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to the world some uniform and effectual system for advancing the mind of man with success through all the paths of literature and science, as well as to train and controul those varying passions, the subordination of which is to be a source of contentment to himself, and of praise to his benificent Creator. The subject is one of too great importance to the vast interests of the human family not to have engaged in turn the pens of philosophers, statesmen, divines and civilians; and according to the force of their several arguments, some favourite theory has prevailed to the preclusion of some matter-of-fact plan, founded in daily experience, that has first thrown its glimmering rays from the solitary village school, or the closet of private and parental instruction and if the world was more prone to listen to the sober excerptions of common sense, than to the splendid theories of scholastic recluses, the advantage would long ago have been on the side of a virtuous and enlightened population. I have been led into these reflections by a consideration of the great difficulties attending female education in our public schools; and awakened to an inquiry on the subject by the affecting appeal of a female teacher, under the signature of Mary, in one of your early numbers, and it has equally excited my surprise and regret that considering its importance, it has remained so long unnoticed. The object of my present remarks is rather to revive this interesting subject than particularly to discuss it, hoping that it will ere long find some able advocate among the ranks of Sunday School Teachers. I will therefore only remark by the way, that such is the depravity of the heart, it soon discovers its enmity to those real sources of its own happiness, the lights of knowledge and religion; and is only to be won to the participation of them by rewards, and on the other hand to be restrained from evil by the terrors of punishment. Since then a system of rewards and punishments seems necessary for such unhappy existing circumstances; it is important to notice, that as it regards the discipline of female education, they should be so administered as neither to give an ascendancy to natural pride, nor altogether to depress emulation. The one would destroy that delicacy of mind which it is the true interests of education to cultivate, and in

which lies all female excellence and greatness, while the other would foster that spirit of jealousy and envy, which, like the incursions of the Goths and Vandals, would soon desolate the most polished and cultivated fields of literature and science. Let the rewards of female scholars be bestowed without partiality or display, and their punishment be administered with privacy, meekness and patience. WILLIAM.

THE DUTY OF COMMITTING OUR CONCERNS TO GOD WITH PRAYER.

How cheering to the heart, "bowed down and disquieted," are the comfortable promises of the gospel; and a faithful reliance upon these will ever prove as much the Christian's joy, as it is his duty; for solemn, fervent, effectual prayer is the sacred obligation and engaging practice of every true disciple of Jesus Christ. As we read the divine record of the Redeemer's words -"your Father in Heaven knoweth you have need ; faith should guide us," to "ask that we may receive ;" and a pious earnestness of soul should prompt us "to acknowledge God in all our ways," as well as to seek him in our seasons of calamity and sorrow. A just dependence on Divine Providence, is too little the characteristic of the Christian's unbelieving heart. He calls Him the God of his salvation; yet when does he commit the varying concerns of his life into his hands of power and mercy? How often does he neglect in the midst of prosperity to hang his cares on the arm that has hitherto helped him; and when does he take up the faithful theme of David, and piously say, "I will cast my burdens on the Lord, for He careth for me ;" and " "my soul wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from him;" "but the Lord has not left himself without a witness ;" and by the pious example of his servants, recorded for our edification in the Holy Scriptures, Christians are called to dedicate them-. selves to the Father of mercies, and to commit all their concerns with prayer into his hands, and his alone. With these short and suitable reflections, we intend to offer to the readers of this magazine, a pleasing and affecting instance of the Christian practice urged by the above remarks. It is only with emotions of de

light and reverence, that we give the following fervent lines, in which (as we trust) by faith and love, this work of usefulness, devoted to the interests of Zion, and the cause of Christ, was committed into the only hands that could prosper it to that glorious end With pleasing satisfaction, we have culled them from the methodically arranged papers of our regretted friend, T. J. and following the precedence of the inspired writers, we would record for the instruction and encouragement of "the household of the faithful," so exemplary an instance of fervent and faithful prayer.

7th November, 1823.

ALMIGHTY God, my heavenly Father, Thou great source of all light and knowledge; from whom every good and perfect gift descends, I pray in the name of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, my Saviour, that Thou wilt give thy blessing to the work which I am now about to commence; that it may be conducted with wisdom and discretion, under the influence of thy Holy Spirit; with entire faith and confidence in Thee, and a humble sense of my great imperfections. May it, (by thy Divine Power,) be made beneficial to the rising generation, and useful to those who instruct them.

