throw an adventitious dulness around the pulpit labours of an even, an ardently pious and devoted minister. And after all, my brethren, we must ever bear in mind, that we repair to the sanctuary for instruction as well as impression, and that the latter will prove very inefficient without the former. Hearers of the Gospel have great need to aspire, in general, to a more correct mode of thinking on this topic, while ministers should be ever careful to exhibit Divine truth in its due proportion and harmony. It will regulate your views on the subject of ministerial responsibility ; and you will never think of that account which the pastors of the church have to render at a future day to the Supreme Judge, without, at the same time, anticipating the solemn moment, when you also must lay aside your characters as hearers of the Gospel, and must obey the dread mandate, "Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest no longer be steward."* It will regulate your views on the subject of ministerial visits; and you will have too high a sense of Christian integrity, to lay claim to an undue proportion of your Pastor's invaluable time. You will never wish to convert him into a religious gossip. You will be uniformly discreet in your expectations, and will always receive him, not as a new guest at your table, not simply as a gentleman, not merely as a private and faithful friend, but as a "man of God," whose office it is both in and out of the pulpit, to promote the spirituality of your minds. There are very many, who think their claim to the frequent visits of their minister, is as clearly established as the evidence of the Christian faith, and are instantly offended if their extravagant wishes are not realized, who would rather relinquish their claim than be subject to the intrusion of a visit strictly pastoral, in which devout conversation, instruction, and prayer constituted the prominent features. Till the good old method-and the method which still obtains, among some bodies of Presbyterians in Scotland-of turning the Pastor's visits to religious account, be restored, I despair of hearing that the clamour of the nonvisitation of ministers has ceased. It will regulate your views on the subject of a minister's attention to the sick. In this part of his embassage of mercy, he will realize the greatest possible delight; and never will he feel himself treading more directly in the footsteps of his heavenly Master than when hastening to the abode of sorrow, there to point the afflicted to the cross of Christ, to the promises of the Gospel, and to the hopes of a better world. But while this will be his delight, let no one imagine at any time, that he is gifted with omniscience, to know every case of sickness or accident that occurs within the sphere of his labour. When God lays his hand upon you, it is your duty, forthwith, to endeavour to find some one who will convey the intelligence to the ear of your pastor; in this way an unseasonable delay will be prevented, and you will not be led to cherish the unkind and ungenerous suspicion, that he forgets you in the day of your adversity. "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." It will regulate your views on the subject of a minister's success. You will not presumptuously imagine that it is with him to command the blessing. It is his indeed to labour, and watch, and pray, and exercise dependance; but it is with God to "breathe upon the slain, that they may live," as in the natural world, so also in the spiritual, it is with Him to "send prosperity." The full conviction of this truth will stimulate you to fervent and oft repeated prayer for the Divine benediction; and should it please God to withhold the increase, or only to grant it but partially, you will thus be prevented from undue despondency, on the one hand, and from a disposition to reflect on instruments, on the other. And should "times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord," the instrument will not be blighted by having that honour heaped upon it, which belongs exclusively to God. I cannot help considering it as most momentous, that the hearers of the Gospel should think and feel correctly on this head, as it is one of a decidedly practical nature. In too many religious circles, the whole system hangs on the minister if his popularity, or his better qualities, succeed in filling the pews, all is well; the funds prosper; his deacons can afford to pay him a liberal salary, and the pecuniary engagements are met with ease, and with an air of independent dignity. Let the picture, however, be reversed; and with equal excellence of character, though with talents less splendid, let the minister labour with a more measured popularity, let the pews be less generally filled, let the places be less handsomely supported, and the affair is charged to the account of the minister, however active his exertions, and however amiable and pious his spirit. There is much of the spirit of the world in all this, and something that stands in entire opposition to the kingdom of Christ. * MISSIONARY HYMN. A Hymn, said to be composed by the Rev. REGINALD HEBER, (the newly appointed Bishop of Calcutta) for the purpose of being sung in Whillington Church, Shropshire, in which Parish a Missionary Association was formed, on Sunday April, 16, 1820. Entelligence. UNITED STATES.-SUNDAY SCHOOLS. For the Christian Herald. FEMALE UNION SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF SABBATH SCHOOLS. Abstract of the 7th Annual Report. YEAR after year it has been the delightful privilege of the committee to record the Lord's goodness towards this institution. An increase in the number of schools; great diligence on the part of teachers and scholars; with pleasing accounts of souls being born unto God, by means of Sabbath school instruction, have given animation to their Reports hitherto. On the present occasion the patrons of this society will naturally expect less interesting matter. Scarcely had the scholars begun to rally round their instructers after the various hindrances usually experienced at this season from moving, housecleaning, &c. when the pestilence began to walk in darkness, and waste at noonday. All the schools south of Franklin-street were closed for several months; Those superintendents and teachers whose schools were located without the infected district, received as many of the fugitives as wished to continue under instruction, and when the schools were re-opened, returned to their former stations. A school was opened in Fourth-street, between Broadway and the Bowery, on the 18th of August last, to accommodate those, as well as to give the children in that neighbourhood an opportunity of attending a Sabbath school. The teachers of this school are members of a Local Association for supplying the poor with Bibles at reduced prices, paid in weekly instalments; inviting their children and ignorant adults to attend the Sabbath schools; distributing religious tracts, and receiving free subscriptions, however small, to the Female Auxiliary Bible Society, and to this Union. This association ranks No. 9 to the Female Bible Society, and No. 1 to the Female Sabbath School Union. The funds of both have been benefited by their exertions ; many scholars have been gathered into the schools; pastors have received information of souls inquiring "what they should do to be saved," and others exhorted to attend places of worship, who seemed indifferent to their best interests. Another association has reported to this Society, and the committee are happy to state that many more are engaged in the good work, who do not collect for this Union. Two more schools have been opened, and two have withdrawn ; one to join the Episcopal Sunday School Society, and one from necessity: while the managers would pray that the same divine blessing, which attended their dear sisters while connected with this society, may follow them in all their changes, they cannot help indulging their feelings towards their fellow-labourer, whose heart is still with them. Miss F took charge of a school, destitute of a superintendent, taught in a small chapel not her stated place of wor Female Union Scoiety for the Promotion of Sabbath Schools. 