necessity of an arm mightier than his own being engaged to give success. The influence of unholy example at home; the utter aversion of the unrenewed heart to the things of God; the natural indisposition of children to fixedness of thought and serious reflection; their diversified tempers, unbending obstinacy, and their biasses to worldly pleasures; are calculated to act discouragingly upon our minds, and create the painful sensation that, perhaps after all, our labour will be for nought. Now, faith is the panacea for this. Believe the Gospel; realize its truth. Be assured its promises will be fulfilled; that it is mighty in the hands of God to the pulling down of the strong-holds of Satan; that it is the ordained means of saving souls; that the Spirit's power can subdue the hardest; that no sinner can be too defiled, too sunken in iniquity, too far off from God, to be without hope; that no case is too bad; that the most unlikely child is within the reach and power of mercy; despair of none, and the heart will rise above all obstacles; and encouraging ourselves in the the Lord our God, we shall sow beside all waters, rejoicing that we shall reap if we faint not.

How often is the opposite of this manifested. How quietly do we surrender the unamiable, and pert, and callous child, who seems proof to all entreaty, resists all appeals, despises all warnings and evinces the deepest spiritual debasement. How soon do we abandon such a one, as without the pale of mercy. But we forget the past triumphs of the Cross, and the arm that wrought wondrously in the days of old-still omnipotent to save. Why, the more polluted the mind, the more is manifested the efficacy of the blood that cleanses it. The more stout-hearted the sinner, the more lustrous the grace that conquers. This is the glory of Christianity. It seeks out the worst; goes to the most wretched and the outcast; transforms the most abandoned; and brings them into the Saviour's fold. Leaving the proud Pharisee, it takes up its abode where the strong one armed has lived, and cleansing it from its defilement, new fashioning it into the moral image of God, presents to the world the trophy of its matchless skill, and proclaims to men and angels who gaze wonderingly at the change, "Things impossible with man are possible with God."

one.

3. Give yourselves to prayer. Our strength lies here. The throne of grace is our refuge. We feel our weakness; the promise points us to strength from on high-but it must be sought for. We want wisdom that cometh from above, and for it we must plead by prayer. All grace flows through this channel. The praying teacher is the only successful We should never enter our classes without prayer, for ourselves, and for our scholars. Are there any hopeful? Let our hearts ascend to God in fervent desire" that their goodness may not be as the morning dew, or early cloud, which quickly passeth away.' Are any rebellious? Our father can change the heart, and it is ours to present supplications that the obdurate may be made contrite. We have no warrant to expect success without prayer. Our studies should be sanctified, our labours performed under its influence. Take your children to God. Plead for them in your closet, in secret retirement when none but God is nigh; pray for them in the family; in the church; in the school; yea, take your scholars by the hand, and pray with them. Who knows, but God may hear you, and in their conversion you may gather fresh proof that faithful is he who hath promised, who will not deny himself. 4. Set a good example. Teachers should be living epistles, read and

known of the children. "Precept is a book they may read; example is a book they will read." Let your deportment be an exemplification of the sincerity and purity of your profession. Display no unhallowed, irritable temper; be guarded against levity of conduct, and on the other hand against investing religion with the habiliments of gloom. Sad is it to reflect that in many cases the deportment of teachers is a practical denial of the principles they teach. Children care not for what you say, half so much as for what you do. Act well, then. Not only speak the truth as it is in Jesus, but adorn it by your conduct. Make religion attractive. Invest it with charms. Manifest the superiority of the Gospel above the irreligion that surrounds you. Your precepts will then speak powerfully to the heart, your expositions of the Gospel be listened to with attention and reverence; and investing yourselves with the moral power consistency of character exclusively imparts, yours will be the unspeakable reward of receiving the welcome from the Saviour, when, with the children of your care, you stand before the throne, he shall address you with "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

We cannot be too careful as to how we act before and towards the children. Character is formed by trifling circumstances. One word may change the entire disposition. One act of harshness may provoke to the first step of ruin; one act of love may prevent the entry on the fatal course. Thoughts are immortal. And so are words. Hence the justness of the dispensation which renders us amenable to God for the secrets of the hearts, and the idle words we speak. An infidel and unhappy youth, formerly a hopeful scholar in a Sunday-school, once addressed me thus: "Sir, if ever I come to ruin, I shall date it to my leaving the school; which I should not have done, but for the harsh epithets used by the superintendent." O how big with responsibility is every word we utter. How it may tell upon the immortal destiny of our fellow men. How circumspect should our conduct be, lest by one act inconsistent with the temper and precepts of Christianity, we mar the superstructure we have been seeking to build, and destroy instead of saving the soul.

