Now, admitting this objection to be founded in fact, it will weigh but little in the estimation of those who have been taught to compare the interests of time with those of eternity, and who have once seriously pondered the Saviors' question-"What is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul." What if

it should appear that the attention of your children is for a season diverted, in some measure, from pursuits and acqusitions which pertain to, "the life that now is,” and cheerfully occupied by the claims and prospects of "that which is to come," would you hinder them from obeying the divine precept -" Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?"—would you not be willing that they should sacritice some of earth's transitory gains, distinctions, or pleasures, to the attainment of the good part which cannot be taken from them? Do not say they have not time to attend to that, for which above all things, time is given them. But the objection before us is not founded in fact-Sabbath School exercises do not hinder, but help the progress of children in their ordinary studies. Enlightened and impartial observers have confessed that more assistance to their common education has been derived from this source than from all others

Some have objected to the system of Sabbath School instruction, as calculated to prejudice the minds of the young on religious subjects. Better (it is said) to let them alone till they can think and judge for themselves, that their belief may be the result of investigation and conviction, and not of early habit and tradition. This plan would be excellent, indeed, if it were not for the corruption of our nature. If the human mind, undisciplined and untaught, would, of itself, prove all things and hold fast only that which is good, much care and pains on the part of parents and teachers might be spared.— But alas!, experiments, in numerous instances, have proved the reverse, and abundantly confirmed the divine counsel, to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” If pious habits ought to be só early formed, a foundation should be laid for them in Christian principles, which, again, have their support from Gospel truths.

We address you as parents, and under this tender and

affecting relation we are confident of being heard-a regard for your children will lead you to listen to every thing by which their happiness can be promoted. When schools are open to receive your children, we only ask that you will send them with cheerfulness and punctuality. The instruction of their teachers will soon show how much they have gained. They will be more ready to obey you in all things-they will read to you that Bible which they have too long neglected; while their whole conduct will prove how much their Sunday employments have tended to improve their manners, to enlighten their understandings, and to teach them that truth which is able to save their souls.

We appeal to you as immortal beings-you and your children are candidates for eternity: a few fleeting days and you will be launched into another world--O, consider what that world is to which you are hastening! What are your present ideas about it? do no auxious thoughts disturb your breasts?—no fears haunt your solitary moments? no pangs of conscience visit you in the prospect of death ?—can we stand in the presence of that Saviour who has bought us with his blood, and who will hail us as his friends? or, are we not preparing ourselves, as vessels of wrath, fitted for destruction? O! parents pause and con ider, a few days, or even hours, and your season of grace may be gone for ever.

But, consider farther, you are accountable beings; God has given you children, and he will require at your hands an account of the manner in which you have discharged your duties toward them. And is it not a fact that, every sabbath, children are to be found in every part of our country, breaking his holy day-blaspheming his blessed name, and encouraging each other to every act of wickedness! The fact is to common to be denied. Parents, who read this, are your children among the number?nay, do not some of you often hear this yourselves, and even from the lips of your children, without any endeavor to correct it? Is it so? Conscience do thine officespeak home to the parent's hearts ask them where is their affection for their children?-show them the dreadful consequences of their criminal neglect, and lead them to amend their own ways, before it be too late.

We hope that you now feel it your duty to put your

children in these schools. But we expect something more--you must lend your assistance and éxample to carry our intentions into effect; the teachers will, in most cases, labor in vain unless you second their endeavors. The instructions, therefore, which are given them at school, it is your duty, to the utmost of your power, to enforce at home. Parents should often visit the schools, and they ought to avoid, as much as possible, where there are several sunday schools, permitting their children to leave one school to enter another, it has an injurious effect upon the child, and the schools are conducted so nearly alike that nothing important could be gained. All parents who feel interested in the success of these schools ought to connect themselves with Sunday School Societies thereby aiding in this important work. The regulations of the schools should be strictly observed, as upon them success, in a great measure, depends. The following rules ought especially to be attended to:

1. Point out to your children the vast importance of education, and its numerous advantages in forming their character, regulating their conduct, and securing to them the esteem and approbation of the wise, the great, and the good as they advance in life.

