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by the breath of animated exhortation they may fan the expiring spark, and feed the holy holy fire. Accustomed to public admonition, they know how to touch the springs of action, and to awaken the dormant energies of the human mind. It is no pride in me to say, that if a minister's heart be engaged in the work, and he be respected by his people, he has it in his power to awaken an interest in the minds of the teachers which scarcely any thing else can supply. Use every means therefore to engage his zealous concern in the welfare of the institution.

5. A constant perusal of publications that relate to Sunday School instruction, especially the details of successful exertion, would be exceedingly useful.

Any particular taste is vigorously stimulated by the perusal of books that treat of its appropriate subject. Be ever watchful therefore to meet with new information and facts illustrative of the advantages of the work in which you are engaged. You rise from reading an

down with the interests suspended upon them, but the duty I enjoin would add little to the number or the weight of his engagements, while it would add much to his influence, his sefulness, and his comfort,

encouraging anecdote with fresh eagerness. You see what others do, and how they do it; thus while you are directed, you are also excited. I recommend, with peculiar earnestness, the Teacher's Magazine, already alluded to in the Introduction, as eminently adapted to preserve in your breast the true spirit of your office.

6. An imitation of the best examples would promote the same end.

In every school we shall find some whose superior qualifications and zeal entitle them to be considered as models. Instead of observing them with envy, mark them with admiration, cultivate their acquaintance, and endeavonr by the glowing ardor of their spirit, to rekindle the fervor of your own.

7. Occasionally devoting a portion of time to examine the state of the mind in reference to your duties, would be a means of improve

ment.

The true spirit of religion is very powerfully assisted by extraordinary seasons of devotion. The attention is more arrested and fixed by what is unusual, than what occurs in the ordinary routine of customary engagements. Half an hour occasionally devoted to a serious exa

mination of the state of the heart in reference to the object you have embraced, when you could deliberately survey its magnitude, ascertain the manner in which it should be regarded, recollect the way in which it had been pursued by you, rouse your zeal from its slumber, and stimulate your heart to fresh activity, would be attended with the happiest effects.

It should be impressed upon your mind, that there is in the human spirit a lamentable propensity to lukewarmness, which can be effectually roused only by a violent and perpetual struggle with ourselves.

To all that I have enjoined should be added a constant supplication at the throne of divine grace, that God by his Holy Spirit, would keep alive in your heart those feelings of holy benevolence and pious zeal, in which the spirit of the office essentially consists.

CHAP. VIII.

Motives to diligence in the work.

IF in addition to what has been already advanced, any thing be still wanting to stimulate your zeal, yield to the influence of the following motives.

1. Dwell upon the value of Sunday Schools to all the present interests of society.

As Britons and as Christians you must love the country that gave you birth: and that man is unworthy to tread the soil, or breathe the air of England, who is insensible to the blessings of this "bright speck upon the bosom of the ocean." Now, if we love our country, we must desire to see her great amidst the nations of the earth, safe amidst her greatness, and happy in her safety. And who needs to be informed, that wisdom and knowledge must be the stability of her times? Her greatness, her safety, and her happiness, all rest upon the moral cha

racter of her population. Whatever elevates this, exalts the nation. Next to the labors of an evangelical ministry, no plan that ever was devised, has a greater tendency to improve the religious state of society than the institution of Sunday Schools.

-They lessen the crimes which disturb its peace. It is to be recollected, that the instruction communicated by you is strictly moral and religious. How far mere general knowledge, independently of revelation, would operate in improving the moral character of a people, we can scarcely presume to determine, because the experiment has never been tried; but that the communication of religious knowledge has a most beneficial tendency, it would be supremely ridiculous to attempt to prove. It may be useful however to remind you here of those great national facts which are so often appealed to in illustration of the good effects of religious education among the poor. It is generally known and allowed that Scotland, and the low countries of it in particular, are distinguished from all other parts of the British Empire, by the attention which is bestowed on early education, and the provision which is made for the wide and regular diffusion of its benefits. It is pro

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