NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS BY THE SOCIETY. Memoir of Caroline S- who died at Fitchburg, Mass. Oct. 10th 1833, aged 6 years, 2 months and 20 days.

The happy family made happier or the resurrection of Lazarus. By Wm. A. Alcott.

No one can read this little volume without feeling a degree of astonishment that a book of such thrilling interest could have been made from the brief story of Lazarus and his sisters. The Author has certainly an admirable tact for making such books as the Mass. Sabbath School Society wish to publish.

Biblical Catechism: designed for Infant Schools. No. iii.

Life of the Prophet Jeremiah.

True word of prophecy: or prophecy fulfilled in the destruction of Babylon.

The two preceding books are by the author of 'Conviction not Conversion, &c.' mentioned in the last Visiter, and like that are adapted, we think, to do good.

SABBATH SCHOOL VISITER.

VOL. III.

JUNE, 1835.

NO. 6.

ON THE DEATH OF A LITTLE BOY.

Close where his sainted mother's bed
In sheet of stainless snow lies drest,
On the cold hill is mournful spread

A fair young boy's last couch of rest.

Tears fell for thee, dear little one,

When her meek eye in death did close,
And arms which scarce had clasped her son
Were folded in their long repose.

And there were tears and fervent prayers,
As by that mother's vacant bed,

Thy brow the covenant's seal received,
Ere her fresh grave with turf was spread.

But now we need not weep for thee;

A praying parent's earliest care

Had placed thee in the Shepherd's arms,
And safely he may leave thee there.

A. B. H.

EARLY CONVERSION.

THE church has of late, been in some degree awake to the importance of the early conversion of children. Every reflecting, judicious parent, must feel, that while great importance is attached to this subject, it is shrouded in difficulty and darkness, and is one upon which we can theorize much easier than we can practice. Parents feel for their children. They pray and converse with them, and under this system of instruction, some may be led to think that they submit to God, and decide for a life of piety, when in truth they only see the necessity of this, and sympathize with such as do actually make the surrender. They learn

the language of submission, while in their lives they manifest no love for holiness.

In this state of things, we need suggestions from our oldest and most experienced pastors. We need hints from mothers, who have trained up children for God. We need to search the Scriptures daily to ascertain what are the evidences of true piety, and what are the spots of God's children. Meanwhile, parents should be careful in two particulars, first, they should not be in too great haste in admitting a change to have taken place in their children; secondly, they should remember that if converted, they will still be children.

You will allow me to remark under the first division of my subject, that, with all the promises included in the Abrahamic covenant, parents have no ground to doubt the willingness of God to make their children the subjects of his renewing grace, while experience testifies that he has done it. In the case of Phebe Bartlett, one of the subjects of the remarkable revival under the elder Edwards, we have the following account. The child, it will be recollected, was four years of age; she had not been particularly conversed with by her parents, on account of her youth, though a little brother, eleven years of age, who was a hopeful convert, had often spoken to her on the things of religion. After this, she was known to be much in secret prayer. But to quote from the narrative.

"On Thursday, the last day of July, about the middle of the day, the child being in the closet, where it used to retire, its mother heard it speaking aloud, which was unusual, and never had been observed before; and her voice seemed to be as of one exceedingly importunate and engaged; but her mother could distinctly learn only these words, Pray, BESSED LORD, give me salvation! I PRAY, BEG pardon all my sins." Soon after this, when she had been again into the closet, she met her mother with this cheerful speech, "I can find God now-I love God." Her mother asked her how well she loved God; whether she loved God better than her father and mother. She said, "yes."

After this, her conduct corresponded with the profession she then made. Who can doubt but this was the renewing grace of God; a work of the Holy Spirit on the heart of

the child. And if Phebe Bartlett was converted at the

age of four years, God has shown to parents that it is consistent with his promises to take little children into his arms and bless them. Were there no other instance of early piety on record, this one ought to banish all unbelief from parents respecting the conversion of children. Still, this is a subject, upon which great caution is requisite. Children ought not to be hastened into the church, nor much encouraged with respect to their good estate; but should be constantly addressed, not as if they had already attained,' but as those, who were to press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'

In the second place, great tenderness should be used with children, lest they be discouraged. Men, whom we recognize as pious, are still worldly. Why should we not expect to see like inconsistencies in children, and consider them as evidence of remaining depravity, and not have them impair our confidence in their piety, if followed by repentance and amendment? The difference between the tastes, and of course between the temptations of children and those of adults, is very great; and parents are in danger of considering that as evidence against the piety of their children, which may not be so regarded in the sight of God. This should lead them to study the characters of their children that they may learn to adapt their instructions to their wants; while, relying on the promise made to the father of the faithful, they strive for spiritual benefits to be extended to their households.

You will perceive, Mr. Editor, I have but just touched upon this subject and this has been done with the hope of drawing forth the opinions of others.

Maine.

WHAT SACRIFICES OUGHT TEACHERS TO MAKE TO ATTEND THE STATED TEACHERS' MEETINGS?

The following communication was sent to a Teacher's meeting where the above question was discussed. It was furnished for the Visiter by the Superintendent.

A reference to a few general principles will enable us

more readily to decide this question. As a general rule, those duties which are incumbent upon us as Christians, are to be discharged without regard to their interference with, or effect upon, our temporal interest. Not that we are to neglect our temporal interest entirely. Our household must. be provided for, or we are worse than the infidel. But the kingdom of heaven is first to be sought. This done, and we are assured that we shall want no good thing—that all things else shall be added unto us.

The degree of sacrifice we are called upon to make that we may be able to perform any service, or discharge any duty, must be measured by the value of the service to be rendered, and the importance of the duty to be discharged.

Our duties as Christians, are plain; and it is the glory of our religion that, so far from incapacitating us for the discharge of those duties which seem to be imposed upon us by our temporal existence and comfort, it sanctifies every duty, and renders every employment subordinate to the grand design of securing our everlasting happiness.

To fear God and keep his commandments-in other words, to love God with the whole heart and soul-to do his will-and in all things to glorify his holy name-is said to be the whole duty of man; and nothing can be called duty that is not subservient to this.

We have, then, only to satisfy ourselves that the office of a Sabbath school teacher, is one which God approves, and that the faithful fulfilment of it is a duty which we cannot safely and consistently neglect, and it will be obvious that we are bound to employ every means to qualify ourselves for the performance of the service.

Is the Teachers' Meeting a means of improvement to teachers? Do occasional consultations on the best methods of pursuing the object, and the union of hearts, with one accord, to invoke the blessing of God upon our labors, tend to aid and animate us in the discharge of our duties? Is it not indispensable that we should thus confer, and take counsel together, that we should cultivate a spirit of union, brotherly love, and Christian affection, and endeavor to excite a common interest and purpose in the work in which we are engaged, if we would hope to see our labors blessed of God, and prosper in our hands?