s?" Her Teacher did so: and when the verse containing the clause had been read, E. J. C. said, “I should like to hear a sermon from these words." Her Teacher, in reply, said "she had a work on the subject, which she would bring for her the ensuing Sabbath."

On the Friday evening following, E. J. C. was taken suddenly ill, and her symptoms being those of cholera, medical advice was instantly procured; but their efforts were vain: the decree had gone forth, and on Saturday evening her ransomed spirit winged its flight to the mansions of eternal rest.

From her first seizure, she thought that death had marked her for his own; and therefore sent early on Saturday morning for the superintendent, who entertained for her a warm regard. Being unable to attend, he sent to Mr. one of her ministers, who went

immediately, and prayed with her.

A death-bed like hers affords little to adduce as an evidence of her frame of mind. The only thing to fix on was her reply to her mother, who, in her grief, said: “Can you bear to leave me?" when she answered," I should like to live longer, but the will of God be done.”

Her sudden and unlooked-for death gave a shock to the whole school, but particularly to her friends and class-mates, to whom she had endeared herself by her kindly unassuming character; and many, both Teachers and scholars, bore witness, by their tears, how much they loved her, and how sincerely they regretted their loss.

In the afternoon, her minister sought to improve her death by giving an affecting address to the teachers and scholars; the substance of which was this :

As regards the teachers, Mr. said, that the death of E. J. C. afforded a subject of warning and encouragement to them.

Of warning, to be faithful-to be instant in season and out of season-not to be contented with hearing their children's allotted tasks and explaining a portion of Scripture, but to endeavour prayerfully to bring home to their hearts and consciences the things of God-to make the salvation of their souls their first, their chief concern.

Mr.

instanced as a motive for this the sudden

removal of E. J. C., which called loudly on the teachers to work while it is called to-day; for now, as then, none could know what a day might bring forth, or who next might fall beneath the destroying hand of death: and how dreadful would it be if one should fall unprepared, and without having heard a single warning word from his Teacher!

Her death afforded a subject of encouragement, inasmuch as it proved the good effect of Sunday-school tuition, with the blessing of God; and his arm is not shortened he is still the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever-always ready to own and bless every work begun, continued, and ended, in him.

In conclusion, Mr.

besought the teachers to persevere to sow their seed in the morning, and in the evening to withhold not their hand; for in due season they should reap, if they fainted not.

As regards the scholars, Mr.

said, the death of E. J. C. was a warning to them to be prepared, lest, like her, they should be suddenly called from time to eternity. If," said Mr. "she could speak, she would say, "Weep not for me, but rather for yourselves, and prepare to follow me.' He then entreated them to seek the Lord while he might be found, and to call upon him while he was near-to pay earnest heed to the things they heard for how should they escape if they neglected so great a salvation ?

E. J. C. was an example to them in her regularity of attendance, both at church and school: her place was never vacant except from unavoidable causes in her attention to the truths taught, which was evinced by her answers at the examinations: in her neatness of dress-no gaudy finery, unbecoming her station and profession, was ever exhibited by her in her general deportment, both at home and abroad, which was such as to gain the love and esteem of all who knew her, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

:

Mr. concluded his address by charging both teachers and scholars to watch; for in such an hour as they knew not, the Son of man cometh.

A SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER..

ANNUAL TEACHERS' MEETING, CARLTON,

NOTTS.

To the Editor of the Teacher's Visitor.

REV. SIR,-As you have hitherto kindly allowed a short account of our Annual Teachers' Meeting to appear in the columns of your excellent periodical, the Teacher's Visitor, I beg again to trespass upon your notice by sending an account of the one recently held.

There are "high days" in the experience of most individuals; and I fancy that our annual meeting is such to all of those teachers who have the privilege of being connected with, or called together by, the friends at Carlton Hall on these occasions. The hall itself, with its soft pleasure-grounds, its woody bowers, its tasteful gardens, its placid lake; these to please the eye, with the sweets of the myrtle-the cooings of the dove-and many other natural beauties, are of themselves enough to refresh the mind of the chafed and wearied teacher, and form a striking contrast to the dull monotony of his own school.

