to unfold it, and place it in the proper light! But he is no artist-has not the taste or the judgment to bring it out with due effect. Therefore he must content himself with pointing out some of the principal features; leaving those of you who have a lively imagination, chastened by religion, to blend them in their beautiful keeping, and fill up his rough sketch after the original, or from one of the copies found in our schools. And if he dwells upon principles more than upon practice, it will be because he is more familiar with them than with it in your department; and, moreover, has great faith in their power over it, not doubting that if wisdom dwells in the mind and rules in the heart, it will instruct and direct the tongue.

Our subject is twofold.

I. A truly Christian,—a Divine end:-"to win children to Christ." -Happy am I in the thought that this is the chosen and the cherished end of most whom I now address. Why, then, should I dwell upon it? Just because many who did run well in this way have gone back from it; having been led by short-lived impulse, rather than by lasting principle. Wherefore we fear lest any of you should also faint, grow weary, and draw back. There is, moreover, another reason; to be quite honest. There are some teachers, even in our Sabbath-schools, who never set this end before them with deep thought and true heart; wherefore it is well that we should stand still and think over it, since it involves one of the distinguishing and attractive features of our holy faith, -its peculiarity and its power.

Your business, then, to be pondered during the six days, and to be pursued on the Sabbath, is,

1st. To win children to CHRIST.-A bright, a blessed goal to set before any man or child; Christ, the anointed Prince and Saviour, by whom and for whom all things were created, and in whom only life and peace are found; whose heavenly glories are equalled only by his grace, which is wide as the universe and long as eternity itself, the foundation for hope, and the fountain of joy :-Christ, the Priest upon his throne, blending in his wondrous person the royal and sacerdotal offices, the human and Divine natures; the centre between wide extremes, the centre of all that is truly good; to his friends a Lamb shedding his blood for their sins, but a Lion to his foes, bathing his sword in the blood of their souls!-Christ, the Master whose speech is like the mingling of softest breezes with brightest rays, unveiling the heart of man and the heaven of God; who whispers thunders to awake the sleeping, dying spirit to the music which gladdens the ear that heartily listens to the mystery of his heaven-taught name; the Master whose lessons are all light, whose laws are only love:-Christ, a model more excellent than earth can furnish, far more excellent than history affords; in whom is virtue in all its various extremes, every sort and every shade of virtue; active, though contemplative; caring for earth, but communing with heaven; sovereign, yet submissive; at once a son and a servant; in every aspect of character untarnished and unalloyed, without deficiency or drawback, a pure and perfect model!

To Him Peter said, on the behalf of the first disciples, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life; and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." Of

Him Paul said, "Christ is all and in all." What else, then, can we say of him? More we cannot; less we must not. If so, shall we be content to go to him alone? No; for his mission was not to any few, but to the many, to mankind; not to the old or the young, to the rich or the poor only, but to mankind. No; for in his great message there is hope for all that heed it. And should any keep silence who know that he is waiting to save the lost? Those who can know but little of his great salvation, a very prominent feature of which is the generous precept, "Freely ye have received, freely give." But happy are you who obey this twice blessed precept. For thus insuring and extending his mercy, doing the work of the Saviour in his Spirit, you magnify Christ.

He is the one great end of all scriptural teaching. But in this holy and honourable service there is a wise divison of labour. We who minister to the congregation are liable to pass by or to pass over the children, and cannot give to them the attention that they require. Therefore it becomes your special business, as our fellow-helpers,

