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Respecting next year. "Uncle Teaser" will be "Uncle Teaser" no longer; he has not changed, but, like one or two of his nieces, during the year has changed his name, and will in future be known "Uncle George." He believes that the Editor intends to offer sixteen prizes for next year, and hopes that in return for the Editor's kindness, each nephew and niece will try to get a few more subscribers to the JUVENILE-for the more subscribers, the more prizes. Let those who failed this year "try, try again," and let us all try to make the JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR a thorough success.

"Keep pushing-'tis wiser,
Than sitting aside,

And dreaming and sighing,
And waiting the tide.
In life's earnest battle
They only prevail,

Who daily march onward,
And never say fail."

December, 1874.

UNCLE GEORGE.

To this communication of "Uncle George "—for we like this] new name so much we will not use the old one-it remains for the Editor to add his opinion and decision.

And first, with regard to the past. We have been greatly pleased with the interest which our young friends have taken in the questions and puzzles proposed from month to month, and the effort which so many have made to answer them. We could almost wish that all had succeeded in answering every question and puzzle correctly, and yet had they done so we should have been in great perplexity in awarding prizes, for we fear our pocket would not have afforded such an award to every one as we should have desired to give. As it is, to encourage our readers, we are disposed to go a little further than the Rev. J. H. Robinson proposed in the January INSTRUCTOR. shall, therefore, allot prizes to all whose names are given above by Uncle George-that is, instead of giving four prizes, the amount promised to the more successful competitors, we shall give twelve, only sorry that so large a number will yet have to go without any recognition of their endeavour to succeed.

We

And now with regard to the future. As "Uncle George" has intimated, we shall give a greater number of prizes next year. We had thought, as he says, of sixteen; but we are so gratified by the industry of our young friends that we will go further than that, make a round number of it, and say TWENTY-TWENTY PRIZES FOR THE

YEAR 1875. Now, there is a chance for you, if you do your best, which I hope you will.

All who send answers must please comply with the following conditions:

1st. Along with the answers they must give their real name and address in full; and in their first communication they must state their

age.

2nd. The answers must be sent by the 15th of each month to the Editor, the Rev. J. Hudston, 156, Queen's Road, Liverpool.

3rd. The writing must be so plain that it can easily be read, and the postage must be paid.

And now if those who have been successful in obtaining prizes this year will write to me stating their age, I will try to select for each of them a suitable book. At the same time they will be so good as to say whether the prize can come to them in the Magazine parcel of the minister where they live, or whether they would prefer it by post. In the latter case they will be expected to forward me the cost of postage after they receive the book.

THE CHILDREN'S GIFT.

THE EDITOR.

Two little girls who had been away from home were busily distributing presents to their little brothers and sisters when their father came into the nursery.

"Well, and what have you brought for me?" he asked, when all the others had received something.

"Why, papa," said Mary, "we thought a long time, but there was nothing that you haven't got."

"No," added Nelly, climbing into his arms; "you had everything except us, so we've only brought you ourselves."

Papa kissed them both, and told them that his present was the best of all."

Just so it is with your Heavenly Father. All things in the world are His-all the gold and silver, the hills and fields and flowers.

The only thing you can give to Him is your heart, and that is the most precious offering in His sight. Dear children, God has given you all your blessings. Will you not give Him yourselves?

BAND OF HOPE, TALBOT STREET, SHEFFIELD-Our annual tea-meeting was held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1874, under the hairmanship of Mr. O. Walker. The report was read by Mr. J. S. Robinson, showing the band to be in a good condition, having an increase of twelve members during the past year, the increase being caused by a revival of religion among the youths of our Sunday-school. The finances of the band also are in good condition, only a small debt being incurred during the year.

Addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. Butterworth, Messrs. J. Hill (town missionary), F. W. Smith, P. J. Smith, and C. T. Skelton. Readings and recitations were given by W. Booth, jun. (Beautiful Snow), W. H. Bingley (Wedding o' Trust), W. S. Skelton (The Lips that Touch Liquor shall Never Touch Mine), A. Askham (Casabianca), Wm. Tummon (Dip your Roll in your own Pot at Home), J. North (The Philosophic Cobbler), J. H. Goddard (Mother did so), W. H. Jewitt and G. Holmes. The meeting, which was a very large and enthusiastic one, was enlivened by the scholars singing "Of all the aids to virtue's path, ""The barrel is a mighty foe," Merry Dick," "No one cares for me," "Joe Perkins," and was closed by the usual votes of thanks.

BRITANNIA FIELDS SUNDAY SCHOOL, LONDON.-The twentieth anniversary of this school was celebrated on Sunday and Monday, October 25th and 26th. Three services were conducted on the Sabbath by the Rev. J. Tremelling (Bible Christian), and our own circuit minister, the Rev. T. Boycott, all of which passed off well.

But though the anniversary was anticipated with intense interest and

excitement, these attained their climax on the Monday, in consequence of the announcement that the chair was to be occupied by the Right Honourable Sir Andrew Lusk, Lord Mayor, M.P. On entering the chapel, which was densely crowded, his Lordship recognised the old teachers and workers connected with the interest, and hearty congratulations and greetings were exchanged on all sides.

