, is obedience delightful? Phil. ii. 13.-9. Why did Jesus thus act?—10. Did the fulfilment of this prophecy prove anything concerning Jesus? -11. A false Messiah might have sent for an ass, what circumstances here proved that Jesus was divine?-12. Though riding in triumph, what was the state of Christ's mind?-13. Why ought we not to be elated with the pomp of this world?-14. How did the people treat Jesus?-15. In a few days some of these persons cried 'crucify him,' Mark xv. 13, 14, how do you explain their present conduct?-16. Should example and excitement induce us to praise Jesus, or should knowledge and love induce us?-17. How would the Pharisees be 'moved' at Christ's popularity?-18. How would his friends be affected?-19. Do you love Jesus to be adored?-20. Why ought persons, young and old, to praise him?-21. Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem amid all this joy?-22. Do his tears say anything to us?

MAY 21.-THE NEW BIRTH.-John iii. 1-15.

NOTES.

Ver. 1. 'Ruler, &c.' one who taught the laws; he came at night to Jesus as a divine teacher through fear; it is probable that much passed between him and Christ, more than what is here given. Ver. 2. The miracles,' which Christ had wrought at the passover, chap. ii. 23. Ver. 3. As this verse does not seem to be an answer to ver. 2, we suppose Christ interrupted Nicodemus, and shewed his knowledge of what was in the mind of Nicodemus, by coming at once to the great object of the interview: 'Cannot see,' cannot understand nor enjoy. Ver. 5. 'Water and the Spirit,' here Jesus represents one thing under a double term, meaning the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Ver. 8. The wind, &c.' here Jesus shews that however wonderful is conversion, it is no more impossible than the blowing of the wind, which in many respects is incomprehensible. Ver. 10. 'Knowest not these things,' that proselytes are washed with water, and that prophets have foretold the Spirit's work, Jer. xxxii. 39, Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 27. Ver. 12. 'If I have told,' things that God does on earth which man can see and feel, how will you believe me if I tell you the unseen things of heaven? Ver, 13. 'No man, &c.' Moses only went up to God on the Mount, but I came from him and am one with him in heaven, in my divine nature. Ver. 14. As Moses, &c.' here Jesus explains the heavenly things' hinted at in ver. 12, shewing that for purposes purely spiritual and gracious, he had come from heaven, not to establish an earthly kingdom, but to die on the cross and save all who believe in him. This he illustrates by the serpent, see Numbers xxi.

QUESTIONS.

1. What kind of persons were the Pharisees?-2. Nicodemus came by night to Jesus through fear of man, was that right or wrong? Prov. xxix. 25.—3. How did he know that Jesus came from God?-4. Did miracles ever change the heart? Luke xvi. 31.-5. What great doctrine did Jesus teach this man?-6. Why must every one be born twice ?-7. By what means does God renew us? James i. 18.-8. Are we regenerated by water baptism?-9. How should we act towards those who teach baptismal regeneration ?-10. The regenerating of a soul is wonderful, are there things in the natural world also wonderful?-11. What is the kingdom of God?--12. Would unconverted persons be happy in Heaven?-13. How do unrenewed persons feel toward religious things on earth?-14. If a person be born again,' how will it be evinced?-15. In what respect is Christ the best teacher?-16. As Jesus came from God, how must we receive his instructions ?-17, Is ignorance on divine things our misfortune or our sin?-18. By what circumstance in Jewish history did Christ illustrate his own work?-19. How does the brazen serpent illustrate Christ's death ?-20. Does any circumstance shew that this conversation was blessed to Nicodemus ? John xix 39.-21. Why is youth the best season for being born again?-22. To what should this portion lead us?

MAY 28.-MUTUAL FORGIVENESS.-Matt. xviii. 21-35.

NOTES.

Ver. 21. 'Seven times,' meaning very often, 1 Sam. ii. 5, Ps. cxix. 164; the Jewish doctors taught that three times we were to forgive, but not four times; but we are never to cease forgiving. Ver. 23. ‘Kingdom of heaven,' the Gospel Dispensation. Ver. 24. Talents,' each was nearly two hundred pounds. Ver. 25. 'To be sold,' this is customary, Ex. xxii. 3, 2 Kings iv. 1, Lev. xxv. 39-46. Ver. 26. Worshipped,' crouched before him as is frequent in the East. Ver. 28. 'Hundred pence,' each about sevenpence. Ver. 34. Tormentors,' jailors, who tortured prisoners by scourging or rack, and keeping them on short allowance.

QUESTIONS.

