and most important part of the remedy is, (what we approach with some little diffidence, wishing that some abler pen had undertaken the task,) the sermon.

If the minister would address a few words to the children, either at the beginning of the sermon, before proceeding to deeper and weightier subjects (or if the subject be deep and grave, they could be addressed either in the course, or at the close of the sermon,) words especially addressed and suited "to the children,"-simple, suitable, and unobjectionable, would so easy a remedy be. Then the Sunday school and the Church's teaching would be harmoniously blended together. Then the truths taught at school in the morning, reiterated at Church by the minister, questioned upon by the Sunday school teacher in the afternoon, and perhaps forming part of the conversation of the family circle at evening, would indeed be a beautiful illustration of the words, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;

line; here a

line upon line, line upon little, and there a little." Is. xxviii. 10.

Surely, none would object to so beneficial an alteration in our services; for the benefits "the children's portion," would bestow upon those who are not children, would be incalculable. The aged-the weary-the humble and illiterate, could understand "the children's portion;" even if they could not understand the rest of the sermon.

Then again, how sweetly would it remind many of the days when they also were children, when their parents used to teach them how to pray.

And so we might go on, pointing out the many advantages of this proposed plan. But we think enough has been said to prove that, whatever remedies may be proposed, none are so simple— none are so free from objections-none are so likely to be beneficial everywhere, and in every way, as this; which, permit us to call THE REMEDY.

L. H. S.

lessons; this proposal was thankfully accepted, and on Tuesday evening, the 11th of March, the introductory lesson was given at St. Bride's school room, to a class formed from several of the schools in connection with the Institute.

The attendance of Members shewed that the subject was one in which great interest was felt; the close and earnest attention of the audience is the best proof of the success which attended the experiment, and of the ability with which it was conducted, we fervently hope that much good may result from it. The lesson as taken down by a shorthand writer, appears in this Number of the Quarterly. The second will be given on the 25th of March.

The thanks of the Committee are due to the Rev. C. Marshall, Vicar of St. Bride's, and the Committee of the schools, for the grant of their room for the purpose of these lessons.

A TRAINING CLASS

has been held at Islington, in the school room of Trinity Church, Cloudesley Square. It was under the superintendence of Mr. J. G. Fleet, and met on the evenings of January the 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 27th; the attendance of teachers was satisfactory.

The two last evenings were devoted to a practical illustration of the views set forth in the two previous addresses; two Lessons on Matt. iv. having been given to a class of scholars.

The Rev. Mr. Vincent, the Incumbent, at the close of the course thanked Mr. Fleet, on behalf of the teachers, for the instruction he had afforded them; and a hope was expressed that at some future time the course would be repeated.

THE SUPERINTENDENTS' MEETING

took place on Wednesday evening, the 17th of March.

Mr. Hartnell, after prayer, briefly opened the Question appointed for discussion, viz.,-"The best way of training young men to the office of Sunday school teacher."

The conversation was practical, and in the course of it, much interesting information was given.

The general opinion was in favour of Sunday Bible classes (or schools) for the children of the middle classes; and classes of teachers, or elder scholars, under the direction of the superintendant, which should have the two-fold object of a study of a lesson, and of the manner of giving it.

The meeting closed with prayer.

THE CONVERSATIONAL MEETING

was postponed in consequence of the course of lessons now delivering on Christian Evidences.

DEPUTATION.

The Committee of the York Church of England Sunday Schools, having invited Mr. Fleet to visit that city, and address their teachers, that gentleman kindly undertook to do so, and accordingly attended a general special meeting of the teachers, which was held in the large room over the Saving's Bank, on Monday evening, the 29th of December last.

The following brief report has been furnished by a friend at York.

"Notwithstanding the short notice given of the meeting, it was attended by fully two-thirds of the whole number of teachers.

The Rev. J. Crofts, Rector of St. Saviour's, presided; and after opening the meeting with singing and prayer, he briefly introduced John George Fleet, Esq., the honorary Corresponding Secretary of the Church of England Sunday School Institute.

Mr. FLEET, after a few preliminary remarks, proceeded to address the

meeting on "The defects observable in Sunday School teaching.”

The address occupied nearly an hour in delivery, and evinced much thought, close observation, and practical acquaintance with the subject: it was listened to throughout with the greatest attention.

At its close two or three teachers made remarks and enquiries as to the best mode of remedying some of the defects pointed out, which were replied to by Mr. Fleet; after which H. Watson, Esq., one of the Superintendents, requested Mr. Fleet to favour the teachers with some information respecting the Sunday School Institute, and Mr. Fleet gave a slight sketch of its objects and operations.

Mr. WATSON then moved, and Mr. Fowler, the Treasurer of the schools, seconded a vote of thanks to Mr. Fleet for his kindness in visiting their city, and for his able and interesting lecture, which was unanimously adopted.

The CHAIRMAN, after a few remarks on the importance of prayer in connexion with Sunday school teaching, closed the meeting by pronouncing the benediction."

