"And why not, Miss Lydia? how could she let those two nice young ladies come over to say goodbye, and they not to be back for so long, and not come down to see them? it would be a nice thing for them to say when they went home, that there had been no one but Miss Flora to receive them."

Lydia looked at Ellice in fresh perplexity-surely she would never talk of the Mortons as those "two nice young ladies;" besides, they were not going away. What could it all mean?

"What are you talking about, Ellice?" she cried. "Were not the Mortons here to lunch to-day ?-tell me, Ellice, quickly."

"Mortons, indeed," answered Ellice, with a bland smile; "why, child, you're raving. You were scarcely well out of the place, when up drove Miss Eleanor and Miss May; and I heard them telling Miss Flora they had come to say good-bye."

“But, Ellice, we were expecting the Miss Mortons to luncheon. Are you sure, quite sure, you could not have been mistaken?"

"Why, dear heart, Miss Lydia, what kind of a body do you take me for? Don't you think I have got the use of my eyesight, I wonder? I tell you that just ten minutes after you were gone, the two Miss Hintons-in their pretty grey frocks, with hats to match, with long grey feathers in them-drove up, and spent the morning here; and after lunch they drove away again, and took Miss Flora with them, and she's to come back to-night, when the carriage goes down to meet your papa at the station."

"Oh, how unkind!" cried Lydia, in despair, "how dreadfully unkind! Why did you not send and let me know?"

"Me let you know? Why, Miss Lydia, I like that indeed. Have I nothing to do, I wonder, but to go capering over the country after you at a moment's notice? and the mistress in bed to be looked after, and all the fine things to be done as well!"

“But Flora might have let me know. She could have sent Hugh or Bobby from the lodge, or any one; but now they are gone away, and I did not see them to say good-bye," and Lydia laid her head down upon the table beside her, and burst into tears.

Ellice was touched just a little at the sight of her grief.

"Why, now, Miss Lydia," she said, encouragingly, "where's the use of fretting? When once a thing's past, it's past, and no help for it; and as for blaming Miss Flora, it was no fault of hers-that I must say. I heard her beg your mamma to let her send Bobby for you, but the mistress just shook her head very gravely, and said, 'No, it wasn't often Miss Lydia chose to do anything useful, and when she did, she would not have her disturbed.'"

"That Miss Flora might have them to herself— that was very considerate of you, Miss Lydia; and as for the way it happened, it's no great mystery, for I chanced to be in the room when Miss Flora was explaining it to the mistress. Mrs. Morton lives next door to Mrs. Hinton, as you know, and her young ladies and the other young ladies are friends; and when she heard how the Miss Hintons lamented that they could not get over to say good-bye, and that this would be their last day at home, she just said she would give them the loan of her carriage for to-day, to take them over, and her young ladies could come to-morrow, and spend the day instead."

Here Ellice paused for a moment, as though to give Lydia time fully to enjoy this prospect; but as no response except a low inoan came from the poor child's lips, she continued-"So when the mistress felt so ill, and the telegram came to say your papa would be home to-night, and the carriage was to be sent to meet him, the Miss Hintons begged and prayed for Miss Flora to go back with them, and stay till your papa's train came in; and that's the story, just the long and short of it, and if you had been here, Miss Lydia, you might have gone with them too."

Yes, so she might; but the truth of this reproach just stung Lydia to fury. Faint, tired, and disappointed as she was, she could not control her words at all.

"You are too unkind, Ellice," she almost screamed, you are a nasty disagreeable old thing, and I don't believe a word you say; you have made up a story just to annoy me, but I don't care a pin, not one pin. When Miss Flora comes in I shall hear the truth of it."

"Very well, Miss Lydia, so you can," answered Ellice, much offended, as she rose from her chair with some dignity. "If you don't believe me, I'm only sorry I wasted so much time talking to you, and the tea waiting for me in the kitchen," and she sailed past Lydia to the door; "but if you please, miss, before I go, the mistress told me to say, when you should come in, that her head is aching so badly she would rather you did not disturb her by going into her room at all this evening," and Ellice vanished into the passage, and in a moment after, Lydia heard her laughing heartily with her fellowservants over their evening meal.

