in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and on Sinai; and only a few days since, they had there promised to obey His word. Yet they forgot all this; and, when they saw that Moses did not at once come down, they said, "Make us gods, which shall go before us!" Could a god be made? O, foolish and sinful people! Yet Aaron, in fear at what they might do, made them "a golden calf." They called this a god, and built an altar, and worshipped the calf with dancing and play, as they had seen the heathen do, who had never been taught of God. When 2. The anger of the Lord. God saw how quickly they had broken His commands, how they remembered not His mercy, and cared not for His power, He was very angry with them. In wrath at their great sin, He told Moses to go down from the Mount, and that He would consume them at once. Do any now forget God's law? Are we in danger of this? How may we avoid it? 3. A mediator.-When Moses saw God's anger, he trembled for the people; then he besought the Lord for them. He prayed, in humility and shame on their behalf, that God would be pleased to spare them, that they might repent. Could such a sin, at such a time and place, be forgiven? Yes; God, at the prayer of His servant, turned away some, at least, of His fierce wrath. Do we need a mediator? Have we one? Yes; the Lord Jesus Christ, the One only Mediator between God and man. Yet, though God listened to the prayer of Moses, there still remained, 4. A punishment.-As Moses came down the hill, he heard the singing and shouting of the people as they feasted and danced round the golden calf. In anger he "cast the tables," or flat stones on which God had written the law, out of his hands, and brake them in pieces. Then he destroyed the calf, and reproved Aaron; who, like one guilty, tried to excuse himself, and to put the blame on others. On the next day three thousand of the people were put to death, and "the Lord plagued" those who were left. Here, then, is a warning to us. Satan, and evil persons, and our own hearts would lead us into sin. We must "watch and pray," lest we run into sin and danger, as did the Israelites. 1. The dead man.-In a little city of Palestine, called Nain, there dwelt a certain poor woman. She had passed through great sorrow, for her husband was dead. None could suffer such a loss without much grief. Yet, though a widow, she had one great comfort; this was her son, "her only son." But soon even this was taken away. He fell sick, and died. Where could she look for comfort now? It seemed as though none could be had. Her neighbours and friends mourned for her. They could not bring back her son to life. But to show their grief was kind, and might help the poor widow to bear her sorrow better. So, when she went forth to bury her son, "much people of the city was with her." 2. The Prince of Life.-This was the Lord Jesus Christ. He had been in Capernaum only the day before, and had hasted through the long journey to Nain. Did He know of this poor widow and her grief? How was this? Many disciples and others were with Him, "a great multitude." As they drew "nigh to the gate of the city,' they met the sad company going forth to the burial of the young man. When Jesus saw the grief of the poor widow, He was moved with tender "compassion," and said, "Weep not." Then He turned to the bier on which the dead man lay, and said to him, "Arise!" Could he hear that Voice? He lay bound by the power of death; but there stood by him One stronger than death, and at His voice "he that was dead sat up, and began to speak." In a moment, life had returned: and He gave him to his mother. Here was joy for her! Here was wonder for all! 3. What the miracle teaches.-It was a wonder so great, and showed so much of the power of Jesus, that they were full of fear. They "glorified God," by praising Him for sending One so BIBLE-QUESTIONS FOR BIBLE-READERS. 79. WHERE have we the first account of a patriarch laying hands on the head while pronouncing a blessing? 80. Some Israelites worshipped the idols of Egypt before the exodus. Prove this. 81. Where have we the first mention of a chariot? 82. Jacob wrestled with the angel, and also wept, and made supplication. How do we know this? 83. What was the former name of Barnabas ? 84. When did the Lord command Isaac not to go to Egypt? H. SCHOOL BIOGRAPHY. WILLIAM R. JOHNSTON. WILLIAM R. JOHNSTON died in Crumlin, Ireland, September 17th, 1867, aged sixteen years. When fourteen years of age he was sent to the Connexional School, Dublin. While there he met regularly in class; and during the last half year of his residence was convinced of sin. Upon his leaving school he went to business in Belfast, where he continued to seek the Lord in the appointed means, until compelled by sickness to return home. Shortly after, while pleading for mercy in private, God lifted upon him "the light of His countenance." His radiant face proclaimed the happy change before he had declared it, and his parents rejoiced with him. From that hour, till his final victory over the last enemy, he enjoyed uninterrupted intercourse with God. A few weeks before his death it pleased God to take to Himself, at the early age of seven years, his little brother Samuel, an interesting child of great promise. As might be expected, his sudden death made a deep impression on William, and led him to seek for more grace. His parents encouraged him, quoting suitable portions of Scripture, and praying with him. After his mother had said, "Jesus Christ is your Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption," he echoed her assurance with confident faith, saying, "Ah! He is my Redemption!" Then in an ecstasy he shouted,— "Now I have found the ground wherein Sure my soul's anchor may remain : The wounds of Jesus, for my sin Before the world's foundation slain; Whose mercy shall unshaken stay, When heaven and earth are fled away.' O! if sinners knew how easy it is to believe and come to Jesus! O! if sister knew how easy it is to believe!" His parents feared lest the mighty joy should