libraries, thus being able to read many books which they are unable to purchase. A specimen course of this character on "English History," Course in prepared by the author for a young people's society in his own congregation, and one that was pursued with interest, is given in the Appendix.

English history.

For the encouragement of such courses of study some local societies have prepared examination papers and diplomas. The Young People's Lyceum at Canton, O., gave to its students certificates or diplomas printed in black and gold on parchment paper with the following general form:

who has completed the First Year's Course of Lyceum Studies in English History and Literature, and passed a satisfactory examination in the same.

CANTON, O.

President..

Counselor.

Committee on Education.

Ха

A league library should contain a good encyclopedia and other standard works of reference in general literature, art,

To the

A league library.

A church library.

music, and science, and should be well supplied with books treating the history, doctrines, and biographies of Methodism and of the general Church, as well as choice works on the Christian life and practical volumes on Christian work. Better than all this is a church library in which the league may have a department, and to which the entire church may have access. formation and constant enrichment of such a library the congregation, by an annual public collection, the Sunday-school, the league, and the missionary societies may contribute. Occasionally an entertainment may be given, the cost of admission to which will be a good and acceptable volume or the price of the same. A church library should be open certain evenings for consultation, and there should be hours during the week when books may be obtained for circulation.

In connection with such a library a readingroom may sometimes be opened Reading-room. where newspaper and magazine literature,

secular and religious, is accessible, the supervision being intrusted to a committee the different members of which shall be in charge of the room successive evenings, maintaining the orderliness and quiet absolutely essential to such an undertaking. Such a room will prove particularly helpful to young men who in large towns and cities live in boarding-houses and miss the genial companionships of the old home.

Night-schools are sometimes conducted to advantage under the auspices of a young Night-schools. people's society, a competent instructor meeting his classes twice each week or oftener, and giving instruction in art, German, French, some branch of physical science or kindred line of study.

A league cabinet or museum may be fostered under the care of one of the departments and made an object of effort on the

A league cabinet.

part of all the young people. Here may be deposited geological specimens from the immediate vicinity, but especially oriental curios, photographs, idols, and any thing reflecting light upon manners and customs in mission fields, as well as relics of denominational interest.

Use of the

The stereopticon is invaluable in the study of foreign countries, and various departments of knowledge, fossil remains, insect life, architecture, comets, phenom- stereopticon. ena of eclipses, the pyramids, the catacombs. these are only specimen subjects that may be invested with peculiar charm by aid of such an instrument. Every league should either own or frequently have the use of a good stereopticon.

A Chapter paper read monthly, managed by a corps of contributors, will furnish rich entertainment and supply constant

stimulus to the meetings.

A chapter paper.

The critic has an important service to render, but his work is so delicate that this office had better be left permanently vacant The critic. except where one is found possessing the rare genius requisite to the task of furnishing pointed and helpful criticism and suggestion without offensive personality, so commonly an unfortunate accompaniment of such criticism.

VI.

BIBLE STUDY.

BIBLE study will form an important part of the work in every well-regulated young Divine truth The truth in people's society.

carnated.

lodged in the soul connects itself through the desires and fears, the hopes and the conscience, with all the conduct of life. To win its victorious sway over the world the truth must be incarnated in living men and women, and derive its power to constrain and subdue from contact with living, fervent hearts. But before that truth can be incarnated it must first be apprehended, seized, studied, loved.

The study of the word directly, stripped of all glosses and comments, is of first importance. This will be done in the

Scheme of Bible study.

quiet hour at home, and in the devotional service in Bible readings, and in kindred ways under the direction of leaders. With a little effort and at a trifling cost the scheme of study devised by the International Bible