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FLOURISHING BIBLE CLASSES.

singing the following hymn, and

prayer:

THE CHRISTIANS' FAREWELL.

Adieu, adieu, dear friends, adieu,

Still in God's ways delight;
So grace and peace shall be with you-
Good night, dear friends, good night.
And when Christ's banners are unfurled,
A signal for our flight,

We each will say to this vain world,

Good night, good night, good night,
But when we reach the realms above,
And see the glorious sight,
We'll sing of his redeeming love,
And never say, good night.

WOODBRIDGE-SUFFOLK.

JOHN-STREET CHAPEL (HON. ANd Rev. B. W. NOEL'S) YOUNG MEN'S BIBLE CLASS SOCIAL MEETING.-ON Monday evening, 7th March, about sixty of the members of the above class (which mainly consists of those who had joined it after having been in the boys' school) met their indefatigable teacher (Mr. Roberts) and other friends interested in the welfare of the class, at the classroom of the schools at Calthorpe-street, Gray's-inn-road, known as the North London British and Sunday schools, and which are conducted by members of Mr. Noel's Church. After tea, thanks having been sung, Mr. Roberts rose, and related briefly the history of the class. He said it was gratifying and encouraging to him to find, in glancing at his class, that, during the twenty-one years of his connection with it, 150 had evidenced decision of character, out of which number 121 had professed faith n Christ, in his own appointed way, by openly joining his people. There had sprung up, from among the members, various institutions as-"The Sunday and Ragged School Benevolent Society," started by a youth sixteen years of age; "Association for the Diffusion of Total Abstinence Information," and, "The Calthorpe Institute," numbering about 200 members, providing lectures and classes, which has proved a valuable source of recreative improvement. The attendance at the Bible class varied, but through many providential removals, the numbers now average 74. Mr. Waldrack, the Secretary, said 18 had joined Christian churches during 1858, and were engaged in various ways in promoting the cause of Christ. A committee had been formed to watch over the best interests The Rev. J. RHODES spoke very earof the members. They were about to nestly and convincingly, respecting the establish a monthly magazine distribu- supreme importance of parental inflution for the best Christian magazines to ence being employed to secure the be circulated. Mr. Wallis, Mr. Sands, moral rectitude and eternal welfare of and Mr. Terry, spoke on various impor-children.

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For some time past, the Wesleyan, Beaumont Independent, and Quay Independent teachers, have had a monthly meeting for united prayer, held in rotation at the three chapels. They have also had an annual united teachers' tea meeting for several years. This year the Union added a new feature to its doings. On Wednesday, March 17th, a tea was provided for the parents of the scholars of the three schools, in the lecture hall. The number present, including the teachers exceeded three hundred. After tea, the chair was taken by F. ALEXANDER, Esq., a member of the Society of Friends, and treasurer of the British schools. The chairman delivered an address in verse, which made one think that Bernard Barton the poet, who resided on the premises occupied by the chairman, had not yet quite forsaken them. Prayer having been offered by the Rev. J. Calvert, missionary from Fiji, the chairman called upon the Rev. J. Rhodes and others to address the meeting.

tant topics. The meeting closed by Mr. BANNISTER pointed out various

ways in which parents might very use- ing to the Home and Colonial Society, fully co-operate with the Sunday school which appears to be that in which teachers. financial operations are carried on on Mr. SEAMEN referred to examples the largest scale. The total income of derived from his own experience, as a this school for 1857 was £7289. The parent and teacher, to show the necessity Government grant to this school, "in for consistency.

Mr. BODGENER addressed a few pointed and pathetic words to those present, on the object which called them together.

The Rev. H. H. SCULLARD urged on the parents, the duty of carrying on family worship, and of attending the house of God with their children.

After an interval, during which fruit was handed round, and some sacred music was performed by the united choirs, speaking was resumed, when

The Rev. A. DUFFY dwelt on the difficulties of parents, the way to overcome them, and the many encourage ments which they have in seeking so to train their children, that in heaven they may say none of them is lost.

