words to strengthen their hands in God. He assists them to the utmost of his power in all things, spiritual and temporal. He is ready to spend and be spent for them;' yea, to lay down his life for their sakes."

VIII.

SOCIAL CULTURE.

SOCIAL culture next claims attention. The development of social life in connection with the Church and under religious in

Responsibility of the department of mercy and help.

fluences is of great moment to the

young people and to the Church as we ́l. The departments of mercy and help and, of entertainment, chiefly the former, are made responsible in the Epworth League for suitable provision and devices looking to this result. Sociables are suggested, and in the conduct of these resort may sometimes be had to innocent games very judiciously selected from some good book on parlor amusements. Great caution and the best judgment must be exercised in this deliAmusements to cate matter, and if such amusebe employed sparingly. ments are at all employed it should be sparingly, lest offense should be given to older people and lest a desire be created for

mere levity. Sociables must be made social; but to realize this it will never be necessary to resort to any thing of questionable propriety.

may be made

Sociables may be made profitable in culti vating the art of conversation, the topic for the evening having been previously an- How socials nounced and the members being profitable. urged to exchange views on the same. These social gatherings may be made a means of instruction in etiquette, social forms, ceremonies, etc. Help in this direction, as well as mirth, may be found in a formal “reception,” "tendered with pomp and circumstance of state," to some member chosen by vote of the league to represent a distinguished royal personage, or one of great literary repute; and to afford further variety the character and the occasion may be historic, and the costumes of all present required to historic characconform in a general way to the period. Formalties of introduction, and many things of a similar character relating to "life's sweet amenities," may with pleasure and profit now and then be studiously observed in the social gatherings of our young people.

Court receptions given to

ters.

The social meetings should be varied in

in the dining

room.

character, sometimes approaching the literary An evening meeting. For instance, "An evening in the dining-room" may be conducted by a number of young ladies. Fiveminute essays on "The Doily, its Origin and Proper Use;" "The Knife;""The Fork, its Evolution; "The Plate, Crockery, Fine Pottery," etc., and one on fruit of some kind. Zest will be added if doilies, plates, knives and forks, cut from colored tissue-paper, be distributed, and fruit also be given to all present. A conversation social is to be commended, each member upon entering the league-room

A conversation social.

receives a card containing a list of

names of persons, with each of

whom he is to hold a five-minutes' conversation upon the general topic of the evening, as previously announced. The tapping of a bell by the president every five minutes indicates a change of partners. This may be varied by writing a list of topics on the card and leaving partners to a chance selection.

The Rev. P. Ross Parrish, in writing upon Social Work for Leagues in August, makes the following fertile suggestions:

"How to bridge over the threatening chasm

of August and run successfully the gauntlet of the dog-days is a problem with all societies. A hope to swing a suspension-bridge over this gulf, or at least to cover it by a

pontoon, is my object in giving these

Social work for

leagues in

August.

hints. All cannot go to the summer assemblies, the lakes, and woods and country; some must remain at home. How can these best enjoy themselves and most successfully 'stand by the stuff?'

'In addition to the regular weekly devotional meeting, which should be fresh, sprightly, and abbreviated during this interval, we submit the following as agreeable coolers for the social work of the sweltering Society.

'August, though the least loved of months in our latitude, is nevertheless an important month in the memorials of biography and history. There are a dozen pre-eminent dates which might be well and profitably observed, notable among which are August 5, completion of Atlantic cable; August 14, the invention of printing; August 18, death of Ole Bull; August 22, John B. Gough born; August 29, birthday of O. W. Holmes; August 31, John Bunyan died. Any of these would make a rare text