Having been previously furnished with "a Concise History of the School" since its commencement, the chairman addressed his opening speech principally to the teachers, imparting to them words of encouragement and advice, together with thanks for the assistance they rendered him and other administrators of public justice in training the young in the principles of religion and morality, thus seeking to prevent rather than to punish crime. After his Lordship's cheery remarks, the time was principally occupied with singing and recitations by the scholars.

With a view to encouraging the reciters, the right honourable_chairman presented each one with an excellent photograph of himself. It need not be stated that this honour was highly appreciated by those on whom it was conferred.

The Revs. Dr. Cooke and T. Boycott delivered suitable addresses, and when the Lord Mayor had proposed a vote of thanks to the teachers and officers of the school, to which Mr. Hooper, the superintendent, replied, the scholars sang the closing hymn, entitled "Singers of Heaven" '; and thus a very happy and interesting meeting was brought to a close.

The Lord Mayor took his leave amidst loud and prolonged cheers from all present. The collections at all the services were good, and decidedly in advance of last year. The scholars acquitted themselves well, and there is no doubt but that the anniversary will be long remembered by all who took part in its celebration.-E. WEBBER.

UNETT STREET SUNDAY-SCHOOL (BIRMINGHAM) COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION. A very successful competitive examination having been held at our Sunday-school, it has been thought that a brief account of it would be interesting.

For a considerable time the teachers have wished that there were some means of ascertaining the amount of Scriptural knowledge which the scholars possess. Conversations on this subject have been held at various teachers' meetings, in view of the fact that the great educational movement of the present time is doing away with the drudgery of the Sundayschool. At the quarterly meeting held September 6, 1873, one of our esteemed superintendents, Mr. C. Clarke, read a very suggestive paper on "The need of a Higher Education among our Scholars, and the Establishment of Periodical Competitive Examinations," which was favourably received. A committee was appointed to consider the details. Their report was accepted, a managing committee was appointed, and the machinery set in motion.

The teachers-without whose co-operation little could have been donethrew themselves heartily into the work, and endeavoured to the best of their ability to ground the scholars well in the lessons for the first six months of this year, published by the Sunday-school Union, which were to form the basis of the examination.

The examination was divided into two grades, and was held on the afternoons of the 6th and 13th of September, 1874. The scholars of the first four classes in each school were examined in the usual way, by writing answers to a list of questions provided; the next four classes were

examined orally; and prizes were awarded to the younger scholars in the remaining classes for punctual attendance and good conduct.

In the first section seven first-class, nine second-class, eight thirdclass, and two fourth-class prizes were awarded; in the second section nine first-class, five second-class, and five third-class, and thirty to the little ones for punctual attendance; total, seventy-five prizes! which were distributed by our esteemed superintendent minister, and president of the institution, the Rev. A. M'Curdy, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 1st, who remarked on the excellence of the scheme and the quality of the books.

The instruction in Scriptural knowledge, and the conversion of the scholars, is the aim of the teachers in these examinations, which will be conducted annually. The results so far are satisfactory, but we are looking forward to still greater results in the future.-A. W. N., Sec.

ANNIE SOPHIA was the eldest daughter of Joseph and Annie Barker, of Longton. She was born March 10, 1857. Her father died when she was only seven years of age, and her dear mother died nearly two years ago. Her kind uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, took and adopted her as their own, and bestowed upon her all the care and affection that parents bestow upon their own offspring. In the early part of her life she was a scholar in a school belonging to the Primitive Methodists of this town. A few years ago she joined our school connected with Zion Chapel. By her regular attendance, her quiet and attentive demeanour, she secured the good-will and affection of her teachers. She was naturally of a timid, retiring, and thoughtful disposition; had little to say either at home, the school, or the workshop. These traits of her character were very conspicuous during her last affliction, which began in the latter part of June last. During her illness she sent for Mr. Barnett, her teacher, who, with the minister and the school superintendent, regularly visited her; and it was during one of his visits that the gracious influences which she had received in the school ripened in the full assurance of pardon, and caused her to rejoice in the glorious fact that she was a child of God. On one occasion when her teacher visited her towards the close of her illness, she said to him, "Has my aunt told you that I have been to heaven? He said, "No." She said, "Well, I have, and when I found myself here again I was much disappointed." Then (although she was not in the habit of singing) she sang six long hymns through with a correctness and sweetness which were truly affecting. The hymns she sang began as follows:-"I Love Jesus,' ""Rock of Ages," "I lay my sins on Jesus," Oh, have you not heard of the beautiful stream!""Shall we gather at the river ? " and "My rest is in heaven."

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On the morning of Saturday, the 12th of September, she was struck with death, and she knew it, and said to her aunt, with a calmness that seemed almost supernatural, "It is death. I am dying; don't let me be disturbed by anyone that is strange coming into my room." Towards the evening she wanted to go to sleep, but her aunt wished her not, for fear