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that the religious influence of those schools would be in part at least maintained, as many of the masters of British and other schools were men of undoubted piety and of earnest zeal. He called attention to the fact, that some of our Sunday schools were too secular in character, and their great object too much subordinated to mere routine. The qualification of superintendents was a very important point; and he suggested to the Committee of the parent Society the holding of conference upon the duties, responsibilities, and defects of Sunday school superintendents.

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Mr. TERRY defended the superintendents as a class from the charge of incapacity, and the Sunday schools from the charge of secularity, which he thought must be the exception and not the rule. No reference had been made, he said, to the infant classes in the course of the conversation, and he thought that more attention might be advantageously paid to them. The most successful teachers for those classes were those who had themselves been children in our schools.

Mr. GOULD, of Bristol, thought it would be admitted generally, that hitherto the results achieved had not been commensurate with the exertions put forth, and that they had a right to look for something more. They wanted more faith in their work. He gave some interesting particulars respecting the spiritual condition of the schools in his Union, and amongst his recommendations laid special stress upon the visitation of the children at their homes.

Mr. HARTLEY (one of the secretaries of the parent Society) spoke in favour of illustrative teaching, and related some telling instances of the success attending direct individual appeals by teachers to their scholars.

Mr. MEEN was then heard in reply, and in the course of his observations he said, that while admitting that, in many instances, good had been effected, he was afraid that, upon the whole, the Sunday schools of the metropolis had not contributed very much to the augmentation of the church. He was fearful, too, that there was a good deal of mistaken zeal in our schools-too much preaching instead of teaching; and he felt convinced that, after all, they wanted classes in which to teach teachers how to teach. While, therefore, he sincerely hoped that they would be earnest in prayer for a blessing upon their labours, let them not neglect every means by which their young friends might be better qualified for their important trust.

Mr. GROSER, who had occupied the chair during the latter period of the day, made a few observations in closing the discussion. He said there was one point which had not been referred to by any of the former speakers. A good deal had been said, and very properly said, about the influence of parental example, and no doubt the dissolute habits of parents had a serious effect upon our schools. He was inclined to think, however, that in London, at all events, the indifference--the contemptuous indifference of parents, and the semi-infidel principles which they avowed, had a more pernicious influence than the prevalence of intemperance amongst them. And beyond this, he feared that, in many cases, the teachers' example was not very beneficial. He thought the female teacher, who went into her class, Sunday after Sunday, with a very small bonnet just stuck on the back of her head, "because it is fashionable," and her hair drawn back till her eyes seem ready to start from their sockets, "because it is fashionable," was exercising a mischievous influence amongst her children. The teachers, too, in the boys' schools, were not exempt from blame. That pernicious habit of smoking was exercising a most disastrous influence upon our scholars. If a Sunday school teacher was seen in the street with a cigar or pipe in his mouth, how could he reprove his scholars if he saw them indulging in the practice? "I saw Teacher do it," would be the reply. And smoking led to drinking; and a great deal of the dishonesty which prevailed in the manufacturing

districts of the metropolis was more or less traceable to the dissolute habits thus engendered. Let them see to it, that while they were talking about the evil influence of parental conduct, they themselves set an example which the scholars could safely follow.

After singing a hymn, the meeting adjourned to Exeter Hall.

ANNUAL MEETING AT EXETER HALL.

THE Annual Meeting was held the same evening in Exeter Hall. The chair was taken by the President of the Society, the Hon. ARTHUR KINNAIRD, M.P., at six o'clock.

The proceedings were commenced by singing the following hymn :—

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After singing the hymn, the Rev. J. KEED, of Cambridge, offered prayer. The CHAIRMAN then rose, and said,-My Christian friends, I rejoice that I am permitted once again to take part in your proceedings, and to preside over this mecting. I am thankful to say I have nothing new to tell you, excepting that I may congratulate you on the success which has attended the operations of our Society; but as to that matter, shall leave it to my friend on the right, who will shortly read to us an abstract of the Report, and avail myself of the presence of so many teachers among us this evening merely to say a few words to urge upon you the maintenance of those principles which have been the source of action hitherto. And I think the days in which we live may induce us to look back to old leading principles: I mean the importance of continuing an education solely founded on the Bible. No principles, in my opinion, will stand, if not founded on Holy Scripture; and let me urge upon you the importance not of studying parts of Scripture merely, but the Scripture as a whole; not confining your teaching to the New Testament, but going into all its parts, taking the Old Testament in its historical, prophetical, and typical portions alike. Depend upon it, that if you wish the children to grow up as we could desire to see them, they must be trained by and become rooted and grounded in the principles of the ever blessed word of God. Then I would urge you to accustom the young minds of the children to put every doctrine you bring before them to the test of Scripture. It is in that way that you will equally avoid, and teach them to avoid, the errors of superstition on the one hand, and the errors of infidelity on the other; and these are evils which we see everywhere abounding around us. It is an encouragement to us to look abroad, and see that it is only where these thoroughly scriptural principles prevail, that civil and religious liberty abound; and this feeling of encouragement will not be lessened when we behold two nations, both under the influence of gross superstition, avoiding all reason, and appealing to brute force to settle their differences. If the Bible be followed-which I trust it ever will be in our land we must remember how much depends on the maintenance of our sabbath privileges; for where would the working man, and where should you and I, called into active life, find time to study that word, if it was not for the preservation to us

