matter taught is gradually improved throughout the school.

II. But it is not enough that our matter be good. To be really effective, good matter must be well used, and the Teacher must possess the art of teaching. There are some in whom this art appears intuitive; give them the charge of a class, and they at once arrest the attention and engage the affections of their children; but there are many others who can only gain it as a science. The class is often listless and inattentive, though the matter taught is excellent, and the Teacher truly devoted to his work. The reason is, that the Teacher himself has not been taught his art. To such persons the weekly meeting is of the utmost possible importance. A few hints given there will often change the whole aspect of a class: the Teacher gains a new power, and the lesson which was before a burden, becomes a source of the truest pleasure both to himself and to his children.

III. But there are higher grounds on which we recommend the Teachers' Meeting. It tends to promote a spirit of union amongst the clergyman and his fellow-labourers. The healthy Sunday-school must be pervaded by the spirit of love; and to promote this important end, there must be constant intercourse amongst those engaged in it. Frequent communication is essential to affectionate co-operation. Now, in the school the Teachers enjoy little opportunity for such intercourse either with each other or their clergyman. They are of necessity separated by the various duties of the day. But the Teachers' Meeting brings them into close contact: they consult respecting the arrangements of the school; a mutual interest springs up amongst them; the disheartened are encouraged, the inactive stimulated, and the minister himself is cheered onward in his labour by the devoted spirit of those with whom it is his privilege to co-operate. Thus love and zeal are quickened in all parties; they become one in their work, and carry on the business of the school with an affectionate confidence and cordial co-operation which nothing but such intercourse can impart.

IV. But there is another blessing, greater far than any. The Teachers' Meeting is an opportunity for united prayer. However well arranged the course of subjects however well prepared the matter-however well qualified the Teacher-however close the bond of union with the pastor-one thing may still be wanting: the teaching, saving power of the Holy Ghost. The golden oil must flow through the golden pipes of the golden candlestick, or its precious material will avail nothing in giving light to the world. Hence the great advan tage of the Teachers' Meeting. It is a union for prayer -an opportunity of claiming Christ's promises, of pleading for Christ's presence. We are too prone to look at the machinery of a school, and to forget its life. We are too apt to think the work is done, when the school-room is full of orderly and attentive children. It is then only begun: the stones are gathered, but it remains that they be built into Christ's temple. And who can carry on such a work in his own strength or wisdom? Who can draw one single soul to God? How important, then, is every opportunity for constant, repeated, united prayer! It is that which gives true life to the school; that which secures the presence of the Great Teacher in the midst of it. If, therefore, there were no other advantages to be expected, the blessing promised on united prayer is alone sufficient to recom mend the weekly meeting. There are, of course, difficulties in every such arrangement. When persons are much occupied, it is difficult to appoint a convenient hour, and still more difficult to spare the time. But when once the obstacles are overcome, I am persuaded that neither the clergyman nor the teachers will regret the sacrifice either of time or of convenience. H.

SELF-DENYING LABOUR.

THE following is an extract from a letter which the Editor has just received from a relative in India. What a lesson it teaches! A poor German going forth from his native land to India, without friend or supporter, and

the righteousness of the Lord all the day long;" "making mention that his name is exalted;" "speaking a word in season to him that is weary." Our ears are open to hear when his name or Providence is reproached, and our lips are ready to vindicate his honour. For we are feelingly "alive" to his honour, if we are his children, and " dead" to what may be advanced falsely against our own; but "alive" to keeping up the consistency of our character as God's people, that we may give no occasion to the enemy to blaspheme.

Our consciences are "alive""-young and tender"trembling at the approach of sin:" "alive" to the suggestions, even the slightest of them, whispered by conscience.

Our hands, our feet, all our members, are alive unto God; "yielding themselves as instruments of righteousness to do his will."

And it is "unto God" we are alive.

Alive unto God:" rendering and tendering our new life unto him, as it came from him; hiding it in Christ in God. "" Your life is hid in Christ in God;" committing it "unto" him, to be kept against that day; owning that it is he who holdeth our soul in life. Alive unto him, as belonging to him, unto or "until Christ, who is our Life, shall appear; then shall we also appear with him in full life-perfect stature in glory."

Till then, we are alive "unto" God: then we shall be "alive" with him, never to die—“alive for evermore."

ON SCHOLARS COLLECTING FOR RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

I AM told that there are cases in which the children of our schools are employed to collect for religious charities. I very much question the expediency of this, except with great caution, and under very peculiar circumstances. The ground should be well known before temptation is thrown in the way of young people; but certainly the case which we heard described was most objectionable.

In one of our cathedral towns the children have been absolutely known to run after ladies and gentlemen in the street, and beg of them for some Society; while they go promiscuously to the doors of the clergy and others. Whatever pecuniary advantage can be got in this way, is certainly counteracted by the contempt, if not disgust, which is excited in many quarters, and we cannot too strongly condemn such a proceeding. We would not for a moment do otherwise than encourage every labour of love amongst the young; but then all must be done decently and in order. It is a very different thing for a little Sunday-scholar to set to work to collect in a quiet way amongst her schoolfellows and young companions-and to this there can be no objec tion. But who can be blamed for not giving to a little clamorous unknown beggar at the door or in the street!

THE TEACHERS' MEETING.

In many parishes it has become a common practice for the clergyman periodically to meet the Teachers of his Sunday-school. The usefulness of such a plan can scarcely be called in question: it may, however, not be out of place, in the pages of the "Teachers' Visitor," if we briefly state a few of the many blessings which may be expected to result from it.

I. It enables the Clergyman to supply the Teachers with matter for instruction. The best of our Teachers will be most ready to admit the great assistance to be derived from a clear arrangement and explanation of their subject; and with such assistance it is surely their pastor's office to supply them. Nor is there any great difficulty, if all the classes of the school are taught on the same day the same Scripture lesson, and half an hour in each week devoted to the precious study of it. By such a preparatory examination of Scripture, mistaken opinions are corrected, and clear views of truth imparted; the prominent features of the passage are presented to the Teacher's mind, and the quality of the

matter taught is gradually improved throughout the school.

II. But it is not enough that our matter be good. To be really effective, good matter must be well used, and the Teacher must possess the art of teaching. There are some in whom this art appears intuitive; give them the charge of a class, and they at once arrest the attention and engage the affections of their children; but there are many others who can only gain it as a science. The class is often listless and inattentive, though the matter taught is excellent, and the Teacher truly devoted to his work. The reason is, that the Teacher himself has not been taught his art. To such persons the weekly meeting is of the utmost possible importance. A few hints given there will often change the whole aspect of a class: the Teacher gains a new power, and the lesson which was before a burden, becomes a source of the truest pleasure both to himself and to his children.

III. But there are higher grounds on which we recommend the Teachers' Meeting. It tends to promote a spirit of union amongst the clergyman and his fellow-labourers. The healthy Sunday-school must be pervaded by the spirit of love; and to promote this important end, there must be constant intercourse amongst those engaged in it. Frequent communication is essential to affectionate co-operation. Now, in the school the Teachers enjoy little opportunity for such intercourse either with each other or their clergyman. They are of necessity separated by the various duties of the day. But the Teachers' Meeting brings them into close contact: they consult respecting the arrangements of the school; a mutual interest springs up amongst them; the disheartened are encouraged, the inactive stimulated, and the minister himself is cheered onward in his labour by the devoted spirit of those with whom it is his privilege to co-operate. Thus love and zeal are quickened in all parties; they become one in their work, and carry on the business of the school with an affectionate confidence and cordial co-operation which nothing but such intercourse can impart.