Messrs. Cullingford, Andrews, and Bennett also addressed to the audience suitable words of exhortation.

respect of students passing the annual examinations," was £1014., and the Government exhibitions for Queen's scholars, £1532. The remainder of the £7289. was obtained from a variety of sources, altogether unconnected with the Government. The fees paid by the students or their relatives were £2535., the average number of students in residence being 208. A sum of more than £1200. was the result of the annual subscriptions and donations specially for the use of the training college, and about £900. came from other private sources. The expenditure for the year exceeded the receipts in a trifling degree, about half being swallowed by board, washing, and servants' wages. All the schools on the list derive additional support from similar sources to those described, and the proportions between the sums obtained from each appear to be tolerably uniform, the Gray's Inn-road School being a fair sample of the rest in this respect, though there are only a few in which the expenditure is on so large a scale as

A more delightful meeting, and one more likely to be useful than this was, it is believed is seldom held. Great praise is due to the members of the three congregations, who so promptly contributed more than £9. to pay for the entertainment, as also to the collectors and others in this one. for the labor which they performed.

TRAINING SCHOOLS AIDED BY
PARLIAMENTARY GRANTS.
A RETURN has just been made to the
House of Commons of the income,
expenditure, and number of pupils of
all Training Institutions aided by Par-
liamentary grants for the year ending
31st December, 1857. The source of
income which all such schools possess,
independently of the Government sup-
port, is clearly shown. As an example
of the numerous resources on which
some of the schools can fall back, we
take the Gray's Inn-road School, belong.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

More than three hundred common schools are supported by the government, as is, also, the seminary at Lahainaluna, with its 106 pupils, and the 6 Royal School," with its forty sons of chief men. Two of the high schools, containing 120 pupils, are sustained by the board; and, so for the present, waiting for its endowment, is the Oahu College. The mission to the Marquesas Islands, originated by the Hawaiian churches, is still supported by them, and is prosperous. American Missionary Herald.

Poetry.

CONGRATULATIONS OF A SUNDAY

SCHOOL VISITOR.

HAPPY teachers? rich your joys

Those thoughtful girls-those hopeful boysYear after year, you've laboured well;

Still labour on-for who can tell? How little fruit-yet still the ground

With seed you've sown, must now abound; It will take root, and blade as well,

"Have faith in God"-for who can tell? Forget all anxious by-gone fears;

Behold, how bright the field appears !

Souls must be snatch'd like brands from hell, Point all to Christ-for who can tell?

Rest not-your days of labour wane

For your support the Spirit came : Still plough, and sow, and harrow well

By earnest prayer-for who can tell? He that hath ears, now let him hear,

Christ's smiles, urge all to persevere; Hark! how he meekly gives commands,

And kindly bids you, "Feed his Lambs: " Then give to each his portion well,

Leave all to Christ-for who can tell?

And when life's journey is out-run,

When Jesus crowns the vict'ry won,

May all your charge heaven's anthem's swell
For ever more-and, who can tell?
Chelsea.

JAMES DAVIS.

SPEED THE WORK.

SPEED the work, brave band of Teachers, Ye have need to watch and pray;

Christianity's true preachers,

Work while it is called to-day.

Speed the work, nor faint, nor weary, Though 'tis dark and doubtful here; Press on, teacher, there's one near thee, He will triumph, do not fear.

Speed the work, the harvest ripens,

Few the laborers, wide the field; Trust the promise God has given us,"I will be my people's shield.”

Speed the work, there's millions waiting,

Sunk in misery, guilt, and crime; Whose the hand to point them upward? Christian teacher, it is thine.

Speed the work, ye rich and worldly,

Rouse ye from your lethargy; Think not 'tis another's mission,

Rise and come HE calleth thee. Rouse thee, rouse thee, sinful sleeper, Myriads throng the road to hell; Art thou not thy brother's keeper, And to God accountable ?

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HALLELUJAH! in the temple

Hallelujah! David's son! Jewish children sang to Jesus,

Sang and praised the Blessed One! Vain the wrath of priests indignant,

Scribes, and haughty Sanhedrim; Still they shouted Hallelujah!

Still they offered praise to Him. Hallelujah! in our temples,

Hallelujah! David's Lord! Gentile children sing to Jesus!

Ever be his name adored. Hallelujah! we must praise Him! Hallelujah! bless his name! Hallelujah! sing to Jesus!

Whether men shall praise or blame.

Hallelujah! in the temple

In the sky, not made with hands; Hallelujah! Jew and Gentile,

There shall sing with seraph bands: Hallelujah! endless ages

Shall the blessed strain prolong; Hallelujah! saints and angels

Still shall swell the glorious song.

