This volume can be made the greatest aid available for teaching lessons on Old Testament studies, as guided by other systems presented to the Sunday school. These do and must, of necessity, take up the same Scripture characters and events. But none of them have such aids as this volume gives to teachers, and yet which teachers need in order to make their work most effective.

FOCUSSING THE HELPS.

That bright paper for Sunday school teachers, The World's Evangel, gives a forceful illustration under the above heading.

"We are forcibly struck by the two pictures our publisher uses. One shows a man in the midst of a pile of books, hunting through two hundred of them for information on a given subject. The other shows the student seated at a table with a glass which focusses rays of light from all the shelves of the library on to the subject or text. Now this is just what a twentieth century teacher must have — a focussing glass."

This volume is just such a glass. It does not supersede thought, but stimulates thought. It no more presents "predigested foods "or leads the teacher to a cramming process than does every sermon or volume or lecture to class by a professor.

On the contrary, it opens doors to further investigation and study far beyond any other aid to the study of the Bible; while at the same time it furnishes the best and choicest aids, in the best form for teaching, to the great mass of Sunday school teachers who are "business men and busy women" and who must have such aid or do poorer work as teachers.

Not one teacher nor one minister in a thousand has access to so wide a range of books upon the Bible and of the world's literature as is concentrated upon these lessons; nor has the time to search them if he possessed them.

UP TO DATE.

In order that the original editor should not fall unconsciously into too fixed ways and methods while still in the prime of his powers; and in order to gain the broadest outlook, the closest touch with the young, and with the most modern principles and methods of the science and practise of teaching, beyond what any one person can attain - he has, for several years, been in closest touch with a much younger man, who has given counsel and written a number of the lessons for each annual volume.

At the beginning of the present six years' course, this gentleman, Prof. Amos R. Wells, the brilliant managing editor of the Christian Endeavor World, became a regular associate editor of these NOTES and does a certain portion of the work in addition to the editorial work on his paper. For ten years he was a college professor, and always a teacher and officer in the Sunday school to this day, as is the editor-in-chief. He is the author of “Sunday School. Success." "Sunday School Problems," and many other books.

RESOURCES.

Between us we have nearly ten thousand volumes in our private libraries, which with the greatest care and research we keep right up to date with the latest books upon the subjects of the lessons and whatever throws light upon them. In addition to this we have access to several large public libraries, whenever we have occasion to use them.

THE RANGE is very wide-commentaries, books on Bible lands, and Bible customs, books on the special subjects discussed, books of higher criticism, books of science, books of travel, books of theology. In addition there are references to English literature of various kinds whenever they furnish fresh light, or illustrations, or practical applications, or fuller discussions of the subject of the lesson.

LIBRARY REFERENCES

are given with each lesson. So far as Biblical literature is concerned they will be chiefly to the latest books or the best books of any age. But for sidelights, literary illustrations, and poetic references, any book published will be referred to. For, even if out of print, it will be in various libraries, public or private, and the reference cannot harm those who do not have it and cannot find it in the book stores. Moreover, books that are familiar in one part of the country are rare in another part. A friend warns me against naming some books he cannot find in his region, but which are familiar here, and wants reference to books which are not common in these parts.

These library references aid the teacher in research, guide him to new fields, refresh his memory of things that he has long known, and bring to his notice historical and literary parallels.

One of the most helpful ways of interesting a class is by means of small pictures which can be shown to the class or distributed to each scholar.

Never have there been so many and such good helps as to-day from art.

Some classes have made books on the lessons, by means of the penny pictures placed in the scrap albums (10 cents each, plus 5 cents postage if sent by mail), both furnished by W. A. Wilde Company. A list of these pictures adapted to the lessons of this year is given

on pages

Mr. D. M. DesJardins, connected with the mission school of the Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D. C., gives each of his scholars one of these scrap books, and they buy the penny pictures. One scholar is appointed each week to write an essay or summary of the lesson. This is manifolded and given to each scholar, who pastes it in his book with the picture or pictures. The name of the writer is given with the essay. A pocket kodak is used to take the picture of each author, and this is put into each book.

