children had not concordances, and therefore did not stand on equal ground. Their general plan is to look over the contents at the heads of the chapters, and if they discover any thing there which suits them, they read the chapter till they find it. I believe several have thus gone through almost every book from Genesis to the Revelations; some have spent nearly every leisure hour in the employment, and others have agreed with their schoolfellows to meet in the evenings after the labours of the day and read the Scriptures together!! As might be expected, several of the passages they selected were very inappropriate, and sometimes even ludicrous; but others have been the most pointed and suitable that could be found, as may be seen on referring to the undermentioned texts, which were produced by them in answer to the questions proposed. On the Day of Judgment they brought Daniel vii. 9, 10. Matthew, xxv. 31, &c. ii. Peter iii. 7, 10. Rev. xx. 12, 13. On the final state of the Righteous and the wicked, Psalm ix. 17. Matt. xxv. 34, 41. Rev. xxi. 3, 4, and xxii. 15. On the means devised for the Redemption of Men, Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for 'he shall save his people from their sins." Matt. i. 21. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that 'whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John iii. 16. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the 'world to save sinners,' 1 Timothy i. 15. I desired them to find out who was the best king of Judah after the revolt of the ten tribes; they named Hezekiah, and gave as a proof, 2 Kings, xviii, 5, 6, 'He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after 'him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor 'any that were before him, for he clave to the Lord and de'parted not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.' I informed them I had read of one king of Judah who was remarkably wicked, but afterwards became a good man; and desired them to find out his name, the sins he committed, and the means of his conversion; they named Manasseh, and referred me to 2 Chron, xxxiii. 1-14. In answer to the question, what psalm is best suited to the state of a man broken down under a sense of his sin? they fixed upon the 51st; What psalm will best describe the feelings of a man whose sins are forgiven? they pointed out psalmis xxiii, xxxii. 1, 2. xxxiv. xli. 1, 2, 3. lxxxv. xci. ciii.What psalm is most descriptive of the omnipresence and omniscience of God? they chose the cxxxix. Being required to find out who was the best servant of whom an account is given in the Old Testament? they enquired, Did I mean the servant of man or the servant of God? Having directed them to find out the most wicked Son, mentioned in the Old Testament, pointed out Ham, Reuben and Absalom. One of them being asked whether Absalom was really the most wicked? he replied No; there were two others more wicked still, the two sons of Sennacherib, who actually slew their father whilst worshipping in the temple of his idol; whereas, Absalom had only conspired to slay his, but he did not know that he was at liberty to search for examples among the heathen!!! At the first I gave out a new subject every week, but fearing that it would weary the children, I have lately given them only one a month, which plan is also adopted by another respectable Sunday School in this city, into which it was introduced in consequence of the plan being mentioned in one of the quarterly meetings of our Sunday School Union. The examination of the children in this manner, has given me very pleasing opportunities of conversing familiarly with them on divine subjects, and I have often been agreeably surprised at the shrewd remarks they made and the information they possessed. Visitors have occasionally been present at these examinations, who were no less delighted with the improvement of the children than myself; and some of the happiest moments I have enjoyed in the Schools, have been when thus engaged in teaching my youthful charge, through the help of the blessed book of God, to know him and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, whom to know, is eternal life. Bristol. J. W. An ADDRESS from the SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, to THE Committee of the Sunday School Union, deeply impressed with the importance of the Work in which they are engaged, beg permission to intrude for a few moments on your attention. You are placed by Providence in highly important Situations, where your influence is extensively felt.To you, as the Ministers of Christ, who are particularly enjoined to feed the lambs, and to imitate Him who gathered them in his arms, sad carried them in his bosom, to you, the appeal will not be futile. Perhaps Sunday Schools have not hitherto engaged much of your attention, and you have not one attached to your Church. A few remarks will point out the advantages arising from these Institutions. In the present day it is quite unne cessary to expatiate on the general benefits of education: inspiration, reason and experience concur in the testimony, that for the soul to be without knowledge, it is not good. But to you, as the religious instructors of our Country, Sanday Schools possess a claim of peculiar and momentous importance. These institutions are not merely intended to diffuse useful knowledge, to civilize, and to moralize the lower Orders, they are designed for religious instruction, and are most happily calculated to promote the immortal interests of the Rising generation. Sunday Schools have very frequently become nurseries for the Church on earth, and in heaven. In the early ages of Christianity, historians frequently refer to the Catechumens, who were made the particular care of the Church, and as soon as they were capable of instruction, were taught the truths and the duties of religion preparatory to a public profession. Sunday Scholars may now be considered as Catechumens, under a course of religious instruction, well calculated, with the Divine blessing, to render them intelligent, sincere Christians, and ornaments to the Church of the most high God. The benefits of Sunday Schools are not restricted to the Scholars, they