give up because his frame of mind may have been unsuitable. These are only so many reasons why we should be more urgent; and in a little while God will give us the spirit of prayer, and we shall "praise him with joyful lips." The inhabitants of Iceland have long been distinguished for their simple and genuine piety; in that rigorous climate, the "rose of Sharon" flourishes with a luxuriance which is but too rare in more favoured countries. Dr. Henderson, who has left us an interesting account of the country, had many opportunities of observing the fervour of their devotions. In one place he says, "The joy which beamed from their countenances at the conclusion of the service, plainly discovered the increase of happiness derived from their renewed approach to the fountain of bliss." Sir Joshua Mason, a counsellor to four successive sovereigns, said that one hour with God in the closet was worth a whole life at court. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER LED INTO CRIME BY DRINKING. I attended the Sunday-school, and began to teach, and things went on very well. I was about twenty years of age, and got married to a Sunday-school teacher, that went to the same school as I. I was learning the trade which I now follow. I first began to work in the village where I was born; but the works stopped, and I was compelled to remove. I got a situation about twenty miles off. I did not take my wife with me, but lived in lodgings about four months. I liked the place very well, so I took a house and removed my wife there; we have been there ever since. Both my wife and I attend the church at this place, and I had begun to attend the school as I usually did. I lived there eighteen months: and one Sunday morning I was at school, and I I was called off by two young men that I knew very well. They were in the same trade as myself, but they worked 1 ten miles from me, and they had come over to see me. We went to a public-house, and got a few glasses of whiskey apiece, and it made me rather tipsy; so we all got our dinners; and two other men that worked with me came to us, and we all agreed to take them a part of their way home. So we all set off; and we called at every publichouse that we came to; and we were all nearly drunk. So we bid them good night, and made towards home, calling at every public-house as we came back. I had got very drunk when we called at the public-house where this misfortune happened to me. I brought an article off with me by some means or other, and as soon as I had got home two policemen came in and took me to the lock-up that night. I was examined before the magistrates; but having a good character, some of my friends got me bailed out till Preston Sessions. I pleaded not guilty, but the jury found me guilty. Then the judge committed me for one month's solitary confinement. Well, I was put into this cell, and shut up. Then I looked around and wept very bitterly. I kneeled down and prayed to God to forgive me my sins. I began to think of the shame I had brought on me, my wife, and my family, and all through drink. I am sure I should not have done it, if I had not been drunk. It was a thing of no great value I took; and it was not for want of anything I did it. I was at that time receiving thirty shillings a week, and I have only one child,- -so it was nothing but drink that forced me into this evil. But, thank God, I am determined never to be in the same way again. I am resolved never to be drunk any more, because the Scriptures tell us "Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God.": I once remember being at church, and the minister preaching a funeral sermon for a young man that was drowned through drink. He was a very drunken man, and had many narrow escapes; but at last was found dead in the canal. Thank God, I am warned in time. I will live a different life for the future."-Chaplain's Report of the Preston House of Correction. NOTICES OF BOOKS. An Epitome of Universal History, from the Earliest Period to the Revolutions of 1848; together with Historical Charts, and an Extensive Chronological Table on the System of Grey's Memoria Technica. By A. HARDING. London: Longmans. Pp. 297. We are no great admirers of compendiums of universal history. Composed as they generally are of mere aggregates of facts, without any order except that of the sequence of events, we do not see how they can be made use of in schools, unless as exercises for the memory; and history acquired wholesale in this way soon fades away even from the memory. Far better to lead the scholar to study carefully the history of one particular country, or one particular epoch. There is no nobler exercise for the mind than that which the genuine study of history supplies. Let the scholar be taught to mark the remote causes of great events, to trace the development of national character, and the successive steps of the rise and fall of nations. Above all, let him be taught to study history as a Christian— to notice how righteousness exalteth a nation, while abounding vice is the sure precursor of national decay. But to cram the mind with facts is not teaching history. The History of Rome; from the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Empire. For Schools and Families. London: The Religious Tract Society. Pp. 438. We are glad that this useful society is directing its attention to the publishing a series of educational works, written on Christian principles. We quote from the prospectus: "The Committee of the Religious Tract Society have long been convinced that a new series of books for schools and families was greatly needed. Many of the works now in use have much merit; but they are generally destitute of that truth by which alone the understanding can be enlightened, the heart renovated, and the feet guided in the paths of peace.' It is to provide books adapted to supply this deficiency that the present effort is made. The pens of several esteemed writers have been secured for this series. In works of history, the object will be carefully to exclude those details which are objectionable, and to view all events as under the control of Divine Providence. In biography, the conduct of men will be estimated, not by the maxims of this world, as in most other publications, but by the only infallible standard, the word of God. In every book of general instruction, sound information will be imparted, on decidedly Christian principles." The history of Rome which now lies before us is, so far as we have examined it, well written and suitable for schools. Niebuhr's views are adopted for the early history of Rome, and the work seems generally got up with much care. * Reports of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the State of Education in Wales, appointed by the Committee of Council on Education. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. These reports are very ably drawn up, and contain a great deal of valuable information. We would gladly open our pages to any native of the principality who is disposed to make remarks upon the facts and reasonings of the commissioners, embracing as they do many topics of which an Englishman but slightly acquainted with the principality must be an inadequate judge. The moral state of Wales, as described by the commissioners, will occasion many painful reflections. The lower classes seem actually to consider that fornication is no sin. The statements in the report on this point are most startling. Texts of Scripture, for the Offices of Public Baptism of Infants and of Confirmation. For the use of Schools. Foyster, High Wycombe. Seeleys, London. This little tract, an advertisement of which appeared in our last number, contains an useful selection of texts of Scripture to illustrate the Baptismal and Confirmation services. Just as we are going to press, we have received a paper from the Religious Tract Society, which will be found among our advertisements. We cordially recommend its object to the friends of that valuable society. FOR THE WEEK-DAY TEACHER. EXAMINATION QUESTIONS, PROPOSED BY THE INSPECTOR AT THE EXAMINATION OF THE CHESTER DIOCESAN TRAINING SCHOOL. (Concluded from page 172.) MONDAY, 11TH November.-Morning. 1. Of what great design in the dispensations of God was Joseph made the instrument? and what expression did he use, attributing the events of his life to His overruling Providence? 2. What is St. Paul's definition of faith? and how, according to the Apostle, did Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses afford examples of it? 3. What remarkable prophecy did Moses utter concerning the Messiah? By whom is it quoted and applied to Jesus of Nazareth? State some points of resemblance between Moses and Christ. 4. Relate the principal events in the life of Daniel, and give some account of the plan and subject of his prophecies. 5. Cite some passages of the Psalms which are quoted in the New Testament. 6. What is the purpose of Confirmation? Wherein does it differ from a Sacrament? What warrant is there in Holy Scripture for the rite? 7. Cite passages of Scripture in illustration of the ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit. 8. Give some account of the history of our Liturgy. MONDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER.Afternoon. 1. Give Bible examples, precepts, &c., illustrative of the following duties: The obedience of children to their parents; of servants to their masters; of subjects to their rulers; and of the following sins: Improvidence, |