Returning through the provinces of Pisidia and Pamphylia, he came to a port in the latter called ATTALIA, where he took ship and returned to Antioch in Syria. (xiv. 21, 25.) This port, which derives its name from Attalus, its founder, was formerly the residence of a prefect. Standing on a good harbour, it is commodiously situated for trade; which is perhaps the reason of its having been preserved from ruin by the Turks.

The present city is represented as being beautifully situated round a small circular harbour; the streets rise behind each other in tiers, like the seats of a theatre, and on the level summit of the hills; the city is enclosed by a ditch, a double wall, and a series of square towers, about fifty yards asunder. In the suburbs, the houses are dispersed among orange-groves and gardens, and thus occupy a large space of ground. Granite columns, and a great variety of fragments of ancient sculpture, attest its former importance as a Greek city. Among others, a magnificent gate, or triumphal arch, bears an inscription in honour of Hadrian. It is still a large and populous town. The population is estimated at eight thousand, two-thirds of which are Mahommedans and one-third Greeks. Its present name is Sattalia.

Hackney.

S. R.

'WE SAY IT RIGHT OFF, AND THEN SCHOOL IS

DONE.

We have often taken occasion to animadvert upon the superficial preparation which many teachers make for their Sabbath duties. Some, it is to be feared, make no preparation at all, but take their places in the school with hearts and minds alike unfurnished for useful services. We need not say that a reference to the defects or neglects of teachers is never made without pain, or, without a deep conviction that the exposure will contribute to a correction of the evil. Some teacher who reads this may be reminded of his own remissness, and may make a specific application of a general reproof.

A few weeks ago we spent a Sabbath in one of the interior cities of the country. We were informed that all the Sunday-schools were opened at 9 o'clock, and closed at 101. Supposing that strict punctuality would be ob served, where the whole period of instruction was so limited, we repaired, in company with a friend, to one of the

churches near our hotel, at least fifteen minutes before the hour, that we might be witnesses of the assembling of the children, and the opening services of the school. To our surprise, we found ourselves first at the church, and immediately supposed we had been misinformed respecting the hour, or that this school was an exception to the general custom. We improved the opportunity to examine the library, and about ten minutes past nine our solitude was interrupted by the appearance of a little boy. He was neatly dressed, had a hymn-book and Testament, and his face was lighted up with smiles, as he swung back and forth upon the gate in front of the church door. As the sun was intensely hot, we invited the child into the vestibule, and with him held a conversation in substance as follows:

Q. Well, boy, what time does your Sunday-school begin? A. Nine o'clock, I believe.

Q. What time is it now?

A. I don't know-I guess about that.

Q. Does the school open pretty punctually?
A. Pretty punctual.

Q. What do you study?

A. The Question Book.

Q. What Question Book do

A. I don't know-here it is.

you use

?

(We took the book.)

Q. Can you answer all the questions!
A. Yes sir, I guess so.

Q. Well, now, will you let us ask you a few, and then we can judge of your progress. We then asked one or two of the first questions, to which he could make no reply. By this time two or three teachers and half a dozen children had passed into the church. We made some inquiries of the lad, in order to ascertain the degree of his intelligence; but he soon became rather impatient and we desisted. The school was now about to begin, at 22 minutes past nine! We asked the boy how much time his teacher spent with him. Not long,' he laughingly replied! We say it right off, and then school is done."

We tarried long enough after the opening of the school, to see that the boy's picture was not overdrawn; and, hanging our heads with grief and shame, we hastened to another school.

American Periodical.

THE INDIAN'S DEFINITION OF CONVERSION.

'A converted Indian was asked how he knew that he had experienced a change of heart.

He gave no answer. 'No.' 'Did you

He was asked if he saw the power? hear it?' 'No.' Did you feel it?' 'Yes.' 'Well, then, cannot you describe your feelings?'

He paused a moment, and then kneeling upon the sand, made a small circle of chips and dry leaves. He then got a little worm, and placed it inside of the ring, and with a spark from his pipe lighted the pile. The poor worm, when it began to feel the heat, crept first to one point, then to another, and at last, after many ineffectual attempts to get out, finding that the flames completely surrounded it, crawled to the centre as if in despair, and coiled itself up, awaiting the result. When he began to feel the heat too sensibly, the Indian took it in his fingers and placed it without the ring in safety.

