They publish their commission from the Lord. In their several different tongues. In such The multitudes confounded, then address'd Each other, and exclaim'd-"These men who speak, "Are surely Galileans! and how then "Hear we in every sev'ral tongue distinct "Their acc'rate speech, familiar to us all? "We were born Parthians, Medes, Elamites; "Men of Chaldean Mesopotamia; "In Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia dwell, "And in the parts of Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Lybia, Cyrene, native Jews, 66 "And others proselytes, Arabians, Cretes, 66 Strangers from distant Rome, yet all-all hear, "And hearing understand, while they declare, "With learned zeal and kindly earnestness, "The marvellous works of God!" All amaz'd, They doubt; and with each other conferring, Not knowing what to think of things so strange: But asking still, "What can this wonder mean?" The sons of scorn, contemptuous men, arise, With daring infidels and Sadducees, Sceptical, and irrev'rent, to assert Their sev'n-fold wisdom, loudly arguing, Intolerantly boasting their reason, Denying charity, insulting truth, "Mocking," they thus appeal'd-"Yeprudent men, 'Why listen to these unlearn'd fanatics? They have not studied in our Rabbis' schools: "Their weak, giddy heads are manifestly "Turn'd round, with airy fumes of new made wine, "Which leads them to presume, as favourites "Of our God, that they're endued, like prophets "In old times, with special inspiration." Against the imputation so absurd, Malignant, blasphemous, the twelve arose, With angel meekness to reply: "Peter Standing with th' eleven," his son'rous voice Uplifting, thus,—" Ye Jewish men, and all "Of you who dwell here at Jerusalem, "Hearken, attentive to my faithful word."The day's third hour, in which, as God ordain'd "You offer morning sacrifice, is yet "Not past: how then can we be drunken? Things "Which you now hear and see are wonderful! "But these and greater, prophets have foretold, "And written clearly in our sacred books, "Which you have read and heard from early youth 66 By holy Joel, God hath surely said, My Spirit I will pour upon all flesh, "In the last days: your daughters and your sons "Shall be prepar'd to prophecy: visions and dreams, "Divine shall be afforded both to old "And young. My servants and my handmaids then "Shall prophecy, and wonders I will show "In heaven and on the earth, and ev'ry one 66 Among the sons of men, who on the Lord's "Most holy name shall call, in peace shall live, "A monument of his great salvation, "In time, and through eternal days in heav'n. "Know, ye men of Israel, these are blessings "Which descend on guilty mortals, solely 66 Through God's Anointed. He liv'd among us : "God approv'd him well; and you are inform'd "Fully of mighty deeds, of miracles, "And signs, many, which he among you wrought, Him, being delivered by God's counsel "Determinate, and his foreknowledge just, "You have taken, and slain by wicked hands, "In crucifixion ignominious, "Whom God hath raised up: for even death, "Which none have pow'r to 'scape, could hold him bound 666 "No longer than the third-th' appointed morn. "The prophet David thus foresaw and spake "Concerning him. The Lord before my face, "Always I saw. He is on my right hand, "That I should not be mov'd. For this my heart Is joyous; my tongue is glad, and even "My flesh shall rest in blessed hope: my life "Thou wilt not leave in darkness, nor wilt thou "Permit thy Holy One in death to see "The sepulchre's corruption. Thy sure ways "Of heav'nly life to me thou hast made known; "And with thy blessed countenance divine, My soul shalt thou enrich with plenitude Of joy in thy immediate presence.' 66 6 66 6 To be continued. HYMN. FROM those eternal regions, Hark! a voice of pardon free, Go, mortal, and receive it; Go, and the boon is thine; Saints and angels at his shrine, But a moment and for ever, Think what will your days of pleasure In the regions of despair? 0. W. W. BIRMINGHAM FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, FOUNDED BY KING EDWARD VI. IN 1552. LORD BACON's adage, "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER," has had a thousand admirers, because of the soundness of its sentiment and the beauty of its expression. "KNOWLEDGE IS RELIGION;" or at least one of its grand elementary principles, one of the essentials of Christianity. Knowledge is one of the chief peculiarities which distinguish our most holy religion from all the false systems of faith and worship, which the craft and folly of priests and rulers have imposed upon mankind: and this is designed as the means of regenerating the world, by the infinite wisdom of God. Education leads to knowledge, and learning illustrates the glorious Gospel, which requires investigation, and challenges the most rigorous scrutiny of its principles and claims. Universal education is comprehended in the merciful purposes of heaven, as one of the chief means of producing the millennial glory, when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea"when "all shall know the LORD from the greatest even unto the least"-and when "the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ," VOL. V. Popular education, therefore, is essential to "the advancement of society in knowledge and religion;" and the Christian philanthropist cannot but hail the improvements that are making in the existing systems of instruction, and in the local establishments for the education of the rising generation. Every large town in the United Kingdom presents a vast field for cultivation in this respect, deserving the best attention of the philosopher