but to which our poor neighbours in France, blinded partly by Popery, but far more by infidelity, are nearly altogether strangers. Oh! what privileges have Englishmen; and what will be their condemnation at last, if they neglect to avail themselves of them!

In the second place, let us mark the fulfilment of promises, threatenings, and prophecies generally, in Holy Writ, to which so many good men are drawing our attention. And, lastly, let us often pray for the French, and other continental nations, that God of his mercy would awaken them from the sleep of infidelity or Popery into which they are so generally sunk. Who can read such a de

scription as the following of the present state of society in France, (not taken from a professedly religious paper,) without being moved to earnest prayer for that unhappy people?

“Honour" (regarding it as the moral principle which depends on external support, on the opinion of others)-honour, public and private, is irretrievably and fatally lost. Whatever exceptions may be found to this rule, I am convinced that the above opinion is correct. "Virtue" (regarding it as the moral principle which depends on internal foundations, on religion, or conscience, or domestic manners)-virtue has decayed down to its roots, leaving nothing but the bark of the tree; as is customary in old societies arrived at the excess of civilization. The higher classes regard their "religion" as the patricians of Rome considered theirs in the days of the Cæsars. "Domestic manners" are stamped with the effeminate laxity bequeathed by the Court of the elder Bourbons. "Conscience" is that self-knowledge and want of faith of every man in his neighbour which may almost be described in the poet's words:

"He knew himself a villain, and he deem'd

The rest no better than the thing he seem'd."*

Perhaps Christians are generally too selfish in their prayers. Let us enlarge them at the present time especially, and pray for countries as well as for individuals. Oh! that God may continue their day of grace to sinning nations, and cause the truth to be known and to prevail every where. "Thy kingdom come."

C.

* From a striking letter on the present state of France, which appeared in the "Times."

THE OLD NEGRO.

I DARE say some of my readers, who fill the office of Teachers, have some children in their classes who require to be stimulated and pushed on, not possessing quite as much energy and perseverance as are desirable. Every body knows that knowledge is much more easily acquired in youth than in old age, or even in middle life. How important then it is for young persons to exercise their memories while they are fresh, and cultivate their minds when they are vigorous, lest they should let slip by the best season of their lives, and be compelled to mourn and lament in their riper years that time has been lost which can never be regained.

And how much can be done when there is a will.

The Rev. J. Bernau, in his very interesting account of his labours in British Guiana, mentions the instance of

an old negro who came to him one day on his crutches, and said "Massa, me have heard you preach; me should like to learn read that book.' Mr. Bernau replied "You are rather an old scholar." The negro answered "Never mind, massa, me will try." He was told there was no place for him where he might remain, except in the stable. He replied—" Massa, me content with that; me like to know more of that book." He was taught his letters; and, astonishing to relate, he learned to read tolerably well within six months. Being unable to work, he would sit poring all the day over his New Testament, and often came into the house, saying "Massa, this word too hard for me-cut it up." Such was his earnest desire to communicate what he had been reading, that, on Sundays, when Mr. Bernau returned from his tour, he often found him surrounded by a number of people to whom he read and explained the word of God. He felt the burden of his sins, and often lamented having lived so long without the knowledge of his Saviour; and there is little doubt that he departed this life having found peace and acceptance with God through faith in the Redeemer.

B.

THE MARY SCHOOL REWARDS.

