You all recognise this picture as the work of the Apostle Paul, who lived about eighteen hundred years ago. What I want you specially to not bout it, is the sword in the man's hand. I dare say you could give several other texts besides the one I have quoted, where the Bible is compared to a sword, such as Heb. iv. 12: For the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword.' Now, if a sword is a necessary weapon for us to 'take,' as Paul tells us, that must mean that we are sure to meet enemies. I know a gentleman whose dining-room is hung round with armour and weapons; but, when he is going out, he never unhooks a sword, and takes it with him. Why not? Because he will meet no enemies in the lanes and fields round his house. Long ago, when our country was in a very unsettled state, people used to carry swords constantly. Indeed, to this day, in some parts of the world, men go about with some weapon concealed on their persons, because they do not know when they may be attacked by an enemy. Here, then, is the sword of the Spirit,' which Christ has given to His soldiers, that they may be always ready to fight His enemies, whether in their own hearts, or in the world around them. You remember how our great Captain Himself conquered with this sword. Satan came to Him with three great temptations, and to each the Lord Jesus answered with, 'It is written.' And it is very remarkable that the three texts by which Christ defeated the devil's three assaults, are found on two pages of one book in the Old Testament. If you have one of Bagster's Bibles, and turn to Deut. vi. to viii., you will find these three verses on the two open pages. This shows our need for studying the Bible, that we may be ready with our weapon whenever danger arises. What would you think of a regiment of soldiers who went into battle without having ever learnt to use their guns and bayonets? You would say

they deserved to be beaten. See to it, then, that you are not like them. Read your Bible, study it, love it, and by God's grace you will be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.'

I said that there are enemies of Christ's to be conquered in the world around us, as well as in our own hearts. You remember, on the day of Pentecost, Peter used his sword to such good purpose, that he won the victory over three thousand of his Master's greatest focs; and the wonderful thing about this kind of victory, is, that it turns enemies into friends. Ever since Peter's day the conflict has been going on between Christ's servants and Satan's servants. In our own time, when Mr Moody and Mr Sankey were in this country, we have seen hundreds of people at a time pierced to the heart by 'the sword of the Spirit.' Ah! there is the secret of victory. It is the sword of the Spirit: and though to us it seems to be wielded by feeble men, it is really held in His mighty grasp, and directed by His will. Spurgeon tells a story of a colporteur who was much annoyed by a wretched drunkard, a professed infidel,—who was very fond of holding arguments with him. One evening, after dark, the infidel came to the colporteur's door, half drunk, as usual. There was no use in discussing religion with him at such a time, so the colporteur hurled, as it were, a few texts at him, and then shut the door. It does not appear that these texts had any effect on the man for whom they were intended; but the woman who lived in the adjoining house, just at that moment opened her door to turn some ragged children off the steps, and heard the words. They struck her to the heart; and by their means she was brought to love and serve the Lord Jesus.

Mr

Who will enlist in Christ's army, and fight under His banner? Here is one of the promises He makes to Ilis soldiers:

To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.'

J. B. M.

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Then writhing, with a heavy heart,
Near where her dear child lay,
She waited for the end, to come,
Which seemed not far away.
Then earnestly to God she cried
To help them in their need;
And He, whose every act is love,
Soon sent them help indeed.
For, presently, a voice she heard
Address her from the sky,
'Peace, Hagar, I have heard thy prayer-
Thy Ishmael shall not die.'

And, looking round to see from whence
Came the angelic voice,

A well of water, now, she saw,
That made her heart rejoice.

Then, speeding, with her gourd, she drew
From that life-giving spring;
Both drank of it, and, glad at heart,
To God did praises sing.

CROOKSTON HALL.

J. A.

The Dayspring Bible Class.

These Questions are intended to encourage the young to read the Scripture passage carefully. The answer to every question is contained in the passage itself, and so may be found by any one who reads it with care and attention.

QUESTIONS ON MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.
Chapters I. and II.

What are the names here given to the Lord Jesus which indicate the line of His descent from Adam?

Into what three periods, of fourteen genera tions each, is this genealogy divided?

By whom was Joseph told to call the young child Jesus, and for what reason?

What name given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah signifies God with us'?

By what name did the wise men of the east enquire concerning Jesus?

How could the priests and scribes tell where Jesus should be born?

What did Herod pretend was the reason why he wished to know where Jesus was?

By what means were the wise men led to Jesus?

What words describe their feelings when they found the infant Saviour?

How did they testify their reverence and love for Him?

Why did they not return to Herod?

Why did Joseph take the young child and His mother into Egypt?

How did Herod vent his wrath against the wise men, and against Jesus?

What words of Jeremiah's prophecy describe Bethlehem at that time?

When did Joseph return from Egypt with the babe and His mother?

Why did He return to Galilee, rather than to Judea?

Who reigned in Judea after Herod's death? How many times did an angel of the Lord appear to Joseph in a dream?