Sunday-school teachers, yours is a great work; mighty are your responsibilities; important the interests committed to your charge. Let not, however, the thought of your own insufficiency for a right discharge of your duty overwhelm you with terror and despair. You are insufficient for these things. But Divine grace is all-sufficient. You may do all things through Christ who strengthens you, though you can effect nothing by your unaided energies. And to you the promise is given. The Holy Spirit shall be poured out. Prophesy over the dry bones, and cry aloud, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Following in the steps of the Saviour and his apostles, call upon the children to repent and believe the Gospel. Unfettered by the limitations of man, teach the universal benevolence of God to a dying world. Declare the willingness of Jesus to receive every coming sinner; and while, as the sent messengers of mercy, you beseech the children in Christ's stead, that they be reconciled to God, be assured, speaking the truth in love; devoting yourselves heartily to the work; with affection, simplicity and deep earnestness of soul, telling of the love of Jesus; giving yourselves to prayer; and happy in a firm belief in the promises of God, you shall realize the Divine favour, and be abundantly successful "in your work of faith and labour of love.”

JAMES SEARS.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

THE WORKS OF THE REV. RICHARD WATSON. In Thirteen Volumes. Vols. I and 2. London: J. Mason.

The extensive circulation of Methodistic Theology is a matter of vast importance, both as it affects the efficiency of the Methodist ministry and the purity of Methodist churches. As the standard of truth, the Holy Scriptures must, of course, be regarded as of supreme and exclusive authority. On them our faith must be founded; and by their decisions must judgment and conscience be guided. But, believing as we firmly do, that the system of religious opinions, distinctively called Methodism, is more closely in accordance with the word of God than any other system, and that it furnishes the most faithful development of New Testament Christianity, we are, on this account, intensely anxious tha the writings of such men as Wesley, Fletcher, and Watson should be far more generally read, and more deeply studied than we fear is at present the case. We, therefore, tender our most cordial thanks to the Committee of the Wesleyan Book Room for this cheap issue of Watson's works. We rejoice in this event because we anticipate from it important and beneficial results. Whilst the works of Richard Watson clearly unfold the principles of Methodism, and are, therefore, calculated to imbue the mind of the reader with the true spirit of Methodism, they are so replete with close argumentation and profound thought, that they necessarily impart their own vigorous and healthy tone to the mind that is conversant with them. The Methodist, be he preacher or layman, who studiously reads Watson's writings, will find his intellect expanded, and his heart penetrated with the sublime conceptions of a mind of the highest order. Richard Watson was an original thinker as well as a profound reasoner. His style, too, has every thing to recommend it as a specimen of correct taste and powerful eloquence. So that the reader has not to wade through a mass of wearisome verbiage, nor to encounter a string of dry abstract propositions, but whilst instructed by the excellent sentiments that abound in every page, he is not less charmed with the elegant and dignified simplicity of the composition. Most sincerely do we hope, that as these volumes are issued periodically, at a very low price, they will be extensively circulated in every Methodist Community. THE UNION HYMN BOOK, for Scholars, with Tunes. Cloth bds., 12mo. pp. 355. THE UNION TUNE BOOK; a Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, suitable for use in Congregations and Sunday Schools. Arranged by THOMAS CLARK, of Canterbury. Cloth bds., 12mo.

THE UNION TUNE BOOK, &c. Arranged by T. CLARK. Treble and Bass Parts. London: Sunday School Union. Cloth bds., 12mo.

We apprehend there are none that are in the habit of attending public worship, but what will admit the very great desirableness of congregational singing being so conducted as to render it at once attractive, impressive, and devotional. When thus conducted it is a signal blessing. It contributes to ministerial success; it promotes the edification of God's people, and is not without its influence on the worldlyminded hearer. In the order of means good singing is almost as necessary as good preaching for the attainment and continuance of a good congregation. The works at the head of this article are published by the Sunday School Union with the view of aiding congregations, and also our rising race, in the exercise of correct devotional singing. Having no knowledge of music, we have submitted these volumes to the inspection of parties fully competent to judge of their merits, and we are warranted in assuring our readers that they deserve the highest commendation, and may be introduced into schools and congregations with the greatest advantage. We trust that works so cheap, and withal so complete, and so neatly got up, will, by their large sale, amply remunerate the enterprise of the publishers.