TRAVELING BY STEREOSCOPIC PICTURES.

There are no pictures which give so life-like a representation of the places where Old Testament history was lived as the stereographs taken on the spot.

If any one wishes to realize this fact, or get others interested in it, let him first put into his stereoscope a few of the pictures which Underwood and Underwood (Fifth Avenue and 19th Street, New York) have provided, showing the same objects, as the moon, a bunch of flowers, a portrait of a person, first without stereoscopic effect and then with stereoscopic effect. The change is amazing when seen for the first time.

MAP WORK FOR THIS YEAR'S LESSONS.

1. Historical Atlas and Chronology of the Life of Christ (1899), by Prof. Richard M. Hodge, furnishes a unique series of maps, combined with the chronology. It is fine for class work and individual study. The thirteen maps show consecutively the fields of Christ's works and teachings. 35 cts. Sunday School Commission, 416 Lafayette Place, New York City.

2. Hodge's Historical Maps for Bible Study, by Professor Hodge (1907). These maps are so prepared as to give each scholar work to do in coloring and building up the maps. The course is based upon what is now generally accepted to be the best method, i.e., building the political upon the physical; giving the pupils for individual work large, clear maps made with the greatest accuracy, well printed on strong and durable paper, and at a cost of about one cent each.

The maps are printed in faint ink, that the student may develop them by marking over lines and names with ink or crayon and certain areas with crayon or water color.

The series consists of Elevation, Political, and Event Maps for each of the several periods of Bible history.

Maps 21 to 25 are specially adapted to the lessons on John of this year, and maps 6 to 10 for our Old Testament lessons. 15 cts. a dozen, or $1.00 per hundred. Larger wall maps for the class at 35 cts. Wm. Beverley Harrison, 47 Broad Street, New York.

3. The Bailey Outline Maps Illustrating Biblical History are arranged for coloring by the class. They can be colored to show the nations, the physical features, location of places, and journeys. This can be done in the school hour, at home, or at special gatherings of the class.

Maps 3, 4, 5, and their accompanying key maps, apply to this year's lessons. Large size, 12 cts. a dozen, 65 cts. a hundred. Small size, 1o cts. a dozen, 45 cts. a hundred. With explanatory folder. By Albert E. Bailey, head master of Allen School. Published by W. S. Kilburn, 125 Summer Street, Boston.

Rev. Milton S. Littlefield has prepared for his own school a historical series of sixteen outline political maps, showing the changes of the nations in each period. These are to be colored by the scholars as they move from period to period. Each nation retains its own color throughout the series. The maps of the kingdom of Saul and the empire of David and Solomon will be especially helpful in the lessons on the United Kingdom, and the map of Palestine for the lessons on John.

These maps can be obtained for I cent each, or 60 cts. per hundred, by sending to Rev. Milton S. Littlefield, pastor of First Union Presbyterian Church, corner 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York City.

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, edited by Rev. James Hastings, D.D. Independent of the Dictionary of the Bible and fuller on the Gospels. 2 vols., $6.00 each, first volume out, 1907, C. Scribner's Sons, New York.

The Gospel of the Rejection, a study in the relation of the Fourth Gospel to the three, by Wilfred Richmond, Chaplain of Lincoln's Inn. 5s., 1906, Murray, London.

Messianic Hope in the New Testament, by Prof. Shailer Mathews of the University of Chicago. $2.50, 1905, University of Chicago Press.

Addresses on the Gospel of St. John, delivered in Providence, R. I., at eight conferences, held between Oct. 21, 1903 and May 11, 1904. $1.00, 1905, printed and circulated by the St. John Conference Committee, Providence, R. I.

Modern Readers' Bible, volume on John. The introduction by Professor Moulton is short, but one of the best ever written for Sunday school teachers. 40 and 50 cts., 1904, Macmillan, New York.

The Criticism of the Fourth Gospel, by William Sanday, D.D. $1.75, 1905, Scribner's. Jesus and the Prophets, a discussion of the use of Old Testament Prophecy by Jesus, and of his attitude toward it, by Charles S. Macfarland, Ph.D., minister of the Maplewood Congregational Church, Malden, Mass. $1.50, 1905, Putnam's, New York.

