"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Then, whenever death comes, in youth, or manhood, or old age, you will welcome it with a cheerful countenance, and be able to say, "O death,

NOTICES

The New Creation. By the REV. JOHN MILLS. Pp. 344. London: E. Stock. It is the object of this book "to show that the new heavens and new earth, predicted in the Old and New Testaments, represent the dispensation of Divine grace as revealed in the Gospel, and manifested in the establishment and perpetuation of Christianity:" that "by the new heavens' we are to understand that Divine system by which the inhabitants of the earth will be made partakers of a spiritual nature, and become obedient to the will of God; and by the

new earth,' that happy condition of the human family when this work shall have been effected; ... and to show from the discoveries of geology what kind of analogy may be supposed to exist between the creation and constitution of the globe on which we live, and that renovating process of the world by which those blessings will be realized." The theme is a most interesting and instructive one, and is very ably handled. It would, perhaps, be too much to expect that, on such a subject, a writer's opinions should readily command general assent: but we have here found much that is convincing and conclusive. The theories of a premillenial advent of the Saviour, and of a renewed earth as the final abode of the righteous, are vigorously combated; and the injurious effects which may result from the reception and propagation of such theories are pointed out. It can but be "important to know whether we are to expect the Redeemer in bodily presence on earth before the nations will be converted, or whether the preaching of the Gospel, with the work of the Holy Spirit, will produce that blessed result." This is plainly not a merely speculative matter, but one which closely affects Christian faith and effort; and we commend the book before us to the study of Ministers and the more

Onward to God: or, the Sure Way to the Crown. By the REV. SAMUEL WEIR. Pp. 139. London: Wesleyan Conference Office."Written for the guidance and encouragement of young converts." So says the author. We recommend it as well answering to its design; and assure older Christians that they, too, may find in it much to make its perusal profitable. It exhibits the progress of sanctification in various practical aspects, as these are stated by St. Peter, in verses five to seven of the firstchapter of his Second Epistle; of which passage the successive chapters of the book form a good exposition and application.

Children and Jesus. By EDWARD PAYSON HAMMOND. London: S. W. Partridge. Mr. Hammond is an American minister, (now in this country,) who has an excellent aptitude for teaching the Gospel to children, and leading them to present faith in Jesus. He has achieved a degree of success in this good work which many others would do well to emulate. The chapters of the little book before us are written much in the style of his effective addresses. He uses simple words, employs short and lively sentences, and aptly illustrates the truths he seeks to inculcate. Some of the letters written to him by little ones are given in this book, and are very touching and beautiful.

The Class and the Desk. By J. C. GRAY. Pp. 293. London: J. Sangster and Co.-The first three parts of this

volume we noticed and commended in the October number of this Magazine for 1866. The promise of that early portion is well sustained throughout the one hundred and twenty lessons on New-Testament subjects, and the forty-seven outlines of Sunday-school sermons which this very neatly-produced and skilfully-arranged book supplies. We subjoin some of the author's "prefatory remarks: they will not only indicate the character and aim of his book, but will equally well sketch those of the "Exercises on Scripture Lessons," which are found monthly within the covers of this periodical. "Preparation for the class is universally admitted to be a duty by all earnest Sunday-school teachers, and is recognised as a necessary condition of pleasure and success in their work. By a great multitude of teachers, however, the simplest preparation is felt to be no easy matter. Time is the great want of many whose weekly occupations leave them but little leisure; books of a practical nature are the great need of many more; while a knowledge of systematic arrangement is possessed by few who have both the former requirements. In the majority of cases, the teacher who addresses himself to the work of preparation, knows not how nor where to begin. He can read the Bible for his own profit, but cannot readily prepare a lesson from it for the edification of others. One of two consequences is likely to follow: either the work of teaching is pursued in a desultory and inefficient manner, or, appalled by unforeseen difficulties, the teacher presently retires from his post. It is to meet such difficulties that this volume has been prepared. Even these preparations will not be successfully used without some little previous study; since they are designed to aid, and not supersede, diligence on the teacher's part. Hence they have been constructed on the principle of suggestiveness. Helps of an exhaustive kind would injure rather than benefit. Suggestive hints, such as the teacher may follow out according to the bent of his own mind, are the things most needed. Such hints, arranged systematically, more to aid the memory than for purposes of sermonic division in class

teaching,-are all that is attempted; all that could be attempted, in so limited a space; all, indeed, that the sanctified ingenuity of the teacher will require. Suggestions admit of variety of illustration, suited alike to both the teacher and the scholar; anything beyond this would stereotype both thought and expression."

Leaves from the Book and its Story; for Bible-Women and Working-Men. By L. N. R. Issued Monthly. Lon

don: W. Macintosh.-"The World before the Flood;" "The Times between the Flood and Abram; "The Life of Abraham; "Arabia and the Patriarch Job;" "Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph in Egypt;" such are the titles of the five numbers of this useful publication: and the initials of the writer (so well known on the title-page of "The Book and its Story") are a guarantee of their excellence. Printed in large type, and illustrated with engravings, they contain information which will be as convenient and useful to teachers of Bible-classes in schools as to those for whom the writer specially designs them.

