By the TWELVE MAXIMS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. REV. T. WALLACE, Author of The Sunday School Gem,' &c. I.-BE EARLY: If, teachers, you are not early in the school, where is your anxiety for the children entrusted to your care? where are the beauty and the influence of your example? where, indeed, is your consistency? Besides, if you are late, the children will imitate you; and your irregularity will render them careless and irregular. GEOGRAPHY AND SCRIPTURE. IT is a happy circumstance that the day which sees unexampled efforts to diffuse and to explain the Scriptures, is the day when those Scriptures are receiving illustrations from almost every subject of science and every walk of art. Astronomy, Geology, History, Geography, which once were thought inimical to Christianity, are now seen coming up to her altars, presenting their homage and making their offerings. Every teacher should have a good map within reach, and whenever a Scripture place is named in the lesson should let it be found. The exercise is pleasing, but the effect is blessed. We thus feel the truthfulness of Scripture. We thus understand many allusions which otherwise must be obscure. A glance at the map above must convince every one that the countries named there and mentioned in Scripture are not mere fairy creations, but matters of absolute reality. The map is one out of many to be found in the 'Intro II. BE DECIDED: Nothing, teachers, can be done to any purpose, in the Sunday school, without decision. If you are always vacillating, always halting between two opinions, always in a state of uncertainty with regard to your religious sentiments, or your religious character, what good can you accomplish? what happiness can you realize ? You must be decided-to honour the Saviour, to prove blessings to the young, to unfold the true and lovely character of the useful Sunday School teacher. the conversation and labours of a truly humble teacher. VII. BE SELF-DENYING: You will ever find this temper, teach III.-BE DEVOUT: Nothing, teachers, is more desirable-nothing is more lovely-nothing is more requisite for you to exemplify, than a spirit of devotioners, most necessary in the Sunday pure, exalted, and sublime devotion. It will give a tone to all your emotions; it will communicate benevolence and sanctity to all your efforts; and it will induce you to meet with your classes, determined to be rendered useful to their souls. IV. BE HOLY: You must never be satisfied, teachers, with a low standard of religion. Your piety must be eminent. Like the ministers of the Gospel, you must be vessels sanctified, and meet for the master's use.' Be, then, uniformly and pre-eminently holy. Let holy principles regulate-let holy affections warm -let holy desires elevate-let holy conversation ever be indulged! V.—BE KIND: In the Sunday school, teachers, nothing can be effected without kindness. Children, like adults, are to be won only by love. If you are rigid, inflexible, and endeavouring to coerce them, you are acting in the most unphilosophical, as well as in the most unscriptural man ner. The law of Christian kindness must be the only law to govern the sabbath school, and no other is required. By kindness children are drawn, powerfully influenced, and savinglyblest. VI.-BE HUMBLE: Few things, teachers, will beautify you more, or recommend you more powerfully, than humility-the uniform developement of a lowly spirit, when you are modest in your demeanour, unpretending in your intercourse with each otherwhen the humility of Christ Jesus' is unfolded by you, a peculiar charm is communicated; and it is surprising to observe, frequently, what effect is produced on the minds of the young by school; indeed you can do nothing without its habitual cultivation. Self-sacrifice will be found uniformly requisite when instructing children, and especially young children, in the great principles of the Gospel-a teacher must live not to please himself, but his master; and if he be one who is imitating his Divine Lord, when he enters the Sunday school his motto must be, 'Here I labour, not to please myself, but to serve and honour the Redeemer.' VIII.-BE PATIENT: Unless, teachers, you habitually exercise this spirit, your labours will be unblest, and you yourselves will not be exemplifying one of the most desirable features which the character of a sabbath school instructor should embody. You must be patient, else you cannot remain long as teachers. Children try the temper greatly; still, bear with them-pity their infirmities, and forgive their sins of omission and commission, remembering you were children once yourselves. Never be implacable with a child. IX.-BE ENERGETIC: You must be now, teachers, or you will bring dishonour on yourselves, and the cause which you have espoused. Every department of society, and of the church, is now full of animation, and it will not do for you to be cold, sluggish, and insensible. A sleepy teacher now must make way for the teacher who is awake and full of energy. A drone among teachers now must be driven out of the hive. All now must work in the Sunday school, and work more vigorously than ever. Be then resolved to develope 'the full-toned energy' which an efficient teacher must discover. X.