of man or the servant of God? Having directed them to find out the most wicked Son, mentioned in the Old Testament, pointed out Ham, Reuben and Absalom. One of them being asked whether Absalom was really the most wicked? he replied No; there were two others more wicked still, the two sons of Sennacherib, who actually slew their father whilst worshipping in the temple of his idol; whereas, Absalom had only conspired to slay his, but he did not know that he was at liberty to search for examples among the heathen!!!

At the first I gave out a new subject every week, but fearing that it would weary the children, I have lately given them only one a month, which plan is also adopted by another respectable Sunday School in this city, into which it was introduced in consequence of the plan being mentioned in one of the quarterly meetings of our Sunday School Union. The examination of the children in this manner, has given me very pleasing opportunities of conversing familiarly with them on divine subjects, and I have often been agreeably surprised at the shrewd remarks they made and the information they possessed. Visitors have occasionally been present at these examinations, who were no less delighted with the improvement of the children than myself; and some of the happiest moments I have enjoyed in the Schools, have been when thus engaged in teaching my youthful charge, through the help of the blessed book of God, to know him and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, whom to know, is eternal life.

Bristol.

J. W.

An ADDRESS from the SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, to
CLERGYMEN and MINISTERS.

THE Committee of the Sunday School Union, deeply impressed with the importance of the Work in which they are engaged, beg permission to intrude for a few moments on your attention. You are placed by Providence in highly important Situations, where your influence is extensively felt.To you, as the Ministers of Christ, who are particularly enjoined to feed the lambs, and to imitate Him who gathered them in his arms, sad carried them in his bosom, to you, the appeal will not be futile.

Perhaps Sunday Schools have not hitherto engaged much of your attention, and you have not one attached to your Church. A few remarks will point out the advantages arising from these Institutions. In the present day it is quite unne

cessary to expa1iate on the general benefits of education: inspiration, reason and experience concur in the testimony, that for the soul to be without knowledge, it is not good. But to you, as the religious instructors of our Country, Sunday Schools possess a claim of peculiar and momentous importance. These institutions are not merely intended to diffuse useful knowledge, to civilize, and to moralize the lower Orders, they are designed for religious instruction, and are most happily calculated to promote the immortal interests of the Rising generation.

Sunday Schools have very frequently become nurseries for the Church on earth, and in heaven. In the early ages of Christianity, historians frequently refer to the Catechumens, who were made the particular care of the Church, and as soon as they were capable of instruction, were taught the truths and the duties of religion preparatory to a public profession. Sunday Scholars may now be considered as Catechumens, under a course of religious instruction, well calculated, with the Divine blessing, to render them intelligent, sincere Christians, and ornaments to the Church of the most high God.

The benefits of Sunday Schools are not restricted to the Scholars, they extend to their instructors and parents. Many amiable moral young persons who have been employed as teachers, have, while imparting instruction, been led to see the infinite importance of religion for themselves, and have become enlightened and decided characters. Others, who were pious when they became teachers, have been excited to greater deci sion, activity and usefuluess; they have been enabled to grow in grace, and while they have been watering others, the Divine promise has been fulfilled, and they have been watered themselves. Numerous are the instances in which the parents of Sunday Scholars have derived everlasting good from the instructions their children have received, the Books they have read, and the visits of the Teachers. Many ministers, in whose congregations Sunday Schools have been some time established, can testify the truth of these observations, from the facts which have come beneath their own notice. Indeed it has been often said by acute observers that there is a marked difference between congregations where Sunday Schools are established, and where they do not exist. They diffuse a spirit of zeal, love and active usefulness, through a religious society; they fill the place with attentive hearers, and thus additions are made to the Church of such as shall be saved.

But perhaps you say, " these institutions we acknowledge to be exceedingly useful, yet we do not know how to begin, we

have but scanty funds, and we fear the attempt would not succeed." To these timid suggestions, we would reply in the language of the wise man: "He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." To point out to you the manner of commencing and conducting these institutions, we beg leave to refer you to a little publication, entitled, "Hints on the Establishment and Regulation of Sunday Schools," which will give you the requisite information on this subject. With respect to the expence, this is comparatively small, and if your congregation is poor, you may apply for Spelling Books and Testaments to the Sunday School Society in London. We beg leave to press upon your attention, the immediate commencement of a Sunday School; while the subject is fresh upon your minds, mention it to your congregation, encourage your young people to come forward, and we are fully persuaded you will have no cause to repent of the attempt, but will have occasion through the remainder of your lives, on the bed of death, and in eternity, to bless God that you have established a Sunday School.

