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among them. In July, a new church was organized. The school thus received a new impulse. Teachers consecrated themselves to the work,-were always in their places at the hour, met weekly for prayer and study of the lesson,—visited and distributed tracts in every family monthly.

The house was soon too small, and was enlarged,—the school increased until it was again too small. A new library was purchased, comprising five hundred volumes. Five Bible classes of young gentlemen and young ladies, were formed, and a library of four hundred volumes, purchased for their use and that of the congregation. A weekly penny collection for foreign missions, was adopted, and two hundred "Day-Springs" taken.

On the first Sabbath of January, 1846, the Sabbath school and church took possession of a new and spacious edifice, most centrally and delightfully situated, and, notwithstanding one or two other schools have sprung up around us, we now have in attendance about three hundred and fifty scholars, and forty teachers. The teachers are seldom out of their places, some have been absent but once in four years. Last Sabbath there were four hundred and fifty teachers and children assembled in one room under one superintendent,― E. M. Gregory, Esq. There are now six Bible classes, of between ninety and one hundred scholars, from fifteen to

twenty years of age.

The children are now contributing about three dollars every Sabbath, for the establishment of Sabbath schools in foreign lands. The superintendent thinks that the amount for this year will be nearly or quite two hundred dollars.

This school is comprised of children from all classes of society, from among the Jews, Catholics, Universalists, Infidels and Nothingarians. Our singing is superior to any thing I ever heard in a Sabbath school. The school opens promptly; and, although we have neither town clock nor bell, I have seen the school, with the exception of not more than

twelve, all in their places. I have a Bible class of twentyfive young men in the school, and another of adults, larger, at the close of the school,-mostly teachers from the school. Three of the Sabbath school children united with the church last communion season. A number of the scholars are learning the Bible in course, others the New Testament. A few have learned from one hundred to one hundred and fifty verses a week.

I have, in addition to the Sabbath school, a catechetical class of baptized children on Saturday afternoon. It numbers thirty-five to forty. We are learning the Assembly's Shorter Catechism with the references, and it promises much good. The Sabbath school concert is observed with great interest. Nearly the whole school have signed the temperance pledge.

I wish we had more of your books and periodicals among us. They are slowly increasing. I feel a deep interest in their circulation. The Lord be with and bless you abundantly. Yours, truly,

Cincinnati, March 25th, 1846.

JAMES C. WHITE.

SCRIPTURE READING. REV. JOSEPH EMERSON.

THE life of the Rev. Joseph Emerson, pastor of the Third Congregational Church in Beverly, Mass, and subsequently principal of a Female Seminary, is a book peculiarly calculated to encourage the reading and study of the word of God. It is specially adapted to promote the practice of reading it aloud to ourselves and others, and to read it habitually and abundantly. In a letter to Dr. Woods, of Andover, written near the close of his life he says, "And now, my beloved and most respected brother, shall I presume to suggest a few words, that may possibly conduce to render your labors more efficacious. May I be allowed to suggest my own experience. My ardor, which some may consider excessive, is not so much the result of constitution, as of cul

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ture and circumstances, especially of recent culture. I have lately been astonished to find, that under my gray hairs, and my still more depressing infirmities, I can glow upon the most important subjects, as suddenly and as intensely as at twenty, and much more so. The intense study of poetry, especially the poetry of the Bible, often reading it to others so as to give it the greatest effect, has been perhaps among the most efficacious means. Other means may be more efficacious to you. I need not tell you, that it is a time of great darings, great doings, and glorious results, and that we have reason to expect, that these results will be more and more glorious, till the earth is filled with glory."

In one particular, great progress has been made in New England since Mr. Emerson's day, I mean in rhetoric. The style of speaking and reading has greatly improved.

Parents, teachers, ministers even, mark the words quoted, "my ardor is not so much the result of constitution, as of culture and circumstances, especially of recent culture." Recent culture! Culture under gray hairs! Culture under depressing infirmities! Even then if you are gray-headed,— if you are infirm, if you are naturally frigid, read the word of God aloud. Practise this. Often read it to others so as to give it the greatest effect. Select some most appropriate passages, and read them over and over, until you enter into the depth of meaning of every word, even the least. Your heart may thus glow more, as Joseph Emerson's heart glowed. Should the respected author of this life, the Rev. Ralph Emerson, Professor at Andover, abridge this book for Sabbath school libraries, with this special object in view, viz., to promote the more faithful reading and study of the Bible, and particularly the rhetorical reading of it, a very valuable service might be performed for the public. By the rhetorical reading of the poetry of the Bible, I mean such a reading of it as will give it "the greatest possible effect." Such a reading, as, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, will give it divine power and life.

F.

PARENTAL INFLUENCE.

FEW parents consider how much responsibility rests upon them in connection with the Sabbath school. Most appear to think that when they have placed their children in a class, their work is over, and the teacher will attend to the rest. Yet such a course in reality destroys all reason for hoping that their children will be much benefited. If they themselves are not interested in the school, and anxious that their children should be, but little good can be effected.

We would, therefore, urge upon parents a more faithful discharge of their duty in three respects.

1. They should see that the lessons are studied at home. Unless this is done, the best efforts of the teacher will be of little value, and the words of instruction will be soon forgotten: besides this, the scholar will often be ashamed of his ignorance, and thus deriving only pain from the exercise, it will become to him an unwelcome task.

But if, on the contrary, he can go to the school with the happy consciousness of duty well performed, how will he rejoice in the encouraging smile of his teacher, and with how much delight will he listen to the full explanation of the lesson.

Let those who are weary of the Sabbath school, try the experiment.

2. Parents should strive to secure the regular attendance of their children. By the neglect of this, the attachment of many a boy or girl to the Sabbath school has been destroyed. Attendance to the school should be considered as important as attendance on divine service. The teacher may not be as interesting as others, but is that a sufficient excuse for absence? Are the scholars to be amused or to be instructed? A pleasing teacher is desirable; but if the truth is explained and enforced, the great object is accomplished, and the words

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of truth, spoken, perhaps in a plain way, will be, in after years, as precious and fruitful seed.

3. Parents should review the lesson with their children, on their return from the Sabbath school.

This will show that they do not regard the exercise merely as a convenient way of passing an hour of the Sabbath, but as a valuable opportunity of gaining knowledge; it will also afford occasion for parental advice and instruction, which the lessons of the Sabbath school should never supersede; and will most firmly impress religious truth upon the mind. How delightful and profitable is a Sabbath evening, spent in familiar conversation concerning the lessons and sermons of the day. With what pleasure must God look down upon such a family circle.

In one word, parents should do all in their power to interest their children in the school, and to second the exertions of the teacher; and then will these youth, being rooted and grounded in the faith, grow up like trees planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit to the glory of God.

How few parents understand their power for good or ill over the future destinies of their children. Let a child be dedicated to God in baptism; morning and evening let prayers ascend in its behalf, let holy influence surround it at home, and every thing possible be done to store its mind with divine truth and as surely as the Lord is a covenant-keeping God, will his blessed Spirit descend and regenerate that child.

M.

I have the happiness,- says a superintendent in Norfolk county, to state that our Sabbath school was more interesting last season than seasons previous; and I believe it was on account of an awakening of the church to the subject in the spring, and in answer to their supplications in its behalf.

VOL III.

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