THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS. It is of the first importance that we have good teachers. It is deeply to be regretted, that some become teachers who lack the indispensable qualification. We are not disposed to blame the superintendent for such anomalies. From stress of weather he is often put to his wits' end, and has to do what he would not otherwise do; and thus unsuitable persons are made teachers. How can such teachers advise their scholars to have the courage to confess Christ, when they have not the courage themselves? The teachers suited are those who can bear the test, and make the profession of Peter. "Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs," (John xxi. 15.) The condition to feed the lambs and the sheep is love to Jesus. Such lovers of Jesus are needed in the Sabbath school. Their hearts will glow with heavenly fire. They will have an unction of the Spirit. They may not have genius, but they will have geniality. They may not have much information, but they will have "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus," which is far better. Such teachers will not make their work a mere amusement. They will seek to win souls to Jesus. They will be glad to do and to suffer anything, so that the everlasting weal of their scholars may be secured. Suffer, then, a few hints and suggestions. Be regular in your attendance. Many classes have been lost through the serious sin of irregularity. Be punctual. Teachers, almost as much as ministers, should know the sacredness of a public engagement, even with children. Make it a point to remain with your class till the school is dismissed, otherwise you will shew a pernicious example. See that your conduct is decorous in the school. Let there be no merry-making with other teachers. Have no favouritism; for children are very susceptible in this direction. Go through your work with a happy countenance, kind words, loving smiles, and a lively manner. Avoid monotony, and seek to rivet the attention of each scholar. Ask the meaning of almost every word in the lesson. Educate them, that is, draw out their thoughts. Avoid the constant chiming out of certain phrases in angry tones, such as: "Oh, it is terrible such behaviour!" "I never beheld such a mischievous class!" Do not speak to them as if all happiness was reserved for heaven. Teach, that to be lovers of Jesus, to be brave and to be useful, gives much bliss even in this world. Be patient and faithful, though not successful. It often happens that one sows and another reaps. Be devout. A prayerless teacher is as a lamp without oil. He who prevails with God for his class, will prevail with his class for God. Prepare well. Do not think that anything will do for children. Seek to have a moral influence over your scholars, A girl once said, "Oh, I would be ashamed to look my teacher in the face if I had sinned." That teacher had a beautiful influence over his scholars. We are always listened to when we are loved. Be on the most friendly terms with all the other teachers in the school. Be sour to none. Shew all respect to your superintendent. Be sure and visit your scholars. If we want to do good we must do as Jesus did to the blind-put our hands upon them. Suffer the following quotation: it is so touching:-"At the close of our lesson one afternoon, a fellow-teacher asked me in a serious manner, 'Have you a girl in your class of the name of Anne?'-'Yes; what of that?' 'I have something to tell you about her,' said he.-'What is it? what is the matter?' She is dead!'-' Dead?'-'Yes; she died four days ago.' My heart sank within me; I could not speak. Dead: and I not at her deathbed. Have I done my duty to her? Have I done all I could? Alas, alas! my conscience now fully aroused, told me I had not. And now why do I write this? It is to urge on my fellow-teachers never to let slight excuses induce them to defer visiting their scholars, and thus they will not have cause to regret, as I do, a neglected opportunity.” Then, in regard to the best kind of teaching, there can be no doubt but it is illustrative or pictorial. The immense number of illustrated periodicals for children now publishing is, we think, a great boon. The pictures not only interest, but help to carry home the lessons with greater effect. Teachers should study pictures, and practise themselves in describing scenes. They should cultivate a graphic style, and be minute even in details. "Let them hang their admonitions upon an anecdote, or elucidate their arguments by some natural phenomenon, or decorate their sentences with an illustration, and they cannot speak in vain." Make use of all the help within your reach in the shape of commentaries, Sabbath school magazines, catechisms, &c., but never take anything to the class with you but the Bible. All other books are dry, very dry, when compared with the Bible. I give it as my decided opinion, that there is nothing will attract the children more, nothing will produce a more reverential deference for holy things, nothing educe a more cordial submission to God, than the use of the Bible alone as the text-book. Oh, how gloriously rich is the Bible! and what a field of flowers into which to lead his scholars!—a field that the intelligent teacher will find too vast to be fully explored on this side the grave. In conclusion, let me say, that generally I am satisfied with our present organization. The great and crying desideratum is not so much new plans or new systems, as better workmen. We need teachers burning in zeal, indomitable in perseverance, and God-like in character."—From Paper by Rev. R. Hood, Glasgow, read at the Sabbath School Conference, Evangelical Union's Annual Meeting. BRIEF THOUGHTS ON THE FLIGHT OF TIME.-Time is the most subtle, yet the most insatiable of depredators, and, by appearing to take nothing, is permitted to take all; nor can it be satisfied until it has stolen the world from us, and us from the world. It constantly flies, yet overcomes all things by flight; and although it is the present ally, it will be the future conqueror of death. Time-the cradle of hope, but the grave of ambition-is the stern corrector of fools, but the salutary counsellor of the wise, bringing all they dread to the one, and all they desire to the other; but, like Cassandra, it warns us with a voice that even the sagest discredit too long, and the silliest believe too late. Wisdom walks before it, opportunity with it, and repentance behind it. He that has made it his friend will have little to fear from his enemies; but he that has made it his enemy will have little to hope from his friends.