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against a stone: if that killed him, there was no more ado: if it did not, the other witness took a great stone, and dashed it on his breast, as he lay on his back. If this killed him not, all the people flung stones at him. This helps us to understand what is meant by the witnesses laying down their garments at Saul's feet at the stoning of Stephen (Acts vii. 58.)-because they were to be employed first in stoning him, and they laid by their upper garments, that they might not be in their way, and obstruct the free motion of their arms. Stephen was, it appears, first dashed upon a stone by one of the witnesses, and then a huge stone was dashed upon him by the other, yet he was not killed by either of them, but recovered his knees again, and died kneeling and praying for his murderers, who were then flinging stones upon him.

The second manner was, when the criminal was brought to a steep place, in height exceeding that of two men, whence one of the two witnesses threw him headlong, and the other rolled a large stone upon his body. If he did not die by his fall from the rock, they dispatched him by throwing stones upon him.-Lightfoot and Calmet. W. A.

A USEFUL SCHOOL EXERCISE.

What doth God, the Lord of heaven and earth, hate?

Idolatry, the serving other Gods

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Jer. xliv. 4

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Deut. xvi. 22

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Isaiah lxi. 8

Rev. ii. 15

Is. i. 13, 14
Amos v. 21-23

Ps. xlv. 7. Heb. i. 9

Psalm v. 5

Psalm xi. 5

Psalm x. 3

Mal. i. 3. Rom. ix. 13

Mal. ii. 16

Proverbs viii. 13

Those who imagine evil in their hearts against their neighbour, and those who love false oaths

These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination to him

A proud look

A lying tongue

Hands that shed innocent blood

A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations Feet that be swift in running to mischief And the seventh, to which the Lord points especial attention, by saying, "Yea, seven"

He that soweth discord among brethren

Man by nature hates—

Zech. viii. 17

Prov. vi. 16-19

The Lord, (his Maker, Preserver, and Redeemer), Second Commandment. Ps. lxviii. 1. lxxxiii. 2. lxxxi. 15.

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But those that hate God shall be visited for their sin, Ex. xx. 5

repaid. Deut. vii. 10
rewarded. Deut. xxxii. 41
destroyed. 2 Sam. xxii. 41.
xviii. 40. cxviii. 7

Ps.

The righteous, who are God's people, Psalm xxxiv. 21. xxv. 19. xxxviii. 19. lxxxvi. 17. cix. 3, 5. cv. 25. 1 John iii. 13. Matt. x. 22. Mark xiii. 13. Luke xxi. 17. xxiv. 9. John

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The poor

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Prov. xxvi. 28

Prov. xiv. 20. xix. 7

His brother (or neighbour) Is. lxvi. 5. 1 John ii. 9, 11. iii. 15. iv. 20

His own son (if he spare the rod)

His own soul

But no man yet hated his own flesh

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But observe, it is with a "perfect" hatred he hates them
that is, a hatred such as God the Holy One may feel:
hatred more of the sin than the sinner; for "Thou, O
God, art a God that forgavest them, though thou takest
vengeance on their inventions." (Psalm xcix. 8.) It is
because they hate the Lord that sinners are "counted
enemies" by God's people; and they would, or should,
hate sin as much if they find it in their own hearts. See
2 Corinthians vii. 11, where the sin of the believer is
said to cost him, "What carefulness it wrought in
you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indigna-
tion, yea, what fear, [the fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
(Prov. viii. 13.)] yea, what vehement desire, yea, what
zeal, yea, what revenge!"

The believer hates

Even the garment spotted by the flesh
False doctrine

The congregation of evil doers
The work of them that turn aside
Them that regard lying vanities
All evil

Every false way

Gifts (or bribes)
Suretiship

Covetousness

Jude 23

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Rev. ii. 15

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Psalm xxvi. 5

Psalm ci. 3

Psalm xxxi. 6

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Psalm xcvii. 10. Amos v. 15. Prov. viii. 13

Lying-he "hates and abhors it"
Vain thoughts

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Proverbs xv. 27

Prov. xxviii. 16. Exod. xviii. 21
Psalm cxix. 163. Prov. xiii. 5
Psalm cxix. 113

And even his own life in this world, if eter-
nal life in the next could not be attained
without laying it down for conscience sake
(for instance, in martyrdom).

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John xii. 25.

The people of God were "once hateful and hating one

another!"

But according to his mercy God saved them. (Tit. iii. 3.)

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NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A Token of Love for Little Children. By the Widow of a Madras Officer. Dedicated to the Lord Bishop of Cashel, &c. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 196. London: Nisbet and Co.

66

This is a beautiful book. It is expressive of all the yearning love of a mother's heart. It is a collection of letters which have been really sent; and we could almost wish ourselves a child again, to have the pleasure of receiving such simple, touching, and loving epistles. We fancy we see one and another of the children to whom these letters were addressed; their eyes sparkling with joy, as good mamma talked to them through the post;" and the tear of infant sorrow rolling down the cheek, as mamma told how sin had disfigured the fair world, and made the Great God angry; and the smile of faith banishing the childish grief, as the same mamma spoke of the gentle and forgiving Jesus, who died on the cross for all, and therefore for little children. May the prayer of the authoress for a blessing on her unassuming volume be answered in the experience of many a youthful reader of this "Token of Love."

Here criticism confessedly comes in with an ill grace; yet, to be impartial, we must add, that an elevation of style and an employment of hard words occasionally spoil the simplicity of thought and diction, which characterize this work. We are also compelled to question the propriety of inserting statements of family circumstances, which, however interesting to the first readers of the letters, cannot be equally so to the succeeding ones. A little pruning here would improve the book. With these exceptions, we award the authoress our highest meed of approbation.

The Christian's Assistant, and Companion to the New Testament, &c. 18mo. pp. 172. London: Seeleys. A considerable amount of useful information is contained in this unpretending little work; and, in notes on each chapter, it elucidates the chief difficulties, con

veys historical and practical instruction, serves the purposes of a vocabulary, and will be found a means of assisting Sunday-school Teachers in the reading lessons. Variety and brevity are not unpleasantly connected.

Religion no Fiction. Lectures delivered to the Candidates for Confirmation, 1844. By the Hon. and Rev. H. M. VILLIERS, M. A. 18mo. pp. 145. London: Nisbet and Co.

Here are eight lectures, on Decision-Renouncing the World-Justification - Obedience - Prayer - Regeneration-God our Father-the Lord's Supper: and they appear eminently calculated, by their simplicity, fervour, and evangelical character, to awaken serious thought in the minds of those who peruse them. Mav the same blessing which has accompanied their delivery rest in yet greater fulness on their present publication.

NOTES OF CATECHETICAL LECTURES ON THE APOSTLES' CREED.

(Continued from page 225.)

In the third division of the Creed, in whom do I say that I believe?

"I believe in the Holy Ghost."

What is it to believe?

It is to take care that what I read and learn from my Bible rules my heart and my life.

What does the Bible teach us about the Holy Ghost?

Two things. 1st. What he is. 2nd. What he does. In other words, what is his nature, and what are his offices.

1st. Who is he?

A Divine Person-God-equal with the Father. (Acts v. 3, 4 Matt. xxviii. 19.)

If I believe this, how should it rule my heart and my life?

1st. I should pray to him, and reverence him.

2nd. I should fear to grieve him. (Eph. iv. 30.)

What is it which grieves the Holy Ghost?

Sin. (Is. lxiii. 10.)

Why is he called the Holy Ghost?

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