the declaration of our independence, should be deeply impressed on his mind. He should know (as far as he can know) at what cost the liberty which he enjoys was secured; and when he traces in the history of those eventful times, the wonderful interposition, protection and favour of God, he may learn to estimate, in some measure, the value of that instruction which inculcates His fear and service on American children; as well as the worth of that patriotism and love of liberty which would cast off the restraints of religious obligation, and cover with contempt the institutions of the Bible.

With these views, we should advocate the universal assemblage of Sunday-school children, and all others who may choose to unite with them on the fourth of July next; and we suggest the plan thus early, that it may be considered before other arrangements are adopted. We would have them assemble in one or more places, in cach town through the country, (or where it may be convenient, the schools of adjoining towns might unite,) with as little dress and parade as possible, imitating in every thing the simplicity and self-denial which it is one object of the ceremony to call to remembrance. When collected, let them sing some simple hymn of praise, adapted to the occasion: let the God of our fathers be worshipped, and his blessing implored, especially on American children; and then let them be told, in language so plain and child-like, that the youngest of their number may comprehend it, what distinguishes that day from all others in the history of our existence as a people. Let them be told how we came here; why we speak English

rather than French or Spanish; what a colony is; why we were called colonies, &c. &c. Let the principles on which we contended with the mothercountry, be explained and illustrated with great familiarity: for though they were so eloquently and so voluminously advocated and opposed by great and wise men, when the existence of a nation was pending,-they are so plain, that boys and girls can understand them, and if applied to their transactions with each other, they would feel all their force. Then may be opened before them the field of revolutionary enterprise, heroism, and almost incredible endurance. They may follow the steps, and admire the wisdom, firmness, and integrity of the immortal WASHINGTON; and be taught to acknowledge, what seems to have been the deep and controlling conviction of his own mind, that God rules in the affairs of men, and orders them all by the counsel of His own will; and that in His favour alone is there peace or safety, either for individuals or nations. After presenting to their minds a lively sketch of the reverses, successes, and personages of revolutionary times,* let them learn something of the manner in which our government was established, what are its excellencies, and what are the

It would be difficult to find a more interesting work for children and young persons, than the Life of Washington, published a few months since by the American S. S. Union. It is written in a very lively and entertaining manner, and presents such facts as will arrest the attention and interest the feelings of children. Ample testimony has been given to the correctness of the history, as well as to the happy manner in which it is prepared; and it has been already introduced into several common schools with great advantage.

means of preserving or destroying it; and what rights it confers, and what duties it imposes on them. Then should follow a few facts, showing the unparalleled and all but incredible prosperity of our country; with such considerations as the occasion would suggest, respecting the source of all our personal and public blessings, and our obligations, at the earliest period of our lives, to begin to love and serve Him who gives and preserves life, and crowns us and our country with such signal loving kindness and tender mercy.

We should be inclined to doubt the expediency of retiring to the groves for pastime, or the distribution of refreshments, though of the simplest nature. The necessity of these things will not be urged; and we are unwilling to admit their expediency, so long as there are means of attracting and interesting children, without regard to any childish fancy or appetite. If recreation is the object, let them have it; but spare even the indirect admission, that the bodily appetites are entitled to any more consideration on the fourth of July, than on any other of the days of our pilgrimage.

Now, what think you, reader: cannot your Sunday-school be collected on the next fourth of July, either by itself, or in conjunction with some neighbouring school?-No matter of what denomination,-for we should have been in a sad state now, if the Presbyterians, or Methodists, or any other considerable body of citizens, had refused, fifty years since, to suffer, and bleed, and die with Episcopalians and Baptists. If the thing seems to you expedient, use your influence to have it settled now, that (unforeseen circum

stances excepted) the school with which you are connected, will thus commemorate the next anniversary of independence.

There is one consideration which urges us to the general adoption of the plan now suggested, viz. that 1831 is the fiftieth year of the existence of Sunday-schools, as a general system of instruction. We have mentioned, in a former number, the proposition of the poet Montgomery, to celebrate this interesting anniversary in some suitable manner, and by reference to our notice of the London SundaySchool Union report, in the present number, it will be seen what views are entertained there on the subject.

As no particular day of the year seems to be exclusively appropriated, it is entirely proper that the day with which we associate so much that is interesting and important in our national history, should be employed for this purpose. The pupils, teachers, and friends of Sunday-schools, will do well on that day to call to remembrance the origin of an institution, which, if properly cherished and improved, will do more to perpètuate the civil and religious liberty of American citizens, than any other institution with which we are acquainted. If there is a day in the year 1831, which is to be devoted to the contemplation of the history and propsects of our country, let it not pass without a vivid and grateful remembrance of an institution, the legitimate influence of which will secure to our country successive generations of enlightened, thinking, independent, Christian free

men.

We subjoin one or two notices of the observance of the late anniversary, in the way we have recommended:

SUNDAY-SCHOOL IN INDIANA.

The first and most important Sunday-School observance of the day of which we have had notice, was at Indianapolis, (Ind.) The celebration took place on Saturday the 3d, and was attended by the managers, teachers, and scholars of Marion county.

"The weather in the early part of the day being unfavourable, the company assembled in the Methodist Meeting House, which was filled to overflowing by the children and teachers of the Sunday-Schools, and a large concourse of citizens, male and female.