To this end I beseech Thee, O God, to irradiate my mind with heavenly truth, and fill my heart with love to Thee; and such a concern for the eternal interests of my fellow-creatures as thou requirest. To Thee I dedicate my humble efforts; and to Thee I look for their success, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

SELECTIONS.

ON SCRIPTURE LESSONS.

[From the London S. S. T. Magazine.]

Ir is not half a century since the Christian was called upon to engage himself to the cause of the Lord, in the instruction of the rising generation in the principles and practice of our most holy religion on the Christian Sabbath. Since the period of the original formation of Sunday Schools, they have through every succeeding year extended their widening way, and multiplied, not only, I trust, their numbers, but their usefulness and their zeal, in a ratio which will not, we hope, diminish, but increase, until there shall not want room or opportunity for instruction for one of the sons and daughters of Adam over every part of the globe. As their importance is admitted, and their magnitude in some measure established, of how much weight has it become, that every possible means should be used to turn these our opportunities, with which we are so highly favoured, to the best advantage. Here a question seems naturally enough to arise, and we inquire, what means within our power are most calculated to promote the great end which all Sunday School Teachers have,

or ought to have in view-the diffusion of the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures? With a desire, which, I trust, is single to the glory of God, I would beg to recommend to the notice of my fellow labourers the plan, as sketched in the Table below. The interrogative system, as has been before hinted, will not, I think, lose weight by careful scrutiny; but, on the other hand, will be found to increase its claims and strengthen its demands upon the great majority of our anxious fellow labourers in the vineyard of our Lord. It is not, indeed, sufficient to learn to read the scriptures; nay, I am prepared to maintain, it is not sufficient even to commit them verbatim to memory, for all this may be done at very much expense of labour and application; and, strange as it may seem to those who have not witnessed the fact, without apparent or ascertainable advantage. I have often witnessed with pain, when portions of scripture have been committed correctly to memory, that on asking the meaning of this or that, I have looked and waited in vain for a reply. Understandest thou what thou readest? how shall we know except we are taught. But read and question, and the veil is turned aside, darkness is chased away, and the Spirit's meaning shining upon the hidden treasure thus digged up, the mine is exposed in all its beauty, and teacher and taught find it good to search the Scriptures. That the subject may be favoured with all that consideration which its importance demands, and crowned with that success which its merits are calculated to afford, is the prayer of W. B.

I would recommend that a Table, something similar to the following plan, should be annually printed, with a question book for the teacher, with references for the subjects given to prove.

Table of Sunday School Subjects and Lessons for the Bible and Testament Classes.

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VARIETY

To instruct, and at the same time afford amusement; to please without wearying the mind, to lead to meditation, to invite to reflect, has ever been the aim of those who have attempted didactic writing. In occasionally offering to our readers, under the head of " Variety," a number of short, detached sentences, original and selected, (keeping the education of children always in view) we hope that some of them may be come subjects of serious consideration, and may lead to beneficial practical results.

[From the Port Folio of a S. School Teacher.]

THOUGHTS ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.

"The principal part of education is to insinuate into the young and tender mind the love of God and Virtue; and as we learn best from those we love most, the first step to be taken is to make ourselves beloved.

The deprivation of an object increases the ardour to obtain it: this principle may be directed to usefulness in the early educa tion of children. Never allow one object, however useful or pleasing to them, long to occupy their attention. Let them somegimes abruptly leave off, when they have an inclination to proceed. The aim of parents should be to practice truth and virtue, that their children may admire and follow their examples.

It is of great importance to set children good examples in trivial affairs, for children in general act by imitation, therefore as far as can be, they should see nothing but what they may imi

tate.

The mind of a child is a mirror, reflecting the daily scenes of the world; how important and necessary then that objects of virtue and truth be continually before it.

Juvenal says,

"the greatest reverence is due to children.', I would add, they are the nicest observers in the world, and they will closely imitate their superiors. Those who teach others should first learn to subdue themselves.

Children will be insincere if not permitted to speak their minds freely.

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