Scripture-Questions in Rhyme. By W. HOLLOWAY. Wesleyan Training College, Westminster. Printed on separate leaflets, with cards in each packet, containing the key to their solution. These questions may be advantageously used in the senior classes of Sundayschools, as also in private schools and families; and they will supply day-schools with home-exercises for the Sabbath in a very handy and attractive form. To call forth from the memories of young people Scriptural truths and facts in a way which yields them pleasure, and to give an agreeable stimulus to their attention in the study of the Bible, is a work which is as kind as it is good. This is what Mr. Holloway aims at in these Questions, and he is entitled to thanks for the pains he has taken, and the skill he has shown in their production. They merit an extensive sale.

The Wesleyan-Methodist Kalendar, and Daily Remembrancer-the Pocket-Diary and Kalendar-and the Pocket-Book-for 1868, published at the Wesleyan Conference Office, are severally, as usual,

full of hints and information carefully compiled; and are very neatly and compactly got up. No Methodist Sunday

PORTFOLIO

How the Dumb are taught to

Speak.

A NUMBER of clergy attached to a religious brotherhood-Les Frères de la Doctrine Chrétienne, whom I found by conversation to be men of high talent and culture-carried on this work. It was to one of these brethren so engaged, Frère Cyrille, that my Brussels friend presented me. I found him a bright, accomplished man, in the best years of life, dressed in the clerical costume of his country-the long black cassock with that interminable row of small buttons down the front, and his beads hung at his girdle, and the little close-fitting black cap- known as the Solidee (Soli Deo)-just upon the crown of the head. Such is the man who is the leading spirit of this unique establishment. After a little preliminary conversation, he proceeded to pilot me through the house. Promising to begin with the most elementary stage of the education, he led me first into a large airy room fitted with ordinary schoolroom desks, forms, blackboards, diagrams, and usual apparatus of elementary education. The room, indeed, was remarkable for the absence of only one of the attributes of a well-appointed schoolroom there was none of the familiar buzz of plodding schoolboys. Here sat some five-and-twenty boys, from seven to twelve years old, in some cases literally struggling to imitate the lip movements of their teacher, and making, thereby, noises uncouth and various enough; but so impressive was the silence in the intervals of their attempts, that one quite longed for some of those furtive whispers, which all go to make up that impalpable sort of hum which is one of the bugbears of the schoolmaster. These boys were acquiring the first rudiments of the art of speech under the tuition of another of the brethren, also a cassocked ecclesiastic, -who seemed blessed with an amount of forbearance that was astonishing. earliest lesson, of course, was the articulation of single open syllables; that is to say, of a consonant with a vowel attached. The process by which this was attained was, I observed, twofold. First, simply the eye of the pupil was used. The teacher articulated in a very marked manner the consonant that was under notice. By signs and gestures the dumb boy was directed to watch the movement

:

The

school teacher is fully equipped for his work who does not possess one or other of the set.

GLEANINGS.

minutely, and to make it himself. If he succeeded in doing so, all well and good; the object was achieved. But if he failed, as was often the case; if, for example, instead of "ma," he articulated "ba,' then the sense of touch was called in to the rescue. The teacher felt about his own organs to see exactly how they were affected by his articulation of the particular consonant which caused the diffi

culty. He would find that there was, perhaps, a movement in the throat, or, by the pressure of the fingers against the side of the nose, that a current of air was driven down the nostrils by the articulation in question. Having discovered this, he took the boy's finger and put it to his own (the teacher's) organ, and articulated the consonant distinctly and repeatedly, so that the boy should feel exactly what the movement of the part was that was required of him. The boy was then directed to put his finger upon his own throat or nostril, and by his own movements produce the same impression upon his finger as was produced by the articulation of the teacher. A hundred times he would fail; and a hundred times would this much-enduring frère, without the faintest shadow of impatience or irritation, go through the whole ceremonial again.— Cornhill Magazine.

Divine Promises.

EVERY promise of God is built upon four pillars:-God's justice and holiness, which will not suffer Him to deceive; His grace and goodness, which will not suffer Him to forget; His truth, which will not suffer Him to change; and His power, which makes Him able to accomplish.-Salter.

Do not Delay.

NEVER put off till tomorrow what Scripture, reason, and conscience tell you ought to be done to-day. To-morrow is not yours; and, though you should live to enjoy it, why should you overload it with a burden not its own.

"Keep by the Cross."

