seldom met with-time for everything, and always ready. In private life he was naturally of a happy, merry disposition; all his life an abstainer, and regular in his habits. In 1881 his strength began to fail very much-to go from his home to Cambridge Street Church was now too far for him. He therefore joined Lansdowne U. P. Church, and worshipped there when able to walk the distance. For the last two years he became very frail, though seldom long at a time confined to his house. For some time before he died he had a great desire to worship in the church of his childhood, and two Sabbaths before his death he went to it. Dr. Logan Aikman, who is now the minister, preached-this was the last time Mr. Stewart was anywhere at public worship. He was out as usual on the Monday before his death-returned home very exhausted-did not as usual pick up his strength, but gradually grew weaker. By the Friday about midnight he became very weak, though quite sensible, it was with difficulty his voice could be heard so as to make out what he said. The breathing also was so feeble that it scarcely could be noticed. At 8.50 a.m. on Saturday, the 18th April, 1885, his family with him, his breathing stopped for a second or two, and resumed for about a minute, then, without a movement of face or muscle, stopped for ever. Thus peacefully, at the advanced age of 88 years, did this venerable believer pass into the immediate presence of his Father in heaven, whose service, for such a long period, seemed to be to him but a continual source of the truest joy. Cast thy Bread upon the Waters." CAST thy bread upon the waters Of the world's great yearning soul; Still in thy labour hopeful be; Knowing well, in your noble faith, Then, cast bread of God's salvation On the wave to every nation; In tiny brook and vastly sea; HERBERT DALE. Notices of Books. THE LORD'S SUPPER Explained to His Spirit becomes ours. Is there in Christ all that constitutes spiritual life-love to God and man, hope of immortality, meekness, fearlessness, and purity? Then, we eat His IN this little book of 20 pages we flesh when we are so His as to parhave a most admirable exposition of take of these things. To eat Christ's the design and nature of the Lord's flesh is to believe in Him, to use Him Supper. Taking the answer given in as our own Redeemer, to become His the Shorter Catechism to the ques- wholly, and to make Him wholly tion, What is a Sacrament? Dr. ours. "The Sacrament bears to Dods proceeds to give an exceedingly the preached or written Word the clear description of the feast of the same relation that a seal bears to the Passover, and the solemn circum- document to which it is attached. stances in which Christ and His When only a few educated men were disciples were placed on the night of able to sign their names, seals with its observance. The two following the owner's crest upon them were extracts will give an idea of the way used as signatures, and when affixed in which the subject is treated: "We to a document were evidence that it may not understand how the dead was approved by the party sealing it. bread which we eat becomes life in us, The seal attached to a deed of conand enables us to think, to feel, to veyance, or a will, or a charter, was move; neither may we fully understand useless without the document. It how Christ can become a living spirit was in the document one had to look in us, sustaining, sanctifying, quick to discover the nature and extent of ening. But the result stands an incon- the grant or sale; it was there that a testable fact, whether we understand minute and unmistakable description the process or no: 'He that eateth was given of the properties or articles me,' says Christ, even he shall live sold or given. But the seal confirmed by me.' What, then, does this eating the deed of conveyance or bequest represent in the Lord's Supper? which the document described. It Eating, taken largely, is that process added nothing to the description, by which food becomes assimilated and gave nothing which the deed to our body. The most nutritious did not give, but it confirmed it and food will do us no good if we only gave it validity. So the Sacrament look at it, or describe the process of seals the Word, giving you no new digestion. We must eat it. And information, not enlarging the blesswhen our Lord chooses this forcible ings conferred by Christ, not adding figure as descriptive of the process by anything at all to God's gifts to you, which He imparts life to us, He but only making you surer of it, and means that He must come into the helping you to take a better hold of closest possible contact with us. We it. By the Word you have salvation; must use means to get all the good through God's offer made to you in out of Him that is possible. Does the Word you receive Christ, and His death atone for sin? Then, we beyond Christ there is no blessing eat His flesh' when we receive from God forgiveness for our sins for Christ's sake. Does His Spirit renew and purify the nature? Then, we eat the flesh of Christ when we so truly give ourselves up to Him that you can desire." We have many treatises on this Sacrament, but we do not think any of them surpass this one of Dr. Dods' for freshness, brevity, and clearness. It is worthy of a wide circulation. CATECHISM ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. spirit, will find in it the richest treasures. FRIENDLY LETTERS. By V. M. S. Issued under the auspices of the Friendly Letter Mission. London: Jarrold & Son, 3 Paternoster Buildings. [Each, 8 pp., at d.; or in packets of 12, at 6d. 27 in one vol., cloth, 2/.] are moulded by that Will into oneness with Him, and made ready for the mysteries of its love to be, in due time, revealed to them. The reader TEACHERS of senior classes are who sits down to the perusal of this sometimes at a loss for a fresh, book in a thoughtful, reverential useful, and Scriptural course of exercises. Mr. Lawson has provided a most excellent one in the small Catechism before us. The difference between natural and spiritual life is first made clear, and by means of answers to questions, exceedingly well put, the progress and principal characteristics of the Christian life are described in language that is often literally Scriptural; and yet the passages are often set in a connection, and in such an order, that they will appear in a new light to many ordinary scholars. How the Christian life may be deepened, enlarged, and sustained, are amongst the most important sections of the book. We recommend it heartily. FULNESS OF JOY. With preface by THE writer of these Letters, Miss Skinner, Bath, began her efforts for the benefit of others by first visiting public-houses, hanging up texts, and, by going amongst the people assembled, endeavouring to interest them in higher things than worldly enjoyments and pleasures. Her man. ner and tact in doing the work were such that, instead of being repelled, her visits were soon enjoyed and anxiously waited for. After personal visiting, she addressed a series of letters to the publicans, and many other classes of tradesmen-such as cabmen, policemen, railway porters, guards, shepherds, ministers, ploughmen, medical men, grooms, fishermen, organists, gamekeepers, labourers' wives, barmaids in hotels, merchants, prison officials, &c., &c. The letters are full of deep sympathy and true piety, and their comprehensiveness is not less remarkable than their strong common sense and shrewdness. Christian workers will find in them many valuable hints; and as a means of reaching those who cannot be personally or conveniently dealt with, a selection from the series could be used with every reason to hope for the best results. Men do things which their fathers would have deprecated, and then draw about themselves a flimsy cordon of sophistry, and talk about the advance of humanity and liberal thought, when it is nothing after all but a preference for individual license.-Rev. John Hall, vener; Intelligence. with success during the session. The following were appointed representatives to the General Union :-Messrs. John Morison, John Smith, Robert Agnew, J. M. Bryce, George Carrick, George Bathgate, Jas. C. Duff, with the two secretaries-Messrs. Wm. Anderson and Sam. A. C. Todd. SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT UNION. GLASGOW SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. -The monthly meeting of Directors was held in the Christian Institute on Monday, 11th May,-John Ingram, Esq., one of the vice-presidents, in the chair. There were 44 Directors present. Reports were read from the South-Eastern, NorthEastern, Middle, Southern, and Cambuslang District Unions. The fol--The directors of this Union met on lowing committees were elected for Tuesday, 28th April,-Mr. P. B. the ensuing year :-Publications, Mr. Bryce, president, occupied the chair, James Richmond, convener; Statis- and there were 24 Directors present. tics, Mr. James Macnair, convener; Reports were given in of the proSenior Scholars, Mr. J. M. Storrar, ceedings of the General Union, also convener; Local Unions, Mr. James by School Visitors and several comRichmond, convener; Music, Mr. mittees. Representatives to the James Smith, convener; Public Meet- General Union for 1885-6 were apings, Mr. Robert Baird, convener; pointed, also the conveners and varAnnual Collection, Mr. James Smith, ious committees for the ensuing year. convener; Teachers' Examinations, CAMBUSLANG SABBATH SCHOOL Mr. Thomas Gray, convener; Confer- UNION.