The reports of the 14 schools connected with our Union, afford encouragement to the friends of Sabbath schools. Though the special good effects of the schools the past year, are not so prominent as in that year of revivals, 1831, yet there is much that demands our gratitude, and is calculated to stimulate us to increased zeal and activity in this good work. More than 2,500 immortal minds, have been brought under the hallowed influence of Sabbath school and Bible class instruction. They have had access to nearly 4,000 volumes of religious books. God's approbation of this institution, has been seen in the hopeful conversion of a number of the scholars. And may we not anticipate the pleasure of witnessing at the great day, some happy results from the labor of teachers, and the application of pupils in each of the schools during the last year? Faith assures us, that the good seed of heavenly truth, shall not be scattered in vain. Committed to the soil, with confidence in God-remembered in our daily supplications at the throne of mercy, and watered with the tears of pious, tender solicitude, it will spring up sooner or later, and yield a harvest. "For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return to me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

For the Sabbath School Visiter.

Mr. Editor,-Should you deem the following facts worthy an insertion in your valuable publication, they are at your disposal. For the authenticity of the statements, and for the actual occurrence of all the circumstances mentioned, I am ready to vouch; and if necessary, can produce the names and the former residence of each of the individuals, to whom allusion is made.

A FRIEND TO SABBATH SCHOOLS.

HAPPY DEATH OF A SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER. SOME weeks since, I was called to visit the dying bed of a Sabbath school teacher. I had not been long in the room, before I felt that it was good to be there. True,

the pale and emaciated form indicated a speedy dissolution, but there was a peculiar loveliness of expression in the countenance, which bespoke "glory in the soul." Upon inquiry in reference to the state of his mind, he says, "I have no desire to live; I do not wish to get well; but, with Christian resignation, he adds, "God knows what is best, and if he should refer it to me, I think I should refer it to him again.”

In reply to the question, 'How does the condition of impenitent sinners appear to you now?' he says, “Oh, Sir, awful! exceedingly awful! I feel for them; I want them to repent; especially do I feel for the young.".

He informed me, that for several years he had been a teacher in the Sabbath school in the town of B- and spoke much of the pleasure he enjoyed, while engaged in this delightful employment. "When there," he observed, "I used to say, We ought to have such a spirit, when we visit as Sabbath school teachers, that while we converse, parents and children should feel that an angel was there, and after we were gone, that we had left the spirit of an angel."

A few evenings after, I was called to watch with him; he was evidently hastening to the grave; could converse but little, yet seemed very happy. At one time, he said, Oh, it is hard passing over Jordan, but there are bright glories beyond it!" He spoke with intense interest of the importance of religion to the young. His, was the privilege of knowing the blessedness of youthful piety, and for more than twenty years, he had been reaping its golden fruits in a life of active devotedness,--in exploring the beauties of the Bible, and in communion with his Saviour. "Oh!" says he, "Early piety is worth worlds!" Speaking of some with whom he had been associated, and who denied the divinity of Christ, he says, "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him; he is my only hope; were it not for the righteousness of my Saviour, I should certainly appear naked before the dread tribunal of an angry Judge. But now, since Christ is near, Satan does not approach. I seem to see him sitting at a distance, gnashing his teeth and waiting, in vain, to sieze upon his prey."

It was my privilege to have but one more interview

with this lovely saint. He then told me he thought he should not live through the week, and added, "If I knew I should have a dismission to-day, I should be happy. But how long I am to suffer here, God only knows." After speaking, with sweet composure, in reference to his funeral, he remarks, "I hope that my death will prove the means of the conversion of some soul, and I cannot believe but it will. I believe that it is God's design it should." In answer to the questions whether his faith in Christ was still strong, and whether the Saviour appeared more precious to him, he answered in the affirmative. A few hours after this, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

And now, from his grave, methinks I hear him say to every Sabbath school teacher, Oh! be faithful; live near the throne of grace; cherish a deep sense of the infinite value of the undying soul; go to your class every Sabbath, feeling the awful weight of responsibility under which you act; remember, that every time you meet your dear pupils, you leave upon their minds an impression which will be felt, not by them only, but by an unknown multitude, through interminable ages. Let them see that you feel for their salvation; tell them, with tearful eyes, of their danger, and of a Saviour's dying love; tell them of the inys and woes of eternity; plead for each of them daily in your closet, and let not your prayers or efforts cease, till they are safe in the Redeemer's fold, or your limbs are palsied in the embrace of death.

VERSUS.

For the Sabbath School Visiter,

"YOUTH IS THE TIME TO GET RELIGION."

My dear young friends,—I want to tell you a true story, about an aged man whom I visited a short time ago. He was a stranger to me, and was himself just going into the grave, with none but strangers to stand around his dying bed, and "wipe the falling tear." He told me that he expected to live only a few days, and the doctor also said that he must soon die. I asked him what his feelings were in reference to death and eternity, and whether the Saviour was his friend? 66 Oh," said he, "if ever anybody had opportunities to make their peace with God,

surely I have. I have been sick a great many times, and then I resolved to reform, and live for heaven; but when I got well, I forgot my promises, and my God. The precious season of my youth quickly passed away, and left me without religion. After I became a man, I met with a great deal of trouble; was sick again and again, when I renewed my broken vows; got well again, and lived in neglect of duty as before; till now, I am brought to the brink of my grave; but, when I think of my present condition, my head goes round; I feel dizzy, and my mind is gone; death stares me in the face, and I feel afraid." Then, raising his eyes upon me, and with so much earnestness, as made me feel that he spoke sincerely, he says, "Oh! youth is the time to get religion! then, the mind is bright; impressions are easily made, and will remain. Oh! that I had got religion while in the morning of my life!"

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I tried to direct him to the sinner's friend, and asked him if he never found that promise true, Ask, and ye shall receive;" he replied, that he sometimes thought he had, but now, all was dark before him. He said he believed that if he loved and obeyed the Saviour, he should be happy after death; if not, he knew he should be worse off than now.

Having conversed with him as well as I could, he requested me to pray with him, appeared very grateful for the call; urging me to continue to pray for his soul;we thus parted to see each other no more, till we meet at the bar of God. In a few days, I heard that he was gone, to the judgment.

And now, my dear young friends, I want you should feel that " youth is the time to get religion;" and it may be, the only time which you will ever have.

Death may

meet you while you are at play, or when you lie down in your bed, as it has many other children, as young as you, and how should you feel, without the Saviour for your friend, to stand beside you in your dying hour! But, suppose you should live to grow up, unless you give your hearts to the Saviour now, I fear that you will never do it, and go away farther and farther from him, till, like this poor man, you must lie on your dying bed and be sorry, when it is too late, that you did not love the Saviour before. Oh, remember the words of the dying man, "Youth is the time to get religion."

VERSUS.

NEW PUBLICATION.

Memoir of Lucy Maria Bigelow, who died in Rochester, Mass. Oct. 23, 1832, aged nearly six years. Revised by the Committee of Publication. pp. 50.

"During the hot summer months, Lucy's father desired her to eat no fruit, unless it were given her at home, because he feared it might not be ripe, and would make her sick.

"One day she called with her sisters at the house of a dear friend, who presented to the little girls some fine ripe apples. Lucy looked wishfully at them, but immediately looking up with her usual smile, said, Mrs. R., I should love to eat one of them, but my father told me I must not.' No one could persuade her to do a thing which she knew would displease her parents."

We trust this little book will find its way into all our Sabbath school libraries. We should be glad to know it was in every family. It contains many affectionate and faithful appeals to children, and also much valuable instruction for parents.