It was estimated that there were at least 1200 persons present. The exercises of the day were, Prayers by the Rev. Messrs. Moreland and Hitt; reading the Declaration of Independence by Samuel Merrill, Esq.; addresses by B. F. Morris and James M. Ray; with appropriate hymns and instrumental music by an excellent band of musicians. After the several performances were through, refreshments were distributed to the whole company; and the weather having become favourable, a large procession was formed under the conduct of Mr. James Blake. The proceedings of the day were characterized by the utmost propriety of conduct and harmony of feeling."

The addresses, on the occasion, have been published in a pamphlet formand we have transfered to our pages several paragraphs which, independently of their interesting and peculiar associations, will be found to present considerations of high importance. Let the reader bear in mind, that this great assembly was convened in a town which was laid out but nine years since, and that it has now become the seat of government of a most prosperous and enterprising State, containing upwards of 300,000 inhabitants. A similar assembly was addressed the year previous by James Morrison, Esq. Secretary of State.

Our first extracts are from the address of the Hon. B. F. Morris.

"Among the many benevolent institutions of the day, that have for their object the amelioration of the condition of the human race, there is none so eminently deserving the attention and patronage of the friends of American liberty, as our Sunday-Schools.

"In our own country, it is less than fifteen years since the system was first adopted, and it is computed that the teachers and scholars amount to at least 520,000. Two years ago the Maryland Union resolved to establish a Sabbath-School in every town, vil lage and congregation in the state, where it was practicable. They have redeemed their pledge, and number 18,000 scholars. Thousands have been reclaimed from the paths of vice, and taught to read, that otherwise would have grown up nuisances to society, and probably have terminated their career in a penitentiary or under the gallows.

"When the soil is prepared, and the seed is sown and begins to spring up, the most important part of the work is done, and but little culture will often produce an abundant harvest. Children may soon be taught to read in our Sunday-Schools, and by perusing the books which are there placed within their reach, acquire a thirst, and evince an aptitude for the acquisition of knowledge, which, with moderate encouragement and ordinary exertions, may be subsequently improved into respectable attainments in literature and science. And I have no doubt that hundreds and thousands will hereafter, from this source alone, attain the first rank of respectability and usefulness, that but for Sunday Schools would have grown up in ignorance, perhaps in vice.

"Natural talent is confined to no rank or condition of life. With the means of education, the tenants of the humblest cabin in our western country, are as likely to produce statesmen and philosophers, as the inhabitants of the proudest mansions, who have been born and reared in luxury and splendour; and are more likely to furnish honest and capable politicians devoted to the cause of universal liberty. The

poor are the first and severest sufferers from the encroachments of despotism, and to their ranks we should look for the most able and vigilant defenders of the rights of the people.

"When the origin of Sunday-Schools is referred to, it is sometimes said that in the west we have no large manufacturing establishments, where children are compelled to work daily for their subsistence; and consequently Sunday-Schools are unnecessary. This objection I will answer by stating a single fact. In one neighbourhood in this county, where considerable exertions were necessary to procure a weekly school of thirty scholars, a Sunday-School was opened in the same place which numbered ninety. Here were two-thirds of the rising generation without the common means of instruction.

"I have often said and believe, that taking together the whole mass of the adult population in this new country, they are more intelligent, better informed, and possess more enterprise and energy of character, than is to be found in any other portion of the United States. But the various circumstances attending the settlement of a new country, the difficulties to be encountered, and the privations that must be endured before the wilderness is subdued, impose almost insuperable obstacles in the way of educating their children, and render the establishment of Sunday-Schools, wherever practicable, highly advantageous.

But it is said that the course of instruction is religious, and you learn the children to read the Bible. And is it possible that any republican in principle, either in this or any other quarter of the globe, will object to the Bible or its precepts as anti-republican? Turn over the sacred pages and show me a solitary precept, or monitory example, that is not purely and genuinely republican. Look abroad over the earth, and do you not see that superstition and despotism are grinding into the dust those nations that are not irradiated by the light of Christianity? And where do you find the people enjoying the greatest degree of civil liberty, but where this volume is most generally read, and its precepts most generally taught?

"When the history of the present state of the world informs me, that the general diffusion of the pure doctrines of the Gospel, is invariably accompanied by an improvement in the arts and sciences; an elevation of moral character; a refinement of manners, and above all an improvement in the civil and political condition of the people; their persons and property rendered more secure, their rights better protected, justice more impartially administered, and the principles of civil liberty more generally recognized; I am totally unable to discover why the general diffusion of knowledge, and the inculcation of morality and virtue, should be considered dangerous to the rights of man.

"The theory of our government is established on the principle that the people are the only rightful source of power. It is public sentiment, as expressed at the polls, that gives character and direction to every department of the government. It is the minds and the manners of the people, that fix our national character in the estimation of the world. Our laws defining and securing the rights of property, and for the punishment and prevention of crime, are but transcripts of public opinion, as expressed through the medium of the representatives of the people. If the poor do not receive equal protection with the rich,if the peaceable and quiet citizens are liable to disturbance from the riotous and turbulent,-if our persons and property are not protected from insult and aggression,-if vice and immorality are suffered to show their unblushing front, and to stalk, unpunished, through the land, where are we to look for the corrective? It is to the virtue, the intelligence, and the integrity of the people.

"Our theory of government knows of no authority, no tribunal or censorship that is "to purge the errors of the times," and guard the constitution and laws, and protect the rights and liberties of the people, but the people themselves. It is only by a vigilant and conscientious discharge of duty in the exercise of the elective franchise, that our republican institutions can be rendered permanent. When this fails, all is lost.