FESTIVAL OF THE PRESTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

ON Thursday, January 2nd, 1845, a festival of the Church of England Sunday-school Teachers, of Preston, was held in St. Paul's School. It consisted of an assemblage of the clergy and Teachers of the respective schools; on which occasion, the number brought together amounted to about 400, all, or very nearly all, of whom, are engaged in the blessed work of Sunday-school teaching. There were present the Teachers from the Parish Church, Christ Church, St. Peter's, St. Thomas's, St. James's, St. Mary's, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and St. Andrew's, Ashton. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens; the flags and banners of the respective schools bearing appropriate mottos. Directly in front of the chair was the portrait of the late highly esteemed vicar, the Rev. Roger Carus Wilson. The Church of England band, the Blue School band, and the Preston hand-bell Ringers, contributed to enliven the evening by their respective performances. Six o'clock being the hour appointed for the meeting to commence, at a few minutes after that hour, the vicar, Rev. J. O. Parr, took the chair. There were present the following clergy: Revds. T. Clark, J. Clay, T. Raven, J. Rigg, W. M. Farish, J. W. Jeffray, W. P. Jones, R. Lamb, Hill, J. Cousins, Southworth, A. Heslop. The mayor was also present. The hymn, "Great the joy when Christians meet," having been sung, and a blessing asked by the chairman, the company partook of the repast. Thanks were then returned, and the tables being speedily cleared, the chairman said that he felt he was that day placed in a proud situation, and not only himself, but the rest of the clergy also. He was sure they would agree with him when he said, that what they saw before them was a rare spectacle-if not rare-at least a singular one, and he believed that England itself could not produce a similar meeting; for here were twelve clergymen, and four hundred of their Sunday-school Teachers, all cordially united in the bonds of Christian love. If it was true, as it most certainly was, that "union is strength," they might say, indeed, that their union was one of strength. If union in an evil cause was so, as unhappily we had sadly experienced, still greater must be its strength when connected with a good cause. If union against God was strong, how much more so was union with God? He trusted that all who were present there were united no less in the love of the church than in the love of souls, and he might also add, in the love of that Great Master whom they all desired to serve; and if this was the case, theirs was an union of strength; and being so, they need not imagine that any thing could overthrow them. It was only when their bond of union was demolished or destroyed, that the cause of God would cease to prosper. He would bring before them, in the first place, a few considerations of the means by which they might endeavour to increase their Sundayschools: what the attention, and what the exertions, by which the end was to be obtained. If they really desired to increase their Sabbath-schools, each and every individual must exercise considerable efforts: and he was sure that if those efforts were carried on, they would the next year have both additional Teachers, and a still greater number of scholars. The Teachers should regard their scholars

as a family entrusted to them by their heavenly Master, for whom they would be responsible at the last day. The second point to which he desired to draw their attention, was the mode of instruction adopted in teaching the classes. That this was what it was, they ought to be thankful, but nevertheless they desired to improve it. The time for teaching should not be wholly spent in spelling and reading. The Teachers ought to address themselves to the conscience, feelings, and understandings of the youngest of the children. To obtain this end, they ought to have a committee formed of Superintendents, who should deliberate and examine into the best modes of improving the means of instruction. The third observation was on the importance of Superintendents and Teachers setting the best example to the children committed to their care. It was true that they met on the Lord's day, and therefore the time during which they were with their scholars was only small, but although small, it did afford them an opportunity of setting before them an example of the Christian life. After some further observations, he wished them health and strength to follow out their good work. The second hymn, "Father of mercies, bow thine ear," was then sung, after which,

The Rev. J. Clay said he would assure them that he had never before attended a meeting which had afforded him so great satisfaction as the present; and it had occurred to him, that it would have been happy for the world if every monster meeting had originated in motives as pure as that which they then attended. He could assure them that he had considerable interest in the well-being of their schools, for as their schools prospered, so in proportion were the buildings with which he was connected empty. (House of cor rection.) He said that of all the young objects that had come under his observation, few, very few, not one in a hundred, had re ceived a religious education. Many of them, it was true, had learned to read and write, but these were merely the tools with which education was to be accomplished. He said that he had placed the Scriptures in the hands of a youth, fourteen years of age, who could read them even fluently, but could not understand a single sentence. They must forgive him if he pressed this matter upon them, that they ought to inform the understandings of those of whom they had the care, and endeavour to cultivate their feelings. The Rev. T. Raven having made a few remarks, the company par took of a dessert: upon the conclusion of which,

The Rev. J. Rigg said he could not but rejoice at the numerous and happy meeting which was then before him. He rejoiced that they were as strong as they were in Christian principles, as well as in numbers: but a question arose whether they fully possessed that which constitutes a true Christian, for so many had put their hands to the plough and turned back; much remained to be done, although much had already been done.

The Rev. L. W. Jeffray spoke at considerable length on the most efficacious modes of instruction which could be introduced into the schools, and concluded by expressing his obligation to the com mittee for their kind invitation.

The Rev. T. Clark said, that unity in Sabbath-schools ought always to be looked to, for by it living faith was established. By being thus united, one by one on earth, they became one in Christ; and at the last day they would become still closer to their heavenly

Father. If the few remarks that he intended to make should by some be considered serious, he must say that he felt there was a great responsibility at a meeting like this, for they ought to look for some abiding effect. The rev. gentleman dwelt at considerable length on the duties and encouragements of the Sunday-school Teacher.