A NARRATIVE OF A RECENT VISIT TO JERUSALEM AND SEVERAL PARTS OF PALESTINE IN 1843-4. By JOHN LOWTHIAN. Third Thousand. London: Houlston. Cloth bds., pp. 151.

Palestine-the scene of events the most amazing and momentous that ever transpired in the universe of God. To the mind of the intelligent and devout Christian it presents objects of deepest interest, and there are many, we doubt not, who would,

were it in their power, visit, though not on pilgrimage, that land in which the Redeemer of the world lived and died, and rose again, and from which he ascended to the throne of his Father. Mr. Lowthian, at a time of life when repose is generally more welcome than active exertion, made a journey to Palestine, and has furnished us with a detail of his travels in the form of a journal. Such a book can hardly fail to be interesting, it is interesting, and no stronger evidence can be given of its worth, than the fact of this impression being the third thousand. To those who wish to read a cheap book, containing a graphic and instructive account of the principal scenes in Palestine, we cordially recommend the work of Mr. Lowthian, without, however, approving of all it contains, and without any commendation either of its typography or the paper on which it is printed.

CONVERSATIONS ON THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST: between George and his Minister. To which are added four on the Resurrection of Christ, the Miracles of the Apostles, those ascribed to the Church, and the character of St. Paul. By the REV. G. CUBITT. London: J. Mason. 12mo., Cloth bds., pp. 316.

The miracles of our Lord, when rightly contemplated, fill the mind with the strongest emotions of admiration and wonder; they afford also indubitable evidence of his divine mission, and triumphantly establish the truth of the Gospel. In the excellent work of Mr. Cubitt, the nature and importance of our Lord's miracles are most beautifully illustrated; the arguments which are founded upon them are adduced with the greatest clearness, and enforced with great cogency and eloquence. The book deals with difficult and abstract matters in an attractive and impressive style. Without depriving them of their strength, they are divested of their mystification. For young people, we do not know a more suitable and a more valuable work on the subject. Whether harassed or not with the sophistries of Infidelity, every young person should read this book, both to arm himself against every specious attack, as well as to realize the interest and improvement which an attentive perusal of the volume cannot fail to impart.

THE HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCY. By the REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER.
Foolscap 8vo. Stitched, price 1s. 6d.

Vol. 1.

Although we cannot concur with Mr. Fletcher in all the opinions he advocates in this volume, yet there are certain great and general principles laid down which claim the approval and support of every real friend to civil and religious liberty. We need scarcely say, that the work, of which this is the first of a series, is not only a history, but a defence of Independency; and a more able defence, we think, could not have been written. It evinces deep research; the various questions involved are clearly stated and thoroughly argued, whilst the style is always elegant, and, in some places, truly eloquent. We think, however, that Mr. Fletcher feels the difficulty of the 15th Chapter of Acts, nor does he, in our humble judgment, disprove what we think is undeniable, that the proceedings of the assembly at Jerusalem were a departure from the practice and principles of Independency. Moreover, the decision adopted was evidently regarded as binding on the churches generally. Nevertheless, we are as much opposed to the exercise of despotic power in ecclesiastical matters, whether it be on the part of individuals or of councils, as are our Independent brethren; even in representative assemblies the exercise of legislative authority may be carried too far. On the other hand, a religious community that has no general council or conference for the management of its affairs, has to labour under the prevalent characteristics of feebleness and inefficiency. The Connexional system unites the Churches together in the spirit of brotherhood and co-operation, and by the strong affording help to the weak, the influence of Christianity is more fully manifested, and its glorious purposes more effectually carried out. On the union of Church and State we cordially wish that Mr. Fletcher's views may receive universal adoption.

THE CONGREGATIONAL YEAR BOOK, FOR 1846. Containing the proceedings of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and its Confederated Societies for that year. Together with supplementary information respecting the Churches, Colleges, Ministers, and Publications of the Congregational body throughout the United Kingdom. London: Jackson and Walford. 8vo., stiff covers, pp. 192.

