flames penetrated into the body and arms of the idol, and when the arms were red-hot, the victim was thrown into them, and was almost immediately burned to death. Its cries were drowned by drums, &c. Some have supposed that the worshippers contented themselves by making their children leap over a fire, or pass between two fires opposite to each other, and that this was the act of their consecration. The follow ing passages, however, are proof that the victims were actually murdered: Deut. xii. 31; Psal. cvi. 37, 38; Jer. vii. 31; xix. 5; Ezek. xvi. 21. In the latter periods of the Jewish kingdom, this idol was erected in the valley of Hinnom, in a particular spot called Tophet, so named from the word TOPH, a drum, because drums were beaten to drown the cries of the children thus sacrificed (Isa. xxx. 33; 2 Kings xxiii. 10). The Jews applied the name Ge Hinnom, or Ge Henna, to the place of future torments. Some think Moloch is Saturn, to whom it is well known human sacrifices were offered. In our own country, in ancient times, there was a practice as cruel as that of burning children in the fires of Moloch. Julius Cæsar relates that an immense image was made of wicker-work, which, on being filled with human beings, was set on fire, and the whole mass destroyed. How thankful we ought to be that we live in an age when all these ignorant and cruel practices are done away by the blessed gospel, which teaches us to worship the true God, and love our neighbour as ourselves! Let us love this gospel, abide in its truths, obey its precepts, and secure all its blessings. Let us at the same time do all in our power to send the gospel to heathen nations, that they also may see the light and enjoy the blessings of salvation by Jesus Christ. MISCELLANEA. JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETINGS. NORTH SHIELDS. MY DEAR SIR,-About twelve the report, at the same time giving months ago, some conversation took place respecting the holding a Juvenile Meeting; but there the matter ended. I am now happy to inform you that something practical has been done, for on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 27th, we held our first Juvenile Missionary Meeting, in Salem Chapel, in this town. Our respected superintendent, the Rev. L. Saxton, gave out an appropriate hymn, and engaged in prayer. Our esteemed friend Mr. W. G. Tate was called upon to preside, the duties of which office he discharged with his accustomed ability, introducing the business of the meeting with a suitable address. The Rev. L. Saxton read the names and sums collected by the scholars, which amounted to the sum of £2. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. L. Saxton and J. Innocent, and by Messrs. T. F. Carr and S. Rutherford. During the meeting, interesting and appropriate pieces were also recited and sung by the children connected with the Sabbathschool. The collection was £1 13s. 5d., making in all £3 13s. 5d. After paying a little expense connected with the meeting, we shall hand over to the treasurer £1 13s. 5d. more than last year. The sum is small, yet we are encouraged to labour, and hope, from the pleasing character of the meeting, that an increased missionary spirit will be imparted to the children, and lead them to make great exertions in the Mission cause. viously, amounted to £2 14s. 2d. This, we think, is very well as a first attempt. We trust the meeting now reported will be the precursor of many more, each one Great praise is due to our young minister, Mr. Innocent, being better sustained and more who, at considerable inconveni-productive than its predecessor. ence to himself, after preaching at South Shields, crossed the water, and lent us his presence and help on the occasion. JOSEPH GRAHAM, Sec. North Shields, March 18th. MILBURN PLACE. ON Good Friday, an interesting Juvenile Missionary Meeting was held in Milburn Place Chapel, North Shields. Our respected brother, Mr. Robert Stobbs, was elected to the chair, who acquitted himself very creditably. The report was read by our superintendent minister, the Rev. L. Saxton. Several of the scholars recited pieces adapted to the occasion; and the meeting was also enlivened by the singing of suitable hymns at intervals. Addresses on the subject of Christian missions were given, during the evening, by the Revs. L. Saxton and J. Innocent, and by Messrs. S. Rutherford, Richard Stobbs, and J. Hilliard the two latter are teachers in the Sabbath-school. The collection, together with what the children had got pre