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benevolence, piety, and usefulness. We assure our readers that we never saw a book on the subject of Sunday Schools so deserving of their attention, so suited to their situation, and so adapted to instruct, caution, animate, and benefit the spiritual instructors of the young. It is no small credit to Mr. James that, amidst all his labours and engagements, he should have found time to write such a work as this, and particularly that he should be able to enter so deeply into the spirit of his subject, and should pourtray with so much accuracy, and even minuteness, the feelings of a pious devoted teacher, amidst his difficulties and encouragements, bis hopes and his fears, his distress and his delights. We were led sometimes to imagine that it was a venerable teacher to whose counsels and experienced cautions and animating addresses we were listening, and well we know that no one but a man who deeply felt the importance of Sunday Schools; who had well studied the subject for himself, and felt his mind imbued with its importance, could have written the "Teacher's Guide." We should esteem that individual unworthy of being a Sunday School Teacher who did not arise from the perusal of this book more sensible of the importance of his employment-the greatness of his work-the awful responsibility of his situation, and the connexion of his labours with all that is grand in the contemplation of eternity, and transporting in the anticipation of heaven. We will just give a sketch of the subjects embraced in this truly interesting work, and add a few short extracts.

The introduction gives a brief account of the origin, progress, and improvement of the Sunday School system of education. It is at once interesting and concise. We hope the hints at page 18, as to the religious instruction of elder children on the Sabbath evening, will attract general attention. The statement at page 35, as to the first Sunday School in Asia is, we understand, a mistake. The following are the important subjects discussed:-The object which Sunday School Teachers should ever keep in view as the ultimate end of all their labours-The qualifications which every teacher should seek to possess-Directions as to the manner in which a Teacher should discharge the duties of his officeThe duties of Teachers to each other-The temptations to which Sunday School Teachers are exposed-The discouragements of Sunday School Teachers-The most effectual means of keeping up the spirit of the office-Motives to diligence in the work.

In such an extensive and important range of Sunday School subjects, there are a great many remarks so worthy of minute and constant attention, that we find it difficult to select a few. Let the following serve as a specimen:

Page 44.

It is for you to consider, that every one of the children, which are every Sabbath beneath your care, carries in his bosom, a soul as valuable, and as durable as that which the Creator has lodged in your own. Neither poverty, ignorance, nor vice, can sever the tie which binds man to immortality. Every human body is the residence of an immortal spirit, and however diminutive by

childhood, or dark by ignorance, or mean by poverty, or filthy by vice the hovel might appear, a deathless inhabitant will be found within. Every child that passes the threshold of your School on a Sunday morning carries to your care, and confides to your ability, a soul, compared with whose worth the sun, is a bauble; and with whose existence time itself is but as the twinkling of an eye.

Page 67.

If I were to delineate, in picture, the emblem of a Sunday School Teacher's duty and employment. I would represent Faith and Love, like the two angels that conducted Lot from Sodom, leading between them a poor child to the cross, and while one is directing his eye to the means of salvation, the other should be pointing him to the realms of eternal glory.

Page 141 & 2.

You mistake, if you suppose the distinction and elevation of your office, are too inconsiderable to induce pride. Pride is a vice that does not dwell exclusively in king's houses, wear only soft raiment, and feed sumptuously every day upon lofty titles, fame or affluence; generated in the depravity of our nature, it accomodates itself to our circumstances, and adapts itself to our taste: it is found as often in the cottage, as in the mansion; and never having tasted the richer viands of loftier elevations, feeds with avidity upon the lowest distinctions, which raise one man above another. Consciousness of superiority, whatever be the object of comparison is the element of this most hateful disposition; and this may be supplied even from the office of a Sunday School Teacher.

Page 149.

At the very moment when you are giving vent to the sighs of disappointment, and yielding to the influence of despondency, a thousand harps are struck in heaven by a band of glorified spirits, who received their first devout impressions in a Sunday School. Could you listen to their harmony, and gaze upon their beauty; could you witness the seraphic glow which is diffused over their frame, and hear the rapturous praises which they pour forth to him that sitteth upon the throne, as often as they repeat the honoured name of their beloved feacher, discouragement before such a scene would instantly vanish, and animated hope would fill its place. When you feel despondency creeping through your soul, send your imagination for one of these heavenly harpers, and by the song of her conversion, let her charm away the gloomy thoughts of your troubled breast.

These extracts need no comment, and many equally excellent may be found throughout the volume. In the next edition we would strongly recommend an enlarged table of contents at the beginning of the book, or an index at the end for the sake of reference. At page 70 the Assembly's Catechism is recommended as containing a clear and concise view of the doctrines and duties of divine truth, we leave it to the consideration of our author, whether this recommendation should not be qualified in some manner as applicable to Teachers of accordant views with his own, many of the most active Sunday School Teachers objecting to some of the doctrinal explanations of the Assembly's Catechism. We the rather mention this, because we believe it to be the only part of the book to which any true Christians, of whatever denomination, could raise any possible objection whatever.

