Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

Correspondence.

[The Committee of the National Society are thankful for any communication likely to assist SchoolManagers and Teachers, or otherwise promote the work of Church Education; but they do not necessarily hold themselves responsible for the opinions of the Editor's correspondents.]

[Those of our correspondents and friends who have so promptly encouraged this portion of the Monthly Paper have our best thanks for their kind exertions.

The Paper requires to be made more fully known among Sunday-school teachers, in order that the Sunday-school portion of it may be as extensively useful as the other portion; and if every teacher of a day-school, and our subscribers in general, would kindly endeavour to make it known in the Sundayschools of their respective neighbourhoods, we think that we might secure a large accession to our number of subscribers. Specimens of this portion of the Paper will be forwarded to any subscriber who may be desirous of extending its circulation among Sunday-school managers and teachers.-ED. M.P.]

ear."

To the Editor of the National Society's Monthly Paper.

A STRING OF SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.

66

SIR,-A very old, and a very good gentleman, whom I have the privilege to number among my friends, displays wonderful tact in the way in which he goes about to collect information. He puts on a very serious look, brings his deep bass voice down to a whisper, and, taking hold of a button of your coat, puts his mouth close to your ear, saying at the same time in his most impressive way, Sir, one word in your When I am in difficulty I often wish that, like him, I could take hold of the buttons of many of your intelligent correspondents, and draw from them the information of which I stand in most need. As I read their letters, I often picture their faces to my mind's eye; and to so great an extent have I carried this practice, that with some of the signatures I have connected permanent ideas, either of cheerfulness, thinness, bulk, and so on. I need not say that there is one characteristic which I fancy I have discovered in all. The reader asks what it is. I answer, willingness to afford their fellow-labourers all the assistance in their power. Let me once more presume on this willingness, and request them to discuss in your pages the following questions, which for some time have engaged my thoughts.

1. Can any plan be devised by which the labours of the teacher of the day-school may be dispensed with in the Sunday-school? It seems to me to be highly necessary to give him all possible rest. But one day, when I broached the idea to an acquaintance of mine, he said that "total rest on Sunday was an evasion of his just duties; for that he received a whole holiday on the Saturday, on the understanding that he should devote his time and energies on the Sunday to the work of the Church in our Sunday-schools." I should feel grateful if your readers would thoroughly ventilate this subject. I am sure that I can say for myself, and I believe for some others, that we shall carefully watch the progress of the discussion.

2. Several large and admirably conducted Sunday-schools exist in this county, which are known to many persons who take a real interest in religious education. I cannot for one moment suppose that those who are connected with these schools are unwilling to render their brethren any assistance in their power, by describing their plans, and stating the results of their experience. