The Portion.

APRIL 14.-DANIEL IN CAPTIVITY.-Dan. i. 1-16.

NOTES.

Ver. 2. 'Lord gave, &c.,' to punish Jerusalem for its sin, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to besiege it, 2 Kings xx. 17, 18: house of his God,' the temple of Bel: 'treasure house,' a part of the temple, where all spoils of conquests, gained, as was supposed by the help of the God, were consecrated and preserved; the treasure is said to have been worth twenty millions of pounds. Ver. 4. Whom they might teach,' to become courtiers. Ver. 7. 'Gave names,' cancelling their Hebrew names and giving heathen ones, that they might become idolatrous in name and nature; 'Daniel,' signifying God is my judge; 'Belteshazzar,' Bel's treasurer; 'Hananiah,' grace of Lord; 'Shadrach,' inspiration of the Sun; 'Mishael,' proceeding from God; 'Meshech,' belonging to the goddess Sheshah ; 'Azariah,' God is my help; Abednego,' servant of Nego or Jupiter. Ver. 8. 'Not defile,' the meat might be unclean, Lev. xi. 45, 46, or offered to an idol, 1 Cor. x. 28, or too savoury, as tending to voluptuousness, Ps. cxli. 4; Prov. xxiii. 3; bad habits of body greatly injure the mind and heart, 1 Cor. ix. 27. Ver, 10. Your sort,' your equals in age and training. Ver. 12. Pulse,'' Beans, peas, vetches, &c.

QUESTIONS.

1. By what means did God send his people into captivity?-2. Why did God thus punish the Jews? 2 Kings xxiv. 3, 4.-3. Does their punishment read any lesson to us? 1 Cor. x. 11.-4.—Why did Nebuchadnezzar put the spoils of war in the treasure house of his god?-5. How may we manifest a similar zeal for the glory of our Lord ?-6. What orders did the king give concerning Daniel and his brethren?-7. Why were their names changed?-8. Can you give the meaning of their Jewish and of their heathen names?-9. How did Daniel act in reference to the royal food and wines.-10. Why would they have defiled him?-11. Daniel acted conscientiously, yet modestly, can we imitate him in this respect?-12. What was there in his situation which rendered his danger of sinning very great?— 13. How did his lovely conduct affect his prince? Ps. cvi. 46.-14. What modest proposal did Daniel make?-15. What was the result of the experiment?-16. The most learned and pious of all ages have been remarkable for their temperateness, how does this habit promote our excellence?-17. Many Sunday scholars are about Daniel's age, how may they like him be preserved from evil ways? Ps. cxix. 9, 61-69.-18. Daniel commenced a very useful and honoured life by early devotedness to God, how will early piety bless your following years?

APRIL 21.-BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST.-Dan. v. 1-16.

NOTES.

Ver. 1. 'Great feast,' probably an annual one, in honour of his gods; it seems that Cyrus knew it beforehand. Ver. 2. Tasted the wine,' and thus profaned the holy vessels: 'father,' this term is given to persons of the first, second, third, and perhaps fourth generations. Ver, 4. 'Praised the Gods,' in contempt of the God of Israel, whose vessels they now prostituted: 2 Kings xxiv. 13. Ver. 6.

'King's countenance, &c.,' here was the operation of a guilty conscience, for as he did not know the purport of the words, why not believe they were in his favour. Ver. 7. 'Third ruler,' next to the king and the heir apparent. Ver. 8. "Could not read,' not being in Chaldee. Ver. 11. Man in thy kingdom,' probably Daniel had been displaced at the death of a prior king; astrologers and physicians were dismissed at the death of eastern kings, because they did not predict and prevent it.

QUESTIONS.

