Scottish School - Book Association. New Series, No. IV. PUBLISHED FOR THE ASSOCIATION BY WILLIAM COLLINS, SONS, & COMPANY, GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, & LONDON. 1868. Price Tenpence. PREFACE. THE following Series of Lessons is intended to introduce the Pupil to various kinds of Readings in Prose and Verse. The Lessons are presented in Sections, and an easy gradation is observed, both with regard to the subjects and the style. Whilst attention has been paid to the entertainment of the youthful Reader, it has at the same time been a principal object with the Committee to select such Lessons as are fraught with useful information on the various arts, on Natural History, and especially on subjects patent to general observation; so that they cannot fail, it is hoped, to arrest the attention of the juvenile Reader. One Section has been devoted to Scripture History; first, because the story of Joseph, therein presented, is more interesting to children than, perhaps, any other to be found in the whole range of literature, whether sacred or profane; and, secondly, because it is considered highly desirable that lessons from the Scriptures should form a part of every one of the Series of School-Books which precede that stage of the pupil's progress when the Bible may be put into his hands as a Class-Book. The "Lessons from the History of Scotland," are extracted from Sir Walter Scott's TALES of a GranDFATHER, a work in which the interesting events of our national annals are recommended to the young by an attractive simplicity of style, embellished and enlivened by the well-known graphic powers of the distinguished author. No extracts from the Psalms or Paraphrases are given in No. IV., it being understood that the New Testament, with the whole Psalms and Paraphrases thereto appended, will be used as a Class-Book along with this volume. To perfect the Pupil in Orthoepy, the MANUAL OF ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION ought invariably to be used along with this volume; and, if a few of the columns in that little Treatise are read every day, the master will soon find its beneficial effects in the improved accuracy and distinctness of his classes. OTH READINGS IN PROSE AND VERSE. SECTION I. MISCELLANEOUS. I.-Duty of Prayer. Di-rect', to teach; to mark | Re-deem', to buy back, to out. ransom. Sup-port', a keeping up; a Ut'ter, to speak; to give prop. Pro-tect', to defend. out. Du'ties, things we ought WE should pray to God in the morning when we rise, and at night before we turn sleepy and go to bed. In the morning we should lift up our heart, and say to Him something like this: "O Lord, I thank Thee that Thou hast watched over me through the night; that Thou hast been so kind as to preserve me from every danger; and that Thou hast brought me to see the light of a new day. Be with me all the day long, to keep me from evil, and from sinning against Thee, my Father in 66 heaven; to direct and assist me in my duties; and to give me every thing needful for my support and welfare. Protect and guide me during all that remains of my life; and then take me to thyself, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen." At night we should address to God such words as these: "O Lord, I thank Thee for thy goodness to me during the past day. In thy great mercy, forgive what I have this day said or done to transgress thy law, and to offend Thee, my Maker; and keep me from being tempted to displease Thee again in any part of my conduct. Take charge of me this night; guard me from all harm; and if it be thy holy will, raise me up in the morning, to praise and to serve Thee with health of body and soundness of mind. All that I ask of Thee is in the name of Christ, who died to redeem me. Amen." When you pray, study always to have your heart going along with the words that you utter; for without the heart your words are vain and useless. It is also proper that you pray not only for yourselves, but also for others. You should pray that God would bless your parents, your brothers and sisters, all your friends, all your neighbours, all your brethren of mankind. And this you will not fail to do, if you truly love others as God commands you, and wish to see them holy and happy.-THOMSON'S LESSONS II.-God our Shepherd, Father, and King. Pas'ture, food; ground on | Subject, one under rule oj which cattle feed. another. Nourish, to support by Dan'ger, peril; . risk; food. hazard. Re-joice', to be glad. Re-member, to keep in mind. Do-min'ion, sovereign power, ruler; a gold coin. BEHOLD the shepherd of the flock, he taketh care for his sheep, he leadeth them among clear brooks, he guideth them to fresh pasture; if the young lambs are weary, he carrieth them in his arms; if they wander, he bringeth them back. But who is the shepherd's shepherd? who taketh care of him? who guideth him in the path he should go ? and if he wander, who shall bring him back?God is the shepherd's Shepherd. He is the Shepherd over all; He taketh care for all; the whole earth is his fold; we are all his flock; and every herb, and every green field, is the pasture which He hath prepared for us. The mother loveth her little child; she bringeth it up on her knees; she nourisheth its body with food; she feedeth its mind with knowledge; if it is sick, she nurseth it with |