training of children is lost, if a well-regulated system of rewards is not put into action. It seems to me, indeed, that all our systems are imperfect without it-that 'rewards and punishments' belong strictly to the same system, and that we cannot separate them without injustice and injury to those who are placed under that system. Punishment we willingly adopt in our schemes of education, because we find we cannot well do without it; and thus we act upon one class of the affections of the human heart; but, neglecting rewards, the balancing half of the same system, we fail to call forth into their proper exercise another and still more important class of human affections, love, joy, hope, &c., in which some of the highest Christian graces take root. It is even the more necessary to do this in educating the children of the poor, because (chill penury repressing' the affections of the parents) their affections and feelings are, in general, starved and hardened by harsh treatment, so that they care little for punishment, which often therefore only serves to make them the more stubborn and wilful. They require to be softened and melted, by calling into exercise their kind affections, before much impression can be made, or influence gained over them; and this can only be done by treating them with all love and kindness, with which the system of 'rewards' entirely agrees. The plan that has been adopted in these schools is, to reward every child exactly according to its desert, which is easily managed by means of tickets, of which two kinds are used, and may be had at a cheap rate at No. 60, Paternoster Row, London. The small tickets, with a text of Scripture on each, are given plentifully; they are always at hand to reward all who deserve a reward, and are applied chiefly to moral conduct, obedience, kindness, industry, &c. In subduing bad habits, and encouraging the acquisition and growth of good ones, they are also most valuable; the promise of one or more (to individuals), in proportion to progress made in either case, rarely failing to have a powerful and beneficial effect. And another great advantage of the plan is, that it provides at once a very simple and efficient means of punishment; for it has been invariably found that few things are so much dreaded as the having one or more tickets, as the case may require, taken away. A dozen of the small tickets are made equivalent to one picture card, and exchanged for it as soon as they are obtained; and at the end of each half year, a certain value being affixed to their cards, the children are allowed to purchase with them books and other little articles of reward, each making his own choice. A very small amount of value is sufficient to secure all the benefits of this system; and, in fact, answers every purpose of it even better than a large one. It is very desirable not to confine the rewards to books, although they are always in great request; small slates, pencils, pocket-combs, needle-books, scissors, &c.; and for the very little ones, a few small toys, as balls, &c., will all be found to have their advantages. The tickets themselves never lose their interest and effect, if thus managed; nor have they ever, any instance or degree, stirred up that host of evil passions which the apostle classes together among the works of the flesh,' (Gal. V. 19.) emulations, wrath, strife, envyings'-passions which 'prizes' never fail to excite. Justice is done to all, and 'justice satisfies every body.' The power, too, of choosing for themselves is much more gratifying than the arbitrary appointment of any one book as a prize, and gives much delight."

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And may I be permitted to say one word more on another painful part of the subject? These prizes were distributed on Sunday, before" a large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen on the platform." Books being presented to Teachers, thanks returned, &c. Can it be right so to occupy the hours of that holy day? Is it possible that the thoughts and feelings of the children, especially, can be otherwise than wholly filled and employed upon other things than those to which it is set apart? Earnestly do I hope that such a practice will not obtain favour, and spread in our Sunday-schools; and earnestly, yet humbly, would I recommend, that whether it be rewards or prizes that are given, a week-day should be taken for the festival, and that it should not be made a public exhibition-a stimulus which is so apt to administer to "pride and vain-glory," envy and jealousy.

And now, Rev. Sir, I humbly commit these few observations to your hands, to be printed or not, as you may judge best. They have been written in affectionate anxiety that we all, who take any part in this momentous duty of "bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," should be led to right principles in dealing with the corrupt, natural heart--"having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Gal. ii. 2-5.)

That this and all other needful blessings may be given to all who engage in it, is the earnest prayer of, Rev. and dear Sir, Yours, with affectionate respect,

October 9, 1844.

Y. Y.

October 10, 1844.

DEAR SIR,-I should be much obliged to you or any of your correspondents for counsel under the following circumstances:

Our School-house being at a distance from the church, (by admeasurement, a quarter of a mile and sixty-nine yards,) it has been the custom in wet weather for the Superintendent, with the clergyman's sanction, to keep the children at the school, and go through the morning service with them; three or four Teachers also remaining to preserve order. The prayers being concluded in sufficient time, the Superintendent and Teachers are enabled to go to the church afterwards, and hear the sermon. Some of the elder children also avail themselves of the like privilege.

