No.

What then? What caused her to tremble, and fear that that fabric of superstition would totter and fall through the influence of this humble individual? Let her answer. "I am more afraid of the prayers of John Knox, than of an army of a thousand men!" She, though probably a stranger to the power of godliness in the heart, was no stranger to the astonishing efficacy of prayer. She was a philosopher-a better philosopher, it would seem, than many of the professed disciples of Christ. The result shewed that she had ground for her fears. Papacy could not stand against the attacks of of such an engine. It fell, and its walls were never rebuilt in Scotland.

We wonder, and complain sometimes, that our prayers for the outpouring of the Spirit, and for the conversion of sinners, are not answered. But have we wrestled with God? Have we been suitably impressed with a sense of the value of souls, and have we besieged the throne of grace for them? When have we agonized in prayer for their conversion? How often have our hearts yearned over them? How often, while reflecting upon their condition, have we, with tears, sought the mercy-seat, and "told Jesus?" How often has our private Bethel witnessed fervent, importunate intercession for them? When have we felt and interceded for their salvation, as Abraham felt and interceded for the cities of the plain? Has such incense as this ever ascended from our altars? Has such been the character of our prayers? And shall we, in whose breasts the Spirit has lighted up a flame of holy love-shall we feel little anxiety that others should share in that love? Shall we, who are heirs to a crown of unfading glory, and who hope soon to wear it, feel little interested to secure such a crown for the unconverted around us? Shall we withhold our intercessions, and fold our arms in apathy and indifference, in the midst of our ungodly friends and relations? Is it a time to sleep, when members of our own family are unreconciled to God, and exposed to his wrath?

We can scarcely open our eyes, without beholding those who are tenderly allied to us by the ties of friendship, and some who sustain a closer relation to us as our

kindred, who “have no hope, and are without God in the world." They are "treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath." The edict of retribution has gone, and they are already sentenced, and the storm of Jehovah's vengeance is impending.

O Christian! do you know that you have influence with God? Do you know what encouragement you have to intercede for those whom you love? You may avert

the doom that threatens them. Your prayers may secure their introduction into the family of God, and a title to the rank and privileges of sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Then plead for their salvation. Plead with a warm heart. Plead with faith and earnestness, and implicit reliance on the efficacy of the Holy Ghost. Let teachers plead for the children for whom they are interested. Such intercessions are never thrown away.

FRUITS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

I CANNOT but remark, that while there are not a few who imagine that national importance can only attach to the warrior, to the senator, or to the philosopher, the time is coming when the humble and unassuming Sundayschool teacher will be recognised as a greater benefactor to his species, and a nobler patriot than the warrior who is celebrated as having slain his thousands, than the senator whose eloquence, combined with his wisdom, has commanded the homage and the admiration of multitudes, or the philosopher whose experiments and discoveries have received the praise of his fellow-men. Then it will be perceived that the Sunday-school teacher has been labouring secretly, but most efficiently, for the advancement of the best interests of his country and of the world. I cannot but be reminded of the objects of those self-denying and devoted labours-the rising generation-those who are to occupy the stations which are now filled by those who are growing gray, and are ready to pass down to the house appointed for all living. We are to look to the rising generation for our subsequent missionaries, who shall translate the sacred volume for myriads yet deprived

of the bread of everlasting life, who are to go forth to distant and barbarous tribes to make known "the truth as it is in Jesus." The efforts of our Sunday-school teachers have a direct bearing upon the souls of the children committed to their care. It is much to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked, and to house the destitute; but it is more to point souls to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world—to pluck souls as brands from the everlasting burning to people heaven— to add gems to the crown of our glorious Redeemer.