prove fatally too much for the frail tenement of his happy spirit. During his long affliction he was never known to murmur. When his mother asked, "Would you not wish to get away?" his invariable reply was, "His will! His time! I leave all to His 'sovereign sway.' Jesus was all his theme. "Thank God for Jesus!" was his grateful exclamation. A few days before his death, his mother told him that he could not live long. "Why, Mamma," he calmly inquired, "is my pulse gone? I don't feel like dying." "No," she replied; "but your strength is nearly gone." His countenance beamed with delight, and he exclaimed, "Thank God! I'll go to join my little brother Samuel, and my dear uncle and aunts. To his brother, who had come from Belfast, he gave his dying charge, urging him not to be half-hearted: "Halfreligion," said he, "will make you miserable. Live closer to God, and meet me in heaven." Next night he called his little' brothers by name; also his sister and cousin, together with the boy in the shop. He spoke to them in an earnest, affectionate manner; saying, in his concluding address to each, "Meet me in heaven." Seeing the servant-maid standing at the foot of the bed, he charged her to give her heart to God; adding, "What would I do if I had no hope now?" While in Belfast he had a little box, into which he put the half of his pocketmoney, "for the Lord." When dying, he left all his money to aid in the work of Christ, saying, "The Lord deserves it; for, if it were not for Him, I would be at the mouth of hell; but now I am at the gate of heaven," During the last hours of suffering his mother spoke of the dark valley. "It is not dark, Mamma," said he; "death is sweet." When it was thought he was unconscious, she whispered, "Precious Jesus!" He feebly responded, "He is with me!" Thus, cheered by the Divine presence, he "Gladly died, his God to meet." "And the parents gave, in tears and pain, The flowers they most did love; They knew they should find them both again In the fields of light above." JEREMIAH WILSON. CORRESPONDENCE AND INTELLIGENCE. The Rev. John Clulow's Report SUNDAY-SCHOOLS IN THE CHANNEL My engagements, since last Conference, have included eighty Circuits in the London, Bedford and Northampton, Kent, Oxford, Portsmouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Macclesfield, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham and Derby, Lincoln, Hull, York, Whitby and Darlington, and Newcastle Districts, in which I have visited the Day and Sunday schools, preached, and attended public meetings or conferences of officers and teachers in furtherance of our educational work. Early in the autumn I paid a visit to the CHANNEL ISLES, where I had the pleasure of seeing our French and English Sunday-schools side by side, in vigorous operation, and met large representative assemblies of the teachers of all the schools, French as well as English, in Jersey and Guernsey. I personally examined two or three specimen schools of both kinds in each island. The English schools I saw were St. Helier's, Jersey; and Ebenezer, Guernsey. They are similar in plan; and but slightly different in practice. Both are held in school-rooms distinct from the chapels, but the lack of class-rooms in sufficient number prevents the arrangement of the schools in departments; and the infants are taught with other and older classes, with equal disadvantage to themselves and to others. Mimpriss's Tablets for the first, second, and third grades are used for the younger children, and the Conference Lessons for those who are more advanced. Though the proportion of elder scholars is below that of schools in the North of England, there are two interesting classes of young men in the Jersey school, and one of young women at Ebenezer, Guernsey, under wellqualified teachers, and the managers are alive to the importance of developing this division of their scholars. In Guernsey, one of the Ministers meets the teachers weekly to assist them in preparing the lessons before they are given, and the Superintendent Minister of the Jersey Circuit has two Bible-classes, including teachers and others, and meets the children in country places half-an-hour before the usual week-night service. Considerable attention has been given to schoolorganization in the English Circuits, and a most intelligent interest in everything that can increase the efficiency of our schools is manifested by all who are engaged in them. Circuit Sunday- School Unions have been recently established in each island; one of the effects of which has been the issue of a comprehensive set of rules, in harmony with our Connexional regulations: these have been, to a large extent, adopted in the schools, and are leading to greater uniformity of action, deeper sympathy, and more frequent intercourse between the teachers. I was present at the French school, Grove-place, St Helier's, on Sunday morning. It is held in the most convenient school-room in the island; for, though it is beneath the spacious chapel, it is lofty, well-lighted, and ventilated, and supplied with every requisite. It has seven classrooms, which are as useful for Society as for school purposes, and are invaluable for the latter. The infants in the best Sunday-schools in England are trained collectively, with the aid of a small gallery, letter-box, Scripture pictures, &c.; but here the order is reversed, the infants being taught in small classes in the separate rooms, and the upper division in the principal room. The" lessons" for the Scripture classes are prepared under the direction of the French Conference, and for the other classes those of Mr. Mim priss are used. The order is excellent, and the instruction thorough. There is a unity of plan in the school-exercises, and the whole partakes of the character of a religious service, opened by appropriate worship, followed by the reading from the desk of a chapter in which the lesson occurs, continued by the lesson itself in each class, and concluded by a short address on the same subject. I heard one of these addresses by