From their practice you will learn the most suitable manner of framing your questions to them. After the whole lesson has been examined on, make such explanatory remarks as the subject may demand. This portion should be given them to learn by rote, the ensuing Sabbath; they will then have committed to memory such portions as they have had explained, and consequently are more likely to understand. At the signal for closing the school, let your order be as at first," Books before you ;" and to the monitor, "Collect books." He will then pass through the class, taking each book, which must be put by him into the box. Let the class take their hats one by one, and in your turn lead them out of the school-room rank and file; in the afternoon when the exercises of the class are closed, give each deserving child that has attended all day, one ticket of good behaviour.

"Let your conduct before the class be blameless; it is your example more than your precept that will always influence the children. The following rule proposed by an excellent writer on education (Babington) will always be found useful: "Act

(6 before your children, whenever you are with them, in the same manner as you would were all the world to be looking on." Some teachers are so indiscreet in their conduct towards their children, and act in such a way before them, that if they had been interrupted, they could but have felt the blush of ingenu ous shame, ready to excuse themselves to the observers, forgetting that their children themselves were the nicest observers and the most important spectators to be influenced by their deportment.

N. B. Upon these principles you are forbidden to carry a rod or stick in the school; neither to kick or pinch the children; nor to pull their ears or their hair: the effect of such punishments is to the highest degree injurious; and degrading to both teacher and scholar. Be mild and condescending-meek and patient-ever watchful and ready to act with firmness and decision; experience may probably suggest many things not anticipated in these instructions, yet you will adopt no new plan without the concurrence of the superintendent; be studious and diligent during the week to prepare matter for the instruction of your class on Sundays; and God speed you and make you use

ful in this good work. With affectionate regard in behalf ofS. School.

J. W.

To

Sec'ry.

A. B. of S. School.

Signed () Pastor.

as

DUTY OF SELF-DENIAL.

[To the Editor of the Amer. S. S. T. Magazine.]

It is consistent with the character of the Holy Author of our being, as a God perfect in justice, that although infinite mercy is also his attribute, no good shall be attained by unrighteous man, but through sacrifice; and such in all things is the divine economy in regard to this present evil life; for although it is his heavenly purpose to bless a sinful world, it can only be by a propitiation for sin, and his purpose is in Christ Jesus.-The sacrifice of God-for if he gives eternal life, it is by the gift of His Son, who was, by a sacrifice of himself, once offered up, to reconcile the Father, and obtain gifts for men, even that God might dwell among them, grant forgiveness of sins, and "open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers." We therefore find that in the dispensation of this His Grace, the same pure terms of justice prevail in all the works of redemption: it is the golden rule of His unalterable righteousness, (justice) and the link that unites it to his unchanging mercy-ere eternal life is obtained, an infinite sacrifice must be made; and although the inheritance is purchased by Him who is smitten for our transgressions," yet the gracious Hand of Mercy bestows not the treasures of His Love, until the requirements of justice are met, and the sinner attains not to that "peace that passeth all understanding" until the bitterness of repentance has possessed his soul; and even when gathered among the family of God, he advances not to the benefits and enjoyments of divine light and life, but by the same righteous dealings from a merciful Providence, who by chastisement, causes his children to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Having endured," they are said to inherit the promises, they are crucified to the world," that they may be "quickened in the Spirit"-" they endure a great fight of afflicVOL. I.

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tion," that they may receive "the abundant blessings of the Gospel of Peace:" such are the terms of his great salvation, who has declared it his good will and pleasure," that He remembereth his covenant of mercy for ever;" but at the same time He chastiseth every son he receiveth-He visits their "transgression with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes :" hiding his face for a little "while, that He may return with everlasting kindness"-thus teaching his people that it is "good to be afflicted," "that they may be partakers of his holiness"-and he causes them to know that "when they are judged of God they are chastised, that they be not condemned with the world," and "that they shall reign with Christ if so be they suffer with him," and "through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom." We see also the same economy unfolded in regard to God's beloved people under a typical dispensation; for it was only by the reconciliation effected through sacrifice, that they held the promise of any heavenly or temporal inheritance; every present or anticipated blessing was secured to them, only by their "sacrifices offered up year by year continually," for they made" a covenant with him by sacrifice." Considering this divine rule, can the Christian philanthropist vainly hope to fulfil the benign purposes which his heart holds dear, without sacrifice? Can he hope to reach the pure object of his benevolent desires, for which the "love of Christ constraineth him to labour," without "denying himself?" Rather let him, "while he considers the poor and needy," and seeks to bless his fellow man, view the pattern that has passed into the heavens-He, who went about doing good in the endurance of every evil; healing the sick and the broken in heart," and causing the widow and fatherless to rejoice, yea through weeping and "groaning in spirit ;" through hungering, thirsting and watchings, amidst the revilings of men. Let him consider "the man of sorrows," as through accumulating conflicts he encompassed the land of Judea, that he might instruct his blind and ignorant brethren of Israel; and would he . follow in the steps of his Divine Master, let him remember the wisdom of his lips, "and first sit down and count the cost," ere he goeth about to do good, knowing that good can only be accomplished by many painful personal sacrifices, it will call