1. When this feast was held, Babylon was besieged by Cyrus, how ought Belshazzar to have acted? Jonah iii. 5-9.-2. Can you trace the progress of sin on this occasion, from feasting to defiance of God?-3. How do you account for their folly in drinking to the honour of gods made of various materials? Is. xxviii. 7.-4. In what way does strong drink now injure men's souls?-5. How did God rebuke Belshazzar's impiety?-6. But as Belshazzar did not understand the writing, why did he tremble at it?-7. How may we rise above the dread of death and eternity ?-8. What effect had the inscription on Belshazzar?-9. Have any other acts of wickedness been immediately punished? Gen. xix. 26; 2 Kings v. 27; Acts v. 10; xii. 23.-10. Why does not judgment always immediately fall upon the sinner? 2 Pet. iii. 9.-11. What steps did the king take to ascertain the meaning of the words written on the wall?-12. Could he get any help from his wise men ?-13. What ought he to have done?-14. What scene of trouble may we expect?-15. Can man render us much help in the hour of death? Matt. xxv. 8-10.-16. How will genuine piety support the heart in the time of sorrow?— 17. What advice did the queen give on this occasion ?-18. Daniel appears to have been despised before, do wicked persons often desire the help of the righteous when in trouble?-19. Should we be willing to help them to the best of our power?

APRIL 28.-BELSHAZZAR SLAIN.-Dan. v. 17-31.

NOTES.

Ver. 17. 'Gifts be to thyself,' Daniel would not receive a reward for so sad a message. Ver. 24. 'Then was the part, &c.,' the last act filled up the cup of iniquity. Ver. 28. 'Peres,' another form of the word Upharsin: it was also the name of Persia, whence Cyrus came, which made it still more terrific, Ver. 30. In that night, &c.,' history says, he was slain by ten of his lords, whom he had offended, and who joined Cyrus. The city was taken by Cyrus, who cut a channel for the Euphrates into the low land, when the city was devoted to revelry. It had stores of provision for twenty years, but little expected to see the river of defence turned away. Is. xliv. 12; Jer. xxv. 1; li. 11.

QUESTIONS.

1. What do you know of the last portion?-2. Why may we suppose Daniel declined the gifts of the king?—2 Kings v. 15, 16; Matt. x. 8.-3. What feature marks Daniel's address to Belshazzar?-4. Why should we be faithful to the souls of our fellow-creatures? Ezek. xxxiii. 7, 8; Prov. xxiv. 11, 12; Jas. v. 19, 20.-5. Daniel refers to what God had done in punishing others, how are we to use the examples of suffering found in God's word? 1 Cor. x. 11.-6. If we harden our hearts in spite of all scripture warnings, what may be expected to overtake us? Prov. xxix. 1.-7. What explanation did

Daniel then give of the hand writing?-8. By what balance may we weigh ourselves?-9. If conscience and the word of God declare we are wanting in any essential grace, what must we do?-10. Why should we now frequently examine the state of our souls for eternity?-11. After learning his doom, Belshazzar rewarded Daniel, was that right or wrong?-12. Why must we rigidly adhere to the lawful promises we make to others? Ps. xv. 4; Tit. ii. 10.-13. What happened that same night?-14. Why was death peculiarly awful that night?-15. As Daniel gave the king no religious consolation, can we hope he was saved?-16. Would his death-bed alarms and prayers benefit the dying or the living most?-17. Can we hope to find mercy, if we leave to the last hour, the great duty of repentance and faith ?-18. What important lesson do you purpose to get from this portion.

MAY 5.-THE TALENTS.-Matt. xxv. 14-30.

NOTES.

Ver. 14. Kingdom of heaven,' or the reign of Christ: 'travelling, &c.,' representing Christ's personal absence from earth, and his delivering to them various important talents. Ver. 15. Talents,' probably worth about £340 each: our talents for usefulness are various, as property, influence, mind, religion, &c. Ver. 21. Joy of thy Lord,' the joy of heaven where our usefulness on earth will be fully known. Ver. 23. Enter thou, &c.,' the same sentence was pronounced on each, because both had been similarly faithful. Ver. 25. I was afraid,' because he had wronged his master. Ver. 26. Thou knewest, &c,' the master said this to shew that the servant was condemned by his own inconsistency. Ver. 27. 'Exchangers,' bankers: 'usury,' interest. Ver. 30. Outer darkness,' hell: 'weeping,' unavailing sorrow: 'gnashing of teeth,' rage and despair.

