Ephesus." "Who was his mother?" "Eunice, a Jewess; both she and his grandmother loved God, and they taught Timothy the Scriptures when he was a child." "Was Paul ever fond of Timothy? "Yes, he calls him his dearly beloved son,' and he wrote him two beautiful letters." "What are they called?" "The first and second Epistles to Timothy.' "What is the faithful saying in Paul's first letter?" "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' (1 Tim. i. 15.)

"My dear children, Tomorrow our Sabbath-school will meet for the 50th time. All of you must be either nearer heaven or farther from it, than you were a year ago: for you have read many chapters; you have sung many hymns; you have learnt to repeat many verses; and we have tried to tell you much of the love of Jesus. You have also said many prayers; but 'have any of you ever prayed one prayer? Have you ever asked your Saviour who loves you to give you a new heart?' If not, oh! dear child, delay it no longer; for God, by his Spirit, will answer your prayer, and then you will bless him to all eternity for bringing you to the Sabbathschool."

ENCOURAGEMENT TO SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS. SIR,-I beg to place in your hands a copy of a letter I got the other day from one that was under my care, in St. Ann's School, for two years, until a short time before his leaving for America, on Easter Sunday last. It was the intention of his friends to bring him up to be a Priest in the Church of Rome; but twelve months prior to his becoming a scholar in the above School, he was brought to the class by his brother, one Sunday afternoon. In the midst of the teaching this boy was continually causing an interruption, by stating that I was teaching things that were not correct. On his going home that evening, his grandmother inquired of him where he had spent the day, and on his telling her at sundry places, amongst others, the school, she was greatly enraged, and said that she was determined he should not enter the school again; and to carry out her object, she forbid him going to see his mother. This displeased him much; but in all her attempts to stop the hand of God, she was disappointed as he was sent to a fresh day school, and in that school the Bible was expounded, and it was some time before this mode of instruction was found out, when he was taken away. A time there came at last when God brought his work to an end. When the boy fled from the guardianship of his grandmother, where there was nothing but idolatary and the worshipping of the image, to that of his mother and aunt, where the gospel in its purity was taught. Anxious as you may suppose the boy was to gain more knowledge of Christ, he came to me desiring to be admitted as a scholar under my care, until it pleased God to remove him to a distant land. I remain Sir, your obedient Servant,

Salford, July 20, 1844.

ALFRED KNOTT.

New York, America, June 21, 1844.

DEAR MR. KNOTT,-Pardon my neglect for not writing before, as my time has been so much occupied in looking through the City. When you write on the 4th of August, tell me how Trinity Church and School are getting on. I always feel sorry when I think of you

having left St. Ann's, but perhaps it is all for the best. I have got into a Sunday-school, where I hope to do much good: but pray for me, for I need your prayers, for without God's grace I can do nothing, and without his Spirit how can I teach others? I hope soon to receive the rite of confirmation. Excuse this hasty note, as it is but to let you know I have not forgot you. Remember me to your mother, brother, and sister. Yours affectionately,

PLAN FOR SCRIPTURAL INSTRUCTION IN
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Parsonage, July 9th, 1844. DEAR SIR,-The appearance of your little publication, for Sundayschool Teachers, was hailed by me with great satisfaction, as it was exactly what I had for some time been desiring. I feel thankful that you have been led to undertake it, and trust that the blessing of God may abundantly rest upon the work, and make it extensively useful.

I write now to mention a little plan which I have been pursuing for some time at the Sunday-school in this place. We have been going through the history of the Old Testament, from the beginning to the time of the kings; taking a small portion for each week. Our female Teachers meet during the week, (though much desired, we have hitherto found it impracticable to have a similar meeting of the male Teachers,) when the portion is fully discussed, and we endeavour to draw out the varied lessons it affords. I then write out a brief skeleton of the history, and a few of the leading practical lessons, which, by the kind help of a lady in the district, in transcribing the number of copies required, is sent round to each Teacher. On the Sunday following, it is made one of the subjects for instruction, in all the classes; and the whole school is examined upon it together, for about five or ten minutes, the last thing in the afternoon.

It has occurred to me that the same thing might be made useful in other schools; and perhaps you might be disposed either to publish my papers, or to make some of your own more adapted to general use. Yours in the best bonds,

J. G. M.

SUBJECT FOR JUNE 7TH.-THE WISE MEN. MATT. ii. Wise men led by a star from the east, come to Jerusalem seeking the king of the Jews. Herod assembles the scribes and chief priests, who direct the wise men to Bethlehem; they depart and are led by the star to the spot, where they find the child and worship him: by God's direction they return another way, instead of going back to Herod. He orders all the children to be slain in Bethlehem; but Joseph is taught in a dream to take Jesus into Egypt, where he remains till Herod dies.

LESSONS.

