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and in case of a deficiency, make such an arrangement of those present, as may be best uuder existing circumstances; calling in, if occasion require, the aid of some of the senior scholars as assistant teachers. He should at the same time mark the attendance of the teachers in a book kept for that purpose, which he should carry round with him. He will after this have time to examine such scholars as are sent to him for removal into higher classes, and if he finds them qualified, he should make the removal in the roll-book.

Before the conclusion of the School, the superintendent should again visit all the classes, taking with him the roll-book, and marking off the attendance of the children from the classpapers. He will then have an opportunity, in addition to the reproofs of the teachers, of reprimanding those scholars who have come late, and of inquiring the occasion of such as have lately absented themselves. He should also employ his leisure moments in making the proper minutes in the book kept for that purpose, which should be laid before the Committee at their meetings.

As it is very desirable that the Committee should be intimately acquainted with the internal management of the School; which cannot well be the case, unless they are actively engaged in it: no persons are more proper to fill the office of superintendent than members of the committee.

In a small School, the offices of superintendent and secretary may be united.

Secretary.

The appointment of a secretary, who shall have the entire charge of the books, &c. will be found expedient in large Schools. This person (whose attendance at the School should be constant) will be able to assist the superintendent, and give every necessary information to the committee respecting the School. It will be the business of the Secretary to make out every week a list of the absentees*, for the visitor or teachers to inquire after: to make fresh class-papers at the end of every quarter; carry forward in their respective classes in the rollbooks, the names of such scholars as continue in the School; and, in the course of the quarter, post the removal of others who have been advanced during the preceding quarter, into the numerical register, if this book be kept in the School. The secretary will likewise be expected to prepare the reports of

* In some Schools, where a proper system of monitors has been introduced, and the children disgraced for absence without a sufficient excuse, the necessity of making such a list has been superseded.

the School for the annual or quarterly meetings of its subscribers and friends.

Visitor of the Sick.

The appointment of a visitor of the sick children and parents is desirable in a large School. This office may be united with that of visitor of the absentees, or may be executed by one of the teachers. The teachers should, however, individually make a point of visiting the children under their care when confined by sickness. In this duty it is likely they will meet with encouragement; as at such seasons the effects of their instructions may be rendered more visible.-As those who are employed in this labour of love are frequent witnesses of scenes of great distress, it appears necessary that they should be provided with some pecuniary relief, which they may administer at their discretion. This not only renders them welcome visitors, but also opens the hearts of those whom they may have occasion to address, to receive instruction.-In some Schools a small fund for this purpose, separate from the funds for the support of the School, is raised among the teachers.

(To be Continued.)

REMARKS on the COMMENCEMENT of a VILLAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL, &C.

SIR,

IT must afford satisfaction to every generous mind, to observe that you have begun to devote a part of your useful pages to the service of those unbefriended country villages where the light of education has scarcely dawned, and where the streams of Sunday School benevolence have not yet flowed.

Hitherto you have chiefly marked the rise and displayed the progress and motions of those larger Sunday School systems, which move in their courses like the majestic rivers, whose mighty streams water and fertilize whole regions. You now pay a more particular attention to the smaller rills, which fertilize the meadows, trickle through the grass, or run among the hills.

You have now before you two orders of people. On the one hand are the persevering Sunday School labourers, whose works have shone as the light, and whose knowledge is enlarged by observation and increased by experience. On the other hand you have persons who have scarcely heard of these things by the hearing of the ear, and who are strangers both to

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the nature and manner of these institutions. Or others who may have occasionally witnessed the good effects, or may have been made acquainted with the great utility of Sunday Schools. These have perhaps often wished that the like benefits were within the reach of their own families, or neighbourhood; but no opening prospect appears, the thing seems to be quite out of their reach. While the former, by means of your miscellany, are opening the fountains of wisdom to each other, and endeavouring to perfect every part of the noble system. You now kindly condescend to take the latter by the hand, and endeavour to encourage enterprize, by removing difficulties, smoothing the way, and opening prospects of success.

First opening.

A pleasing astonishment usually strikes the mind of a person of this description when the minute particulars are laid open before him, and he is shewn every part of the system in its native simplicity. He is also agreeably surprised to find, that he himself is capable of sustaining an important part in such an institution. He now perceives that splendid abilities and a fine education are not absolutely necessary in order to usefulness and success in this labour of love. He perceives that patience, diligence, kindness, industry, and the fear of the Lord are some of the chief qualifications of a Sunday School teacher, and that whoever possesses these, may, by the will of God, render an essential service to the rising generation.