a gentleman who speaks French and English with equal facility, and was struck with the prompt replies of the children to his questions, and their unbroken interest from first to last. Our own Catechisms in the French language, and "Elements of Theology," published by the French Protestant Tract Society, are learnt by the children. I also visited the French school, Victoria-road, St. Peter's Port, Guernsey, and a village-school in the parish of St. Sampson. The latter contained a larger proportion of elder scholars than any school I saw; out of 175 scholars, fully one third were above fifteen years of age, and two classes were wholly made up of young men and women. This school has been a chief means of supplying the Society with members, and the present staff of teachers consists entirely of former scholars. There are fifty of these, who teach only one Sunday in three, and are themselves taught the intervening Sabbaths. This system of employing elder scholars as teachers, though it effectually retains them in the school, may, however, lessen the teaching power, and it might be better to retain them in an adult section with teachers of higher attainments, than to introduce them prematurely to the responsibilities of the teacher's office. Were this method adopted, and the school furnished with buildings suitable for a complete classification in infant, juvenile, and adult departments, it would be a model Sunday-school. Its past success forms its present difficulty, and renders enlargement and adaptation indispensable to its progress. About thirty years ago a Methodist Union of the French Sunday-schools in Jersey was formed, chiefly through the influence of Judge Neil, who long acted as its visiter, going to the schools in succession, and examining the children, either in classes or by schools, in our Catechisms and the Scriptures. A Book-Room was instituted, and translations of the Catechisms, a Biblical Manual, the "Life of Wesley" by Watson, Wesley on "Christian Perfection," Memoirs of John Nelson, Henry Longden, De Queteville, (the apostle of Jersey Methodism,) &c., were published for the use of the school-libraries. Prizes, too, were given to the scholars in the shape of books, which in the course of a quarter of a century amounted to the value of £3,000. In this way ten thousand volumes of sound Christian literature were put into circulation, and an authorised life of the founder of Methodism introduced into almost every Wesleyan family. This has, doubtless, been one of the most powerful agencies by which Methodism has attained a paramount influence over the population, The Union was continued till about seven years ago, when the French Conference became able to supply Methodist books in the French language, and the need for distinct action ceased. There is one feature in which the English and French schools differ. The former meet twice, and the latter only once, in the day. It is difficult to account for the fact that the French schools are, with scarcely an exception, only morning or afternoon schools, but for the strong old Methodist attachment to the Church of England which still exists, and the attendance of children at both Church and Wesleyan schools. This is done on system, the hours of attendance being adjusted with reference to it. However fitting this custom may have been in former times, it cannot be necessary or convenient now, as it leads the children to grow up without a strong affection either for the Church of England or for our own, and vitiates the accuracy of Sunday-school returns, the same children being enumerated as belonging to schools of two different denominations. There is also a peculiarity among the French schools; for, while those of Guernsey are met in winter as well as summer, those in the country parts of Jersey are intermitted for several months in the year; or, if continued, are not attended by more than a tithe of the teachers, and a quarter of the scholars, on the books. This is attributed to the weather, and the distance of children from the schools; but it is manifestly perilous to the vigour and efficiency of the schools themselves, and to the best interests of the children. To name these effects of the practice is surely sufficient to induce the teachers to devote themselves to their work, and perpetuate the schools all the year round. A The most immediate want of Methodism in the Channel Isles is Day-schools, in which both the English and French languages may be taught, as the complement of our Sunday-schools. In Jersey alone we have chapel-accommodation in the French Circuit for 5,000 people, and in the English Circuit for 2,000 more; but we have only one Day-school, and that seven miles away from the Circuit-town. We have 500 scholars in the English Sunday-schools, and 1,500 in the French; but we have only 130 scholars in the Day-school. The want is the greater because the Church Day-schools are made an engine of proselytism, and the RomanCatholic Day-schools of perversion. pupil-teacher, who was a scholar in our Sunday-school, was refused employment in the Church Day-school, except on condition of giving up her Methodist Sundayschool. This was felt to be a hard requirement, but she at length_yielded. The Roman Catholics have Day-schools in which pure French is taught with English; and it is said that some Protestant children are sent to them, for the sake of th's advantage. I inspected our Day-school at St. Owen's. It is in a high state of discipline and progress in both the French and English departments, having repeatedly obtained the highest approval of her Majesty's Inspector and the Inspector of the Estates of Jersey, and might well serve as a model for other schools. The subject received the careful consideration of a meeting of French and English friends during my visit; and I am happy to learn that a scheme is in contemplation that will be adequate to the requirements at St. Helier's. I have also visited NORTH WALES, and availed myself of the opportunity of holding a series of meetings, and of forming au |