LINES TO A SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER, Great triumphs satan boasts, Fear not-but patient wait, And watch and strive and pray, And thou shalt hear at heaven's bright gate, 'Receive the Teacher's rich reward, Notes on Books. CHRISTIANITY IN THE EAST. By Rev. W. BUYERS. 18mo. pp. 62. Snow. THE predictions on the destinies of the three sons of Noah are receiving a wonderful fulfilment in the present day. Japhet is indeed enlarging his tents : Europe is conquering Asia, and is preparing to convert it. The Manual before us contains many very important and interesting observations on the state and prospects of Christianity in the East. Every friend to missions should procure it. SKETCHES FROM the Bible FOR CHILDREN. 24mo. pp. 48. London: Ward. THIS charming little work was originally prepared for the American Sunday School Union. It is now republished under the editorial care of the Rev. J. Curwen, and is to be followed by other sketches, for which we anxiously look. It is sure to be a favorite book with our young friends. AFRICAN SCENES. London: Dyer. AN excellent penny reward book, consisting of some touching scenes in the labours of Rev. R. Moffat, related by him in Birmingham to three thousand children. SCOTTISH BIBLES. London: Smith, Long Acre. We feel that we need do no more than introduce, which we do heartily, the following list of Bibles to the many thousands of teachers and scholars : 1. A neat and beautiful Pocket Copy, 24mo. being the cheapest yet published, stereotyped by one of the first printers in the United Kingdom. The price of this Bible will be is bound in sheep, and 1s 6d in embossed roan, gilt edges. 2. A School Bible, 12mo, either Scotch or English edition, to be reduced to 1s 6d. 3. A small Pocket Testament, 32mo, Scotch or English edition, price in embossed roan and marbled edges, 6d, gilt edges, 7d. 4. The royal quarto Family Bible, with all Brown's marginal references, and very valuable notes in central columns (by the Messrs. Patterson, his grandsons), in cloth, 12s 6d; 15s well bound in plain calf; coloured calf, marbled edges, 16s 6d; morocco, gilt edges, 23s; tooled, 25s; extra, 27s 6d. 6. "The Analytical Bible," containing marginal references and notes, nine beautiful maps, with an excellent analysis at the end of each book, and a connecting history of the Old and New Testaments. 6. "The Portable Commentary," having, in addition to the references, maps, and connecting history, a great number of critical and explanatory notes, in which the results of considerable research are furnished in a few words. This and the preceding are about the size, and have much the appearance, of Bagster's Polyglot. They are considered, particularly the latter, as likely to be of great use to Sunday-school teachers, in conducting their Bible classes. The selling price of the one is 11s 6d, and the other 13s 6d. But the Scottish Board, acting on its principle of selling all editions at the lowest rate, will give them at 8s 6d and 10s 6d respectively, in the very best morocco, with flexible backs, or in embossed roan, gilt, 7s and 9s. THE LIFE OF ORIGEN. pp. 108; cloth 12mo.-THE LIFE OF CYPRIAN. pp. 154; cloth 12mo. Religious Tract Society, London. Origen and Cyprian occupy honourable positions on the pages of church history. They were two of the most famous of the primitive Christian Fathers,' The times in which they lived were truly eventful: the circumstances of the early churches, in their times, were deeply instructive; the several parts which these two great men were called to act in the third century, and the sufferings which they endured,-Cyprian in martyrdom, in the service of their Lord and Saviour-render well-written memoirs of their lives most edifying. These little works are composed by an able pen; they contain much valuable information relating to their eventful times; but there is evidently too much in the style of the biographer that savours of the age and errors of the 'fathers.' THE TEACHER'S COMPANION; DESIGNED TO EXHIBIT THE PRINCIPLES OF SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION AND DISCIPLINE. By R. N. COLLINS, Superintendent of the St. Bride's Sunday Schools, London. Houlston and Stoneman. As advocates of Sunday school education, we rejoice in every attempt to extend and promote its prosperity; and, therefore, hail with much pleasure the volume before us. Mr. Collins is evidently a practical man, and states with much discernment his own experience, gathered from many years' labour in the work of Sabbath tuition. The volume is dedicated to the Rev. Thomas Dale, M.A. the vicar of St. Bride's, and there is an excellent introductory essay by the Rev. Daniel Moore, which cannot be read without interest—indeed, the work is written in a Christian spirit, and we do strongly recommend it to all teachers who are anxiously desirous of improving their present mode of conducting the instruction of their youthful charge. We anticipate that a second edition will soon be required, and trust that the devoted author will be encouraged to print a large number of copies, so as to reduce the price within the means of the majority of our Sunday school teachers. OUR HOME POPULATION; an Essay. By the author of A Scripture Guide, &c.' London: Simpkin and Marshall. From the vital importance of the subject on which this valuable essay treats, we are induced again to urge its attention on our readers. The rapid increase of our population, without any adequate means being used for their spiritual instruction, is painfully felt by the Christian philanthropist. The church of Christ needs to be roused to redoubled exertions to save the souls of those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. If every member of our churches, and every Sunday school teacher, were prayerfully to read the spirit stirring appeals in this volume, and endeavour to carry out the practical suggestions therein contained, we have no doubt but the blessing of God would accompany such efforts, and our highly-favoured country would soon exhibit a more cheering aspect, and our moral deserts blossom as the rose. We again cordially recommend this interesting volume, from the conviction that it cannot be read without having a beneficial influence on the minds of many of the followers of the Saviour, to work whilst it is called to-day, for the night cometh when no man can work.' STEILL'S PICTORIAL SPELLING BOOK. London: Virtue. The more we see of these illustrated elementary works, the more do we wish ourselves young again. In this book we have pictures grave and gay, and the child is led on by both pen and pencil from the alphabet to the higher branches of reading. Everything is illustrated, and a good deal of ingenuity has been exercised in its compilation. It is sure to supplant its predecessors. The Portion. FEBRUARY 12.