SUPERSTITIOUS USE OF THE CROSS.-It is in vain to plead that the cross is not an idol. Those who deny that it is more than an innocent ornament, cannot be unaware that it is anobject of adoration in the Roman Catholic Church. Before the cross the head is bared; hymns are sung to it, 66 O sweet wood of the cross?" A poor woman in the west of Ireland re. monstrated with a Protestant on the use of the cross by those who were not Roman Catholics. "We do not worship it," was the reply. "But we do," she angrily answered, "and you know it."

"This holy sign," says the "Poor Man's Catechi-m," "is a means to preserve us from evil spirits, who vanish at the sight of it."-The Sign of the Cross.

September 11.-Afternoon.

Idolatry Punished.

READING, Exod. xxxii. 15-28. GOLDEN TEXT, 1 John, ver. 27.

Generally.-Speak of the ingratitude and impatience of the Israelites-the crime against Mosesrebellion against God-folly of Aaron-displeasure of Moses means adopted to make the people ashamed of what they had done (ver. 20)-reproof of Aaron's folly (ver. 21)-prompt and severe justice on

the offenders.

I.-A Caution.-Take Care.

The heart is deceitful.-Think of where the Israelites are now-what they had promised-what had been done for them-what said to them. Perhaps had resolved never to become idolaters, when they sang praises on the sea-shore for their deliverance, or when they heard the voice from Sinai. Resolve not kept.

"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Children often resolve that they will never do this, or that they will do that-make fair appearance; but if left to themselves soon get into mischief and trouble, especially when, as they think, nobody sees them.

II. Avoid Evil Examples.

Do not make companions of those who neither love nor worship God, lest you follow their ways. All fellowship with the wicked is dangerous (Prov. vi. 27, 28).

III.-Love God above all else.

What to us is best and greatest, what we honour most, love most, is our idol. A mother may make her child her idol; a merchant his business; a rich man his wealth; a boy his cricket; a girl her doll or her music, &c. Whatever comes between us and God, for the time is our idol.

Re

Whatever makes us careless about prayer — neglect the Bible - dislike the Sabbath-forget God. member the first commandment.

IV. Keep from outside Religion. Material representation degrading to the spiritual. Israelites could have thought little of God's greatness when they "changed His glory into the similitude of an ox "(Psa. cvi. 20). Note the tendency in the present day to clothe religion in outward symbols. Warn against this, and enforce the second commandment.

V.-What is to be done? Seek a new heart.-We may not live in heathen lands; but we are in the same danger in other ways— apt to forget God.

Show children that they are in constant danger of "children's idolatry, and point out simply some

idols.""

Open defiance to Gcd's law is not the way to blessing and prosperity. H. H.

ILLUSTRATION.-A celebrated physician was once visited by a person who appeared to be suffering from a profound melancholy. He advised the man to go and hear Matthews, the great comedian of the day. "Alas! Sir," was the reply, “I am Matthews."

The reign of Louis XVI. of France is remarkable for its military, literary, and social glory. Yet this brilliant sun went down in clouds and shadow. (Describe the glories of Versailles Palace, and the present insignificance of the monarch who is associated with its erection).

September 18.-Morning.
Solomon's Experiment.

READING, Eccl. ii. 1-11; GOLDEN TEXT, Psa. xc. 11.

In all a es men have sought to discover the secret of happiness; their various conclusions. Some said that happiness depended upon strict virtue, others upon pleasure and upon indifference to everything around us, &c.

Now we find a king telling us of his experience and the results which he obtained.

I.-Solomon Sighing for Happiness.

Picture his position; the greatest king and wisest philosopher of his age grieving for lack of happiness. His court the resort of wise men, and he skilled in all accomplishments.

A man who had had experience of all branches of study, and one able to speak justly about them. His disappointment; they did not make him happy. Dissatisfied with himself and every body, he sighs for the happiness that is denied him.

LESSON. Learning cannot make us happy for this life or for the future. God will accept a child's simple faith.

II.-Solomon Searching for Happiness.

He does not despair, but his pleasures now are not intellectual, but those of sense. He leaves the society of wise men for that of wits, musicians and jesters. The court, once serious, becomes frivolous. Banquets are given, but moderation is practised. Then, like Napoleon III., he busies himself with architecture, and pursues that most innocent of all labours, agriculture. Additional servants are employed in physical improvements.

The eastern country gentleman, too, did not forget the arts, but spent part of his vast revenue (ver. 8) in their cultivation. His judgment not perverted, but in the midst of his sensuous pleasures his mind remained unspoilt.

LESSON. In our pleasures we must be moderate, and must never permit even innocent employments to interfere with cur religion.

III.-Solomon Sorrowing for Happiness.

