He has touched to care for the orphan and the fatherless; and although they have cost £40,000, every one is paid for, and there is no debt. The cottages hold thirty boys or girls each, and are under the care of a father and mother, whom the children are taught to obey as they would their own parents. In each of the houses there are children of all ages, from the little baby only beginning to walk and speak, to the big boy or girl who helps mother in the kitchen. They go to school morning and afternoon; and all are expected to help with the house-work before or after that. Clothes have to be mended or made, floors scrubbed, and meals cooked; and the children are trained by the mother to do these things. Both morning and evening each family gathers in its own parlour for worship; and if you were there you would hear hearty hymns of praise to God ascending from every house. I am glad to tell you a great many of the children are truly converted, and shew by their lives that they belong to the Lord Jesus. There are about 500 children in all the Homes just now, including those in the two houses we have on the Govan Road and in the large City Home for working lads and girls in James Morrison Street. Nearly all the children are fatherless, and many are without either father or mother. God has fulfilled to them His Word, which says "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

Since the Homes were opened thirteen years ago, over 3,000 boys and girls have passed through them. I can fancy you saying, "Where are they all now?" About 1,500 have been sent to Canada; and if I had time I could tell you of happy farm homes into which they have been received, and where they are loved and cared for as if they were the farmer's own children. Many of them are grown up, and are now married and settled in homes of their own; and others are earning an honest livelihood for themselves, which they had little or no chance of doing here. This year alone we sent out about 250, and every one of these has been placed in a good home, and we believe will grow up to be a blessing to the land of their adoption and to the old country as well. Then we have trained a great many girls for service in this country, and have found situations for hundreds of boys; many of whom are now doing well.

I am sure you will wonder where all the money has come from to do all this work of feeding, and clothing, and caring for so many destitute little ones. We never ask any one for a penny; but go always to the great Father in heaven, whose are the silver and the gold, and we tell Him our needs, and He supplies them day by day. Sometimes the money comes in small sums from children, widows, and others; and sometimes the rich merchants send large donations. Your gifts have helped-and encouraged us very often in the past, and I am sure you will do what you can to help us still. Our family is a very large one, and it takes 1,500 loaves every week, or 6,000 a-month, to feed them, besides all the meal and potatoes, and other provisions. You can imagine how many pairs of stockings and boots, and how many dresses, and shirts, and coats, it has taken to clothe the 900 children who have been in the Homes this last year. Our numbers are increasing every day; and although we have so many houses we are hoping to have as many more in a few years. There

are lots of children still needing to be cared for, and we do not want any of them to go to the Poorhouse.

In past years we have been able to help many of your teachers by taking in children whom they brought to us; and I would just like to say to them, that if ever they come across any fatherless or orphan boy or girl who needs a home, bring them to us and we will give them one as God enables us. About a year ago a lady wrote asking if we could take four little girls, the oldest seven and the youngest one year old. Their father was dead, and the mother, a true Christian, dying of consumption. I said, Yes; and soon the four little ones were under our care. A few weeks afterwards the mother died trusting in the Lord, and thanking Him for providing for her little ones. Another family of five-two girls and three boys, the youngest only ten months old-was brought to us by some friends. The mother died when the baby was born, and the father was drowned afterwards. The babies are great favourites in the cottages, and the bigger children take great delight in nursing them. A little brother and sister of six and four were sent to us by a lady who visited the mother in a miserable attic, in which there was no furniture, not even a bed; a few sacks on the floor served for that, and the poor young mother was lying on them very ill. Her husband had died through drink, and of course left no provision for his wife and family. I hope the Sabbath school children will ever fight against the drink which causes such terrible misery in our midst. These two poor little ones were quite ill from want, and there was nothing in the house for them. There are many such in our city and in other parts of the country, and it is a great privilege to us to be able to rescue them. It takes £30 every day to provide for our family now; but when our numbers increase we will need much more. Destitution is the title of admission to the Homes, and they are open to receive at any time, from any part of the country, any boy or girl from two to fourteen years of age who has no one to care for them. We feel sure the Lord will provide, as He has done in the past. I do trust your gifts will be accompanied by your prayers, and be a blessing, spiritually as well as temporally, to those you seek to help. Thanking you for your past sympathy, and praying that you may all experience the truth of the words of the Lord Jesus himself, who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive,"-I am, yours in service for the little ones,

GLASGOW, November, 1884.

