with great spirit throughout, and much interest is given to what children often suppose to be dry subjects. The topics of conversation are--1. The Character of God. 2. The Original Innocence of Man; his Fall, &c. 3. The Consequences of the First Transgression. 4. The Mediation of Christ. 5. The Sufferings of Christ. 6. How we may obtain an Interest in the Mediation of Christ. 7. The Necessity of a Divine Influence. 8. The Conduct of Christ, a Pattern for our Imitation. 9. Death, and its Consequences. 10. Resurrection, Judgment, and Retribution. We trust many children and young persons will find, in these volumes, such a clear and intelligent exhibition of the evidence, truth, and importance of the Christian faith, as will lead them to love, embrace, profess, and adorn it by well ordered lives and conversation. Dictionary of the Bible.-About one-third of this work is now stereotyped. Specimens of the first twentyfour pages will be forwarded to any person that may order them, for examination. It will be an expensive work to the Society, but a very useful one, as we believe, to the readers and students of the Bible, of every age and class. We trust every reasonable effort will be made by our friends, to prepare the way for its immediate and extensive circulation. Sacred Geography.-We have under consideration a very able and elaborate manuscript, in the interesting department of sacred geography. It has been compiled by a very distinguished scholar and biblical critic, from the most recent authorities, and is admirably fitted for Sunday-schools and Bible-classes. The means of the Society are so limited at present, as to make the publication of works of this character, however important, very difficult and embarrassing. Maps must be procured, and even one edition is many months unsold, and the capital invested in it, completely locked up. We hope, still, that better times are at hand; and that those who feel the importance of early, thorough, and universal religious education, will, by their influence and personal effort, soon furnish us with enlarged means of usefulness. Every book of sound and valuable character, that issues from the American Sunday-School Union, is one weapon prepared and furnished for the defence of religion and morality-"those only sure supports," as General Washington said, "of human happiness-the firmest props of the duties of men and citizens." TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Campbell's" favour is received. We thank "Iota," but have doubts as to the present expediency of publishing the letter. Notices of some of our new books which are advertised on the cover, are postponed for want of room. NOTICE. Subscribers to the American Sunday-School Magazine, who owe for TWO YEARS and upwards, will not receive future numbers until arrearages are paid. The terms of subscription are one dollar and fifty cents per annum, in advance; and these are the best terms the Society can give, without embarrassment and loss. MONEYS received by the American SundaySchool Union, from November 12th, to December 12th, 1829, inclusive. 1. MINISTERS MEMBERS FOR LIFE, By the payment of thirty dollars, and upwards. Rev. Nathan H. Hall, Lexington, Ky. 830 00 II. OTHER MEMBERS FOR LIFE, 30 00 30 00 30 00 By the payment of thirty dollars and upwards. John M. Vanharlengen, 30 00 830 00 Hartford, Conn., per D. H. Robinson Maryland S. S. U. 25 00 350 00 30 00 83.00 3 00 257 47 J. H. Bulkley, James Peters, 1829, James R. Campbell, 1830, IV. MISSIONARY FUND. Initiatory Subscriptions to constitute the following Societies Auxiliary. New Castle, Clarke Co., Ohio, New Haven, per H. Peck, 3 00 THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1830. DR. FISKE'S LETTERS. LETTER II. Time of Commencing the Schools. It has been made a question, in this region, whether it is profitable to open the school in the morning. My opinion is, that the question is easily decided in the negative, in relation to country schools. It is not practicable, in the greater part of country-district schools, to assemble the children more than once each Sabbath. You will readily perceive, that where a schoolhouse is from two to four miles from the church-some of the children.one mile and a half from the school-house, -it would be impracticable to collect the children in the morning, and attend the exercises of public worship. We have not attempted to collect the children, except in the district by the church, before the public service. But in those places where the people do not go home in the intermission, both services are over, during the summer, in time for the people to return home, get some refreshment, and attend the Sunday-school in the afternoon, at four or half-past four o'clock. The question, however, has been made with reference to our village school, and others similarly located. I doubt whether it is best, in any case, to assemble children more than once on the Sabbath. Perhaps in cities, the long intermission might be the proper time, or perhaps the morning; but in the country, the afternoon is VOL. VII.-5 best. To meet twice on the Sabbath, and attend two public services, crowds the time, hurries the mind, and fills every moment with effort. Superintendents, teachers, and scholars, are all painfully hurried from morning till night. A necessary consequence is, that parental instruction is laid aside: catechetical instruction must be discontinued in the family for two important reasons-the time of the children is all occupied, and at the close of the day, they are either wearied with exertion, or confused with the multiplicity of objects which have occupied their minds during the day. One school-exercise in the day,-that well digested, carefully recited, and in a school judiciously managed,— would be found better than two. This would leave time for the religious instruction of the family at home. It may however be said, that many of the Sunday-school children have no religious instruction at home. I know it is a mournful fact; but for their sakes, I would not take it away from those who may have the privilege. I would provide another substitute for those who have no advantages at home, in the books given them to read, which, in addition to the lesson required to be thoroughly gotten, would profitably fill up their time. Besides, one short lesson well learned, is better than two half-learned. Short |