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the subject of this parable?-2. Who delivers these talents to us?-3. Where is the Lord Jesus now in his person?-4. Can you name some of the talents which Christ gives to his servants?— 5. Does every one have the same number and kind of talents? 1 Cor. xii. 4-6; Eph. iv. 7, 8-11.-6. For what great object are they given? -7. Is usefulness confined to a few, or may all enjoy it?-8. In what ·way may Sunday scholars be useful to others?-9. Each talent was worth some hundreds of pounds, why is our responsibility about souls a great one?-10. How did the men who received five and ten talents act?-11. Is it the number or the right use of our talents that Christ will reward? Luke xii. 48; 1 Cor. iv. 2; 2 Cor. viii. 12.-12. Is the reward one of merit or one of grace?-13. These men gained other talents, will our ability to be useful increase with our efforts?-14. As a warm heart is a great qualification for glorifying God, how may we best keep it ready for Christian efforts? 2 Cor. v. 14; Prov. iv. 23.-15. How did the man with one talent act?-16. Were his thoughts right about God? Ps. cxlv. 7, 8.-17. Was his excuse for not employing the talent a good one?-18. What excuses do sinners often make for not loving and serving God?—19. How will those excuses appear at the day of reckoning? Matt. xxii. 12.-20. As not only doing wrong but refusing to do right, and neglecting usefulness is criminal, on what should we at once determine. Acts ix. 6.-21. What will be the doom of those who have been lazy and careless about God's honor?

Entelligence.

Bedford.-On Tuesday evening, February 20th, 1844, a very interesting tea meeting was held in the Baptist meeting, Bedford, on the occasion of Thomas Collins Page resigning the superintendence of the Sunday school, to pursue his studies at Stepney College, for the ministry, when the Rev. Thomas King presented him with a handsome Rosewood Writing-desk, and Bagster's English Hexapla, in which was the following inscription, Presented by the teachers and friends of the Baptist meeting, Bedford, to Thomas Collins Page, as a memorial of their esteem and affectionate regard on the occasion of his removing from them, and leaving the superintendence of the Sunday school connected with that place of worship,' a day long to be remembered by all present.

Emsworth, Hants.-A Bible class for senior scholars has been conducted by the superintendent of Zion Sunday school for several years. It has a library of fifty small volumes raised and supported by its own members, for their use and the teachers'; on the 3d of March a copy of Carson's Baptism was presented to Mr. Lemmon, who preaches there every other Sunday, accompanied by a small address. In October, 1841, a Bible was presented to the beloved teacher of the class. They meet every Sunday and Tuesday for an hour each day: and much good has been done.

Liverpool.-ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. Two Lectures were lately delivered on Astronomy to the Schools belonging to this Church, by Mr. W. Fisher, of Great George Street; and the proceeds are to be employed in purchasing for the Schools a Magic Lantern, with slides, on which missionary subjects are to be painted, in order to interest the young persons in the great missionary movements of the present day.

Manchester-On the evening of Saturday, the 24th ult., a social Tea Meeting of the teachers of the Sunday school connected with Charlestown Chapel, Pendleton, Manchester, was held for the purpose of presenting to Mr. Thos. Jackson, a token of their respect and attachment, on his retiring from the office of superintendent of the girls' school. The Rev. A. E. Pearce opened the meeting by adverting to the high satisfaction it afforded him to preside over a meeting called for such a purpose as that for which they had met together, and requested John Hewitt, Esq., to convey to Mr. Jackson the sentiments cherished towards him by his fellow labourers, together with the very substantial expression of their sentiments which they were about to give. Mr. H., after tracing the rise and progress of the Sunday school, and adverting to the part which Mr. J. had sustained, and the efficient services which, for a series of years, he had rendered, congratulated him upon the honourable position which he then occupied, and concluded an eloquent address by presenting him, in the name of the teachers, with a handsome copy of Henry's Commentary, in six volumes, elegantly bound, as a small token of their respect and attachment, and an inadequate acknowledgment of his services so cheerfully and so efficiently rendered.