We are glad to see, by the advertisement, that this invaluable book has reached a second edition; we hope it will be in the hands of every Teacher, and we pray that its instructions may dwell in every heart...,

HYMNS, for SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, published by the SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

WE have long considered such a work as the present a very great desideratum; it has frequently happened, both in public and private meetings of Teachers, that considerable difficulty has been felt in selecting suitable hymns for their devotional services. This difficulty has been particularly felt since Sunday School Unions have been so greatly established throughout the country. We rejoice to see, in this selection, so many as 127 hymns suitable for teachers. The following is a sketch of some of the subjects of the hymns:- Christian love-Excellence of teaching and unity-Hosanna-Imitation of Jesus-Miscellaneous-On opening a new school-On the death of a Teacher-Parting-Pastoral hymnsPleading for the young-Pleasure of teaching-Praise-Self examination-Spread of the Gospel-Sunday School union meetings-Teachers' encouragement-Teachers' illness-Teachers' prayer meetings.

The hymns appear to be selected very judiciously, and arranged so as to be easily referred to. We sincerely recommend this Hymn Book to every Sunday School Teacher; it will serve to animate his gratitude to excite his praise-to enkindle his devotion, and to animate all bis exertions, by leading him to the source from whence all his ability and inclination for usefulness have been derived. We cannot but rejoice to see that the Compilers have. availed themselves of many of the hymns which have appeared in the Sunday School Repository; we trust this will operate as a stimulus to our poetic correspondents, to furnish us with suitable pieces. If there be any subjects in this selection which may have been omitted, we shall rejoice to see hymns on those subjects, in our Repository, from whence they may be selected to be added to the future editions of the Sunday School Teachers' Hymn Book. Amongst so many hymns, by so many different writers, on various subjects, it would be invidious to select a few, and these few could not be considered as specimens of the others. We therefore give no extracts, but advise every Teacher to procure the book as his pocket companion, in the secret retirements of the closet, his private meetings with his associates, and the general meetings of Sunday School Unions.

MILK FOR BABES, part second.

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A catechetical selection from the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts. By Connitor. JUDGING of this book by the title, we should have been led to suppose that it had been selected by the ingenious compiler of the work entitled "Milk for Babes," published by the Sunday School Union. Not that we think the title so very excellent: we have often wished that this very useful little book had some other designation more descriptive of its contents, and not so liable to excite risibility or ridicule. But whatever the title of a book may

be, which has been so very extensively circulated, we deem it a very disingenuous trick to palm any book off with the title of a popular publication; and especially to call it " Part Second," in order to render the deception more complete. We would advise Mr. Connitor, in his next endeavour to appear before the public, to find some new title for his publication.

As to the work itself, we may observe, that the hymns which are put as answers, are in general so long, that we fear the poor child would forget the question before he arrived at the end of his answer. The hymns being taken from Watts, must be excellent; as to the questions, we do not think them so well selected as they might have been. We should suppose the hymus were first chosen, and then the questions framed to them. Upon the whole, we think this work by no means worthy to be called " part the second" of a book to which it certainly does not deserve to be compared.

SUNDAY SCHOOL INTELLIGENCE.

Third ANNUAL REPORT of the BATH SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. THE Committee of the Bath Sunday School Union have the pleasure to submit this report of the proceedings of the third year to the notice of their friends and the public. They have the satisfaction to state, that the number of new schools opened this year, under the patronage of the Bath Union, has exceeded the number opened in either of the preceding years; and although it was not possible for any of the members of this Institution to have personally assisted at the establishment and organization of the greater number of the schools which will be hereafter particularized, it may nevertheless be confidently asserted, that the major part of such schools would not have been opened at all, had it not been for the assistance rendered them by the Bath Sunday School Union, by means of the gratuitous supply of initiatory books, &c.

Although your committee could give much pleasing information on the subject of Adult Schools belonging to the Bath Sunday School Union, it is intended to make a reserve of such communication, however gratifying it may be, till the Second Annual Report of those schools shall be made, as it has already been determined to keep the account of the Adult Schools distinct and separate from those of the Juvenile Schools, although both are still under the immediate inspection of your committee and its secretaries, as formerly resolved upon.

It is with no small satisfaction that your committee can take a retrospect of the three past years of its labours, and those of its secretaries and teachers, with whom the members of your committee are so happily connected; being firmly persuaded, that if the most careful and minute examination into facts, which may be stated in this Report, was to take place, it would be found that not only great progress had been made in blessing with

religious instruction some thousands of poor children, who might never have been favoured with such instruction, had it not been for the existence of this benevolent society, and the active zeal of its members; but that the actual good, done had been commensurate with the design of the institution, and with the means employed to carry that design into effect.

Of the schools opened in the two preceding years, there are now belonging to the Bath Sunday School Union as follow:

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The following new schools have been opened in this third

year, by means of the assistance afforded by this society:

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Children belonging to the four schools in Bath, which have been incorporated with the Union, but regulated by their own rules and under their own managers as usual.

1126

4202

It is highly gratifying to your committee to observe, that in many places where new schools have been opened by the members of this society, the people in those places have been made better acquainted with the things that appertain to salvation; and the parents and friends of the children have frequently felt a disposi tion to receive the truths of that Gospel which they before rejected. Some places of worship have been erected and well attended where the Gospel would not have been introduced, had 'it not been for the establishment of Sunday schools. It is also an undeniable fact, that in some other places where the children of the schools have been accompanied to Church by their teachers, the country churches belonging to the establishment have been much better attended than heretofore; and a revival of religion has been manifested, which must be cause of great satis

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