2nd. To win CHILDREN to Christ.-But, wherefore, should we trouble the great Master with them? They may be very dear to us; yet will not he despise them? or will he be so "good" as even to receive them? He will, for "his heart is made of tenderness." One great error and a great evil of all heathenism, has been the contempt of women and children, the mothers of the race, and I may also say the fathers, since there is truth in the proverb, "The child is father to the man.' And, practically, Judaism showed the same contempt; for though Moses taught his people better principles, those who sat in the chair of his authority not wearing the mantle of his meekness, approved not his excellent way. But Christ has redeemed them both from this curse also. Through his grace and gospel women have become "honourable," and children interesting. Yes, they are of interest to the man of thought, of deep interest to the man of forethought: for if they live a while the children will be men and women; exerting a wide influence for good or for evil, more widely planting and watering and reaping the good seed of the kingdom of heaven, or sowing and gathering tares in the fields already rescued from the wilderness of earth. They will be the parents, and the rulers, and the teachers of the next generation, swaying its des tinies or they may soon die, as a vast number of them will. Then joy or woe will be theirs,-theirs for ever! Which of these their faith in Christ will decide, if they are of age to believe in him, "the children's Friend!"

I will not now open the deep question of "original sin," its nature and extent. I will only remind you that death and depravity, the depravity which entails the second death, are hereditary-a universal heirloom of the house of Adam. So far true is the proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." Then are they not to be sold: have they not a claim upon every man of faith and feeling for the knowledge of "the True Vine," whose fruit can counteract, can altogether neutralise the sourness of the wild grapes? To give them that knowledge surely is kind, is wise, is right; the highest act of pure humanity and evidence of Christianity. I need not argue with you that children belong to Christ !-I need not assure you that Christ loves children. You remember well how Peter said on the

day of pentecost, "For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off." You have not now to learn that "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Jehovah has ordained strength and perfected the praise" of his Son. Your ears have already been opened to their joyous hosannas, mingling with those of the multitude, and awakening the sore displeasure of the Pharisees. And often has there passed before you, often have you detained and admired the vision of "the Good Shepherd," realising the ancient predictions, with outstretched arms and beaming eyes, saying in tones of gentle reproof and gracious welcome, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven!" A strong reason, and true. It is even so: many are the myriads of children that the Captain of our salvation has led to heaven's glory from every land of earth:

"Millions of infant spirits throng

The courts of heaven above!"

"Come unto me and

To the parents and the children alike he says, learn of me." And they best obey who both learn and teach of him, taking heed that they despise not the little ones for whom also he died, but rather lead them to bless him, and to seek his blessing. So you have chosen a good part. That you may well act it out; remember further that it is your business.

3rd. To WIN children to Christ.—Yes, they must be won,-all souls must be won. They may be driven to school, even to the school of Christ; but they must be drawn to him, gently, kindly, wisely drawn. The genius of this economy requires, and the gospel often inculcates this winning way. The freedom of the will must not be infringed. There must be no power but persuasion-persuasion such as dwelt upon our Master's lips. Through the attraction of the cross children must learn attachment to Christ, according to his own saying. "I, when I shall be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

To every teacher belongs some measure of authority, for which every learner should have due respect. Yet it should be felt, rather than seen; its influence should appear, but not its exercise. The rules of the class should be like the laws of the country, which honest men observe with little knowledge and less thought about them: it must be ruled by the laws of love. Authority must borrow the heart and the tongue of affection, must make them its own; as with him that said, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her:" and also, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." So spoke the Master; and so should his disciples speak. This is Scripture, and in this is sound philosophy; as affection for the teacher has much to do with faith in the doctrine, men readily believing those they love, and children more. But some may say,-how difficult it is thus to gain the hearts and minds of children! And what is not difficult that is worthy of attainment? Ask the men of the world, and they will tell you, nothing!—ask the men of God, and they will tell you, nothing!--But they may both repeat the true saying, "Nothing is denied

to well-directed diligence." Therefore, although you ought not to be discouraged, you must expect difficulty.

""Tis not a cause of small import

The teacher's care demands;

But what might fill an angel's heart,
And filled a Saviour's hands.

They watch for souls, for which the Lord

Did heavenly bliss forego;

For souls, which must for ever live

In raptures, or in woe."

Then to allure the little ones to Him that can give them life-a life of hope here, and a life of joy there-a joyous hope that shall grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength; a flower of gladness on earth which will ripen into the fruit of glory in heaven, is surely a great, good end-a truly Christian, a Divine end.

THE WORK; AND HOW TO DO IT.

A NARRATIVE.-CHAPTER III.

