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One student declared that the teacher ought to have dwelt at greater length on the circumstances of the Israelites in Egypt. This criticism was, however, overruled by the master, who observed, that nothing should be more cautiously avoided than rambling, desultory teaching; that every lesson should have a specific point, to which the questions of the teacher should have a reference, without deviating from it, under ordinary circumstances; and that, as in the present case, the point was to be found in the latter part of the subject, the teacher was right in rapidly passing over the introductory matter.

Several students affirmed that some of the questions were leading, and too easy; the answer required being simply yes or no, or suggested by the question itself. The master concurred in these objections, and observed that, as the object of giving instruction in the catechetical mode was to keep the minds of the children active and at work, to observe facts, to investigate the subjects brought before them, and to enable them to draw inferences, and prepare them for receiving impressions, all questions which the children could answer with little or no exercise of mind, wasted the time of the teacher and children.

Some students thought that the information directly given to the children might have been drawn from them by more judicious questions. The master sustained this objection also, and pointed out, as a general rule, the impropriety of telling children what by a proper exercise of their own faculties they might discover; dwelling upon it as an important principle in teaching; observing, however, that in a Scripture lesson, telling, or using the ellipses, which is considered nearly the same, was sometimes to be preferred to direct questioning, as it enables the children better to receive the incident as a whole, and thus assisted in producing an impression-the ultimate design of such a lesson.

Another student objected to a question relating to

the sea, as it could only be answered by guessing; and the master decided that it was a bad question, there being no data on which the minds of the children could be exercised, and chance, not thought, determining the

answer.

Another remarked that the teacher was wrong to use the word "severity," in the application of the lesson, without ascertaining that the children understood the word. The master admitted that if the children did not understand the word, the criticism was just, and dwelt on the importance of not using words without ascertaining that they conveyed the desired idea to the children's minds. He remarked that, as a general rule, children should first have the idea itself given them, and be made sensible of the want of the word before it was actually supplied. He added that if the teacher had well worked out the incidents of the narrative, the children would have had the idea of the goodness and severity of God in this case thoroughly fixed in their minds, and thus have been prepared to pass from the perception of a truth, present in a picture or an incident, to the conception of the same truth expressed in a precept or general text of Scripture.

The head master, during the progress of the criticism, repeatedly required the students to be more specific in their objections; for example, when a student said some of the questions were too leading, he required the questions themselves to be repeated, observing that it was in this manner only that the criticisms could be made useful.

In his general summing-up, he remarked that the print had not been made sufficient use of; that the awful condition of the Egyptians, and the deliverance of the Israelites, as the result of their respective disobedience and obedience to the commands of God, ought to have been more dwelt upon, the impression to be produced mainly depending on their rightly

understanding these facts. That the teacher went too rapidly over the subject, not giving the children sufficient time to think of their answers, or to digest the information imparted to them; thus violating the wellknown educational maxim, that a teacher, in giving a lesson, is not to be guided by what she can give, but by what the children can receive. That the teacher also erred in allowing the children, in their replies, to repeat parts of sentences instead of the whole, and consequently they often failed to get the complete idea in their minds.

He further observed that the sketch was well written, evincing thought and ingenuity; the matter judiciously selected for the class of children before the teacher; that the manner was good and impressive; that the children were orderly, though not so much interested as they would have been had some of the faults above described been avoided.

THE THREE LAMPS.

A STIRLING TRACT.

Ar thy birth, reader, three lamps were lit. In the secret place of the Most High they stand. An eye that never sleeps watches over them. Each lamp hath seven branches; and every branch supports unearthly fire. As thou livest, feebly or vigorously, so burns the lamp of life; as thou learnest, idly or industriously, so burns the lamp of truth; and, according to thy choice or neglect of the great salvation finished on the cross, is the light or the darkness of the lamp of mercy.

How is it with thee, reader? I ask it, because I desire that it may be well with thee. Art thou young?

Thy lamp of life may be put out to-morrow-to-day— this hour. Art thou old? Its flame burns feebly, and I will soon become extinct. Art thou wise in the wisdom of this world? Such lore will not add one drop of oil to thy lamp of truth. Learn of Him who was meek and lowly of heart, and thou shalt have "light and gladness." Art thou seeking, or hast thou sought, redemption through the blood of Jesus? Thy lamp of mercy glows with wondrous brightness. Are thy affections in league with sin? Is thy_soul confederate with unbelief? By the terrors of the Lord, by the power of the Most High, I beseech thee to beware. In a voice of thunder I would speak it: Thy lamp of mercy may be put out, by the Eternal Watcher of mankind, even while thy lamps of life and truth are burning. Horror! horror! tenfold horror! to live on earth an heir of the torments of hell! In the Divine record above, there may soon be written of thee" Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone." "This man, because of his blasphemous unbelief, I, the faithful Recorder of heaven, do now give over to believe a lie; yea, he shall be damned, because he believes not the truth."

O, reader! I exceedingly fear and tremble, although, blessed be God, mercy clothes me like a garment. How is it with thee? With deep and sincere affection I ask it. Hast thou one spark of desire Godwards? Art thou a prodigal, and hast thou one, only one, tender remembrance of thy kind Father? Then heartily do I congratulate thee. Earnestly do I implore thee to lose no time in returning to thy Father's house-in fleeing to the Rock of Ages to hide thee. For, as yet, thy lamp of mercy is still burning. The ever-blessed Son of God is able and willing to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him. There is no exception; only come, and thy lamp of mercy will never go out.

P. DRUMMOND.

WILL THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?

THOU art dreaming, gentle maiden,
Of a calm and happy life;

Of a loving friend to shield thee
From care, and want, and strife.
How radiant looks the future!
How fair is every view!

Thou art dreaming, gentle maiden ;
But will those dreams come true?

Thou art dreaming, youthful student,
Of celebrity and fame;

Of the honours which shall cluster
Around thy lowly name;

Of the rich and varied pleasures
Which soon thy path shall strew;
Thou art dreaming, youthful student;
But will those dreams come true?

Thou art dreaming, busy merchant,
Of thy ships far out at sea;

Of prudent speculations

Which shall bring vast wealth to thee:

Of the dignity-the comfort

Which shall from wealth accrue

Thou art dreaming, busy merchant;
But will those dreams come true?

Thou art dreaming, happy mother,
Of the darlings at thy side;
And thy baby-girl appeareth

As a fair and graceful bride;
And thy boy is grown to manhood,
Esteemed by not a few ;

Thou art dreaming, happy mother;
But will those dreams come true?

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