mended distinct services for children, being, from very long observation, quite sure that, with few exceptions, children did not profit at all from the ordinary services. It was time, as had been stated, that there were many senior classes; but were they not generally taught in the same room as the younger children? This, as they advanced towards adolescence, they disdained, and took themselves off. Let them be able to call themselves members of a Bibleclass, and they would remain. He quite agreed that there should be a separate room for infants, and also for senior Bible-classes; but it did not occur to him that separation should be carried further. It was unnecessary, would involve difficulties, and would not ordinarily be practicable to separate the Bible-reading children from the rest. He earnestly advised the visitation of the children at their own houses by their teachers. It would give them amazing influence if done regularly. Its effect would be beneficial on all concerned-children, parents, others, and on the teachers themselves; while many ministers were very exemplary, yet, if they would visit their schools, walk round, and bestow a shake of the hand, or a smile on each of the teachers, it would have a very useful effect, encouraging the teachers, and keeping them steady at their posts. The more affluent members of our Churches, now too conceited to enter them, would be shamed by the minister's example. He urged attention to the subject by the consideration of the great activity of Churchmen in their schools, both clergy and laity, and especially the Puseyites. The competition was intense, and we must neglect no possible means of securing our own standing; nay, we ought not to secure it except by the efficient character of the instruction given. In conclusion, he quite concurred in the importance of schools being clean, warm, and commodious. (Mr. Baines resumed his seat amid generel cheers.)

purpose. He had half-a-dozen persons who addressed the children in rotation like the Methodist local preachers. He took exception to the epithets applied by Mr. Martin to the writings of such men as Theodore Parker, Carlyle, and others.

He hoped Parker would be answered in the British Quarterly Review. Such men were not to be sneered down, but must be fairly met and answered. (Hear.)

Mr. MARTIN adhered to what he had said, and gave his reasons.

Alderman CRIPPS (of Nottingham,) begged to warn the assembly against adopting any conclusions calculated to discourage young persons of undoubted piety, though not perhaps always joined to the Church, from acting as teachers in Sunday-schools. He had yet to learn that an open profession before the Church was necessary in order to the possession of true religion. (Hear, hear.)

The Rev. Dr. LEGGE deprecated the laying down of any strict régime on the subject in debate.

The SECRETARY then read a motion, to the effect that a sub committee, therein named, be appointed to consider whether any proposition could be made on the subject, and to report thereupon; and, also, to consider and report upon the question of printing the papers that had been read, which was carried unanimously.

Ultimately the following proceedings took place. Tne Report of the Committee appointed in reference to Sunday-schools, was called for. It was presented by the Rev. Mr. DAVIDS, of Colchester. It consisted of a series of resolutions, thanking the Rev. Messrs. Martin and Poore for their papers, and requesting the writers to prepare them for publication in the Christian Witness; avowing a strong sense of the value and importance of Sunday-schools; hailing with satisfaction the prevailing desire for their further improvement; expressing an earnest hope that pastors and churches would evince towards superintendents and teachers The Rev. JOHN LOCKWOOD, of Tavis-growing sympathy, countenance, and tock, stated that he had tried separate co-operation; and referring it to the services with success. Perhaps a room Committee of the Union, guided by the would in general be sufficient for the papers above-mentioned, to make in

quiry into the results of experience as to existing methods of conducting Sunday-schools, or existing appliances for that purpose; and to report to the Annual Assembly in May next, with such suggestions as might guide the

brethren in their future resolutions on the subject. These resolutions were read severally by the CHAIRMAN, and, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. MAY, seconded by the Rev. JOHN LOCKwOOD, were unanimously adopted.

Wycliffe Chapel Sunday-schools, London.

