quires, that he may be fitted to recite his lessons and receive all the further instruction which may be given respecting them.

Lucy L always studied her lessons at home. She looked out the Scripture references, and she asked her mother to explain some of the questions; and in this way she made all the preparation she could before Sunday came. To be sure, Lucy was the best scholar in her class, and it was this very preparation that helped to make her so. Let each one learn all he can at home, and then will he be in the way of learning a great deal more when in his place in the class.

III. THE GOOD SUNDAY SCHOLAR GIVES HIS BEST ATTENTION TO THE EXERCISES OF THE SCHOOL.

He comes to the school to be taught. He does not think that the Sunday school is a place for play or for idleness. He thinks it is a place for serious attention to serious and holy things. When a hymn is to be sung, the good scholar joins in the singing both with his heart and with his voice. In the same way also does he join in the prayers of the school; and thus also he engages in the appointed lessons.

Now we have seen Sunday scholars look around to see whether the superintendent or any of the teachers were observing them; and, if not, then they would commence talking or playing with those near them. They supposed that the eyes of men were not upon them; but forgot the great truth which the Scriptures tell us, that "The eyes of the Lord are in every

place, beholding the evil and the good." The good scholar is attentive, because he wants to learn. And he keeps from trifling and playing, not only because his teacher may see him, but because he knows that to "hate evil" and to "do good" are "well-pleasing in the sight of God."

We will not now notice any other points in the character of the good Sunday scholar. There are others, which we shall mention next month. We have at present referred to three. What are they? PUNCTUALITY, HOMEPREPARATION, and ATTENTION AT Now, if you are a Sunday scholar, let conscience answer this question: Do I obey in all three ?

SCHOOL.

SIXTY YEARS AGO.

SIXTY years ago we had many things that we have not now, and we have many things now that we had not then. This is a changing world; well will it be for us if our hearts and hopes are fixed on Him who changes not, but is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

Sixty years ago, our grandfathers and grandmothers were alive, though since then they have been called away from the world. Are we preparing to follow them? Whether we are or not, we must all die, for "man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not," Job xiv. 1.

Sixty years ago there was a king on the throne, and now we have a queen. It becomes

us to put up our supplications "for all that are in authority," and "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty;" not only as faithful subjects to our own sovereign, but also as faithful followers of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sixty years ago there were few missionaries, now we have hundreds; then Sunday schools were few, now we have thousands; then we had few Sunday scholars, now we have millions. For these missionaries, Sunday schools, and Sunday scholars, do we put up our prayers? "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you," 1 Thes. v. 17, 18.

Sixty years ago the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Religious Tract Society did not exist, but now we have both, and fifty other Christian and benevolent institutions. Are we the better for them? Do we fear God more, and love those around us more, than they did who were living then?

Sixty years ago our Bibles were scarce, but now they are abundant. Then we had few books for the young worth reading, but now their number could hardly be counted. "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever."

Sixty years ago, the sun did not paint our likenesses as it now does by the invention of the Daguerreotype instrument; nor had we then the electric telegraph to carry our messages with lightning speed, not only from town to town, and from city to city, but from kingdom to

kingdom across the mighty deep. All power is of God. "Great is our Lord: his understanding is infinite," Psa. cxlvii. 5.

Sixty years ago we had no lucifer matches in our houses, no gas lights in our streets, no railroad carriages in the land, and no steam boats on the water. We travel as far in an hour now, as our fathers used to do in a day. We are travellers to eternity. Are we going the narrow road that leadeth to life, or the broad road that leadeth to destruction ?

Sixty years ago England was at war with other kingdoms; but now she lately had a grand exhibition of the productions and workmanship of all nations, for the benefit of the whole world. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another," Rom. xii. 10.

66

Sixty years ago, comparatively few of those who are alive were in the world; and in sixty years to come, comparatively few of those who are in the world will be alive. Solemn thought! 'Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity," Psa. xxxix. 4, 5.

LITTLE THORNS.

THE thorns on a rose or blackberry bush are very little things; but they will tear your flesh, and make you feel very uncomfortable. Thistles are smaller still; but if you get their sharp

points in your hands, the pain will be great until they are removed. The stings of nettles are so small that you can hardly see them with the naked eye; but if you touch them they will torment you. No matter how happy you may be, a thorn or nettle in your finger is enough to spoil your pleasure.

So the sweetest, the most clinging, affection is often shaken by the slightest breath of unkindness. An unkind word from a beloved one, is a thorn to a sensitive mind that sends a pang to the heart. A cross look or a cold expression from a friend, is a nettle in the finger. These little things quench love and spoil friendship.

If children and youth would be happy, they must pluck out the thorns of ill temper, the thistles of envy, and the nettles of jealousy; for if these are indulged, they cannot be happy in themselves, nor hope to make others happy around them.

THE BEST OF TEACHERS.

YOUNG friends, take Jesus for your wise and merciful Teacher. Oh, put yourselves under his care, and he will teach you the most blessed lessons of wisdom, gentleness, meekness, and holiness. What a privilege, what an honour is this, to have Jesus, the only wise God, for your Teacher!

Hear his loving voice, Matt. xi. 28, etc.; "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for my yoke is and easy, burden is light.”

my