It was all true; yes, she knew it was, though she had told Ellice she did not believe it. She took her hat up off the table, and slowly and wearily crept up the stairs to her own room. It was still and silent as before, but the spell of enchantment was broken, the mystery was but too clearly understood.

Yes, as Lydia threw herself on the bed and gave free vent to her sobs, which seemed almost to choke her, and while the burning tears poured down over her face, thoughts more burning still, hurried through her brain with feverish haste and distinctness.

She had, it was true, carried out the plans formed for her own pleasure, she had followed her own

selfish inclinations to the full, without yielding to the remonstrances of her conscience, and what had she gained by it? Nothing, absolutely nothing. The visitors she had striven to avoid were still to come, the friends she would so fain have seen were gone. She had given Flora the opportunity for well-merited reproaches, and her mother-ah, that was far more bitter than all the rest-her dear mother, who loved her so tenderly, was angry with her, and Lydia dared not ask for her forgiveness.

She dared not even venture down to greet her father on his return home, or risk the meeting with Flora, and whilst it was still light she crept to bed.

But as the long hours wore away, and the first great pain was partially subdued, that sorrow which worketh to repentance grew and strengthened in her heart. What though she could not then make her confession to her mother, was there not One whose ear is ever open, whose hands are ever ready to help? Might she not still kneel to her Father in heaven, and pray for His pardon for that which was passed, for His grace to help in time to come?

When the next day broke, warm and bright, Lydia could scarcely refrain a groan, as for a moment the events of yesterday passed before her mind, one by one; but with an earnest prayer for help she rose, resolving to do battle bravely against herself.

Flora and her father both wondered at the unusual quiet of her behaviour, and Flora wondered still more

when, after breakfast, Lydia drew her aside and whispered a few words of sincere apology, and then darted off to help in every way she could for the reception of their expected guests.

Ellice stared in some amaze at the gentleness with which Lydia allowed her hair and dress to be arranged before their arrival. Even old Hugh looked almost anxious at the subdued voice in which his young mistress gave all necessary directions; but most of all her mother wondered. Yes, but, while she wondered, it was with a strange, deep thankfulness that from her sofa she watched her little daughter's conduct with her guests.

The summer sun shone out over the bright flowers in the pleasure ground, and through the branches of the lime-trees, on the figures of the young girls below. The tea was carried out upon the lawn by Hugh, but neither Barbara's simper nor Araminta's resounding laugh drew one mocking smile from Lydia; and so it was that when, quite late in the evening, the phaeton with the old white horse disappeared through the avenue gate, and Lydia once again, with somewhat weary steps, was making her way up-stairs, the door of her mother's room opened, and loving hands were stretched out to draw her within; and when, still later on, she came down to join her sister at their tea-what though her lids were red and swollen, and her cheeks still painfully flushed? Flora could tell by the glad light that shone in Lydia's eyes that she had been forgiven.

I. SOLOMON'S KINGDOM. (Read iv. 20-34.) Ask to whom the land of Canaan was first promised. Why to Abraham? What extent of land was to be possessed? (See Gen. xv. 18.) Show on a map how far this extends. Had the Israelites as yet ever held all this land? Why not? Now for first time "promised land" theirs in full extent. But mere land not enough. What kind of land was it? Milk indicates pastures; honey points to flowers and gardens. But even such a land might be insecure because of enemies. Not so now; were living in peace; wars over for present. What did each man possess?

No. 11. BUILDING THE TEMPLE.

(Ver. 25.) Vines and figs, showing good soil and good climate. And their king, what of him? With whom was he compared? These men unknown to us, but Solomon's wisdom a proverb to this day. What did he speak, and write, and talk about?-i.e., was a poet, and musician, and philosopher, and naturalist above all in his time. Who came to hear him? But whence came all this wisdom? So far, all well; was a God-fearing man, and good king.

II. BUILDING THE TEMPLE. (Read v.) Who sent an embassy to King Solomon? Have we ever heard of Hiram before? (See 2 Sam. v. 11.) Nice to see the children of old friends keeping up friendship. Why did Hiram send to Solomon? Probably simply a friendly greeting. How does Solomon answer? He will make use of this friend; enlist his sympathy and aid in his great work. By whose command is he beginning the work? What does he ask Hiram to send him? So the servants return to Tyre with the message. What is Hiram's answer? (Ver. 8.)

