cellent teachers, and yet be very ill adapted for husbands or wives. The qualifications required for these respective relationships, are of an order, in some respects so essentially different, that there is no arguing from the one to the other.

-Sometimes we shall find in the same school, persons of very different standing in life; and such a disparity, without an attention to the duties which it entails, is likely to be attended with some degree of discord. The richer and better educated members of the little community, should be careful to exclude from their conduct, every thing that looks like the pride of station, and at the same time to avoid that insulting condescension, which makes its object feel at what a distance it is considered. It is a nice and delicate point to distinguish between affability, and familiarity; and to act with those who are below us in life, as fellow laborers in the school, without making them our companions out of it.

Those whom providence has destined to fill the humbler stations of society, and who are engaged in the work of tuition with others of more elevated circumstances, will also do well to guard against an obtrusive, and forward dis

position; and without being servile should always be respectful. All they ought to expect from their superiors, is a kind co-operation in the duties of the school, without the familiarity of friends and companions in general.

7. Prayer is a duty which the teachers of a Sunday School mutually owe to each other.

If we are commanded to make supplication for all men, even for those with whom we have no other connexion, than what is established by the common bond of humanity, surely those ought not to be excluded from our petitions, with whom we are united in the communion of christian benevolence. Mutual prayer, as we have already considered in the case of the children, would be productive, in proportion to its fervor, of mutual endearment. If on a sabbath morning, you devoted a portion of the time spent in the closet, to entreat the blessing of God upon the persons and labors of your fellow teachers, how sweetly would such an engagement prepare you to mingle with them in the duties of the day. Softened to benevolence by the exercises of piety, and with the fire of love still burning, which prayer had kindled in your heart upon the altar of devotion, with what a holy temper would you

hasten to the scene of your exertions, and with what a glowing affection look round upon the object of your fervent supplications. What an influence, might it be expected, that such a system of mutual prayer, sincerely, importunately, and perseveringly presented, would draw down from heaven upon the institution at large. Showers of blessings would come down in their season, in which both children and teachers would reciprocally rejoice. God heareth and answereth prayer; and of all the prayers which enter heaven, and rise before the throne, we can readily conceive that none more speedily catch his ear and move his hand, than those which one christian pours over the religious zeal of another; since such prayers, like the aromatic incense which ascended in a cloud before the mercy-seat, are compounded of many precious ingredients, bruised and burnt together, and all of divine appointment,

CHAP. V.

The temptations to which Sunday School Teachers are peculiarly exposed.

As this life is a state of probation, it may be reasonably expected that every situation will have its trials. Temptations vary with our circumstances, but there is no scene from which they are entirely excluded. The heavenly and the earthy paradise, alternately witnessed their attack, their victory, and their havoc. Angelic as well as human perfection, yielded to their shock, and left a warning to every subsequent age, "not to be high minded, but to fear." In a world, which God for a while has permitted to sink under the dominion of the prince of the power of the air, it is not to be wondered at that there is no situation, however obscured by solitude, or elevated by piety, from which all temptations can be effectually shut out. The fact is, that as our chief danger arises from our own evil heart, till we can be separated from our

guilty selves, we shall look in vain for a spot, sequestered from the attack of our spiritual enemies. Well did our merciful Redeemer know our weakness and our dangers, when he put into our lips that appropriate petition, "lead us not into temptation."

What duty is more frequently enjoined in the New Testament, than WATCHFULNESS, and what is more necessary? How incumbent this is, on those who are engaged in the active duties of a Sunday School, will be very apparent, by even a partial enumeration of their temptations.

1. They are in great danger of receiving injury to their own personal religion.

The sabbath, if the expression should not be thought too low, is the market day of the soul, when she lays in the provisions which are to refresh her, and the materials which are to employ her, during the ensuing week: if this day be misimproved, six days suffer for the neglect of one. 'Tis very true, that real godliness will not confine itself to peculiar times and places; but still there are both peculiar times and places which are eminently adapted to promote its life and power. The sabbath and the sanctuary sustain the highest rank among the insti