An objection to this course has lately been made: it has been said that the children ought to be taken to the church, notwithstanding the rain; and it may be expected that God will protect them from cold while thus engaged in His immediate service; or that if He permit them to take cold, sickness in such a case will most probably be blest to them.

It is generally considered, that the plan which has been adopted for the last seven years is preferable. Many of the children come unprovided for rain, and it seems highly imprudent to allow them to get wet in going to church, and sit two hours in their wet clothes. It sometimes happens, that the rain does not commence, or is only very trifling, before the children are assembled. If the inclemency of the weather be disregarded, and the children obliged to go to church at all hazards, parents might be led to keep them at home when the weather in the least degree unfavourable. During the the last seven years, the children have not been detained at the school more than two Sundays in the year, on an average. Many

of the children, including several very young, live near the Schoolhouse. Perhaps I ought to mention one apparent benefit arising from the present practice. The children finding that the responses so entirely depend on themselves, take a more lively interest than usual in the service. I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully, And most thankfully, JAMES ELDRIDGE.

P. S. Would it be advisable to allow those children who are prepared with umbrellas, &c., to go to church, and keep only the remainder?

ON RECEIVING PENCE ON SUNDAY.

The Editor willingly inserts the following extract of a letter from a friend, feeling that it affords a powerful illustration of the evils resulting from receiving pence on the Lord's Day.

It is a question on which there is something to be said on both sides.

Peculiar local circumstances may throw light upon the path of duty; but it is safer to avoid what is doubtful, or what may possibly lead to mischief.

"I have one word to say upon the query, 'whether it accords with the spirit of the day to receive money from the children for charitable purposes?" When I first came to H- it was the custom to receive the weekly pence for the juvenile clothing club at the Sundayschool, either on the morning or evening of the day of rest. No bad consequences seemed to arise from it in the school, and I had no scruples as to going on with it.

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About two years afterwards, happening to be in a cottage on a Monday morning, where a few things for sale were in the shop window, a little girl came in for a loaf of bread, and asked for change for a shilling. My child, I have no pence left,' was the answer. 'I changed them all away yesterday morning.' After the child was gone, I followed up the subject with the woman, and she said to me, 'Oh, ma'am, the running about there is for change on a Sunday morning in this place is quite a disgrace; there is no day in the week in which there is such a bustle about money as on Sunday; every body wants change to take their pennies to the school; and, besides, the people are beginning to say, If the ladies receive money for the children's clothing, they see no reason they should not go to the shop.' From that moment, I determined it should not be done again, and eight o'clock on Monday morning was appointed for receiving the pennies. The superintending lady willingly takes this additional trouble, in order to avoid every occasion of offence, and the children seem to enjoy their walk on a Monday morning, and bring their pennies cheerfully."

ON PUNISHMENT, &c.

REV. SIR,-I beg leave respectfully to trouble you with a few observations on the debated subject of the management of Sundayschools, with or without corporal punishment. A great deal has been said on the word "thrashing," which, to my mind, implies great severity. I have been a Sunday-school Teacher for more than twenty-five years, and in no one instance can I recollect that over

severity ever had any other effect than to harden the offender. I think that the dismissal of an obstinate child operates much more beneficially on the school than all the over-severity you can inflict. But must we not take into consideration the instruments employed in different schools? For, in large towns, a well-educated class of persons may be found, willing to come forward and assist their beloved pastor in his arduous work of teaching the children in his Sunday-school; but how very different is the case in many places, where you are obliged to accept the (no doubt, well-meant) services of an humble class of Teachers, and these left very much to themselves. In such disadvantageous circumstances, will not children take undue liberties? A blow is struck, and a regular scuffle ensues: it comes to the minister's ear; he remonstrates, and the Teacher, thinking that he can do no good to such unruly children, leaves the school altogether.

