confess, "I believe in the Holy Ghost, the author and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son."

The sense of purity having been communicated to us, as well as pardon, is one of the first experiences of the heart, when through repentance and faith we are first brought to God. And this purity the Christian keeps to the end, through the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. The keeping of it is attended with the last and chiefest blessing, "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked," in the shame of his impurity and wickedness, henceforth made known and manifest for ever! Rev. xvi. 15. And it contributes what is essential to our "having confidence before HIM at his coming," 1 John ii. 28.

Happy, happy, happy believer! the fiat of thy salvation shall soon go forth, "He that is righteous, let him be righteous still; he that is holy, let him be holy still!" Rev. xxii. 11.

(6.) Take the following illustration of this subject. There was a great traveller named Mungo Park. He went out to explore the interior of Africa. In the way he was robbed, and he struck off into the desert to avoid slavery or death. There thirst overtook him, and no water was at hand. His strength failed, giddiness and sickness came over him. "I felt," say he, as if the hour of death was fast approaching, here must terminate all my hopes, here must my short span of life come to an end!" He cast, as he thought, a last look on the surrounding scene, and the world vanished from his recollection. Thus he lay till the dew of night recalled him to sense, and he had the satisfaction to see the heaven black with clouds, vivid flashes of lightning burst from the dark sky, thunder crashed through the forest, and the wind began to roar loudly. At length God sent the heavy drops of rain down; the poor traveller pulled off his clothes and spread them on the sand; and then as they became soaked, he wrung them out into his mouth, and thus his strength was restored, he reached an inhabited country; and this timely shower was to him THE WATER OF LIFE. He that careth to restore material life to the fainting traveller, shall He not much more care to restore, by the supply of the true "Living Water," the trembling life of glory to the soul of man!

2.-ITS ADAPTATION.

It is easy to break up our subject when carefully worked out, into the catechetical form, if we desire it. An example of this is given in our first paper, (p. 329, Vol. III.) under the head of "Recapitulation. But we are not bound to this form; we may adopt the dogmatic form, that is to say, the method of giving out our statements, facts, and deductions, as preceptors, who are authorised, in virtue of our office,

to state truths "in the meekness of wisdom," which our children should receive with affectionate respect. This is the way adopted by lecturers; they form what is called a syllabus of the lecture. In the case of this example of the Emblem, it would run thus :—

Introduction.

1. Bishop Horne's remarks on Adam's naming the beasts. 2. Bishop Butler's great work, "the Analogy."

Subject.

3. The living water-Signification and distinction.

4 Origin of the term-First applied to spring water, or water in motion. Gen xxvi. 19; Zech. xiv. 8, &c.

And so on to the end. This Syllabus may be copious or otherwise, as the teacher's feelings dictate; but we should advise him rather to trust to his knowledge than his memory, at all times.

3.-ITS DELIVERY.

The delivery of a lesson should be parental, and as familiar as is compatible with self-respect, so as to make the children feel at home, or they will not answer freely. It is evident that knowledge must be put into them before it can be got out; therefore, to go through and teach the lesson first, before questions are put, is obviously necessary; afterwards, the children may be expected to add something from their own observation, in enlargement. "Ex nihilo, nihil fit," or, out of nothing comes nothing, is a proverb to be borne in mind, in respect to both the teacher and the taught.

Supposing an Emblem lesson, or any other, to be worked out catechetically, or otherwise, and given to the children to get up, then they would learn it either by rote, or by heart, as our ancestors used to say. Now the by rote principle, is the useless and bad one. It may be said accurately this way, but we want it said intelligently. To say a thing by rote, is to say it as a wheel (rota) turns round, one revolve mechanically bringing the next; but to say a thing by heart, is so well to understand it as that an interest is produced, which prompts the memory to the particulars repeated. This should be our aim; and to produce this interest may call forth all our application in the study, all our ingenuity, and all our faith; and we know who can "give the increase." It will well pay. A rich present reward, as well as a future one, will warm the soul; for the Lord will meet and bless those that work in his service; nay, “He shall sup with them, and they with Him.”

G. £. S.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF GOSPEL TRUTHS.

I HAVE generally found it very difficult to shew children how what Christ has done and suffered, is made effectual to the salvation of the soul. And I dare say many of my fellow teachers have experienced the same difficulty.

The Sunday before last, in order to convey to the minds of the children of my class what was meant by Faith in Christ, I used the following illustration.

Suppose we were standing upon the brink of a deep, wide river, which—in order to reach the very beautiful house which stands on the other side, and which we are to have for our own-we must cross. Yet it is so wide, and its waters so boisterous, that no one can swim across, and while we are wondering how we are to reach the opposite shore, a friend comes and tells us there is a bridge higher up, by which we may pass over without any danger; we go, but we find it is a chain bridge; and because we cannot see where and how the suspending chains are fastened, we will not trust ourselves upon it, although our friend assures us over and over again, that it is quite safe and that thousands go across upon it. We go back again, and attempt to swim across, and are lost!"

By this means the attention of the boys was fixed, they were interested, and from the avidity with which they caught the chief points of the illustration, and the ready and appropriate answers my subsequent questions received, I think they understood the lesson I wished to convey.

