Correspondence. Christians are actively engaged in THE CHURCH AND THE SCHOOL. | scholar. It may be urged that many SIR,-It always appears to me, that the reason why our Sabbath-schools have not been more prosperous, is owing to the lukewarmness of the church. This feeling may have arisen, in some degree, from the erroneous opinion that many Christians entertain that they are not to look for conversion in early youth. This may have led them to other spheres of labour, in order to keep up the number of church members, so that the Sabbath-school has been neglected, and its importance to the church greatly undervalued. There can be very little doubt that the Sunday-school presents the fairest field of usefulness: the chances of success among our adult population are not near so inviting; and of adults, it is mainly those of them who have been trained in a Sabbathschool, that any serious impression is made upon. How the church can have come to undervalue such important institutions, I am at a loss to discover. Yet it is a painful truth, that in very many instances much indifference is manifested towards the Sabbath-school, both by minister and people, as if it had no claims on them for sympathy and support. How often do our teachers flag in their work; borne down by its labouriousness, arising chiefly from the waywardness of the children, and the opposition of the infant mind to the reception of Divine truth, with the want of encourage ment and aid from their brethren and sisters in the faith. The coldness of professing Christians exercises a very injurious tendency on all connected with a school. I well remember the unfavourable impression it had on my own mind when I was a Sunday The Sabbath-school system calculated to produce great changes in society; and, when the Christian church shall realise the vast importance of these institutions, and see that they are mighty instruments for regenerating mankind. then may we hope to see them flourish-when they shall be recog nised as nurseries of the church, and dealt with as such; then shall God's work prosper in a manner it has not before done: but this requires the church to come to her duty-to acknowledge the charge laid upon her by her Divine Master, to feed the lambs of his flock; and to say to them as Jesus did of old, "Suffer: little children to come unto me." I can no more see the propriety of professing Christians neglecting the Sabbath-school, than I can in their neglecting the public worship of God, when it is in their power to attend. A. M. PROMOTIONS. SIR,-I am delighted to see the | he was removed. I could not well express my grief at the change. I have several boys in my class now, well qualified to be removed to a higher; but if removed, I think the consequence would be their leaving the school. My opinion is, that boys when they are able to read in the Bible or Testament, should be trained up and ultimately sent out into society under the care of their teacher; and I express myself in this way, because I think that it is a painful thing to break those ties which so firmly bind children to their teacher. My idea of a Sabbath-school is, that it should be a place where sound Christian principle is the leading feature, rather than its being a series of forms and ceremonies. subject of promotion in our Sabbath-schools so prominently brought forward in your excellent Magazine; my experience in this matter goes to prove that it is decidedly injurious. I will give you a case in point, the superintendent of my school, in making up his quarterly paper for the class, was anxious that some of the most forward of my children should be removed into the first class; one boy in particular was fixed on as being qualified, one of the most intelligent in my class I reluctantly consented to his removal, and within a month the consequence was most disastrous -that boy who was once the best in my class, and who appeared to have a deep impression as to the value of his soul, became one of the worst boys in the class to which Yours in Christ, Bath, Sept. 4. HUMILITY. Sunday School Obituary. JOSEPH TAYLOR WAS a Sunday-scholar in East Parade Chapel Schools, Leeds. He was very thoughtful and obedient to his parents; they seldom or ever having to correct him. His parents were very poor, and whenever he had an opportunity of earning a few pence by going errands, or otherwise, he was always delighted to take it home to his mother. He was never known to be guilty of telling an untruth under any circumstances. On one occasion a fellowscholar tempted and persuaded him to stay away from school; on coming home his companion boldly affirmed that they had been at school; but when Joseph was appealed to, he