of the blessed sabbath? And then there is another argument that may be employed to encourage you in your work, and to show its importance. You are all aware, from what has recently passed in all parts of our land, that there is every reason to believe the basis of our constitution will be extended, and that the franchise will be very shortly given to many of the working classes. It will remain for you, in your several spheres, to train the rising generation, so as to fit them to be partakers in the franchise when they grow up, and to exercise the privilege in the best way; for it will be exercised best by those who in their youth are instructed in the principles of the Bible. I shall not detain you further, except just to say, that I have received several communications recommending me to make various suggestions to this meeting; but I think it would only be trespassing upon your time. There was one communication I received, which, perhaps, is not unworthy of one word. I was advised to urge upon those who are teachers and superintendents of our schools the great importance of punctuality in attendance. I think I need hardly say a word upon it, for your applause teaches me that you see the importance of it. It is perfectly clear that unless the teacher is punctual, the children are not likely to be. The teacher ought even to be before the time, to receive the children, and take the opportunity which will thus often occur to speak a kind word to them before the beginning of the instruction. These inquiries about their welfare will endear the children to the teacher; but this can only be done by punctuality in attendance at the commencement, and in all the duties connected with the school. We set you, I think, a very excellent example this evening. Practice is much better than preaching; and, therefore, I will only appeal to the example which the Committee has set you this evening, and will now call on my friend, Mr. Watson, to read the Report.

Mr. W. H. WATSON accordingly read the Report.

The Rev. R. BUSHELL.-The resolution which has been put into my hands is certainly of a most encouraging character; and, as preachers say, it must be divided into three parts, for each distinct paragraph is so good, that I think it would be a pity not to speak on them separately; I will therefore read the first paragraph :"That this meeting desires to acknowledge, with devout gratitude to Almighty God, the success which has crowned the labours of the Union during the past year, in the entire extinction of the debt remaining in respect of the erection of the Jubilee Memorial Building."

Now that is the fact, and there are three or four thoughts which arise out of it. The first is, sir, the Union spoken of; and I confess that when the resolution was put into my hands, I could not help thinking, have we not in this Union the firstfruits of the fulfilment of the Saviour's desire, when He said, "I would, Father, that they were all one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me ?" Now, sir, if we wish to erect a lofty edifice, we ought to lay a good basis; and this superstructure is to reach to heaven, consequently, we have laid the foundation as broad as the world. It would have been a grand thing if it had taken in merely the branches of the Methodistic or Baptist families, but it takes in all denominations of Evangelical Christians; in fact, it professes the principle, that our hearts, being big enough for Christ, are big enough for the world; and we would say to universal Christendom, no matter by what naine known, or by what peculiarities distinguished, "If thy heart be as my heart, then give me thy hand." I think that is the character of our Union. But then, Sir, another characteristic of union is this practical feature. Said a deacon to a minister, on one occasion, "Sir, is your church united?" "Yes," he said, "remarkably so, for we are all frozen together." Now, Sir, that is not the characteristic of the Sunday School Union. And I think if we got one of those icy unions into this

assembly to-night, we should thaw it. I would try to do my best, and I am sure the people would try to do theirs. But the resolution speaks of the labours of the Union. Now, the way to keep from being frozen is to take plenty of exercise; and I am satisfied that the way to keep people out of mischief is to give plenty of the right sort of work. Then there is cause for joy in connexion with this. Now, some people would have us believe that religious folks are a very miserable sort of folk; But that our religion is something like a funeral, and its disciples chief mourners. this is a great mistake. Our religion makes people happy. We have happy prospects, and happy homes; and have we not happy men and women? Why, Mr. Chairman, if all unions were as happy as this Union, they never would have got a Divorce Act. And why, Sir? Because it does not rest upon a legal foundation, but upon the strong foundation of love. The match was made upon principles of mutual affection, and the ceremony was performed by God: and what God hath joined together no man can ever put asunder. We rejoice in this. But then, further, there is a particular cause for joy this night, and that is in the extinction of this debt. A poor, distracted, disconsolate wife said to her husband, "John, how can you lie sleeping and snoring there, and owe so much money as you do?" Nay, wife," said he, "if I, who owe the money, could not sleep, what would be the condition of the man to whom I owe it?" Now, thank God, in reference to this building, nobody need be kept awake. We can inscribe upon it, as I wish we could over the Treasury, and as I wish the Chancellor of the Exchequer could say, "Out of debt, out of danger." Well then, Sir, the next feature is this, and I like it, that this meeting devoutly acknowledges God in reference to it. If we acknowledge God, we shall never want a God to acknowledge us. We often say, "My hands have gotten me this." "I have done this." This says God has done it, and I hope that every person here is disposed to say, "Not unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name be the glory." Well now, division the second comes; and I am sure it would be as unnatural to look for Paul Pry without his umbrella, as for a preacher to talk without divisions; it does not seem to be possible. It is success again :—