He will do all he is asked. Where will the timber be found? Can picture the busy scene on the sides of Mount Lebanon; huge cedar-trees cut down; planks hewn out-dragged to the sea-tied together in

floats; sent down to the nearest sea-port to Jerusalem-probably Joppa; thence carted to Jerusalem, to Mount Moriah, the site of the Temple. What did Solomon pay in return? (Ver. 11.) And this annual payment lasted more than 1,000 years; mentioned in Acts xii. 20.

Now let us turn to Jerusalem. Where is the Temple to be built? On the same mount where Abraham offered up Isaac, 900 years before (Gen. xxii. 2). What is the first thing to be done? Upon the strength of the foundation the building greatly depends. So the foundations most carefully dug out. What was laid in? Some of these huge stones still remain. What kind of stones were they? Nothing common must be used for the house of the Lord;

thus all noise prevented. What would this teach! A difference between this house and all other houses. This the House of the Lord (Ps. exxii. 1). This would lead the people to reverence God's sanctuary from the first. This a lesson wants often enforcing: quiet behaviour in God's house; reverence for holy things-God's day, God's house, etc. So the good work went on. Can fancy the crowds daily watching its progress-the king often paying a visit -all the people from highest to lowest interested, because this was their own house of prayer-their own church. Thus all would pray for success of building, and all be drawn closer together by sympathy in common work.

Read in Bible also of another Temple being built

We may notice two or three things about the building of the Temple. (1) The Builders. Who were they? First, of course, the Israelites. (See vers. 13-16 for the numbers employed.) What an immense number. Could not all be spared from their homes at once. So work in relays of a month each (probably giving their labour, though that is not told us). What a wise plan! Besides these Solomon made use of the old inhabitants of the land (1 Kings ix. 20). And also the men of Tyre, noted for being skilful in work. But all these labourers would want looking after. So who were appointed for this work? These overseers would see that all was done orderly and well. (2) The Building. Most have seen a large house being built-masons chipping stonescarpenters hammering planks, etc.; great noise and bustle. Was this so with this building? (See ch. vi. 7.) How curious to see this great building rising day by day without any noise. How could this be done? All parts of the work cut and shaped at a distance brought ready-prepared to be fitted in

Church in earth and heaven. Each true Christian a living stone-gradually being made fit to be built into that Temple which shall last for ever. Let each ask, Am I a living stone? Am I being made fit for the heavenly Temple ?

Questions to be answered.

1. What was the extent of Solomon's kingdom? 2. What was Hiram's embassy?

3. How did Hiram assist in the work? 4. Who were the builders ?

5. What was there remarkable about the manner of building, and what would, this teach? 6. What other Temple is this one like?

No. 12. THE TEMPLE CONSECRATED.
Chapter to be read-1 Kings viii

INTRODUCTION. The Teacher should show the children a plan of the Temple, and a picture of its furniture, etc. Especially must be pointed out that the Temple itself consisted of two main parts—the Holy Place, with its candlestick, the table of show

bread; and the altar of incense-into which the High Priest and Levites were allowed to go-and the Holy of Holies, or Most Holy Place, into which the High Priest alone went-and that only once a year. Then the places mentioned in this lesson can be understood.

All

I. THE ARK. (Read 1-11.) Now there are grand doings in Jerusalem. For seven years have people watched the Temple rising in Jerusalem (ch. vi. 38.) At last all finished; last stone inserted in its place last board laid down; last curtain fixed, last vessel put in its place. What comes next? Temple must be solemnly dedicated to God. made according to God's wish. He gave Moses plan of Tabernacle on Mount Sinai (Heb. viii.5); this house built on same model, for solemn worship of God; must first be set apart as holy to the Lord. What one thing was wanting? What did we last hear of? The Ark. Yes; David had brought it to Jerusalem and made a tent for it; now must be fetched and placed in the Holy of Holies. Who shall be called to this holy service? (See ver. 1.) The highest nobles in the land-heads of tribes, elders, all the greatest and best shall come to bring up the Ark. In what month did they assemble? So now a solemn procession is made; the Ark is fetched, and all the holy vessels of the Tabernacle, and brought to the Temple. Meanwhile, what are Solomon and the people doing? Each man has brought a sheep or ox-each gives his best; there shall be no stint to-day, and victims slain without number. Now comes in the procession-the multitude parts-who bear the Ark? Where do they place it? And never again do any but the High Priest enter the Most Holy Place (Heb. ix. 7). What happened when they laid down the Ark? They were driven out by the glory of the Lord, which filled the inside of the Temple; so that God's priests were forgotten in the presence of God's glory. What would all this teach? (1) God's holiness. Nothing common can enter God's presence. The Most Holy Place a type of heaven, into which nothing earthly may enter (Rev. xxi. 27). (2) God's jealousy. Must be no thought of anything else but prayer and worship in God's house. His ministers may lead devotions, but not stand between man and God. (3) God's nearness. Wherever two or three meet He is present: much more in the great congregation.

