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may not only be benefited by direct teaching, while in the school, but also be enabled to reflect, comprehend, and determine, at all times and under all circumstances. Constantly impress upon your scholars the solemn truth, that the possession of reasoning powers involves a serious responsibility; that the ability to hear and read, to compare and judge, renders them accountable, both for their belief and conduct; that the refusal to cultivate their mental faculties is a fearful transgression; and that the undying remembrance of their neglect or abuse of any of the precious gifts with which they are now entrusted, will greatly and eternally aggravate their merited condemnation."

"One solemn thought must close these remarks on mental discipline. If the mind be neglected, or improperly treated in childhood and youth, no power can completely repair the injury; for, though God may change the heart under circumstances which make such a result appear to man almost impossible, yet, have we no right to expect a frequent manifestation of such Almighty power; for, we cannot believe, that, consistently with the plan of universal government, by which God rules the world, he will constantly work miracles to bring back advantages which have been thrown away, or to restore the faculties which have been ignorantly or wantonly destroyed. Think seriously of this, and while, as an experienced instructor, you educate the mental endowments which God has bestowed; while, as a skilful physician, you remove the causes which would destroy the powers that are weak; and while, as a gentle nurse, you support and nourish those which are ready to perish; consider the solemn responsibility of your engagements, and spare no pains so to qualify yourself, that you may discharge your important func.. tions with fidelity, intelligence, and success: you cannot, indeed, produce new faculties in your scholars, but you can, and you ought to effect an improvement in those which they possess, and seek thereby to promote the great object of all Sunday School instruction."

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"It is plain that you have nothing to do with the infliction of corporal punishment in the class; and that it is most desirable that the chastisements which you are constrained to adopt should be as few as possible; but your supremacy in the class must be maintained-and, by punishments too, if they be necessary. Because you are not to strike the scholars, and so to excite their angry feelings; because you are not to pull them here, or push them there, disturbing the calmness of your own mind, while you afford amusement to those scholars who witness the struggle and enjoy the resistance that is made; because you are not to observe and punish every trifling fault that is committed; you are not, therefore, obliged to suffer lawless confusion in the class, or to permit the violation of your positive injunctions." "The cane may be banished: the blows with the Bible! and with the hand or fist, may be discontinued: the pulling of the ears or hair and the pinching, dragging, pushing, and kicking scholars, as means of discipline, may be altogether discarded; and their places supplied by evils less brutal, but alike destructive. This kind of treatment may be followed by an extreme, apparently more humane and dignified; but one that is equally opposed both to reason and Scripture. Has not a mischievous boy been seen standing the whole of a summer's afternoon upon a form, in a confined school-room; holding, it may be, the Word of God at arm's length, during a considerable portion of the time, to increase the severity of the punishment?-Has not a lively girl been seen sobbing her way to the house of prayer, with a large "bad behaviour label" attached to her clothing, to denote her restless conduct on a preceding sabbath? Have not brutalizing punishments been often exchanged for refinements of cruelty too painful for a minute detail?-The cutting sarcasm, and the lengthened appeal to the heart, already overflowing with sorrow, are not uncommon! Trivial or unpremeditated faults have often been magnified by teachers of religion into dreadful crimes; and then followed by the most frightful and unjust denun

ciations of impending wrath. Do not these prove that extremes are possible, and that the caution now presented is not altogether unnecessary."

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"The admission of a fault after punishment, may also be obtained at too costly a sacrifice: the system of publicly begging pardon of the teacher in a kneeling posture, or the attempt to extort it in any posture by bodily pain, when the conviction of a fault is not felt, is so destructive to the feelings of noble-minded children, that both cannot be too strongly or too universally denounced: outward submission may be enforced by means of punishment; but the acknowledgment of guilt should be sought at another time, and by other means: the moment of pain is certainly not the best time to make the demand. A voluntary confession and a desire after forgiveness may in general be obtained, if proper means be perseveringly employed; and the degrading humiliation, or the manifestations of obstinacy, not only thereby prevented, but the gentler and better feelings of the scholars permanently strengthened, even by those very punishments which you inflict."

