to speak to you," spoken to those who could not have looked at the lesson before they came into the school. Often have I thought of my two masters, since I had to see after a parish school: how little I did for the punishing master; how I tried to work for the encouraging master; how we used to joke, after school, about those who got a "Thank you," or, a "Sit down;" and yet how glad we were to get the approving word. Accordingly I set to work with my class. As every child finishes the portion, I take care to say something of approval or disapproval, as, "That is right;" "That is well said:" "That is very good;" or "That will do;" "You have taken little pains." These few words created a wonderful improvement in the repetition of the Sunday lessons.

But perhaps some one says, "This person has a wonderful class.

Does he

mean to say that the children always say their lessons ? " There are lazy children in my class, as there are elsewhere. Much may be done for lazy children, by taking an opportunity of seeing their parents. Tell them how the children are going on at school, and shew them how much may be done by them, in taking care that the children know their lessons. Do not blame the parents for their neglect; but ask them to read the lessons to the child, and to teach them to sound and to spell the hard words. In some cases, parents have never thought about seeing after the lessons of their children, and by a few words kindly spoken to them, you get them to be teachers at home. The only thing that remains, is to let the parents know how successful their labours have been in producing a correct lesson.

A. S. O.

WE often lament the small measure of success which attends our labours in the Sabbath school. Vast numbers are brought under instruction, very many gain much Scriptural knowledge, but few comparatively leave our care concerning whom we may confidently hope that the teaching they have received has been blessed to their conversion. How is this? We sow the good seed of the Word of God, and he has promised that it shall prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. How comes it to pass that the plentiful sowing, Sunday after Sunday, should produce so scanty a return? May not the cause be this-we do not sufficiently seek the blessing of God in earnest fervent prayer.

There is reason to fear, that the Church at large are guilty in this mat

ter.

Those who are not engaged in the work are too frequently indifferent about the matter, and seldom, if ever, make the Sabbath school the subject of their petitions.

Might I suggest a plan, by which, if generally adopted, prayer might be statedly, and in a manner unitedly, offered? It is one which seems simple, and in which teachers and other Christian friends might co-operate.

The hours from seven to nine on Sunday mornings, are at the disposal of most persons, and I would venture to propose, that during those two hours fervent prayer should be offered to the God of all grace, for special blessings to descend on our various Sabbath schools.

Who can tell what effects might follow such constant intercession? God

has promised to hear his people when they call upon Him; and can we doubt that He will listen favourably to them, when the subject of their petitions is the conversion of sinful children to Jesus Christ.

It would also, I think, be a great encouragement to teachers, to feel as they

enter upon the sacred employment of the day, that the work in which they are engaged has formed the subject of supplication to many righteous men, whose effectual fervent prayer we are assured availeth much. W. H. C.

THE article signed "W. S.," treating on the above deeply important questions, which appeared in the last Number of this excellent Magazine, I was particularly struck with, and am glad that it has thus been brought before the whole body of Sunday school teachers, for I feel it to be a subject that demands the particular attention of every sincere and devoted Sunday school teacher.

senior

"What is done for our scholars," is the question put to us, and my present object is to acquaint my readers, as an answer to it, of the course pursued in the Sunday school of which I have the privilege of being a teacher.

There is in this town a "Young Men's Christian Association, in connexion with the Established Church," mostly composed of Sunday school teachers; and its objects are, "the mutual edification of its members, aiding the work of Sunday schools, and Church Missionary Societies." At its meetings (two in a month), Sunday school, and other religious subjects, are discussed, and missionary matter brought before the members.

Some few months since, the point in question having suggested itself to one of our teachers, and some of them with myself being members of the committee of the above Association, the subject was brought under the notice of the committee, for the purpose of seeing

if some plan could not be adopted for bringing the senior boys, on their honourably leaving the Sunday school, within the pale of our Association.

The committee, seeing the great necessity for this, and the probable good effect it would produce, made a bye law, enabling members to introduce into the Association such senior boys as "free members"-meaning that they should be exempt from the annual subscription to the funds of the Association.

This plan of course cannot be carried out where such associations do not exist; but in those places where they do, and no such arrangement is made, I would earnestly recommend that it should be adopted, as I consider it embraces three very desirable acquisitions:-1st, the boys are brought into the company of Christian young men, and are receiving religious instruction and training-2ndly, they are still under the eye and notice of their teachers and 3rdly, they are supplied with books from the library, (which is not the least of the three heads I have mentioned, likely to be of benefit to them.)

I have made these few remarks, not merely to add something to this Magazine, but with a sincere wish, that some step or other may be taken for the good of boys on their being honourably dismissed from the Sunday school, and who are, it is to be feared, Low very seldom thought of or cared for, by their late teachers.

T.

it regards the subject of internal discipline, it will collect together the friends of experience, and by discussing the question, much good will be effected. But it is necessary to say to the teacher -teacher, teach thyself-physician, heal thyself. We should understand the Scriptures ourselves fully before we teach it to others. He hoped this would be earnestly attended to. His cousin, the Bishop of St. Asaph, had published a small work which very comprehensively treated this point. It related to the study of the Word of God. He, the Bishop, thought it might be in a somewhat modified form adopted at the weekly evening lectures; the teachers would be present; written questions would be left in the Vestry during the previous week, so that every one would be prepared for the Wednesday evening's subject. The Bishop here read an extract, detailing more fully the system, and concluded with an appeal for sympathy and co-operation in the great work of Sunday schools. It was a labour of love and self-denial. On this point he would call upon an old veteran in the cause, who had had twenty years' experience.

