the mothers were laundresses, and could by that day in the week, with a little extra effort, complete their labours;-thus pleasing their employers, as well as their husbands and themselves, by taking home the result of their week's work to its destination early, and leaving Saturday free for home duties, and due preparation for the Sunday.

I chose the hour of two, because husbands and sons had then gone to work, and the dinner things had been washed up after the midday meal, tea prepared for their return, and the children deposited at the various Parochial schools in safety, to remain until fetched by their mothers, at four o'clock.

To evening meetings many people seriously object, and with good reasons, as the lonely husband, or son, is tempted to seek company and amusement away from his deserted home, although the wife had only gone to get good for her own immortal soul, and, we trust, sometimes to take back a 'word in season for them.'

In my own district one day, a fine, tall, stalwart young fellow accosted me thus: 'Really, ma'am, the women seem so to enjoy them "Mothers' Meetings," it do seem a pity you don't have "Fathers' Meetings" too.'* I pointed out to my

* For suggestions upon this point, and for instances of 'Fathers' Meetings' being successfully carried on, see 'God's Message in Low London,' by L. N. R., pp. 42-50.

friend the difficulty of the men being at work in the daytime. He quickly rejoined, 'But why not have 'em at noights, ma'am?' I said, 'We fear you might some of you be tempted to go into the public-houses on your way home.' He shook his head knowingly, and replied, 'Ah, well, I believe you are right; I know I would not trust myself, and it would be an awful pity to go in and p'raps take a drop too much after hearing the Bible and all them good things you reads to my missus.'

At our first meeting we were fifteen in number, and by the end of the first session I had upon my books 157 names, the average attendance being from thirty to forty, which latter number were as many as our servants' hall would conveniently hold and comfortably accommodate.

I should have had many more names registered, but that babies were not admitted at any age, as the undivided attention of a mother can never be secured; when she is engrossed, in keeping either a fretful, or a merry baby, from crying or playing.

In this, as in many other points, plans, and arrangements, and particulars, my friends, who hold Mothers' Meetings, may, and do, differ widely from me; but I only relate my own experiences, as I bought them, after a long trial.

During the course of our meetings I took various subjects for Scriptural instruction; for the

opening year I selected the Parables of our Lord, as containing His own usual method for conveying Divine truth to His people when on earth; the second year, 'The Holy Men of Old;' the third, The Women of Scripture;' the fourth, 'The Children in Scripture;' the fifth, 'The Miracles of Christ;' the sixth, The Fruits of the Spirit;' the seventh, 'The Sermon on the Mount;' the eighth, 'Miscellaneous passages and subjects.'

As I am thankful to believe that my little book entitled 'Eight Years' Experience in Mothers' Meetings,' has already proved useful to many, in commencing their labours of love, I have continued the series, and now take as my subject, the MOTHERS OF SCRIPTURE, trusting they may prove as interesting, and as profitable for meditation, as did the PARABLES OF OUR LORD, illustrated by Eastern customs, which were the subjects of our first year's consideration and instruction; and I shall hope, if God spare my life, to continue the series hereafter.

MOTHERS'

MEETINGS.

EVE TEMPTED.

TEXT.

( AND Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.'-GEN. iii. 20.

COLLECT.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

By the goodness of our God we are all spared to meet once more, dear sisters, at these happy, pleasant 'Mothers' Meetings.' I heartily and affectionately welcome you, one and all, old friends and

h

B

new faces. It gives me great pleasure to see you again at these gatherings.

I trust that, by Divine help, even by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, I may not only be permitted to interest you in what I read out of the Sacred Scriptures, but also to do some real good to your never-dying souls. This, you well know, is my most earnest desire and prayer to God for you.

Most of you will remember that the subjects of our last year's meditations were the Parables of our Lord,' in which they were illustrated by Eastern manners and customs. You appeared greatly interested: they seemed so real, because I was able to tell you of what I myself had seen, having had the privilege of living for five years upon Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the Holy City of the Great King.' When we parted, many of you assured me that the Bible seemed to you now as a new book, for you could enter into and understand many things which before appeared to you strange.

In this year's meetings I intend to bring before your attention subjects peculiarly interesting and suitable for us to consider, namely, some of the principal Mothers of the Bible,' beginning the course with the first mother ever created by God, -EVE.

Dear friends, come back with me now in thought several thousand years to a scene of