The work before us may be read with much profit, not only by teachers, but also by superintendents, and by all who have to take a part in the management of Sabbath Schools. It is desirable that every teacher should possess a copy of this work. It ought, at least, to have a place in every Sunday school library; that those teachers who cannot afford its purchase, may derive the advantages it is so well adapted to impart.

SERMONS by the late Rev, EBENEZER TEMPLE, of Rochford, Essex; with a Biographical Sketch of the Author, by his Widow. 8vo. 312 pp. JouN SNOW.

WHEN We see men of God-ministers of Christ, who were labouring with acceptance and usefulness in the word and doctrine, taken away by the hand of death, in the flower of life, and thus leaving their dear relatives, and the churches of Christ to lament the bereavement they have thus sustained, we see an impressive illustration of the words of the Psalmist, as applied to Jehovah-" Clouds and darkness are round about him," yet we rejoice to be able to add,—“ righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne."

We have read the memoir of Mr. Temple with affecting interest and mournful pleasure. He appears to have been a man of God, devoted to His service, and the service of His church. The sermons are practical, instructive, and excellent. We might find a few faults in the work if disposed to criticise minutely-but these are only as spots in the sun. The volume is a valuable memorial of departed excellence, worthy the patronage of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR, and Family Almanac, for 1843. Published for the Congregational Union, by JACKSON AND WALFORD.

We are surprised to find that the sale of this excellent publication has not hitherto been sufficiently extensive to defray the expense of its publication. We are satisfied that this has not arisen from any want of excellence in the work, but must have arisen either from its not being sufficiently known, or from the apathy of those for whose use it is specially intended.

It contains a mass of valuable information, relating not merely to the usual contents of an Almanac, but also concerning civil and ecclesiastical affairs. Statistical accounts are given of most of the religious communities of this country and foreign lands. It also contains interesting sketches snd descriptive particulars of several chapels of recent erection. The information it contains is both interesting and important, and must be especially so to all dissenters. We most cordially recommend this work.

truth. Carry about with you an abiding sense of your constant need of Divine influences, without which all your labours and efforts will be as water spilt on the sand. Plutarch, a sensible heathen, when speaking of Pericles, the illustrious Athenian, says, "Such was his solicitude about his public orations, that before he addressed the people, he always offered up a prayer to the Gods, that nothing might escape him unawares, unsuitable to the subject on which he was to speak.' "Go from your knees to the chapel" (says Dr. A. Clarke). Get a renewal of your commission every time you go to preach, in a renewed sense of the favour of God. Carry your authority to declare the Gospel of Christ, not in your hand, but in your heart. Never enter into a congregation of the undying spirits of men, (beings born and designed for an happy immortality, yet in danger of perishing for ever), but in the spirit of prayer. If wound up into that spirit in your closet, then in your prayers and in your preaching, you will appear what you should be, a man familiar with God; and men will see and feel that you have been with Jesus; and the unction of the Holy Ones will rest upon you and on your doctrine. May you know the success of conversions, and no other applause than the tears of the many. Much reading and thinking may make a popular preacher; but much secret prayer makes a powerful one. If you converse much with God on the mount, as Moses did, and the old Puritans did, your hearers will see a Gospel lustre on your countenance, and stand in awe of you; and what is better still, you will, (like Moses) not be sensible of that lustre, whilst others will see and reverence it, and the holy unction from above, that will drop from your lips. Much secret prayer will solemnize and cheer your heart. May your confidence and self-possession on the sacred platform ever be strong in the Lord; and may your congregations be in all places, constantly increasing in numbers, and the power of the Lord be present to wound and to heal, to quicken and to comfort, and to build up in the holy faith! I would add, the growth of souls will greatly depend on your personal conduct; for a congregation quickly drinks in the spirit of the preacher. Thus, if your preaching is savoury, your visits will be savoury and acceptable. The old Puritans visited their flocks by house-row;" the visits were short,-they talked a little for God-and then concluded with prayer to Him, and took leave; an excellent rule, which prevented tittle-tattle, and made their visits profitable to the people.

