ought they not receive a like careful and coextensive culture? Instruct a child in all the rudiments of human science, and leave the fallow ground of his heart unbroken, and though he prove not himself a very fiend or devil, he will illustrate but a small portion of the majestic being, whom, having erst created, God pronounced ' very good.' That the morals of children are neglected, or but partially cultivated, in most common schools* and family circles, is a fact too palpable to need any other argument than that furnished by the multitudes of youthful votaries to fashion, ambition, avarice and sensuality, in all their forms, who, hydra-like, lift their unseemly heads on every side, to sap the founts of virtue,-severing, in their course, all those delicate fibres which nature has entwined about the hearts of mankind, breaking the silver cord of parental existence, and bringing grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. For, are not many of these same youths, they, for whom the mingled prayers and tears of parental solicitude and fondness have been offered before the throne of God, day after day and year after year. And will not the Hearer of prayer answer the petitions of his creatures, when accompanied by a correspondent and systematic use of means? * It is a lamentable fact, that in many common schools, not only the moral culture of the pupils is neglected, but that some of the most dangerous principles that are capable of being exercised in the human breast, are continually appealed to as incitements to industry and application, in the study of those sciences which need only the stimuli of a coincident moral culture to be appreciated and admired. To supply this deficiency in the character of the rising generation, the Sabbath school proffers its benign and efficient aid. Its doors are opened by the hand of philanthropy; and philosophy as well as religion bids the rich and the poor to enlist upon its roll the charge whom God has committed to them. By this we would not be understood to undervalue the labours of those pious parents, who strive to train up their children in the way they should go; not to lessen their responsibility to execute the great duty which they owe to God, to their children, and to the world. But we should be understood to say, that the Sabbath school proves a powerful auxiliary to the efforts of pious parents and guardians; that it is admirably calculated, and indispensably necessary to roll back the tide of unhealthful influences, which the association with children of unsanctified parents during the week brings over the moral qualities; and that, on the whole, the institution is neccssary to secure and preserve a salutary balance in the education of all children, for usefulness in this world, and happiness in the world to come. In the Sabbath school the child is furnished, from week to week, with familiar illustrations of portions of divine truth,-made clear by the in * In cases of extreme destitution of intellectual attainments, the pupils in the Sabbath schools should be instructed in the elementary branches of common education, so far as may be rendered immediately subservient to the main design of the institution; and only so far, as otherwise, opportunity will be offered for instruction, to those who, from mercenary motives, may be denied the privileges of our excellent public school institutions on week-days. teresting expositions of his indefatigable teacher, whose benevolent principles have led him to avail himself of the copious helps provided in the records of profane history, and the more weighty attestations and convincing arguments of Biblical analogy, which a thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures affords. The right of free inquiry upon any position advanced, is strictly inculcated by the teacher, who is ever willing to listen to the suggestions and inquiries of his sweet charge, and to impart all the knowledge he may possess, upon any portion of their exercise' not distinctly understood. And here we would remark, that the zest for wisdom is greatly sharpened and increased by the collision of the intellects and hearts of children of the same age,† but different attainment in knowledge, piety, and virtue. In the Sabbath school too, a peculiarly appropriate library, (which few if any families in the community are to any considerable extent possessed of,) rich in the treasures and beauties of the literature of the world, extends its privileges to all the pupils-furnishing a most economical source of interesting and instructive information *It must be a source of encouragement to all who feel interested in the Sabbath school enterprise, to know that not only the flower of youthful intellect throughout most of the settled parts of the United States is enlisted in its service, but that some of our most aged and venerable citizens, and several distinguished statesmen and representatives in Congress are to be found in the ranks of Sabbath school teachers. Truly, even now, the hearts of "the fathers" are turning "to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers!" This remark is only applicable to those schools which adopt the better course of generally classing together children of the same age, without particular reference to their literary acquisitions. -and, like a moral sun, casts its bland rays through many a lattice where scarcely the Bible has found place, and piercing the crevices of moral destitution, alike in the hearts of the poor and the degraded as well as of the wealthy and the refined, by the genial glow of its unscanned emanations, wins the interest, the affections, the heart, to all that is lovely in the character of the truly virtuous. Again,-in the Sabbath school the Holy Spirit delights to descend in showers of heavenly grace, to raise in power that which has been sown in great weakness-causing the praises of Jehovah to be proclaimed out of the mouth of babes and sucklings! What parent would not desire his offspring to grow up in such a nursery? Yours, &c. THE HOUR OF TRIAL. The saint may be compelled to meet His bosom is alive to feel The keenest pang of woe. Hasting to take away the scar, And hide where it has been.-FRY. Two friends who had foreseen a fiery trial that was to try them, were at length called by the *It is believed, that in a majority of instances where revivals of religion were enjoyed during the year 1831a season of "refreshing" so notable in the annals of Evangelical religion in America-in towns blessed with Sabbath schools, the attention to religion extended to those schools; and it is known, that in very many places the revivals commenced in the Sabbath schools. providence of God to pass through the fire of affliction, and the chill waters of tribulation. They felt the scorching heat of the flames, and shuddered at the overwhelming waves of sorrow; but two things sustained their hearts in this hour of trial:—they were the consciousness that they were walking in the path of duty, and the belief that the God who orders the concerns of His people," does all things well." They sought happiness in communion with God, and asked for grace to enable them to say with the heart, "thy will be done!" Their sorrows thus led them to cherish a spirit of prayer and devotedness to God. There is nothing in the above incident very striking, yet it proves that we should choose rather to suffer affliction than grieve the Spirit of God by knowing his will, but doing it not. It is the duty of a Christian unhesitatingly to obey the voice of God and the dictates of his conscience; for the Saviour has said, "Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Does any worldly interest, any earthly friend, deter from following the Lord fully? Does any fondly cherished earthly hope dim the hope that blooms with immortality? What is the Christian's duty in such circumstances? Undoubtedly to sacrifice all at the foot of the cross, to adopt the language of the poet : "Lord help me to resign Life, health, and comfort, to thy will, And make thy pleasure mine." A person acting thus, will find that God will not leave him in the hour of sorrow, but will be near to succour, comfort, and direct. He will impart balm to the wounded heart; will bring |