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servedly she had been punished with a longer and far more painful illness from her obstinacy, how useless the remedies would have proved if the Physician of souls had not said be thou cured,' and how grateful she ought to be for the restoration of her health.

Annie Stoke's recovery was slow and tedious, but more rapid than it would bave been, had she allowed herself to become fretful and restless; her gentle endurance of suffering, and unmurmuring submission to everything I ordered for her prevented inflammation ; comparative freedom from pain was the result of this good conduct, and instead of lamentation, she consoled her grandmother.

She had firmness rare in so young a child. The instance of the parish schoolmaster's bearing under nearly similar circumstances made a great impression on her. When a lad, he had fallen from his horse and broken his arm ; from bad management it began to mortify, and when it was shewn to me, I saw an operation was necessary, and amputated it above the elbow.

I never witnessed a more unflinching bearing in any one; he walked unsupported into the room, stretched out the poor disabled member, never shed a tear during the great agony he must have had to bear, and would not even allow himself to be carried to his bed in the hospital, but firmly walked up stairs. Such conduct was heroic in a youth of fourteen.

Annie applied his example, Surely,' she said, "since James Gore never cried when his arm was cut off, I ought to bear this so much less pain without complaint.'

She became endeared to every one; and the love which she then conciliated has never changed towards her, for she has merited its continuance; though young in years she has learned much from the blessing of divine teaching, her heavenly father has taken her into his keeping, I believe her to be a child of God, and one of that happy number, to whom the Saviour gave the invitation, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

ADDRESS TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.*

The population of this country has increased to an enormous extent, but unhappily the means of religious instruction have not been provided in any adequate degree to meet the spiritual wants of the labouring classes. Places of worship have not been erected for the parents, nor schools for the children of the mechanics who throng our towns in such multitudes, presenting dense masses of ignorance and wickedness, at the bare sight of which the soul of the Christian phi. lanthropist sinks within him. Among these, popery is busily at work. Among these also the vile socialist, and other designing enemies of

+ Abridged from an Address delivered to the Parents and Teachers of the Worcester Church of England Sunday School Society. By the Rey. John Davis, A. M. Rector of St. Clement's, Worcester.

all religion and order, of every grade, too often find a welcome. The hearts of multitudes in our days are indeed “ swept and garnished” for the reception of the father of lies. O let us pray, let us labour that-as relates to the next generation at least—the hearts of the multitude may be pre-occupied by the God of all grace as the heart of one man, from Dan even unto Beersheba !

The object of our Sunday-schools is to snatch the prey from the jaws of the old lion, who is ever prowling about, “ seeking whom he may devour.” It is to secure within the fold of mercy the lamb wandering in the wilderness of this sinful world, in which abound snares, pitfalls, and precipices, and all that is deadly and destructive to the soul. O blessed and glorious work, to lahour to rescue from never-ending ruin and misery those little ones who constitute a part “ of that family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross !”

My friends, how wide a field lies before you !-what a sphere of usefulness is presented! What numbers of neglected children ! some even taught by their profligate parents to profane “ that name which is above every name.” What numbers of little outcasts seem to be bending towards you the .eager eye, and stretching forth the suppliant hand!“ Help us !” seems inscribed upon the abodes of the poor of our land, faintly pencilled as it were by the feeble finger of childhood. O, will you suffer the enemy to drag as spoil to the den of misery those who may, through your instrumentality, be made monuments of mercy, children of God, possessors of immortal glory? If we have tasted of the goodness of God our Saviour ourselves, surely we shall bless his holy name should he condescend to employ us in the work of unfolding to the eye of ignorance and sin the pages of that holy book which tells of an Almighty Redeemer, who came to seek and to save " that which was lost." But what humility, what faith, what love, what self-denial, what patience, what self-command, what zeal, wbat diligence, what perseve. rance should mark those who are engaged in such a work as this-a work so manifestly connected with the glory of God and the salvation of souls ! Methinks an angel would deem it an honour to be employed in a service in which the Lord of glory himself once deigned to labour in this our fallen world!