and the Christian. Birmingham, with its 150,000 inhabitants, cannot contain less than 50,000 capable of education; and to make provision for their instruction must be the duty and interest of its principal inhabitants. This, in a great degree has been attempted in relation to king Edward's Grammar School, the management of which is placed upon a far more liberal footing, corresponding with the advancing spirit of the age, by a recent act of Parliament. BIRMINGHAM FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL was founded in the fifth year of king Edward VI.; and this, with others, especially the "FIVE ROYAL HOSPITALS" in London, of which "Christ's Hospital" is one, where about 1000 boys are clothed, fed, and educated, will, in some good degree, illustrate the thoughtfulness and piety of the young king, as well as the disposition of his counsellors, Letters patent were granted on the second of January, 1552, for transferring the possession of a religious establishment entitled "The Guild of the Holy Cross," of the clear annual value of 217., to twenty inhabitants of Birmingham, who were created a body corporate and elective of themselves in perpetuity. The governors thus appointed possess a common seal, and, with the advice of the bishop of the diocese, have the government of the school-the appointment of masters, whose stipends they regulate-and the preservation and disposition of the revenues. In conformity with the charter, the governors were formerly chosen from the inhabitants of Birmingham alone; but by a recent enactment, persons duly qualified, whose residence does not exceed four miles from the town, are considered eligible to act in that capacity. The Grammar School is conducted by a head master and second master, with an assistant to each, and likewise a writing master. The two first mentioned are required to be Masters of Arts of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and in Holy Orders. The head master is permitted to take eighteen boarders, and the second master twelve. The youths who are candidates for admission into the school are ineligible unless they can read and write English, and are above eight years of age; nor are they allowed to continue after they have completed their nineteenth year. Boys who are not sons of inhabitants of Birmingham are required to pay for their education such sum as the governors shall determine. There are ten exhibitions of 50l. a year each, paid half-yearly, to be held four years, with a certain residence, founded for boys who shall go to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge; two exhibitions one year, and three another, alternately. The candidates are examined, and their names arranged according to their respective excellence in classical learning. In case no candidates appear for exhibitions who are sons of the inhabitants of Birmingham, the governors may assign them to any other candidates, provided they shall have been three years in the school prior to the annual visitation. Should a death take place during the four years, the governors may re-appoint; but the exhibitions remain vacant if there are not a sufficient number of boys qualified. under the direction of Mr. Barry; who has recently enhanced the fame his distinguished talents as an architect had previously acquired, by his much admired designs for the new houses of parliament. Four other buildings, as elementary school-houses, are contemplated by the new governors, to be erected in different parts of the town for the benefit of the population; and this provision is hailed as a public blessing. This beautiful edifice is described in the Companion to the Almanack, from which we give an abridged account. "The design embodies an adaptation of the collegiate, and civil, and ecclesiastical pointed architecture of the third period of what is commonly called Gothic architecture, or more particularly of the time of the Tudor line of English sovereigns; and is a distinguished proof that novel and beautiful combinations may be made of classical materials, without either servile copying, or tame imitation. "The structure resolves itself, externally, into a regular quadrangular figure, extending 174 feet in front, 125 feet in flank, and 60 feet in height. Internally, two courts, of the same figure, are formed, around and between which the several parts of the building are arranged. The main body of the front elevation is composed of two stories, which are indicated by series of windows, enriched with tracery of the period to which the composition belongs-the lower being comparatively low, with very flat arches of what are termed the four-centred, or obtuse-angled and contrasted form; the upper are lofty, with arches of similar form, but of higher elevation. These divide that part of the elevation into seven minor compartments, which are separated by buttresses, diminishing as they ascend, and terminating above an embattled parapet, in pinnacles, enriched with crockets and finials. The principal entrance is in the central compartment of the ground-story, and is formed by a characteristic porch, so designed as not to break up the harmony and continuity of the composition. The elevation generally, however, includes two wings, which stand so far forward as to range with the buttresses of the main body in the lower story, and running up to the height of the main body, terminate in small gables. These wings are enriched each by a lofty oriel window of two stories in height, corbelling from the level of the principal floor. The other windows are plain, rectangular, and mullioned, with label heads in collegiate style. The