heathen world, where missions are now established, and have endeavored to point out plainly, 1. The wretched condition of the heathen without the gospel, by holding up the odious, horrid features of heathenism, in contrast with the divine excellency and beauty of the Christian system, 2. To impress the truth on the mind of each one that the gospel is the only means of elevating and saving the heathen, 3. To show the tendency of the Gospel to accomplish this, by what our missionaries have already done, 4. To show the peculiar trials and sacrifices, which those must encounter who go among the heathen with the gospel; and their high claims to our sympathies and prayers, and, 5. To show that even children as well as all others, have something to do in the glorious enterprise of converting the world.

The teachers, generally, have felt a deep interest in these recitations; and those of them especially who have charge of the children and youth, have found no difficulty in gaining and fixing the attention of their classes. The effect throughout the school has been good.

It will be seen from what has been said above, that the Bible is not set aside by these Missionary Recitations. The grand object of all our missionary operations is kept distinctly in view, -the conversion of the world to Christ. And it is well known that the most impressive illustrations of some portions of Scripture are to be found in contemplating the condition of the heathen.

In order to have this plan succeed well, there ought to be a Missionary Catechism prepared, and placed in the hands of children and others connected with the Sabbath school. There is need also of a manual for the use of the teachers. Perhaps the missionary Gazeteer might, for the present, answer the purpose.

It seems really desirable, that some attention should be given to this subject, and some particular scheme of missionary instruction in the Sabbath school, devised. Want of information ás to the condition and prospects of the heathen, and the means of saving them, is one grand obstacle in the way of the missionary enterprise, and if we would not have the rising generation grow up in the very likeness and image of that now passing away, something must be done speedily to enlighten, and rightly impress their minds with regard to the world in which they live, and their obligations to labor and pray for its conversion. I have presented this subject here, with the hope that it may be taken into consideration, by some one who is wise to do good and able to devise liberal things for the prosperity of Zion. N. B.

JUVENILE MUSIC. Furnished for this work by LowELL MASON, Professor in the Boston Academy of Music.

Song of Praise.

Music by Weber.

Songs of praise the angels sang, Heaven with halle - lu - jah's rang,

When Jehovah's work begun, When he spake, and it was done.

2

Songs of praise awoke the morn,
When the Prince of Peace was born;
Songs of praise arose, when he
Captive led captivity.

3

Heaven and earth must pass away,
Songs of praise shall crown that day :
God will make new heaven's and earth,
Songs of praise shall hail their birth.

Saints below, with heart and voice,
Still in songs of praise rejoice;
Learning here, by faith and love,
Songs of praise to sing above.

TO PRAY, PA ?" years of age whose He no sooner be

I KNOW a little boy between 3 and 4 father experienced religion last winter. came a good man, than he thought he ought to pray with his family. He took the Bible in his hand, and after reading a few verses in a very feeling manner, bowed down before God, and offered a most fervent prayer. It was something new to all the family. But his little boy who a year ago tenderly inquired, "Cant you pray Pa, Grandpa does," immediately came to him full of feeling, and said, Why Pa,-who learnt you to pray, Pa? I did'nt know you could pray; I knew Grandpa could-If I'd known you could pray, I should have asked you to pray for me

when I have been a naughty boy." The father wept, but he could now tell his child who taught him to come to the throne of grace, and now he can direct his beloved children to that Savior whom he loves, and with whom he hopes to dwell when his work on earth is finished.

L.

EXAMPLES OF PUNCTUALITY.

Mr. Bullard,-I was very much interested at our Sabbath school Concert, last Monday evening, in hearing the monthly report of our superintendent. Among other facts, he said he had been engaged in the Sabbath school more than six years and had not been absent but one Sabbath during that time, (and our school is kept summer and winter,) and then it was to visit another school as one of the committee of the Harmony Conference of churches for Sabbath schools. And our Librarian has been absent only two Sabbaths in five years.

SERMON TO CHILDREN.-NO I.

TEXT,-" Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. III. 20. My dear children :-) -It is the Lord Jesus Christ who speaks in the text. It is the Savior who took little children in his arms and blessed them, and said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." He is speaking to you. He says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock." When a person comes to the door of a house, and knocks, it is understood that he asks leave to come in. Here the Lord Jesus represents himself as asking leave to come into your hearts; and he says if you will let him in, he will sup with you and you with him. When people sit down to the table to eat together, it shows that they love one another. And while eating, they will talk about such things as they feel interested in. Friends never enjoy them-selves so well as when they are visiting together. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ means. If you will open your hearts to him, he will come in, and be with you, as a friend on a visit. He will love you, and you will love him, and that will make you happy.

But, suppose one of you should fall into the river, and a good man standing by, should plunge in, and save your life, at the risk of losing his own. Would you not feel very grateful towards him? Would you not love him every time you thought of him? But, suppose, after this, he should come and knock at the door of your father's house, and you should hear and know who it was; but, instead of letting him in, you should go and bar the door, and tell him he shall not come in-you dont want to see him. Would not that be treating him very ill? Would it not be monstrous ingratitude? Yet this is the way you are treating the Lord Jesus Christ. He has come into the world and suffered and died to save your soul from hell. He now knocks at the door of your hearts; but you wont let him in. You bolt the door against him. grateful! Think of this, dear children. kindness, love and compassion of the blessed Jesus. If you should go to the house of one of your little fellows, whose life you had saved, and knock at the door, and he should shut it in your face, would you not turn away, and never visit him again? Yet, Jesus keeps knocking; and he has been knocking, ever since you knew anything about him. You shut the door in his face. Yet he does not leave you. He knocks and knocks again. But, if you do not let him in, he will certainly leave you to perish. Slight his love no longer. Open your hearts to him. Receive him as your prophet to teach you—your priest to satisfy God for your sins-and your king to rule over you; and he will save your soul from hell.

'Behold a stranger at the door!

He gently knocks, has knock'd before;
Has waited long, is waiting still:

You treat no other friend so ill.'

Pittsburgh, Penn.

O! how unConsider the

VERSE SYSTEM, CATECHISM, &c.

Mr. Editor-It was with surprise that I read the remarks of Amicus in the June Visiter. He believes that very little is thoroughly learned in our Sabbath schools. If this is the case in old Massachusetts, it is surely mat