1. The duty of forgiveness had been taught by Jesus. Matt. vi. 14, 15; why now did Peter come to Christ?-2. Is forgiving injuries easy or hard? Luke xvii. 4, 5.-3. What is our duty in reference to forgiveness?-4. Is there to be any limit to our pardons ?-5. Ought we to forget as well as forgive an injury?-6. Will God forgive us unless we are perfectly reconciled to our enemy?-7. To explain this Christ has constructed a parable: What is it called?-8. Who is the king, named in verse 23, and who are the servants?-9. When will he reckon with us? Rom. xiv. 12, Matt. xii. 36.-10. What is meant by the ten thousand talents?-11. Is every sin a failure in the obedience we owe to God?-12. What do David and Job say about our sins? Ps. xl. 12, Job xxii. 5.-13. This insolvent man was unable to pay, are we able to meet our debt to divine justice? Job ix. 3.-14. What then is our desert? Matt. xxv. 46.-15. Do sinners often think they can pay God by future good works?-16. When thus indebted to God, what should we do? Job ix. 15, 1 John i. 9.-17. If God forgive us, how should we act toward those who offend us? Eph. 4. 32.-18.-What kind of pardon does. God grant us?-19.

When we are pardoned, are we still bound and disposed to serve God? Ps. cxvi, 12.-20. How did this servant act to his fellow servant?-21. How ought he to have acted?-22. What did the other servants feel and do?-23. With what sin did the Lord charge the man whom he had just forgiven?-24. All this refers to us: What does it teach us? verse 35.-25. If we do not forgive others, how will God treat our sin? Ps. cxxx. 3.-26. What can best dispose our hearts to forgive great injuries?-27. Does verse 31 inculcate any duty on us?-28. Which is the more effectual to soften an enemy's heart, anger or love? malice or pity?-29. What practical use do you intend to make of this portion?

JUNE 4-PENTECOSTAL PIETY.-Acts ii. 37-47.

NOTES.

Ver. 37. The rest of the apostles,' it is evident that the other apostles addressed the multitude as well as Peter. Ver. 38. In the name of Jesus,' these persons had acknowledged the Father and the Spirit: they were now to acknow. ledge their sin in crucifying Jesus by being baptized in his name, Ver. 39. 'The promise,' see Gen. xvii. 7, Ex. xxix. 45, Lev. xxvi. 3, 11, 12: ‘Afar off, Gentiles, Is. lv. 1, Joel ii. 17, 18. Ver. 40. 'Untoward,' perverse, turning away from God. Ver. 42. Fellowship,' intimate acquaintance: 'Breaking of bread,' the Lord's Supper, thus evincing their faith in his atonement. Ver. 43. Fear, &c.' a general astonishment seized all who saw the works of the Spirit, Mark xvi. 17, Acts v. 12. Ver. 44. 'All things common,' many persons had come from a distance and were detained longer than they expected, the poor saints could not partake as formerly of offerings made in the temple, without deserting the atonement of Christ; the mass of Jews would have no charity for the friends of Christ, hence many sold their possessions in order to relieve each other. This was not meant for imitation in ordinary times. We find rich and poor addressed by the apostles, Acts xx. 35, ix. 36, xi. 29, 1 Cor. xvi. 1, Ep. iv. 28. Ver. 46. 'Daily in the temple,' at the hour of prayer : ‘Breaking bread,' and taking meals at various houses, in christian love. Ver. 47. 'Favor,' &c. by the holy innocency and love and cheerfulness of their lives.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are the circumstances under which Peter spake ?—2. Can you give the substance of his address ?-3. How were his hearers affected?-4. In what way do men now commit the same sin?-5. Why ought we to be alarmed at our opposition to Christ?-6. What advice did Peter give these anxious enquirers?-7. On showing their repentance, by receiving baptism in the name of him whom they had crucified, what were they to receive?-8. What are the fruits of our having the spirit? Gal. v. 22, 23.-9. Where these fruits are not seen, what is the state of the soul?-10. To encourage their hopes what else did Peter say in verse 39 ? — 11. What benefits are the children of converted parents likely to have?-12. The Gospel is offered to all, how should it be regarded?-13. When persons are anxious to become godly, how must they act to 'untoward' companions? Prov. iv. 14, 15, Ep. v. 11. 1 Cor. xv. 33.-14. Many heard divine truth 'gladly,' what is there in the gospel to give joy? -15. How did these converts show their piety?-16. Why should every converted person be added to the church ?-17. In what did these persons steadfastly continue?-18. What do you mean by continuing steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, &c.?-19. When