extend to their instructors and parents. Many amiable moral young persons who have been employed as teachers, have, while imparting instruction, been led to see the infinite importance of religion for themselves, and have become enlightened and decided characters. Others, who were pious when they became teachers, have been excited to greater decision, activity and usefuluess; they have been enabled to grow in grace, and while they have been watering others, the Divine promise has been fulfilled, and they have been watered themselves. Numerous are the instances in which the parents of Sunday Scholars have derived everlasting good from the instructions their children have received, the Books they have read, and the visits of the Teachers. Many ministers, in whose congregations Sunday Schools have been some time established, can testify the truth of these observations, from the facts which have come beneath their own notice. Indeed it has been often said by acute observers that there is a marked difference between congregations where Sunday Schools are established, and where they do not exist. They diffuse a spirit of zeal, love and active usefulness, through a religious society; they fill the place with attentive hearers, and thus additions are made to the Church of such as shall be saved. But perhaps you say, " these institutions we acknowledge to be exceedingly useful, yet we do not know how to begin, we have but scanty funds, and we fear the attempt would not succeed." To these timid suggestions, we would reply in the language of the wise man: "He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.— In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." To point out to you the manner of commencing and conducting these institutions, we beg leave to refer you to a little publi cation, entitl d," Hints on the Establishment and Regulation of Sunday Schools," which will give you the requisite information on this subject. With respect to the expence, this is comparatively small, and if your congregation is poor, you may apply for Spelling Books and Testaments to the Sunday School Society in London. We beg leave to press upon your attention, the immediate commencement of a Sunday School; while the subject is fresh upon your minds, mention it to your congregation, encourage your young people to come forward, and we are fully persuaded you will have no cause to repent of the attempt, but will have occasion through the remainder of your lives, on the bed of death, and in eternity, to bless God that you have established a Sunday School. We beg permission now to say a few words to those ministers in whose congregations Sunday Schools are already established. It will be quite unnecessary to state their beneficial effects to you, but perhaps they may be much increased by your instrumentality. Have you made a point of occasionally visiting your Sunday Schools, to see how they proceed, to enCourage the Teachers, to exhort the Children, and to give your countenance and support to the work? Do you promote the cause by all the means in your power? Let conscience answer; be not satisfied with saying, "things will go on very well without my interference." O consider the importance of the work, consider the value of the souls of so many young immortals, and while the other parts of your congregation partake your attention, O suffer not those little ones to perish. You will find it very useful occasionally to call the parents and friends of the Scholars together, to address them on their duties to their children, and the necessity of their co-operation with the exertions of the Teachers. This will afford you an opportunity of stating the importance of a personal interest in the blessings of religion for themselves, and of proclaiming the Published by W. Kent, 116, High Holborn. + Secretary, Mr. Thomas Smith, Little Moorfields, glad tidings of the Gospel to many who may, perhaps, never before have heard the truth as it is in Jesus. While you are thus actively employed, we beg leave to call your attention to the importance of a Sunday School Union for the county or neighbourhood in which you reside. These societies consist of a union of the Teachers and Friends of Sunday Schools, to encourage and promote the formation of these institutions in their neighbourhood. They strengthen the bond of brotherly love, they prevent languishing schools from entirely declining, and lead to the establishment of new schools in situations which require them. These results are best promoted by union of strength and division of labour, and wherever Sunday School Unions have been established, they have been productive of great and lasting benefits. On a review of the hints which we have ventured to suggest, we trust you will see their importance, and become increasingly interested in this great cause. If you wish to be attended by persons who can enter into the meaning and force of your public instructions-if you desire to see your congregations and churches increased-if you wish to promote the cause of religion when you cease to exist-if you are anxious for the glory of God and the welfare of immortal souls, let this be your determined resolution-" We will endeavour to promote Sunday Schools by all the means in our power."* An ADDRESS "On the best Means for insuring the Success of SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION," delivered at a Quarterly Prayer-Meeting of the CHELMSFORD SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. AS the usefulness resulting from the institutions in which we are engaged will be found, in a great measure, to correspond with the internal management of the schools, the gcatest attention must be paid to the means made use of to insure success; and likewise their peculiar adaptation to the end intended, must be deliberately investigated. The proLability of their producing the desired effect being ascer tained, we may assiduously apply ourselves to the use of the means till every difficulty shall vanish, and the fulfilment of our most sanguine hopes be realized-even a plenteous harvest of immortal souls." But, as both the adoption and *This Address is printed on Letter Paper, and Sold by W, Kent, 116, High Holborn |