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Egypt, in order to pursue the multitudes of the children of Israel, and compel their return to bondage?

But there is altogether another mode of looking at these Bible difficulties which long ago occurred to a Christian bishop of intellect more lofty, and of vision more extensive, than Bishop Colenso. The features on which he founds his frivolous scepticism are not only such as might have been expected in a book 3300 years old; but they are characteristics which testify to its authenticity, and which go strongly to prove its Divine authorship.

In truth, the Bible would be less worthy of credence, if there were no problems unsolved, no portions apparently (not really) contradictory, no incomprehensible statements, and no passages not to be readily understood. If it had been thus clear and easy, like a newspaper of yesterday, it would have been more like a book forged by man, and far less in accordance with Infinite intelligence.

Is the Book of Nature void of difficulties, free from mystery, without any apparent contradictions, in every part intelligible? Here, at every step, we meet with facts which we must admit but cannot explain. Here are mysteries which we cannot unravel; and the further we proceed into the enquiry for causes, or attempt to make out all the links of the chain which unites all the beautiful sequences we discover, the thicker the darkness grows around us, and the more forcible that naked and rigidly exact truth uttered by Solomon, (Eccles. iii. 11.) “No man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

The analogy between the constitution and course of nature, in its dif ficulties, mysteries, and unfathomed profundities, with those of revealed religion, long since furnished Bishop Butler with a basis for the most unassailable argument for its Divine origin.

There is much concealed, as yet, from the knowledge of man, both in religion and in nature, which is essential, in order to the full revealing of either the works or the words of the Deity. What then? Did not the wisest of men, under Divine inspiration, tell us-"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing." (Prov. xxv. 2.)

The very difficulties which stagger feeble minds are those points upon which the minds of larger grasp, and greater vigour, will plant their most unanswerable arguments for the conclusion, that the great Author and Builder of this universe is also the Author of that system of religion which is revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament.

THE MODEL PREACHER. By Rev. Wm. Taylor. pp. 403. London: H. J. Tresidder.

WE E are unable to divine for what class the author is writing. Does he wish to interest the laity? If so, why does he give them advice that can never be of any use? Or is his aim to instruct his ministerial brethren? If it is, why all that bombast and foolish jesting which abounds in the book? Study is a minister's work, and he does not require to be coaxed into reading by stories and tales, most of which he has heard a hundred times before.

If the author has anything useful to say, we should be the last to wish him to refrain from giving the world the benefit of his experience, but let him tell it in a plain straightforward manner, remembering that " a round unvarnished tale" excites most. The extracts from sermons are good. Bunyan's "Fig-tree" is an excellent specimen of his style; and Latimer's "Plough" reads splendidly. Truly there were giants in those days. Has the author ever read "Bridges' Christian Ministry?" We fear not, for if he had, these letters we think would have shewn more gravity, and have had more power in them. Still the book will suit those who must have truth made up into sugar-plums to induce them to receive it.

THE ADVISER; a Book for Young People. 1862. London: Houlston & Wright. THIS is the Year's volume of a Halfpenny Monthly Periodical, devoted to the inculcation upon the young of the principles of Total Abstinence from Intoxicating Liquors. It is well printed; has an abundance of pictorial illustrations, and its articles are well adapted to interest the readers, and forward the object it has in view.

THE PRINCESS OF WALES: Her People and Country; Her Religion and Marriage. London: John Snow. pp. 140. Price One Shilling.

THE title of this work fully describes its object. It is beautifully printed; and not only furnishes an interesting record of the circumstances attending the entrance of the Princess into our kingdom and her marriage, but also supplies much historical information as to the connection between the Danish people and our own during the last thousand years.

A DAILY GLEAM FROM THE LAMP OF LIFE. London: Book Society. pp. 128.

THE author acknowledges that she is increasing an already numerous supply of text books; yet thinks she is justified in printing in a small space a powerful Scriptural evidence upon twelve important and vitally interesting subjects; each subject occupying a month, and closing with a hymn. We know not that such books can be too numerous.

A CHRISTIAN MOTHER; or, Notes for Mothers' Meetings. By Mrs. E. Hoare. London: Wertheim, Macintosh, and Hunt. pp. 58.

