Labors of Pastors. It will be seen, by the last annual report of the Mass. S. S. Society, that but few of the schools in their returns, speak of the labors of pastors. It should by no means be inferred, however, that those mentioned are the only pastors in the State, who manifest an interest in this cause. The fact is far otherwise; and we are prepared to testify from personal knowledge, and we do it with great pleasure,—that a large proportion of the pastors connected with this Society, not here mentioned, are doing more or less for the prosperity of their respective Sabbath schools; many of them are abundant in labors in their behalf, and some of them manifest quite as much, if not even more interest than any of those reported. The statements of the labors of pastors,-so far as the reports made any statements on this subject,-were generally interesting, inasmuch as they exhibited the great variety of plans adopted by different pastors, to increase the prosperity of their Sabbath schools. And it was for the purpose of presenting these various plans from which other pastors might derive important suggestions,—and not from any invidious purpose, as some may have supposed,-that the statements were given in the report. There are, no doubt, some instances,-indeed a few are mentioned in the report,-where pastors, from press of other duties or some other cause, and it may be from an absolute want of interest in this institution, are performing no labor, directly or indirectly, and exerting no influence for its prosperity. But these cases must be comparatively few. Sabbath School Operations at the West. In our visits to the churches, we have often heard the desire expressed that some plan might be devised, by the Mass. Sabbath School Society, for aiding the cause of Sabbath schools at the West. The opinion has been expressed, that much more interest would be awakened in the schools and churches, could their contributions be made through their own Society, and be appropriated to some definite object, -to some particular section of the country; and that it could be done, in this way, so as to save all the expense of an agent in collecting the money. We are happy in being able to inform the schools and churches, that the Board of Managers of the Missouri Sunday School Union have requested the assistance of the Mass. Sabbath School Society, in carry ing forward their operations; and that the Board of this Society, at a special meeting, held on the 29th of July last, passed the following vote, viz; "Whereas, the Board of Managers of the Missouri Sunday School Union have made a request to the Mass. Sabbath School Society to furnish pecuniary assistance in extending the operations of the Missouri Union, Voted, That the Mass. Sabbath School Society will furnish pecuniary, aid to the Missouri Sunday School Uuion, as the means shall be obtained; and that the Corresponding Secretary be authorized to invite funds for this object." It may also here be stated, that the General Association of this State, at their last meeting, passed a resolution, cordially approving of the missionary operations of the Mass. S. S. Society, in the destitute parts of our country. So that the way is now fully opened for our schools and churches to aid the Missouri Union in making that great State verdant as the garden of God. It is expected that a clergyman in this State,-who has the subject under consideration,-will go to Missouri this autumn, to labor as a Sabbath school missionary, under the direction of the Board of that Union,-in exercising a pastoral care over the Sabbath schools already established and in organizing new ones throughout the State where it is practicable and expedient. This agent will fully understand the plans and operations of the Mass. S. S. Society, and though stationed in Missouri, he will be able, in various ways, and especially by frequent communications for the Sabbath School Visiter, to do much in promoting the cause in our own State. Through these communications we shall be made familiar with the wants and all the circumstances of the field of our labor; and with the results which follow our contributions. This agent will be able, also, judiciously to appropriate the donations of books which our schools are continually making for destitute schools at the West, and see that these donations are properly acknowledged. Our aid is needed, not only in sustaining an agent, but also in enlarging the Depository at St. Louis, and especially in furnishing a supply of the publications of this Society, for which there is already a considerable and increasing demand in that section of the country. Should the churches enable the Society to make a donation to that Depository, the money obtained from the sales of these books would be constantly employed in furnishing new supplies of the Society's publications,—so that it would be a sort of permanent capital for the use of that Depository. From conversations with ministers and other friends of the cause extensively, on this subject, we are confident that this plan of aiding Missouri will be very popular with the churches. Its economy will ensure for it favor. The churches wish to aid the cause of Sabbath schools at the West; and by the plan here proposed,—through this Society,—they can render such aid to any extent they choose, without