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truth, had not anticipated a blessing on their labours before they were begun. What they witnessed, however, on that occasion forcibly reminded them of the promise, "Before they call, I will answer; and, while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Since that time, the attention to religion among the pupils, and in the congregation, has been such, as to render the commencement of the course of historical instruction impracticable. The design, however, is still kept in view; but though the immediate accomplishment of it is in itself desirable, yet the Pastor would rejoice in being compelled to postpone it, until not only all the youths thus associated, but all the congregation, were introduced into the family of Christ.

With regard to that part of the course already commenced, the following advantages are conceived to attend it.

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The pupils commit to memory a large number of the most important passages of the Scriptures. These will probably be retained through life.

They are led to examine these passages, with a direct reference to the important truths which they com municate.

They investigate all the doctrines of the Scriptures for themselves, and the scriptural evidences by which they are supported.

Their attention being secured; the best opportunity is furnished to apply the truths thus taught immediately to their own bearts.

The Spirit of God may be expected to bless his own truth. On this point the language of Experience is already decisive.

With regard to the advantages, which may attend the proposed course of historical instruction; as it is not yet commenced, nothing need be said respecting it."

Of the classes in the Old South Congregation, the Pastor of that Society has, at our request, furnished us with the following account.

"There are two classes; one of young ladies of fifteen years of age and upwards, consisting of about ninety

members; the other of young men of sixteen years of age and upwards, consisting of about forty-five members. They were established about three months since, and meet, at present, once in four weeks, on the same day; the female class in the afternoon, and the young men's in the evening. The meetings will probably be soon inereased to once a fortnight. They both meet on the same day, and recite the same lessons, for the convenience of the Pastor. The class for young men was commeneed at their special request. The method of instruction is the following. The pastor first delivers a course of lectures, six or seven in number, on the authenticity, credibility and inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manner in which they should be read and studied by private Christians. Of each of these irctures, after delivering it, he gives them an abstract, of which they take notes with a pencil, which are written out as soon as convenient with a book prepared for the purpose, with such enlargments from the lecture as they may have retained in their memories; and carefully studied previous to the next meeting. After the lecture has been delivered and the abstract given, the classes are examined by the Pastor on the preceding lecture, and the exercise concluded with a practical application f the subject recited, to the conscience and the heart. After this preliminary course is finished, it is intended to commence with the book of Genesis and go through, in the first place, with the historical parts of the Bible, then with the Epistles, and with the other parts in such order as shall be found most expedient. In this part of the course the following meth od will be pursued. For example, let the two first chapters of Genesis be assigned for one lesson. The Pastor will at one meeting of the class notice and give the explanation of the various difficulties that may occur to the attentive reader; he will then mention the several doctrines taught in these chapters with the evidence they furnish of their truth, occasionally referring to other parts of the sacred volume, where they may be more fully or distinctly revealed. Of these remarks the members of the class will take notes in the manuer before described. At the next meeting. after the lecture on the two or three subsequent chapters has been delivered, the class will be examined on the chapters which were the subject

of discussion in the previous lecture, by questioning them-first upon the chapters themselves as contained in the Bible, noticing as they occur the difficulties of which the solution had been given at the last meeting; and then upon the account which had been given of the doctrinal instruction communicated in this portion of the word of God. After which the exercise will be concluded with a practical application. In studying the New Testament the References and Key appended to the edition lately published in this City by Mr. Wilbur will probably be used.

Without intending any reference to other methods of communicating biblical instruction to the young, the following may be stated as some of the advantages of the method which has just been described.

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I. It compels the Pastor to study the Scriptures themselves with care, and may furnish him with materials for lecturing at a future period to his Congregation; a method of preaching by far too much neglected at the present day

II. It furnishes the members of the class with information respecting the evidences of revelation, the manners and customs of the people to whom the Scriptures were originally 'communicated, &c. &c. which, though not essential to salvation, will be gratifying and profitable to them through life.

III. It exercises the judgment as well as the memory and the conscience, and may therefore contribute to their intellectual as well as moral improvement.

IV. It brings the doctrines of the Bible before their minds in the order and connexion. and in the very aspect in which they are communicated by the Holy Spirit.

V. It is calculated to induce a habit of attention to the instruction imparted in every part of the sacred Scriptures when perusing them in course, and thus to correct the very common practice, even among Christians, of reading their Bibles without observing the sentiments intended to be communicated by the Holy Spirit.

VI. It furnishes the Pastor with on opportunity of making a practical and personal application, to this interesting portion of his flock, of every part of the sacred volume."

Ir gives us no small pleasure to detail the successful efforts of Boston Ministers, in collecting around them ZION'S HOPES, expanding their memories, enriching their understandings, elevating and refining their taste, and what is of still higher importance to youth as im mortal beings, impressing the conscience, and by the blessing of God, purifying the heart, and controlling the will. Other Congregations are adopting similar methods of instruction, and we hope to be favoured with a full account of their efforts and their success or future numbers.

LEARN TO STOOP.

(Related in a Letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. S. Mather.) "The last time I saw your father was in 1724. On taking my leave, he shewed me a shorter way out of the house, through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam over head. We were still talking as I withdrew, when he said hastily, STOOP! STOOP! I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man who never missed an occasion of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me, You are young, and have the world before you; STOOP as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps. This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people, by their carrying their heads too high."

JUDICIOUS REPROOF.

Dr. Gifford, as he was one day showing the British Museum, to strangers, was very much vexed by the profane conversation of a young gentleman, who was present. The Dr. taking an ancient copy of the Septuagint, and shewing it him, "O !" said the gentleman," I can read this." "Well," said the Dr. " read that passage;" pointing to the third commandment. Here the gentleman was so struck, that he immediately desisted from swearing."

The following Hymn, from the pen of Rev. J. NEWTON, inserted, as adapted both to the season, and to one Essay in the present Number.

SEE how winter's icy hand

Has stripp❜d the trees, and seal'd the ground!
But spring will soon his rage withstand,

And spread new beauties all around.
My sou! a sharper winter mourns,
Barren and fruitless I remain ;
When will the gentle spring return,
And bid the graces grow again ?

Jesus, my glorious Sun, arise!
"Tis thine the frozen heart to move ;.
Oh! hush these storms, and clear my skies,
And let me feel thy vital love!

Dear Lord, regard my feeble cry,
I faint and droop till thou appear;
Wilt thou permit thy plant to die?
Must it be winte all the year?

Be still, my soul, and wait this hour,
With humble prayer, and patient faith;
Till he reveals his gracious pow'r,
Repose on what his promise saith,
He, by whose all-commanding word,
Seasons their changing course maintain,
In ev'ry change a pledge affords,
That none shall seek his face in vain.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

We thank the Christian friends whose communications have enriched the present number of the Monitor. We hope to receive from them other articles as often as their multiplied labours admit of their contributing. We shall probably introduce more miscellaneous matter in succeeding numbers than we have yet done. We wish to glean frequently in the field of human science, but to lay all our sheaves at the feet of Christ.

We renew our request that able pens would condescend to use this publication as the medium of addressing that portion of the young for whom it was principally designed, and also to give hints to parents, &c.

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