flanks exhibit three tiers, or stories, of windows similar to the ordinary windows of the wings in front. The rear front is of a similar composition to the principal front, as regards the wings. In the centre are seven large pointed windows, filled with mullions and tracery in the principal floor; and in the lower story there is a series of open arches, forming a covered Some important changes in the system of instruc-play-ground, with a cloister for the boys during intion, calculated to extend the usefulness of the school, are now under the consideration of the governors. An annual visitation is held in Easter week, at which three examiners attend, who are required to be resident members of one of the universities of Oxford or Cambridge, of not less than seven years standing; and who have taken the degree of Master of Arts, or Bachelor of Civil Law. A general examination of the boys takes place at that time, to ascertain their proficiency in the classics, and their knowledge of the fundamental principles and doctrines of the Christian religion. A wise regulation has been enacted relative to publishing the accounts of this institution. It is decreed-" That an abstract of the accounts of the income and expenditure of the revenues of the school estates shall be hereafter published by the governors once in the month of June, in every year, in some one newspaper printed within the said town of Birmingham." The gross annual revenue of this institution at present amounts to about 4000l. per annum; an income which is continually augmented by the termination of existing leases. We present our readers with an engraving of a north view, facing New-street, of the magnificent building now erecting for the Grammar School, clement weather. "The principal entrance from New-street opens upon a vestibule, on the right and left of which are two subordinate school-rooms, occupying the ground or lower story of the main body of the front, from the windows of which they receive their light. Onward the vestibule leads into a gallery, or corridor, separating the two internal quadrangular courts, and out into the vaulted and groined ground-floor of the main body of the rear front, which communicates, by its open arcade, with the play-ground. Turning to the right, after passing through the entrance vestibule, there is a handsome stone staircase leading up to a corridor corresponding with that below, but of much greater height, according with the greater general height of the story, and connecting the two principal rooms in the structure, which relatively occupy the main bodies of its principal and rear fronts. These are the library and the grammar school-room. The former is over the entrance vestibule and subordinate schools in front, and occupies the grand series of windows of the elevation. This room is 102 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 31 feet in height. The latter-the grammar-school-occupies the corresponding part within the rear-front, over the vaulted play-ground below; over one end there will be a gallery for the accommodation of visitors at public examinations; above which gallery the length of this room is 120 feet, its width 30 feet, and its height 45 feet. The roof will be carved and enriched with tracery in the manner of the roofs of Eltham, Crosby, and other ancient halls of the same period. In the wings of the fronts and the flanking-buildings from front to rear, are the residences for the head and second master, which include apartments for the accommodation of a limited number of private pupils. The building is entirely faced with a durable grit stone, of a fine colour, from Darley Dale, in Derbyshire. The interior of the vestibule, corridors, and staircases, all of which are highly decorative, and have groined ceilings, are entirely cased with stone.” ON SUFFERINGS AND SORROWS. II. THE THOUGHTLESS. THE world contains a vast number of persons whose conduct by no means deserves to be called vicious or immoral, but which still is not founded upon principle, and can never tend to promote their real happiness, or qualify them for the service of God in the kingdom which he is about to establish in this world under the sovereignty of his Son Jesus Christ. And indeed it will appear, with very little attention, that these persons are not happy; that their lives are spent amidst vexations and confusions of every sort, and that they feel deeply that a load exists somewhere which oppresses them, though they may not be able distinctly to point out the precise source of the uneasiness they undergo. I have designated such persons as the thoughtless, although long before their career is ended, they frequently become exceedingly thoughtful; and I propose now to demonstrate the wisdom displayed by God in the course of discipline by which he brings this portion of his wandering subjects to himself. The class of persons to whom I refer, when young, are those who look upon life as an unchanging scene of enjoyment-who greedily feed upon those innocent pleasures which, when abused, become injurious, and are content to join in any amusements which are not decidedly immoral. Such individuals never think that they are bound to devote heart and life to the service of their Maker, and to pass the time of their sojourning here in fear, as pilgrims to a better country. They join in the external services of religion, but are utter strangers to that real and vital piety which takes the whole man, and makes him a devoted servant of God. I believe that this is the character of the greater part of the human race; though at the same time I am well aware that, in