to any of the creatures which God has made, think of Prescott-think of the gallows! Parent! Yours is the responsibility of guarding your children from the formation of habits of cruelty. Let the first exhibition of this spirit in a child, remind you of Prescott-remind you of the gallows! THE HOLY SPIRIT RETURNING. For several months there have been increasing indications, in various sections of the country, that the Holy Spirit, which has so long been grieved away, is returning to visit cur Sabbath schools. The following items, which we have gathered from our own observation, and various other sources, will substantiate this remark, and also afford encouragement to the friends of this institution. West Linklaen, N. Y. It appears from the Sabbath School Advocate, that seventy-two have already been added to the Church in this place, as fruits of a revival. A large proportion of the converts have formerly enjoyed the healthful influence of Sabbath school instruction; and nearly all of them are between the ages of 15 and 20. Gilmanton, N. H. From the Advocate, also, we learn that the Spirit of God has recently been poured upon the youth of this village, and that ten or twelve, nearly all of whom have been connected with the Sabbath school, during the past season, are indulging hope. There are also some cases of hopeful conversion in the Academy. Princeton, Ill. The Home Missionary gives an account of an interesting revival in this place, in connection with a protracted meeting." In this work," says the pastor, Rev. L. Farnam, "we have another instance of the fact, that God will honor his word. For in the blessings of this precious season, as a general fact, those have shared most largely, who have been most attentive to the study of the Bible, in the Sabbath school and Bible class." Canton, Ill. The Rev. R. Stuart, in a letter in the Home Missionary, says that sixteen made a profession of religion in October last, during a camp meeting; "and as an evidence that God owns and blesses this institution, [Sabbath schools] seven of those who have publicly owned their Savior, were Sabbath schoo! children." A correspondent of the Christian Watchman, in giving an account of a series of meetings recently held in a town in Plymouth County, says, My class in the Sabbath school, consisting of nine scholars, are all inquirers but two. Holliston, Ms. We learn from a correspondent, that the Lord is reviving his work in the Sabbath school of the Methodist E. Church in this place.The school, which was formed in 1833, numbers twelve teachers and fifty scholars. The teachers are hopefully pious; and ten of the scholars are rejoicing in hope, and a number more are inquiring. Fifteen between the ages of 12 and 16, who are not connected with the school, hope they have passed from death unto life. In-, Bristol County, there is beginning to be manifested considerable seriousness among the members of a class of seventy or eighty young gentlemen and ladies, connected with the Sabbath school. Several are indulging hope, and a general solemnity pervades the class. In an adjoining town, there are, also, tokens of the Spirit's presence. In several places in Norfolk County, the dews of heaven are beginning to distil upon the young. In one town, is hoped, between seventy and eighty persons have passed from death unto life, of whom about thirty are members of the Sabbath school and Bible class. Boston. Green street. For several months past there has been more or less seriousness in the Green street Sabbath school. Some ten or twelve of the members have made a public profession, and others are inquiring. Let us thank God and tåke courage. "LETTERS TO A SISTER." The following letter from Mrs. M. Olver, an English lady, principal of a celebrated female seminary, at Braddocksfield, Penn. contains a pleasing testimonial of the merit of Letters to a Sister. This book is from the pen of Mr. Newcomb, and is published by the Mass. S. S. Society. Braddocksfield, Jan. 22, 1836. Mr. Newcomb. Dear sir.--Your valuable book of Letters to a Sister, I have read with pleasure and profit to myself; and when on a Sabbath deprived of the benefit of a minister, I have read it to my pupils, with, I hope, the same advantage to them. I have also been writing some questions, with a view to introduce it as a class book into this seminary. I send the questions, I have made for your perusal. * The fashion of the present day, in the business of education, is to give an injurious preference to what is favorable to display; to that which shall improve the head rather than the heart. The all-essential, every day business of life, is sadly neglected. Heuce I am anxious to see such books as Letters to a Sister read and studied as they deserve. M. OLVER, Principal of Edgeworth Seminary. A WORD TO THE SINNER Before you go any further in sin, you should get a dis charge from appearing at the judgment seat of Christ. A. GAMBLING. Gambling fosters pride, indolence, licentiousness and extravagance; it paralyzes the benevolent and social affections; jeopards the best interests of families and individuals, and its direct moral tendency is to misery and ruin. It is a moral upas, taking root in supreme selfishness. On its trunk is inscribed, meanness, falsehood and dishonesty; and on its branches, the denial of all moral obligation. Its foliage is scathed by the malignant and debasing passions of the human heart; its fruit is poverty, remorse, atheism and suicide; and its shade "the region and shadow of death."-Intemperance is usually the early and latter rain to nourish and sustain it. This graphic description of gambling, is an extract from "The Tree and its Fruit," a new book, by Mrs. P. H. Brown. For sale at the Depository. SABBATH SCHOOLS IN 1695. The Rev. Dr. Rauch, in a letter on German characteristics, published in the January No. of the Home Missionary, speaks of the existence of Sabbath schools, nearly a century before their establishment by Raikes. "As early as the year 1695," says he, "we find the Sunday schools already introduced into Wertemburg, the object of which, was, to make the scholars, every morning before service, recite psalms, verses of the Bible, and parts of the catechism. In the year 1739 it was made the duty of all ministers, to have Sunday and holy day schools established, which differed from those mentioned above in some particulars. All unmarried persons were required, from the time of their confirmation till their 20th or 25th year, to attend, bring their Bible, catechism and hymn-book with them, repeat their whole course of religious instruction, and enlarge upon it. These exercises were as interesting to the congregation, as useful to the youth, and are fully retained till the present day." FOLLY OF OPPOSING THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. It is in vain to attempt to stop the spreading of Gospel light. Superstition and ignorance can no more hinder its progress than the mists and clouds of the morning can hinder the rising of the sun. They may obscure it for a time, but in the end they are sure to be dissipated, or receive the impress of that brightness which they attempted to conceal. A, NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS BY THE SOCIETY. CREATION. By Rev. Alexander Fletcher. 24 pp. with one engraving. A JEWISH BABE; or, MOSES AMONG THE FLAGS. By Rev. Alexander Fletcher. 24 pp. with one engraving. A FAVORITE SON: or, HISTORY OF JOSEPH. 69 pp. with two engravings. These three books, together with eight or ten more, from the same pen, which will soon be published, we have prepared from several London volumes of Lectures to the Young. Teachers of Infant Sabbath schools will find them an important addition to their department of the library, as they are more particularly appropriate for younger children; though, by no means inappropriate for children and youth of any age. THIRTEEN MISCELLANEOUS CARDS FOR INFANT SABBATH SCHOOLS. These Cards are similar to the set of 32, before published, only the cuts are of various shapes and sizes. NEW PLAN OF KEEPING THE LIBRARY ACCOUNTS. A particular description of this plan may be expected in the next Visiter; in the mean time, it may be seen at the Depository. It is believed to be an improvement on the plan recently devised at Albany. It has already been adopted in two or three schools with good success. BLANKS FOR SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS' MONTHLY REPORTS. IN PRESS. The Dawn of Divine Light upon Popish Darkness: being an account of the rise of the Reformation in Germany. Astronomy: or, Perfections of God displayed in his Works. Tales of Intemperance. Clara Clifford: or, Widow of Monmouth, part 3. |