In the evening a public meeting was held, when the children again recited interesting pieces, and sang most heartily and sweetly. They did honour to themselves, and to those who had assisted them in preparing for the occasion. The proceeds of the collections and tea are £2 8s.

It is my earnest prayer that this school may be a great blessing in the village, and that thus by it our Redeemer's Kingdom may be greatly advanced. J. HARPER.

LIDLINGTON SABBATH SCHOOL,

LEIGHTON BUZZARD CIRCUIT.

THE Anniversary of this school was held on March 25th, and Good Friday, March 30th.

On the Sabbath, the Rev. E. Young, of Bedford, preached three sermons to large congregations, and a number of the children recited pieces, &c.

On Good Friday, the writer, with the teachers and children, processioned the village, singing hymns suited to the occasion. At three o'clock they took tea, and then retired to a meadow, kindly lent for the occasion, where they enjoyed themselves with innocent play. At four o'clock, about 120 adults sat down to tea.

A public service was convened at seven o'clock, when the chapel was crowded to excess. Some stirring speeches were delivered by Messrs. R. Tansley, Robinson (two), J. Perry, J. Jennings, and the writer.

The children also recited pieces, and sang some appropriate hymns.

During the service, many were in tears. After giving the children and teachers their tea free, the produce of the tea and collections amounted to £2. This is in advance of last year. The teachers and friends say this was one of the best meetings ever held in Lidlington chapel. The school is but feeble as yet, but bids fair to do well. That the school may flourish, and teachers, parents, and scholars at last meet in Heaven, is the earnest prayer of J. H. J. BECKHURST.

HERSTON SABBATH SCHOOL,
POOLE CIRCUIT.

THE Anniversary Services of this school were held on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, March 30th and April 1st. On the former day, the scholars had their annual treat of cake

and tea, to their no small joy and satisfaction. At the same time, more than 60 adults, with the teachers, partook of a similar repast. After tea a very interesting religious service was held, when some animating addresses were deliveredbearing on the Crucifixion of the Redeemer, and Sabbath school instruction-by Messrs. A. Bartlett, H. Morris, H. Gover, J. Phillips, and J. Wood. On the following Sabbath, the annual sermons were preached, that in the afternoon by Mr. Manwell (of Swanage, Wesleyan), and that in the evening by the Rev. E. Hancock. The congregations were good. Several scholars recited suitable dialogues, and other interesting pieces. Miss Spinney presided at the harmonium, and charmed the audience on both days with some excellent songs of praise. The proceeds amounted to nearly £4, and a very blessed influence accompanied the services. Sincere thanks were tendered to the teachers and friends for the interest they had taken. And to God alone we ascribe all Praise. Amen. E. HANCOCK.

WITNEY.

WE celebrated our Sunday school Anniversary on Sunday, April 1st, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. H. Yeates, of Andover, and interesting pieces of prose and poetry were recited by the children. On Monday, the teachers met at twelve o'clock in the chapel, and thence walked to a field belonging to Mr. Marriott (kindly lent for the occasion), and amused themselves. At three o'clock they left the field, and walked in procession through the streets to the Old Meeting, singing praises to Him who said in the days of His humanity, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven;" and here they were regaled with cake and tea. After the children's treat, tea was provided for the public, and about 170 persons partook of "the cup that cheers, but not inebriates." After tea a meeting was held, at which Mr. Surman, superintendent of the school, presided. Messrs. Yeates and Rawlings addressed the meeting, and 21 persons recited the history of Joseph and his brethren, put into verse by the Rev. R. Jukes. The congregations were large, and the collections and profits of the tea amounted to £4 10s., for which we are thankful to the Giver of all good. E. RAWLINGS.

Queries and Answers.

ON JOB i. 6, &c.

REV. SIR,-In the January number of the JUVENILE MAGAZINE, there is a query answered on Job i, 6, &c. In the answer it is stated, "That a kind of council is spoken of as having been held in heaven, &c. . . . . . Satan presented himself, as it were, at this meeting of the heavenly council, and Jehovah addressed him in the presence of the holy angels." My difficulty is this, "Has Satan been allowed to get into heaven since his fall from that glorious place? If so, have we not some reason to fear he will be again trying to work mischief there ?" I hope you will excuse me, Sir, but your explanation has been a source of great trouble and anxiety to my mind. If you would have the goodness to give some further explanation, so as to relieve me of my anxiety, you would thereby greatly oblige. I am, honoured sir, yours most respectfully,—S. H.

ANSWER:-If our fair correspondent observes the form of our words she will see they are qualified by the phrase, "as it were," which is intended to show that the context must not be construed literally. The language is figurative. Of course, Satan is not allowed actually to enter heaven, but God sometimes speaks in language which is accommodated to our faculties and circumstances. And we understand this to be the case in the passage in question. Nothing unholy can enter heaven; Satan is unholy, therefore he cannot (literally or really) enter heaven.

ON MATT. viii. 22.

REV. SIR,-Will you kindly inform me through the medium of your JUVENILE, the meaning of these words, "But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead,” which I find in the 8th chapter of Matthew and the 22nd verse P-E. M. B.

ANSWER: The Jews considered a man as dead who had broken the law, and Scripture represents that all who have not been born again are dead in trespasses and sins. The Jews had a saying like the one used here by our Lord, and would easily understand Him. He means, leave those who are spiritually dead to bury those who are naturally dead; but come thou and attend to matters for which the spiritually dead are unfit. To preach the Gospel, &c., requires living men, but burying the dead may be performed by others.

ON ST. MARK xiii. 32.

DEAR EDITOR,-In the 13th chapter of St. Mark, we read, respecting Christ's second coming, that, "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." An explanation to the above verse will oblige.-Yours, J. P. S.

ANSWER:-1st, it is believed by many critics that this verse is an interpolation, as it does not occur in either Matthew or Luke, and it is wanting in some early Greek copies. But, 2nd, supposing it to be genuine, we understand our Lord to be speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, as the context shows. And, 3rd, either the Saviour means that the precise time of the event was not known to any but God, not even the Son of God as a man knew it. Or, 4th, which is most probable, the word "knoweth" should be rendered, "make known,” and the meaning would then be clear. No one shall make known the period precisely, until the Father, by fulfilling the predictions, shall make all known.

ON 1 JOHN iii. 9.

DEAR SIR,-In the First Epistle General of John, chapter 3, verse 9, we read, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Now, by taking the last sentence but one in the affirmative, it would almost persuade us that it is impossible for a man that is a genuine Christian to become a backslider, for it positively reads, "he cannot sin." Although we generally believe that God will not force a man to keep religion, whether he will or not; for the Bible declares the free agency of man: and if God should force us to keep religion, where would be the free agency? An exposition through the JUVENILE will be gratefully accepted by R. P.

ANSWER: We understand the Apostle to be combating the error of those who say we cannot live without sin, and he teaches that so far from sin being inevitable in this life, all who have been born of God, and retain their new nature, cannot sin. But he does not teach that we may not lose our religion, and thus fall again into sin. This were in contradiction of the general tenor of Biblical teaching. The point of the passage is, that the saved soul is now free from his evil propensities, and lives without committing sin; because he has a new nature, and is full of love to God and holiness.