1. The wisest may well take pains to find a Saviour.

2. God will direct those who seek Jesus.

3. God will disappoint all the cruel and wicked designs of his enemies.

4. God's word shall surely be fulfilled.

A. FOSTER, PRINTER, KIRKBY LONSDale.

ADDRESSED TO YOUNG SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS.

THE most important qualification for a Sunday-school Teacher is Love. It must be the mainspring of every action. Without it, you have very little prospect of

success.

Perhaps your children are amiable and affectionate. How easily, then, may their young hearts be won by kind treatment and gentle words! and when you have really gained their warm affections, you have accomplished much. You have secured their attention and confidence, and they are prepared to listen favourably to all that you tell them. Your labours for the future will be comparatively light.

Perhaps your children are timid and reserved. Harsh and unkind treatment at home has made them sullen and ill-tempered. Do not let this discourage you. Such characters, however unpromising they may appear, will often best reward your persevering efforts. Beneath the rugged surface, there are generally concealed deep and ardent feelings. Now it is love, and love alone, which can draw them forth. Children of this description are very susceptible of kindness. One gentle word, or expressive look, may make an impression which will never be obliterated. Love, like the warm, penetrating beams of the sun, will gradually melt away all the cold and ice-like exterior which at first chilled and discouraged

you.

But perhaps your children are careless and ungrateful. They do not like to submit to your control. They love the society of wicked companions; while the pernicious example of their parents strengthens and confirms every

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you

evil habit. You long to benefit and reclaim them, but feel sometimes as if it were useless to try any longer. I hope such instances are rare. Still, experience compels us to acknowledge that they do occur, and therefore we must not let them pass unnoticed. Now, how are these little wanderers to be led into the paths of obedience and peace? By love, dear young friends; patient, gentle, and unwearied love. Proud and self-willed, they listen with unconcern and indifference to the language of reproach; and punishment only makes them hardened and reckless. If you are ever to influence their hearts, it must be by love: they will never yield to any thing else. Oh! you do not know through how much opposition and discouragement love can sweetly force its way. The most obdurate and rebellious may be subdued by its resistless power. Let me refer you to the following interesting anecdote, as a proof of this assertion: It is related by the master of an Orphan Asylum. He says, "One day, as I was walking up and down among the children, I observed a boy, about twelve years of age, leaning his elbows on the table. I quietly reproved him for this improper behaviour, and passed on. The next time I passed, he was doing the same thing. I was obliged to repeat my desire that he should take his arms off the table. He obeyed me for the moment, but when I returned the third time, I found him angry and perverse, and could read in his face that he determined to despise my orders. I calmly continued my instructions. The boy obstinately remained in the same attitude, but I took no notice of him. When school was over, I sent for him into my study-praying, in the mean time, for wisdom and composure of mind. He stamped in, and banged the door after him, in a violent passion. 'Why did you bang the door so violently?' I asked. 'I did not bang it,' he replied, in an angry tone. 'Yes, you did, my boy,' I said quietly. 'I tell you, I did not,' was the answer. Upon this, I went up to him, took his hand, and asked him, in a gentle, affectionate tone of voice, 'Do you know, my dear boy, against whom you are sinning? It is not against me; but against your Saviour, your best Friend! Examine yourself, and try

In

to find out why you behave in this manner.' The boy's heart was touched-he burst into tears-and entreated me to forgive his wicked behaviour. I had determined, this morning,' continued he, to teaze you by my disobedience, thinking you would suffer much more from it than I should. Pray forgive me; I will never do so again in all my life.' I pointed out, kindly, to him from what a great temptation he had been delivered, and then dismissed him, with the assurance that I had forgiven him. He left me, but still appeared almost inconsolable. the afternoon, having finished my classes, I was sitting alone in my little study, when I heard a knock at the door. The boy came in, his eyes red with weeping, and said, it was impossible I could have forgiven him, for he had behaved so very badly. He begged I would tell him that I had forgiven him; repeating, that he would never vex me again, not even by a look. I again assured him of my full forgiveness; but told him, he must ask pardon of his Saviour, against whom he had chiefly sinned. I had scarcely risen the next morning, when my little penitent came again, crying so bitterly that I was quite astonished. He said, the remembrance of his conduct the day before had prevented his sleeping, and intreated me to continue to love him as I had done before. He told me he had resolved not to allow any punishment to overcome his obstinacy, but had been quite unable to resist the kind and gentle means I had used to convince him of his fault. From that day, he became my best scholar; and is still living, esteemed and respected by all who know him."

This simple story teaches us the importance of cherishing a gentle and loving spirit, in reference to our intercourse with the young. Let love ever be our motto. Do not be weary, dear young friends, of the repetition of this sweet word. It ought to be engraven on the heart of every Sunday-school Teacher.

Are you of a warm and ardent disposition? Does your imagination invest the future in glowing colours? Do you expect and anticipate success? Oh! I would not, for one moment, try to make you less sanguine. I feel no sympathy with those cold-hearted persons, who