and learn nothing from their Christian teachers, of the God that made them or the Saviour that redeemed them of the Spirit that sanctifies them-of the path of duty that is before them-or of the judgment and eternity which await them when they die? In our great schools, it is lamentable to think how completely the gospel is kept out of view, or how industriously it is thrust into the shade. And even in our common schools, with which, at present, we have more particularly to do, the evil prevails to an alarming extent, and if not powerfully resisted, and speedily remedied, must be attended with the most baneful consequences, consequences which we shall in vain attempt to compensate by all our Sabbath school labours. Nay, but our Sabbath school labours are made a handle to excuse or justify the neglect of which I have been complaining. And when we animadvert upon it in terms of censure, we are answered by an appeal to the institution of so many Sabbath schools, from which, it is said, the children derive all the religious instruction that they need, and which leave them more leisure through the week for the attainments of ordinary and useful scholarship. And surely, if this language is held at present, how much more strenuously will it be maintained, when the local system shall have become universal, and taken under its vigilant and pains-taking superintendance the religious instruction of all the children in the land!

Now, I mention this circumstance not for the purpose of diminishing, in the esteem of any one, the value or the importance of Sabbath schools, but solely for the purpose of promoting more effectually that great end which they have in view. If religious education is neglected in our secular schools through the week, little comparative good can

be expected from our Christian schools on the Sabbath. The pious labours of two hours on a Sabbath evening will do little to fill up the vacuity, or to remedy the errors, that have been occasioned by the unchristian labours of the twenty or thirty hours that have preceded them. But if we could secure for the children of our people such a tuition through the week as proceeded on Christian principles, and made religion the most important of its concerns, and while it treated lightly no branch of useful or necessary science, made every thing subordinate and contributive to the science of living to God, and living for immortality-if I say we could secure for the children of our people an every day tuition of this character, then I apprehend that our Sabbath schools would be incalculably augmented in their efficiency. And after all, much and highly as we now prize them, and important and indispensible as they may now be deemed, they would bear, as to their utility, but an inconsiderable proportion to the great general system of religious education with which we have supposed them to be united. And this being the case, it is surely incumbent upon us that, with all our zeal, and even in conformity to our zeal for Sabbath schools, we should do what we can for preventing them from being made a handle for secularizing and unchristianizing the week-day education of our people. Let not our attachment to them, or our enthusiasm for them, invest them, as it is too apt to do, with the attribute of omnipotence, and lead us to expect from them results which, by themselves, they are incapable of producing. Let us exert ourselves mightily, that they may form but a part of that Christian discipline to which the youth of our country should be subjected every day of the week, and every hour of the

day. Let us remonstrate firmly against the practice in our parochial and other day schools, of detaching religion from secular instruction, and making them independent of one another. And as the conductors of the local system must acquire a wider influence, as well as a more correct knowledge, in the general business of a good education; and as their system will be used more than ever as a pretext for the abuse I have been speaking of, they are more especially called upon to labour, in the exercise of a sound discretion and an enlightened zeal, that it may be with us as it was of old, when the Bible was more esteemed, and more read, than any collection of profane prose, and still more profane poetry ;-and acquaintance with what we are to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man, had more charms than all the beauties of the finest penmanship, and all the calculations of the profoundest arith

metic.

3. In the third place, it has frequently been remarked that where so many children are brought together, as at Sabbath schools, many improprieties are committed-that the Sabbath is profaned by the children, both coming to school and going home-and that associations and companionships are formed among them, which are productive of mischief. And doubtless, something of this must have often occurred. It might easily have been anticipated from the thoughtlessness and corruption that prevail in every congregation of uneducated human beings. And every instance of it that happens, if it proves any thing, just proves this, that we cannot be too anxious in our desire, and too strenuous in our endeavours, to give the poor children such wholesome instruction as may enlighten and reform them. We may as well proscribe at once every act of peo