THESE Notes have been used by the writer in conducting Mothers' meetings amongst the poorer classes. The following extracts from the list of contents will shew the nature of the subjects: " the temper of the wife and mother; the watchful mother; the hasty mother; the weary mother; companions, sloth, &c." The Notes themselves, and the suggestions in the Preface as to the mode of using them, will be found very valuable by all engaged in such meetings.

Correspondence.

To the Officers and Teachers of Sunday brethren. Now it is very plainly stated

Schools.

BRETHREN,-In my former letters I called your attention to excursions and anniversaries, permit me now to make a few remarks on the duties and qualifications of teachers, as I feel it is a duty to give them the benefit of my long and general experience, which no doubt to many will be beneficial, and can do others no harm. To my mind, the education of the young is an important topic, and becomes infinitely profound as we approach its results.

Indeed, no superficial glance can comprehend its vastness, and few minds are capable of fathoming its depths. We know that the 'political, social, and religious condition of the world depends upon, and will flow out of the education given to the rising generation.

But what is this world to the eternal? Life is only the school-day of our being, where at most we can only get the elementary part of our education, but its significance is incomprehensible to the highest archangel. If ever the world is to be converted, it will be in youth, and seeing that we have now about 3,500,000 children in our Sabbath-schools, what an opportunity there is for sowing the seeds of everlasting life. Let us, therefore, examine the subject thoroughly, and if we find our stronghold giving way, or our ideas becoming dim by the presence of brighter light, our duty is at once clear and straightforward. I am prepared to hear adverse thoughts, but don't let us get into unkind expressions, or allow ourselves to forget that we are

in the Bible, what work is proper to be done on the Sabbath, and from it I learn that anything which cannot be done on the Saturday, nor left undone until Monday, is properly Sunday employment. So that if we apply our schools to this test, and act accordingly, no evil can possibly be chargeable to us. It would be a departure for me to enter upon the irregularities often manifested; but I certainly think, that in many of our schools the Sabbath is so secularized, that we unwittingly foster in the child's mind, a want of respect for its holiness. What is teaching writing, ciphering, grammar, reading and spelling, but so many departures from God's express command, and as many steps towards infidelity. I have given some of you offence by speaking of these things in your schools, but sooner or later this prostitution of the Sabbath must give way before the growing intelligence of our nation. If it is wrong to work an animal, surely it is wrong to put the children to do what they are instructed to believe is purely secular, and what can be done either at school or at home. Hence to my mind, there is no difficulty in ascertaining what the duty of a teacher is, and he is justified in confining himself to the highest moral and religious culture of his class, avoiding all controversial points, and leading the children by every possible means to the foot of the Cross. How important is our work!

But we will not stop here, as there is another thought which has often deeply affected my mind; it is, that by be

coming a teacher, I take upon myself when from the high and holy standing of God's word, we find those duties involving the present, future, and eternal condition of thousands of souls! Indeed we are ready to ask, who is sufficient for these things, especially in these days of unparallelled moral evil? For myself I have but one opinion, and that is, that it is the duty of the middle-aged and senior members of the church, to educate those who are sent to the school. How is it possible for the young inexperienced person to instruct the unconverted, of whatever age or profession? Can a clean thing come out of an unclean? or can one speak of what they know nothing? How then are we to expect results such as we propose, and how can we prevent evils that we endeavour by other means to suppress.

the duty of the parent, without divine authority, and thereby become personally responsible to God for the souls of the children. Let us not mistake ourselves in this matter,-the parent should be prophet, priest and king, to his family, and woe be to that man who neglects these essential prerogatives. Hence the great responsibility which attaches itself to Sunday schools, is intensified by the fact, that we are doing parents' work, and superseding parental relationship, which no intelligent mind could conceive to be just for one moment. All scripture is yea and amen upon this head. The school-room is not the place to sow the earliest seeds of truth, nor have the greatest men risen from this source, though we are not without fruit to our labour. Indeed the most efficient school can never accomplish the good that the most humble parents could perform; and if so, what might respectable and well-educated heads of families do? Yet, how few care for the souls of their children! Ungrateful people! What if God were so to act towards them in their weakness of mind and body. Oh that parents would but see themselves as heaven sees them, before the thunderbolts of eternal vengeance be hurled upon their unsheltered heads! Forward then is the command, for while parents neglect, we have our work thrust upon us by circumstances over which we have no control; and thanks to those who will thus labour for the good of others. How important then is the teacher's position, and with what humility and self-insufficiency should he undertake the office- surely no office is more important, yet how few comparatively do we find competent amongst those now engaged as teachers!

