Her mother had recently died, and, after a few weeks, her father sent for her to return home. In eternity we shall see, if not before, whether we as a school have furnished her with her only knowledge of divine things. God grant that the little seed we have sown, may spring up and bear fruit abundantly to his praise and glory! TEACHERS' REPORTS. One teacher says: "A. B. is much improved in behavior, and is one of the most constant in the class;-diligent in the study of the lesson, -always commits it to memory and endeavors to understand it before coming to school; but is still inclined to whisper, sometimes even during prayers." Another teacher says: "I have repeatedly urged my scholars not to associate with bad boys during the week, and, with the exception of one, I believe they usually avoid such company." Another teacher says: "E. F. appears anxious to learn and makes more effort to study the lesson than any other member of the class." "Thus far," says another teacher, "the scholars have given a good degree of attention to my instructions, and, in every case, with the exception of one scholar, have come prepared to recite their lesson." These statements show that scholars, by their good or bad example, every Sabbath exert an influence on each other and the whole school; and either encourage or discourage their teachers. GRIEVING THE SPIRIT. Early in the year, many of the scholars were somewhat impressed with the importance of religion. But these impressions seemed soon to be effaced, and thoughtlessness again returned. It was very evident that one boy,—and we cannot tell but many were in the same condition,-grieved away the Spirit of God, by being afraid to let his companions know that he was serious! He was anxious about his soulhe wanted to be a Christian-he knew he was not prepared to die; but for fear his companions might laugh at him, he went back, and he may have, in eternity, to lament that he thus lost his soul. MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS. On the first Sabbath of each month, a collection has been taken up for some benevolent object. The total amount collected during the year has been thirty dollars and fifty-seven cents. It has been our desire, to have these contributions the voluntary offerings of the children, and, as far as practicable, from money earned or saved by themselves. The amount thus raised, though, in itself, no inconsiderable sum, is considered a matter of small moment, when compared with the spirit which it is our object to infuse into the minds of the scholars. We wish them to hear of the various objects of benevolence, and to be moved by what they hear,―to exercise a spirit of self-denial, that they may benefit others. We wish them to have this feeling so habitually, that when tempted to part with their little savings for any of the ten thousand useless and injurious articles which every where meet their eye, their thoughts will, at once, turn to the sinful and the sorrowing all around them and throughout the world. Notices of New Publications by the Society. ALWAYS DO RIGHT: or the Story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 64 pp., 32mo. RELIGION AT COURT: or Daniel in the King's Gate. 90 pp., 18mo., divided into 5 chapters. Both of the above books are by the author of "The Happy Family," "The Shepherd Boy," &c. It is not the design of these books to present a full and complete history of Daniel and his three friends. But rather, in the case of Daniel, to exhibit him at court; to show how he resisted court temptations to an advanced age, and filled up his days as he began them, glorifying God; and in the case of his three friends, "to teach,- —as was undoubtedly one intention of the Holy Ghost in giving them as examples to the world, the importance of a sacred regard to conscience, and to God, its author; and that it is better to go through a burning fiery furnace, than to violate, in a single instance, the Christian rule, ALWAYS DO RIGHT.'" THE PROTESTANT3: Being a continuation of the History of the Reformation in Germany, from 1525 to 1532; including the confession of Augsburg. The fourteenth volume of the Sabbath School Church History. By Harvey Newcomb. This book is divided into 9 chapters, and to each chapter is added a series of questions to aid any who may wish to make the history a subject of study. There are but few volumes, published by this Society, more important to be read and studied by the older youth and adults in our Sabbath schools, than these volumes on Church History. JUVENILE MUSIC: originally published in the Sabbath School Visiter, and furnished by Lowell Mason, Professor in the Boston Academy of Music. Part I. 36 pp., 18mo. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE: embracing a short description of all the publications of the Mass. S. S. Society. 36 pp. This Catalogue is intended for gratuitous distribution. SKETCHES OF MOUNT CARMEL. By a Sabbath school teacher. 48 pp., 82mo. It is divided into 4 chapters: 1. Description of the Mount. 2. Caves of Mount Carmel. 3. Bible Events of Mount Car mel. 4. Mount Carmel as it now is. We think this little book, as is its object, as stated in the preface, will not only impart knowledge respecting a most interesting topographical subject in biblical geography, but also, elicit an increasing love for the study of the Bible, in general. A DOCTRINAL TEXT-BOOK: designed to aid Bible Classes, Families and Churches, in the systematic study of the cardinal doctrines of Christianity. By Ray Palmer, Pastor of the South Church, Bath, Maine. Part I. 72 pp.-price 10 cents. The preface of this book presents the need of a Doctrinal Text-Book, on a somewhat different principle from any now in general use,-origin and plan of the work-mode of study and concluding remarks. The present volume contains 22 lessons; 5 of which are Introductory, on the Existence of God, and the Divine authority of the Scriptures; and the remaining 17 are Doctrinal Lessons, on the Attributes of God, and the mode of the Divine Existence. It must give pleasure to every lover of the truth, to witness the growing disposition, among many of the more mature classes in our Sabbath schools, to study the great doctrines of the Bible. It is believed that this volume, and the one or two that may follow it, will contain a system of doctrinal truth, better adapted, in some respects, to the wants of many in our schools, than any other work of the kind. JUVENILE MUSIC. Furnished for this work by LoWELL MASON, Professor in the HYMN. 'Tis a solemn thing to pray. Moderato. 'Tis a solemn thing to pray; 'Tis to speak with Him who made us, Who upholds us eve-ry day, And a-lone can bless and aid us. 进 ます 2 Sweet it is, when all alone, To pour out our hearts before him, Humbly kneeling at his throne, There to praise and to adore him. 3 Sweet it is, in earnest prayer, 4 Sweet to thank him for the past, Long as life on earth may last, 5 Oh! how grateful should I feel SABBATH SCHOOL VISITER. VOL. VII. JUNE, 1839. Hymn, FOR A PRAYER MEETING, COMPOSED OF LITTLE GIRLS. IN sweet affection now we meet, 'Tis not for us, but for his sake, And while we look to Christ the Lord, O, may we feel the Spirit's power, Then will we search his holy word— And grace, as rich as manna fell, To guide our souls to heaven. As the soft branches of a vine, VOL. VII. We love thee, Savior,—O, 'tis bliss 11 No. 6. |