ONE of the earliest Sunday-schools children-424 girls, and 286 boys. For formed in the east of London, was that meeting in the rooms of the New-road Meeting-house, then under the care of the Rev. J. Bryson, and afterwards, in 1818, of the Rev. Andrew Reed. Of its early history we shall only say, that the records of the Sunday-school Union furnish ample proof of its vigorous and efficient conduct, and the influence for good it had in the neighbourhood. Among other records, we find the following:

"Mr. Lloyd reported that last night a meeting was held at the Rev. Mr. Reed's Chapel, New-road, for the formation of the East London Auxiliary Sunday-school Union."

Soon

The names of its earlier superintendents show that it has ever been under wise and prudent management. Those who best know their labours will not fail to appreciate them; and at the present time there are ample testimonies to the most efficient services of Samuel Plumbe, John Smither, (now one of the esteemed Secretaries of the East London Auxiliary,) Charles Reed, and William Saville, all men of earnest and enlightened minds. after the opening of the Wycliffe Chapel, the first stone of the spacious school-rooms represented in the Engraving, was laid by Dr. Lushington, M.P.; and ever since the opening of the Institution, January 13, 1834, both the day and Sabbath-schools have been large and increasingly useful, the girls' day-school having been frequently noticed in the Government reports as a model of its class. From a recent report of the Sunday-schools the following very interesting summary is ex

tracted:

In connexion with this school, we have on the books upwards of 700

the instruction of these, there are 25 male and 30 female teachers, (some of whom were formerly scholars ;)-making a total of 55; 54 of whom are members of the church. This school was one of the first in the metropolis where the Infant Class system was adopted; and there is no body of teachers in the kingdom who owe more to its introduction. Its value and efficiency will be seen in the following fact-The school as a whole is divided into two parts,-the Bible classes, 53 in number, with 429 children; and the infant classes, comprising 281 infants from 2 to 8 years of age. These little ones are instructed in separate rooms, under the entire management of two teachers. Their course of instruction is very simple,-the teacher's Scripture lessons taking the place of primers and class-books, while the children learn to read with no other help than the box of moveable letters.

The advantages of this system are incalculable. That it must be interesting to the children is evident from their ready attendance at so early an age. That to the teachers it is a selfrewarding toil, is proved by their arduous, regular, and persevering discharge of duty. That the main school is benefited, is fully demonstrated by the fact, that for the most part the children have passed through this elementary course; and that they come from the Infant Class with two or three years' training of temper, mind, and heart, intelligently to receive instruction in the upper classes of the school, is indeed an inestimable advantage. The very statement that, with the exception of four boys recently admitted, every child in the main school can read the Bible, speaks volumes in favour of the

Infant system. There are three select meets weekly for the practice of sacred classes conducted out of the school, music, under the superintendence of numbering about 86 young persons. one of the teachers. Many of the elder On the Sunday morning, separate ser- scholars attend the writing and other vices are held for the younger children, classes in connection with the Adult (about 280 in number,) in which they Instruction Institution. A monthly are much interested. Once a quarter meeting of teachers for prayer is held i the children have their missionary on the evening of the second Sabbath. afternoon, when the ordinary routine A plan of visitation of the absent of instruction is set aside, some particu- scholars, during their absence on the lar field of labour, foreign, home, or Sabbath, has partially failed, owing to colonial, is fixed upon, and missionaries the want of parties who will be willing and others are invited to deliver ad- to devote one hour to so useful a dresses on the manners, customs, and service. religious wants of the people. These are very attractive and profitable services, and together with much reading on such subjects, tend to keep alive an intelligent interest in the proceedings of our various societies. During the year the children have contributed upwards of 201. to Missionary purposes. A Pence Bank, recently set on foot, affords encouragement to habits of providence and care, and is well supported by the elder scholars. The scholars' library contains upwards of 400 books, and that of the teachers, 200.