'Now,' said he, 'I will explain my meaning. I was like that poor worm; the fires of hell were burning around me; when they began to scorch me, I ran every way, I drank fire-water, I tried hunting, everything; but I could not get out. At last, I threw myself down, and tried to pray, and then God stretched forth his hand, and lifting me forth, gave me rest. Now,' said he, 'I cannot explain it any better. I cannot tell you how it was done, but I felt the change, and knew that it was so.'

The time, how lovely and how still! | Season of rest! the tranquil soul

Peace shines and smiles on all

below;

The plain, the stream, the wood, the hill,

All fair with evening's setting glow.

Feels the sweet calm and melts to love;

And while these sacred moments

roll,

Faith sees a smiling heaven above.

Notes on Books.

A SERIES OF EASY ANTHEMS. London: Bates.

To this Series we have already drawn public attention. It has reached the sixth number. The three which are now before us are worthy of the same admiration which their predecessors have excited. The sound is an echo to the sense, both produce real melody, and yet like some of the divinest strains, are simplicity itself. We long to have more responsive singing in our Schools and

Churches these anthems are well fitted to help on this happy form of worship. Our thanks are due to Mr. Coblin for this additional effort. He is certainly one of the most enchanting minstrels of the present day, and we bespeak for his publication a large measure of encouragement.

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE. London: Longman.
Edinburgh: Black.

This we

We most cordially congratulate the friends of Scriptural science and of religious education on the appearance of this able work. Four parts are now complete, bringing it down to 'Berosh.' It is under the superintendence of Mr. Kitto, whose 'Pictorial Bible' and 'Palestine' have encircled his name with unfading renown. He is assisted, unless it be a secret which we must not divulge, by such men as J. Pye Smith, Baden Powell, S. Davidson, W. L. Alexander, J. Brown, Hamilton Smith, Tholuck, Jacobi Neander, and such first-rate authorities both of this and of other lands. Judging from the specimens before us, it appears that almost everything connected with the criticism, interpretation, history, geography, archæology and physical science of the Bible will be comprehended. Theological disquisition is to be rather avoided. earnestly press upon the conductors. Indeed we wish it had been entirely excluded. We can however feel no hesitation in declaring that this work promises to be by very far the first Bible Dictionary of the day. It will evidently be a complete storehouse of that Biblical information which is essential in these times for the Minister, the Teacher, and even the private christian of any standing in society. In all probability we shall report progress again and again as the parts issue. Let us in the mean time express our unfeigned joy that the work has been undertaken by such competent parties. The Maps are perfect and the steel engravings exquisite, while the wood cuts are profuse-fine and singularly illustrative of the text. We give a specimen in this number under the title 'Scripture Illustrations.'

BRIEF THOUGHTS. London: Wright and Co.

This little Book has really surprized us. It contains above a hundred pages, on the things of God and the soul, and all in words of one syllable. Poetry is mixed with prose, but a dissyllable is not to be found. It is written by the Rev. E. Dalton, the Secretary to the Protestant Association. It reminds us of Wesley's famous Sermon to Children, fifteen minutes long, in one syllable words. The style and the matter are both good.

GUIDE TO DAILY WORSHIP. London: Groombridge; Dublin: Robertson. With the exception of a few phrases we can very cheerfully recommend this Manual for use in Parochial Sunday and Infant Schools.' It has this peculiar excellency, that by a Series of Questions before each prayer, an effort is made to excite the children's thoughts on the approaching devotion, thus are they trained to pray with the spirit and with the understanding. Teachers, whether Sabbath or week-day, and whether Conformist or Non-conformist, may consult this Book with advantage.

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION. London: Snow.

The author of this Tract for the people' the Rev. R. Ferguson, is favourably known as the author of Lectures on Puseyism. The work before us gives, in the compass of thirty-six 12mo. pages, a bird's eye glance at the History of the