-THE FIVE THOUSAND FED.-Matt. xiv. 13-21. NOTES. Ver. 13. 'When Jesus heard, &c.,' he departed lest his followers, enraged at the murder of John, should rebel and he be blamed; also that his apostles might refresh themselves after great fatigue, Mark vi. 31: by ship,' Christ crossed the lake in a boat, and his followers went round it on foot, attracted by his miracles, John vi. 2. Ver. 15. When it was evening,' the Jews had an early and a late evening, the first from three till sunset, the second from sunset till dark; the early one is here meant, see ver. 23. Time is now past,' time of supper, their chief meal, taken about five or six o'clock, after the heat of the day. Ver. 19. 'Sit down on the grass,' there was much grass, John vi. 10, consequently the miracle was wrought in the early part of the summer, as in the hot season the grass is burnt up; he blessed,' gave thanks to God, and set apart the loaves for a blessed purpose. The Jews thought food was profane till thanks had been given. Their form of thanksgiving was, 'Blessed be Thou O Lord our God, the King of the world, who producest the bread of the earth.' Ver. 20. 'Twelve baskets,' these baskets were made of flags, and were used for carrying provisions by the Jews, as they received but little hospitality among Gentiles, and as they wished to avoid unclean food. This explains why there were so many baskets in the hands of the apostles. Ver. 21. 'Five thousand,' amounting, we may suppose, with the women and children, to ten thousand, an astonishing exercise of Christ's divine power it was to supply so many persons, and to leave more than he began with, John vi. 14. QUESTIONS. 1. What had Jesus heard?-2. Why did that induce him to depart? -3. Does Mark give another reason for this retirement in chap. vi. 31-4. Why do our souls need times of quietness and meditation ? -5. What induced the multitudes to follow Christ? John vi. 2.6. How did Jesus feel towards the multitude?-7. Why? Matt. ix. 36,-8. What emotions should we cherish toward unconverted souls? -9. Can you explain the Jewish evenings ?-What 'time' was 'now past?'-11. The apostles were anxious about the comforts of the people, does that teach us any duty? Rom. xv. 1, 2.-12. Why did not Jesus allow the people to go and buy food?-13. What directions did he give?-14. Would their sitting down on much grass relieve the people?-15. What did Jesus then do ?-16. Did the Jews always blend praise and prayer with their meals?-17. Can you give the words commonly used?-18. What does Paul say in 1 Tim. iv. 4, 5?-19. Will dignity and contentment be given to our thoughts by acknowledging God in our daily mercies ?-20. What followed this miracle?-21. Why were the fragments gathered up?-22. What does this miracle prove Christ to be ?-23. Should it encourage us to go to him when we are in poverty ?-24. Is he concerned for our temporal comforts? Luke xii. 24.-25. Should those who are rich and powerful help the poor to earn plenty of bread by their labour?-26. With what does Jesus feed our souls? John vi. 35. FEBRUARY 19.-JESUS WALKING on the SEA.-Matt. xiv. 22, 33. NOTES. Ver. 22. 'Jesus constrained, &c.,' he exhorted the disciples to leave in order that the multitude might disperse; they wished to make him a King, John vi. 15, being convinced by the miracle that he was the Messiah who should sit on the throne of David, Is. ix. 7. He declined, because his kingdom was altogether spiritual. Ver. 23. To pray,' only as to his human nature did he need prayer: he was thus engaged from about sunset till three in the morning. Of this engagement it has been said Cold mountains and the midnight air, Witnessed the fervour of his prayer. Ver. 24. 'Sea,' of Galilee: 'midst of the sea,' they meant to cross the creek to Bethsaida, but were now going to Capernaum, John vi. 17, being driven by the winds, and faint with rowing, as the vessel could not keep her sails up, Mark vi. 48. Ver. 25. 'Fourth watch,' the first began at six, the second at nine, and so on. 'Walking on the sea,' the Egyptian hieroglyphic for an impossibility was two feet walking on water. Ver. 26. 'A spirit,' a ghost or spectre, thinking no human creature could thus walk; the Jews were superstitious, they believed without evidence. There are no ghosts. We should realize God's presence, and not fear such things, Ps. xxvii. 1. Ver. 27. 'It is I,' they knew his voice, and were neither to fear him nor the tempest. Ver. 28. 'If it be thou,' Peter knew and loved his Lord, and wished to go to him. Ver. 26. 'Walked on the water,' by divine power. Ver. 30. Saw the wind,' when he looked from Christ to the storm he began to sink, thus was he taught his weakness. QUESTIONS. 1. With what circumstances does this portion stand connected? -2. Why did Jesus dismiss the multitude?-3. Did Christ ever seek for worldly glory ?-4. After dismissing the people, how was Jesus engaged?-5. Did he pray as man or as God?-6. How did his prayers differ from ours?-7. Does his frequent and long praying teach us any thing?-8. To whom is prayer a duty, and to whom is it a privilege?-9. Why should prayer follow every public engagement?-10. How may we know the state of our hearts towards God? -11. What happened in the fourth watch of the night ?-12. Why did the disciples think Jesus was a spirit ?-13. What is the best preventive of groundless fears ?-14. Can disembodied spirits injure us? -15. In whose keeping are they?-16. What disposition did Christ |