TO THE TEACHERS IN

SCHOOL.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,—The transient intercourse I had with you in the summer of last year, and the few words of affectionate counsel which I then addressed to you, have given me a deep interest in your anxieties, difficulties, responsibilities, and encouragements. You may readily suppose that I much rejoice to hear of the increase of religious feeling and impression manifested among your pupils. Though all must be traced to the free, sovereign grace of God, who worketh where he will, yet it is your privilege to look at this, as an answer to prayer perhaps after long waiting and discouragement. I was not, however, surprised to hear of some instances of declension; for, though we should long that every hopeful bud and blossom should bring forth fruit, yet we must not be disheartened at the deadly power of the blast, nipping and withering where the root was not firmly planted; and yet in such cases as, alas! have often happened under my own ministry, I have felt it a call to ask the searching question, "Is there not a cause? Has there been no want of prayer-of tender watchfulness—of wise, patient consideration—that might have been applied with more effective influence?" There is always matter for searching and humiliation, but none for despondency. Let us be earnestly seeking to learn some lessons even from humbling experience, that may be brought to bear with useful direction on our future efforts. I cannot but feel with you, that with new pleasures and encourage

ments is combined a great increase of difficulty and responsibility. A new bond and relation now exists with those who are maintaining, with more or less stedfastness, a Christian profession. They are not only your pupils, but your younger sisters in Christ. This new position

involves new and peculiar anxieties; while it calls for some difference in the mode of treatment. It may be a matter of temptation to them to forget that this new relation in no degree annuls the duty of subjection. "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort." (1 Tim. vi. 2.) At the same time, it must so far influence your judgment, and enlarge your forbearance, that you do not expect from them more than is reasonable: that you take into full account the Christian infancy, and consequently inexperience. It may be well for you to remember the tendency of a strong impulse of religion, upon some minds, to shake the sound balance for a time. New and apparently conflicting obligations do not, in a moment, find their due place, and exercise their proper influence. Hence there is often much irregularity in young converts requiring the most delicate and careful consideration. A strong power of restraint would produce revulsion, instead of the satisfactory establishment that is desired. It is a great matter of wisdom to shew them that you are above all petty irritation; to act where you can upon the wise adage, "Prevention is better than cure;" to avoid, as far as possible, all needless occasions of collision; and while you watch the influence of great principles, to wink at minutia, when you are able to do so without compromise of authority. When you

cannot gain every point, you must be content with taking those that are of immediate importance. Consider whether it is of most importance to gain your point in trifles, or, by a wise exercise of forbearance, to secure that affectionate confidence which will enable you to direct their general conduct without reserve or resistance. I am quite aware of the extreme difficulty of knowing how to slacken the reins with growing age. It is a

difficulty that is felt by most parents, with their children, requiring special wisdom and prudence. Discipline must be maintained, but confidence must be secured; and how to contrive both, is the great concern. But of this I have no doubt, that a kind, open, loving manner, while it invites confidence, will be far more effective in producing discipline, than the more strict exercise of authority, which is the ordinary and needful course. With younger children there must be a yoke; but be sure that it is not the yoke of Moses, but of Christ-not of fear, but of love-such as illustrates the true character our Lord has given us of his yoke, as contra-distinguished from every other. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. xi. 30.)

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You must be loved, in order to be obeyed. I mean that the obedience of fear gives occasion for dissembling, concealment, and reserve, whenever circumstances admit of it. How do you find it with your heavenly Father? Is not your obedience more entire and sincere-flowing out of the spirit of confidence in which he has enabled you to walk with him? Is not heartiness, watchfulness, tenderness, the character of your Christian yoke? You must also be led to understand, from your own experience, that any appearance of severity, or undue strictness, contracts the flow of sympathy, and shuts up the avenues of confidence. Have you never felt how hard it is to get back from a cool distrust into the warmth of love towards each other? "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city." (Prov. xviii. 19.) The thread once snapped is not easily united again. The endeavour to place ourselves in the offender's place to deny our own feelings to forbear under great injuries-to consider our own weakness, and continual backsliding-is most valuable in imbuing our own spirit with the true moulding of the Gospel. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Gal. vi. 1.) I can scarcely conceive of any circumstances when this spirit, in a limited sphere, is of more consideration than your own. If these young people, weak and unstable as they must necessarily be,