I WAS travelling in Switzerland, says a traveller, in the summer of 1857, and determined to ascend Mount Joli; a mountain

not far from St. Gervais. As I made the ascent unaccompanied by a guide, it was with some difficulty I found the right track. Having at length, however, reached the foot of the mountain, I inquired of a peasant how I should find the way to the summit. He answered, in French, to this effect: "You cannot mistake the way; but be sure you keep by the cross!" A large wooden cross had been erected as a guide-post about half-way to the summit, and the path led immediately past it. The words of the Swiss peasant struck me very forcibly as the true direction to those who are seeking to find their way from this present evil world to the heights of the heavenly Zion. Reader, are you anxious to be saved? Are you asking your way to heaven with your face thitherward? Do you long for peace with God; the full forgiveness of all sin; a good hope for eternity; a crown of glory; "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away ?" Then listen to these words: "Be sure you keep by the Cross!"

Bible-Billy.

THE unmarried sister of Dr. Marsh's father loved her little nephew William; and, during her visits to his father's house, had the child often with her, and read to him stories from the Bible. His great love for these lessons in Holy Scripture caused his brothers to call him "BibleBilly;" a name which proved truly significant of his devotion to the Word of God

in after years. Two months before his death, whilst reading with his usual intentness, two friends entered the room, and stood by his chair for some time before he perceived them. On looking up he greeted them with a bright smile, saying, as he held out the sacred volume, "With this staff have I travelled through my pilgrimage; and with this staff I will pass over Jordan."

Do you ever Pray?

A SUNDAY-SCHOOL teacher, knowing that all the boys in his class were much occupied during the week, feared that the duty, or rather the privilege, of prayer, was sometimes neglected; he, therefore, urged upon them most forcibly its necessity, and, at the close of his address, he asked a boy, ten years of age, who led a wretched life in the service of a chimneysweeper, "Do you ever pray? out very early in the morning, do you not?" Yes, Sir, we are only half awake. I think about God, but cannot say I pray then." "What, then ?" "You see, our master orders us to get up

66

You go

This is

I. MESSAGES.-Ch. iii. 15-18. (1.) To the Israelites.-V. 15 — 17. Said moreover, to give more impressiveness to v. 14. Unto the children,-through the elders, ver. 16; ch. iv. 29. My name,-I Aм, v. 14. My memorial, -the Lord God of your fathers, by which "I will be for ever remembered, celebrated, praised, and invoked," unto all generations, not only of Israel, but of all mankind. Elders,-the heads of the tribes. Appeared unto me.-See v. 2-6. Surely visited.-A fulfilment of Joseph's prophecy, (Gen. 1. 24,) which declares the purpose of the visit. See, also, v. 8. That which is done,by the "taskmasters," v. 7, 9. And I have said," determined, or resolved." See v. 8, and notes in Afternoon Lesson for January 26th.

We

(2.) To the King of Egypt.-V. 18. They,-"the elders," shall hearken.-I will incline them to do so; a very necessary assurance, considering the difficulty of the enterprise. Hath met with us."We have received a special command from the great God whom we and our forefathers worship." beseech thee.-A very earnest form of entreaty. Three days' journey.-The time it would take to reach Mount Sinai, where, in the first instance, they wished to go. That we may sacrifice,really, to "hold a feast of rejoicing for their happy deliverance, ch. v. 1.

II. PREDICTIONS.-V. 19-22. No, not by, &c.,-(Margin, "but by a strong hand,") i.e., unless he be made to feel how terrible is My power. And,

VOL. III. NEW SERIES.-February, 1868.

therefore, to teach him this, I will stretch, &c. My wonders,-the plagues He sent; so called because they would fill the people with amazement. After that, when made afraid for his own life, as well as for the lives of his people, ch. xii. 30-33. I will give.. favour, through dread of My terrors, and a desire to be rid of them. borrow, properly, "ask," or, quest." Of her that sojourneth, whence it is evident that the Israelites lived along with the Egyptians. Jewels, -or vessels. Spoil,-take with their own consent what you have well-earned by your hard, unpaid toil and service.

Shall

66 re

III. SIGNS. Ch. iv. 1-9. They will not believe, that Thou hast sent me, unless I can give some proof of it. A rod, his shepherd's staff, probably. Cast it, &c.-As he was to do before Pharaoh, ch. vii. 9. A serpent,-venomous, most likely, for Moses fled, &c. And caught it, believing God would keep him from harm. That they may, &c., -they will not doubt when they see thee do this. Furthermore.-God would thus give Moses ample evidence, to make his own faith strong and unwavering. Into thy bosom again. Thus, the disease, (which was very hard to be cured,) and the healing of it, came by the same act; and so, the miracle was plain and undeniable. V. 8. If one sign will not convince them, surely two will. V. 9. But I will give thee even a third, which shall be realized hereafter. Become blood, as it did in the river: this was one of the plagues, ch. vii. 19, 20.

REFLECTIONS.-1. A message from God should have very solemn weight with the children of godly parents.-There is a touching appeal in this phrase, "the Lord God of your fathers." Surely it would thrill some of the Israelites with holy memories of the past.

P