To justify himself in working miracles only for persons who would esteem him, what Old Testament facts did he mention?—15. If we despise Christ, can we expect he will bless us?-16. What kind of persons will Jesus delight to bless ?-17. How did these Nazarenes vent their spite against Christ?-18. What ought his miraculous escape to have taught them?-19. As prejudice shuts our eyes to the clearest evidence, what must we do before the gospel can bless us?-20. Are there any questions you wish to ask on this portion? SEP. 1. THE DELUGE FORETOLD. Gen. vi. 5-22.

NOTES.

Ver. 6, 'Repented the Lord,' language accommodated to us. God's repenting is not a change of his will, but of his work. Ver. 9, 'Generation,' or events. Ver. 14, 'Gopher wood,' supposed to be the cypress tree, as not liable to rot. Ver. 15, • Three hundred cubits,' about five hundred feet, capable of holding as much as twenty of our largest ships, and adequate to the purpose named in verse 19. The original species of birds and beasts are few; fishes are excepted. Ver. 16, ‘A window,' thought to be a roof or deck, elevated in the middle so as to carry off the rain.

QUESTIONS.

1. Can you give three or four reasons for the abounding wickedness before the flood? (1) NEglect of pubLIC WORSHIP, Gen. iv. 16. (2) LENGTH OF LIFE, Gen. v. (3) INTERMARRIAGES OF GOOD AND BAD, Gen. vi. 2. (4) GREAT BODILY STRENGTH, Gen. vi. 4.—2. How did that sin affect God?-3. What should be our feelings toward sin?-4. Has man's heart remained the same till now? Gen. viii. 21; Jer. xvii. 9; Mark vii. 21, 22.-5. Why were the beasts and creeping things to be destroyed with man?-6. What further proof will God give of his hatred to a world where man has dishonoured him?-7. How had Noah acted amidst abounding wickedness?—8. Will God always notice and reward those who piously avoid evil examples?-9. What is meant by walking with God?-10. Can any do that and at the same time follow the sinful customs of the world? -11. How may we now help to corrupt the earth?-12. But what should every Sunday scholar strive to become? Matt. v. 13-16.-13. What direction did God give to Noah ?-14. How was he repaid for all his troubles before the flood, and his losses by it?-15. Noah obeyed God in this wonderful work, what great lesson does his faith teach us?-16. Is there any similarity between the state and prospect of the world in Noah's time, and in our time? 2 Pet. iii. 5-10.

Entelligence.

Preston.-The Teachers of the Boys' School at St. Thomas' Church assembled on Monday July 3rd, and presented The Book of Homilies, and Hart's Lectures on Matthew, to Mr. George Emmett, as a mark of their esteem, on his retirement from the superintendency, which he has held for several years.

Sheepshead.-The Church Sunday Schools in this place, which were commenced about twelve years back, by the Rev. J. Hamilton, the Vicar, now number about six hundred scholars. The Vicar's health required him to visit a foreign climate. On Monday, June 24th, he returned, and about eight hundred of the Sabbath and Infant Scholars gave him a hearty welcome. Over the school room was the motto, worked in laurel and flowers, Welcome our worthy Vicar, a friend to Education,' and over the gateway leading to the vicarage, 'Welcome home.' The bells rung merrily, and the day was concluded by cheerful and pious exercises.

BY P. DIXON HARDY, ESQ., M.R.I.A., GREENFIELD LODGE, DUBLIN.

'Twas evening hour-a lovely Autumn eve-
The sun still linger'd on the horizon's verge,
Pouring a flood of glory o'er the earth,
And gilding with its rays the azure heaven.

K

The ripened crops lay gathered on the fields-
The golden fruit hung pendant from the boughs-
The yielding vine bow'd down beneath the weight
Of clustering grapes-mute nature seem'd to smile
A thankful tribute for the plenty given.

Such was the hour-the time-and such the scene,
The Norman peasant chose to pay
his vows,
And render tribute to his Patron Saint,
For the rich blessings of all bounteous Heaven.

Oh, SUPERSTITION! nursed by guilt and fear, In gloomy shades, where sin and death resort; Thou art the child of nature-go where'er A human soul exists, we meet thee-clothed In varied costume-still in gloomiest garb Where Papal Rome extends her tyrant power. Beneath Italia's bright blue, cloudless skies, As on the sunny slopes of France and Spain, Thou reign'st despotic-decked with hood and cowl, Christian in name-in thought and deed a demonStriving by 'feigned words" to bend the soul Of prince and peasant 'neath thy sov'reign sway.

See those fine peasants!-taught by Rome to pray
To saints and angels many-to give thanks
To Mary, Queen of Heaven-how they kneel,
As humble suppliants at the Virgin's shrine.
Blest with the richest gifts which nature yields,

Ripe fruits-gay flowers-and golden sheaves of grain.
To her they consecrate the hour of prayer,
Pour forth the evening orison, and yield
The meed of praise to Great Jehovah due.
Behind the crucifix the cross is hid-

The painted image meets the upraised eye;
But nothing know they of that God of love

Who, tho' in Heaven, still hears and answers prayer.