-BE SIMPLE IN YOUR ATTIRE: Children are very quick observers, and they soon notice the dress of their teachers. Beware, then, of finery. Be uniformly neat, but never gaudy. Remember that a Christian should be simple in his attire, and that the most intelligent, and also the most genteel, are invariably the most unpretending in their garb. Let not your persons, female teachers, be unduly decorated. If the children see, by your ornaments, and the attention which you pay to the exterior, that dress is the main thing regarded, your instructions will be effectually neutralised. XI.-BE PERSEVERING: Never exhibit that you are fickle and inconstant. Let it be seen, teachers, that you are no changelings -that you have entered the school from supreme regard to the Saviour, and from ardent love to immortal souls; then you must persevere, and as years roll away, you will only become more attached to your work, more devoted to the young, and more solicitous to bring them into the fold of the 'Good Shepherd.' XII. - BE ANXIOUS: Never think, valued teachers, of going to heaven alone. Why have you entered the sabbath school, and why are you still found there? Is it not that you may win some young persons to the Lord Jesus? draw some to Calvary, be instrumental in saving some immortal souls from death, and preparing some for glory? Always, then, vigorously aim at the accomplishment of these objects. Seek to take some children with you to Paradise, brought to God, attracted to the Saviour, and fitted for the bliss of Canaan, through your kind, devout, and persevering instrumentality. O teachers, teachers, what ineffable honour and happiness, to meet one dear child before the throne, who was translated to heaven as the blessed result of your holy, benevolent, and increasing labours in the sabbath school. Looking, then, on your beloved children now, indulge the following aspiration: 'When at thine awful bar they stand, POWER OF ILLUSTRATION.-A Mr. G-, who had lived to somewhat past the meridian of life, in the entire neglect of religion, was one day in the field gathering corn, with his son, a youth of twelve or fourteen years, who had been for some weeks previous a member of a sabbath school, in which there had been several instances of seriousness, and a few of hopeful conversions. After gathering till they had become weary, they sat down by a pile of corn-stacks, to take some refreshment. The father, observing that his son was unusually solemn, asked him if he had any idea of the cross in which Christ was crucified. The son replied he had not. The father took his knife and cut a stalk to represent the post of the cross, and splitting the top, drew a piece through to represent the arms. Having thus prepared it, he held it out before him, and said to his son, 'There, that I suppose, is something in the shape of it.' They both fixed their eyes upon it, not as Roman catholics do, who stupidly worship the cross, but the little fact of the father shaping out the cross, led them to think and speak about him who died upon it, and ended in their believing in Jesus; and, looking by faith to him that hung upon the cross, we trust that father and son had their sins pardoned, and that they are now with Jesus, wearing a crown of glory in heaven. B. The Young Men's Class. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL INFIDEL. THE writer of this was called about mid-day to visit a young man in the last moments of life. He was a professed infidel, and refused any spiritual aid or the services of a minister. On entering the room, the scene was truly awful-the young man was dying-near the bed sat his widowed mother and sisters. He was struggling to hide his fears, and appear calm and collected in the conflict with death. As I approached him, the window was slightly opened to admit sufficient light; he turned towards the window, and as his eye for a moment rested on meit was only a moment, however, for he as quickly turned away with his face towards the wallseemed determined to prevent my conversing with him. I took his hand, he withdrew it; I asked him to look at me and talk about his latter end, he groaned and hid himself beneath the bedclothes. Again I held his hand, and by gentle force turned him towards me. His countenance was intelligent, his features good; his appearance indicated twenty or twenty-one years of age. 'Shall I pray with you, my friend?' 'No, no,' said he; ' don't believe in prayer.' 'Shall I read a portion of God's holy word?' 'No; oh, don't worry me; I don't believe the Bible. Why add to my sufferings with such things? I tell you I am an infidel, and all I ask is to be left alone.' 'Do you know you are dying, my young friend?' 