noticed, Natural History, Botany, Political economy, tion to this subject. Limited views of education Vocal music, Domestic economy. Bodily exercises taken by statesmen. Voluntary and compulsory -amusements-and excursions. Female education education. -illustrious females-energy of the female mind, and its influence in society. Prevailing misconceptions. Remarks on a hackneyed sentiment of Mr. Pope. Reasons for universal instruction, 100.

CHAPTER VII. ́

Moral and Religious Instruction, 104.

Instruction in the knowledge of the Deity. Mode of illustrating the Divine perfections, exemplified in reference to the Wisdom and Immensity of God. Instruction in the history of the Divine dispensations-characteristics of sacred history-religion to be taught chiefly from the Scriptures-doctrines and precepts of Christianity-propriety of a specific application of Scriptural precepts to the conduct of the young. Moral training particularly exemplified. Manner in which the young should be directed in the study of the Scriptures. Scripture

class-books.

CHAPTER VIII.

Sabbath Schools, 109.

CHAPTER XIL

On the UTILITY of establishing seminaries for universal education, 122.

I. They would tend to the prevention of Crime. Number of thieves in London-trials at the Old Bailey-erroneous views of legislation-inefficiency of severe punishments-juvenile delinquency-deficiency of Education in England and Scotland. Beneficial results of education-Schools, publications, &c. in Boston and New-York. Expense of punishing crime. II. Universal education would elevate the general character of man. Contrast between the majority of mankind, and celestial intelligences. Native dignity of man-security of property dependent on education. III. Universal education introductory to the Millennium. Manner in which this era will be introduced-when it will commence. Exertions preceding the Millennium. Appeal to Christians. Christian generosity and heroism. Story of St. Pierre-Contributions for the tabernacle and temple. The Pilgrims of New England.

CHAPTER XIII.

should be established, 129.

Defects which adhere to the present system of Sabbath Schools. Qualifications of Sabbath School Teachers, and the subjects with which they should Principles on which a National system of Education be acquainted. Necessity of their being trained to their office. Departments of knowledge they should study-Sacred History, Ancient Geography, Biblical Criticism, &c. General remarks on Sabbath Schools-practices to be avoided, &c. Books on this subject.

CHAPTER IX.

Schools for Young persons from the age of fourteen to the age of twenty or upwards, 112.

Necessity of such institutions. Subjects to which this class of young persons should be directed. Prerequisites to their establishment.

CHAPTER X."

On the QUALIFICATIONS of Teachers, and SEMINARIES for their instruction, 113.

Deficiency in the qualifications of Teachers,-honorable nature of the office-necessity of training. Preceptoral Colleges, and the subjects to be studied. Examination of candidates. Importance of training candidates for teachers. Infant School Teachers-Prussian Normal schools.

CHAPTER XI.

On the PRACTICABILITY of establishing seminaries for intellectual education, 116.

Difficulties-Brougham's "Education Bill' of 1821. Liberal views in the establishment of education. Parochial system. Superintendence of

education. Mode of religious instruction. Efficiency of Scriptural instruction. Harmony of sectaries in America. Proposed plan of establishing education.

CHAPTER XIV.

Maxims, or First Principles in Education, 132. Ideas should precede words-tasks-exhilarating associations-principle of emulation-corporeal punishments-confinement--fixing the attention, &c. CHAPTER XV.

Mechanics' Institutions, 134

The author's communications on this subject, in 1814. Condensed view of them. Admission of members. Subjects of discussion, and mode of conducting it. Funds of the Society, and their applications. Publications of the Society. Correspondence with other Societies. Defects in the objects of Mechanics' Institutions, as presently constituted. Suggestions for their improvement.

PART II.

MISCELLANEOUS HINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE DIFFU-
SION OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF
SOCIETY.

Number of schools requisite to be established in Scotland and England-Expense of establishing them. Importance of such institutions, and the necessity for philanthropic exertions. Liberality under the Jewish economy. Enormous sums expended in war. Pension list. Contested elections. Savings which might be made in personal expendi- Introductory remarks, 138. I. Improvements in ture. Sums spent on spirituous liquors. No want Preaching. Comprehensive range of subjects. Saof resources-appeal to Christians. Contributions cred Preachers, Isaiah, Paul, Messiah, &c. Doof the Jews, and predictions in relation to the Chris-mestic education, a topic for preaching. Illustratian Church. Means requisite for exciting atten- tion of Divine subjects by sensible objects. Edu

