possession." Ephes. i. 13, 14. But if we had by any good works to endeavour to merit those blessings, how useless would they be to us, seeing that in us (that is, in our flesh) dwelleth no good thing. Even if we had to perform a single meritorious act in order to gain the blessings of salvation, it would be but a vain attempt, and they would appear as if held out to us in mockery, since of ourselves we have not power to think one good thought. But God gives us a free salvation. He does not require that we should be worthy of it before we go to him; but his gracious invitation is, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa. lv. 1. And again, "Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. xxii. 17. So, then, all is of free grace from first to last, our righteousnesses being all as filthy rags. The righteousness of Christ Jesus is imputed to us, while our iniquities are laid upon him; so that we stand before God accepted in his beloved Son, and we view him no longer as an angry God, a consuming fire, but as a reconciled Father. "Now therefore we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." Whom having not seen, we love; in whom,

66

though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls." 1 Peter, i. 8, 9. And "to them that look for him will Christ appear the second time without sin unto salvation;" and "he shall change our vile body, that may be fashioned like unto his glorious body."

it

66

"Seeing then that we look for such things, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" Let us therefore who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation." "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

LISTS OF SCRIPTURE SUBJECTS,

PROVED BY ELIZA AT THE BIBLE-CLASS.

Two specimens only of Eliza's diligence and perseverance in her biblical researches were introduced into the Memoir. And had it not been desirable to avoid prolixity, many other Text-lists, of a highly interesting character, might have been given, to show not merely her success in accumulating very numerous Scripture passages under the various subjects she was required to prove, but likewise the remarkably judicious manner in which they often were classified and arranged. In this way her exercises from week to week always afforded gratifying indications of the great pains she must have bestowed in their preparation, as well as of the correct and comprehensive knowledge of Divine truth she had acquired.

As Eliza's religious character and history appear, from the statements in the Memoir, to be very closely connected with the Bible-class, some readers may probably feel desirous to know what were the different Scripture subjects which occupied so much of her time and attention during six successive seasons.

Such a desire is quite natural. And, therefore, in the conclusion of this little volume, it may not be deemed out of place or intrusive to insert lists of the subjects which were proved by Eliza. I do this the more cheerfully, hoping these lists may be helpful to others who are engaged, or who may wish to engage, in carrying forward the scriptural education of the young, either privately or in classes. My own experience is strongly in favour of classes.

There is an undoubted difficulty in selecting suitable subjects for proof. No teacher can fail to experience this, if his class is continued for any length of time, and especially if a number of the same pupils also continue in attendance. The Holy Scriptures contain information on an immense variety of topics, and out of this variety must be selected those that are of real importance. I conceive that a subject, although strictly scriptural, is not suitable for a Bible class unless it is in itself important. Again, even among intrinsically important subjects, it seems needful to choose those that are easily proved,—I mean subjects on which many texts can be found by attentive study. Unless this is the case, young people are discouraged, and the work of Bible searching, instead of being pleasant, becomes irksome, which must be strenuously guarded against. I have, besides, found it very profitable in many respects to have connected subjects, and at the commencement of a season to read over the whole series at once, ap

prising the pupils of the different subjects they are to be engaged with from week to week. This assists in keeping up attention, and in leading them to discriminate between subjects which appear very much to resemble each other. It will frequently happen when a subject belonging to a series is announced, that it is felt to be of too restricted a character, and the pupils come to an instant and despairing conclusion, that very few proofs can be found. But when they set about an intelligent search, they are astonished at the number of good texts they meet with. Their success rewards their labour; and both teacher and pupils receive a benefit.

The first season of Eliza's attendance was very short, as circumstances of a domestic nature hindered me from commencing in November as usual.

1. God is omnipotent.

Spring, 1848.

2. Jesus Christ is omnipotent.

3. God is omniscient.

4. Jesus Christ is omniscient.

5. God is omnipresent.

6. Jesus Christ is omnipresent.

7. The Holiness of God.

8. The Righteousness or Justice of God.

9. The Wisdom of God.

10. The Faithfulness and Truth of God. 11. God is Merciful and Gracious.

12. The Goodness and Love of God.