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"The meeting is called upon to acknowledge, with gratitude, the success which has attended the Sunday School Union in the increase of the sales of the Union publications, in the enlarged circulation of the periodicals designed for the assistance of teachers in their work, and for the instruction of the scholars." Well now, the Magazine itself, I see by the Report, has increased in circulation from six to eight thousand. What a mercy, Sir. And then it not only assists the teachers in their work of teaching, though I confess it has done a great deal in that way. I remember, when I went to Sunday school, the teachers used to think that the way into the intellect was by a side door, and that if you knocked hard enough you would got it open. Many a thump on the side of the head has been given to me. Well, we do not lecture in that sort of thing now. We take the picklock of kindness and open the door, and walk into their affections. Kindness is better than coercion, all the world over. The Magazine is a sort of telegraphic wire between town and country--between this city and the provinces. There is an interchange of thought and feeling. Now, I think they require this first, because there is the absence of anything which appeals to the selfishness of human nature. You know, Sir, they do say, that we preachers do look after the fleece rather than the flock, and of being influenced by a love for filthy lucre. But nobody can say that of Sunday school teachers, who not only do the work for nothing, but buy the books-not only work for nothing, but find their own thread. Then again there is the absence of applause. If we go and preach a good sermon, we sometimes obtain commendation; and if we can upon the platform make a happy hit; people will applaud us, but there is nobody to applaud the Sunday school teacher. No. The only applause anybody

gets, even at the anniversary meetings, is given to the speakers; but the poor teachers do the work. But then, Sir, this Magazine comes and says:"Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labour and to wait."

Now that is Division 2 of my resolution. We come then to the last, and that is success again :

"And that this meeting cordially approves of the addition of the Youth's Magazine' to the publications of the Union, believing that thus a valuable means will be afforded for interesting and benefiting the family circles of our beloved land." Solomon said, "Of making many books there is no end." What would he have said if he had lived in our day. Then it appears, that this "Youth's Magazine" is not a new arrival, but that it is one that originated in the mind of the founder of this Union, and you thought it would become defunct and out of love to the father, you are about to adopt the child and take it into your family, and recognize it as one of your periodicals in literature. Now my resolution concludes by asking you to welcome it; and perhaps, by so doing, you will entertain an angel unawares. At any rate, it will be an angel of light, for it revolves around the Sun of Truth as the planets around the sun in the heavens. Do we not want youth's magazines? I think of the poison which is scattered abroad by means of a large mass of the publications which are circulated in this country. Let us encourage every effort to saturate the mind of youth with truth-truth taken from the Bible. And who would not say God speed to the "Youth's Magazine?" Then it speaks not only of this magazine as a blessing to the teacher, but as going home, and being a blessing to the families of the children. I remember to have read an instance just illus trating this. "A poor, drunken father, accustomed to spend his earnings and spare hours in a public-house, went home one sabbath-day earlier than usual. His little child was at home; she had been taught in the sabbath school, and to her great joy and surprise he very surlily said, 'I should like to hear you read one of your books.' 'Father, so I will,' she said. She took up a book, and read it to him. 'Now I should like to hear you sing one of your hymns.' When she had sang the hymn, she said, 'Father, will you let me pray with you?' 'You shall, my dearest,' he replied; and he went down upon his knees, and she went down upon hers, he praying, and she praying. God heard them both. What must I do to be saved?' said the father. Now this child knew the nearest way to Jesus Christ, because she had been herself, and she took her father to the Saviour. He became a pardoned man, and the father and the child are both walking in the way that leads to heaven. Does not the Committee, then, do right in hoping that this book will be a blessing not only to the teachers but also to the families? There is just one sentence in this resolution that I must notice before I sit down. It is this, "The family circles of our beloved land." Who does not respond to that? If ever I felt proud of my country it has been within the last few days; while some nations have been brandishing the sword, England's ambassador has been going about with the olive-branch of peace, trying to reconcile. I remember to have read during the Russian war of a shell falling upon a vessel; in a few moments it would have burst, and perhaps have killed the entire company on board; but there was a brave fellow there who went and picked it up, and threw it over into the sea; and the Queen gave him a reward for it. If ever I see a shell of discord in a family, or a church, or a nation, I should like to pick it up, and throw it into the sea of forgetfulness, and I know God will give me a reward, for he has said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." I love England's power, represented as it is as the power of a lion; but I like to see blended with it the gentleness of the lamb. I pray God that England's pacific course may be maintained, and that

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