He now beholds it possible for the neglected children of his own neighbourhood to be favoured and assisted. Pleasing prospects now rise before him, and his mind is charmed into action. A spirit of enterprize soon pervades a part of the neighbourhood, and a few heartily engage in the work, looking for no thanks or recompence from man. Success begins to crown their united endeavours; the way opens before them, and they are not turned aside from the path of duty by the perverseness of those who oppose or who make no account of their labours. A zeal for the welfare of the rising generation brings their talents into action, and a humble dependance on him, who said "Suffer little children to come unto me," inspires them with confidence.

Meeting to make arrangements.

A meeting for mutual consultation takes place. The necessary regulations are made, and a superintendent is chosen to conduct the operations of the School, and to carry the regulations into effect. It is usual to select for a superintendent

He

a person who is a lover of children, and who is endowed with kindness, industry, and a capacity for management. should have as great a zeal for the School as if his own well being depended upon its prosperity. If it must flourish, he will have to bestow upon it the most tender care, and to strengthen it with prayer, and water it with tears too.

At this meeting also, the teachers are arranged according to their abilities or according to their choice. Some choose to be employed in the arduous task of laying the foundation, of grounding the children in the first principles of learning. These are appointed to teach the alphabet and spelling book classes. Others are to be employed in raising the superstructure, and are appointed to teach the testament and bible classes. These are all disposed in order, and all other necessary arrangements are made.

This meeting has generally a pleasing and powerful effect on the minds of all who are engaged in this labour of love. They begin to take a lively interest in the welfare of the children, whose benefit is intended. They look upon them as their own peculiar charge, and, in some respects, even as their own children. A strong feeling of parental love and affection flows in their hearts, and greatly assists them in surmounting every obstacle, and pressing through every difficulty to accomplish their benevolent purpose. Among the various obstacles these have to meet, the first arranging of a School generally appears to them to be one of the most difficult tasks, you will therefore excuse the liberty taken, of offering a few remarks (the fruits of experience) on the subject, and also on the first rise and first day of a Country Village Sunday School." Arranging a School.

Proper means having been previously taken to inform the neighbourhood of the intended institution, the day arrives, and the scene is important and interesting. Parents and children are flocking from every quarter. The superintendent and teachers are attending to receive them. The seats are placed in order; the books are laid in readiness, and all things are prepared for the reception of the numerous family. The little crowds are introduced into the school-room, and a pleasing solemnity rests on the minds of all present.

At the stated time, the person appointed to make the

A general order is, to have two seats placed wide for each class, and one part of a class to sit facing the other part of the same class, and part of another class to sit back to back with these, &c. But this general order is sometimes varied by local circumstances or by choice,

arrangement proceeds to open the school with singing and prayer. He then (standing where the bible class is to be taught) gives a general order" All you boys, who read in the bible, be so kind as to come and sit down here, and you, the bible teachers, have the goodness to sit down with them." This is immediately done, and the bible class is formed. He then removes to the place where the testament class is to be taught, and gives a similar order, and the testament class is immediately formed. He then takes his station where the spelling book class is to be taught, and gives an order-" All you boys, who read in the spelling book or easy book, be so kind as to come and take your seats here, and the spelling book teachers be so kind as to sit down with them." The order is instantly obeyed, and the spelling book class is formed. He then forms the alphabet class in the same manner. A similar method is taken with the girls, and the whole school is in order.

He then (standing by the books) calls up the bible teachers, and delivers the books-" Take these books, and put them all to their lessons; teach them in the best manner you are able; keep them as much engaged as you can, &c. He then calls up the testament teachers, and delivers their books; then the spelling book teachers, and then the alphabet teachers.

By this plain, simple, and easy method, a School, containing upwards of one hundred children, will assume the appearance of an old established School in about half an hour, and it has been generally observed, that very few of the children take wrong classes. I scarce ever knew the removals on this account to amount to one child in twenty.

The person appointed to arrange the School studies to give

the directions to the children in the most kind and condescending manner. This insures a more prompt and ready obedience, and causes the whole to fall into order with more ease and pleasantness.

Every part of the School thus easily, and at once dropping into order, gives a fine impulse to the whole, and this is generally one of the happiest hours of the Sunday School life. The children are charmed with their new employment. The finer feelings of parental affection flow in the hearts of the teachers, and fill their minds with a pleasing satisfaction. The beauties of a Sunday School appear in their native lustre, difficulties seem to vanish, and all harmonize together.

The names of the children are next to be taken.

+ This is spoken of gratuitous teachers only,

This is to

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