for denying himself, even to a partial surrender of the exalted privileges of the household of the faithful, and " and the pleasant things of the sanctuary ;" and although his heart and his flesh cry out for the living God, "yet let him be ever ready freely to give, as he has freely received;" let him learn to be a "cheerful giver," to do good and distribute, forgetting not, knowing that "with such sacrifices God is well pleased." These remarks very forcibly apply to all who are engaged in the selfdenying labour of Sabbath day teaching, and to such only as are engaged in its pursuits are its hard and peculiar trials known; and I think that much of their discouragement and reluctance to go on in the work is for want of such views as I have here taken of the subject: I would exhort them carefully and daily to meditate on the precept from the mouth of zealous Paul, inviting them "to look to Jesus," and lest they faint or be weary in their minds, to consider Him "who endured"—that he might fulfil the purpose of his love. Such considerations having often cheered my own heart amidst the contradictions "of sinners." I desire to stir up the mind of my fellow teachers to this godly sense of works of faith and love, and to enlarge their hopes, have thought it useful to offer the following extract of a letter from the parent of a S. S. scholar to his teacher, two years after his separation from the school: it is placing the object in a most cheering light; let S. S. teachers be encouraged, yea rejoice and be glad, while they can be assured that they may hope for such blessings and such prayers as are comprised in the pious lines of the humble writer of this letter. I would farther remark, that I know there are family altars where the S. School is daily remembered, and heavenly blessings called down on S. S. Teachers: let them from such prayers hope to obtain strength for their feeble hands to prevail amidst their toils and contests, as those who held up the hands of Moses assisted him to prevail against the strength of Amalek. [Ex. 17.] I trust that the pattern pointed out in this extract will be acknowledged as a model that all pious S. S. Teachers should emulate; it may also hint (and God grant it) to such Christians of piety and talents as are yet standing without-to go and do likewise, enter into the vineyard; be the Lord's husbandmen, and "spread the gospel"-

The

instructing babes into the kingdom of Christ; "hindering them not," but taking them up in their arms to bless them." extract is a precise transcript; I hope you will not omit any of it, for the spirit of it is such as I am sure will do much good to the heart.

April 15, 1824.

Timothy.

EXTRACT.

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My dear friend, prompted by duty and the love we owe so worthy a friend, whose goodness we can never forget nor reflect upon, but with gratitude and admiration, and with thankfulness; to that great and merciful God, from whom alone all our mercies flow, I undertake once more to write a few lines to you to inform you, that through the blessing of God, I and my dear children are still living, and at present enjoy a tolerable share of health, which we hope you are likewise blessed with; and may your life be prolonged, since it is a life so useful, and may my dear children, with hundreds more, have reason to bless God for such a friend and teacher, who hath given them such good advice and instruction, and who has been at so much pains to do them good, and may the Lord reward you a thousand fold; and now my dear friend, my children are deprived of their Sunday school; they have no father to guide them, neither is it in my power, at present, to send them to any school; therefore I hope my dear friend, you may find more time to write to us than you have done, that you may give them good advice and instruction, which they stand so much in need of, and may they long remember their beloved teacher, and may you go on in the work of the Lord-may you see your labours prosper, and may they be crowned with success. My dear friend, when I reflect on what you have done, and are doing daily, for the spread of the gospelfor the cause of the Redeemer, and for the good of mankind, I think you must feel as happy as this life will admit of. I have often thought, my dear friend, that you were a follower of St. Paul, as he was of Christ: what zeal, what love, what anxiety, what watchfulness-yea, what vehement desire do you not feel for those who are entrusted to your care; and may you reap the just reward in a land of endless repose. I have long been