in the morning, he took from his knapsack the Book which appeared to have become his accuser. The verses which he read in the dim grey light of that morning were brought home to his heart by the Holy Spirit. In the battle which ensued he was severely wounded; but "old things had passed away," and he now realized the truth of the faithful saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath

ORIGINAL

everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

He was brought back to his home about six weeks before the visit of the colporteur. The mutilated Testament was scarcely ever out of his hand. To his very last breath he ceased not to exhort his mother and friends to accept God's offered mercy in Jesus, and not to run the risk of falling, in an unconverted state, "into the hands of the living God."

-Bagslate, near Rochdale.

AIDS TO THE USE OF THE

FIRST CATECHISM. ILLUSTRATIVE FACTS. January 12, 1868.-SECT. II., QUEST. II. Life in Death.

DURING ten months an aged disciple had lain on her bed in utter helplessness. At one time the good woman had been able to find holy delight in doing the will of her Saviour, by making those around her happier. But she was smitten down by paralysis, and became unable to move hand or foot, and quite incapable of speaking; but her daughter and granddaughter were pleased to observe that at times it was evident the invalid was striving by her looks to express her thankfulness and love. Her body was fast sinking, but her soul was full of life. The pious friends felt, however, that, had it been the will of God, they would have been grateful for some testimony from the lips of their loved one after her painful seizure. Their devout wish was wonderfully realized. After ten months of silence, the sufferer startled her granddaughter by exclaiming, in loud but reverent tone, "Praise-the-Lord!" The soul still lived amid the ruins of the earthly tabernacle. Soon after the utterance of this testimony, her happy spirit went to heaven.

Jan. 19.-SECT. II., QUEST. III.
Purrum Soatuntre.

THE man who bore the above-mentioned name, which sounds strangely to English ears, was a native of Benares, in the north of India. Like millions of his countrymen, he was ignorant concerning the rectitude

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and goodness of the one true God. He had never been taught why God made man. When Purrum was only ten years old he began a life of self-mortification, and used to lie on thorns and pebbles; and at last he got a bed of spikes, in which he was drawn about the country. Most likely he fancied that his self-inflicted tortures would prove pleasing to the gods, and found delight in the attention and respect paid to him by the people. He was taken on his dreadful bed for thousands of miles, the poor people every where worshipping him as a god. He travelled in this way for thirty-five years. In the winter he caused water to fall on his head, night and day, drop by drop, from a pot with holes in it; and in hot weather had fires kept burning around him.

Jan. 26.-SECT. II., QUEST. IV.

Search for a Home.

ONE day a good man set out to search for a home in the city of Manchester. You may as well know at once that it was not for himself, but for his parents. He thought it necessary to remain in a noisy street, that he might attend to his business; but God had so far prospered his efforts that he could afford to select a comfortable house for those he loved. Hour after hour he spent in the search. One house was surrounded by too much bustle, and another was too far from his own. This was in the country, but too far from chapel; and that, conveniently near the house of prayer, but there were too few flowers, and too much smoke near. the good man returned home, and sent his wife hither and thither, until a suitable home was found for his parents.

So

You cannot be told half the pains he took; but you may be sure that he loved his father and mother. He could not shut out pain, nor disease, nor death; but he did his best for them, because he loved them. In a far higher degree we perceive how God loved our first parents by the home He provided.

February 2.-SECT. II., QUEST. V.

The Colossus of Rhodes.

ABOUT three hundred years before the birth of Christ, the inhabitants of Rhodes engaged an artist to form an immense statue of brass. It was to be seventy cubits in height, and all its parts in proportion, and as beautiful as the artist could make it. Twelve years were spent in its formation. When complete, it was regarded as one of the wonders of the world, and all who went to the island greatly admired it. Fifty-six years after its completion it was overthrown by an earthquake. It is recorded that the fragments of brass of which it had been composed remained scattered on the ground for about nine hundred years, and were at length sold to a Jewish merchant, who required nine hundred camels to carry the metal away. The image, however, though beautiful, had no resemblance to God. It could not think, it could not know right from wrong, it could not experience happiness, it could not love, it soon was destroyed.

AIDS TO THE USE OF THE

SECOND CATECHISM. January 12, 1868.-SECTION VI., QUESTIONS XIII. AND XIV. The New Commandment. A surprising act performed by Christ. -Do we read in the New Testament that the Lord Jesus, at any time, required the disciples to wash His feet? Do we read that He ever washed the feet of the disciples? He did so immediately before giving the new commandment, which we are now considering. Was it more usual for persons in those times to wash their feet after a journey than it is among

us? Is it hotter in Palestine than here? Did the people wear shoes, or boots, similar to ours? Could the sandal be readily removed from the foot? When Christ was about to wash the feet of His disciples, did any one of them object? Most likely all

thought it strange that He should wish to do so. Servants generally washed the feet of their employers. Peter affirmed that he would not allow Jesus to wash his feet. Did he at length yield to Christ's wish?