at once, without any hesitation, candidly confessed the truth, and wondered at the boldness of his companion in thus denying it. His attachment to the Sabbath school was very great indeed; so great that he has prevailed upon the other boys to go along with him; and when they complained of not having clothes to go in, he has actually lent them some of his own clothes to put on, rather than they should stay away from the Sabbath-school. Some time since, he along with his sister, were persuaded by some friends to leave our school, and attend a neighbouring Church school; but during that time they were very unhappy, and in about five weeks they returned, where both felt at home again. After leaving school on the Sabbathday, he was in the habit of employing his time in reading (generally) the Scriptures, and telling his friends what he had heard in the school, and what he remembered of the sermon, and seemed anxious that they should go and hear for themselves; and often he has complained of the inattention and bad behaviour of other boys during he said, that "he loved the Saviour service. very much, and wished to be with him, because his Saviour had first loved him.” Once on looking out of the window, and perceiving his fellow-scholars playing about the yard, he remarked to his mother, that those boys had not paid much attention to what their teachers had said to them, or else they would not have been playing on the Sabbathday. He was always regular and punctual in his attendance, (whenever health permitted,) and very attentive in his class, which was manifested by the questions which he put to his teacher. His sickness was of short duration, continuing only a fortnight, but his sufferings were very severe, and he bore them without a murmur. He was not able to converse much, but was always delighted to see his teacher. A few days before he died, he said to his mother," Mother, I want to go home;" and on her asking where his home was, he replied, "In heaven." In answer to questions that his teacher put to him, The last time that his teacher visited him before his death, (after commending him to the care of God,) he asked him. what he should like him to say to the other boys in his class? and he said, "Tell them that I love Jesus, and am going to heaven." His teacher promised to see him again on the morrow, (if possible,) but was prevented: he said repeatedly to his mother the day before he died, “My teacher will not come to-day, but tomorrow, and I shall then be in hea ven;" and on the morning of his death he again said to his mother, "My teacher will come to-day, and you must tell him that I am gone to heaven :" and he soon after expired without & struggle. In three hours after his teacher called, and found that he had gone to his rest, lamented by all the neighbourhood. BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 12. 3rd, Worldly mirth; see Nebuchad- 14. Therefore, &c.; (on account of their sin; their punishment here, Isa. xlii. 22, 25; 2 Kings xvii. 6, 7; and to us also here; captivity, Rom. vii. 23; 2 Tim. ii. 26; famine, Amos viii. 11; (Rev. xviii. 8 ;) no knowledge, Hos. iv. 6. 15. Their punishment hereafter. "Hell hath enlarged," &c.; where will the covetous, the drunkards, the worldly be? 1 Pet. iv. 18. 17. Then shall the lambs, &c. These sorrows and trials should be prepared for the ungodly; but his lambs 18. should be fed, Isa. lxv. 13, 14:" tended, Isa. xl. 11; preserved, John x. 14-16, with xvii. 12. Woe to them that drew iniquity, &c. Lords of vanity, excuses to themselves. 19. And why so hardened? because they look on judgment as so far off. Oh! how thankful then should we be for these seasons; remin us that it is indeed "near, even at the doors." 20. See Ezra xiii. 10, 11, 22. The self 21. The vain and proud, Rom. i. 22; to us, Prov. iii. 7; Rom. xii. 13. 22. The drunkards, Prov. xxiii. 19, 20. 23. The unfair and unjust, Prov. xvii. 15. Oh let us ask on whom does God denounce woe? v. 8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22; of all, Isa. iii. 11; Rom. ii. 9. And when will this woe come? now: in a measure, but far more "when he shall come again in his," &c. Mal. iv. 1. 24, 25. The end of such, Isa. xlvii. 14; our prayer, Isa. xlvi. 9. 26-29. The fierceness and power of their enemies, Heb. i. 8; Lam. iv. 19; Joel ii. 7, 8. They may be fierce, but what are they to our enemies? 29. None shall deliver, &c. Now there is one able, ready, willing to deliver, Ps. lxiii. 1. But the day of grace once past, no power can take the captive from him to whom he has sold himself a slave. Oh! then, whilst there is time, "let us seek that help which alone can save; and let us remember, none will then be delivered to the will of Satan who have not here wrought his will. None redeemed by Christ who have not here followed, and heard, and sought him. Entelligence. BILLERICAY.