science advances, the incongruity diminishes: as it approaches to perfection, there is still less contrariety; and, when our knowledge of it becomes complete, as in some cases it has done, the discoveries which seemed at variance with our most cherished belief are found most beautifully to correspond with, and to add new lustre to its page. As a Christian, then, as well as a patriot, I bid God-speed to the diffusion of knowledge. Enlighten the mind of man as far as you are capable of enlightening it. Knowledge is a thing of which you can never give him too much. You may give him more food than he is able to devour; you may give him more raiment than he is able to put on: you may give him more wealth than he is able to enjoy; but you can never give him more knowledge than he is able to receive. Let him live to the utmost limit of human existence, let him preserve his mental powers unimpaired to the last, let him go on adding knowledge to knowledge all the while, and he will confess at the close that he has yet much to learn. For myself, in looking forward to that world of light to which I firmly believe that I am hastening, one great cause of my joyful anticipation is, that the knowledge which I have acquired here will still be on the increase; that, in proportion as my capacity for acquirement shall expand, the sources of acquirement shall expand along with it; that, as countless ages roll over me, I shall still be growing in intelligence, ever approaching but never reaching to the fulness of him whose knowledge is as boundless as his power, and whose wisdom and whose holiness are alike ineffable.Speech of Dr. Huie, in the Hopetoun Rooms, Edinburgh, Oct. 16, 1844. BIBLE CLASSES. MY DEAR SIR,-I send you herewith the Sermon which I promised you, and also the Bible Class Questions on the first chapter of St. Mark. That Bible Class was undertaken by me several years ago, the first in 1833,-and has been continued, with many interrup tions, to this time. I can, therefore, speak from some experience of its working; and must acknowledge, with humble thankfulness to the Giver of all grace, that a remarkable degree of blessing has attended it. I know, I trust, some living witnesses of its usefulness, Christian characters of tried stedfastness, who trace their first impressions of religious truth to these little meetings. Others, I hope and believe, are now in glory, resting with their Saviour, who first believed on Him through the same simple instrumentality. Perhaps you will be desirous to know the plan on which these classes are conducted. It is simply as follows-to begin with prayer; then read, verse by verse, the portion of Scripture for the meeting, and compare it with the parallel places, forming a kind of harmony of the Gospels. Bring illustrations, apply doctrines and precepts, and elicit truth generally. All this in as simple a manner as may be, and with an endeavour to interest youthful minds. The questions given out at the former meeting, are placed before me along with their appropriate answers, which latter, are read over by me, no names being mentioned. Thus errors are corrected without causing exposure or shame, and praise is bestowed without exciting vanity and pride. Fresh questions are then distributed, and the whole is closed with prayer. R. W. BIBLE CLASS QUESTIONS ON ST. MARK. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. And Mark i. St. Mark is called by St. Peter his son; (1 Pet. v. 13.) probably the same as John Mark, the son of Mary, a pious Christian, (Acts xii. 12.) the sister of Barnabas. (Col. iv. 10.) He was the companion and assistant of Paul and Barnabas on their first journey, (Acts xiii. 5.) but left them at Perga, (13 v.) when Barnabas proposed taking him a second time, Paul objected to it on this account, which caused a strife and division between the two Apostles. Mark, however, continued with his uncle Barnabas, (Acts xv. 37, 39) and, by his subsequent good conduct, regained the affec tion and confidence of St. Paul. (2 Tim. iv. 11.) He is supposed to have composed this Gospel under the eye of St. Peter, who probably was the instrument of his conversion. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the meaning of the word "Gospel?" (v. 1. Luke ii. 10, 11.) 2. Explain the meaning of the words "Jesus" and "Christ." (Matt. i. 21. Luke iv. 18. John i. 41. "Messiah.") 3. In what peculiar sense is Christ the "Son of God?" (Ps. ii. 7. John i. 14. iii. 16. Rom. viii. 3, 32. A Son by nature. Compare John i. 12, 13. Sons by grace.) Rom. viii. Mal. iii. 1. 14, 17. 4. What prophets are alluded to? (v. 2, 3 Is. xl. 3-5.) 