Do

An important lesson taught by Christ. -We may learn from the narrative the importance of purity of heart and life. But Jesus seems to have intended specially to teach us that Christ's disciples ought greatly to love one another; and that they ought not to allow pride, selfishness, or indolence to prevent them from helping each other. you think that Christ meant that we should literally wash each other's feet? We never read that He directed Peter to wash John's feet, or Andrew to wash Bartholomew's. The Pope, once year, with great pomp and show, is said to wash the feet of twelve poor men. But their feet are well washed before, and the water is brought in a golden basin, and there is a vast display. Is that the kind of washing which Christ meant? We are to love and help each other.

а

EXERCISES.-Are Christian disciples to have special affection for their fellow-disciples? In what way can such affection be shown? Who commands us to cherish such affection? Whose example is specially placed before us in the New Testament?

Jan. 19.-SECT. VI., QUEST. XV.
Sin in the Heart,

Guilty; though another did the deed. -David, for the greater part of his life, was a very good man. But at one time he yielded to the Tempter, and was led into grievous sin; for he became guilty of the murder of Uriah the Hittite. Did David poison Uriah? Did David fling a javelin at Uriah? Did he thrust a sword through him? Do you know the name of the man who really killed Uriah? It is not known. David probably never so much as knew it. When Uriah was killed, David was not near; he was in Jerusalem, and Uriah was near Rabbah, in Syria. Yet the word of the Lord came to David: "Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite, with the sword." (2 Sam. xii. 9.) David had directed that Uriah should be so placed that he would most likely be killed. So the weapon which took away the life of the unfortunate man was regarded as having been

guided by David. Thou hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."

Guilty; even if the deed had not been done.-God, in His allwise providence, did not prevent the death of Uriah. We hope he was made ready to die. He would have been greatly distressed had he been spared to return home. But if God had prevented his being slain, David would, in the Divine estimation, have been equally guilty. The Lord could, had He thought it best, have prevented any sword, or javelin, or spear, or arrow hurting the Hittite. But such an interposition of Divine Providence would not have made David a better man. The wickedness had been allowed within his heart, and God would have been angry with David even had Uriah returned home uninjured.

EXERCISES.-Is there any sin beside that of outward action? Where does all sin commence? Ought we to be in earnest to have our hearts purified? Who can thus cleanse our souls? Is the gracious Spirit willing to sanctify those who pray?

Jan. 26.--SECT. VI., QUESTS. XVI., XVII., AND XVIII.

Perfect Obedience.

A fatal flaw.-A servant who in anything disobeys his master, shows that he is not prepared to render perfect and implicit obedience. Under similar circumstances he will be likely to disobey again. Who was the first King of Israel? God sent Saul to fight against the Amalekites, and directed him to destroy them, and everything belonging to them. To gratify his own pride, and to please the people, Saul disobeyed God. His disobedience was offensive to God, and showed that his heart was not right with Him. For a time he might be obedient; but, when again exposed to temptation, he would be likely to yield to it. (1 Sam. xv.)

Universal goodwill.-When we read that God commands us to love our neighbour, we are to understand that every human being is meant by the word "neighbour.' Not merely those who live in the same street, or on the same side of the river, or in the same county, or speak the same language, but all people are included. The Jews were

descended from Abraham; were the Samaritans so descended? The Jews worshipped at Jerusalem; did the Samaritans do so? When the good Samaritan saw the poor Jew who had fallen among thieves, did he do right to help him? (Luke x. 29-37.)

A useful test. Sometimes we may be perplexed even when we are trying to do right. It is not always easy to know what is right. When we wish to know how we ought to treat others, we shall often find much help by inquiring how we should, under similar circumstances, desire to be treated ourselves. Do you remember the parable of the King and his two debtors? You will find it Matt. xviii. 23-35. The unmerciful man might plead that he had a right to his money; but he would have thought it very hard if he himself had been cast into prison and punished because he could not pay.

EXERCISES.-If, in anything, we prefer our way to God's way, shall we be accounted guilty? Who is meant, in the Bible, by the term "neighbour?" What is the best method of ascertaining how we ought to act towards others?

February 2.-SECT. VI., QUESTS. XIX. AND XX.

Treatment of Enemies.