We beg permission now to say a few words to those ministers in whose congregations Sunday Schools are already established. It will be quite unnecessary to state their beneficial effects to you, but perhaps they may be much increased by your instrumentality. Have you made a point of occasionally visiting your Sunday Schools, to see how they proceed, to encourage the Teachers, to exhort the Children, and to give your countenance and support to the work? Do you promote the cause by all the means in your power? Let conscience answer; be not satisfied with saying," things will go on very well without my interference." O consider the importance of the work, consider the value of the souls of so many young immortals, and while the other parts of your congregation partake your attention, O suffer not those little ones to perish. You will find it very useful occasionally to call the parents and friends of the Scholars together, to address them on their duties to their children, and the necessity of their co-operation with the exertions of the Teachers. This will afford you an opportunity of stating the importance of a personal interest in the blessings of religion for themselves, and of proclaiming the

Published by W. Kent, 116, High Holborn.

+ Secretary, Mr, Thomas Smith, Little Moorfields,

glad tidings of the Gospel to many who may, perhaps, never

before have heard the truth as it is in Jesus.

While you are thus actively employed, we beg leave to call your attention to the importance of a Sunday School Union for the county or neighbourhood in which you reside. These societies consist of a union of the Teachers and Friends of Sunday Schools, to encourage and promote the formation of these institutions in their neighbourhood. They strengthen the bond of brotherly love, they prevent languishing schools from entirely declining, and lead to the establishment of new schools in situations which require them. These results are best promoted by union of strength and division of labour, and wherever Sunday School Unions have been established, they have been productive of great and lasting benefits.

On a review of the hints which we have ventured to suggest, we trust you will see their importance, and become increasingly interested in this great cause. If you wish to be attended by persons who can enter into the meaning and force of your public instructions-if you desire to see your congregations and churches increased-if you wish to promote the cause of religion when you cease to exist-if you are anxious for the glory of God and the welfare of immortal souls, let this be your determined resolution-" We will endeavour to promote Sunday Schools by all the means in our power.'

"

An ADDRESS" On the best Means for insuring the Success of SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION," delivered at a Quarterly Prayer-Meeting of the CHELMSFORD SUNDAY SCHOOL

TEACHERS.

AS the usefulness resulting from the institutions in which we are engaged will be found, in a great measure, to correspond with the internal management of the schools, the geatest attention must be paid to the means made use of to insure success; and likewise their peculiar adaptation to the end intended, must be deliberately investigated. The proLability of their producing the desired effect being ascer tained, we may assiduously apply ourselves to the use of the means till every difficulty shall vanish, and the fulfilment of our most sanguine hopes be realized-even "a plenteous harvest of immortal souls." But, as both the adoption and

*This Address is printed on Letter Paper, and Sold by W. Kent, 116, High Holborn,

application of those means are the work of the sunday school teacher, in laying before you what I think to be the best methods of insuring success, I may appear to be stating his qualifications. This is very far from my intention; for a person may be qualified in almost every respect as a sunday school teacher, and yet rather hinder than promote the success of sunday school teaching. I therefore only wish to notice such things as I think will meet the approbation of the already qualified sunday school teacher; and who, being qualified, will be found diligent in the use of these means which are almost certain to answer his expectations. The following are a few of the means which have occurred to my mind as requisite to insure the success of sunday school instruction, viz. "Unanimity, love, seriousness, veracity, justice, stability, and prayer.

1st. Unanimity among the teachers; not only in agreeing to pursue the same objects, but, by advice and encouragement, mutually to assist each other in their employment. One in sentiment and one in practice: each ever ready to bear another's burden. The movement of a sunday school should be like that of a grand machine, in which every wheel helps to push another forward, nor cease their operations till the intended object is brought to perfection. From a sunday school teacher, in reference to the children, there should be no appeal; but each one so act and speak, that every child may be convinced, when he is spoken to by an individual teacher, that it is the sentiment of the whole; and if cor ected by any, that all will acquiesce in it. This will produce in the minds of the children a reverential respect for every teacher, and be likely to insure constant and universal · obedience But should it now be said, that all have not the same view of things, which will render it difficult to maintain this unanimity of sentiment and conduct? I answer, that though this is true, yet all differences of this kind should be kept from the eyes and ears of the children, and be mutually discussed between the teachers themselves. But anticipating the difficulty attending this line of conduct, from what I understand of the human heart, I think another important requisite to success in sunday school teaching will appear to be 20. Love. Love is the most amable principle or passion of the soul. It surmounts difficulties, covers transgressions, and cheers the mind amidst the solitude of a desert. In man, it is that principle which leads him to view with complacency an object in which he discovers something worthy of his