A FRIEND TO JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETINGS. March 30th, 1853. DUDLEY PORT. into DEAR BROTHER,-On Sunday, March 13th, we held our first Juvenile Missionary Meeting in connexion with our school at Dudley Port, Dudley East Circuit: indeed, it was not only the first in connexion with our school, but the first in this Circuit. For some years past a Juvenile Missionary Meeting has been talked of, but nothing of the kind has been practically carried effect till lately, when our esteemed superintendent, the Rev. T. Boycott, urged the necessity of establishing one not only in connexion with our school, but with every school in the Circuit; and I am happy to inform you that his suggestion has met (at least at Dudley Port) with s hearty response, as the sequel will prove. No sooner were the missionary cards introduced into the school, than they were taken up by many of the scholars; and their activity evidenced they had caught a spark of the missionary each and all unite in testimony fire. to the excellency of the meeting. The public meeting was opened by our highly-esteemed friend and liberal supporter, Mr. W. Finch, giving out that beautiful hymn commencing with The collection was then made, and £4 7s. 10d. was taken up in behalf of the Mission cause. Bishop Heber's hymn was then sung O'er the gloomy hills of darkness, From Greenland's icy mountains, &c. and the meeting closed with prayer. Now, my dear brother, is not this a noble start for Dudley Port? Yours truly, THOMAS GEORGE, Sec. [Our friend sent us the names of the collectors for insertion. We would gladly comply with his request, had we room, and did it comport with our usage. The Missionary Report is the proper place for names of collectors. However, we think the scholars have made a noble beginning. They are worthy of all praise and encouragement. Go on and prosBless the children.-ED.] per. NEWCASTLE. two of our local preachers just brought upon the plan. Mr. J. Holland then read a pleasing report, from which it appeared the noble sum of £5 12s. 54d. had been realized by the efforts of the children. Mr. T. Randle then addressed the meeting; and the concluding speech was delivered by Mr. W. Pritchards. A dialogue was then recited by John Jones and John Barrott, illustra-ing, which, by some mistake, was tive and descriptive of Canada put down to Shrewsbury; and as and Ireland; and, if we may be we were ashamed of the amount allowed to pass an opinion, or then raised, no one would write express the opinion of others, to inform you of the mistake. MR. EDITOR.-DEAR SIR,-If you will turn to page 158 of last year's JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR, you will see the report of our third Juvenile Missionary Meet By referring to the note at the bottom of that report, you will see that I was not mistaken what would be the result of the next year, if we could but get the collecting-cards introduced-that instead of £1 2s. 7d., we might expect not less than £4. The report of our meeting, which was held on Sunday, February 6th, in the chapel, presided over by our esteemed minister, the Rev. G. Hallatt, tells how far I was right in my supposition; the sum realized being-by card, £2 5s. 8d.; by collection, at the meeting, £2 7s. 8d.; total, £4 13s. 4 d. The meeting was one of a most Newcastle-under-Lyne, OUR CHILDREN'S PORTION. THE FIRST LIE; OR, THE LITTLE GIRL WHO PUT WATER INTO HER FATHER'S BOOTS. A LITTLE girl, about four years of age, in her thoughtless play, poured water into her father's boots. When the boots were wanted, they were found wet and unfit for use. Inquiries were made of different members of the family as to the cause of the boots being wet, but no one could give any account of the circumstance. At last the little girl was asked if she knew how the boots had become full of water? Looking confused, and hanging down her head, she replied, "I suppose my little sister must have done it." Her father, sus-speaketh lies shall perish." He pecting from her manner that she was guilty, took her upon his knee, and told her he was going to tell her something which God had taught him in the Bible. Accustomed to receive instructions of that kind from time to time, the little girl was very glad, and seemed quite cheerful again. The father then opened the Book of God, and read Prov. xii. 22, "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord but they that deal truly are his delight;" and Prov. xix. 9, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that |