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On the motion of the Rev. E. J. Jones; seconded by the Rev. Mr. James. Resolved unanimously:

That we do unite for the purpose of forming the Central and North London Auxiliary Sunday School Union.

The chairman requested Mr. Rogers, the provisional secretary, to read the constitution, and rules as prepared by the sub-committee, which on the motion of Charles Stokes Dudley, Esq. seconded by Mr. Collins, were unanimously approved and adopted.

The several other motions were moved and seconded by the Rev. Francis Martin, (from Bourdeaux) the Rev. Mr. Jones, Rev. Mr. Blackburn, Messrs. Lloyd, Jones, Thompson, Stainby, Hardy, Kemp, and Roth.

Several interesting anecdotes of the utility of Sunday Schools were related by the different speakers; and it was highly gratifying to witness a protestant minister of Great Britain, and one of France, joining in a motion to recommend a union of exertions, to diffuse the gospel of peace. The chairman in putting the motion very aptly applied the remark, which produced the most lively pleasure to every one present. There are nearly fifty schools already established within the district, several of which have sent their representatives and subscription to the union. Nearly forty pounds have been contributed within the fortnight, since its formation.

OBITUARY.

Account of Mr. CHARLES NORMAN, lute Superintendent of the WESTMINSTER SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Mr. CHARLES NORMAN was born about the year 1790, of parents moving in the middle class of society, whose religion consisted only in a nominal relation to the Church of England, so that he was excluded from the privileges of a pious education. As soon as he had attained that learning which generally forms the zenith of acquirement among those in his sphere, he was sent to live with Mr. -a hosier in Lambeth, that in learning the business he might obtain a comfortable mean of providing for his wants in the future periods of his life. His new guardians received and treated him with kindness, but being under the govern ing influence of principles similar to those of his parents, he learned nothing from their precepts or example, but the common maxims of worldly policy--the best of which are, an adherence to honesty and sobriety. Pleased with their principles and service, and possessing a polite and obliging manner, he won and retained their favour, till the spring of 1809, when the Lord (who had diviner principles for his espousal, and superior benefits to confer upon him) arrested his attention, converted him from dark

ness to light, and translated him from the kingdom of Satan to that of his own dear Son. Prior to this blessed event, he possessed but an external propriety of conduct attached to the name of Christian, and imagined, like many more, that they alone were necessary to constitute him safe in time and in eternity.

His conversion was accomplished in a way that proves the Divine agency of the Holy Spirit in the important and gracious work. Ignorant of the result, and far, very far, from desiring it, my friend consented to accompany a person (who worked for his master, and who had pressed him to hear that gospel which never visited those places of religious resort which he generally attended) on a Lord's-Day to the Broadway Chapel. He wentthe minister who preached was Dr. Draper, whose sermon was so applied by the Holy Spirit to my friend's conscience, as (in the substance of his own expression) to lay him even with the dust: like a once towering cedar, when felled by the woodman's axe, his former comparative excellence and vain ideas of safety sunk-all his hopes of future happiness, that were built thereon, fell to be raised no more—and with the feelings of the publican he was ready to exclaim, "God be merciful to me a sinner." It was thus that he was convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment: how long he remained under the influence of these distressing but salutary feelings I know not, but I should suppose it might be about two months; for I recollect he told me that it was through the instrumentality of Dr. Hawker, who visited. London in the following summer, that the same divine agent first testified of Christ to his soul, and thereby bound up and healed the heart which he had broken.

After his conversion he was no longer the associate of his employers in their idle games, the promoter of their idle conversation, nor their companion at those consecrated sanctuaries of refined morality and occasional resort, where the ears of such characters are not likely to be offended with the reproving voice of truth. Of course it was not in his power, even with increased diligence and attention in business, any longer to retain that esteem they previously had for him; but it was exchanged for ridicule and hatred. Living in the neighbourhood, and being partial to the Established Church, he generally attended the ministry of the Rev. 1. Saunders, at the Broadway Chapel, to whom he became attached, and eventually placed himself with his charge.

About six months after his conversion, I, who had previously played with him at the card-table, became his principal associate, and joined him in a sweeter employ; for it was about that period of his life that God was pleased to make him instrumental in my conversion, which circumstance tended to unite us so strongly together, that the distance to which death has removed him is but a waning interruption to our converse, and not the separation of

our hearts. Possessing much less leisure in the week, and requiring more relaxation on the Sabbath, he did not become a teacher in the Westminster Sunday School till some time after myself, and not till near twelve months had witnessed the reality of his conversion. He was then induced to devote the only interval of rest, the only Sabbath he possessed, in the arduous work of instructing the ignorant and those who are out of the way.