735 ship. In process of time, the society worshipping there was dissolved and the place was diposed of to another: strange to tell, the new inmates did not approve of giving religious instruction to youth, and signified their wish that she should remove; determined to keep her little flock together, she begged to be received into a church where only a few females attended under the direction of the male superintendent. She was admitted on condition that she should come under the same authority. She will please accept the thanks of this committee for her unwearied and exemplary attention to the rules of this society while connected with it, and her continued liberality to its funds. The schools were re-opened in the month of November, but a necessary attention to domestic duties after so long an absence from home, in a great measure prevented the attendance of the committee, and the board were ignorant of the state of the schools. A meeting of the superintendents and teachers was called; it took place on the 16th of January, and a general attendance was given. Each superintendent gave a short account of the state of her school. The Rev. Mr. McCartee addressed the Throne of Grace in their behalf, and added a short animated address. A suitable hymn was sung, and a gentleman of the Sunday School Union, encouraged his fellow labourers to persevere in the good work, from the recollection of what the blessed Saviour had done for them in times past, and the dread lest any ignorant of the way of salvation, should reproach them at the last day, for neglecting to direct them to a Sabbath school. The Rev. Mr. Willet made the concluding prayer and gave the benediction. From that time a new spring seemed to have been given to the society generally teachers visited and collected the absentees; the visiting committee resumed their duties, and the schools have since been regularly reported at the monthly meetings of the board. Contrary to expectation, the annual Reports of the superintendents contain not only many pleasing instances of rapid improvement in reading and committing to memory, but of precious souls added to the Redeemer's fold. Thus while many were mourning over the declension of the Sunday school interest in this city, the purposes of a sovereign and merciful God were ripening fast." The bud indeed had a bitter taste, but the fragrance exhaling from the sweet flowers now blooming in the garden of God and watered by the dews of heaven has turned their mourning into joy. Blind unbelief is sure to err, God is his own interpreter, And He will make it plain. 66 This Union numbers thirty-nine schools; known to be in operation, they are attended by 2570 scholars and instructed by 437 teachers, sixty-six of whom have made a public profession of their faith in Christ since the last report.-18 of the scholars have also given evidence that the seed sown has fallen on good ground, and are admitted members of the visible church. While we would ascribe all the glory to God, let us unite in fervent prayer that the four hundred VOL. IX. 94 and eighteen precious souls called by his spirit from darkness unto light during, the first sabbatical year of this institution, may prove the first ripe fruits of an abundant harvest to be reaped by Sunday school labourers, until that time shall come when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and all know him from the least unto the greatest. That the exercises might not be f "a d only one extract from the reports was read. "C. G. a c ed adult who lived at service in the family of one of the teachers, ne ve trust, obtained a good scriptural hope of being interested in the g at salvation. About six years ago she became convinced that she was a sinner deserving the wrath of God, and the fear of dying in such a state, harrassed her mind night and day. But alas! those convictions soon passed away "like the early cloud and the morning dew." From that time till a kind Providence directed her to this school, she constantly resisted the strivings of the spirit. At times indeed she longed for some kind Christian friend, to whom she could make known the state of her mind: at length the Lord was pleased to raise up for her a kind Christian friend in her Sunday school teacher; through her persuasion, she was led to attend the preaching of the Gospel; divine grace has softened and changed her hard heart. A heavenly light has dawned upon her darkened understanding. She is now rejoicing in the hope and desirous of confessing her Saviour before the world. The Rev. Mr.B. and others who have conversed with her, appear to be satisfied with her conversation, and believe her to be a Christian. I always felt anxious for her soul, (says the report of her teacher) and frequently urged her to think more seriously on this important subject, and attend with more diligence to the means of grace. One memorable evening, which I feel can never be forgotten by either of us, she seemed unwilling to attend lecture; I told her, she must not let trifles prevent her, and urged her to go; she did so, and I humbly trust it was not in vain; when she returned, she appeared to be in deep distress; I asked her what was the matter? she replied, every word that Mr. B. said appeared as if he was speaking to me,he described my state exactly. Oh I am such a great sinner there is no hope for me.' I assured her there was hope for the vilest, and after talking with her for some time, I committed her to God in prayer. Day after day, she had an increasing sense of the enormity of sin she opened her mind to me at all times, and I felt that the good work of grace had begun her constant fear was that these convictions would wear away as formerly ;-but while she feared it, I felt there was no danger; that fear led her to pray fervently that God would keep her, and not suffer her again to stray. The Bible : : is now her chief delight, and though unable to read it well, it is no longer a sealed book.' I believe her to be an humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ." In closing this Report, the board would acknowledge their gratitude to a God of love, who continues to direct their operations: although they cannot as formerly proclaim their Union unbroken, they humbly trust they may look forward to the happy time, when all |