with the soil where he is at last to find his grave.' How indevout such a man is! The invi therefore, has the wise man said, 'that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good.' No; it is fearfully and irretrievably detri-sible things of Him from the mental. It is so personally; for 'the soul is the man.' Miniature of the Creator's infinity, no thought can measure thy grandeur, no limit can be set to thy unfolding! "Tis but to know how much may be known.' How ennobling the distinction which thus places man above the brute; for, while the latter can possess knowledge only in so small a degree that we are wont to deny it altogether, the former can acquire it in unlimited and diversified extent. For any man, therefore, to be destitute in a remarkable degree of that which constitutes the appropriate possession of his species, is degrading to, and must proportionately disqualify him for reaching the end of his existence. How taste · less such a man is! The music of the spheres' plays in vain for him, for he has no ear. Beauty, everywhere in nature, stands out prominently, but he has no eye; as though the choicest paintings of Raphael, Vandyck, or West hung around him, and he never looks at them but with brute unconscious gaze,' insensible alike to their loveliness and their grandeur. You never hear him saying, 'These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty-thine this universal frame So wondrous fair! Thyself how wond rous then!' No; having neither 'eye' nor 'ear,' he is speechless. How indifferent such a man is! Monarchs reign, senates plead, authors write, poets sing, ministers preach in vain for him, for he wakes not up to the slightest degree of interest; like the grazing cattle, intent only on the gratification of the animal, 'grovelling through life on a level creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead.' But, alas! such demonstrations of the Creator's energy and skill are not seen, or if seen, not understood by him who is too inobservant thus 'To look through nature up to nature's God.' And, while heathens worship idols, he worships nothing; going nowhere as to worship, while he is always going somewhere as to destiny; 'without God in the world, alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in him, and because of the blindness of his heart, dead in trespasses and sin.’ Not less detrimental is ignorance relatively. Tender and endearing, beyond husband and wife, parent and compare, are the relations of child. But without knowledge,' how are the duties of these relations discharged? Household affairs, so habit-forming, are they conducted with economy, decorum, cleanliness, decency? Affection, so instinctive, does it rise superior to the brute's attachment to its young? Education, so unutterably important, is there aught worthy the name going on? On the contrary, is not the window-plant or the wood-bine that grows up the front of the house more trained than the children? Alas! alas! if not converted into a source of profit, as soon and as largely as possible, are they not 'Left to droop By timely culture unsustained; or ran Into a wild disorder; or be forced To drudge through a weary life without the help Of intellectual implements and tools-- life of the body, is the giving to them education-intellectual, secular, moral, religious-the life of the mind and heart, that which is adapted to qualify them for the discharge of duty in this world, and to prepare them for the enjoyment of another. Young people, prize knowledge as you prize life, and seek it accordingly. Your mind is good ground; break it up-sow it with good seed, and the crop shall compensate for the expense and toil of culti rough and unsightly as it may now appear-knowledge will fetch out its rich veins; it is a jewel, dim and lustreless through ignorance; but cut and polished by knowledge, it shall flash with immortal intelligence; and through grace, beam as a diamond, studding Emanuel's crown for ever! The mind's the standard of the man.' Nor is ignorance less detrimental socially, morally, religiously. In knowledge social order finds its best security; morality its strongest bulwark; religion its truest reverence. 'In the adoption of the system of education,' said a discerning statesman, 'I forsee an enlightened peasantry, frugal, industrious, sober, orderly, and contented, because they are acquainted with the true value of frugality, sobriety, industry, and order; crimes diminishing, because the enlightened understand-vation; it is a precious stone, ing abhors crime; the practice of christianity prevailing, because the mass of your population can read, comprehend, and feel its divine origin, and the beauty of the doctrines which it inculcates; your kingdom safe from the insult of the enemy, because every man knows the worth of that which he is called upon to defend.' Numerous and conflicting are the statements which wise and good men are now putting forth on this momentous subject; but all believe that ignorance prevails to an enormous and alarming extent. How necessary then it is to diffuse knowledgeall useful knowledge-but especially and pre-eminently Divine knowledge; for this is wisdom, the right appreciation of all knowledge, and, unlike many other species of divine knowledge, can be acquired by every one, the most unlettered not exceptedfor the wayfaring man, though fools, shall not err therein.' 