Strange that Solomon should fancy that happiness if not found in wisdom, could be found in pleasure. His disappointment bitter, all his plans unsuccessful.

Apply. Whence do we expect to obtain happiness?
Let us we warned by Solomon's example that religion
alone can give lasting pleasure.
A. W. G.

September 18.-Afternoon.

The People Forgiven.

READING, Ex. xxxiii, 12-23. GOLDEN TEXT, P8. cxxx. 4.
Briefly review last lesson, and elicit the principal
facts leading up to this solemn episode. The crisis;
Moses mediating; his further success in obtaining

This

I. The promise of God's presence. Show that this was absolutely necessary. only kept the nation separate, and on this separation depended its future greatness. Moses not only a great leader but a skilful pleader. His eloquence sincere and disinterested; he was not impelled by selfish motives. Describe the arguments :—(i.) That God had given him a work to do, and would not fail to help him in its discharge; (ii.) that the Jews were God's own people, though wayward and disobedient; (iii.) that God's presence was the distinguishing proof of His fatherhood. God's answer and promise obtained. Moses encouraged by his success ventures another request.

II.-A Prayer for God's power.

Moses not content with his partial communion with God, but desires further revelation. The request perhaps unnecessary, but yet human. Possibly he coveted the favour only as an honour, but more likely as a proof of God's reconciliation which might strengthen and support his faith. God's answer gentle and considerate. Picture the ensuing scene. The interest of the story to us:

III. A picture of God's Pardoning Plan.

Moses a type, though feeble, of Christ; leader and intercessor. But different in the fact that while the pleading of the old Hebrew was not certain of success, Christ's intercession for His people is never doubtful. Moses an inferior, Christ an equal of God. Moses a servant, Christ a son (Heb. iii. 5, 6). God's presence still necessary for us; without it we can never be distinct from the world around us. Then, again, God has revealed to us some of His glorious holiness, while a brighter scene awaits us beyond.

Apply. As Moses did not intercede until the people repented, Christ will not intercede for us and God will not hear until our sorrow is sincere. A, W. G.

"It

ALMOND-TREES. is the type of old age, whose hair is white, the white blossoms completely cover the whole tree; the green leaves do not appear till some time after.". Thomson.

DESIRE.-Reference is probably intended to the caper-berry, which was eaten before meals as a provocative to appetite. Even this would fail to excite the old man whose powers were exhausted.

SILVER CORD, ETC."The termination of life is signified generally by the breaking of a lamp, a pitcher, and a wheel. The silver cord by which the lamp hangs from the ceiling snaps, and the cup, or reservoir of oil is dashed to pieces in the fall; and the pitcher long used to bring the water from the spring is shattered; and the wheel by which a bucket is let down into the well is broken.".

September 25.-Morning.
Solomon's Conclusion.

READING, Eccl, ii. GOLDEN TEXT, Eccl. ii. 13.

"The advice to lead an active life in the fear of God, is here further enforced on the young, by the consideration of the circumstances which accompany old age, when activity becomes less and less possible and finally ceases altogether, so far as this world is concerned."

I.-Man's One Great Duty.

This is put into a very suggestive sentence: "Remember thy Creator." Unfold and illustrate.

(a) God's relation to us as Author of our being. (b) God's right over us, and claims on us, as our Creator.

(c) The ways in which His will and wish have been made known to us.

(d) What it is to remember Him, or keep the thought of Him ever near to us, cherishing always the earnest purpose to obey Him and serve Him.

(e) The special danger we are in of forgetting God and His claims; allowing ourselves to become altogether absorbed with earthly things.

Our one duty is to "Love the Lord our God with all our heart," and show our love to Him by serving Him with all our strength.

II. The time to begin doing our great

Duty.

"The days of thy youth.'

Find the reasons why this is the proper time, and the best time, for beginning. (a) God claims all our life.

(b) Youth is the time for forming habits.

(c) God makes special promises to those who seek early.

(d) Youth is in danger from self-will and temptation, so needs to be early decided for God.

Nothing on earth is so beautiful as a whole life given to God, from simple trustful childhood, to trembling and suffering old age. God loves the sacrifice of an entire life. Plead for yielding childhood and youth

to God.

III. The peril of trusting to any time but the right time.

Procrastination in religious duty is our greatest temptation. We say it will do by-and-by. Show that the time of manhood is a bad time for beginning, because men are so busy ; and show, from the chapter, that old age is a bad time, for though there may be leisure, there is failure of powers, and weakness, and lack of interest even in such high things.

In concluding, earnestly impress, from ver. 13, 14, how anxiously we should seek to begin, continue, and end our life aright, in the fear and obedience of God, seeing that all our doings must come under His judgment. ROBERT TUCK, B.A.