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Rank, Talents, and every other Diftinction,
He counted but lofs,

That he might bear the exalted character of
Minister of the Gospel of
CHRIST.

'This adorable name!

His Theme, his Refuge, and his joy,
Which gave Energy to his Principles, and
Succefs to his labours,

In his laft Moments,

When every earthly confolation vanished,
Suftained his Soul,

And bore him through Triumphant.

TH

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

HE Editors of this work earneftly defiring to render it as ufeful as poffible, fuggefted, at the commencement of the paft year, their wish to collect, arrange and publifh Hints and Plans on the Means of doing good. In May laft they propofed four diftinct fubjects, on which they requested the friendly communications of their readers. Thefe were, 1. Sunday Schools. 2. Societies for spreading the gofpel. 3. Societies for the relief and inftruction of the fick. 4. Societies for printing and diftributing religious tracts. They have now to acknowledge, with gratitude, the reception of many valuable papers, chiefly on the firft of thefe fubjects, which well deferve a place in this work unaltered; but fome of them are fo copious, that we are under the neceffity of abridging them; and alfo of uniting various hints from different correfpondents, which we fhall now prefent to the public, with no fmall hope that the management of Sunday Schools will be confiderably improved, and many new feminaries erected.

The neceffity of inftruction is allowed by all civilized nations, and generous individuals have in many fucceffive ages demonftrated their fenfe of its importance by founding and endowing public fchools. The good and great Alfred appears to have been among the firit noble promoters of fuch inftitutions. In his days this whole kingdom lay in the profoundeft ignorance, fo that parents, perfonally unacquainted with the advantages of inftruction, might be fup

C 2

pofed

pofed indifferent to the education of their children; this wife legiflator, therefore, enacted a falutary law, whereby citizens, at least of a certain clafs, were obliged to fend their children for public tuition. But the circumftances of the times were unfriendly to the prefervation of fo happy an institution, and it was the intereft of the priests to keep the people ignorant. At the reformation, fchools were multiplied and wifdom advanced. From that period to the prefent there has been a gradual progreffion in knowledge among all orders of people, except the most poor and deftitute. Unable to pay the demands of a teacher, or to difpenfe with the trifling earnings of their children's labour, their poverty kept them in darkness, till gracious heaven first put it into the heart of man to establish Sunday Schools; an inftitution, which, being fupported by the public, is attended with no expence to the parent; and requiring the child's attendance only on the Lord's day, takes nothing from his carnings in the week; befides which, the day of God is preferved from profanation, and divine worship duly frequented.

The incalculable utility of thefe Schools is almoft univerfally acknowledged; but we are forry to say they are by no means univerfally fupported. Many hundreds of them are erected, but there is occafion for many hundred more. A fhameful indolence has hardened the hearts and fettered the hands of many. May God gracioufly blefs this paper to the awakening a noble philanthropy in all our readers, that they may aroufe themfelves to the purfuit of this object, the importance of which, to the glory of God, the welfare of Britain, and the falvation of fouls, it is not in our power to exprefs!

It has, however, been objected, that in many inftances, the good effects which might be expected from this inftitution have not been very apparent! and, it must be confeffed that facts fubftantiate the charge. But where has the fault exifted? Not in the inftitution; but in its manage

In fome cafes, the children have been intrufted to perfons wholly unqualified for their office; in others, teachers, however qualified, have been oppreffed with numbers; and in far more numerous inftances, the defect has arifen from the want of diligent and refpectable vifitors, who are the life and foul of Sunday Schools; and we may add another caufe--the inattention of fome minifters to this object, whofe countenance is almost effential to their profperity.

Το

To avoid these inconveniencies, and to fuggeft further improvements, we have felected from the papers of our kind correfpondents the most valuable hints arranged under the following heads.

Establishment of Sunday Schools.

Let a few ferious neighbours affociate for this purpose, begin a fubfcription among themselves, and extend it as far as they can among their neighbours. A fmall annual fubfcription from numbers would make it eafy for individuals. If this mode of fupport be impracticable or infufficient, a Charity Sermon may be preached once a year. This has a good effect. The utility of the inftitution is better underftood. It affords an excellent opportunity to addrefs both children and parents on their refpective duties; and it gratifies the humane heart to behold a number of poor children refcued from brutal ignorance, and formed for usefulness in civil and religious life.

Objects and mode of Admiffion,

In most places, all children who apply are admitted. Where the number is limited, notice may be given from the pulpit that the vacancies will be filled up at a certain time, when the managers will attend for the purpose. It is defireable that one or both of the parents fhould bring them; this gives a good opportunity of dropping a useful word to them, or of putting into their hands a ufeful book. A fmall tract on the religious education of children would be very proper. If parents cannot attend on a week-day, they may introduce their children to the Vifitors on the Sabbath. However, the admiffion of children fhould never be clogged with difficulties, but be made as eafy as poffible, to encourage the greater attendance. Nor need religious Societies fear their increase, as the generofity of the public will certainly keep pace with it.