WM. QUARRIER.

Children's Scripture Union.

THE Scripture Union for children and young people is now widely known to Christian friends of all denominations, and in all parts of the world. It was established on 1st April, 1879, by the Committee of the Children's Special Service Mission, with the view of promoting amongst the young the systematic daily reading of the Bible. God has greatly blessed and

prospered it; and the work has been extended year by year, until there are now branches in every part of Great Britain, and in a number of foreign countries; and it is estimated that the present number of members is about 200,000. There is reason to believe that great spiritual blessing has attended this effort to lead young people to a knowledge and love of the Word of God.

Each member of the Union receives at the beginning of each year a card of membership, with the list of portions for the year printed upon it. All the members thus read the same portion daily, and they are asked to pray for one another every Sabbath morning.

A five years' course of readings, comprising suitable passages throughout the whole Bible, was commenced on 1st January, 1880, and finishes at the end of 1884. The general principle has been to read the passages chosen in each book consecutively—an Old Testament and a New Testament book being read alternately. The Gospels, and some other historical Psalms, have been read through twice during the course. A new course of five years, similarly arranged, will be commenced on 1st January, 1885. The languages, besides English, in which the cards for 1880 were issued, are-French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Bohemian, Welsh, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Hindustani, Bengali, Marathi, and Tamil; and the card for 1885 will be issued in several other European languages.

In the United Kingdom there are about 1800 branches of the Union, each managed by a local secretary. Most of the secretaries are ladies. About 350 branches are in London, and the others are in about 1000 different towns and villages. Some of the branches are connected with Children's Services, Sabbath Schools, Boarding Schools; and many are in Orphan Homes and similar institutions. Many branches have also been formed by ladies amongst the children of their acquaintance, or in their neighbourhood. As no definite district is assigned to the secretaries, there is nothing to prevent several branches being formed in the same town.

the

The committee desire to find many more Christian friends to undertake the duties of local secretary. These duties are:-1. To invite all the children and young people whom they are able to meet with or influence to become members of the Union; 2. To keep a list of the members, and to supply them at the beginning of each year with their cards of membership duly filled up and signed; 3. To see the members occasionally, as opportunity may offer, and to ascertain, by inquiry from them, whether they are reading regularly the appointed portions, exhorting any who may have neglected the daily reading to recommence it-this most important part of the work; 4. Whenever it is possible to hold meetings of the members, periodically or occasionally. Many local secretaries have a weekly or monthly meeting, on a week evening or afternoon, to talk over the portions of Scripture which the children have been reading. To a large number of ladies all over the kingdom this has opened up quite a new field of work, and the result has been most encouraging. Secretaries of branches may enrol as members of their branch any young friends or acquaintances, although not living in their

neighbourhood, provided they see or hear from them often enough to be satisfied that the daily reading is kept up. Forms of application are supplied, to be signed by those who wish to become members, and by their parents. These forms are kept by the local secretary. The application form and card are so worded that there is no pledge exacted from the children.