2. Enforce upon them the necessity of early attendance at the school, and the greatest attention possible to the instruction they receive there; at the same time do all you can yourselves to send them from home early, with face and hands clean.

3. Restrain your children from playing on the sabbath; if this is permitted, the instructions which they have received will, in a great measure, be lost. Inquire of them, on their return home, what they have been taught at school, and see that they learn correctly the lessons which have been set them.

4. Point out to them their duty to God, to yourselves, and ot all men.

5. By all means keep them from bad company, from telling lies, from using bad words, from breaking the sabbath, and from behaving rudely to aged, infirm, or deformed persons.

6. Teach them to avoid all kinds of cruelty to dumb animals of every description.

7. Show them the necessity of solemnity and reverence in reading the word of God, and while attending divine worship in the house of God.

8. Be careful to set them a good example yourselves; it is natural for children to imitate the conduct of their parents; they see your deportment, listen to your words, and notice your tempers, you should, therefore, be careful to conduct yourselves before them in the same manner as you would wish them to act before others.What, parents and guardians, shall we say in conclusion? Do you love your children? do you desire to see them respectable in the world ?-do you really wish them to be separated from wicked companions ?—are you desirous of having them instructed in the way of everlasting life?-then show your affection, by placing your offspring in those schools, the principal object of which is to produce these effects. Oh! we beseech you follow home the advice which is given them by their teachers on sunday, with example and precept through the rest of the week. Let the consideration that the eye of God is upon you sink deep into your hearts, and may the blessings of Almighty God enable you to discharge your duties in such a manner as at the last you may see his face with joy.

AN ADDRESS

To the Patrons of Sunday Schools.

It is most desirable, especially in large and populous towns, that societies should be institted for the support and management of Sunday Schools, not only on account of the expense, which becomes light by being divided among many, but because more good in various ways may be expected to result from combined exertions than from individual efforts; the institution will also obtain greater publicity, and many, who would otherwise have regarded it with indifference, will feel a peculiar interest in its welfare when personally engaged in contributing to its support.*

*The formation of Sunday School Unions where they do not at present exist, are recommended, as the most effectual means of promoting the improvement, extension, and permanence of Sunday Schools.

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Perhaps there is not an individual in society who does not acknowledge the great importance of education; even those who are most ignorant of its advantages have been heard to express the highest encomiums on its inestimable value. No party spirit breathes its jealous and pestilential influence in opposition to its general encouragement and patronage. This is that subject on which, in a peculiar degree, the smiles and approbation of heaven may be expected to co-operate with the exertions of men. As a considerable portion of our population would go untaught were it not for the support of Sunday Schools, which are of vast importance to all classes of society, in addition to common schools, being beneficial to the state, to the interest of human happiness, social or individual, but particularly to the church; and as you are the acknowleged guardians of the rising generation, permit me to arouse your attention to this most momentous subject.

Who, that considers the nature and tendencies of the Sunday School system, the high ascendency it has gained in the land that gave it birth, or the effects it has produced during a period of more than 40 years, and that knows the characteristic of the age in which we live, will doubt whether the object of this institution shall meet patronage? Or who, that has traced the progress of this system from Gloucester, where it was established by the venerable Raikes, to every city and village of Great-Britain, to the principal places in the neighboring islands, to the continent of Europe, to Africa and India, to the West-Indies, Nova Scotia and Canada, and finally to some of the most interior regions of the United States, I say who, that considers its progress, will doubt whether it rests upon a solid basis, or shares the approbation and confidence of every enlightened community?

Thus widely and rapidly, to the present time, has this institution multiplied its funds, its objects, and its conquests. It is scarcely possible even to hazard a conjecture upon the number of children and adults which are, every sabbath, brought under the sound of instruction throughout the world. Perhaps if they were stated at a million and a half, it would not at all exceed the aggregate. And allowing one teacher to every 15 scholars, will make the great number of one hundred and fif