But there are delights superior to those enjoyed on such occasions. Many teachers assemble from different parts of the country, each bringing with him some fresh experience; some new effort has been found successful in improving the mind, or in communicating instruction to children: each is told, and thus mutual improvement is gained.

Again, most, if not all of the teachers, are Christians —whose work is a work of love, and who labour for the spiritual good of their youthful charge, and they have trials and difficulties peculiar to God's people: all are mentioned, so far as one short day will allow, and thus sympathy and affection are awakened. Besides, there are the addresses of various clergymen, who are brought together by the worthy owner of the Hall, containing spiritual counsel and advice; and thus spirituality of mind and Christian principle are encouraged. All these combined tend to make the day, what he by whose influence the teachers are called together wishes it to be,

one of bodily and spiritual refreshment. So far as I myself am concerned, and I doubt not as regards many others too, he has, under God's blessing, been successful. To me it was "a day of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Pleasantly its hours passed away, and sweet is the remembrance of them. A refreshing draught was taken, which I trust will cheer and invigorate me during the whole of the coming year, and stir me up to greater activity and diligence in teaching those little ones who, by the providence of God, are committed to my charge.

The meeting was held on Tuesday, the 28th of August, in the girls' school-room. It was one of those remarkably fine days with which a gracious God has favoured us during the present harvest; scarcely a cloud obscured the orb of day. The prayer meeting, with which the day commenced last year, was on this occa-sion not held, it having been considered to interfere with the arrangements at the Hall. But, no doubt, prayer ascended to heaven from many a private closet for a blessing on the day. At eight o'clock, family prayers were held at the Hall, when the Rev. S. Langstone expounded part of Psalm cxvi. from the 12th verse to the end.

At ten o'clock the teachers began to assemble at the school, and by half-past ten (the time for commencing) about twenty-three teachers, male and female, had arrived. The gentlemen present were Robert Ramsden, Esq., Chairman; the Rev. C. H. Ramsden, Shirland; Rev. H. W. Plumptre, Eastwood; Rev. C. Smith, Carlton; Rev. S. Langstone, Kent; Rev. W. Bruce, Sheffield; and the Rev. J. F. Cobb, Spratton, with several ladies. The meeting commenced with singing and prayer, after which an address was given by the Rev.. S. Langstone; the teachers again sang, when they were addressed by the Rev. H. W. Plumptre, from 1 Thess. ii. 7, 8. In the course of his address, the reverend gentleman very much impressed upon the teachers the fears which he and the rest of the gentlemen present entertained, lest the very laudable desire manifested by teachers to come up to the government standard of requirements should interfere with, or at

all mar, spirituality of mind in the teacher, and religious instruction of the children, both of which are so essential in a school. At twelve o'clock the gentlemen withdrew, leaving the teachers to discuss amongst themselves any subjects of interest, or to think over the subjects advanced by the speakers. This was followed by singing and prayer amongst the teachers; and at one o'clock the morning meeting closed, and the company left for dinner at the Hall.

In the afternoon the party met at three o'clock, when the numbers were swelled to about forty, by the admission of the Carlton Sunday-school teachers, and some others engaged in educational pursuits. After singing, and the offering up of a prayer by the Rev. J. F. Cobb, the Rev. W. Bruce gave an address, selecting as his subject several points in the character of Nehemiah. This was an excellent address, in which the spirit with which a teacher should enter upon and continue in his work was ably dwelt upon. An address was next given by the Rev. C. Smith; singing and prayer followed; when the meeting broke up, and the whole company went to the Hall for tea. But the day was not yet over: much mutual conversation ensued. The company now divided into groups, each party talking over its particular subject, or renewing some discussed point. Now one is engaged in singing, a second is seen amongst the flowers and other delights of the garden, whilst a third is slowly treading the margin of the lake, admiring its beauty.

Prayers were held at the Hall at half-past eight, when the Rev. W. Bruce expounded to a full company in the dining-room the third chapter of the prophet Zechariah.

I fear I have already taken up too much of your time, and therefore will not stay to endeavour to shew the advantages which such meetings as these are calculated to produce, if they were more generally held, and if those to whom God has given this world's goods in a large degree would employ them in promoting so good an object; but I cannot close this account without an expression of gratitude to that man of God," by whose influence and at whose expense we are annually as