It appears to me that the church supposes any one qualified for Sunday school teaching, and that most young persons presume themselves equal to the duties; but how mistaken each party appears,

Shew me the teacher, and I will describe the character of the pupil. You know, brethren, the happy results of a pious, middle-aged teacher in your schools. This class of persons, backed up by the minister's visits and influence, will never fail to accomplish the most sanguine expectations. I will not enter upon the imperfections of the generality of teachers, as it might tend to discourage them; but what real good can be expected from such persons I am at a loss to comprehend. Certain it is, that wherever we find a middle-aged man of God, from his class will come fruits. I was a member of such a class, and while we were lads, the whole joined the Church; but not one from any other class in a school of about 200 boys. From that time to this, my eye has been steadily fixed upon results, and painful as the facts are, I am obliged to state that not 4 per cent. per annum of the scholars are introduced into the churches, and many of these the children of religious parents, with home assistance. What a humiliating thought! and how it ought to rob us of our self-importance, and trust in means! But this is not all. Out of every 100 prisoners, 39 have been Sabbath scholars; and with all our

What then are we to do? Ministers do not come forward as they ought. The church looks on coldly, as if she cared little or nothing about us, (so far as

day schools and Sabbath tuition com- | losing his armour, or becoming a castbined, crime is on the increase, and like away. Goliath, laughs at our great armies, and costly establishments, and defies heaven itself. It so happens, that before me lie the returns for 1860 and 1861-I am thereby enabled to give the following teaching is concerned,) hence we are figures, from which we may learn some left to do the best we can, and feel important lessons. We will take a few thankful for the assistance we get. Now of the more serious character, and 1861 I would just say, in conclusion, that we gives an increase over 1860, of common have more teachers by half than is assaults, 23 per cent; attempt at bodily necessary. As I have many times said harm, 23; with aim to rob, 31; attempt to murder, 26; burglaries, 40; housebreaking, 56; and murder, 30. I am aware that some will say, you forget the increase of population; but the population has only increased in ten years about 7 per cent. Whereas crime, since 1860, has increased on an average about 30 per cent. But, say some, what has this to do with us? Are not the evil associations of the week counteracting our efforts on the Sunday, and causing us to lose our scholars just when we desire above all to keep them? No doubt there is truth in this question; and, because I feel it more and more, my pen will not stop until Sabbath schools are what we wish them to be, nurseries to the church. Then the time would not be far distant, when each scholar, by his divine teaching, could meet the world, and fight it fairly, without

in my lectures on the defects of Sabbath
school teaching, one teacher to fifty
scholars is enough. Second. It is my
conviction that ministers would come
forward generally, were they asked to
do so, and did they feel that no offence
would be given by their attention; and
my own experience shows me that the
church only requires more light upon this
subject, and she will come forward also
to the help of the Lord against the
mighty; for not until this is the case
shall we be enabled to stop the onward
course of crime, and drive back infidelity
within the boundary of her own do-
main. One of two things is imperative.
Parents must discharge their duties at
home, or the church undertake to do
that work; for, in the language of the
great Duke of Wellington, “To educate
without the Bible, is to educate so many
devils."
E. Y.

Intelligence.

ALBION SCHOOLS, BETHNAL GREEN.

Mr. J. Lapworth, the Superintendent. ON Thursday evening, March 12th, The large room of St. Simon Zelotes, an entertainment of a very substantial | Morpeth-street, having been lent for the and interesting character was given to occasion by the Rev. C. M. Christie, the scholars of the above institution, in M.A., an abundant supply of refreshcelebration of the Marriage of His Roy-ments was provided, consisting of cake, al Highness the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra, kindly provided by Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., and other friends, under the direction of

fruit, milk, sandwiches, &c., to which all present did ample justice. The scene was occasionally enlivened by short and suitable addresses and singing; there

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