Mr. Jackson was much affected by so unlooked for an expression of the esteem of his fellow labourers. He replied by stating that for all the service he had rendered he was amply compensated by the pleasure attending the service itself, and that the transactions of that evening had imposed upon him a debt of obligation

which he felt himself quite unable to discharge. He should have felt most happy to continue to serve the cause in whatever way his brethren thought he could be useful, but for his removal from the neighbourhood, and even yet he entertained the hope that he should be able to afford at least occasional service. He regretted the necessity for his removal; especially now that in the good providence of God they had a settled minister among them, and a prospect of yet greater success. He concluded by cordially thanking his friends and heartily wishing them God speed! After other addresses by Messrs. R. Needham, T. Kendall, &c., the chairman concluded the meeting by pronouncing the benediction.

Mottram.-On Tuesday, February 20th, the village of Mottram-in-Longdendale, was the scene of a festival, on the occasion of presenting to Mr. Joshua Reddish a handsome silver tea service, by the friends, teachers, and scholars of the Mottram Church Sunday school, for his valuable and gratuitous services to that institution during thirty years. Previous to 1832, the Sunday school was in an old weaving shop, when Mr. Reddish originated a subscription to build a school, heading the list with a donation of £50. and in 1832 the present handsome gothic edifice was erected on a site near the church, given by the late Admiral Tollemache. Of this school Mr. Reddish has ever since fulfilled the duties of treasurer, secretary, and conductor; and he also established a sick club in the school, and took charge of its funds. Recently, from approaching age and physical infirmity, he announced his intention to retire from the active management of the school; and some of the influential ladies connected with it, thinking this a favourable opportunity to present him with a testimonial of regard, originated a subscription, which speedily amounted to £120, when the books were closed, and several sums, subsequently offered, declined, and the committee met with but one refusal to subscribe. The presentation took place at four o'clock in the upper school room, which was crammed to excess, though capable of accommodating 500 persons. Almost all the respectable familes of the neighbourhood were present, and several clergymen and others from Manchester and other places. After singing and prayer, Mrs. Joe Sidebottom, of Harewood Lodge, in a neat address, presented the service of plate to Mr. Reddish. It consists of five pieces, viz. a large and elegantly chased circular salver, 21 inches in diameter, and weighing 125oz.; tea pot, coffee pot, sugar basin, and cream ewer, of most elaborate designs, and richly engraved with scroll pattern, weighing 77oz. On the salver was the following inscription:- Presented (together with a silver tea service) to Mr. Joshua H. Reddish, by the friends, teachers, and scholars of the Mottram Sunday school, as a small token of their respect, and in grateful acknowledgment of the very valuable and gratuitous services rendered by him to that institution, for a period of thirty years, 1844.' The plate was furnished by Messrs. Ollivant, of Manchester, and cost £120. Mr. Reddish acknowledged the handsome testimonial, and the kindness of its presentation, in appropriate terms, and after the Rev. Mr. Seddon, the vicar, had expressed the hope that Mr. Reddish would still give the school the benefit of his valuable services, the company sat down to a cold collation, provided by the liberality of Mrs. Joe Sidebottom, of Harewood Lodge, Mrs. Chapman, of Hill End House, and Mrs. Matley, of Matley Hall. Buns, fruit, &c. were also distributed to the scholars, who were assembled in the lower school. Various addresses were delivered in the course of the evening, and every one seemed highly gratified.