single case. I do not think it true, certainly not in this part of China, that the inhabitants "throw out by thousands their new born infants into the streets, so that they are gathered up by the scavengers every morning." But that great numbers of female children, that have been nursed and reared to the age of six, eight, ten, or twelve years, are sold, I have no doubt. Little girls are very often sold. Sometimes they are sold by their parents. Sometimes they are sold by robbers, who have stolen them away from their parents. This practice is very common in Canton, and in other places in the south of China. Sometimes, when they are sold by the parents, it is on condition, that at a certain age, the buyer shall procure for them a husband, and set them at liberty. At other times, and usually, they are sold unconditionally. Not long ago, I knew a case, when a little girl, eleven years age, was sold for fifty dollars.

of

A great many of the most beautiful female children among the poor are sold, and carried away to be the inmates of those abominable abodes, of which it is almost a shame even to speak. In the Bible, they are called "the way to hell; going down to the chambers of death." There are many hundreds of these wicked houses in and about Canton. They are just like those bad boats, those floating sepulchres, mentioned in the last letter. A great many of the poor, abandoned creatures that inhabit them, become weary with life, and kill themselves; sometimes three, or four, or more in a company, and at one time. The Judge of Canton recently stated, that eight or nine tenths of the untimely deaths brought to the notice of government, were suicides; and that six or seven tenths

were women.

With this sad story, I must close this letter. I could relate many other facts of the same sort. But I think I have told you enough;-enough to show you how miserably the fairest half of the human family will always be degraded, and abused, until they have the Bible, and enjoy the blessings of the Christian religion. Farewell.

Your true friend,

E. C. B.

ADULT CLASSES.

THE formation of adult classes in our Sabbath schools, is becoming a subject of increasing interest; and yet there are not a few, even in our churches, who are slow of heart to believe in the practicability, if not the usefulness of such an exercise. All we can say at this time to church members, and other adult persons, not as yet connected with Sabbath schools, is, read the following testimonials of two adult classes, connected with the - Sabbath school, and

then, in reference to this particular subject, inquire, Lord, what wilt thou have us to do?

The first class consists of nine or more females, and their statement is as follows:

Many of our number have belonged to the Sabbath school two years, and have here acquired more knowledge of the Bible, than in any other school we ever attended. Our class meet for mutual instruction. We get our lessons from the Union Questions. The Bible is our guide, but is not the only book we study. Scott's and Henry's Commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, and all other similar works within our reach, are consulted. All the class are much pleased with the school. We wish all the sisters of the church, and others, who can, to come in and form themselves into classes for mutual improvement. We believe there is a goodly number that might come, and that they would never repent of it. We would as soon neglect hearing a good sermon, as to attend the Sabbath school. We regard one as important as the other. We get proof questions' on the first Sabbath in the month, and there again we search the Bible. Oh, it is a delightful study! It is unbelief that keeps many from coming. Many of us disbelieved that there was any advantage to be derived in so simple a way.

We offer our aid to any who may wish to join us. They can sit with us, and see for themselves whether our exercises are interesting. They will soon be convinced that all can participate in these exercises with profit to themselves and others.

Given in behalf of the class.

The statement of the male adult class is as follows:Our class consists of twelve or thirteen members. We

wish to bear our "testimony" to the excellence of the plan of having these classes, and, if possible, to persuade the members of the church, and others, male and female, old and young, to join us immediately, excepting such as are already engaged as teachers.

We would express in strong terms, brethren, the delight we have felt, in thus sitting together to "draw water out of the wells of salvation."

Do any think it unnecessary, or even childish, for elderly persons thus to associate? So thought some of us, once; but we think not so now. We hear, as an objection to joining, that some fear inability to answer quesTo all such, we reply, that no opinion or answer is demanded, or expected, from any one, unless he choose to give it.

tions.

And now, to the doubting, and to the inquirer, whether any good can be received from adult classes, we would say, in the emphatic language of Scriptures, "Come and

see."

Given in behalf of the class.

For the Sabbath School Visiter.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT.