This is a very important and a highly interesting document, embodying a large amount of valuable information, the collection of which must have cost the talented Editor very considerable care and labour. The various reports, letters, and remarks which form a large portion of the work, are distinguished by considerable ability, and unfold comprehensive views and a just appreciation of the claims of Christianity

and the spirit of the times. We the more cordially welcome this Year Book, because it indicates, on the part of the Congregational body, some approximation to our own excellent system; the "Union" being composed of Ministers and Lay representatives from the churches. Although the Union is not invested with legislative functions, yet such a body cannot but possess a large amount of moral influence, which, being wisely directed, will tend much to the consolidation and improvement of the churches. We deeply lament that there should be difficulties in the way of obtaining such statistics as would show the number of members in the entire denomination. This is a serious defect, which we hope in another year will be fully supplied. Statistical information is given to a considerable extent, but no clue is afforded by which to judge whether the denomination is increasing or declining in its numbers.

THE BIOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, AND MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS OF THE GosPELS, AND OTHER BIBLICAL INFORMATION: with lessons thereon for the use of Catechumen Classes, Schools, and Families. By the REV. S. DUNN. London: J. Snow. 16mo., cloth bds., pp. 164.

This is a very admirable compendium of information illustrative of the sacred Scriptures; it combines the advantages of a Biblical dictionary and of Chronological tables, furnishing the conductors and members of Bible classes with most valuable aid. For such purposes the work has been prepared, and if the demand for it be equal to its merits, both its sale and its usefulness will be very extensive.

GARDEN FLOWERS OF THE YEAR.
Society.

Monthly volume of the Religious Tract

AN ANTIDOTE FOR INFIDELITY; or, a Concise View of the Excellent Character of the Christian Religion. By THOMAS BULLOCK. London: Aylott and Jones. Stitched, pp. 24.

This tract undoubtedly indicates a degree of talent on the part of the writer, which, if duly improved and rightly guided, might be rendered of great service in the cause of truth and righteousness. In giving our opinion of his work, we must pass by its manifold defects of composition as matters of minor importance. Our business is to express our grievous and bitter disappointment with it as a professed development of the Gospel system. The essential peculiarities of that system, if we understand it aright, are the atoning sacrifice of the Cross, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul was determined to know nothing but Christ, and Him crucified,-it was in the Cross that he gloried. He also affirmed that the present dispensation is pre-eminently the dispensation of the Spirit. We therefore expected, that when one who, if we mistake not, is one of our local preachers, undertook to state his reasons for not being" ashamed of the Gospel," that the most prominent of those reasons would be, that Christ had borne the sins of a guilty world in his body on the tree, and that through his mediatorial work the Holy Spirit was given to assure the penitent believer of pardon, and also to sanctify his nature and fit him for glory. Will our readers believe us when we affirm that in this tract there is no specific mention of the atonement of Christ, nor even a reference to the agency of the Holy Spirit. The only passage in which we have seen any thing like an approach to evangelical sentiment is the following,-"He" (God) "is said to have loved mankind when wandering from him. His love to the world was so ardent, that he gave his Son for their restoration and redemption." This is language which, unaccompanied by further explanations and statements, may be intended to mean any thing or nothing, and, viewing it in connection with all that precedes and follows, we cannot regard it as any declaration of evangelical doctrine. Indeed, from beginning to end, this discourse does not contain a form of expression which a Socinian would not use, nor does it express a sentiment which a Socinian would not unhesitatingly adopt. A writer who feels the cleansing efficacy of the blood of Christ, and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, would, we should think, in attempting to unfold the Gospel scheme, be eager to bring these subjects into prominence, and would dwell upon them with an earnestness and decision which would leave no room to doubt of the precise nature of his views. If Mr. Bullock be a firm believer in what we consider to be evangelical truth, his tract is a most unfortunate and inconsistent production,-it does injustice to his own principles, and injustice to the denomination of which he is a member. For the honour and purity of that denomination we are jealous, we trust with a holy and consistent jealousy; but we are even more jealous for the honour of the glorious Gospel, and these are our reasons for carrying this notice to a length which otherwise would not have been deemed necessary.