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Offer up therefore the desires of your heart to the throne of the heavenly grace, through a constant exercise of faith in Christ, for what you need, (and so far as is agreeable to His will,) commixed with confession of sin and thanksgiving for mercies. This may be accomplished continuously, either mentally or vocally; in public, socially, or in private. Heb. x. 12. Eph. vi. 18. John xiv. 14. Matt. xxvi. 39. James i. 6.

To enjoy self-possession in preaching, be ever anxious to obtain, and watchful to secure, purity of conscience-a conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards man. If a preacher's conscience is not his friend, he must be the slave of inward confusion and shame. Endeavour therefore, not only to secure the affection but the reverence of those who hear you. This can only be done by prudent and steady conduct, and by the exercise of solid and strong sense, both in the pulpit and in conversation. Beware that the people have not reason to think you a weak, though a well-meaning man. Towards persons of piety, whether rich or poor, manifest a great regard. Talk and pray as often as you can with such, and you will find your spirit unchained when again in their presence in the house of God, in the sanctuary of the Lord. Always bear in mind, that when a minister is despised--his usefulness is at an end without prudence and seriousness, no pulpit talents can sustain him. Never be ashamed of your religion out of the pulpit. Never jest,* nor seem to hear a wicked jest when you cannot, or have not an opportunity to reprove." Nor foolish talking, nor jesting-let it not be once named among you," says the Holy Ghost. Read Eph. iv. 29. v. 4. Some young persons at an early period contract a habit of laughing at any and every thing such I have known in the ministry; and who at length laughed away whatever measure of the fear of God they in reality had. Others again, have cultivated the unhappy insufferable habitude of petulance of disposition, * Vide page 438 Association Magazine, 1842:-"In laughter there is folly."

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accompanied by a constant propensity to turn the joke on every person and thing, and on all the most trifling occasions, as to thereby destroy the gifts of God within them; and thus have become dead weights, instead of blessings to the Churches of Christ. If such had cast aside these weights and easily besetting sins, their consistent piety and profitable converse, both in and out of the pulpit (being seasoned with salt), would not only have administered grace to their hearers, but would also have kept open an important passage to the hearts and affections of the people, and thereby promoted the salvation of the many.

The topics on which I have bestowed these and former remarks have been suggested by evils which have been within the compass of my own observation, and which I have known to have been sadly obstructive to the reception of some ministers, who in all other respects would have been giants in their day, but for these awful drawbacks: non-usefulness and splendid gifts, have been too often seen in unhappy combination! Christian cheerfulness is the very opposite of the character and temper of that on which I have just been animadverting it is the opposite of gloominess and frivolity. The truth is, as one remarks, "nothing will so keep up a habit of cheerfulness, as true religion; which has been for many ages falsely accused of having a tendency to produce gloominess; the contrary is the fact."

"Let all the saints be wise and glad,

They should be solemn, but not sad."

Deut. xxv. 11. xxvii. 7. Prov. iii. 17. 2 Cor. vi. 10.

As to the carriage of your person, both in and out of the pulpit-be particu. larly careful of forming habits obstructive to your acceptability and usefulness. God made man upright both in "mind and mien;" do not therefore get a stooping, nor a bending, nor a see-saw, rocking-horse, habit nothing has so poor a look: as your speech, so let your habits be natural and graceful. Avoid all these obstructions to self-possession, the contraction of any peculiar gesticulations of the body (in the pulpit, or out of it), especially the movements of the muscles of the face. "It is rare," said that prince of British Orators, Lord Chatham; "It is rare to see in any one a graceful laughter; it is generally better to smile than laugh, especially to contract a habit of laughing at any thing or nothing: the trick of laughing frivolously is by all means to be avoided. I hope you will think of this. Always take advice or reproof as a favour. It is the surest mark of love, said Mr. Wesley. "I advised you (says he to one of his preachers in America) once, and you took it as an affront: nevertheless, I will do it once more." "Scream no more at the peril of your soul. Speak as earnestly as you can; but do not scream. but with a moderate voice. It was said of our The word properly means he shall not scream."