Christian Friends,-THE SABBATH SCHOOL VISITER comes among you this evening for the first time. A stranger, it bespeaks your candor. Having just commenced existence, it solicits a place among you, and such regard as its merits shall be found to deserve.

It comes on an errand of love. And it comes not doubting that it will find in each of your breasts, a reciprocation of its own benevolent desires in behalf of the course to which its whole being is devoted.

Hoping for many an interview of a more private nature with each individual now present, it would ask permission this evening to say a few words with reference to the specific object for which you are assembled together.

And what is the object for which you are collected in this place, and for which, hundreds of similar assemblies are at this moment collected in other places in like manner ? A united petition is to be presented at the throne of grace. And what is that petition, and what reason

have you to believe that it will be granted? You reply that you believe in God, "that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." And you come, parents, teachers, friends, to seek his blessing on the Sabbath school.

It needs little argument to show that God will be propitious to those who seek his favor in behalf of such an object as this. It is only requisite that they have done their duty in other respects, and come to him in humble faith for those aids-those efficacious influences, which no human power can render.

Before you proceed in your petition, ask one question. Are you yourselves doing for this object what you can? God helps those who endeavor to help themselves. It is to be presumed, indeed, that those who are present in the place of prayer, are among the more active and devoted in this good cause. They are those on whom the burden of Sabbath school instruction rests. They are those who toil, and faint not, for the simple pleasure of doing good. They are those who exhibit, in a striking manner, that charity which "secketh not her own."

Perhaps, however, after all, take these as a body, there is room for improvement. They may, themselves, be capable of more enlarged views, and more warmth of devotedness. They may diffuse around them, an influence which shall kindle up a similar spirit in others. On them, therefore, it must devolve still to supply deficiencies, and to lead the way in greater activity, till the whole community are awakened to that state of lively interest and vigorous enterprize which the case requires. Inquire, therefore, what more you can do, and then bring your request to God for his assistance in doing it.

Look over

The object for which you pray is great. the Sabbath schools of our country. See the 700,000 pupils connected with them; for probably the number is now not less than this. And who are these pupils? They are the rising generation. They are the hope of the church and of the state. They are those who are to live and act, when present actors are dead. SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND young minds, destined to rise up to the responsibilities of citizens of this free republic, and to be intrusted with its civil and moral interests, are surely a

great object for which to pray. In view of it, no heart, susceptible of moral feeling, can remain unmoved. No mind, which weighs things according to their real importance, can fail to feel deep solicitude, and to present fervent prayer in their behalf.

But more than this. These minds are able to live forever. And the question, What shall be their state through the interminable ages which are to follow, after present scenes are closed? is the one that most deeply affects the believer in the word of God. Shall they rise, and reign through eternity, in the world of light? Or shall they wander, like stars which have lost their orbits, and to which are reserved the mists of darkness forever?

But, says one, how is their destiny to be effected by the Sabbath school? What benefit does the Sabbath school confer upon them? To this the answer is ready. It instructs them, and enlightens them, into the great things which God has revealed for their benefit-revealed for the government of intelligent existences. It pre-occupies their minds with truth and sentiments of benevolence, before the contrary evils gain such strength as to render effort hopeless, or of doubtful success. It commences the business of moulding these minds aright, at the time when they are most susceptible of impression. The discipline under which they are placed in this institution, is just that which God has appointed for the training up of immortal spirits to the highest excellence of which they are capable. It is that which his wisdom has set forth as adapted to the exigencies of their condition, and by which they are to be moulded and fitted to accomplish the end of their being. The greatest and happiest of results, therefore, are to be looked for. Among those taught in the Sabbath school, we may expect friends of the Sabbath in succeeding years. Among those whose minds, from early childhood, have been imbued with all that is elevated, and all that is upright, and all that is pure, in the word of God, we may expect there will rise up friends of order and sobriety, and of whatever promotes the welfare of the community.

And here is one more source of hope that the civil institutions of this land will be perpetuated. The impulse given to our affairs by our wise and pious ancestors, is now but feebly felt. A new conservative principle must