We

The Syrians around Dothan. read that on one occasion the soldiers of Syria were gathered in great force around Dothan, a city belonging to Israel. The Syrians were accustomed to make incursions into neighbouring states to plunder them. But, when they assembled around Dothan, it was chiefly to capture one man, who had greatly displeased the King, their master. That man was a Prophet, and the successor to Elijah. What was his name? What had Elisha done which proved so offensive to the King of Syria? Because, by the help of God, Elisha had disclosed the cruel purposes of the Syrian monarch, and so saved Israel out of his hand, that King was determined to take him prisoner.

The Syrians led to Samaria. — In answer to Elisha's prayer, God smote the Syrian soldiers with blindness. They were then altogether helpless, and were compelled to do whatever they were directed to do. Elisha led them away from Dothan, and brought

them to Samaria. Then he prayed to God, and He opened their eyes. They must have been terrified when they saw that they were in the capital city of Israel, and completely within the power of the Israelites.

The Syrians sent to their own land.The King of Israel asked Elisha if he should put those cruel Syrians to death. Did the Prophet say that he was to do so? God often does, in this world, punish wicked people; and He sometimes employed the Israelites as His sword. But in this instance the Syrians were specially seeking the destruction of Elisha, and that servant of God was allowed to manifest the kindness of his heart. Were the Syrians slain? Were they sent home hungry? Had they anything besides bread and water to refresh them? After the feast, were any presents given to them? (2 Kings vi. 13-23.)

EXERCISES.-Does it ever happen that good people have enemies? If any man hates us, may we lawfully hate him? How are we to try to overcome our enemies? Will God forgive us, if we refuse to forgive others? Shall we be happier if we try to do good to all?

ILLUSTRATIVE FACTS.

Christian Fingoes.

THE cotton-famine will never be forgotten in Lancashire. In consequence of the war in America, the mills in England had no sufficient supply of the raw material, and there was a diminished market for goods. Myriads of "the hands were thrown out of employment, and were in danger of starving. A noble liberality was displayed in every part of England, and in many other portions of the world. Amongst others who heard of the distress were some converted Fingoes in South Africa. They were themselves very poor, and, not long before, their tribes were all heathen. When idolaters, they were selfish; they would not then have aided any of their own countrymen if they found them famishing. But grace had changed their hearts. The Missionaries told them of the trouble that had come upon thousands of homes in England. The Fingoes also learned that among the sufferers were some who truly loved the Lord Jesus Christ. This greatly affected those dark-skinned people. They had themselves been permitted to become disciples of Christ, and had been taught, by the word and Spirit, to have a strong affection towards all disciples of the Saviour. So these Fingoes resolved to do what they could to help their famishing

brethren and sisters in Lancashire. They collected as much money as they possibly could, denying themselves of comforts in order to do so. The money was sent to England. That remittance was a glorious evidence of the power of true religion. We may learn something concerning the meaning of the Lord's "New Commandment" from those converted Fingoes. (No. II. January 12.)

Alice and Ruth.

ALICE was five years old. She was greatly beloved, and was generally a very good girl. She had a little cousin named Ruth to whom she was much attached, and with whom she often played. One night, at Alice's bed-time, her sister Sarah offered to take her to bed, as their mother was engaged with company. Alice, however, said that she very much wished her mother would come and take her to bed. At length the child crept into bed, but without tasting her supper, and looking very unhappy. Sarab, on her return, whispered to her mother that she was afraid dear Alice was poorly. Their mother, therefore, hastened to the chamber. As she entered the room, she perceived that the child was crying. "My child, what troubles you tell me." "O, mother! I am so glad you have come. I cannot go to sleep. O, mother! I have killed Ruth in my heart to-day. She was angry with me, and I wished she was dead. I can't ask God's forgiveness until I have made it up with Ruth." Her mother tried to comfort her, but there lay the cold, heavy weight of sin upon her bosom. Alice's father was called, who, wrapping his weeping child in a blanket, carried her to her cousin Ruth, whose house was next to their own. She was taken to Ruth's bedside. The confession, prayer for forgiveness, and kiss of reconciliation formed a touching scene. When brought again to her own room, Alice knelt and prayed, "Lord, keep me from hating and killing anybody in my heart." (No. II. January 19.)

The Brave Student.

ONE fearful winter-day a vessel was driven upon a sandbank near the town of St. Andrews, Scotland. The news soon spread among the inhabitants, and many hastened towards the spot. The ship had been cast ashore but a few hundred yards from the houses. Though the heavy air was darkened by the drifting sleet, the onlookers could, at intervals, see the figures of the crew clinging to the ropes and spars. Then some immense wave would