ple congregating, because wherever this takes place, and whenever it takes place, there will be more or less of levity and unbecoming conduct. It is the dictate both of wisdom and piety that we should bring the children together, as we bring the adults together, for the purpose of instructing them; and that we should put in force all those cautionary measures which may be necessary for preventing the contingent evil, and securing the intended good. And here we can plead for the local shools as superior to every other for the accomplishment of these objects. In the first place, there is a classification as to sex-the boys and girls being taught at separate schools. In the second place, the number attending each school is comparatively limited-containing only twenty, thirty, or forty at the utmost, and being, of course, much more manageable both as to their tasks and their conduct. In the third place, the distance between their several habitations and the schools which they attend is so small, that they have scarcely either time or opportunity for forming cabals, or indulging in any mischievous propensities. And then, in the last place, as it is an essential part of the plan that they be superintended both by the teachers and the visitors, so from the circumscribed space within which those that attend any one school are situated, this duty may be easily, frequently, and effectually performed, by their being seen and inquired after in their own homes and neighbourhood, and every degree of information respecting them obtained, which may be necessary for administering wholesome reproof to them, and guiding them in the right way. Still, however, even in the local Sabbath schools such evils may exist; if they are not guarded against they will intrude themselves; and nothing will tend so much to give them prevalence as

any idea of the absolute and independent perfection of the system. The system is excellent; but it must be carefully and strictly administered; and every thing depends upon the manner in which the teachers and visitors discharge their respective duties, as these are connected with the active deport ment of the children. It is well that the children are brought to school that visitors be urgent in getting the parents to send them that the teachers neglect not to inquire after them when they are absent, and instruct them with the greatest judgment, affection, and diligence. All this is well, and without all this nothing would be done; but we would insist, with peculiar emphasis, on visitors and teachers uniting their efforts, that the children may become better as well as wiser by their attendance at school that they may be guilty of no profanation of the Sabbath-that they indulge in no profane, impure, or abusive language-that they engage in no quarrels or fightings with one another that such of them as are disposed to what is good be not permitted to associate with such of them as might lead them astray-and that in their life and conversation, as much as it can be secured by personal inspection, and seasonable advice, and faithful warn ing, they reduce to habitual practice the lessons of piety and virtue which are inculcated on them in school. This is the grand object to be aimed at. As if it be pursued with all the vigour and fidelity that may be expected from men who feel the power of the gospel, and are in good earnest about the welfare of the rising generation, we doubt not that it will be attained in such a measure as to stop the mouths of the gainsayers, and to render the local system a rich blessing to millions yet unborn.

This system is daily gaining

ground among us. The prejudices which were felt against it at its commencement are gradually giving way to more enlightened and friendly views of the subject. And I am confident that its speculative reasonableness, demonstrated by its practical benefits, will speedily gain for it the attachment of the whole Christian world. There are Sabbath schools on a different plan, and some of these will continue, no doubt, for a time to be supported and carried on in their present form. The Gratis Sabbath School Society of this place, which has laboured so long, so arduously, and so successfully, in the field of spiritual benevolence, still flourishes, and still adheres to its ancient principle. But I know the intelligence, the candour, and the manliness of those who manage its affairs too well to believe that they will not, by and by, adopt the scheme which is characterized by its regard to locality; that though it might be unwise and hurtful rashly to abandon their own establishment for the one which now invites their attention, they will ere long embrace this one, and support it with the same ardour which has hitherto distinguished them; and that, in the mean time, such of their agents as are unemployed will gladly avail themselves of the call that is now addressed to them, to come over and help us, until their services shall be needed and required by their own society. In truth, it is evident, from the very nature of the local system, that its excellence cannot be fully seen, and that its benefits cannot be fully experienced, so long as it has to struggle against the influence of schools that are conducted on the opposite principle. It is on this account we are so anxious that there should be something like a surrender on the part of the managers and teachers of other Sabbath schools. And surely they have some encourage

ment to make it; for if the local system, with all its disadvantages, has already been accompanied with so much gratifying success, and has produced such widely beneficial effects, what may not be hoped from its operation, when these disadvantages shall have been removed, and all the zeal, and talent, and industry, which, in one sense, are now thwarting it, shall be united in adding to its existing energy, and enlarging the sphere of its achievments? In the mean time, let all who are friendly to it increase in their activity and assistance. Let visitors and teachers give themselves with good-will and unwearied perseverance to the advancement of its prosperity. Let agents use every effort to seek and to draw out more visitors and teachers for the parishes not yet localized, that more schools may be opened, and more good done. And let us all unite at a throne of grace in praying for that divine blessing which is necessary to give efficacy to our best and wisest endeavours, and which, at the same time, we may confidently expect, when we ask it with since rity, and in the name of Christ, in behalf of an undertaking which has for its object the spiritual welfare of the young, and the prevalence of pure and undefiled religion. EDINBURGH.