II. THE KING'S BLESSING. (Read 14-21.) Now there is a pause-the priests have come out, The king stands on the steps at doors of Temple, and turns to the people. They have been kneeling prostrate in worship. Now all stand to listen to the king's words. What does he say? What city did God choose? And what king? What did David desire to do? Who was allowed to do the work? Yes-had begun and finished it well-but who is to have the honour? So God shall be blessed. What is the Ark called? Outward witness of the covenant made between God and Israel. They must keep His laws, and He would be their God. So what was kept inside the Ark? (Ver. 9.) These Tables of the Commandments always to remind them of their duty to God and man.

III. THE HYMN OF PRAISE. (Read 2 Chron. v. 11-14.) So far have had worship, sacrifices, and the king's blessing. Now something else takes place. Remind how David had set singers in order, as well as courses of priests. What do they do now? What a glorious sound! Trumpets with shrill notes -harps with sweet chords-lead the singing; and now outbursts of praise arise—with one voice (unison, as we call it) singing of God's mercies. What words do they say? Perhaps sing Psalm cxxxvi., recounting God's doings, and singing chorus after each recital. May be sure all the people caught it up, and the sound spread through Jerusalem. What a beautiful sight and sound !—a whole nation praising God.

IV. THE LESSONS. We may learn of what acceptable worship consists. (1) Sacrifice. Without shedding of blood is no remission of sins (Heb. ix. 22). What do we say at end of all prayers? Thus plead sacrifice of Christ. (2) Worship. As taught in Ps. xcv. 5. Praising God for what He is, and thanking Him for what He has done. (3) Praise. "Whoso offereth Me praise, He honoureth Me." Shall speak of Solomon's prayer in next lesson.

Questions to be answered.

1. Describe the two parts of the Temple building. 2. Who carried the Ark, and what was in it? 3. What happened when the Ark was deposited? 4. What three lessons would that teach? 5. What else was done at the service? 6. Of what does acceptable worship consist?

house, which God hath lent unto me to be for a house of pietie and sobrietie and not of riot; yet I had furnished them the drink and drank to them (although not in so great measure as they received it), and did encourage them to drink more than it was seemly for me to have allowed in any man, and they having this

occasion drank more than either I desired or themselves intended,* until they exceeded the bounds of lawful hilaritie, and I myself took part with them all the time. Although I forced no man to drink beyond his own pleasure, yet I perceived that this was a great sin and scandal. I did weep and pray unto God night and day some days thereafter, and made my vows unto the Lord to walk thereafter in all time coming more circumspectly, not after the fashion of this world, but according to the will of God revealed in His word, that by my good conversation that offence might be obliterated out of the minds of men. Hallelujah!

Upon Thursday, the 26th day of October, 1637, while I was writing this preceding spiritual exercise, there is brought to me a pamphlet set forth in print by some turbulent and ill-resolved author, against the lawful and laudable constitutions of the Synod of Perth, ratified in Parliament, and universally in the Kirk of Scotland received of the wisest and most peaceable pastors and people.† Upon

• The Town Council of Aberdeen, some years before this time (1625), anticipated the wisdom and good manners of a later age, by ordaining that "no person should at any public or private meeting presume to compel his neighbour at table to drink more wine or beer than what he pleased, under the penalty of forty pounds." (Kennedy's "Annals of Aberdeen," vol. i., p. 176.)

