At this fountain head, the Christian Teacher will best learn his duty, by contemplating the character and conduct of Him, who was, during the time of his ministry on earth, emphatically styled "THE TEACHER;" and who taught as never man taught."

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If our blessed Master not only suffered for us, but has left us an example that we should follow his steps,* then it is our duty, in whatsoever we undertake, to look to Him as our guide, and to follow his divine precepts as our rule of action.

A few observations on the conduct of Christ, as a TEACHER, will, it is hoped, be not unacceptable to those who have undertaken, or are about to undertake, the important office of a Sabbath School Teacher. If they should only serve to remind some of them of duties with which they are already acquainted, they will not have been written in vain.

Of some things it is desirable we should be frequently reminded. "To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe," said the Apostle of the Gentiles to his beloved Philippians. And it will be safe for us, in

stead of measuring ourselves by ourselves, and comparing ourselves with ourselves, to contemplate our immense distance from perfection, by "looking unto Jesus," and by aspiring after a portion of the same spirit which was possessed by him without

measure.

And in the first place, it ought to be remembered, that our blessed Lord regarded children with peculiar tenderness and affection; and when his iples rebuked those that brought them to him, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer

the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them ;"* thereby giving us an example of that meekness and lowliness of heart, without which all our teaching will be in vain. A spirit of meekness is necessary in a learner; it must therefore be possessed by a teacher, for his example will operate more effectually than his precepts. And it must not be forgotten, that "whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."+

Pride and self-conceit are directly opposed to this state of mind, and must be removed before any advantage can be gained. They must be removed from the teacher as well as the learner. It is only by the possession of meekness and lowliness of heart ourselves, that we can hope to gain any ascendancy in the hearts of those with whom we have to do. They are generally the young and the poor. The young are much better acquainted with the real character and disposition of their teachers, than teachers are generally aware of: they have but few objects on which their minds are employed; their attention is therefore the more fixed on those who undertake to teach them; and any discrepancy between the example and the instructions of their teachers will be minutely observed. The poor, too, are most effectually won by meekness and humility: a contrary spirit may overawe, but will not subdue the children of adversity. They are entitled to be treated with all the kindness and tenderness which were felt for them by Him who "for our sakes became poor ;" and who has taught us at the very threshold of His school of wisdom, to be" poor in spirit."

Secondly. Our blessed Saviour has given us an example of great patience and perseverance as a teacher; and these qualifications are essentially requisite for us. We must be patient and persevering notwithstanding all the errors, and obstinacy, and perverseness of those with whom we have to deal. It cannot have escaped the observation of any attentive reader of the New Testament, how erroneous were the views, and how obstinate were the prejudices of those who attended the School of Christ. Even his disciples, who were constantly with him, who ate and drank at the same table, and heard his divine instructions day after day, and to whom some of the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven were revealed, were often wofully ignorant of his meaning, and made such observations, and put such questions to their Master, as it must have grieved him to hear; and yet their ignorance or their errors did not lessen his affection for them, nor impede for one moment the performance of the great work which he had undertaken to do. On one occasion, he mildly told them that they knew not what spirit they were of; and on another, when they not only mistook his meaning, but seemed to doubt his power to provide bread even after they had twice seen him miraculously feed thousands, his gentle rebuke was, "Do ye not yet understand, neither remember these miracles? How is it that you do not understand ?”’*

Neither must teachers be disheartened for want of success. He who was desirous that all should be saved, and gave his life to be a sacrifice for all, yet found but few followers ; and even some of them, (those who were most favoured) slept while he was in his greatest agony, and all afterwards forsook him and fled,

* Matthew, 16.

If, therefore, it should happen that some of those for whose benefit we spend our time, and employ our talents, do not profit by our labours, we must still go on, and increase if possible in diligence and zeal, lest the want of success should be justly chargeable to us, and not to them. Paul did not cease to plant, nor Apollos to water; but it was the peculiar province of God himself to give the increase. "No effort is lost."

Thirdly. The example of Jesus Christ ought to be followed in the manner of his teaching.

He frequently took advantage of the passing events and scenes around him, to excite attention to higher and nobler objects. Numerous instances of this might be cited. The husbandman, the fisherman, the dove, the serpent, the ravens, the sparrows, the seed, the flowers, the fruits of the earth, the sheep, and the goats, were all made to illustrate heavenly truths, and lead the mind to divine contemplations. The production of a piece of money bearing the image and superscription of Cæsar, was made to illustrate the divine truth, that those who bore the image of God should render themselves unto Him. And the treasures of the earth, "where moth and rust do corrupt, and thieves break through and steal," were made to bring to mind the treasures of heaven, "where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

So should we improve the events and scenes around us which are passing away, to elevate the minds of the young and the thoughtless to those high and holy objects which do not pass away. "The book of nature and revelation were both written by the same hand;" and both ought to lead us to the constant contemplation of their author in his works and in his word. A frequent reference from the one to the other would make a deep

and lasting impression on young minds, and the objects of sense so constantly near us and about us, would bring with them, by association, a remembrance of the higher objects of faith; and God would in both be glorified: his works illustrating his word, and his word leading to a right understanding of his works.

How beautifully does our Saviour illustrate the sublime doctrine of a particular providence, by the care which our heavenly father takes of the "fowls of the air" and the " lilies of the field;" and teachers would do well to follow his example, and take every opportunity which is afforded them to inculcate this important lesson, by a frequent exemplification of the wisdom, contrivance, and goodness of God in the visible works of his creation, whereby his eternal power and Godhead,* although invisible to mortal eyes, are clearly seen by the eye of faith, and will prepare the mind for the reception of the sublimer doctrines of Revelation, which will be gradually unfolded, as the sacred pages are opened and explained.

There are other points of deep importance, in which the example of our blessed Redeemer should be imitated by his followers as Teachers, which will form the subject of a future paper. In the mean time we would earnestly recommend to all who are engaged in promoting the interests of Sabbath Schools, a daily and incessant application to the throne of grace for a special blessing on this great work, which has already been instrumental to the salvation of thousands, and if continued under the influence of the Divine Spirit, will be the means of bringing millions of our fellow creatures in succession out of darkness into

the marvellous light of the gospel of CHRIST.

* Rom. 1.