addition to this general character, each one of them has peculiar failings and weaknesses which require correction. And need I say that the life of such persons is full of sufferings and sorrows, of the precise description which are likely to check the thoughtlessness of their disposition and awaken it to energy and exertion? The casual connexion which exists between any one individual and a hundred others, is such as to preclude him from the possibility of knowing any thing of their situation or peculiar afflictions, and the aspect which men assume during the hours of business, might lead one to suppose that nothing of a distressing description is pressing on their mind. But the utter fallacy of all such notions will appear in an instant to the man who will cast his eye round on his intimate friends, and see whether some grief is not gnawing at the heart of every one of them. All are sufferers. They may not indeed be distinctly aware that the sufferings they undergo, are the discipline by which God is correcting their faultsbut the fact is not less so; nor will it be difficult for the reflecting mind to perceive it. The man who investigates the condition of his fellow-creatures in the belief of the principle which I have before stated, will find enough to interest and instruct him. He will find that the careless man is perpetually involving himself in difficulties arising entirely from his own neglect-that the suffering which he thus undergoes, in almost every case leads him to resolve that in future he will be more attentive and careful, and although the power of habit may, and indeed will, in many instances, prevail against his resolutions, each repeated failure must, on account of the perplexity it occasions, convince him still more deeply of the impropriety of his conduct; and there can be no doubt, that the most favourable state of mind for improvement, whether moral or spiritual, is that in which the wrong doer is convinced of the error of his present ways, and is sincerely anxious to correct them. He may, and it is desirable that he should, make many fruitless attempts to improve in dependance upon his own strength, but his constant failures are the lesson by which God is teaching him that he can make no advances in virtue, or any other excellence, without the aid of his Maker. If our inquirer should take up the case of a deceitful man, he would be sure to find him in a wretched condition of mind, arising from the anxiety which must invariably belong to one who has many intricate and conflicting schemes to accomplish. And even supposing that a temporary success attends upon his shameful devices, that his wealth increases and his character is not suspected, he will often have to undergo withering convictions of his own infamy, and in moments of reflection and solitude, will be made to feel how much more easy the way of sincerity is, than the most prosperous course of duplicity and deceit. Nor is this all. Deceivers are the objects of God's most severe chastisements, and will have to undergo the bitter sting of being themselves imposed upon and cheated. There is a world of instruction in the remonstrance of Jacob to Laban, "Thou hast deceived me these ten times;" and no one can have read the history of this patriarch with proper attention, who has not observed that the consequences of his detestable falsehoods to his father followed him through life, and made Laban a deceiver to him-his own son a deceiver to him-and his own children, in the most excruciating suffering of his life, deceivers to him as he had been to his father. It is quite evident that Jacob was naturally prone to deception, and it is equally evident that God was determined to cure him of it. Nor can we find a more beautiful specimen of the efficacy and nature of God's moral discipline, than is furnished in the affecting interview between Jacob and Esau, after an absence of forty years. Jacob displays at this meeting the deepest sense of his unjust and inexcusable conduct to his brother, and seeks, by all the means in his power to testify his repentance, while the character of Esau shines out with unwonted splendour; like all passionate men, the injury to his feelings was forgotten and forgiven in the lapse of time, and the recklessness which had formerly been so fatally conspicuous in his conduct was purified into exalted benevolence, and induced him to refuse the offer of his brother's wealth, and express contentment with the blessings he had received from his Creator. Should our observer turn to the history of some man who, when young, was beguiled into the pleasing delusion that he should find the world a scene of brightness and pleasure, he will not be long before he discovers that disappointments, losses, and afflictions, have thoroughly eradicated the deceitful hope, and brought the mind into that state of feeling towards the world, which is highly favourable to the reception of the Gospel invitation, to seek in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Should his attention be directed to the man who allowed his companions and society to occupy that place in his affections which belongs only to the Deity, he will hear many a bitter complaint of the deceitfulness of those who call themselves friends, and many a mournful regret over really kind ones who are laid in the silent tomb, and whose death has cccasioned that feeling of desolation, which must induce the mind to look for some object upon which it can fix itself without the fear of disappointment. Or should the man of pleasure be induced to lay open the secret feelings of his mind and heart, they will