to save us. Learn Rejoice that we know who "this" is. This knowledge will be the reason of our greatest joy, or the occasion of our greatest misery, for ever. Have you a saving knowledge of Jesus?

Text, Matt. xxi. 14. Subject, The right use of the house of God. Illustrated by the conduct of the blind and lame. Divisions-I. The conduct of the lame and blind. (1) They went to the temple. Did not find an excuse in their infirmities. Even they had something to be thankful for, as well as something to seek. They had life, food, &c. The most afflicted have reason to worship God. (2) They came to Jesus in the temple. They knew where to find Him. The temple would have done little for them, been little to them, if Jesus had not been there. Priest, architecture, form, ceremony, would not have imparted sight and strength. II. The conduct of Jesus. (1) He healed them. Kind words had not met their case. He made them whole. (2) He healed THEM. All of them; His power to heal not diminished by the exercise of it. (3) He healed them THERE, and thus showed the mercy of God and the purpose of the place. The house of God a place for the needy, and a place of healing. Learn: Those are blind who do not see the love of God and the sinfulness of sin; those are lame who halt in the way of God's commandments. Jesus is willing to heal all such, and especially to heal them in the house of God.

Text, 1 Sam. xxiii. 7. Subject, False confidence in providence. Illustration, Saul exulting in chance of David's capture. Divisions—I. A false idea of providence. Saul's. He a bad man-thought that God was on his side; regarded the present position of David as a sign of this. Men may misinterpret providence. God is often for those whom He seems to be against, and against those whom He seems to favour. The proud man will interpret providence to his own advantage. II. A real trust in providence. David's. Did not scorn walled towns. His real trust was God; his "fortress, and rock of his salvation." Behind those walls, and in the midst of traitors, he sought after God, and found a true and present friend in Jehovah. The Philistine invasion was the answer to David's prayer, and the news of it made Saul raise the siege. Learn Providence cannot be right with those whose hearts are not right with God. God can raise up unexpected deliverances. The hour of the bad man's boasting may be the hour of his discomfiture. Make God your friend, and find present and eternal safety in Him.

"A young gentleman, a godson of Dr. Johnson, called to see him a very short time before his death. In the course of the conversation the doctor asked him what books he read. The young man replied, The books, sir, which you gave me.' Dr. Johnson, summoning up all his strength, and with a piercing eye fixed upon the youth, exclaimed, Sam, Sam, read the Bible: all the books that are worth reading have their foundation and their merits there.'' Shortly before he died, Patrick Henry, laying his hand on the Bible, said, "Here is a book worth more than all others; yet it is my sad misfortune never to have read it, until lately, with proper attention." With voice and gesture pertinent, and all his own, John Randolph said, "A terrible proof of our deep depravity is, that we can relish and remember anything better than THE BOOK."

"Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

all a long my pilgrim way His loving hand has brought me.

CHORUS.

O! help me sing for Jesus,

Help me tell the story Of

him who did

redeem us, The Lord of life and glo - ry.

Can there overtake me

Any dark disaster,

While I sing for Jesus,

My blessed, blessed' Master?

Chorus-O! help me sing for Jesus.

I will sing for Jesus!

His name alone prevailing,

Shall be my sweetest music,

When heart and flesh are failing.

Chorus-O! help me sing for Jesu.

Still I'll sing for Jesus!

O! how will I adore him,

Among the cloud of witnesses,

Who cast their crowns before him.

Chorus-O! help me sing for Jesus.

From "The American Sacred Songster," by PHILIP PHILLIPS, of New York. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, 56, Old Bailey.

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.”