The Fourth Gospel, by Ernest F. Scott (B.A. Oxon.), its purpose and theology, 8vo, pp. vii, 379, an able discussion of the various aspects of John's Gospel. $2.00 net, Scribner's.

A Short Introduction to the Gospels, by Prof. E. D. Burton. $1.00, 1904, University of Chicago Press.

An Inquiry into the Character and Authorship of the Fourth Gospel, by James Drummond, LL.D., principal of Manchester College, Oxford. $3.50, 1904, Scribner's, N. Y. The Johannean Problem, by Rev. George W. Gilmore, A.M. $1.00, about 1900, Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia.

Introduction to Johannine Writings, by P. J. Gloag, D.D. $3.00, Scribner's, N. Y. The Fourth Gospel: The Heart of Christ, by Edmund H. Sears. 1872, in libraries, but probably out of print.

COMMENTARIES ON JOHN.

Messages of Jesus according to John, vol. X., in the Messages of the Bible Series, by Prof. J. S. Riggs, D.D. $1.00, 1907, Scribner's, New York.

Thirty Studies in the Gospel by John, by Principal Wilbert W. White, Bible Institute, Chicago. 30 cts. and 55 cts., 1895, Revell, New York.

Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. I., includes John, by Prof. Marcus Dods, D.D. $7.50, 1897, Dodd & Mead, New York.

The International Critical Commentary, volume on John, by John H. Bernard, D.D. $3.00, 1908, Scribner's, New York.

International Handbooks of the New Testament, vol. IV., by Henry P. Forbes, D.D. includes John. $2.00, 1905, Putnam's, New York.

The New Century Bible, volume on John by Rev. J. A. McClymont, D.D., of Edinburgh. 75 cts., 1901, Oxford University Press, American Branch, New York.

The Eastern Exposition of St. John, according to Oriental ideas, by a Hindoo, Sri Paranando. 1902, Hutchinson, London.

The Gospel of St. John, in the series of Bible class expositions, by Alexander Maclaren, D.D. $1.00, 1894, Armstrong, New York.

Old Wine from the Original Old Wine-skin, by William Ashmore, pub. by author. $1.00. An American Commentary on the Gospel of John, by Rev. Alvah Hovey, D.D., LL.D. $2.25, 1885, American Baptist Publication Company, Philadelphia.

The Johannine Theology, a study of doctrinal contents of the gospel and epistles of the Apostle John, by Prof. George B. Stevens, D.D. $2.00, 1894, Scribner's, New York.

The New Testament for English Readers, a critical and explanatory commentary, by Henry Alford, D.D., Dean of Canterbury, vol. I., part II., is on John. $9.00, 1883, Lee & Shepard, Boston.

The Gospel of St. John, a series of discussions by Frederick Denison Maurice, professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Cambridge. $1.25, 1888, Macmillan, N. Y.

The Gospel of St. John, an exposition exegetical and homiletical for the use of clergy. men, students, and teachers, by Rev. Thomas Whitelaw, D.D. $2.00, 1888, Dutton, N. Y.

Commentaries on the New Testament, by Prof. Bernhard Weiss, D.D., of Berlin, a new English edition, 4 vols., $3.00 a volume, vol. I. on John. Funk & Wagnalls, New York.

Commentaries also by Abbott, Gloag, and Godet; the Cambridge Bible, the Expositor's Bible, and the Pulpit Commentary.

THE TEACHINGS of the GOSPEL OF JOHN.

Jesus Christ and the Christian Character, an examination of the teaching of Jesus in its relation to the moral problems of personal life, by Francis G. Peabody, Plummer Professor of Morals in Harvard University. $1.50, 1905, Macmillan Company, New York.

The Teaching of Jesus Concerning Christian Conduct, by Andrew C. Zenos, D.D. 75 cts., 1905, American Tract Society, New York.

The Teaching of the Gospel of John, by J. Ritchie Smith, Minister of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Pa. $1.50, 1903, Revell, New York.

The Social Teaching of Jesus, by Prof. Shailer Mathews. $1.50, 1897, Macmillan.