'Yes, I know it well enough-I never shall see that sun rise or set again -I wish it was over-I wish I was dead-I wish you would leave me-I did not send for youmother, mother, send this man away, it is useless to talk with me.' 'Oh, my boy,' cried the almost heart-broken mother, 'do listen to the word of truth. You will soon be beyond its reach-you are fast hastening to the judgment! Oh, my child, it is a fearful thing to meet God unprepared !' Her sobs choked her utterance. I knelt by his side, and prayed for God's Spirit to bring the wanderer back. He rolled and tossed in his bed, and constantly interrupted me during prayer; I then read from the Bible such verses as I thought would lead his mind to right reflection. He hid his face, placed his fingers in his ears, and begged me to desist, and groaned so audibly as to alarm those in the room. After several ineffec tual attempts to get him into conversation, I rose to leave the room. As I passed towards the door, I grasped his hand and said, 'Farewell my friend.' He raised his eyes towards me, and seemed to be willing to listen. Suppose,' said I, we were on board a ship together, and in some violent storm the ship was wrecked-I had secured a plank, and, as I clung to it for safety, refused to let you take hold. What would you think of me?' 'Think of you?' said he, 'I would think you were a selfish wretch.' • We have been wrecked-here (pointing to the Bible) is the plank on which I rest; the billows of death are riding over you; and will you lay hold before it is forever too late. Before you is the shoreless ocean of eternity; the voice of mercy may yet be heard. Turn you, for why will ye die? Your infidelity is no security for such a storm. Think of your Saviouroh, look to him as your only staff, your only sure support.' He kept my hand; the tear started in his eye; his whole soul was centered in the gaze of agony. 'It is too late, too late; there is no mercy, no hope for me, I am lost, for ever lost!' Before the sun set, his soul THESE admirable institutions originated, we believe, in Liverpool, about 1837. The worst of characters, those most needing instruction will not come to our Sunday schools: we must, therefore, take the schools to them, and prevent the feeling of uneasiness which they would have by being associated with those better educated, and better clothed. To Jerusalem sinners, Jesus sent his salvation, and as his followers, we must take the word of life to the most immoral and degraded of our race. In all populous towns, there must be schools specially for them, and the most devoted Christians will be the men who will teach in them. Blessed results have been secured already. The Ethiop has been rendered white. The lion has been tamed. The brand has been plucked from the burning. The seal of heaven's blessing, broad and bright, has been already set on Ragged schools. A Union of Christians has been formed in London, the Right Hon. Lord Ashley, the president, for the purpose of promoting the forma tion of these schools. Its officers are some of the best men which our several evangelical denominations can produce. Though of recent origin it has already thirty free schools, with three thousand scholars under Christian instruc tion, who, but for this union, would have been sinning with both hands. And knowing how powerfully the vagrancy of six days must counterbalance the impressions of the one day, the committee are preparing to open a Refuge or School of Industry, in Westminster, where employment and support, as well as tuition, shall be given through the week. The building secured was formerly called the Thieves' Public-house, where the very dregs of depravity met on a Sunday evening, mock trials. We and held reserve more to say next month. In the mean time, we just give a letter, recently sent by a young woman, who was rescued by means of the school in Jurston street, London. Here is one of the first gems brought out of the deep dark mines of sin, which will adorn the brow of Jesus. 'MY DEAR TEACHER,-It is five years since you met me in Glo'sterstreet, and invited me go with you to Jurston-street Sunday evening school. At the first, I was not willing to go, but you would not go without me. You said, come for once; and so I went with you. You may remember what a monster I was, caring for nothing. Sure you must have wondered what could induce me to come so regular. I do not know myself, unless it was to disturb the school: for as soon as I came into the class, there could be no more order. In vain did you beg of me to attend to the instruction; my heart was as hard as a stone, and as cold as ice, yet nothing could have kept me from coming. Sometimes I have been afraid to look if you were there; for some of the girls used to say, if I did go on so, they were sure you would not come again. But blessed be God, you were always there, so that I never had any other teacher. During the two years that I was in the school, no change whatever took |