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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, ITS CLAIMS ON SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

A paper read at the annual meeting of the North West District of the West London Auxiliary.

ALTHOUGH the Sunday School Union has now been established upwards of 55 years, and the records of its operations have been disseminated far and wide, both orally and in print, yet strange to say, the question even yet is frequently heard from the mouths of Sunday School Teachers, "What benefit shall I derive from connection with the Union, what good will it do me?" Perhaps a more appropriate question from a teacher might be "What good can I do by joining the Union? What benefit will my adhesion to it confer on others?"

In the short period of time allowed for the reading of this paper, we will endeavour to answer both questions, and show that the principle every right-hearted teacher so fully recognizes, and so continually experiences in his sabbath work, viz. that in watering others he himself is watered, applies also to our present subject, and that whilst the Sunday School Union points to what it has done and is doing, as a claim upon every teacher to join its ranks, it can also point to corresponding benefits to be derived by all who respond to the call.

The original idea of the formation of the Union sprang from the fact that there were very many schools in different parts of London, gathering even then, thousands of children together each Lord's day, for religious instruction, all having the same object in view, but each pursuing his own way towards its accomplishment; some availing themselves of the best obtainable aids in their work, and pursuing the best plans of instruction as far as they were known-others groping in the dark, without the most remote approach to any plan or system at all.

Under these circumstances, a few zealous men met together and said "Let us form an association amongst ourselves, and interchange our ideas, and talk over our plans of instruction, counselling one another, encouraging one another, assisting one another; making known our respective operations to one another, and thus getting the very best plans into universal use." The idea grew, and was speedily developed into the formation of the Sunday School Union, having these four objects in view as declared by its constitution. 1st. To stimulate and encourage Sunday school teachers at home and abroad to greater exertions in the promotion of religious instruction. 2nd. By mutual communication to improve the methods of instruction. 3rd. To ascertain those situations where schools are most wanted, and promote their establishment. 4th. To supply books and stationery, suited for Sunday schools, at reduced prices.

Entirely unsectarian in its principles, the Union has from the first, held out the right hand of fellowship to members of every Evangelical denomination, and right heartily for many years have Wesleyans,

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Independents, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Baptists, worked with perfect harmony in carrying out the four objects above enumerated.

Let us briefly see how far they have succeeded in their efforts, and thus made good their claim upon the co-operation of teachers in general; perhaps the simplest method of testing this will be to take up each point separately. 1st. They set about "to stimulate and encourage Sunday school teachers at home and abroad to greater exertions in the promotion of religion." This resolution was formed in a day of small things. The Rev. Geo. Burder at the first public meeting, stated that the secretary informed him, there were in London and its vicinity, about 21,000 Sunday scholars, but he could hardly credit the assertion. At the present time that number may be multiplied by seven, without being called in question. Without assuming to the Sunday School Union the entire credit of this vast increase, it may justly claim to have had no inconsiderable share in its accomplishment. Efforts formerly isolated have become consolidated, individual schools, by being brought into connexion with one another, have been enabled to work more effectually upon the masses of the uninstructed young. From the Union as a centre, have sprung the four London Auxiliaries, these again branching out into sub-divisions under various names, known amongst ourselves in the West Auxiliary, as districts; our meeting to-night being an evidence that the Northwest District is still at work, and still intending to carry on its aggressive efforts upon the kingdom of Satan, holding on in its endeavours to promote the knowledge of the Redeemer.

The organization thus created became a powerful means for good, in drawing teachers together, and bringing into play that co-operation, which is in fact a leading principle with teachers. Why are schools formed at all? Why do not teachers go from house to house, carrying instruction from one to another-gathering a little knot here, or a class there; either in their own homes, or wherever they can borrow a room? Partly of course because of the convenience of being where a room is ready provided and fitted up for the purpose, but also in some measure, because by uniting together they can act more effectually. Who does not know both in theory and by experience, the effect of numbers upon individuals?

Who has not experienced the fact that he can work double as well in company with others as he could alone?

Why do teachers meet together at prayer meetings instead of confining their prayers to their own closets? Certainly an earnest prayer to our Heavenly Father cannot be rendered more acceptable by the fact of others being present. It is this principle of mutual assistance again brought out. Each individual mind is powerfully acted upon for good by feeling that its aspirations are identical with those of many fellow-laborers around.

Thus the Union has merely taken hold of a principle already

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