WHEN the opinions of those who have ventured to lay them publicly before others undergo a change, we conceive it to be the duty of such persons to make known the alteration which has taken place in their views. Our kind readers will, therefore, bear with us while we offer a few words in explanation of our change of opinion on a question which is full of difficulty: the question as to whether the periodical distribution of rewards in schools have, or have not, a beneficial effect on the minds of the young? Those who remember our little "Address to the Girls of the Mary School," will recognize us as advocates of rewards, when cautiously and judiciously bestowed. We have, nevertheless, come to the determination to exclude them altogether from our system, retaining only the plan of presenting each girl with a quarterly and annual card, recording her lessons, conduct, and attendance. There has never been either first or last in our little school-either competition for reward, or that foolish and worse than foolish contention for the uppermost place in the class, used as stimulants to exertion in so many of our schools. It has been reward, not competition for reward, which has been the plan pursued a mark of approval for doing well, not for doing better than another. We have been led, however, to entertain many misgivings as to whether the system of rewards, how carefully soever it may be guarded, and how well and wisely soever the rewards may be bestowed, may not lie open to objection. Increasing experience proves that it is, to say the least, a difficult thing to make tangible rewards subservient to the promotion of that feeling of humility and high sense of duty which lie at the root of every thing worthy the name of education. We, who labour among the young, must not confine our views to the present only, we must work for the future also we must have regard to ultimate consequences; and we must, therefore, endeavour to awaken motives which shall influence when the restraints of school are removed, and offer inducements to well-doing which shall continue when the smiling face of childhood

is exchanged for the bloom of manhood's prime, and remain to guide and direct the steps even of hoary age itself. Unless we can do this, we are unfitted for the charge of rational and immortal beings; and, perhaps, we shall stand on safer ground in the discharge of our high and arduous duties if we dispense with the bestowment of all those external marks of approval which might lead the young to "love gifts and follow after rewards," seeking the honour which cometh from man instead of that which cometh from God only. We de sire to remember, that although it is a great thing to get habit on our side, it is not every thing. Principle must be inculcated-high and holy principle to God—and our children must be trained to feel as well as taught to perceive that the discharge of duty never fails to bring its own reward. God forbid that we should hinder, by word or deed, the attainment of this best and purest motive to exertion.

We pray that a blessing may attend the change in the Mary School system, which has, at last, been thoughtfully and conscientiously made. The stimulus of positive reward is withdrawn. May the ennobling influence of higher motives be substituted for it; and may our children learn that, although they ought not to be insensible to the opinion of others, yet the path of duty needs not the praise and commendation of man to make it a path of pleasantness and peace. MARY.

A LETTER TO THE MARY SCHOOL GIRLS ABOUT THEIR CHRISTMAS REWARDS.

MY DEAR CHILDREN,-Do you remember, when we were playing the "Packet Game," a long time ago, that when the small sealed-up packets lay on the table before us, and when every eye sparkled, and every face beamed with pleasure at the thought of opening them, I asked you whether, if I were to tell you to throw them all out of the window into the canal which ran below it, you would cheerfully yield to my wish, believing I had some

good reason for depriving you of the pleasure of opening the mysterious packets? I remember it well. I remember how, as if with one heart and one voice, you answered Yes." That was only a supposed case. I am now proposing a real one. I am going to refrain from giving you something which you have always been very much pleased to receive, and which I have always been very much pleased to give; and I want to know whether you can cheerfully give up that pleasure in willing obedience to the new regulation I am about to make. I will tell you what I mean. I do not intend to give you any more Christmas Rewards. Ah! I see a shade of sorrowful regret passing over your countenances; but it is only for a moment. The cloud has passed away even while I speak. You are now looking bright and smiling again; and I can put the question which I want to ask, as fearlessly as I asked the question about the small white packets. Will you believe I have good reasons for what I am doing about the rewards, and that it is for your good, to the best of my judgment, that I shall discontinue a practice which has afforded us so much pleasure? I assure you, girls, I have not decided on this measure without reluctance; for you know how glad I am to see you pleased and happy on the reward-day. I have been led, however, to have some doubts as to whether our happiness may have been of the right sort: for it is easy to do a right thing from a wrong motive. I am very anxious, my dear children, as I am sure you all know, that our loved and cherished little school should be a place where you are not only learning to do your duty, but learning to do it from a right motive. It is one thing to appear good for the sake of the credit or advantage of appearing so, it is another thing to be good for the sake of obeying God. Now, I have some fear that the hope of a reward at Christmas may train you, as it were, to appear good, rather than help you to be so-may tempt you to be obedient, diligent, and attentive, merely for the sake of the credit and advantage of the reward; and when you have been successful, and gained a reward, and are thought well of, and received praises, and are called