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deceive people, and make them think well of them; it is just the contrary. You may always know a sly girl or boy by their looks, and by many other things which they do not think are noticed. As for this

Betsy, I know as well that she is not as good as she pretends to be, and that she often does things that she ought to be ashamed of, as if I were with her all the week long. Oh it is a sad thing, a sad thing indeed, to be sly! and it is very silly, because every body You may be sure, after what I have Betsy, that when I praise her for getting her tasks so well, it is not with much pleasure; for, as I often tell her, all she learns is of no use if it does not make her a good girl.

can find it out.

told you about

Charlotte is younger than those I have mentioned; and she is a tolerably good girl in some respects; but she is apt to be very inattentive in school time, and is too fond of play. When her teacher is endeavouring to explain some chapter that they are reading, Charlotte will, perhaps, attend to what is said for a little while; but if it happens that somebody opens a door, or draws down a window blind, or if any of the other children pass by, or if any one of the teachers is speaking to another, above all, if any body comes in with a new bonnet on,-oh! then Charlotte's eyes are off her book in a moment, and whatever her teacher happens to be saying is lost. Indeed, I am sorry to say, that I have observed this last circumstance to produce an effect upon my whole class, all their heads having been turned one way in an instant, like a regiment of soldiers that are ordered to "face about." But as for Charlotte, her head is up and down so continually, that she often puts me in mind of a chicken that is drinking. Now what is the consequence of all this? I really should be ashamed

TO ALL SUNDAY SCHOLARS.

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to tell you the mistakes she sometimes makes, if it were not that you will never know who she is. Among many others, I remember that once when we were reading the history of Joseph, and I asked her who Pharaoh was, she replied, The twelve Patriarchs and a very few Sundays ago, in answer to my question, she told me, that the Jews were the Gentiles! Now this was neither because she was too stupid to learn, (for she is not at all stupid,) nor because she does not know better; but because she was paying no attention to what was said. This is a great fault; and very vexatious these things are to a teacher. You may judge how much ashamed I should have been, if any body had happened to hear it.

The last whom I shall here mention, by the name of Martha, is not indeed without her faults, but she has some qualities which I am persuaded every good teacher would rather see, than the greatest forwardness in learning. Martha appears thoughtful and attentive, and is never to be seen playing or trifling when she is addressed. If her teacher at any time. endeavours to speak to the children on the most serious subjects, telling them of the great value of their souls, of the willingness of Jesus to save them, or reminding them of the 'heaven of joy and love,' and of the 'dreadful hell,' of which the Bible tells us; at these times she is sure to see Martha's eye fixed upon her with a look of affectionate attention; and her general behaviour is such as to lead me to hope, that she does not forget what she hears about these very important things.

Now, I think to myself sometimes, what a happy school ours would be if every one would endeavour in earnest to cure herself of her particular faults! Suppose, for instance, Nancy should resolve to be al

VOL. I.

14 A LETTER TO ALL SUNDAY SCHOLARS.

ways as industrious as she can be now and then, when she pleases; then she would find her natural quickness of surprising advantage to her; and she would make such progress in her learning, that there is no saying what she might not, in time, attain to. If Hannah were to begin to exert herself in a more active and lively way than she has yet done, we should soon forget that she was once thought slow and dull. And oh what a child might Betsy become, if she were but to see and mourn her great fault, and to pray earnestly that God would give her a new and sincere heart, a heart without guile! This would be a great change indeed; but it is not too hard for God; and it is what he will do for every one who desires and asks him to do it. If this should ever be the case with Betsy, then all she knows would be of use to her; then her teacher would rejoice, and no longer think her pains and trouble thrown away; and then, instead of having a bad conscience, and instead of being in a bad way, she would be happy here, and happy hereafter. If little Charlotte, too, would begin to consider what she comes to school for, and that coming with her head full of play is not the way to get any good, she would soon find the advantage of it. Although Solomon says, "There is a time to laugh," he never

meant that that time was school-time. There is a great pleasure in learning, but none feel it except those who wish and try to learn. Of Martha, notwithstanding what has been said, I have my fears as well as my hopes. I should be greatly pleased to see her more diligent than she commonly is. I observe that she does not like the trouble of taking great pains about any thing; and as no one can go in the way to Heaven without taking very great pains to do so, there is reason to fear lest she should at last be one