How many quotations from the Old Testament are given in these two chapters?

BUSY

SCRIPTURE ALBUMS-1877.

USY hands and planning heads have been at work in producing one of the finest collection of pictures, original and selected, which we recollect to have seen, illustrative of texts of Holy Scripture. Deciding the comparative merits of the various Albums has been no easy matter; so difficult was it found, that we resolved to call in the aid of a friend whose artistic taste has procured for him a high position in the world of literature and art. The following are the awards which have been made. We may state that the first prize has been won by a young friend who has produced a series of pen and ink sketches, which promise highly for his future eminence in this department. The Album which has gained the second prize is but little inferior to the first; the geometrical designs of the borders being exthe ceedingly beautiful, and water-colour paintings showing great skill and taste.

3.

William M'George, Castle-Douglas.
Maria M. Scobie Lairg.

Elizabeth W. Steen, Edinburgh.

The Albums of the following competitors, although inferior in merit to those which have gained prizes, are nevertheless considered by the Editor and Publishers as well worthy of honourable mention, viz. :

Agnes M. E. Agnew, Wigton. Frank Rae, Glasgow. Jane H. Watson, Glasgow. A. E. Seward, Deptford. A. S. Thomson, Moffat. Jane Martin, Belfast. John Wilson Tait, Stow. Robina Stretton Higham, Glasgow. Maggie Black, Bathgate. Robert Taylor, Glasgow. Robert J. Roddick, Glasgow. Katie S. Macdougall, Rosshire. Jane Bryce, Maybole. Alex. Martin, Leith.

John Walker, Glasgow. Mary J. Veitch, Edinburgh. Mary M'C. Alexander, Edinburgh. John M'Farlane, Glasgow. R. M. Taylor, Glasgow. Mary Johnstone, Dumfries. Beatrice Johnstone, Dumfries. Robert Jas. Johnstone, Belfast. "Tina M'C. Alexander, Edinburgh. Lizzie Hoy, Dundee. Dora J. E. Johnston, Tyrone. Emma J. G. M'Lees, Wishaw.

PRIZES FOR BIBLE QUESTIONS, 1877.

IN intimating the names of those who have

been successful in the competition for the above-mentioned prizes, it is interesting to note how well-sustained the competition has been throughout the year. In the Senior class, especially, while the Questions have been of more than ordinary difficulty, the exertions of the competitors have manifested an amount of anxious searching of the Word of God which cannot but result in an enlarged acquaintance with the Book of books. During 1878, the

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dougall, 27. Jessie Buchanan, 27. Helen J. Balfour, 273. George B. Sherwood, 27. Barbara H. Sutherland, 27. Helen Rodger, 27. Robert Jack, 26. John W. Tait, 26. Kate Wilson, 26. William Sneddon, 26. Malcolm M'Callum, 25. Elizabeth M'Callum, 25. Janet Sturgeon, 25. Maria Sturgeon, 25. Agnes Agnew, 25. Ellen J. Dixon, 24. Agnes Thompson, 233. Robert Galloway, 23. Robert J. Johnstone, 23. David James, 22. John Slater, 22. Mary M'Master, 21. James B. Caldwell, 20. Wm. P. Burn, 20.

Junior.-Robert S. G. Anderson, 28. Louisa E. Dixon, 28. James Law, 273. George Martin, 273. Matthew Slater, 27. Ella Love, 27. Edith C. Balfour, 263. Thomas M'Callum, 26. Ella Cameron, 26. John N. Balfour, 25. Maggie Douglas, 25. Flora M. Davidson, 25. Ellen Holmwood, 25. Matthew Johnstone, 25. Margaret C. and Alice Tait, 25. Eliza M. Hunter, 25. Susie Milne, 24. Bessie M'Lennan, 24. Annie W. Rodger, 23. Maggie Y. M'Master, 23. Agnes Jackson, 22. John G. Anderson, 21. Mary W. Falconer, 20. Agnes Falconer, 20.

changes. A Series of Scripture Acrostics, varied with Questions in the form employed since the commencement of the 'Dayspring,' will be given each month. It has been deemed advisable also that, instead of having a Senior and Junior Class, there should be only one class, embracing young people up to fourteen years of age.

Intimation may be made further on in the year, of some kind of work which will call forth the energies of those who are more advanced.

Competitors not to be above fourteen years of age; and the answers must be honestly the work of the individuals competing.

All answers to be sent, with the name and address of the competitor, not later than the 18th of each month, to the Rev. JOHN KAY, Coatbridge.

No. 1.

grief:

An arrant hypocrite whose end was brief;
A priest who prophesied of coming doom;
A man who to God's service lent his room;
A village laden with love's sweet perfume.

Those five initials, joined, will tell of one Whose race seemed short when it had wellnigh run.

Though grievous folly marked his early course, He learned, in later years, a nobler force. Ceasing from earth, his spirit strove with

heaven,