SIR, I have read the article on "Is the Present Organization of our Sunday Schools, and the System of Teaching in them, Satisfactory?" by the Rev. A. Buzacott, B.A., in your number for this month with very great interest. This is a subject that has occupied many minds for many years, and I quite agree with most of his introductory remarks, but not with all his suggested proposals for the improvement of our Sunday school system. For instance, I do not think it necessary or desirable that morning Sunday schools should be abolished. The reason given for this change is that "three hours tire and disgust children." I believe that children are capable of a great amount of endurance when their attention can be interestingly engaged. Witness their elasticity of spirits and untiring energy during the many hours they are sometimes occupied in play or recreation. Mr. B. remarks, as the result of his inquiries, "Generally, then, the improvement is required more in the workman than in the organization or the system of teaching." This I consider to be the main cause of the unsatisfactory state of our Sunday schools; and when we reflect on the qualifications which admit persons into our schools as teachers, their appointment to the classes, and the indifference with which they regard their duties, how can it be otherwise? The mode of admitting teachers is much the same now as it has been from nearly the beginning of Sunday schools. Decided piety and teaching ability are not, though they ought to be, the tests of admission as a teacher. Any one of good moral character, and willing to become a teacher, is admitted, appointed to a class, and left much at liberty to pursue what course of teaching he thinks proper, attends or not at his convenience or pleasure, and gives up his class at any time without notice. It is a system of voluntaryism without tests or checks.

There are many, and I hope the number is increasing, teachers who are truly exemplary in piety, ability, and industry, and spare no pains or sacrifice to qualify themselves for their duties, and it is to these we must attribute the good results so ably sketched by your correspondent. But their number is but a fraction of the whole, perhaps not greater than the proportion of converted scholars to the number of teachers as stated by Mr. B., viz., one in seven. The remaining six, or six-sevenths, may therefore be assumed as not being up to the mark required as teachers. I am aware of the old remark, that "we must of necessity take such teachers as we can get."

I would not exclude any of our present teachers, but I would try to improve them, and admit none for the future who did not give some evidence of their piety and fitness for the work. I consider that it is the duty of the executive or

staff of officers in every school, including, of course, the minister of the church, to see that the teachers are qualified persons, or that they are in course of becoming such.

The Sunday School Union and other societies have done much, very much, tɔ aid conductors and teachers in their work, and we have a rich Sunday school literature. There need not, therefore, be "unsatisfactory results," so far as

books and apparatus are concerned, but I fear many thousands of our teachers do not even know of the existence of such publications,—at least, they do not seem to avail themselves of the benefit of them.

I am glad to perceive that in the next monthly teachers' conference it is proposed to discuss the question, "Ought any persons to be engaged in Sunday school teaching who are not decided Christians?" It is pretty well admitted now that the Sunday school is the nursery of the church. If so, it is as much a religious establishment as the church itself, and its teachers may be considered as so many co-pastors or co-operators, the teachers ministering to the spiritual wants of the children, and the minister to the adults. If, therefore, six-sevenths of the teachers are unqualified as religious instructors, the result of their labours cannot be otherwise than as stated by Mr. B.-one conversion for every seven teachers during the year. As well may we expect grapes from thorns or figs from thistles. We are on the eve of great educational changes, and secular education, compulsory, or nearly so, will most probably be the result. The religious teaching will be left to the various denominations of Christians, and in my opinion the Sunday school will and must take a very prominent, if not the principal place in the religious training of the young. If so, I fear the present race of teachers, unless there be a very great change, will not be in a position to supply that training. Organization may be complete, rules may be excellent, but unless we have zealous and efficient teachers, who will heartily co-operate in carrying out any organization, the Sunday school will be behind the requirement of the times, and our youth may fall into the hands of mere sectarianists, or more energetic, pernicious, and designing men. It is imperatively incumbent on all engaged in the management of Sunday schools to use their utmost endeavours to improve the character of their teachers, and prepare our youth for becoming their successors. The common complaint, "We cannot get our teachers to attend improvement meetings, -want of time and want of interest being the chief causes," indicates that something is wrong somewhere. The proverb, "Where there is a will there will generally be found a way," is true in this as in many other cases. Teachers can find both time and money for other objects, and even make sacrifices to obtain them, far less important than the education and training young immortals for their future position and destiny. Perhaps the present educational methods and apparatus, excellent as they are in aiding the improvement of teachers, may be too elaborate and advanced, and a little lower adaptation of means is required to interest, improve, and stir up many of them. I believe the teachers as a body are willing and ready to acquiesce in any movement for their benefit, and this improvement can be made, and their interest excited to a much greater extent than has hitherto been done, if the proper parties will but set about it in a right spirit, and with determination.

I should like to hear the opinions of some of your correspondents on this subject, the length of this letter precluding my making any suggestions at present.

Yours truly,

August, 1868.

B. S. B.

Notices of Books.