Some admit only fuch as cannot procure education elsewhere. These are certainly the first objects; but as many other advantages, befide learning to read, may be attained in the fchools, let none be refused.

Indeed it were devoutly to be wifhed that the managers would not content themfelves with admitting thofe who apply; the moft proper objects of all are in the streets and fields. Let thofe loft fheep be fought for. Let the managers difperfe themfelves in every direction, vifit the most

wretched

wretched cottages, explain to the poor parents the nature and advantages of the fchools, and encourage them to fend their children, however ragged: let poverty be the best recommendation, and nothing but cleanlinefs required. A printed addrefs on the subject may be left with those who can read.

As to the age of the children, fome admit all above five, others fix, and others all above feven years old. Thofe who are ten or more, are in the greatest danger from rambling on the Sabbath. Young men and women have offered themselves in fome places; they ought to be particularly encouraged, and taught feparately from the children, by grave and religious perfons.

The Number in each School.

It is fcarcely neceffary to fay, that the boys and girls fhould be taught in diftinct places: and it is generally thought twenty are full as many as any one teacher is able to do juftice to; perhaps fifteen would be better ftill. But if the teacher has affistance from the visitors, or from the elder boys and girls, who are able to inftruct the lowest clafs, thirty or even forty may be managed with propriety. (To be continued in our next.)

TH

ON RELIGIOUS RAPTURES.

HE fhining of the fun may be controverted, may be denied by thofe who never faw it; but it fhines notwithstanding. The foul-animating views, which the believer enjoys through the-fhining of the Sun of righteoufnefs, may be reproached and defpifed, by fuch as are full of themfelves and ftrangers to Chrift; nevertheless, the children of God are thus indulged at times, in their way to Canaan. But, what I mean now more particularly to confider, I fhall name in two branches.

I. I have known various perfons whofe talk on this topic has been loud-whofe pretenfions have run high, who have been very busy to make themfelves known. Once I envied them; afterwards I pitied them. Had I not been taught that vital godlinefs is perfanal, and been led to understand the parable of the ftoney ground hearers; I had envied them ftill. The profeffed experience of one, whether real or feigned, can be no ftandard for another. And though the young Chriftian is often entangled with thisbait to his diftrefs; yet, as he goes forward, his understand

ing

ing is enlarged, and he is delivered. The floney ground hearers have no root in themselves, and therefore endure for a while, and then fall away. Some fuch bold profeffors I have known, drop as a candle in its focket. I ftaggered, I ftumbled; but, through rich grace, I foon recovered.

The Gofpel reveals the fupreme good in its beauty and fulness. With this book in his hand, and in his head, it is not difficult for a natural man to perfuade himself that the treasure is his, and that all fhall be well. His confidence is firm; his fin is no burden; his joys have no ebb; for all appears fecure. But when the fongs of the tavern and the playhouse have charms for fuch perfons, as well as the fongs of Zion-when their conduct is justly condemned by the world, and cannot be juftified by the faints-I afk, docs the fanctifying joy of the Holy Spirit produce this fruit? Is Chrift, at laft, become the Minifter of fin? Does no felf denial refult from the light of his countenance? Can they profess to triumph in his falvation, and yet join with his foes to his face? Of all the modes of felf-deception, this is, perhaps, the moft aggravated of any; becaufe, while it profeffes the greatest knowledge of Chrift, it is, in fact, the moft flagrant oppofition to his character and truth.

"Miftaken fouls! that dream of Heav'n,
"And make their empty boast
"Of inward joys, and fins forgiv'n,

"While they are flaves to luft."

WATTS

I am confident, that every manifeftation of the love of Chrift to the foul docs, in its own nature, imbitter fin, empty of felf, and give a godly jealoufy for his honour. Such profeffors therefore have much reafon to fear an awful difappointment at the laft.

II. When a man tells me, "That he knows his fins are forgiven, that Chrift loved him and gave himself for him, and that his eternal all is fafe in his hands. I do look for more than words: actions, that fpeak louder than words, in this cafe, are neceffary for my conviction. I am not fatisfied with negative righteoufnefs, without the addition of fuitable deportment to glorify God. If fuch experience truly exifts, as before expreffed, will it not be operative? Were it ever known, that the effects of fuch a caufe were mere founds? Does the kingdom of God confift in word? Is it not in power? And, can there be power, in the fenfe of the Holy Ghoft, where there is not action to the praise of his name? Let the leaft efteemed in the church judge.

However,

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