infallibly furnish a most appalling illustration of what the Saviour meant when he compared some men to whited sepulchres, whose clean exterior served but to mask the loathsome impurities that were within. The cases that I have supposed and brought forward, are but a few specimens of the vast variety of conditions of mind and heart which fill the world. Each man is a distinct and separate illustration of the principle I desire to maintain. I will anticipate the objection that will certainly arise to the mind of the Christian who has not been disciplined by reflection and philosophy, and who supposes that no state of mind can be pleasing to the Deity but that which is called in Scripture, "faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ," by reminding him that "repentance towards God," must, in every case precede the exercise of faith, and if he should complain of the principle I am maintaining, because I have not shewed that it leads the sinner to Jesus Christ, I shall feel that he bestows a commendation rather than a censure, since no man would ever think of applying to Jesus Christ -the Scripture expressly declares the work of redemption to have been devised by God not by manit is therefore impossible that any man can come to Jesus Christ unless he is first brought to God, and is then drawn by God to Jesus Christ. It is possible that some of our readers may scarcely comprehend such a theory. I regret it if they cannot, for the knowledge of it would promote their happiness-but if they desire a test of its veracity, they have only to look back on their own history, and inquire whether they did not fear and tremble before Godwhether their thoughts were not directed to Him, long before they had learnt to love and confide in their blessed Saviour. But I will not reason-except, indeed, that may be called reasoning, which urges men to reflection and thought. I have no doubt that individuals of all classes will read my remarks. Now the impression I am desirous of making suits all equally. To the reader, therefore, I can safely say, you are a sufferer and you know it. If you are among the number of those whose characters I have been describing, you are unhappy. You may not be aware of the reason distinctly, but I can tell you that it is because your sufferings, and the convictions they awaken, lead you to feel your connexion with God-and you do not like to feel this, or to think about God at all, because you think he is angry with you, and will punish you if you approach him. If your sufferings have really brought you to this condition, it is important for you to be told distinctly, that if you are tired of the load and responsibility of your sins, Jesus Christ will remove them. You need not inquire how. You will learn that bye-and-bye. Come at once to the cross of Jesus Christ, and believe in the promise of God to pardon all that come there. And in reliance on this forgiveness, endeavour to live in all respects to the glory of that Redeemer who has done so much for you, and who has promised to assist your efforts to please him. You know that you are miserable now, but then you will be exceeding happy. B. Z. GUIDE TO THE BIBLE CLASS. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE "COMPANION TO THE BIBLE." CHAPTER I.—Introduction. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS are proved to be fruitful nurseries of the church of God. They deserve, therefore, the most intelligent and prayerful regard by their teachers; that by Bible Classes especially, as the best adapted means of instruction, they may be directed with the greatest efficiency, under the gra cious influences of the Holy Spirit. Children in our Sabbath-schools, taken from families who are the least favoured, when their minds have been opened by the Word of God, are frequently found to become exceedingly inquisitive. These, amongst the rising generation, excite the liveliest hope of their pious teachers, while they are regarded with prayerful solicitude by the aged fathers and ministers in the church of Christ. Inquisitive Sabbath-school children generally ask many questions concerning the wonderful events and the extraordinary persons mentioned in the Word of God; and teachers and parents act wisely in encou raging this disposition relating to the things contained in the Bible. But young persons especially, in this manner of seeking instruction, should be taught to consider that it is necessary for them to guard against a profane curiosity, and to propose their questions modestly in the fear of God. "Bible Classes," as they are now conducted by many intelligent Sabbath-school teachers and Christian pastors, are admirably adapted to give a right direction to that inquisitiveness, and to increase the scriptural knowledge and piety of our youth; and their devoted labours have been rewarded in the conversion of many to the love and service of Jesus Christ. This is calculated, under the blessing of God, to be the happy result, more especially in cases where the scholars are disposed to improve their minds by reading, and where this practice is encou raged, they being furnished with suitable books in a well selected" Library for Youth," which ought to be found in every Sabbath-school, and in the vestry of every church and chapel. Biblical knowledge richly repays the labours of those learned men who devote their whole life to its various departments of study; and yet the wisest have all acknowledged, that they were still but learners in these lessons of heavenly wisdom; be cause the Bible contains "the lively oracles," and “the deep things of the Spirit of God." Neverthe |