ther would be a teetotaller.* I pray every day that he may be one."

My feelings would not allow me to say much, but I added: "Well, tell her to pray on; the Lord will, doubtless, hear your prayers."

A few weeks after I attended a Temperance meeting here, and whose name should I find on the pledge paper, at the close of the meeting, but the father of this little Sunday-scholar! A change soon took place throughout the domestic scene; the means of grace were now attended, and I had the sweet joy, not many days ago, of bending my knee at the family altar of this once broken-hearted but now rejoicing family.

I have met with many other interesting cases in which I have seen the happy effects of the Sunday-school Teacher being a total-abstinence promoter.

An American minister visited some of our schools last Sunday, and stated that about FOUR MILLIONS of juveniles, principally Sunday-scholars, are being trained up in America on the Temperance principle. He also stated a most startling fact, that those ministers who had been the most forward in promoting the total abstinence cause, had been signally blessed with large additions to their church members.

I remain, Rev. Sir, yours respectfully,

J. B. S.

REV. SIR,-In common with other readers of your valuable Magazine, I was highly gratified with the review of the Rev. W. Wight's Tract on "Temperance," contained in the September number; and I sincerely trust that many of your readers may be induced by its perusal, candidly and prayerfully to consider the claims which the Temperance cause has upon them. The discussion of any subject calculated to increase the usefulness of Sabbath-school Teachers comes legitimately within the objects contemplated by the "Teacher's Visitor;" and, as I believe the adoption of Temperance principles, by the Teachers who labour in connection with our national establishment, would be productive of most glorious results to the Church and the world, I venture to submit the following observations.

It is acknowledged on all hands, that one of the greatest hindrances to Sunday-school prosperity is to be found in the drinking customs of the nation. There is scarcely a district of the country to be found in which many children are not prevented from attending Sabbath-schools, in consequence of the intemperance of their

*The mother and child had both signed the pledge.

parents. This is evident to all those who are in the habit of visiting the dwellings of the lower orders of society. Go into the houses of many, ask for the parents, and enquire the reason why they do not send their children to school, and the answer generally is: "We are ashamed to let them go, their clothes are so ragged; and we cannot afford better, we are so poor." But if you enquire into the cause of this poverty, often is the appalling truth told, that the father is a drunkard. A very large increase of Sabbath-school children might be calculated on, if the people universally abandoned the use of drinks which are productive of so much misery.

Again,-let Sabbath-school Teachers remember that their efforts are to a great extent neutralized, in consequence of the drinking usages of society. The instruction given to the children on the first day of the week, is often counteracted by the intemperate example of the parents at home, who school their offspring in evil through the other six days far more effectually than the Teacher has succeeded for good. If the parents were in every case teetotallers, there would be a greater probability of the Teacher's efforts being seconded at home. I may be here met with the objection, that I am arguing from the abuse, against the use of intoxicating liquors; and that if all were temperate, the evils I heve mentioned would not be known. Yes, if all were moderate in their use; but when has that been the case? or when will it be? The fact is, moderation has led the way to intemperance; and as medical testimony, scientific research, and the experience of men in all ages, and in every clime, have abundantly proved that alcoholic liquors are unnecessary, then abstinence from them becomes a Christian duty, if the practice will increase our usefulness, or be instrumental in lessening existing evils.

I come now briefly to the most important consideration of all, namely, that a large number of those who have been educated in Sabbath-schools, although trained for the greater part in moderation, have become in after-life wretched drunkards. I proceed to prove this statement by facts. A Superintendent of a large Sundayschool, near London, took from the school-book a list of the names of above a hundred boys who had been taught there; and after diligent enquiry, aided by the Teachers, found, to his sorrow, that more than half of them had become more or less intemperate. A similar enquiry was made of scholars who had been in the Launceston Wesleyan Sunday-school. Of one hundred pupils, twenty-six could not be found; of the seventy-four others, forty-four were drunkards.

I have now a letter before me, written by a Cornish Sunday

school Teacher, who says he has endeavoured to trace the history of some of the companions of his youth, and he has found the cases of forty-four, who have become drunkards, some of whom have died such. Oh! must it not pierce the heart of every Teacher, when he remembers that many of the dear children for whom he now earnestly labours, and who now promise so fair, will in after life become drunkards! But is there no remedy? Yes; blessed be God, there is. He condescends to make use of means; abstinence from intoxicating drinks will, under the Divine blessing, remove many temptations from the path of him who adopts it.

Our youth, when they leave the school, will shun many of thos haunts of vice which, under other circumstances, they would b tempted to enter; they will be, physically and mentally, in a bette state for the reception of good influences; and we, as Teacher shall be spared the pain of beholding the awful change which migh have taken place in their conduct. Let me urge on my belove fellow-labourers in the Lord's vineyard the importance of turnin their immediate attention to this great subject.