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance, in thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Parents, remember, that next to giving your children bread, the Sabbath school teachers, 'grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You are the true benefactors of your race. Pious, intelligent, affable, punctual, patient, persevering, no tongue can tell the good you may yet be the instruments of effecting in present, and, by consequence, future generations. The sabbath school is quite as likely as the country church yard, to produce •Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed Or wake to ecstasy the living lyre.' Yours is indeed a noble, benevolent, laudable, but momentous enterprise. 'Mighty in the scriptures,'-however, you stand fully equipped. With the book of God in your hand, you never need be at a loss, either for subject or illustration: it is replete with the choicest imagery, the most touching narratives, the most lively histories, the most interesting biographies, the most impressive examples, the most wonderful events: so simple, as to attract the admiration of a child, and so majestic, as to command the applause of an angel, which things the angels desire to look into.' And these are ever at your disposal, waiting to do you service. In it is the creation of man, 'the noblest work of God,' 'fearfully and wonderfully made;' and you may talk about physiology. In it are the heavens, the work of God's fingers, the moon and the stars which he hath ordained,'and you may talk about astronomy. In it are the foundations,' and 'dens and caves of the earth,' with 'all manner of precious stones,' and you may talk about geology. In it 'there is a vein for the silver, and a place for the gold where they find it, iron taken out of the earth, and brass molten out of the stone,'-and you may talk of mineralogy. In it are the green pastures beside the still waters,' the fiocks and the downs, and' the little hills on every side,'-and you may talk about agriculture. In it are the flowers which again appear on the earth,' in both field and garden, in countless number and variety, and you may talk about botany. In it are beasts of the forest,' and 'whatsoever doth creep forth, with every living thing,'-and you may talk about zoology. In it are the 'temple' and the building,' and you may talk of architecture. In it are the two testaments, the laws of God and man,-and you may talk of jurisprudence. In it are the 'armies of Israel,' and the soldiers of the cross,and you may talk even about military tactics. But, if you talk about physiology, it should be of the great mystery of godliness, 'God manifest in the flesh;' if of astronomy, it should be of the sun of righteousness,' 'the bright and morning star,' 'the life of the world,' and the light of life;' if of geology, it should be of the ancient of days,' before all worlds, 'the rock of eternal ages;' if of mineralogy, it should be of the gold tried in the fire,'' the pearl of great price,'' the unsearchable riches;' if of agriculture, it should be of Him who has invested us with a title to, and a meekness for, 'the glory of all lands,' an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; if of botany, it should be of 'the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley;' if of zoology, it should be of the lion of the tribe of Judah,' 'the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world ;' if of architecture, it should be of 'the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord;' if of jurisprudence, it should be of 'the Lord our righteousness,' in whom all the seed of Israel is justified; with whom we are 'joint. heirs,' and who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth;' if of military tactics, certainly it should be of the 'Captain of Salvation,' whose is the christian panoply, beneath the 'banner' of whose 'cross,' we 'fight the good fight of faith,' and through whom we are 'more than conquerors.' 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, wili draw all men unto me.' But, "The whole creation can afford But some faint shadows of my Lord; Nature, to make His beauties known, Must mingle colours not her own,' 'that in all things He might have the pre-eminence; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.' Him first! Him last! Him midst! Him without end! A PRAYER ONCE OFFERED BY A TEACHER.—'O! God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, three persons and one Jehovah, have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner. Grant me the boldness of the lion, the harmlessness of the dove, the gentleness of the lamb, and the wisdom of the serpent. May I possess gravity without austerity, seriousness without levity, cheerfulness without trifling, love without dissimulation, and sincerity without hypocrisy. May I walk in wisdom towards them that are without, and kindness towards them that are within, May I constantly be looking unto Thee for direction and protection, consolation and sanctification, perseverance and courage, victory and triumph. Grant me the meekness of Moses, the devotion of David, the patience of Job, the integrity of Daniel, the intrepidity of the Hebrew youths in the fiery furnace, the labours of Paul, the zeal of Peter, and the love of John. Above all, grant me to be cleansed from all my sins in the blood of Jesus, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and clad in the spotless robe of Immanuel's righteousness, as my only title to eternal bliss. All these things I ask for the alone sake and the alone merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.' NEVER DESpond.