5. Prove that Christ is God, from comparing verse 2nd with the Old Testament. (See Mal. iii. 1.-"me," that is, Jehovah.) 6. In what sense does Scripture speak of baptism, as being "for the remission of sins?" (v. 4. When accompanied by repentance, faith, prayer, &c., as a sacramental sign of spiritual grace. See Acts ii. 38; iii. 19; xxii. 16. 1 Pet. iii. 21.) 7. What is the meaning and end of baptism? (Meaning "a death unto sin," &c.-Rom. vi. 3, 4. End -"being made a member of Christ," &c.-Gal. iii. 26-29.) 8. Shew that the word "all" is sometimes used in Scripture in a limited sense. (5. Compare Luke ii. 1; Phil. iv. 21.) 9. Shew that "confession of sin" must generally go before forgiveness. (Ps. xxxii. 5. Prov. xxviii. 13. 1 John i. 8—10.) 10. Shew that the hairy garment was a mark of a prophet among the Jews. (6. 2 Kings i. 8. Zech. xiii. 4.) 11. Shew from the Old Testament that the "locust" was used for food, and also "wild honey." (Lev. xi. 22. 1 Sam. xiv. 26. 12. How was Christ "mightier" than John? (7. John x. 41.) 13. When did Christ "baptize with the Holy Ghost?" (Acts ii. 3; xi. 16; xix. 6.) 14. Shew that it was prophesied of Christ that he should baptize with the Holy Ghost. (Is. xliv. 3. Joel ii. 28.) 15. Prove that true Christians have received the Holy Spirit (John iii. 3—7. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17; vi. 19. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Eph. iv. 30.) 16. How came Jesus to live at Nazareth? (9. Compare Luke ii. 4. Matt. ii. 22, 23.) 17. Why was Christ baptized? (Matt. iii. 13—15. Rom. viii. 3.) 18. What ceremony was necessarily omitted in Christ's baptism? (v. 5. Heb. iv. 15.) 19. What prophecies were fulfilled in the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Christ? (Is. xi. 2; xlii 1.) 20. What is a "dove" emblematical of? (10. Love —Ps. lxxiv. 19. Purity-Cant. vi. 9. Peace and innocence-Matt. x. 16.) 21. Shew that the Three Persons of the Trinity were manifested at Christ's Baptism. (2. 10, 11.) 22. On what other occasions was Christ owned by his Father with a voice from heaven? (Mark ix. 7. John xii. 28.) 23. Shew that the audible testimony of the Father to his Son was, in each case, given after prayer. (Luke iii, 21; ix. 29, 35. John xii. 28.) 24. Shew the difference of the measure of spiritual grace in Christ and in his people. (John i. 16; iii. 34. Col. i. 18, 19; ii. 9, 10.) 25. Shew that we are accepted only "in Christ." (2.11. Rom. viii. 1. Eph. i. 6.) (To be continued.) SUNDAY-SCHOOL ADDRESSES. THIS is perhaps one of the most important branches of Sunday-school instruction. The majority of our Teach. ers, either from not feeling very deeply the awful responsibility of their charge, or from want of ability to explain simply and clearly the great truths of the Gospel, may not have given the children such whole. some and suitable instruction as their case demands. In the public address, therefore, the Superintendent or one of the principal Teachers, has a most favourable opportunity for conveying to the children, in a simple, attractive, but solemn manner, the fundamental truths of our faith. Experience, however, proves that to address children upon vital truths, in such a manner as to attract their attention, and excite their interest, is no easy thing: their carelessness and indifference, together with whispering and laughing amongst themselves, often shew that the address is little more than useless; and the fact, which we cannot but regret, of Teachers contenting themselves with reading or relating some interesting anecdote, may be probably ascribed to this difficulty. But this is not right; children, as well as grown-up persons, need to have constantly brought before them the necessity of regeneration, and of faith in Jesus Christ. It is vain to suppose that the religion of children consists merely in obedience to their parents and superiors, and in a proper attention to their ap pointed duties; they are sinners, and must be washed in the blood of Christ before they can have a title to heaven; they must, therefore, be told of the fountain which is open for sin and for uncleanness. It has been well observed, that the atonement is the A, B, C, of religion. To keep back, then, these foundation truths, is to allow children to go on to perdition without pointing them to that one only source whereby they can be saved. In Sunday-school addresses, therefore, we must by no means flinch from a full exhibition of the fundamental doctrine of our religion. Christ crucified must be as much the prominent pattern of an address as of a sermon. But then there are various ways of expound |