The Rev. Mr. WOOD rose and said, that he had had many years' acquaintance with Sunday schools and their management. Children were committed to their charge. Teachers are their adopted parents. As Pharoah's daughter said to the mother of Moses, "Take this child away, and nurse it for me." So the language is applicable to us. Many children are really neglected by their parents in their religious training. It behoves us to supply this deficiency. We are to nurture these children in the admonition of the Lord. He had ever made it his practice in teaching, that the children should really know what they were reading. Great mistakes are frequently made on this point. Too much credit is generally given to them. The question, "Understandest thou what thou readest," was ever present

We

to his mind. He would impress it upon every teacher likewise. The children were in a position like the Eunuch's, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And oh, may it not be said, "They have made me keeper of vineyards, but my own have I not kept." Here we, as individuals, fled to the refuge of Christ. As to the qualifications of teachers, being taught this truth, that there is no selfish Christian in the world, the true Christian has his sympathies for every one, for all classes and conditions; he calls upon every one to magnify the Lord with him. Patience must be the groundwork of the teacher's temper. The servant of the Lord must not strive-be apt to teach-in meekness to instruct those who are taken captive by the devil. Have we thought of this? Ought we to be weary in well doing? The power of adapting the instruction to the capacities of children is another characteristic of the teacher. should bring the simplest truths of the Gospel to their minds, especially when we remember how unwilling they are, in many cases, to receive that we have to impart to them. As to our assembling together, his Lordship had taken away every word he had to say upon that point. Visitation to the parents, looking after absentees, &c., formed one of the best plans to convince the indifferent parent of the disinterestedness of the Sunday school teacher. Only show them that we are really interested in their welfare and they are delighted. In this manner many have had their affections engaged when their antipathies were strongest. The Reverend Gentleman then entered into some details respecting a musical instruction class, and concluded by dwelling upon the advantages of a confirmation class, in connexion with each school; from it we might look for our most devoted and humble teachers. He had had the pleasure of conducting one numbering forty. He called upon the teachers to

meet together on the Sabbath morning, before the school opened, to study the lesson for the day, and then they would have their hearts prepared for the sacred duties of their calling. (Applause.)

Mr. Ross remarked,-My feelings, on the present occasion, lead me back to the time when I first entered this school, July, 1839, now upwards of ten years. This spot was then merely a shed covered with broad palings, and I have frequently seen the dust so thick in the room as not to be able to see a single letter. I cannot help contrasting it now with what it was then. I think we have reason to feel grateful, and say, "What hath God done." As it respects our internal management, we have, perhaps, not progressed so much as may have been expected, but colonial population is ever fluctuating, not like England; it has, consequently, a bad effect upon regular systems. But now the times were altering, and there were those amongst us who thoroughly understood the matter; we may therefore expect to go on with greater success than heretofore.

A hymn having been sung, Mr. WOODCOCK was called upon to address the meeting. The Rev. gentleman said, in the last few years, it has been my happiness to meet many in this room; they have frequently heard my sentiments upon the important question which his lordship has called upon me to speak to, viz:-"To the parents." I rejoice greatly at the establishment of the Institute. I believe it will produce vast benefit to teachers, ministers, and children, and at large to the colony, especially as we are privileged in acting under the revered presidency of his lordship. It was a melancholy fact that out of so large a population that adhere to the Church, the number of children attending our Sabbath school should be comparatively small. To whom is the blame to be laid? He would say to the ministers, and in this he would largely share the blame. He

hoped this reflection would make every one redouble their exertions. As it respects parents, they are too apt, in fact, all of us are so, to forget that our dear children are immortal beings; our anxiety for their welfare, for their life, for their future position in the world, all powerfully prove the intense degree that we love them. But it is only in proportion as we realize the idea of their being immortal souls that we shall be induced to train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I would impress upon all, that we must give an account at the last day, of the manner we have educated our children. The responsibility of mothers was very great, a perpetual influence for good as for evil. They must act in the spirit of prayer when leading them onwards to the prize of their high calling; let us realize the value of souls, of our own and our poor neighbour's, being assured in the declaration of God, "I will pour out my spirit," that our efforts will meet with his reward.

His Honour, the JUDGE, next spoke. No one can doubt, it is self-evident, that it is the duty of parents to educate their children, but the success of Sunday schools will be just in proportion as the feelings of parents are excited upon the subject. Make them feel the importance, and there will be no lack of attendance. One very good means was for the district visitors personally to wait upon them, this no doubt will do much; it is my painful duty to come in direct contact with the evidences of crime; I regret to say it has of late increased. I cannot say how far edu cation would repress it, but this I am certain, that education gives correct views, and will tend to a better observance of our laws. Were this education religious, we might hope for still higher things; it would influence a right spirit-crime would diminish, and if we are convinced of the importance of the work that we have this night met