any expense of agency in raising the money. And surely such an expense,—where it can be dispensed with,-is worth saving, and ought to be saved. The corresponding secretary of this Society, in his usual visits, and without any additional expense to the Society, or any one else, can invite the contributions of the schools and churches, just as well as to have an agent employed for this object alone; so that every farthing contributed will be employed for the express object for which it is designed. The Mass. S. S. Society will still be able to carry forward its operations,— notwithstanding they are enlarged and its expenses considerable increased, as it has done heretofore, without soliciting other aid from the churches than the voluntary life-memberships they may be disposed to raise, and their continued liberal patronage of its publications. We will now only add, that all contributions made by the churches or schools for Missouri, either through the corresponding secretary, or in any other way,-will be carefully acknowledged in the Visiter, and faithfully appropriated to the promotion of Sabbath schools in that State. My Baptism. We wish to call the special attention of the members of Maternal Associations to this little book,recently published by the Mass. S. S. Society. It is taken from the "Baptized Child, by Rev. Nehemiah Adams,” and it is published in its present cheap, attractive form for the purpose of securing for it a more extensive perusal among the children of the church. It is addressed particularly to a baptized child and youth, and is exceedingly practical. We see not how any child or youth, on whom has been set the seal of the everlasting covenant,-unless awfully hardened,— can read these pages without solemn reflections. It is just such a book as we should be glad to put into the hands of all those who have been dedicated to God in the holy ordinance of baptism. The suggestion that we would make to the members of Maternal Associations, is, that they make the duties and obligations of baptized children the lesson for a quarterly meeting, and if possible secure the attendance and aid of their pastor; and then, at the close of the meeting, present each child and youth with one of these little books. The pray ers and instructions to which they will listen in reference to this subject, will arrest the attention of the children and secure an attentive perusal of the book,—and the perusal will revive and deepen the impressions made by the prayers and instructions. The expense incident to the adoption of this suggestion will be but small, while the results to be anticipated will be most happy. The books, in paper, can be obtained at 3 cents each. Christian's Shield. A Christian, while on a visit to her minister, complained of great spiritual conflicts. She said, it seemed as though Satan was casting at her all his darts. The minister's little son, about six years old, hearing her account of the dreadful enemy that had attacked her, ran and got his Child's Pilgrim's Progress, and, turning to the picture where Apollyon's fiery darts are all falling harmless at the feet of Christian, broken by his shield, he held the book up to her, in the simplicity of his young heart, supposing she might use the shield to defend herself in the same manner from the cruel darts of Satan ! The Sabbath School Library. This is the title given to the 18mo. publications of the Mass. S. S. Society, as they have just been prepared in sets, with uniform binding. The expense of this Library,-embracing one hundred and twenty-seven volumes, of from 72 to about 350 pages each, with a case and fifty catalogues, is only THIRTY-THREE DOLLARS. This is truly a beautiful set of books, and it will sustain a comparison, in matter, style or cheapness, with any set of Sabbath school books in the country. Notices of New Publications by the Society. THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM, WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES AND SELECT PROOFS.-This invaluable compend of biblical truth, in its present form, will, we doubt not, find an extensive circulation in the families and Sabbath schools throughout New England. NEW EDITIONS. NEWCOMB'S SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS; for the use of Sabbath schools and Bible classes. Vol. II. On the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. Stereotype edition, -price reduced to 12 cents. This book has been very thoroughly revised, and it is believed much improved. It has also been "reduced from 161 to 108 pages by condensing the form of the questions, but without omitting any material thought contained in the first edition; while the first series has been added to ten or twelve lessons." An Epitome of the Evidences of Christianity. By Rev. Cyrus Mann. Memoir of President Davies.-The Happy Merchant. JUVENILE MUSIC. Furnished for this work by LowELL MASON, Professor in the HYMN. "The sweet birds are singing." 1. The sweet birds are singing In the full-blossomed tree, When day-light is springing; Then why should not we? From gay dreams awaking, Ere the stars fade a-way, We'll join the bright songsters To welcome the day. 2. The roses are coming, 3. All nature is praising, Both the earth and the sea Their chorus is raising, Then why should not we? The praises of children The Savior is near. |