ILLUSTRATION OF MATTHEW x111. 44. 15

of those," who shall seek to enter in, but shall not be able;" because, although they had some serious thoughts, they did not strive and pray earnestly that they might. But oh! I hope and pray that this may not be her sad case, nor that of one of the dear children in my class!

Before I conclude this long letter, I must tell you more particularly my reason for giving you this account of those under my care. Although I well know that better teachers than I am, have fewer complaints to make, yet I have reason to believe that many of the faults I have here mentioned are not very uncommon ones, but that in most schools there are some children of whom the like account might be given. Now I should be very glad indeed, if any Sunday scholar who may read this, and who may know that the same things, or others quite as bad, might be said of him or her, should resolve henceforth to strive more earnestly against their faults, especially as they see how unpleasant they appear when printed in a book. I remain, dear children,

Your affectionate friend,

A TEACHER.

ILLUSTRATION OF SCRIPTURE.

It is quite necessary that we should understand Scripture, if we wish to profit by it; and there are many passages which become more interesting, and make a stronger impression on the mind, when we know better what they allude to. We shall therefore undertake now and then to explain such passages as the following:

The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matt. xiii. 44.

Very rich people in eastern countries, who have got a great quantity of gold and silver, are obliged to hide it in order to keep it; more particu larly if they are afraid of an invasion, or obliged to leave the place they

dwell in for a certain time. In this case they fix upon some spot in their vast plains, or in their large fields, and secretly bury it; so that nobody but themselves can know the exact spot and if ever they come back again to their own country, they can go and take it. If you will look at Jer. xxxii. 14, 15, you will find that the prophet was directed to hide in the earth the purchase deeds of an estate, that they might be found when the Jews returned from captivity in Babylon. And in Isaiah xlv. 3, God promises to Cyrus that he should get a great deal of riches that had been concealed in this way. When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he forced the people to tell him where they had hid their money; but still much remained concealed. In such countries there are many that go about on purpose to seek such secret wealth, and use a great deal of trouble and perseverance to find it. You must think of this when you read such passages as Prov. ii. 4. "If thou seekest for understanding as for hid treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord." Do you think you were ever as much in earnest about the knowledge of religion? It is not to be got at without seeking for it. The Gospel is like a treasure hid in a field, many may go through the field and know nothing of the treasure that is in it. Children go to a Sunday School and learn to read their Bible, without considering so much as they should, how rich in faith they may become by it. But a serious child who knows this, would rather part with any thing else, than lose the opportunity.

RECORDS OF EARLY PIETY.
Life of Sophia Leece *.

SOPHIA LEECE, was born in the town of Douglas, in the Isle of Man, on the first day of October, 1798. At the age of three years she was deprived of her mother by death, and of her father before she had completed her sixth year. Sophia was of an amiable and quiet disposi tion. Her capacity was good, and her application extraordinary. She felt an ardent desire to excel in every undertaking in which she engaged, and would never rest satisfied with a slight knowledge of any subject which occupied her attention. This made her a particular favourite with her friends. Religious instruction formed a great part of her education. Strict attention was paid to the perusal of the Scriptures, to catechetical exercises, and Sabbath occupations. A portion of the Bible was read every day, at an appointed hour. By this habit much scriptural knowledge was obtained, the memory was furnished with rich treasures, and materials prepared for the formation of the Christian character. It

The following extracts are taken from A Narrative of the Life of Miss Sophia Leece, by the Rev. Hugh Stowell, Rector of Ballaugh, Isle of Man.' We strongly recommend those of our readers who may have it in their power, to become possessed of this excellent little work. It is published at the small price of 1s. 3d.

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