cation of candidates for the ministry. Subjects for ture, 149. X. Changes requisite in certain laws, public worship, and strictures on certain modes of regulations and customs. Taxes on knowledge-singing, 139. II. Union of the Christian Church, postages,-position of the names of ships-perqui143. III. Scriptures illustrated by engravings sites of waiters, postilions, &c.-Hissing in public strictures on certain Scripture prints, 143. IV. meetings--Defects of our civil and criminal code, Abridgment of the hours of labor necessary to im- 149. XI. Friendly intercourse between nationsprovement-plan suggested, 144. V. Knowledge Excise restrictions-Anecdote of Mr. Davidson, promoted by public exhibitions. Large concave 150. XII. Intellectual and religious improvement mirror. Chinese lights exhibited at Paisley, &c., of Seamen--Number of, in the British service, 151. 145. VI. Erection of Observatories, &c., 145. VII. XIII. Formation of societies for promoting imImprovement of towns and villages. Wretched provements, 151. XIV. Counteraction of Atarice. state of some of our cities-narrow streets-evils Its irrationality and degrading tendency. Recepiof great cities-hints suggested in relation to im-tulation and Conclusion. Prospects of improveprovements in towns and villages. Plan of a small town, with description, 146. VIII. Itinerating Libraries their origin, plan, and effects, 147. IX. Delineations and inscriptions on articles of furni

ments in future ages--Preludes of a more auspicious and enlightened era-Means by which its ap proach may be accelerated, 152.

APPENDIX, 155. Insanity from excessive study.

PAGE

86

Fig. 1. Principle of the phantasmagoria, &c. 87 2. Diagonal eye-piece,...

3. Camera obscura, on a large scale,.. 88

64 Figures connected with physiology:

Two figures representing the new optical machine,.

47

Interior of the crater of Vesuvius,.

55

Vesuvius and Naples,....

Mode of teaching writing,.

Figures illustrating notation,.

Seven figures illustrative of weights and mea

sures,.

62

Nine do. illustrating square measure,.

Figures illustrative of evolution,..

Six do. illustrating fractions,.....

Figure illustrative of the earth's rotundity,...

69

Do. to illustrate the roundness of the earth

3. and 4. Do. of a modern fashionable lady,...

Plate illustrative of geology,.

5. Contents of the Thorax and Abdo

Figure for explaining a parallax,.

Quadrant of the heavens for illustrating do,... 82 Figures illustrative of reasoning,.
Hydrostatical figures:

Concave speculum used as a telescope,.

145

Fig. 1. For showing the level of water,.... 84 Plan of a small town, &c.,..

149

64 Fig. 1. and 2. Outline and skeleton of the Venus de Medicis,.....

92

+

OR THE

PRIVATE MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS

OF THE

RIGHT REV. THOMAS WILSON, D. D.

LORD BISHOP OF SODOR AND MAN.

NEW-YORK:

THOMAS GEORGE, JR. 162 NASSAU STREET.

PREFACE.

THE truly Reverend Doctor THOMAS WILSON, fif- of them, which there is no occasion to adhere to.— ty-eight years Bishop of Sodor and Man, was blessed He may take them up, and lay them down, at his with the spirit of prayer in a very uncommon mea- own discretion and convenience. It is recommendsure of which his Sacra Privata, or Private Me-ed to him to go through them regularly, and to conditations and Prayers, are an eminent instance. tinue the use of them his whole life; selecting such parts for more frequent meditation, as are best adapted to his necessity and disposition.

They have hitherto been locked up from the world in an expensive book; and are mixed throughout with so much meditation and prayer that can come properly from the clergy only, (to whom they are an invaluable treasure,) as to unfit them for general use.

They are now presented to the public in a separate volume: so that pious Christians may, at a reasonable expense, distribute them amongst such people as either will not or cannot buy them; and the petitions peculiar to the clergy only are all thrown

out.

The pious reader will find those Meditations and Pravers too long, according to the present division

As prayer is one of the most important works a man can be engaged in, and few find themselves able to discharge it in the manner they wish to do; it is humbly hoped, that this book, if duly attended to as it deserves, may with God's assistance teach them to pray; may lead our thoughts to meditate on religions subjects; and habituate us to clothe out meditations in the language of decent, pious, and fervent prayer.

That this valuable book may have this effect, is the intention and the earnest prayer of

THE EDITOR.

SACRA PRIVATA.

The oftener we renew our intercourse with God, the greater will be our devotion.

Frequent prayer, as it is an exercise of holy thoughts, is a most natural remedy against the power of sin. Importunity makes no change in God, but it creates in us such dispositions as God thinks fit to reward.

Make it a law to yourself to meditate before you pray; as also to make certain panses, to see whether your heart goes along with your lips.

They whose hearts desire nothing, pray for nothing. Give me, O God, the spirit of true devotion, such as may give life to all my prayers, so that they may find acceptance in thy sight, for Jesus Christ's sake, Amen.