A large and well-conducted class

"I WANT A REAL Weatherbeaten Tar, walking on the wharf at B--, met a friend of the Bethel cause, and said with much earnestness of manner, "I want a Bible. Do you think I could get one at the Bethel Library-room?" "Well, I don't know," the friend replied; "there are other good books, but I believe just at this time the Bibles are all gone: come in with me and see." He came in, and said to me, " Sir, I have come to see if I could get a Bible." "I am very sorry," I replied, "that there is not a single Bible on the shelves. We are just out, but shall have another supply soon. There are other good books in great variety; come and look at them." He shook his head and said, "I want a Bible.' You perceive I am an old countryman. My father was a preacher. The last thing

We feel sure that these facts will greatly interest our readers. The prosperity of the school is the prosperity of the church also; and in this case we are reminded of the results as recorded by Dr. Reed, in his "History of the Revival of Religion in Wycliffe Chapel." The school was no less the scene of this remarkable movement than the congregation; and it has yielded to the cause of missions, also, men of the highest piety and intelligence. We trust the good work may go on, and abundantly prosper.

A BIBLE."

A TEACHER.

he did when I came away, was to take down the Bible and read to me, very feelingly, the parable of the prodigal son. I have often forgotten his admonitions. But now I have just escaped with my life. The vessel on board of which I sailed capsized, and three of the men were drowned. I clung to the wreck forty-eight hours, and was taken off almost at the point of complete exhaustion. While hanging there I thought of my father's last instruc tions; the parable came up fresh to my mind; I want to read it from the Bible." The friend who met him on the wharf flew out to obtain one for him, that he might have this life-boat for the poor sailor. I prayed with him. While on his knees, he said distinctly, and with a feeling heart, "Father, I have sinned."

YOU WERE MY TEACHER ONCE.

THE following incident occurring you both words and blessings for

a few days since, gave rise to a few serious reflections. As I was wiKing along the street to my employ ment, I met a merry-looking boy about eight years old; he came up to me, and addressed me with, Sr, "Will you please to knock at this door for me?" I complied with the request; he looked at me, and in the act of thanking me, he recognised me and said with pleasant surprise, "Sir! you were my teacher once."

your class, that they may be made Wise DO Salvation. Sabbath teachers, be punctual in attendance, for often a child who has been reasoning upon a truth, comes with a question to be asked, and if Teacher" is not there, that question may never be answered, which might have elucidated a point in that child's mind of importance for all eternity: Sabbath-school teacher be careful of your demeanour, let it be serious and affectionate, and that after the business of the class is over, do not trifle, for the children are quick observers, both eye and ear are ready to see that you have

I called to remembrance the lad, and well recollect that when I gathered my little class around me on the Sabbath, young Dwas certain to be there with eager readi-one expression for them and anoness; his lessons were said, and then with respectful attention was ready to listen to the instructions I gave him. The expression, “You were my teacher once," made me thoughtful of what great importance is the kind of instruction given by a Sabbath-school teacher. The Sabbath-school teacher should reflect upon the solemnity of his office, the deep responsibility of his words, and all that he teaches; his is the first impression on the young heart, and what "Teacher" said is never wholly effaced.

It was often my privilege to set before this little class the preciousness of the love and sacrifice of the dear Redeemer; and, with a heart warmed with my subject, have gained their attention and curiosity, and many questions were asked and answered. Sabbath-school teachers be more alive to the immense importance of your office, the training of young immortals for the skies; be much in prayer for your class; be often at the throne of mercy for yourselves, that you may be taught of the Spirit, and that he would give

ther for your associates; remember you teach by example as much as by words. Let it not be said when we all meet at the bar of God, by the children of our charges, I saw you trifle and jest with the other teachers, and although you taught us to be serious, you were not so yourselves, we saw you were not in earnest, and so we thought no more about it.

There is one class I would address a few words of exhortation to; you were once a "Teacher," but where are you now? If you will find peace and prosperity of soul, return again to "your labour of love!" Another class have left, because they feel they are teaching what they know not themselves. If such be the case, I beseech you go to that dear Saviour, and plead your cause before him; he is ever ready to hear and to forgive; his "blood cleanseth from all sin." Join our happy band again, and tell what great things the Lord hath done for you.

THOMAS C