"The 3d. Sunday School Teachers should derive encouragement from the fact that their labours are eminently patriotic: no government can exist without the aid of religion of some kind. republics of Greece and Rome," says an eminent writer of our country," existed no longer than they maintained their religion, gross and barbarous as was the religion of both." A more modern republic made an experiment to exalt those which were "no Gods," above the religion of the cross, and the result was the overthrow of herself and the slaughter of thousands of her citizens. Men gave themselves up to the work of destruction in its most horrid form, that of duty and murder; and the cries, groans and shrieks of misery were heard from one border of her territory to the other. In these cases, polite learning, of itself, was not a sufficient barrier to iniquity; particularly in the latter, where there were scores of men, whose talents and acquirements, had they been directed to proper ends, might have been eminently useful to mankind; but it was through the exertions of this very class of men, that this great scene of carnage and death was presented to the world. The strength of our republican government consists then in the morality and virtue of the mass of her citizens. Whatever tends to increase these, gives her stability and strength. In this view, Sunday School Teachers are the best friends of their country. They do not aim, indeed, at making their pupils statesmen and heroes; but, at what is infinitely more important, of making them virtuous and happy ; and experience has proved long since that a more effectual method, for the accomplishment of this end, cannot be found, than is presented in religious instruction. 4. The Sunday School is a place which may be rendered highly useful to the Teacher himself: The benefits thus derived are of . various kinds. In many instances the Sunday School has proved to the teacher, as well as to the learner, the house of God, and the gate of Heaven. Young persons who have entered it, at first, perhaps, with a view of passing an otherwise tedious hour, have, while communicating knowledge, been themselves taught of God, and have been added to the number of those who shall at last be permitted to walk the streets of the New Jerusalem, and be crowned with an unfading wreath of glory. If it is the honour and happiness of the Teacher to be numbered among the people of God, he may derive instruction from the disobedience and perverseness of his scholars; they may serve to remind him of his insubordination to one who is infinitely higher and better than any earthly instructor, and to one who has infinitely more and higher claims to his obedience and gratitude, than any whom he can instruct. If he is called to exercise that charity, which not only hopeth, but endureth all things, let him remember how great contradiction" his master èndured for sinners. Above all, let him consider, that his path is that of obedience, and that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." D. RECOMMENDATION OF THIS WORK. Sabbath School Union of the District of Columbia and its vicinity. Board of Delegates, 2d Presbyterian Church, Washington, 13th April, 1824. Resolved, that this Union recommend to the several Schools under its care the encouragement of the "American Sunday School Magazine," published in the city of New-York, and that the Secretary furnish a copy of the annual report of this Union for publication therein, together with a copy of this resolution. GEO. GILLISS, Secretary. With the above, we have had very politely transmitted to us the first Annual Report of the District of Columbia Sabbath Union Society. We most cordially congratulate them on the success that has crowned their laudable endeavours. The report states, that "the Union was formed in July, 1823, and has under its patronage 14 schools, 77 male and 97 femalein all 174 teachers; and 1029 white, and 250 coloured-in all 1279 learners. They have had two general meetings of the teachers and pupils under their care, at both of which addresses were delivered by several of the clergy. The interesting appearance on these occasions of so many children prevented from committing that sin which has, in so many instances, proved the beginning of an iniquitous course terminating at the gallows, we mean the violation of the Sabbath, and trained up in the paths of morality and religion, has not failed to produce a very favourable influence in behalf of our institution on the minds of the crowded audience who attended. In giving the concluding extract we will not refrain from expressing our decided approbation of the plan of Union. It remains a matter of surprise and regret, that there should yet be individual societies toiling on without those mutual helps and cheering sympathies, that this work of patience requires, and which a bond of union would so well secure. The great success of the schools of the district of Columbia flows from their "Union." The following is the animating testimony that they bear to the fact. "The Union sees new reason to congratulate its members on its formation. It has been the means of reviving and giving new energy to several schools within its limits which had been rapidly declining, and would probably have soon become extinct; and it has also tended to encourage those that were in more prosperous circumstances; on the whole, it is confidently believed, that the establishment of similar associations, where they do not now exist, will have the happiest influence in promoting the interests of that inestimable blessing to the rising generation, the Sabbath day school. Providence has smiled upon our efforts, and our hearts are encouraged. While we ascribe to him all the glory, let us return with fresh courage to the arduous and responsible, but delightful task of training immortal beings for the glories and felicities of the paradise of God." Washington City, 13th April, 1824. DANIEL BAKER, President, 224 [Extracts from the Port Folio of a S. S. Teacher.] A THOUGHT ON THE RESURRECTION. "It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory”—(i. Cor. 15. 43 ) Soft and sweet from the vale spring the seeds of the flower That blossom'd last summer on the brow of the hill; I remember how lovely it twined up the bower, And foolishly thought to have found it there still. But they tell me the whirlwind had rudely been blowing; The full blooming flower had closed its brief dayFrom the mountains a torrent that way had come flowing, And the wind and the flood had quite swept it away. They had mourned for the plant, for they loved-they adored it ; [gone : They had sought out the spot, root and branch were all But the spring had returned, and in beauty restored it, And the same well-known flower the valley adorned ! Nature's pages thus opened-the lesson how cheering, That the death bruised flower should blossom again; Bright Hope that the friends that made life so endearing, "'Neath the clods of the valley," not always remain. So the Christian is not without hope in his sorrow, The seed" sown in weakness shall be raised power;" S. W. S. The Editor acknowledges, with gratification, the favonrs of distant correspondents, and the attentions of valuable city friends. He is desirous that the Magazine should be an American production: and although he has many valuable selections prepared, and abundant resources, yet preference shall always be given to communications, if they are on leading and useful topics. He solicits information from experienced teachers on "improvements in S. Schools." Notice of the S. S. Union report, and the anniversary celebration is deferred, in order that a more particular account may be given, connected with remarks on the manner cf conducting the S. S. Anniversary in NewYork, differing, we believe, from any other of our sister societies. An argument for activity in benevolent pursuits. "What thy hand findeth to do, do quickly." The design of this publication is to animate the sluggish to exertion, and to excite to an earnest zeal the cold and indifferent in the Heavenly cause of Sunday Schools. To comfort "the feeble minded and support the weak," to urge the desponding and disappointed to wait upon the Lord, that their hearts may be encouraged, and to say to all, "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven." The subject of this address is well adapted to urge home upon the heart, reflections that may prompt to diligence and fervour at a season "when pestilence walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon day," and to apply to our purpose the words of the divine Young, "Death loves a lofty mark."—" When the proud and strong in health is brought low." When one dieth in his full strength "His breasts are full of milk and his bones moistened with marrow." When death advances amid flowers and luxuriant fruits, when the sun's fervid rays, and the courted breeze is alike charged with poison hostile to life-a season which reminds the instructors of youth, "that our life is as a shadow that fleeth before the sun," a season when the bills of mortality number few of the aged, and the melancholy catalogue |