It may be, if my fellow teachers who have experienced the difficulty I have mentioned, adopt this or similar means of shewing Christian truths, the children under their care may gain clearer views of Christ as "the way," the only way of approach unto the Father, and learn more easily how they must believe in Him to the saving of their souls.

E.

NOTES OF A LESSON

On Isaiah vi. 1-8.

[The children to read, verse by verse; then, still keeping their eyes on their books, listen to the teacher, who reads it in a slow and distinct manner.]

It should also be understood, that the greater part of the passages of Scripture referred to, ought to be supplied by the children; and that the teacher should tell as little as possible.

I. ISAIAH'S VISION.

Now we will first think of what Isaiah saw. It was a vision. He saw the Great and Mighty God, the King of all the earth, sitting on a throne in heaven, which is his temple; and his train, the light and glory of his presence, filled that bright abode. And who was this glorious King? "No man hath seen God at any time," 1 John iv. 12. Look in John xii. 41. It was the Lord Jesus Christ. He says that "whoso hath seen Him hath seen the Father," for He is the "brightness of the Father's glory," Heb. i. 3. But Isaiah also saw seraphim, or angels; bright and burning spirits, who love God more than we can even imagine. What a sight! And what are they doing? Perhaps we might think that with all their six wings they would be always flying about to do God's will; but no, (here read v. 12) they veil their faces, and they cover their feet (also a token of respect in the east); Why ?-look at Job iv. 18, and xv. 15. It is, that the holy angels know and feel how infinitely great and holy God is.

And they fly too, wherever God bids them, for they love to do his will, (Ps. ciii. 20.) Besides they praise God, (here read verse 3). In the iv. chap. of Revelation, we are told that the living creatures in heaven rest not day or night, singing these very words. And we sing them in that beautiful hymn that we join in at church, "To Thee cherubim," &c. But how much more delightful must it be, to hear the song in heaven itself, and to see such things as we are here reading of! Should not you love to see them? And you will, if you love the Lord Jesus: 1 John iii. 2. Isaiah tells us, that at the sound of these glorious songs, the very heavens seemed to shake, and to be filled with a cloud of smoke; as Solomon's temple was when the presence of God first appeared in it.

II.

THE EFFECT OF THE VISION OF ISAIAH'S MIND. Let us read now, how Isaiah felt when he saw all this, (read verse 5). Was he pleased? No, he felt his sin, and knew that he was not fit for the presence of such holy beings. Notice this; when people see how great and how holy God is, it always makes them feel how wicked they are themselves.) If we think ourselves good, or even not very bad, it is a sign that we know very little indeed about God. But when we learn from God's Word, and the teaching of his Spirit, how pure and holy He is, then we find out our own sins, (compare Job xlii. 5, 6, and, if time permit, Luke v. 8.) This you must all learn, if you would be saved by Jesus Christ.

III. THE MEANS OF ISAIAH'S PARDON.

Now read verse 6, 7. We here see how Isaiah was purified from his sin. Can we tell what is meant by the live coal? look in Matt.

iii. 11, and in Acts ii. 3, 4. The Holy Spirit is that which purifies the heart, as fire does gold and silver. When He comes into our hearts, then is our "iniquity taken away &c.," because He teaches us to believe in Jesus, who died to take away our sin. Will you not pray for this Spirit?

IV. THE EFFECT OF THIS PARDON ON ISAIAH'S MIND.

Now look at the next verse 8. God purposed to send some one to preach to the Jews, and who was ready to go? Isaiah was ready, for God had touched his heart, and now he was glad to do something for God, who had done so much for him. Before our hearts are warmed by the Holy Spirit, we have neither the will nor the power to do any thing for God's service; but when people begin to know how God has loved them, then they like to tell others about God, and Christ, and heaven. This is why your ministers and teachers tell you these things, Sabbath after Sabbath; it is because they love Christ, and they are glad when He sends them with a message of kindness to children. And if any of you have, by God's grace, a little spark of this fire in your hearts, you will be glad to do what little you can for God's service. You cannot preach, as Isaiah did, but you may try to lead your young brothers and sisters, or companions, into the love and fear of God.

[The children should give the heads of the lesson, at its close, with the principal points of application.]

Isabel.

(See Letter on Preparing Notes, under the head Correspondence, in our present

Number.)

ANSWERS TO SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS.

(See Scripture Questions, Vol. IV. p. 229.

THE only reply which I have met with to the inquiry in the preceding Number, p. 229, as to the use of monumental inscriptions by the Jews, is contained in an Article on Burial and Sepulchres, in "Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature." It is there stated that "the style of the public cemeteries around the cities of ancient Palestine, in all probability, resembled that of the present burying places of the East;" of which Dr. Shaw relates that "each grave has a stone placed upright, both at the head and feet, inscribed with the name or title of the deceased." Several engravings illustrate the above Article, and exemplify the ancient and modern mode of interment.

It would seem, however, from Dr. A. Clarke's note upon 2 Kings xxiii. 17, that the word rendered "title," may indicate a stone or an