the subject on which they were examined?-13. To what did they ascribe the miracle?-14. Why did miracles attend the life and death and exaltation of Christ? John xx. 30, 31.-15. How did the Jews treat the claim of Jesus as the Messiah? John i. 11: Is. liii. 3.—16. What effect had all this opposition on Christ?-17. How does Christ resemble the head of the corner?' Is. xxviii. 16: Zech. iv. 7: 1 Pet. ii. 6-3.-18. Can any be saved but by building their hopes on him? -19. In what ways, both at home and abroad, are many persons seeking salvation? JULY 7.-JEROBOAM SMITTEN.-1 Kings xiii. 1-19. NOTES. Ver. 1, 'Jeroboam, &c.,' king of Israel, who headed the revolt of the ten tribes, and established image worship, making common people priests instead of Aaron's sons. His acting as a priest was against the divine will. Ver. 2, 'Josiah, &c., this prophecy was fulfilled 350 years afterwards. Ver. 4, 'Altar in Bethel, &c.,' see for the origin of this false altar, 1 Kings xii. 26-33. Ver. 6, 'hand restored,' both these miracles were wrought to show the truth of the Jewish religion: alas they did not lead Jeroboam to repentance. Ver. 8, 'Eat no bread, &c.,' have no communication with idolaters, and return by another way, as a matter of prudence to avoid persecution. Ver. 11, 'An old prophet,' we think that he was, like Balaam, a true prophet, but a bad man. This Josephus asserts. Probably he was angry at what the man of God had said. Ver. 19, 'Went back, supposing he might associate with one who appeared to be a true prophet. QUESTIONS. 1. What do you know about Jeroboam's character and conduct? 1 Kings chapters xii., xiii., & xiv.-2. Was the altar at Bethel a true one?-3. Where was the true altar of God always to be? Zech. viii. 3; John iv. 20.-4. How did God now rebuke the impiety of Jeroboam ?-5. What future doom was threatened to the altar at Bethel? -6. Did that degradation ever befal the altar? 2 Kings xxiii. 15-18. -7. How could the man of God foreknow this?-8. Why do you believe that all God's threatenings and promises will come true ?-9. What sign did the man of God give that his message was from Heaven?-10. How did these miracles affect Jeroboam's heart?-11. When he was smitten did he seek recovery from the calves on the altar, or from Jehovah ?-12. As none but God can save us in trouble, how should we act toward him in health and prosperity ?—13. But was Jeroboam grieved for his sin or for his suffering? Ex. x. 17. -14. How did the man of God act to Jeroboam ?-15. What is Christ's command as to our treating our enemies? Matt. v. 10, 44. -16. Why did not the man of God accept the king's invitation?— 17. What is our duty in reference to keeping the company of unconverted persons? Prov. i. 10; Ep. v. 11; 1 Cor. xv. 33; 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.-18. How did this man of God afterwards act?-19. What induced him to go to the old prophets house?-20. Why ought he not to have gone there?-21. By departing from the divine commands, he involved himself in trouble, are we ever to violate God's word?-22. As the Bible is our rule in all matters of faith and practice, how must we regard it? Entelligence. Halton-Shields, Northumberland.-On Friday afternoon, April 5th, the teachers, children, and friends of this Sunday school took tea together, after which a crowded public meeting was held, and addressed by J. Boyd, (Secession Minister,) E. Ridley, of Hexham, and H. Riddell, of Halton. An outline of the operations and the success of this school (as submitted in part by the secretary on the occasion) will appear at once interesting and encouraging. It was commenced less than twelve months ago, and although the village scarcely contains a dozen cottages, rather more than fifty children have been brought together, to be trained up in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord. In connection with the school a religious circulating library has been established, and is much prized. Also a temperance society,-comprehending entire abstinence from those kindred evils,-DRINK and Tobacco. A house has been opened in an adjoining hamlet for the preaching of the gospel. Two or three persons who be. came teachers in the school, have professed to give themselves to the Lord, and have united with his people in church-fellowship, there having been formed a small Wesleyan society. An obvious improvement in the morals of some of the young people has been observed, and family worship commenced in some of the houses, but what is most interesting, nearly fifty Bibles have been circulated, mostly by means of small weekly contributions by the children, besides a great number of Testaments, Hymn Books, Magazines, and other publications,--and among others 'the SUNDAY SCHOOL MAGAZINE,' which has been prized and found salutary; all which serves to show how variously useful Sabbath schools may be rendered under the blessing of God, when vigorously prosecuted by intelligent, pious, and devoted teachers. To the gratifying circulation of the scriptures here we attach vast importance, at it goes far to prove, that would teachers generally take up the measure, they might thus, to a considerable extent, put the children in possession of the Book of God as their own property, which is certainly a 'consummation devoutly to be wished." Here we say 'what hath God wrought?' Thanks to his dear and holy name. Harwich.-Wednesday, March 20th, was a very happy day for the Sunday scholars of this town. On that day, was launched into the deep waters, the ship so cheerfully purchased by the Sunday schools of England for the use of the London Missionary Society. About noon the children of the Independent and Wesleyan schools, surrounded by a large concourse of delighted friends, ascended the deck of the vessel and sang appropriate hymns. The Rev. W. Hordle, who for forty-six years has faithfully served his Lord in this town, offered solemn prayer, and then amid the shouts of all present was the vessel launched, and called the John Williams.' In the evening a large tea party and public meeting was held in the Independent Chapel. Captain Morgan, who commanded the Camden, and is to command the new vessel was present. He detailed the massacre of Mr. Williams, of which he was a horror-struck witness, on the shores of Erromanga. A deep impression was made. The children were again regaled with cakes and oranges, and thus closed one of the most interesting days ever seen in this place. We hope next month, to give an engraving by Mr. Baxter, of the sailing of this fine vessel, when she proceeds with her precious cargo for the South Seas. Hexham.