As one who for ten years has lived in the practice of abstinend from alcoholic beverages, I can conscientiously recommend th system; and I would beg my fellow-teachers to remember that the influence is a precious talent, and that their example of abstinend may be blessed by God in the prevention of intemperance amongs others.

For the encouragement of your readers, I will mention, that i the school with which I am connected, containing about one hundred children, the great majority are growing up in these principles; and I attribute it in some measure to the fact, that the Superintendent, and all the Teachers, with one exception, are members of the Tenperance Society, and occasionally speak a word in season to the children under their care, on the importance of beginning in the morning of life to walk in the path of Temperance.

I would ask my brethren, in conclusion, Do they consider the cause of Temperance a great and good one? Are they in possession of any facts which will justify them in coming to an opposite conclusion? If not, I ask them to obey the call of duty, and yield to the force of truth; to consider the subject in their closets, and ponder it upon their knees. And if they wish Sunday-schools to be filled, useful Teachers to multiply, and their own usefulness increased, I call on them to abandon the use of strong drinks, which is now one of the most powerful obstacles to the accomplishment of these great ends. I am, Rev. Sir, yours very respectfully,

Bath.

J. B.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

N concluding the labours of the year, the Editor wishes to offer a w words. He desires to express his thankfulness for the degree acceptance which the TEACHER'S VISITOR has met with, and for e grateful acknowledgments which he is continually receiving from rious parts of the kingdom. He must candidly confess, however, at while this encourages him to go forward and to do his best, he very far from satisfied with the performance of his work. He ould gladly, in the first place, get it into a more general character; useful for Week-day as for Sunday Schools. There is far too rge a portion devoted, in his opinion, to the latter object. Now that the public attention is so loudly called to the subject of ational Education, it is the more essential that a work of this ature should comprehend such matter as may be of general adantage.

In the next place, the Editor, though he hears little of complaint om others, feels that his work is wanting in interesting variety. t is not the repetition and multiplication of essays, however sound ad good they may be, on points that bear only on Sunday-school aition, which will duly promote the object of a work of this nature. The Editor has no lack of such communications, chiefly from the en of Sunday-school Teachers themselves-offering the best advice, with the best of motives-but often from those who, however clearly possessing truth on their side, are, nevertheless, too inexperienced and crude themselves to be in a position effectually to guide and impress their fellow-workers. The Editor fears he may often cause dissatisfaction to rejected contributors, in the discharge of his discriminating duty; without which, his work would manifestly become more objectionable than it is at present, in the way of sameness. But the great thing wanting is a more general support from the Clergy, and others who are accustomed to the pen.

A work of this nature, manifestly, must be what they who are alive to the best interests of schools, and the importance of such a help and direction, are pleased to make it. And here he must confess that he has been disappointed. The necessity for such a publication had long been felt and acknowledged by many influential persons, lay and clerical, in our Church; and it was only on the entire failure of all other prospects for its attempt that he ventured to undertake it. The Editor did this under the encouragement which was given him to expect large co-operation from those who were so anxious for its establishment. With the exception, however, of two faithful and highly-valued allies, he has had to go for

ward single-handed; and even supposing that he could have executed his work more efficiently than his other numerous engagements, and, latterly, inadequate health, have permitted, it is not in the nature of things that a periodical can approximate to what it should be, without that variety and style of matter which the united contributions of different writers alone can accomplish.

The Editor would thankfully, at any moment, transfer his work into other hands; but he is too sensible of the importance of such an undertaking, especially in times like the present, and too grateful to the many persons who, perhaps, too partially regard and too highly appreciate his efforts, to abandon it altogether. The want of health may render such a step necessary; yet if friends would only support him with suitable matter, the burden would have comparatively little pressure.

With a growing conviction of its importance, he is the more anxious for its efficiency. Once more, then, he entreats the enlarged co-operation, and the prayers and the counsel of his brethren in the ministry, as well as others who are interested in the good of Schools.

The Editor would always be thankful for well-authenticated and interesting Memoirs of Teachers. Suitable local information is also always acceptable. Every thing that is calculated, in the way of incident or illustration, to bear practically and experimentally on the defects of teaching, or its excellencies, is valuable. If the Clergy who are desirous for the encouragement and right direction of their Teachers would only contribute their assistance as they have opportunity, they would indeed confer a great benefit.

The Editor will thankfully accept the York offer for the "Children's Friend." "G. K." wants some rules for a Juvenile Missionary Association; and another Correspondent any hints for the best establishment of a Library in connection with Sunday and Day Schools. Received: -"Omega"-"J. B."-" A Former Contributor""M. E. K."-“J. H. B."—"Mara"-" G. Lacy"-" A. S." -“W. M.”—“ A. M."—" A. S."-" A Junior Teacher." Poetry of a "Junior Teacher" not sufficiently good.

Ineligible" E."-" S. Z. H."

"Augusta's" paper sound and good, but takes ground which has been frequently occupied in the "Teacher's Visitor."

END OF VOL. V.

FOSTER, PRINTER, KIRKBY LONSDALE.