ONE evening during the week to which my last referred, Charles told me he intended to visit the little invalid; and, as it would be a pleasant walk, I might not object to saunter with him, and, perhaps, amuse myself by taking a sketch of the cottage, whilst he was occupied within. To this I cheerfully acceded. Our way lay through some favourite corn-fields towards a small hamlet; and, as we approached the place, we crossed a narrow plank over a little pond which spreads itself gracefully forth, reflecting the side and roof of the dwelling, with the old picturesque willow dangling its light branches in the front. A neat looking woman was working within, and several small children about her. Everything indicated good management and rural quiet: she was the mother of the family, and rose to welcome us. Charles went up stairs with her, and I remained below to make friends with the youngsters. Soon their bashfulness disappeared; and one of them showed me the model of a mill, and other ingenious contrivances of his brothers, with various toys which he had repaired, and curiosities he had met with, all denoting that this sick brother must be a personage of no mean importance in the humble dwelling.

"And do you go to Sunday-school too, my child?" I asked, addressing the eldest of the group. "No, sir, not yet; I am not old enough to walk so far, but I shall soon."

"Do you wish to go?" "Yes, sir, very much, if--;" here he hesitated, but his little sister added, "He wants to be in Mr. Charles' class, for he is the goodest teacher; isn't he, Robert?"

Robert, however, turned away, and said nothing; but planted himself just within the door of the staircase, that he might catch a word or two of what was going on above. I did not interrupt him, but strolled back, and seated myself on the stump of a tree, so as to command a good view of the scene.

In about

half-an-hour Charles was visible, and his eye glanced on the same pieces of juvenile workmanship that had attracted me. As we walked home, I asked him whether any of the other children in the school betrayed similar intelligence? "I really am not aware," he replied: "they have very little schooling in these parts, and I have never thought much about it; my chief concern has been to lead them to Christ, and prepare them for another world."

'but

"Well,” I said, "that is, indeed, the first duty; but it would be very desirable to cultivate their talents, and fit them for greater usefulness here." "Yes, but how is it to be done? is the question. Supposing I attempted an evening class, I could not undertake it alone; and who could help me?" "Could not Henry? It might interest him more than the Sabbath-school, and it would bring him nearer to you. What way does his taste lay?" "As for that, he is quite ablebetter than I am-but he might not like it; and, at all events, we are neither of 18 at liberty to enter upon any such engagement yet." "Granted," I replied; you might sound him, and then it would require some preparation." "Well," said Charles, "what could we do? You have evidently a scheme ■ your mind-out with it." I smiled, and proceeded to point out that he night introduce writing and figures, and give them simple lessons in Scripfre geography, and natural history; that he might tell them about the ordiary appearances in nature; that he might explain some of the inventions of odern times, and the great leading facts in history, &c.; so as to furnish their inds, and give them a thirst for knowledge. Charles was far from being condent in his own powers, and appeared to fancy that I greatly overrated them; at I knew all this would become easy and delightful to him when he once set bout it, and therefore I was not dismayed.

The next day he resumed the conversation, by saying that Henry's father was the house of an optician, and that he believed Henry was rather fond of atural science; that he had a good pocket microscope, and some other glasses, hich he had shown him, but that he had no idea he would approve the plan. Well,” I continued, “may I suggest it; and will you abide the result?”

To this Charles consented, and I made a point of calling at the mill to see the works. Henry was gratified, and took much pains to explain everything to ne; and, by his style of conversation, I easily detected a truly active and supejor mind, but not sufficiently under the controlling influence of religion to make he best use of it. He was pleased with the account of our visit to the cottage, and with the specimens of ingenuity we had found there; and when I told him what I had suggested to Charles, it took his fancy at once, as something better adapted to his taste than the more serious and spiritual exercises of the Sabbathschool.

As I was to leave the neighbourhood in less than a fortnight, it was resolved that we should chalk out a plan; and to keep them to their agreement, I promised, if nothing should prevent, to return to —— the beginning or middle of

October.

The evening on which we were to meet for conversation was wet and cold;