-Colton. "IN THE MORNING SOW THY SEED." Go, husbandman, and sow! The dew is on the lawn, The rosy-tinted dawn Invites thy coming-go; Give to the bosom of the earth thy grain; Go, gentle mother, sow! And Life's young morning time Plant seeds of love and truth, from which will spring Go, faithful teacher, sow! Gather the outcasts in From haunts of vice and sin, Gather them gently-lift their hearts above, Go, humble preacher, sow! Go, scatter broadcast, plenteous, and free, Go, earnest thinker, sow! Within thy bosom know! It hath a mission-let the worker forth Go, every one, and sow! A life supine below; Talents must be improved, however few, The field is large and wide, Has proffered us a guide; And His unerring index in the breast Will designate the work that suits Him best. Friends' Review. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. The matter for each Number of the Magazine requires to be in the hands of the printers not later than the middle of the month before publication. The insertion of communications sent later cannot be guaranteed. DR. THOLUCK, the celebrated German theologian, in one of his ablest sermons, said: "The Christian life is a glorified childhood." Intelligence. fifteen years ago, and although he thought the difficulties then in the way still existed, he believed an arrangement for the formation of one could easily be made, similar to the plan adopted by the Bible Societies when they amalgamated and formed the National Bible Society. SOUTH-EASTERN SABBATH SCHOOL Scottish Sabbath School Union. 8th, UNION.-A conference of the teachers We should pray for and expect more of this Union was held on 10th Nov., zeal, wisdom, love, energy, persein the hall adjoining the Great Hamil- verance, faith, and more abundant ton Street Congregational Church; success. A number of teachers preRobert Corbet, Esq., presided, and sent took part in the conference which Mr. William Galloway introduced the followed Mr. Galloway's address. subject of discussion: viz., "What Mr. Richmond remarked, that the ought to be the results of the Second proposal to form a Union for Scotland Scottish Sabbath School Convention?" had been seriously discussed some Among the desirable objects accomplished and hoped, there would be: 1st, A deep sense of gratitude to God for the large measure of favour shewn to His servants. The presence of so many zealous labourers was most refreshing. Evidently the great work of Sabbath school instruction is progressing, and adapting itself to the times. 2nd, While encouraged by present attainments, we should go forward with renewed vigour and greater hopefulness for the future. 3rd, We should be impressed more fully with a sense of the vast importance of the work, both as to the manner of it and its extent. 4th, The smallness of present means, as contrasted with the greatness of the end in view, should be felt more. 5th, We should agitate for more recognition from the churches, and better accommodation for our schools. 6th, We should have more intercourse with co-workers and kindred unions throughout the country. 7th, We should strive to form a MIDDLE DISTRICT SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. --Report of business at meeting held in Religious Institution Rooms, 14th Dec., 1869:-Seventeen societies had canvassed the districts allotted to them, and sent in lists of those children between the ages of six and sixteen who were not attending any Sabbath school; seven societies had not yet reported result of canvass. Thirteen societies had been visited at their schools Sabbath evenings; six who had applied remained still to be visited, and six had not, as yet, answered the circular. Motion anent statistics had been considered by the General Union, but no action was taken in the matter. Notices of Books. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND SCOT- A CAREFULLY prepared and authentic on of 140 pages, including the papers read at the conferences, the discussions which arose on them, and the speeches delivered at the concluding public meeting. A list of the delegates to the Convention is appended; and the entire publication wears a very complete appearance. We anticipate great advantage to the Sabbath school cause from the extensive circulation | bation, has at length ventured upon of the report; and would, towards a book. We congratulate him upon this end, bespeak the aid of all in- his success, both in regard to the terested in the object. A thoughtful spirit and style of the production. perusal of its pages will be found Without referring to its contents in suggestive of much that is encourag- detail, it may be remarked, that it ing, and calling for devout thankful- conveys important practical lessons ness, in the progress and state of our in a devout and earnest manner, and Sabbath school system; and, let us with no small degree of pleasing illusfrankly add, of not a little that tration. The subject of Christian exurgently needs amendment. perience is thoughtfully treated, in some of its aspects, in a conversational form; and under another head, we have several remarkable instances, from the excellent author's personal observations as a Sabbath school teacher, and otherwise, of happy Christian deaths. The author is too sensible and practical a writer to usurp the function of the preacher. His manner of discussing religious topics is his own-simple, inartificial, fresh, and straightforward. The little volume is tastefully brought out, and those of our readers who are in quest of gift-books at this season, will do well to make choice of it for their young friends. cover, THE CONQUEROR'S PRIZES. BY REV. JOHN EDMOND, D.D., London. A New-Year's Gift-Book. Issued by the Glasgow Sabbath School Union. Glasgow: John M'Callum. 1870. AGAIN we invite attention to the Union's New-Year's Gift-Book. Since we saw it last, "The Conqueror's Prizes" has been illustrated by woodcuts, invested in a neat ornamental and has already made rapid progress in the extensive circulation which awaited it over the country. The name of its gifted and excellent author is a sufficient guarantee for its universal acceptance. Let our readers, after they have admired the remarkable simplicity and force with which Dr. Edmond conveys Divine truth into youthful minds, pause over the Saxon purity of the style, and observe the power that lies in little words. Teachers, if such there be, who, in addressing the young, use great swelling words of vanity, would do well to make a study of the author's style, and note-for it is really noteworthywhat he can do with words of one, two, and three syllables. We congratulate the Union on their good fortune, in being able to issue a little book animated by a true vitality, which future years will neither exhaust nor weaken. TOPICS FOR TEACHERS. By J. C. GRAY, author of "The Class and THE peculiar plan of this work, and The THE HIVE. London: Elliot Stock. HEAVENLY LOVE AND EARTHLY A PERIODICAL of kindred spirit and ECHOES. By a Glasgow Merchant. aim with the above. It has done Edinburgh: Edmonston & Douglas. good service to working Sabbath 1870. school teachers for the last two years, THE Glasgow Merchant whose little and is now entering upon its third tracts we have repeatedly introduced volume. We wish it continued prosto our readers with a word of appro-perity. |