The Rev. W. M. Farish said, there was a subject to which he desired to direct their attention, that was, the method of teaching followed in Sunday-schools. It had been suggested by one very excellent Teacher in their schools, he referred to Mr. Knox, of Birkenhead; namely, the practice of giving out a chapter in the Bible to his pupils, and telling them to find passages of Scripture illustrating the subject, which was one of the best plans of instruction pursued in schools; and which was, he thought, the system that ought to be pursued in the Sunday-schools of Preston. It was the most useful and efficacious mode of instruction that had ever been invented.

After a few remarks by the Rev. W. P. Jones,

The Rev. R. Lamb said, that much had been said that evening about Sunday-school Teachers, and the mode of instruction to be pursued in those schools, a great deal more might be said if they had only time; and on those points he wished to make some observations. It was their especial duty and care to teach and instruct the ignorant in the knowledge and love of God: for what would avail even the science of a Newton, the powers of a Knox, or a Watts, if religious instruction was to be omitted? The duty of a Sunday-school Teacher, was a greater responsibility than they were perhaps aware of: it was not a labour, but a pleasure. After a few more remarks, he would conclude by exhorting them to persevere in the labour in which they were engaged: for by perseverance they arrived in the end at a most beneficial result. By thus working, and pursuing the course laid down, they would raise up a happy and contented people.

After a few remarks from the Rev. J. Cousins; The Chairman; and the Rev. Southworth: a vote of thanks was passed to the Vicar, for his able conduct in the chair. The hymn, "May the grace of Christ our Saviour," having been sung, the assembly shortly afterwards broke up.

PEACE.

A thought that cannot think its fill,

A wish that cannot have its will,
A conscience felt but not confest,

A weary brain that will not rest,
That will not stoop, that cannot soar,
That always seeks for something more—
With one and all of these combined,
Oh, where's the peace for poor mankind?
Turn, sinner, to the path of prayer,
The peace you seek is waiting there.

RACHEL.

WATCHFULNESS.

From the dark mountain ridges the river comes down,
That shall brighten the woodland and gladden the town:
Little flowers in the woodland look up and rejoice,
As they hear it pass by with a jubilant voice.

And it glides and is welcome by old city walls,
Where in gloom on its waters the straight shadow falls;
Mighty domes and tall turrets, how thickly they stand,
On the banks of that river, the joy of the land!

For the green boughs that sheltered its fount in the hill,
Are the shadows of temples all stately and still;
For the low cottage casement, that looked on its springs,
Are the quaintly stained windows that open for kings.

So it often bears brightly and laden with wealth,
By the thresholds of thousands, its message of health—
While its source in the mountains is troubled and dim,
And the coarse fruitless rushes o'ershadow its brim.

Look upon it, O Christian, and think of thy heart, Whence the stream of pure waters may shining depart To the thresholds of sinners, that thirsting would sink, But they drink at thy bidding, and live as they drink.

Hast thou seen fragrant blossoms spring up in thy way,
As thou wat'redst the desert by night and by day?
Hast thou seen stately marvels arise by the flood,
Even deeds of thy working and deemed they were good?

Yea-thy Master hath blessed thee, and happy thou art,
If thou watch by the fountain that springs in thy heart;
Bitter herbage may choke it, its wave may grow dim,
Till thou come a pale mourner to weep at its brim.

Ask of Him who first washed thee from sorrow and sin, To preserve from ill shadows the fountain within, That its waves may flow brightly, and mingle at last With the stream on whose glory no shadow is cast. THE AUTHOR OF "THE CHILD'S BOOK OF HOMILIES."

SUMMARY OF PASSING EVENTS.

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand.'

MANY are the reflections which the appearance of our country's annual finance sheet gives rise to. The accountability of man in the aggregate capacity to a higher power, for every talent which passes through his hands; the political prosperity of the nation, the confidence of the people in their rulers, the state of each class of the community, break on the mind, and are indexed with unerring precision by this periodical publication. Like the immediate effects which the exploded train of gunpowder produces on the granite rock, it lays bare the very foundations of our existing political economy, unfolds each vein of wealth by which the nation is supplied, discovers each channel of communication along which man telegraphs his wants to his fellow man, and exhibits each ramification of the system which works its roots beneath the surface of society, the strength of the superstructure, and the power by which it is supported. God has blessed us this year with an income, from fair and legitimate sources, exceeding our expenditure, of £1,163,295. The greatest increase is observable in the customs; compared with that of last year, being somewhat over a million: thereby proving the great improvement in our trade and commerce, and the revival which has been gradual for the last four years, and therefore we trust the more likely to be permanent, healthy sustained and vigorous of our manufacturing and agricultural energies, both for our supply and that of foreign nations. We trust that the landed interests of the country which from the many burdens which are necessarily imposed upon them, and from the comparatively small return which is to be gained from the cultivation of land, are the most depressed, will ere long regain their even balance. Many important measures, we doubt not, will be proposed in the approaching session; and if party spirit can allay its animosity, and submit to be dictated to by others of different sentiments with itself, will, we hope, be carried. Her gracious Majesty intends paying some early visits among her noble subjects.-That very important association for the relief of destitution in London, has lately published its first report. £12 or 15,000 will be required in the ensuing year, a small part of which only has been hitherto supplied, for the extending operations of the society; 50 new societies, employing nearly 1000 visitors, and spreading over a population 530,000, have been formed during the last year; and an appeal is earnestly made to the public for powers to enable them to continue.