During the whole period of his labours in this capacity, he exhibited a uniform example of Christian assiduity, exertion, and benevolence, flowing from its legitimate and only source-devotion of heart to God; and which will long remain in the recollection of all who knew him. In this station he continued till the resignation of the then superintendent, when he was invited and solicited by the Rev. J. Saunders to fill the vacant office: I need ‣ not add, but for the information of strangers to the institution, that my friend was selected by his minister, not as the greatest favourite, but as the most suitable person within the circle of his acquaintance. It was with some reluctance, arising from the opinion he had of his own abilities, that he could be prevailed upon to comply; but when he did, he proved himself neither deficient in that zeal, ability, and motive, which form the requisites for the due discharge of its several and important duties. He entered upon it near the commencement of the last year, amid the sincere congratulations of the committee and teachers, and so long as he was permitted by his God to retain it, his labours and attention were increased,-believing that a more elevated post, in attaching greater responsibility and honour to its occupant, required pro portionate concern and exertion at his hands.

At the close of the last year, he was prevented attending the School by a violent attack of rheumatism, which was brought on by colds, and increased by attention to business. This painful affliction was attended by a deep and continued cough, which afterwards proved to have been the companion of consumption, and the harbinger of death.

Finding it necessary for his health to leave business, he went on the 3d of March last to the residence of his parents in Bedfordshire. He was accompanied by an unworthy friend to the stage, and to whom he remarked, in answer to an interrogative respecting his health and feelings,-" I do not doubt but that I shall soon get better; I feel no weakness within, and but little inconvenience from any thing but my cough. I feel myself to be that same poor sinner I was at first, and must still lay at the feet of Jesus, saying, in the words of Dr. Watts

"A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,

On thy kind arms I fall;

Be thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus, and my all!"

He reached the destined place, but so ill as to be compelled

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to go to bed immediately on his arrival; nor did he rise from it till he entered, (about the 17th of the same month, in or about the 25th year of his age) that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

I am sorry that his removal should have taken place in a situation so remote from Christian notice and regard; but I pray that this circumstance, which has debarred me the pleasure of knowing and communicating the particulars of his last moments' experience, may lead his weeping parents, who have lost in him their only child, to the knowledge of that God who has wiped away his tears, and adorned his countenance with celestial and eternal smiles. Life was an April-day to him,

It came in sin's dark vestments clad,
And, veiling Christ's enliv'ning beam,
Shed on his path it's influence sad;
But ere it's close,

The hostile clouds gave way,

And Jesu's life-conferring day,

Broke thro' the cheerless glooms, and drank up all his woes.

With joy his eyes beheld it's light,

And gladly where it led he trod.

Fast hast ning from the shades of night,
He left the world to dwell with God;
Where led his light,

There did his soul pursue,

'Till all it's glories met his view

For ever freed from clouds, and shades of endless night,

As a man, he was an ornament and a blessing to society; as a friend, he was affectionate and sincere; and as a Christian, he was attached and devoted to his master. He was so preserved from soiling the garments of his profession, that his enemies could not justly accuse him with any thing, except it were that he surpassed them in excellence of principle and of character. Let his friends cease to mourn this temporary remove, recollecting that the winged chariot of time is bearing them, in rapid and continued motion, to the same society, employment, and abodeWhere they shall rest with him from sin, from grief, and painDrink the same draughts of bliss, and never part again.

***

WEST LONDON AUXILIARY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. THE first Quarterly Meeting was held at the Scots Church, Swallow-street, on Tuesday Evening, the 20th inst.-Samuel Yockney, Esq. in the chair. The Secretary read a report of the progress of the society since its formation; after which several resolutions were unanimously agreed to. The representatives of the following Schools read reports of their rise and progress: New-court, Kentish Town, Peter-street, and Wild-street. After which the following question: "What are the best means of securing the constant attendance of Sunday School Children," was opened by Mr. Coombs, and adjourned. The meeting was closed with singing, after which the Rev. Mr. Hasklock engaged in prayer.

Poetry.

HYMN

FOR THE

Children of New-Court Sunday School:

HOW great! how infinite art thou!
O Lord! our God and King!
Before thy throne the angels bow,
And Hallelujah" sing.

Yet children may approach thy face,

For thou hast said they may:

We hear the offers of thy grace,
O may we now obey.

For those who seek the Lord in youth,
Will find in him a friend;

He'll lead them to the path of truth,
And guide them to the end.

If they should droop on beds of pain,
And mortal life should cease;

An early death is early gain,
And leads to endless peace.

If life continue, they will rise
To call their Maker blest;
Be pious, useful, happy, wise,
And heirs of heav'nly rest.

O Lord, our youthful hearts incline
From ev'ry sin to flee:

Through all our lives may we be thine,

And dwell in heav'n with Thee.

Hebrew for Praise ye Jehovah: a song of praise to God.

W. F. L.

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