In the month of August, 1618, three months after the consecration of Patrick Forbes as Bishop of Aberdeen, a General Assembly of the Scottish Church was held at Perth, and the well-known Five Articles were passed, which so far constituted an innovation in the Presbyterian Establishment. These were: 1. Kneeling at the Holy Communion. 2. The administration of that ordinance to the sick and dying in their own houses in cases of urgent necessity. 3. The administration of baptism in private under similar circumstances. 4. The confirmation of the young by the bishop of the diocese. 5. The observance of the five commemorations of the birth, passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, and of the Day of Pentecost. Patrick Forbes had been from the beginning of his ministry opposed to innovations such as, the rumour ran, it was the desire of King James to introduce. He expressed his opinion on the matter to Spottiswood and others, and gave it as one of his reasons for hesitating as to accepting the office of bishop. He would not himself have introduced such articles as then passed at Perth, but as he did not believe of any one of them that they were anti-scriptural or unlawful, and as the assurance was given him that nothing further was to be attempted in the way of innovation, he not only waived the objection he at first had felt, but, knowing how urgent the king was in the matter, he not only consented to take office, and in that office take part in the passing of the articles, but when the sanction of both the ecclesiastical and civil authorities was once appended to them, he strongly insisted on their being carried out. The commotion excited by the introduction of these rites was extreme, and threatened direst calamities to the Church. Though taking no part generally in ecclesiastical affairs, John Forbes was induced, if not at his father's suggestion, yet with his full approval, in 1629, six years before the Bishop's death, to publish a volume entitled "Irenicum, Amatoribus, Veritatis et Percis in Ecclesia Scoticana." This treatise contained an apology for the five challenged rites, along with a general defence of the Episcopate. It elicited from Archbishop Ussher, the one great ecclesiastic of his times with whom Forbes' sentiments were most in unison, a letter expressive of the warmest admiration and approval. It was at the

the sight of that libel I groaned for pity of the author thereof, so miserably pertinacious in an evil course, so wilfully blind, and so blindly turbulent; I humbly prayed to God, who knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and who hath delivered me so often from my grievous sins and fearful dangers, and who hath purchased His Kirk with His most precious blood, that He, of His abundant love and boundless mercies, would illuminate, convert, forgive, and comfort those His servants whom error did miscarry, and to teach in all the way of truth and peace, and to incline our hearts to the love thereof, and lead us therein, that we may be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus, and may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Upon my bed, on the night betwixt the 26th and 27th day of October, 1637, both waking and in my sleep I was troubled in mind for my undutifulness towards my father, of good memory, whom I had not so patiently, reverently, and sincerely honoured and served as I ought, and I confessed my sin unto God, who immediately comforted me, making me to find comfort even in this that I was sorry for that sin; and also by bringing into my mind that whensoever I perceived perceived in my thoughts, or words, or behaviour, any undutifulness towards my father, I had perpetual recourse to God by confession and prayer, and was comforted; also when I found my father anyways offended at me, I took no rest until his mind was quieted, for I besought him to take no grief at my undutifulness, but to be assured that I was very sensible of all my oversights towards him, who oftentimes answered me that he found in me very great dutifulness, and that he thanked God with his heart for me, that I was a comfort to him in his weakness and afflictions, and the staff of his old age; and in consideration hereof sometimes he did weep for joy, and shew himself very glad that he had me to succeed to his heritage, and a little before he died, most lovingly and by a most fervent prayer to God for me he blessed me, and testified till his last breath his love toward me, and that he had great comfort by me. And those groans and prayers which my dying father sent up to God for me are yet continually before the Lord my God, and are accepted in the name and for the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. And the Lord doth assure me that all my sins toward my father, and all my sins whatsoever, are fully pardoned and purged away by the blood of Jesus

same time the object of virulent attacks. One of the many answers to it came from the pen of the well-known George Gillespie, and was entitled, "A Dispute against the EnglishPopish Ceremonies obtruded upon the Church of Scotland, wherein not only our own arguments against the same aro strongly confirmed, but likewise the answers and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Mortoun, Burges, Sprint, Paybody, Andrewes, Saravia, Tilen, Spotswood, Forbesse, etc."