May we like them, in early youth Then will our days be passed in peace, And when our pilgrimage shall cease, For the Sabbath School Visiter. FOR THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT.-NO. II. Requisites for a good Concert. 1. A good Concert requires a previous preparation of the minds and the hearts of those that attend it. Doubtless there are some instances in which individuals attend this, as well as other religious meetings, without any previous preparation, and yet, by the special manifestation of the divine favor, have a most excellent and profitable meeting. But whenever such instances occur, they are regarded as peculiar; as out of the common course of divine operation. Besides even in such instances, no one can tell how much greater the blessing would have been, had there been a suitable previous preparation of mind and heart to receive it. God's agency is a co-operating agency. It works with, as well as in us. Hence the preparation of the heart is said to be from the Lord; while, at the same time, we are commanded to prepare our hearts for his service and worship. A preparation of heart the Bible makes indispensably requisite for the acceptable service and worship of God. Under the old dispensation, the Jews were required to keep a day of preparation for the services of the paschal week; and in both the Old and New Testaments, we are frequently cautioned against rushing thoughtlessly, and without a preparation of heart, into the presence of God. Let us see to it that we obey these divine commands, whenever we engage in the interesting and solemn service of this meeting. Let us look to God to prepare our hearts for us, remembering at the same time that we must cheerfully yield ourselves to his influence; for it is this influ ence that renders our own efforts, in this preparatory work, effective and useful. But in what should this preparation consist? and on whom does it devolve to make it? It devolves on all; for all are, or ought to be, connected with the Sabbath school. This preparation should consist much in fervent, humble prayer in devout meditation on the object and the importance of this meeting-and in the collection of such facts as may he communicated to the meeting with interest and profit. These are all involved in a faithful preparation for this Concert and the latter of them is of such special importance and so liable to be neglected, that I beg leave to invite your particular attention to it. Much of the interest and utility of this meeting depends on the communication of interesting and important intelligence. This intelligence may respect an individual, a class, the school, or the condition of the general cause of Sabbath schools. The collection of this intelligence, is too often left entirely to the minister, or the superintendent, or, at best, to a very few individuals; whereas, in fact, it is the business of each and all the members of the school. Each in the course of a month, ought to find in his own experience, to say nothing of his observation and reading, several interesting and important facts respecting the influence which his lessons and the reading of books from the Sabbath school Library, have exerted upon him. If every one would search for such facts in his own experience, observation, and reading, and from. month to month, would communicate some of them to the superintendent, and the minister, in order that they might present such of them to the meeting, as they should think proper, how full of valuable and interesting intelligence, would that portion of this meeting designed to be occupied with remarks, become! O when will Sabhath school teachers and pupils realize, as they ought, their individual responsibilities in regard to the interest and utility of this meeting! When will they feel so much interest in it as shall induce them to make a suitable preparation for it! B. We regret the necessity of deferring the 2nd requisite for a good Concert, till the next month. It is practical and interesting. ED. [Extract from a letter to the Agent of the Depository.] A WAY TO DO GOOD. Sir,-As subscribers to the Visiter, and wishing that it may be circulated in every Sabbath School in our land, we have resolved to send you one dollar, which we have obtained by labor, to assist in this circulation. We wish one copy to be sent to the Sabbath school under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Morgan, Corinth, Vt., and one to the Sabbath school in Dunbarton, N. H. We hope all the teachers and pupils, who do not receive a copy, will have the privilege of reading these numbers, and be so interested with them, that every family will desire and obtain a copy. Yours respectfully, HINTS FOR A NEW YEAR. A. S. J. This is the title of a little book from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Dimmick of Newburyport, just published. The following extract will take the place of our own remarks on the subject of a new year. The first sentiment demanded on the opening of a NewYear, is that of thankfulness for the past. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Every one may look around him, and see immense blessings which have marked his lot. While others have fallen, some on his right hand and some on his left; while the ranks of his own immediate circle, perhaps, have been thinned by death; he is yet numbered with the living. This is a great distinction. "The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.Neither have they any more a portion in any thing that is done under the sun." But to him that is joined to all the living there is hope." He has not only the gifts of a bountiful providence, but the richer gifts of infinite grace. He has space for repentance, and for attending to the things of his peace. The gospel pours round him its light, and sheds upon him its instructions, its Sabbaths, its opportunities for prayer, its offers of an eternal heaven, and its helps to obtain it. Well may every individual, at the opening of a New-Year, render thanks to God that 66 1 he is not dead, but lives to enjoy privileges like these. "The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day." SHORT ROWS. A traveler, while on his journey, passed by the field where an old man was engaged in hoeing his corn. He stopped and entered into conversation with him. Among other inquiries he propounded the following: 'Father, how much can you hoe in a day?—The old man leaning on his hoe, replied, 'Why, if the rows are short, I can hoe half an acre.' We wish our correspondents would ponder this answer and see if it does not contain an important suggestion respecting the length of articles which they furnish for the Visiter.-As our schools are embracing adults as well as children and youth, some of our readers, no doubt, will not object to long rows; and we are willing to gratify their taste with a few such, every month. But if we mean to secure the constant and interested attention of the great mass of our readers, including most of the adults too, we must have MOST of our rows short. SABBATH SCHOOL MISSIONARY EFFORTS. THE question has been asked, whether the teachers united with the children in raising the $100 mentioned on page 284. We have written to Philadelphia on the subject and the Superintendent, with whose school that Missionary society is connected, has furnished us the following information The amount of our Sabbath School contributions includes what is given by teachers and scholars; but not to the exclusion of any other contributions for benevolent Purposes. I wish this to be distinctly understood. Our Sabbath School Missionary Society rather seems to stimulate the teachers to give more to the cause of Christ, through other channels, than to limit them to our school. The principle of Benevolence has been more fully developed; and the more the teachers give the more they want to give. Our Sabbath School Missionary effort, is not considered by teacher or scholar as a substitute for any other contribution; but auxiliary to, and a motive for greater efforts on all approved occasions. The proportion contributed by teachers and scholars, the writer is unable to give. This is not very important, however, if this society, including tealcers and scholars, has raised $100 for benevolent objects in one quarter, more than they would, probably, have raised, had it not been for this Society. NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. The Pilgrim's Progress, from this world to that which is to come. By John Bunyan. Abridged for Sabbath Schools. Stereotype edition, with 28 Engravings on wood; pp. 179, 16 mo. Price 37 cents. Revised by the Committee of Publication. Boston: Massachusetts Sabbath School Society. Depository, No. 24, Cornhill. 1834. This volume cannot fail to gain a ready place in all our libraries, and the attentive perusal of all the members of our Sabbath schools.-We believe it was a remark of Johnson, That there were only two books which he had read entirely through; and those were the Bible and the Pilgrim's Progress.' Soon after Christian had reached the end of his pilgrimage to the New Jerusalem, his wife, Christiana, with her children and her neighbor, Mercy, were induced to set out on a Journey to the same Celestial City. The engraving represents them on their way. We are prevented giving any extract for want of room. |