A few extracts from the reports of some of the local secretaries may be given to encourage others to co-operate in the extension of this simple organization. The Liverpool secretary says,-"We thank God for the steady reading of the Word of Life which the Union is training our children to. It is very pleasing to hear how much the children often know of the subject for the day, and what ready answers they give to questions asked." Bournemouth secretary says, "With very few exceptions, I find the reading kept up with perfect regularity. There is a growing interest in the monthly meetings, and many of them have been very happy gatherings. We cannot but believe that both the readings and the meetings are being blessed to the members." Edgbaston secretary says, "Each teacher undertakes to see that her own scholars read regularly. We find that most, if not quite all, are thoroughly interested and reading regularly." Handsworth secretary says, "I ascertain whether the members are reading regularly through the Sunday school teachers, who are themselves members of the Scripture Union. Those members in service I hear of by an occasional letter to them. I almost invariably find that they are all keeping up the daily reading." Rochdale secretary says,—"Nearly all my girls put a pencil mark on their cards under every portion read; and from examination of last year's cards, as well as from personal inquiry, I have every reason to believe that they keep up the daily reading most regularly." Swansea secretary writes, "I find, on the whole, that my members take much interest in reading the Word. The meetings are really very happy ones, and are looked forward to with much delight." Luton secretary says,-"One boy in particular takes the family Bible and delights to read it to his friends and others. Others state that they lay their cards by the side of the bed, that they may read their portions when they wake." Dundee secretary writes,—“ I know all the children and young people well; and from constant contact as minister, Sunday school superintendent, and class conductor, I am able to ascertain, with considerable accuracy, whether they are reading regularly. I am persuaded that the majority are faithful to their promises."

We could easily give many more testimonies similar to these, but we need not multiply them. They are gleaned from a booklet issued by the "Children's Special Service Mission." We merely desire to interest our readers in the subject; and as the directors of the Glasgow Sabbath School Union have agreed to co-operate with the London committee in their efforts to extend the organization, we shall be glad if many superintendents communicate with the Union secretaries upon the subject for further information. Mr. CRAWFORD, Assistant-secretary, No. 7 Room, Christian Institute, Glasgow, will supply membership cards at 7/6 per 1000, or 10d. per 100, on receipt of payment in postage stamps or otherwise.

The Wonderful Book: its Enemies.

By the REV. DAVID THOMPSON, Appledore, Devon.

THE sun is a true painter, and shews man as he is. But imagine the characters, thoughts, words, and actions of men having representation -how we would be charmed or frightened by their shapes! This idea was expressively put in the Band of Hope Review. There we read,—“If people's tempers cast shadows, what would they be?' said Augustine as he looked at Amy's shadow on the fence. Joe Smith's would be a fist doubled up; and Sam Stearn's a bear, for he is always growling; and sister Esther's a streak of sunshine; and cousin Julia's a sweet little dove; and mine- Here Augustine stopped." Apply this figure to the enemies of the Bible. Consider the shadows of the persecutors of Christianity. Imagine all that they felt in their hearts—all their demon looks-all their hard speeches-all their unheard-of cruelties -their every wickedness-to have illustration. Suppose that the dark doings of the Inquisition were shadowed forth, what an image we would have! Men would stand aghast at the shadow of their own species. There would not be a counterpart of it found in God's creation.

Enmity to the word of God began with the fall. It was foretold in those words uttered in Paradise: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." True, it was not enmity to the word of God written in a book, for the Bible did not exist; but it was enmity to the spoken or manifested word of God. Cain heads the long line of wicked persecutors. He was the first openly to oppose the truth-the first to kill for righteousness' sake. Abel was the first martyr. strange to say, the first glorified saved sinner died in its defence. The chariot of martyrdom was the foremost chariot, led by angels through ether white up to the courts of God. And Cain's spirit and opposition continued all through the past ages of the world. There never was a time when the word of God had not opposition.

And,

The written word was first given to the Jews; and, receiving it, they kept it with care, and were most particular in transcribing it-so particular that many of the Scribes could tell the number of its words and letters. Whatever their conduct in other matters, they had, at least, respect and reverence for the Hebrew Scriptures; so that the conduct of Jehoiakim, mentioned in the 36th chapter of Jeremiah, was most remarkable. We find that the roll written at the command of God was brought to the king, and that Jehudi was asked to read it. He had scarcely read three or four leaves when Jehoiakim, who sat in his winter house with a fire burning before him-doubtless incensed by its words— snatched the roll from the reader, cut it with his penknife, and put it into the fire. Two or three of the princes begged him not to burn it, but he would not hear them. And, not satisfied with this daring act of impiety, he was about to seize the writers, Jeremiah and Baruch; but it is said, "The Lord hid them." Jehoiakim was "the first person who dared to destroy any part of the written word of God, and he might, therefore, well be Judah's last king.”