Again, do not children feel the slight put upon them, when, as is often the case, they are packed into some obscure corner of the church, or, at least, behind the minister, during Divine Service? and thus the most interesting part of his ministeral charge seemingly neglected. I really think that a gallery, expressly for the use of the Sunday-school, or some prominent situation, is very much to be desired. It makes all the difference in the behaviour and attention of the children, when there is a comfortable provision made for them at church; then the Teachers would generally sit with their respective classes.

On the "thrashing" subject perhaps it may not be quite out of place to mention the mode by which we are endeavouring to secure good order, &c., in our School. We have a Secretary for each school, whose duty is to see that the Teachers correctly mark their class books, and then to transfer those marks into his own register. We have marks for being late, absent, bad conduct, no lessons, &c.: these marks are weekly brought under the notice of the Superintendent. When the child is to blame, the Teacher is requested to speak to him or her alone, and remonstrate affectionately with him; if this fail, the Superintendent adopts the like course; this also failing of its due effect, the parents are called on, and urged to use their influence: if all be of no use, the child is suspended for one Sunday or two, and told that he will not be again admitted except on expressing his sorrow for his conduct, and his purpose of trying to act better in future. The parents are told of the suspension, and exhorted to take care that the child do not spend the time when he is thus suspended in idleness. The child is not admitted until the conditions are complied with. If the child care not to comply with these conditions, his removal from the school is his own act.

J. E.

P. S.-A sudden and violent outbreak will sometimes occur; for instance, yesterday, while engaged in the inspection of a class in the girls' school, I was sent for to the boys' side; I found that a passionate boy had violently struck another in the class; the Teacher had requested him to leave the class, and go to the Superintendent; the Secretary had done the like; but the boy was obstinate, and remained. I called him out, and he came: I spoke to him alone, but to little purpose: I then took him up stairs, and placed him under the Bible class Teacher for the remainder of the after

noon. Just before the close of the school, I told him to remain after the other boys, that I might speak to him; however, when his class turn came to leave the school, he attempted to run away, but was stopped and brought back. I spoke to him afterwards again alone, as pointedly yet as affectionately as I could. I have suspended him for one Sunday.

Isleworth Church Sunday and Infant School, Middlesex,

September 23, 1844.

REV. SIR,-In reply to your correspondence in the "Teacher's Visitor" of August, on the system of "Thrashing" in Sundayschools, I, as master of an Infant-school for this last 15 years, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, beg to say, I much regret to find a practice of the kind introduced into any Sunday-school, and I do think no well conducted Sunday-school will have any reason to resort to such a measure. If thrashing is practicable in some Sunday-schools, it is my opinion it ought not to be done in the public school, especially in the time of Teaching, as it must do away with all order; but in very bad cases keep in the pupil that has thus transgressed, and give him a few texts to learn while alone, such as, 1 Peter, v. 5, 6. James iv. 7. Prov. xxix. 1. Prov. iv. 24. Isaiah i. 16, 19, 20. And after a little reflection, with kind admonition, I have no hesitation to say, though a bad case, by the blessing of Him who has the hearts of all in His hands, the work may be accomplished without such coercive measures.

I remain, Rev. Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

T. H.

Thorpfold, Thirsk, October 4, 1844. REV. AND DEAR SIR,-Will you allow a Sabbath-school Teacher to give not argument, but a fact, as to the effects of "thrashing" the children. I was a Teacher in the Sowerby Sabbath-school for eight years. For about four of these years I adopted the thrashing plan, when I considered it necessary, and I was thoroughly disliked and disregarded by almost every member of my class. I saw that something was wrong, and gave them to understand that no more beating should take place; and for the last three years, before I left the school, I believe few Teachers had a more obedient and affectionate class. When I separated from them, it was with a severe struggle; and I believe many of them still entertain the strongest feelings of attachment to me, even when grown up men. I sometimes reflect with painful feelings as to how far my mode of treatment of the scholars for the first four years, though not uncommonly severe, might have a very unfavourable effect upon their character, and give them a disrelish for all religious instruction, because it was administered with corporal punishment.

In the school in which I have now the privilege of being Teacher, no beating is allowed, and I believe there are few schools of the same standing better managed, especially considering the short time it has been under the care of the present incumbent.

You can alter the form of this or not as you please.

I remain, Rev. and Dear Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

MATTHEW W. MILBURN.