-On Thursday, the 14th of Sept., the Nineteenth Anniversary of the South-East Essex Sunday-school Union was held in this town. Before the meeting the Sunday-school children were plentifully regaled with a substantial dinner in a tent on Mr. Curtis' lawn. Upwards of 100 children were present, with many teachers and visitors. At half-past three o'clock a large number of teachers and friends assembled in the Independent Chapel, when the Rev. John Curwen, of Plaistow, delivered a lecture on the "Best modes of Teaching in Sunday-schools." The subject was illustrated by a class formed of the Sunday-school children in the meeting. Great interest was taken in the proceedings, and much satisfaction expressed. At five o'clock, the friends met for tea in the assembly-room, which was so crowded that upwards of sixty persons had to obtain accommodation at the Crown Inn. At six o'clock, a large public meeting was held in the meeting-house, at which the Rev. Mr. Isaac, of Stock, presided. Rev. Mr. Price, of Woodham Ferris, (Secretary,) read the Report, which announced 1800 boys and girls in the schools, with 250 teachers. Rev. S. Wager, Southend; E. Davis, Romford; B. H. Kluht, Billericay; J. Curwen, Plaistow; T. Haywood, Rochford; H. Cock, Ingatestow; J. Hall, Brentwood; J. B. Law, Kittle; Jas. Pilkington, Kayleigh; John Moss; Adams; G. Maconachie, of Orsett, assisted in the proceedings, which terminated about nine o'clock. GLASTONBURY CIRCUIT.-The Sabbath-school anniversary was lately held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Charlton, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Howe, and the children were examined by their superintendent. The annual Sunday-school public tea-meeting was likewise held on Friday, Sept. 22nd, and addresses were afterwards delivered by Messrs. Howe, Moody, Baily, Kick, (Independent,) and Gammon (Bible Christian). The Sunday-school sermons were lately preached in the Somerton Chapel, by the Rev. C. Ridler, of Shepton Mallet; and on Monday, Oct, 16th, the annual Sunday-school tea-meeting was held in the chapel; after which the chair was taken by Mr. S. Barnard; the report read by Mr. B. Hawkins, Secretary; and the meeting addressed by Messrs. Moody, Gammon, Howe, and Griffith. The children and teachers were gratuitously regaled with tea on the day following. OTHERY, SOMERSET.-On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the annual Sunday-school teameeting was held in the Independent Chapel. A public meeting was also held in the evening. Poetry. OUR INFANT SUNDAY-SCHOOL. Adapted to the tune "HOPE," in Mr. Curwen's Tune Book. We love our Infant-school, 'Tis such a happy place, Our teacher is so kind; He speaks so gently, and his rules We have a cheerful room, So clean, and bright, and dry; And there we sit in little rows, In our nice gallery. And after we have learnt The lesson for the day, We have a little service too In our own pleasant way. We have a book of Hymns Which in our bags we bring; And then we all kneel down, Our simple prayer to say; Teacher speaks first, and we repeat Out loud-and so we pray. Thus, altogether, we To God who reigns above, Confess through Christ our many sins. And ask his pardoning love. And then we sing again Some hymn we know by heart; If teacher but begins the tune, We all can take our part. And then we all sit still, While from God's holy book We hear of Christ, the children's friend, And the kind words he spoke. A Scripture story too, Our teacher always brings; And talks of holy men and heaven, And many other things. So earnest is his look, We know he loves to teach; He uses words we understand, Our little hearts to reach. And then we go, and tell To every one at home, C. R. Answers to Correspondents. A Teacher, Liverpool. As a whole, Justitia.-Yes: Dr. Leifchild preached "Yes." There are, however, exceptions, and in some Numbers we have observed slighting references to Sunday-school work, and religious duties. F. D.-The Christian Ladies' Association is in 20, Red Lion-square. Classes for Scripture Reading are formed on Sunday afternoons, and young persons in the drapery, millinery, and other houses of business, are eligible to attend. We are obliged to defer several articles already in type. Our Ilfracombe friend is looking, no doubt, for the insertion of the "Memoir." We have not forgotten it. for the Birmingham Union this autuma Nemo.-It was not reported, but the Received, with thanks.-J. RandallT. M.-A. M., Doncaster.-W. C., Shel ton.-R. Needham.-Peter N.-T. S.W. B., Lavington. |