LATER BOOKS ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST.

A Guide to the Lives of Christ for English Readers, by William Bancroft Hill, Professor of Biblical Literature in Vassar College. 25 cts., 1905, E. S. Gorham, New York.

In the Days of His Flesh, by David Smith. Ios., 6d., 1905, Hodder & Stoughton. Quiet Talks about Jesus, a grouping together of the Bible teachings about Jesus, by S. D. Gordon. 75 cts., 1906, Armstrong, New York.

The Walks and Words of Jesus, and New Sayings, by Rev. M. N. Olmsted. $1.50, 11th ed., 1906, G. M. McClintock, Newark, N. J.

Boy's Life of Christ, by William Byron Forbush. $1.25, 1906, Funk & Wagnalls. The Walk, Conversation, and Character of Jesus Christ, by Alexander Whyte, D.D. $1.50, 1905, Revell, New York.

Who Then Is This? A study of the personality of Jesus, by Harris G. Hale, minister of the Leyden Cong. Church, Brookline, Mass. $1.25, 1905, Pilgrim Press, Boston.

Scenes and Sayings in the Life of Christ, by James H. Snowden, D.D. $2.50, 1903, Revell, New York.

The Boy Jesus, illustrated children of the Bible series. 25 cts., 1906, Henry Altemus, Philadelphia.

Jesus of Nazareth: His Life and the Scenes of His Ministry, by William E. Barton, D.D. $2.50, 1903, Pilgrim Press, Boston.

The Greater Life and Work of Christ, as Revealed in Scripture, Man, and Nature, by Alexander Patterson. $1.50, 1896, Revell, New York.

Story of the Nazarene, by Noah K. Davis, Ph.D. $1.75, 1903, Revell, New York.
The Life of Christ, by W. J. Dawson. $2.50, 1901, George W. Jacobs, Philadelphia.

SIDELIGHTS ON THE LESSONS.

BOTH OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

The Jewish Encyclopedia, 12 vols., 6 still to be published. $6.00 a vol., Funk & Wagnalls, New York.

Chronology in the Bible, by Prof. Willis J. Beecher. 50 cts., Sunday School Times Company, Philadelphia.

Historical Atlas and Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ, by Prof. Richard M. Hodge of Union Theological Seminary. 35 cts., 1898, Sunday School Commission, 416 Lafayette Place, New York.

On Holy Ground, Bible stories with pictures of Bible lands, by William L. Worcester. $3.00, 1904, Lippincott, Philadelphia.

Journeyings in the Land Where Jesus Lived, by G. B. F. Hallock, D.D. $1.50, 1903, American Tract Society, New York.

Two Years in Palestine and Syria, by Margaret Thomas. $5.00, Scribner's, N. Y. To-day in Syria and Palestine, by Prof. W. E. Curtis. $2.00, 1903, Revell, N. Y. Forbidden Paths in the Land of Og, by "The Other Wise Man." $1.00, 1900, Revell, New York.

Gleanings in Holy Fields, studies in some by-paths of Scripture knowledge, by Hugh Macmillan, D.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E. $1.50, 1899, Macmillan, New York.

Sacred Sites of the Gospels, by Prof. W. Sanday. $4.00, 1903, Oxford.

Peasant Life in the Holy Land, by C. F. Wilson. $3.50, 1906, Dutton, New York. Homeland of the Bible, by J. P. McPhee. $1.25, 1902, Revell, New York.

Bible Manners and Customs, by Rev. G. M. Mackie, M.A., a missionary in Palestine for twenty years. $1.00, 1898, Revell, New York.

Studies in Oriental Social Life, by Henry Clay Trumbull, D.D. $2.50, 1894, Wattles, Philadelphia.

Jesus Christ and His Surroundings, by Norman L. Walker, D.D. $1.25, Revell. The Land and the Book, or Biblical illustrations drawn from the manners and customs, the scenes and scenery of the Holy Land, by William M. Thomson, D.D., for forty-five years a missionary in Syria and Palestine. 3 vols., $7.50, 1886, Harper's, New York.

