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TEXTS EXPLAINED.

chief, in grief and pity for his godless visitor, raised his hands and heart in prayer, and in broken accents pleaded with his God for blessings on this poor youth. The words of the poor islander went to his heart like arrows. There was no more swearing or scoffing or drinking. He was glad when he returned to his ship to find a quiet corner to pray. By the time he reached his home he was a " new man. Hasting to his brother, who was a clergyman, he told him of the change. He now resolved to redeem the time he had so sadly wasted, and to devote himself in the most sacrificing way to the service of God. He steadily adhered to his purpose. He became a church member, then a student, then a preacher: and not long ago, he sailed as a missionary to Africa, sent out by a Foreign Missionary Society.

TEXTS EXPLAINED.

"I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath," &c.-Acts ii. 19.

THIS, doubtless, refers to the prodigies and signs which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, which, by the singular providence of God, are recorded by Josephus: such as the flaming sword hanging over the city, and the fiery comet pointing down upon it for a year; the light that shone down upon the temple and the altar in the night, as if it had been noonday; the opening of the great and heavy gate of the temple without hands; the voice heard from the “most holy place," saying, “Let us depart from hence;" the warning of Jesus, the son of Ananus, who went about crying for seven years together, "Woe, woe, woe;" the awful vision of contending armies seen in the air, and of entrenchments thrown up against a city there represented, the terrible thunderings and lightnings, and the dreadful earthquakes, which every one considered as

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61

foreboding some approaching evil. These were some of the "wonders and signs."

Blood and fire and vapour of smoke meant, doubtless, the blood of the Jews shed in war, the burning of the city and temple of Jerusalem, and of many other towns and villages, and the vapours or "pillars of smoke" arising from such burnings. Well may we say, "Who shall not fear thee, O God!"

GIRLS' SCHOOL IN INDIA.

(See First Page.)

SOME of you, perhaps, hear at times about societies for "Female Education in India," but you may not be aware that females in India were never educated at all until the missionaries took up their case. They were allowed to grow up in the most degraded condition; as is the case in all idolatrous countries. But to some extent this evil is being remedied. Schools have been established in many places, and much good done. On the first page of this "Juvenile" you have a peep into one of these girls' schools. Some are sitting on the ground, others on benches, all dressed in their saree, which is a long piece of white muslin wrapped round their waists, and going over their head and shoulders, falls down on one side. This is their only garment, but in that warm country it is enough. Many of the schools have been disturbed by the late war, but they are now going on again. May there soon be Christian schools for all the girls and boys of India, so that they may hear and know of Him whose light and liberty alone can make them free!

THE ESQUIMAUX AND THE GOSPEL. Look now at yonder group of poor Esquimaux, with their miserable huts, and no friends or servants but their faithful dogs. How the proud and stately Greeks would

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THE JUVENILE REPORTER.

have scorned them! But "God has made them all." Even to those poor cabins the gospel of his grace has gone; and amid the storms and severities of a Polar winter many of the Esquimaux have learned of Jesus, and can read their title clear to mansions in the skies.

DIAMOND DUST.

The Divinity of Christ is the basis of Christianity; if this is removed, all falls to the ground.

He that pursues honour, applause, or worldly reputation, is like the foolish school-boy running after the butterfly, and neglecting his book; both meet with disappointment, dissatisfaction, and reproof.

It is less pain to learn in youth, than to be ignorant in age.-Solon.

God listens to the heart, not to the voice.-Augustine. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much ; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.-Cowper.

Jesus for me is my righteousness before a holy God; and Jesus in me, my strength before an ungodly world.— M'Cheyne.

THE JUVENILE REPORTER.

BEFORE another month comes round, the Synod of our Church will have met in London; ministers and elders will be there from all parts of the country; reports will then be given in and speeches made about the China Mission, the Home Mission, the College, the Schools, and many other things connected with the Church. Reporter hopes to be there, but he is very glad that he won't have to make a speech about the Juvenile Mission.

The

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He hopes that no speeches will be made by any one about it until we are able-"able ?" we are able now-but until we are both able and willing to raise £250 a year for the support of a missionary of our own. We might very soon accomplish this if all, or nearly all, were to do what they could. Why, another seventeen schools like Birdhopecraig would do it all themselves. These hardy young folks away among the mountains, collected, last year, nearly fifteen pounds. Surely we have ten Sabbath schools in all the Church who could collect in a whole year ten pounds each for China, and twenty more who could raise five pounds each. If this were done, the Reporter will undertake to find the other fifty pounds himself. A few more workers like those in Hanley, and Grosvenor Square, and Chelsea, and North Shields, and Rock Ferry, &c., would do it all. Who will undertake to raise ten pounds this year? and who five? Resolve at once, and then prayerfully and earnestly go to work, and it will be done.

Remembering what he had said last month about his old portfolio, the Reporter begs to present the following epistle, which, although not written yesterday, will, he hopes, supply some useful hints to those who need them :

Mr. Reporter-Dear Sir,-I aint very old, only 10, but I'm old enuff to be doin some good. Teacher often tells us we mai'nt live long my big brother died at twelve, and perhaps I may have to go some day soon, too, and so I tries every day to be of some use. I am trying this year to collect twenty shillings for China; we are all poor here, and I never get more than sixpence, and often a penny and halfpenny from one person, but I hope to get it all. Its a great shame that so few will help. We might have had our own missionary by this time. I think if you would ask our minister to speak to some of the boys and girls as goes to our church they might do something. They don't do nothing at all now. Excuse my spelling and bad writing, and this letter, Sir. Your obedient servant,

WILLIE E.

As we don't happen to have Willie's address, we do not know who his minister is; but as we know there are many idle boys and girls in every church, we earnestly

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SABBATH LESSONS.

hope that all our ministers may look after all the boys and girls, so that none may escape.

Last month something was said about the appeal for China that good old Mr. James of Birmingham has written. We find in that appeal a short chapter addressed "To the English Presbyterian Church"-here it is:

"Fellow Christians! I greatly honour you; for though the youngest of the missionary organisations of the coun. try, you have shown a noble zeal in the cause of the world's evangelisation, and with a lofty, chivalrous ambition, have soared at once to the loftiest object which could employ your energies or excite you hopes. Nothing less than China would satisfy your desires. Your Burns, Douglas, and Grant, are known to us as devoted labourers in the 'Celestial Empire.' Nor is the name of the departed SANDEMAN unknown to us. If it be not unpardonable obtrusiveness to offer my advice, I would say, Go on as you have begun, and make China the exclusive field which you undertake to cultivate. Surely it is large enough to employ all the labourers you can send out. Thither let the stream of your Christian, your missionary labours flow without being poured into a number of lesser channels. DOUBLE, AND IF POSSIBLE, TREBLE THE NUMBER

OF YOUR MISSIONARIES THERE.

Matt. v. 1-12.

10 True Happiness. XXI.-Psalm iv. 6-8.

17 Moses' Return to XXII.-Psalm xxxvii. 23-27. Exod. iv. 1—31.

Egypt.

24 True Holiness. XXIII. & XXIV. Psalm Matt. v. 1-20.

XXV.-Psalm xxxvi, 1-4.

Exod. v. 1-23.