· What if Sarah and Jane do seem indifferent and trifling every Sabbath, when you are trying to do them good! True, it is enough to fill a benevolent heart with grief and pain, to see every effort of kindness and affection requited with cold indifference, or the trifler's smile. Rut why be discouraged? Why not rather redouble your faithfulness? Pray more through the week? And next Sunday go from your closet-yes, go in the strength of Him, in whose hands are all hearts, and speak to them as though it were your last time? Perhaps they will be softened. Miss T. had a girl in her class, who had caused her much unhappiness. She was exceedingly gay and volatile. It seemed almost impossible to confine her attention to serious subjects for a moment. Her teacher was sometimes on the point of giving her up in despair; and making no more effort in her behalf. One Sabbath she went to her class, with feelings of discouragement sinking her soul into the dust. She turned and addressed herself to this girl, in tones of unaffected tenderness and anxiety:-'I feel that I have done all that I can do for your soul: I know not what more to do.' Saying this she burst into tears. It was a melting scene. The whole class wept with their teacher; and that gay, thoughtless girl, wher she found that her teacher had become discouraged in doing anything more for her salvation, became greatly distressed for herself. Soon after she embraced the Saviour as her only hope; and found peace in believing. Why, then, should a teacher ever despond! Another-the very next effort-may be blessed beyond your warmest hope. 'Fear not; only believe.' Faith that's tried, most precious is- Far more precious still than gold; HOW TO SHAKE OFF TROUBLE. -Set about doing good to somebody. Put on your hat and go visit your sabbath scholars, inquire into their wants, and minister to them. Seek out the desolate and oppressed, and tell them the consola- " tions of religion. I have often tried this method, and find it the best medicine for a heavy heart. The Library. TO THE EDITOR. As you invite communications, I send you the outline of a plan which I have adopted several years in a school with which I am connected, and which has been found to work well. I think it is simpler and preferable to that mentioned in your January number: Library catalogues are printed (in small type) alphabetically, and one pasted inside the cover of each book. The books are numbered in large figures at the back, as in the catalogue, and uniformly covered with strong canvas. The teachers recommend to the superintendent such of the scholars as they consider deserving to take the books, and each child is then furnished with a 'Library Card,' upon which his name is 1847. CHILDREN'S NAMES, ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY. legibly inscribed, and he writes down from time to time the numbers of such books as he wishes to see as each book has a catalogue in it-reference is easily made without any confusion in the schools. The books are delivered out each alternate sabbath, and a library ticket is given by the teacher to the child who is of good behaviour, repeats his lessons correctly, and attends in time. Two of these tickets are brought with the card to the librarian, who, at a convenient time selects one of the numbers on the card, crosses such number out and puts the card within the book, and at the close of the school or service the books are delivered to the children according to the cards in them. Four or five numbers should always be marked down on the card to select from. A register of the books delivered is kept in the following form, and attached inside the library door. The above form shows when delivered, and when returned in time the number is crossed straight through (thus =), and if diagonally (x), it shows that it was delayed, and if repeated the delivery is suspended. The books are to be returned on entering the school on the second Sunday after delivery, with the child's card therein, and two tickets for another book. These are taken out by the librarian, the number crossed out, and books returned to their places preparatory to a re-issue as above mentioned. Any number standing on the register uncrossed out, shows the book has not been returned. A SUPERINTENDENT OF Chelmsford, OUR opinions of various works on the Editors' Table will be given next month. We beg, however, here to present our best thanks to the lady who has given us the permission to engrave the drawing of Doddridge's tomb, and to say that she has a beautiful lithographic representation of it on sale, by Messrs. Ward & Co. of London, which we admire and recommend. |