-The sixth annual meeting ences, Mr. William Bertram, con- of this Union was held in the Free Sabbath Observance, Mr. Church Hall on the 7th April. The William Kirkland, convener; Train-president, Mr. Robert Paterson, ing Classes, Mr. Peter MacKichan, occupied the chair. There was a convener; Bands of Hope, Mr. good attendance of teachers; and Alexander Black, convener; Evan- there were also present the Rev. gelistic Effort in conjunction with the Robert Blair, M.A., Rev. John Foundry Boys Religious Society, Mr. Elder, and Messrs. James Richmond Thomas H. Watson, convener. On and John Ingram from the General the suggestion of the Southern Dis- Union. After tea the chairman trict Union the Directors remitted gave an introductory address, and to the Teachers' Examination Com- later on in the evening, a report of mittee to consider the expediency of his visits to the various schools of formulating a uniform scheme of the Union. The annual report was Scholars' Examinations for the Union read by Mr. Hugh MacFarlane, the which could be adopted and the secretary. Mr. Thomas Ingram, details carried out by the various treasurer, submitted the financial District and affiliated Unions, or by statement. Mr. John Ingram, in individual Sabbath School Societies. moving the adoption of the report MIDDLE DISTRICT UNION.-This and financial statement, and Mr. Union met in the Religious Institu- Robert Cairns, in seconding them, tion Rooms on the 14th April-15 gave some interesting information as representatives being present. In to the condition of Sabbath schools the absence of the President, Mr. a quarter of a century ago. Messrs. Robert Coats occupied the chair. Hutchinson, Morrison, Gray, Baird, It was agreed to hold the half-yearly and Burnett, took part in prayer meeting on or about the the proceedings. The office-bearers second Sabbath of May. It was re- for 1885-86 were elected as under,ported that the Teachers' Prepara- viz., Messrs. Alex. Hood, President; tory Meetings had been attended Murdoch Morrison, Vice-President; Robert Baird, Secretary; John during the winter. The Chairman MacFarlane, Hallside, Treasurer; reported that he found in the course Robert Cairns, Thomas Ingram, and of his visitation that the infant class the Secretary, as representatives to scheme of lessons prepared by the the Glasgow Union.-The quarterly General Union was not used by the prayer meeting of the Union was held teachers on the South Side to any in the Free Church Hall, on Sabbath great extent, and he pointed out the evening, 10th May. Mr. Hood pre- benefit they would derive by adopt. sided, and Messrs. D. C. Adamson, ing it. It was found also, in the Andrew M'Lachlan, and Robert course of his visitation, that a few Paterson, conducted the exercises. schools had examination schemes for the scholars, and it was thought that the Union might take it up so as J. Paterson, Joseph Crosbie, Alex. CALTON PARISH CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY.-On Tuesday, 21st April, Mr. D. L. Francis, M.A., to embrace all the schools in the was presented with a writing desk district. The General Union to and a number of valuable books, in formulate the scheme, and each the name of the Sabbath school District or Local Union to pay their teachers and members of the Band own expenses in connection with it. of Hope, as a token of regard and The various committees were appoinesteem for his valuable services as a ted for the ensuing year, and the school teacher and chairman of the following gentlemen were elected as Band of Hope. The Rev. Mr. representatives to the General Union : Murray, in making the presentation, viz, Messrs. J. Shannon, J. Lyle, stated that Mr. Francis had pushed himself forward in a remarkable manner, having had many difficulties to overcome. After leaving school he had served his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker, but again re-entered school, and shortly thereafter passed from school to college, from college to divinity hall, and by his perseverance and energy he had now brought himself so far forward that in the course of a few weeks he would be licensed as a minister of the Gospel; and even before receiving license he would be appointed assistant to the Rev. A. M. Lang, B.Sc., of the High Church, Paisley. Mr. Francis acknowledged the presentation in suitable terms. Another teacher connected with this school, Mr. David Brown, was recently presented by his class with a handsome Oxford Bible, suitably inscribed, as a mark of their esteem. SOUTHERN DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-This Union met on Monday, 4th May-Mr. R. B. Smith, president, in the chair. Twenty-eight representatives present. The Visiting Committee reported as to the schools visited The NORTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.-The annual meeting of this Union was held in the Hall of Sydney Place U. P. Church, on Tuesday, 14th April,-Mr. A. A. Haddin presiding. The annual reports were submitted by Mr. Charles Rigg, secretary, Mr. Wm. R. Pearson, convener of Visitation Committee, and Mr. James Smith, treasurer. Rev. Samuel Harding and Mr. P. B. Bryce moved the adoption of the reports, and the election of the office-bearers,-viz., President, Mr. Andrew A. Haddin; Vice-President, Mr. Samuel Patmore; Treasurer, Mr. James M'Cash; Secretaries, Messrs. Charles Rigg and W. R. Pearson. The Rev. Wm. Arnott gave a thoughtful address on "Conditions of Success." The choir of Wellpark Free Church led the praise, and sang a selection of anthems:-The directors met on Monday, 20th April. The various committees were re-adjusted. Mr. Haddin sub |