I proceed further to remark, that I feel certain you will all agree with me that it is of the utmost possible importance that every Sunday-school teacher should be an example to his class, and personally " adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things," " letting his light shine" in the station in which he moves. Sunday-school teachers should not only be strictly moral, but truly religious—acting systematically upon the principles of the Gospel. They should not only shun every place and scene of a positively injurious character, but carefully avoid even “ the appearance of evil.” Children are quicksighted in discovering any inconsistency in the conduct of those who instruct them. If the precept and the practice of the teacher be at variance, the worst consequences ensue to the scholars; they are injured instead of being benefited by such teachers, who thus expose themselves to an awful condemnation. And while faithfully attending to the essentials of religious duty, teachers should not overlook what may appear to some to be minor, though in reality important points.

As to their attendance at school, they should be punctual, always in good time. Every rule of the school should be minutely observed. While laborious in their endeavours to impart instruction, they should be affectionate in their manner; in all things faithful to the trust reposed in them as instructors of the children committed to their care : thus entrusted (let it be ever borne in mind) not only by the earthly shepherd, but by the chief Shepherd, who laid down his life for his flock. Hence Sunday-school teachers will often ask themselves whether they feel as St. Paul, when he said—“ The love of Christ constraineth us.” Those Sunday-school teachers who are supremely anxious to secure the favour of God, which is better than life, will often inquire into their motives, as well as scrutinize their actions. Those who are actuated by the love of Christ and the love of souls, will be stimulated to constant exertions; every energy will be called forth in the promotion of the benevolent object they have in view. They will not be " weary in well doing ;" for they will remember that they are treading in the steps of Him“ who went about doing good to the souls and bodies of men,” unintluenced by the ingratitude of those for whose welfare he was toiling, desirous only of the glory of his Heavenly Father in the salvation of perishing sinners. But, knowing the insufficiency of all human means, unless accompanied with the blessing which descendeth from above, the faithful Sundayschool teacher will be “ fervent in prayer " for the Holy Spirit, that, while his own soul is watered by the dew of heaven, Divine Grace may be vouchsafed to those for whose spiritual welfare he is exerting himself; thus bumbly praying, he is encouraged to labour more and more abundantly. He does not forget to study during the week the subjects in which he is to instruct his class on the Lord's day; he thus makes himself thoroughly acquainted with what he is solicitous to be the means of imparting to others. This is too often neglected : hence the instructions offered are crude, ill-digested, and fall useless to the ground. As among agriculturists, so among teachers, it will be generally found that the most diligent labourer secures the richest harvest. This is the usual method of God's providence; but Sunday, school teachers, who are true followers of the all-wise Teacher, should their efforts be crowned with success, will be ever ready to give the glory where alone it is due : their language will be Not unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake.” (Psalm cxv.)

But immediate success must not always be expected to accompany even the best exertions, springing from the purest motives. The de. pravity of the human heart, the influence of bad example too often exbibited by parents, the power of temptation from the profligacy of the society in which the children move, the variety of allurements beld forth by the world and the god of this world—the prince of darkness—all these things combine in opposing the efforts of the Sunday-school teacher, however wise he may be “ in winning the souls' of the neglected wanderers who compose his class. But difficulties and trials, and opposition only increase the courage and call forth the best energies of soldiers fighting under the banner of a captain who they believe will be finally successful. The Christian soldier “ knows in whom he has believed ;” he knows that the Captain of his salvation must be ultimately victorious, and that he will not forget the meanest sentinel in the army, who is faithful to the post of duty allotted him. . O let nothing dishearten the Sunday-school teacher in his labour of love! Let nothing tempt him to withdraw his hand from the plough! Let nothing deter him from the straightforward path of duty! Let him not look back ; but let the watchword bem" Go forward !" Even the faithful labourer is sometimes tempted to despovd; but let him remember that was his day, so will his strength be.” The cloud and the pillar will never forsake the true Israelite. Heavenly guidance and support will be mercifully vouchsafed; “ in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not." Instances continually occur of young persons - walking in the good old way," who have traced the first desire to do so, under the divine blessing, to the kind and faithful instructions of the Sunday-school teacher. · Here let me suggest the great importance of keeping a watchful eye over the children, as far as possible, after they have left school. A word of friendly advice to the young man or woman will seldom be despised when offered by one who once imparted instruction in childhood.

