reasonings and evasions of those who reject the truth, the humble christian who has the word which the Holy Ghost teacheth always at command, will ever be able to give a reason with meekness for the faith as well as the hope that is in him. W. [For the Monitor.] BIBLE CLASSES. YOUNG people have too generally been left without any special religious instruction; but a brighter day appears to be dawning upon Zion. The attention of many is turned to this object. The more they contemplate it, the more its importance is magnified. The nearer they view it, the more it warms their hearts. And as the fruits of righteousness have often abounded in connexion with Bible Class instruction, its friends and advocates are becoming more numerous and more active. Indeed it is an object, which at once commends itself to the approbation of every friend of the Bible and of souls. We have learned that a large proportion of the youth of Northampton have recently been formed into Bible Classes. A great readiness was manifested to be thus instructed. This will probably be the case wherever the attempt is made by the pastor. The General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church attest this fact, when in their last report they say: "We are happy also to state, that in many of our churches Bible Classes have been instituted for improvement in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures-that our more advanced youth are ANXIOUS TO BE INSTRUCTED in this manner. and that their numbers and zeal appear to be increasing." This extract, however, not merely proves that young people are beginning anxiously to seek such instruction, but that the Judicatories of the church at the south are awaking to this object. We rejoice to find a resoluion of the General Synod so firmly advancing into a field where the Dutch Reformed Church had not before legislated. 66 Resolved, 3dly, that it be earnestly recommended to all the pastors of our churches, that in connexion with the usual catechetical instruction, they institute Bible Classes under their own immediate superintendence for the instruction of persons more advanced in Biblical knowledge." We cherish the hope that this resolution will speedily bring thousands more to enjoy the inestimable privileges of Bible Class instruction. Nor are we willing that the churches of New England should be behind their sister churches in such labours of love. We are pleased that new measures have recently been. adopted by them. The Suffolk Association have instituted the inquiry, "What can be done to promote Bible Class instruction." They brought it before the Pastoral Association of Evangelical Ministers in Massachusetts, at their late meeting in May, and that body "Voted, That we highly approve of Bible Classes, and that this subject be referred to a committee, who shall be authorized to take any measures they may think proper for the formation of Bible Classes the present year, and make report of their doings, and also of their views relative to the subject at our meeting next year. "Voted, That Rev. Mrs. Wisner, Green, Fay, and Wilbur, be that committee." The Suffolk Association have since instructed their delegates to the General Association of Massachusetts, to direct the attention of that body to the object. Indeed it is the design, that systematic, organized, and efficient measures shall be devised and executed for the whole of New England, to give young people an intimate acquaintance with the oracles of God. We are happy to state likewise, that, in an interview – with the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, we were informed that measures are soon to be taken to have some uniform method of instruction used in all the Episcopal Churches of this Diocese May the divine blessing accompany these efforts, and many souls will rejoice through an endless existence, that they were youths in this age of the world. [For the Mouitor.] Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Exodus xx. 8. THIS command was given by God, on Mount Sinai, accompanied with thunderings and lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet. How awfully grand and sublime must have been the sight-the Divine Majesty, seated on a cloud, and descending in all the grandeur of unexampled magnificence! So terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake, and all the people that were in the camp trembled. But how awfully is this command neglected, notwithstanding it was delivered in so solemn a manner, by the Governor of the Universe, and everlasting punishment denounced against the transgression of it. Alas! how much is it neglected by multitudes, even in our highly favoured country, where we enjoy such distinguished privileges of worshipping God. Regardless of the divine command, hundreds and thousands convert the Sabbath into a day of recreation and amusement; neglecting the sanctuary, they turn their backs on the offers of salvation, and they debar their souls from the very means which God has appointed to direct them in the way to eternal life. Influenced by this example, others follow in their steps; and thus the contagious influence spreads from one generation to another. May all my youthful readers hearken to the voice of God, and Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." W. H. [For the Monitor.] SABBATH SCHOOL LIBRARIES. SCARCELY a month passes away without some valuable little book for children, comes from the press, which it would be exceedingly desirable to have read in every family of the land. Few families, however, can be at the expence of purchasing but a small part of these publications. In order, therefore, to extend the instruction which they contain, to each youthful circle, and also to give additional interest to the system of Sabbath School education, libraries of these appropriate books are beginning to be formed in connexion with many of our Sabbath Schools. Should not every school in the land be favored with this bond of union, and these sources of profitable entertainment for many an hour of childhood, which may otherwise run to waste? R. [For the Monitor.] SINGING IN SABBATH SCHOOLS. Ir is a pleasant part of the exercises of some Sabbath Schools, for all the children to join in singing a few verses in a familiar tune. For myself, I can freely say, no music falls on my ear with such sweetness as this. An angel in his flight of mercy from land to land, might linger to listen while these notes of praise ascend to Heaven. It is not a small matter that the lips of children should early be preoccupied with the songs of Zion. Many an hour of solitude would thus be cheered, and many a serious thought thus be excited in the mind. Seldom does the Sabbath morning return its pleasant light, without the words of the little hymn, which twenty years ago were treasured in my memory, are escaping from my lips. R. CUSTOMS OF THE NORTHERN ESQUIMAUX AND DOG-RIBBED INDIANS. An Extract. "The winter habitations of the Esquimaux, who visit Churchill, are built of snow, and judging from one constructed by Augustus to-day, they are comfortable dwellings. Having selected a spot on the river, where the snow was about two feet deep, and sufficiently compact, he commenced by tracing out a circle twelve feet in diameter. The snow in the interior of the circle was next divided with a broad knife, having a long handle, into slabs three feet long, six inches thick, and two feet deep, being the thickness of the layer of snow. These slabs were tenacious enough to admit of being moved about without breaking, or even losing the sharpness of their angles, and they had a slight degree of curvature, corresponding with that of the circle from which they were cut. They were piled upon each other exactly like courses of hewn stone around the circle which was traced out, and care was taken to smooth the beds of the different courses with the knife, and to cut them so as to give the wall a slight inclination inwards, by which contrivance the building acquired the properties of a dome. The dome was closed somewhat suddenly and flatly by cutting the upper slabs in a wedge-form, instead of the more rectangular shape of those below. The roof was about eight feet high, and the last aper ture was shut by a small conical piece. The whole was built from within, and each slab was cut so that it retained its position without requiring support until another was placed beside it, the lightness of the slabs greatly facilitating the operation. When the building was covered in, a little loose snow was thrown over it, to close up every chink, and a low door was cut through the walls with the knife. A bed-place was next formed, and neatly faced up with slabs of snow, which was then covered with a thin layer of pine branches to prevent them from melting by the heat of the body. At each end of the bed a pillar of snow was erected to place a lamp upon; and lastly, a porch was built before the door, and a piece of clear ice was placed in an aperture cut in the wall for a window. "The purity of the material of which the house was framed, the elegance of its construction, and the translucency of its walls, which transmitted a very pleasant light, gave it an appearance far superior to a marble building, and one might survey it with feelings somewhat akin to those produced by the contemplation of a Grecian temple, reared by Phidias; both are triumphs of art, inimitable of their kinds. |