Oh, Rome! despotic Rome! tho' as a Queen Thou sit'st upon thy seven hilled city-still Blaspheming Heaven, and issuing stern decrees Against God's holy word-thine hour is nighThe hour of vengeance-retribution just— Which prophets have foretold, and Heaven ordained. Thy cup shall soon be full-th' avenging angel

PEASANTS RETURNING THANKS.

Shall hurl the triple crown from off thy brow,
And, like the potter's vessel, dash in pieces
Thy sacrilegious sceptre and thy throne!--
Then shall the earth rejoice, and angel tongues
Proclaim aloud, that Babylon the Great,

Who drank the blood of saints, and ruined souls;
Accursed of God-has fallen to rise no more!

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Christians rejoice-the glorious hour draws nigh When truth shall triumph, and her foes lie vanquish'dNow let your prayers ascend, like incense sweet, Before th' Eternal Throne-give God no rest Until such consummation be vouchsafed, And earth become the garden of the Lord.

NOTE.-It may gratify the reader to know that the scene represented in the foregoing Engraving is no ideal picture, but that it was actually witnessed by Mr. Baxter, during a recent visit to the Continent. Such or similar representations will frequently meet the eye of the traveller, while journeying through France, Italy, and Spain. Indeed a stranger can scarcely travel through any part of the Continent, without having his attention attracted by representations of the crucifixion-the Madonna, or some favourite patron saint or holy relic, placed in a niche by the way side, or attached to places of religious resort. To these images the poor ignorant people of those Countries, and Roman Catholics of every country, are expected to bow down and render homage; and they may be seen even in the midst of wet and rain, kneeling in the mud and filth before these senseless idols, in order to propitiate their favour. Although in many instances the representation given is that of the crucifixion, still, strange to say, to the Madonna, or the patron saint, as mediators, their prayers are addressed. Such is the religion of the Church of Rome-and such the practices of those who are guided by the instructions of the Romish priesthood.

Of the country to which the Engraving more particularly refers, we may just remark, for the benefit of such of our more youthful readers as may have time and inclination to pursue the subject, that of all the countries of Europe, the Historical Records of the Province of Normandy possess the greatest share of interesting matter in connexion with the early history of Great Britain, its Monarchs and its Nobles. In the ninth century it was invaded and laid waste by some of the same ruthless bands of marauders from Scandinavia and the Baltic Seas, who spread terror and devastation along the maritime districts of these islands. From some of the leaders of these wandering tribes, who settled in France, and having conformed to the Christian faith, afterwards amalgamated with the nobles of that country by marriage and otherwise, descended some of the first monarchs who swayed the British sceptre-and in consequence of their descent, and relationship-they claimed and possessed for a time some considerable portion of more than one province of France. Many of these whose names stand forth in the page of history, as

the crusaders to the Holy Land, were nobles or princes of Normandy— there also, strange as it may appear, the Christian church, early established, maintained to a very great extent an independency from the power or jurisdiction of the Papal see; though afterwards, it is well known, a system of persecution and cruelty, unexampled in the history of other countries, was carried on against the Huguenots-the professors of the Protestant faith, who were either mercilessly butchered in cold blood, or driven from the land of their fathers, to roam as exiles and outcasts in foreign countries, where, under Protestant governments, they would be permitted to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences.

Although Normandy is one of the richest and most fertile provinces of France, the Protestants having been driven out of the land, the inhabitants that remained, left to the teaching and instruction of the Church of Rome and its priesthood, are at the present day sunk in the grossest ignorance and superstition, and while enjoying every blessing which nature can yield, of the peasants of Normandy it may to a very great extent be averred, that they are without God and without hope in the world."

Such examples should surely act as a warning to those who reside in a country blessed with the light of gospel truth, and who enjoy the many privileges possessed even by the poorest members of society in these happy islands,-and should make them prize their privileges, and be cautious how they join with 'evil men and seducers,' who, departing from the faith once delivered to the saints, would lure others also to their ruin.

Such scenes and such representations should also have the effect of exciting all who may have it in their power, to send to those who are now 'perishing for lack of knowledge,' that glorious gospel which 'brings life and immortality to light,' which can dispel the natural darkness of the mind, and chase away those false and superstitious systems, that enthral and debase the mind-and finally plunge the deluded victim into irremediable and eternal ruin.

POPISH DELUSIONS.

"Well, you can never persuade me to become a Protestant,' said a young lady.

"Why not?'

Because,' said she, there is no comfort in your system. I am attached to the world, and I cannot give up its gaieties. If I were a Protestant I should be miserable, thinking all the time, if I should die in this state, I should be lost. But in the bosom of the true church, I have the consolation to believe, that if I were to die in the midst of those pursuits in which I am now engaged, I should only go to purgatory; and I have many dear friends, whose prayers would soon liberate me from that place, and elevate me to a seat among the blessed. Ours alone is he religion adapted to make us happy here.'