this country, the Evangelical Society of Philadelphia sent forth its members two and two, to collect and superintend schools in the poorer and more vicious parts of the city. This Society still continues its labours, and in some measure assists the Female Associations. It was particularly instrumental in collecting the children of several schools, to the amount of four or five thousand. The place of meeting was the Rev. Dr. Brodhead's church. The number was so great that, many of them had to remain outside of the building. Dr. B delivered an appropriate discourse to them, and their teachers. So large a collection of children as this was never before seen in the city, assembled for any purpose much less for religious improvement. The plan on which the Evangelical Society had long proceeded, of rewarding the children for each lesson with a coloured card, on which is printed some passage of Scripture, was adopted by the School Associations, and continues to be highly useful. A given number of cards of one kind entitle the pupil to one of another colour; and five or ten of the last description will procure him a book, which commonly is some selection of hymns, a Psalm Book, or a Testament. It has the double advantage of exciting the attention of the poor children, and gradually storing their minds with a knowledge of the word of God. It is most cordially recommended to those who have the charge of such Schools. EXTRACT from the FIRST ANNUAL REPORT of the NEWARK SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTION. AMERICA. OUR institution commenced in May, 1815; it gradually increased during the summer season to an average of about four hundred and forty scholars. It is proper to observe, however, that a considerable proportion of these could not come under the denomination of poor children; for many of them were blessed with the advantage of attending the ordinary schools in the week days. It was pleasing and encouraging to witness the attention and ardour of this interesting group in the attainment of religious knowledge; it was pleasant to listen to them while repeating from memory passages of Scripture; answering questions in the catechism, or reciting psalms and hymus and spiritual songs. In such exercises their advancement was rapid, and their diligence as gratifying, as the themes which they lisped were delightful. So sweet and heavenly is the voice of religion breathing from infant lips! As the winter approached, it was deemed expedient to make new arrangements, and to confine the attention of the teachers to poor children and adults and particularly, to the people of colour. The beneficial effects of thus combining the efforts of the teachers, and directing them exclusively in behalf of those who had none to befriend or impart to them religious instruction, soon became manifest; and although in the improvement of all, the hopes and expectations of the instructors were more than realized, yet they would more especially present to their patrons VOL. II. 2 H 7 and the public, the progress of the blacks, because these poor and almost forsaken creatures comprised by far the largest portion of the school, and because it is believed that this was the first Sunday school instituted for the coloured people; ever established in the United States. Their number amounted to upwards of two hundred of both sexes, and of all ages, from infancy to gray hairs. In general, such as could not read, as was the case with almost all of them, evinced a persevering and anxious desire to be enabled for themselves to look into the blessed word of God. Some of those who commenced at the alphabet, have already attained to that important acquirement; and the rest are speedily following on. Many who could spell in one, two, and three syllables, have also been brought to read the Bible. The rapid advancement of this part of our destitute fellow-creatures, can be better understood when we consider their very slender advantages; that from the nature of their occupation, they can have but few and transient opportunities for study, such merely as they can occasionally seize from their daily routine of labour, or take from their usual hours of rest. The little time which they employ every Sabbath in the school, furnishes their principal opportunity; and yet their improvement has been extraordinary. Judging from facts and observations, it would seem to be vain any more to oppose the cultivation of the mind of the coloured people on the ground of inferiority of intellect, of incapacity, or of an untractable and unteachable disposition: for if the regular six days tuition of those more highly favoured be put in competition with the simple two hours on a Sunday which these enjoy, where would the comparison lead us? The exertions of the instructors have not been confined merely to the intellectual improvement of their charge; they have also constantly endeavoured to improve the heart; to enforce, with suitable exhortations, the practical import of such texts as "Servants, obey your masters;" "Children, obey your parents;" and, generally, to inculcate the sublime principles of the blessed religion of Jesus. And they with deference, yet with confidence, appeal to the candour and the observation of the public, whether or no some amendment at least has not been discovered in the outward behaviour, the public and private walk and conversation of some of this class of society? Whether or no, some have not by these means, been rendered more pliant and tractable; more sedate and humble, and, in general, become better and more useful servants. Some, we are well assured, have been reclaimed from a habit of profaneness, and from the vice of intemperance. Besides, prayer meetings have lately been set up among them which have been well attended; and their spiritual offerings seemed to flow warm from the heart, and to breathe the pure spirit of devotion. The schools are now in a prosperous state; with a zeal charac teristic of the sex, some pious young ladies have kindly contributed their aid; and have recently undertaken the management of the female department of the coloured people; • Poetry. THE JUDGMENT DAY. HYMN FOR TEACHERS. LO! the day of judgment hasting, Come, my soul, from earth retiring, Lo! the Son of Man descending, Every man of every nation, Then the King, his saints addressing, Speaks with condescending grace"Ye who have my Father's blessing, "Enter to this blissful place. "All your kind and gentle actions, "Thro' my breth'ren, unto me.” We who have the young instructed, Oh! what shouts of joy and blessing, Let these bright anticipations, Ah! what terror and confusion All his zeal, and his professions, Love to Jesus, pure and fervent, He perform'd the hireling's part. Oh! may I, my work fulfilling, Search me, O thou God all-seeing, Meeten me for heav'nly praise. A HYMN SPES. For Sunday School Children. Sung at St. George's ONCE benighted and forlorn, Once thou didst for sinners die, PRINTED BY M, TEAPE, TOWER-HILL, LONDON, V THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MAGAZINE, AND JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. 1859. GIRDING AFRESH. Hail 1859! Three hundred thousand Sunday school teachers give thee welcome! Precious season for renewed labor. Priceless trust from an enthroned Master, never duly to be estimated till we stand 'mid the thronging myriads at God's tribunal, and measure life on earth in the balance of eternity. Time rolls round another fold of his lengthy scroll, and presents it pure, blank, speechless before u With a voice of intensest power he bids us awake to the responsibilities of our sacred trust; and urges us, by all that is precious in earth and heaven, to meet the exigencies of immortal issues. Faith, with her keen vision, darting forward, pierces the wondrous mysteries "within the veil." She bids us glance at the countless figures, robed in white, that pace the golden floor of the eternal mansions. She summons us to listen to those bursts of rich melody which "rise and fall on the celestial air;" and stand entranced by the rapturous hallelujahs that rise, like flames of incense, from hearts on fire with love and adoration. And, as the third heaven unfolds before us, she tells us there to recognize the once wayward, sin-defiled, God estranged spirits, that came, in all their helplessness and ignorance, to hear the story of a Saviour's love, in the lowly circle of our Sabbath class. Under such auspices she summons us to work; lured by such prospects, she bids us toil. No lap of supineness, no couch of inglorious case is the fitting place for toilers for God and souls. The sweet oases that ravish the eye, and court repose amid the dreary tracks of this world's wilderness, are not for those to lie down upon who would gain a crown of many stars. Untiring, indefatigable energy is the indispensable pre-requisite VOL. IX. A |