God now warns you by me.
Speak with all your heart;
Lord,
"He shall not cry.'

"Herein be a follower of me, as I am of Christ. I often speak loud; often vehemently; but I never scream; I never strain myself; I dare not: I know it would be a sin against God and my own soul. Perhaps one reason why that good man Thomas Walsh, yea, and John Manners too, were in such grievous darkness before they died, was, because they shortened their own lives."

Your pleasure and self-possession in dispensing the word of life is, you perceive, considerably dependent on your freedom from a variety of embarrassments. Be careful above all men, to guide your personal affairs with discretion, so as to divest yourself of all anxious earthly care, guarding against all irregularity and disorder in your pecuniary and other personal affairs. Be careful to keep out of debt-it racks the mind, and tends to unhinge it in the midst of important duties; and moreover lays the ministerial character open to the animadversions of the uncharitable.

Cultivate the habit of punctuality in all your movements, and especially as it regards the pulpit, and the families into which the providence of God may call you as an itinerant minister. Remembering the saying of an aged and a very useful man of God, "A Methodist Preacher is expected by the congre

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gation, be the weather what it may." In the ministry of the Gospel, to experience its comforts, and honour its doctrines, and its discipline, we must possess and evidence the spirit and temper of it. Some alas! as we have witnessed during the late unhappy agitations in the Old Body, in too many instances preached themselves into bad tempers, and degrading passions; and by the indulgence of angry personalities, and party asperity, they involved themselves and the Churches of Christ in tempests, leaving no pleasure for themselves for calm reflection, down to the present moment. Such conduct is very unbecoming ministers of Christ.

If (as

THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN. Or what unspeakable importance is early religious instruction! is sometimes said), the minds of children resemble a sheet of white paper, the utmost care and circumspection would be necessary to imprint virtuous sentiments; but as all children have an inherent bias to evil, and averseness from that which is good, no ordinary diligence is requisite to prevent their souls from being polluted by bad principles, and to implant in their tender minds the seeds of piety.

Whatever advantages are connected with religious instruction, they are immeasurably increased when it is imparted in early youth, before the attention is occupied with other pursuits, or diverted to other objects; while principles are yet unformed, and the mind is early impressed. The susceptibility of young minds to whatever impressions it may be wished to convey to them, renders early religious instruction of vast importance. If it be true, as in some measure it is, that 'as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined,' it is of unspeakable importance to give a right direction to the infant mind at the earliest period.

Careful instruction of his children in divine truth is invariably characteristic of a good man. The LORD said of Abraham, who was dignified with the honourable apellation of the friend of God," I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him," (Gen. xviii. 19). Moses, by the command of God, repeatedly enforced on the Israelites the imperative duty of teaching their children the statutes and judgments which he had set before them. They were commanded to teach them diligently unto their children; to talk of them when they sat in the house, and when they walked by the way; when they lay down, and when they rose up. (Deut. vi. 7; xi. 19). And it was the noble resolve of Joshua,"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," (Josh. xxiv. 15.) In the seventy-eighth Psalm, the duty and importance of imbuing the minds of children with religious truth, is largely set forth. (See Psalm 1xxviii. 1-8). "Tell ye your children of it (says the prophet Joel), and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation," (Joel i. 3.) And the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, says, "Ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. vi. 4.)

When the birth of Samson was predicted by an angel, Manoah, Samson's father, intreated the LORD that the man of God might return again, and teach them how they should rightly train up the child that should be born, Judges xiii. 8): thus affording a salutary example to Christian parents to make the right bringing up of their children matter of fervent and constant prayer to HIM whose gifts children are, and who requires that they should be

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