I would further add that many a parent has blessed God for having sent the Sunday-school teacher to visit the abode of poverty and wretchedness, vice and wickedness; and for being instrumental, not only in teaching the children of the family their duty, but also communicating collateral benefits to the parents : which leads me to turn to the parents assembled here this evening, to whom I would offer a word of friendly counsel with reference to the solemn responsibility attaching to their situation. Surely you must allow that no person ought to feel so deeply anxious for the temporal and eternal welfare of your children as yourselves. If ministers desire to “ watch for the souls of you and your families, as they that must give an account," surely you will not remain indifferent and careless when, not only your own salvation, but the salvation of those most dear to you is at stake. If Sunday-school teachers, at a considerable sacrifice of time and not upfrequently of health, seek to benefit the rising generation, surely as parents you ought to be intensely earnest in endeavouring to promote the eternal good of the children whom God has given you. As relates to the body and the things of this present world, we bear record that many of you shew much attachment to your children. If they are ill, you try to obtain for them medical assistance ; and if unable yourselves to provide it, you apply for relief to the infirmary or dispensary, as the case may require. Some of you labour diligently to procure food and raiment for your families. All this is right and proper in its place ; for the Scripture declares—" If any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” · But, my friends, do not forget that your children have never-dying souls. If you are grieved to see them suffering agony of body or mind in this world, think what you would feel if you saw them consigued to that place of torment where body and soul will for ever endure “ the worm that never dies—the fire that is never quencbed !” And what if covscience in your dying hour should accuse you of having contributed, by your neglect or bad example, to promote the everlasting destruction of your own children, where will you hide your distracted head? Where will you find support at the awful day of judgment, when you shall meet your lost children, ready to heap on their parents the bitterest curses, as the cause of their everlasting ruin and misery? But I will not dwell on such a dreadful subject. “I hope better things of you, though I thus speak." Seeing that the teachers in these schools are ready to come forward and toil for the good of your little ones, I feel assured you will be grateful for their kindness, and spare no exertion to second their benevolent efforts, called forth for those whom you love as your own selves. But you will not suppose that because Sunday-schools are established in your neighbourhood and you send your children regularly, that you are freed from all further responsibility, and have done all that is required of you. O, no; God will call you to account at the judgment-day for the manner in which you have brought up your children; an inquiry will be made by the Searcher of hearts whether you set before your children a good example ; whether you taught them as well as you could their duty to God and their fellow-creatures ; whether, as soon as they knew right from wrong, you pointed out to them the way wherein they should go-the way of righteousness and true holiness ; whether you laboured diligently, faithfully, and affectionately to bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ for pardon, grace, and every other needful blessing; whether you prayed with them and for them; whether you watched to nip sin in the bud, and to encourage every thing holy and good; whether on the Sabbath your children såw you at the house of God, and found your conduct consistent at home, becoming the true servants of Christ. In short, an inquiry will be made at the great day of account whether, sabbath and week-day, you are living in the fear of the Lord, walking in his ways, guided by the Holy Spirit.

If parents were, as they ought to be, fellow-workers with their ministers and the Sunday-school teachers in “ training up their children in the way they should go," then would a greater blessing descend upon the rising generation; we should see children “growing in grace" as they grow in years, and God would be more and more glorified in families, in parishes, in cities, in the whole kingdom. If ministers and Sunday-school teachers rejoice to see the young walking“ in the narrow way which leadeth unto life," how delightful ought such a sight to be to the parents of those children! In this fallen, sinful world, what sight so blessed as that of beholding a whole family, parents and children, all living in the faith and obedia ence of the gospel ; where all who dwell under the same roof, dwell together in harmony and love, “ bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ,” their Divine Lord and Master !

Again, I turn to those real friends of the poor-the teachers in these schools and say, “ Bear with me" if I urge, “ line upon line, precept upon precept,” as you yourselves are wont to do upon those for whose spiritual welfare you feel so anxious. Persevere, I beseech