New Light on the New Testament; an account of some interesting and important discoveries, by Parke P. Flournoy. 75 cts., 1903, Westminster Press.

Light from the East, or the Witness of the Monuments, by C. J. Ball. $6.00, 1899, Nelson, New York.

The Hebrew Religion, to the establishment of Judaism under Ezra, by Rev. William E. Addis, vol. 16 of the Crown Theological Library. $1.50, 1906, Putnam's, New York.

The Bible as Literature, by Prof. R. G. Moulton, Ph.D., Rev. John P. Peters, D.D., Prof. A. B. Bruce, D.D., and others. $1.50, 1896, Crowell, New York.

The Bible as English Literature, by Prof. J. H. Gardiner. $1.50, 1906, Scribner's. Suggestive Illustrations on John, by Rev. F. N. Peloubet, D.D., a collection of anecdotes, poems, and illustrations on the Gospel of John. $1.25, A. J. Holman, Philadelphia. The Poet's Bible, selected and edited by W. Garrett Horder, Old Testament Section. $1.25, 1895, Ward, Locke & Bowden, London.

OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY.

The Problem of the Old Testament, considered with reference to recent criticism, by James Orr, D.D., of Glasgow. This was awarded the Bross prize of $6,000 at Lake Forest University in 1905. $1.50, 1906, Scribner's, New York.

History of the Jews, by Prof. H. Graetz, 6 vols. (vol. I. includes the United Kingdom). $2.00 a vol., 1891, Jewish Publication Society.

Studies in the Old Testament, a year's course providing a scheme for personal study and class work, by Charles H. Morgan and Thomas E. Taylor. 75 cts., 1906, Jennings & Graham, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lectures on the History of the Jewish Church, by Rev. A. P. Stanley, D.D., 3 vols. $2.50 a vol., revised edition, 1880, Scribner's, New York.

A Short History of the Hebrews, by R. L. Ottley. $1.25, 1901, Macmillan, New York, Outline of Biblical History and Literature, from the earliest times to 200 A.D., vol. IX. of Historical Series for Bible Students, by Prof. Frank K. Sanders, D.D., and Prof. Henry T. Fowler, Ph.D. $1.25, 1906, Scribner's, New York.

Israel's Historical and Biographical Narratives, vol. II. of The Students' Old Testament, by Prof. Charles F. Kent of Yale University. $2.75, 1905, Scribner's, New York. The Hebrew Tragedy, by Col. C. R. Conder, LL.D. 3s., 1900, Blackwood.

The Hebrew Monarchy, by Andrew Wood, M.A. $7.50, 1896, Eyre & Spottiswoode. Israel Under Samuel and David, by Alfred Edersheim. $1.25, T. Nelson. History of the Hebrew People: The United Kingdom, by Prof. C. F. Kent of Yale University. $1.25, 1898, Scribner's, New York.

Old Testament History, by Henry P. Smith, D.D. $2.50, 1903, Scribner's, N. Y. Old Testament History, by G. Woosung Wade, D.D., lecturer in Hebrew at St. David's College, Lampeter. $1.50, 1901, Dutton, New York.

History of the People of Israel, by C. H. Cornill. $1.50, 1899, Open Court Publishing Company, Chicago.

Messages of the Prophetical and Priestly Historians, vol. IV. of the Messages of the Bible Series, by Prof. John E. McFadyen. $1.25, 1901, Scribner's, New York. Hours with the Bible, by C. Cunningham Geikie.

COMMENTARIES ON SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES.

The Cambridge Bible on Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. $1.00 a volume, Cambridge University Press.

The Expositor's Bible on Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. $1.50 a volume, Armstrong. International Critical Commentary on Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. $3.00 a volume, 1899, Scribner's, New York.

The Bible Commentary, Canon F. C. Cook, editor, volumes on Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. $3.00 a volume, Scribner's, New York.

The Pulpit Commentary on Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. $2.00 a volume, Funk & Wagnalls, New York.

The New Century Bible, first and second Samuel, revised version with notes by Rev. A. R. S. Kennedy, D.D., of Edinburgh University. 75 cts., 1905, Oxford University Press, American Branch, New York.