Miscellany. The first is on teaching children a habit of thinking.

"There are many grown persons who do every thing at random, and seldom think deliberately on any thing they are to do or say. If they should sometimes happen to do what is fit and becoming, it is rather by accident than design; and they are in perpetual confusion and embarrassment, the one-half of their time being spent in endeavouring to rectify the blunders they have committed through want of thought. If you do not wish your children to act in this manner, attend to the proper means for correcting the evil before it be too late. They are naturally thoughtless, and do every thing without consideration: and this disposition in them admits only of being cured by slow degrees. Oblige, or rather intreat them often to think and to weigh the consequences of what they may do or say; what inconveniencies may occur from it to themselves; how they may distress their parents and other relations; and what opinion they may expect wise people to form of their conduct. Make them, as much as possible, to understand the causes and connexions of things, and to know that the chief connexion between a wise man and a fool lies in this the one thinks, and the other will not give himself the trouble of using that portion of understanding which God hath given him. Solomon hints at this, when he says, A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards;' and so essential to wisdom is this due consideration about our words and actions, which admits not either of speaking hastily, or speaking too much, that he supposes silence will procure, even to a fool, the reputation of wisdom, while he represents giddy loquaci. ousness as a sure indication of folly.

"All of you must have observed,

that a steady attention of mind, and a cautious thoughtful manner of conducting one's affairs, is more useful in the ordinary concerns of -life than the clearest judgment and the brightest talents. Application and perseverance will surmount the greatest obstacles, and supply the want of many other qualities. All your instructions, therefore, about the things of this life, are principally useful to your children, in pro portion as they have a tendency to make them think for themselves. They will learn more by their own observation and experience, when once they are led into a proper train, than they can possibly learn by all the themes which you can instil into their minds. Much knowledge may often be possessed without understanding how to use it; and in this case it is rather hurtful than beneficial."

The next extract respects the duty of prayer.

"If it be necessary then to pray with understanding, from a sense of our need of mercy, and some degree of persuasion that God is the hearer of prayer, as he is manifested in the gospel, the just God and the Saviour, it must be improper to make children repeat words which they do not understand, and to call this praying to God, while they are totally unconscious of their own wants, and have no faith in the Lord's ability to supply them-nor in the ground on which they ought to expect an answer to their prayer. Nay, in many cases they know not that they are addressing God at all; for their prayers are repeated in the presence of their parents, as if these had the charge of them; and it is natural to imagine, that they address themselves to the persons at whose command they perform this task.

"I would, therefore, have you to avoid this unnecessary form, while you encourage your children to

VOL. XXIII. NO. IX.

pray, and recommend to them that privilege, by every motive that leads you to pour out your own hearts before the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them, on all these occasions, 'to enter into their closet, and when they have shut the door, to pray to their Father in secret;' for this, more than almost any other instruction, will tend to give them a just idea of the nature of prayer. It is likewise better that they should express the real desires of their hearts in a natural way, however imperfectly, than that they should use the most unexceptionable form of words, which, probably, though it were understood, might have no relation whatever to the state of their minds.

"The Lord's prayer seems intended rather to teach his disciples what things they should pray for, and to prevent them from using vain repetitions as the heathen do, than to furnish them with a precise form of words. For there are many other examples of prayer in the New Testament, and though the whole of these correspond exactly with the matter contained in the Lord's prayer, and are indications of its concise and comprehensive manner, yet none of them are expressed in the words which are used by our Lord. While, therefore, it is certainly proper to call the attention of children to this excellent direc tory for prayer, they ought to be cautioned against a formal and unmeaning repetition of it."

I shall trouble you with but one extract more from Mr. Braidwood's excellent little volume.

"When a child commits a fault, and upon being reproved shows marks of contrition, and a desire to be reconciled to his parents, it is a very general practice to exact from him a promise that he will never afterwards be guilty of the same offence, or, as it is more frequently

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