The foregoing are the new subscriptions and donations received during the past quarter. While thankfully acknowledging them, we must remind our friends that the amount is inadequate to the wants of the Committee. If the claims of the Institute were fairly brought before persons able to give, but to whom its existence is unknown, we feel convinced that a very liberal response would be made to appeals for assistance. We would earnappeal is on behalf of the "rising geneestly urge this upon our friends; the

ration," a hacknied term, but one full of serious meaning. Let the question be put, "How do Sunday schools affect the young?" and we can hardly think it within probability that any true Christian could refuse his mite to help forward the great work of bringing to a knowledge of the truths of salvation the "little ones," those poor neglected children who know little of the tender love and fostering care which it is the delight of a Christian parent to bestow on his own family; and who knows how often the seed of Gospel truth sown in the Sunday school, has brought forth fruit in the heart, and been the means, under God's blessign, of making good fathers and mothers, and thus saving thousands of children from the bitter nursery of a wretched childhood, and its fearful consequences!

PUBLICATIONS.

We give prominence to the following Resolution agreed to at the March meeting of the Committee.

"That a quarterly packet, containing a copy of each new work (not exceeding one shilling in value) published by the Church of England Sunday School Institute, be forwarded to every annual subscriber of £1 1s., and donor of £5 5s. and upwards."

The resolution is intended to apply to subscribing schools, and it includes the Serials now published by the Committee.

CHAPTERS ON PRISONS AND PRISONERS, by Rev. Joseph Kingsmill, Chaplain of Pentonville Prison, London. Second Edition, 8vo., pp. 506. Longman and Co.

THE first edition of this work was noticed by us at some length in our Magazine for June 1850, and we cordially repeat the opinion, then expressed, that Teachers should add it to their Library.

This edition contains additional matter in the shape of chapters on Capital Punishment; on the duties of Officers in charge of Prisoners; on Sunday Schools; and on Free Pardons.

On the first of these subjects, viz., Capital Punishments, the opinion of the author is freely but temperately given

against the modern attempt to abolish them altogether. Mr. Kingsmill believes (and we agree with him) that the fear of this punishment does, in numberless cases, act as a preventive against the dreadful crime of murder. Especially is it so in cases of burglary with violence; and were the abolitionist school to succeed in their object, we have not the slightest doubt that murder in such cases would be far more frequent. Nor can we see the common sense of protecting the life of the murderer, in preference to throwing the protection of the wholesome fear of Capital Punishment over the head of his destined victim.

Mr. Kingsmill, meeting the objection that death was a punishment suited only to the Mosaic Dispensation justly and

forcibly asks, "If Capital Punishments were wrong in principle, how can we account for their forming part of the code of laws given by God himself to his chosen people ?"

The chapter on the Duties of Officers in Prisons, although of course specifically useful to them alone, will be read with great interest. We candidly confess, that we were both surprised and delighted at the wisdom and kindness of the directions and instructions issued by Government to the Officers in charge of our Prison population. Could the spirit of Howard revisit our earth, such a change would be the greatest of all earthly blessings to that noble pioneer in this path of Christian effort.

We commend the chapter on Sunday Schools to the attentive perusal of our readers. They will find there a fair and temperate statement both of the high usefulness, and of the serious deficiencies of our Sunday School system, coming from one who has many opportunities of personal observation as to the results, who is himself deeply interested in the work, but who, nevertheless, is too clear sighted and too candid to indulge in exaggerated descriptions of universal

success.

We gladly respond to Mr. Kingsmill's words that we, as teachers, ought to know the truth, unpalatable as it may sometimes be; and if, as we know, the defects of Sunday schools be sometimes trumpeted forth in a spirit of unfair depreciation, looking even like hostility, yet nevertheless let us learn from even such opponents-learn our failures, that we may, in a brave spirit of Christian faith and Christian patience, 'go unto perfection." We would only allude to the causes justly assigned by Mr. Kingsmill for the comparative illsuccess of Sunday Schools. They are, 1st. Defective discipline, (the cane and bribery come in for animadversion here). 2nd. Secular teaching, not, however. often found in Church Schools. 3rd, Want of Piety and want of Knowledge on

LECTURES ON THE TYPICAL CHARACTER OF THE JEWISH TABERNACLE, PRIESTHOOD, AND SACRIFICES. By Rev. F. G. Simpson, Curate of Ickworth, Suffolk. Fcp. 8vo., pp. 334. J D. Thomson, Upper King Street, Russell Square.

WE can cordially commend this Volume as a very useful addition to a teachers' library, and a fit companion to a valuable work noticed in a previous Number of our Magazine, "Garratt's Scripture Symbolism."

The chapters treat in succession of— The Tabernacle--The Office of Priesthood-The Duties of the PriesthoodThe Holy Place-The Sin OfferingThe Trespass Offering-The Burnt Offering-The Meat Offering-The Peace Offering-and the symbolical character of each is explained in a manner that deserves high praise for its Scriptural and sober tone, avoiding fanciful interpretations.

The style is very concise, especially