-The teachers and friends of the congregational Sabbath school lately held a social tea meeting. Joseph Walker, minister, presided, when a silver watch and guard, value about £6 10s. were presented to Valentine, son of John Ward, late pastor of the church here, and nephew of the late Valentine Ward, a popular Wesleyan minister. The articles were the joint contribution of the teachers and friends of the school, expressive of their admiration of his gratuitous services in managing the 'library, conducting the singing, and teaching in the Sabbath school. J. Gray, the senior superintendent presented them, accompanied with a very neat and appropriate speech, to which the receiver briefly replied. Addresses were afterwards delivered by the two ministers, also by W. Hall, the other superintendent, and other teachers and friends, among whom were E. Nicholson, W. Angus, J. M'Kane, and E. Ridley. In the intervals of speaking, the meeting was relieved and enlivened by the singing of several select verses. This meeting proved a very engaging and successful one. Several useful thoughts were suggested, some of which it is hoped will long be borne in mind, and in part at least reduced to holy and salutary practice. Hunslet.-The Rev. J. A. Beaumont, M.A., has just resigned the curacy of St. Mary's, Hunslet, and entered on the incumbency of St. Mary's, Quarry Hill, Leeds. His former congregation, including the teachers of the Sunday schools, presented him with a very elegant tea and coffee service. The Sunday scholars also presented him with a handsome folio Prayer Book, having this inscription. Presented to the Rev. Jas. Akroyd Beaumont, M.A., by the scholars of the Sunday schools of St. Mary's, Hunslet.-Feast of Annunciation, 1844.' London.-SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.-The annual meeting of this noble institution was held in Exeter Hall on the second of May. The largest room was crowded to the last degree. C. Hindley, Esq., M.P., presided. Very animating speeches were delivered by the Revs. J. Sherman, H. Richard, S. Green, J. Frazer, J. Morrison, D.D., and W. Grozer; also by W. H. Watson, W. Jones, and W. B. Gurney, Esqrs. It was also moved by the Rev. J. Carlile, and seconded by Mr. Christopherson, that the sale of all denominational formularies be hence> forth discontinued by the parent society. At this we rejoice. We consider catechisms of very questionable utility in Sunday schools. They have jeopardized the peace and prosperity of the union; but we trust their entire withdraw. ment will at once be followed with a restoration of the fullest confidence in the union, and the deepest harmony among its various denominations. We honour the committee for bringing this long contested question to the bar of a public meeting, and now bidding 'avaunt be gone' to every unkindly feeling which the contest may have excited, we most devoutly wish the institution God speed. Obituary. Died, most unexpectedly, on the 25th of April, at Farnworth, deeply regretted, George Barnes, Esq., aged thirty-five. He was identified with the Sunday school at the Independent chapel, and his removal is an irreparable loss. June the Fifth, 1844, dates a new and brilliant era in the annals of christian Missions. Already poesy has im H mortalized its fame, philanthropy boastingly points to it as one effectual means toward the melioration of the human race, and piety, 'the greatest of these,' reflects the thought of it in glory to Emmanuel, and hopefully rejoices in it as the first of a series of holy triumphs, which shall be achieved by the youth and children of the churches. How interesting on that morn were the varied and happy groups of Sabbath scholars, who had stationed themselves at different points of view along the serpentine banks of the ancient Thames! No trivial event has convened these social circles. No every-day spectacle attracts their notice. But one expectation fills the vision of every mind. But one emotion pulsates every heart. With playful interest they watch the fleet of vessels which, seizing the same tide, and spreading their sails to the same auspicious breeze, are now proceeding down the channel together, soon to diverge in all directions, each in quest of its 'desired haven.' "There go the ships!' is the joyous exclamation of one and another, as they stand and gaze on the all-animating scene; 'There go the ships!' But what is yonder bark, with her streamers afloat and canvass unfurled, so peacefully careering over the heaving waves? What mean the cheers of these youthful bands, so soon as they descry her stately form, her towering masts?-That is the Children's Ship,-the gift of their purchase for the salvation of the Southern Isles, the pledge of their future love, zeal, and prayers. Her pendant bears on high the ensign of her consecration, and waves for a wave offering before the Lord' the fragrant name of our martyred Williams. In their sight no vessel, though hundreds crowd that high road to all the nations of the world, is so gallant, so graceful, and, as she nears, who can tell their transports? How beautiful she is!' exclaims an infant voice. How beautiful!' add their united acclaims, 'How precious!'-Yes, how precious! 'A burden bearing richer far Than gold or cunning gem,- That shines from Bethlehem.' Of her class, the John Williams' stands the first, not in date, but in value, magnitude, and proprietorship. Our readers may feel not a little interest in the history of MISSIONARY SHIPS, and as a brief memorial of each may be acceptable, we shall append our notes. |