the institutions themselves. Let the modes of instruction be criticised with a view to an amended system. But let not the instruction itself be relinquished as useless, merely because not yet quite as perfect as it might be, and probably will be. The unquestionable testimony of experience has been, that so far from being unnecessary, injurious, burdensome, Sunday schools have been the instrument of most important and permanent benefits, even to such as could have done well without them; while to a far larger class, they have been the only and the successful means of the best knowledge, the purest virtue, and the most elevated enjoyments.

R.

THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER'S MANUAL.

SINCE religious tuition began to form so prominent a branch in education, and to command a notice and care somewhat proportioned to its importance, the want of suitable guides in the best methods of instruction, has been felt. We think one reason why there are no more Sunday Schools, for example, is that very many do not feel competent to say how such institutions ought to be conducted. Religious teaching is a new business to most, except to the clergy, and those conscientious parents, who have all the model they need, and all the motive, in their own heart. It is important, therefore, that all the light which those who have studied the subject can throw upon it, should be afforded for the aid of such as are just beginning to give their attention to this part of education. We are sure that the publication of

a work exclusively devoted to Christian teaching, will be highly acceptable to the community, and serve in many ways, to promote improvements in the common modes of imparting religious knowledge.

Having read the first number of the Christian Teacher's Manual with very great satisfaction, we are prepared to wish it the happiest success. The views which are expressed, relative to the qualifications for the office of teacher, are alone sufficient to create a strong confidence in the ability and the motives with which this work will be conducted. We may be permitted to extract the following, as an instance which warrants this remark. "It is often said by those who have become interested in Sunday schools, I should like to be a teacher if I thought myself capable of it; I would gladly teach if I knew how.' Now what are the requisites for a good teacher in a Sunday school? We do not think them few or small, but we do think them attainable by the humblest Christians, provided they set out with the most important of all qualifications, and without which none other can be effectual-and that is, interest, deep, sincere, heartfelt interest: interest in the cause of our most holy religion; interest in the human mind for which this religion is formed, and to which it is adapted; living, intimate, affectionate interest in the characters, and for the everlasting happiness of the children they undertake to teach. No one should take a class in a Sunday school merely because this or that friend wishes they should, or because the clergyman has requested it-or because they think it is proper to be engaged in some good work. If their hearts do not warm to the labor, they will do little or no good-they may do harm—no

matter how much knowledge they may have, or how scrupulously they may fulfil their routine of duties; if the spirit is not there, children will perceive it, they have an unerring instinct on this point. It is through their affections, by sympathy, that they acquire their first ideas of anything; a child watches the looks of its parents, it catches their feelings even when their words speak another language; a child's heart is a sure touchstone to ascertain the earnestness and sincerity of those who address it."

AN ABSTRACT OF THE BIBLE HISTORY.

THIS little work was composed for the use of a Sunday school, and, four years ago, passed to the seventh edition in England. It is now presented to the American public, for the first time, and with considerable alterations and additions. The editor, Mr Jenks, deserves the thanks of the community for the care he has bestowed upon it. He has greatly simplified its phraseology. He has given, in several instances, an improved interpretation of Scripture. He has corrected many errors that had crept into the former editions. He has very much increased the number of questions for examination, so that they now amount to more than six hundred. He has divided the work throughout into sections, and marked the questions accordingly. And, in general, he seems to have spared no pains to render the edition accurate, and suited to the purpose of the author. We do not believe his labor will go unrequited. It is an excellent work, both as to its design and execution, deserving a place, we think, among the most valua

ble of our juvenile books. It was originally intended to provide for children too young to peruse with advantage our common Scriptures in course, a brief, simple, and connected account of the principal events, and characters described in the sacred volume, which should be at once interesting and instructive to them. But it is not only adapted to the juvenile mind. It will be found to be useful to persons already considerably conversant with the Scriptures, as it is fitted to refresh their memories in respect to important facts, to enrich their minds with the fine moral reflections which it uniformly connects with the historical incidents it relates, and, by presenting the sentiments of Scripture in a new dress, to destroy that insensibility as to the meaning of the sacred writers, which a frequent reading of them, and a long familiarity with their language are so apt to produce. To the parent, and the Sunday school teacher, especially, it will be a valuable acquisition, as it is excellently well adapted to serve as a text-book, which they can expound and amplify, and from which they can gain those thoughts, images, and feelings, which catch the attention and captivate the mind of youth. B.·

INTELLIGENCE.

New Publications.-A reprint of the Sermons of the protestant preachers of the last two centuries, is in progress in Paris. The whole of the works of the Continental Reformers of the 16th century, including some unpublished treatises, are collecting and reprinting in a cheap form in Germany.

Bishop of Basle's Charge.-The Bishop of Basle, in an episcopal letter addressed to his clergy, expresses "his profound grief

that versions of the New Testament are distributed among the faithful."

Saxon Ordinance.-The King of Saxony has recently issued an ordinance, forbidding, under heavy penalties, any Saxon, under the age of twentyone, or of weak intellect, changing his religion, except in the article of death. A Saxon, secretly professing a new faith, is condemned to pay a large fine, and loses his civil rights for ever, on discovery.

Substitute for the Sacramental Test.-The following declaration is inserted in the Bill recently brought up in the British Parliament, by which the Test Act is formally repealed. "I do solemnly declare that I will never exercise any power, authority, or influence, which I may possess by virtue of the office of

to injure or weaken the protestant church as it is by law established within this realm, or to disturb it in the possession of any rights or privileges to which it is by law entitled." This is a declaration, not merely for Dissenters, but all others. It is to be made by all on taking office in corporations, and by all who receive office, emolument, or trust under the Crown, on its being required of them by the competent lawful authorities. It is explained as not designed to hinder Dissenters from doing whatever they were before protected by the law in doing, for their faith and worship. But will this explanation, or any other, save the conscience of him who thus declares, and then by example, instruction at home, conversation abroad, and the whole weight of his opinion and authority, strives to give all possible effect to a system, diametrically opposed to the State Religion?

The British Reformation Society.-An association with this title was instituted a year ago, having for its object the spread of protestantism in Ireland.

THE Editor would express his gratitude very earnestly to the few who have kindly contributed to this work hitherto. He is compelled to renew his solicitations to those who have the same cause at heart, for that aid without which his labors must prove unavailing.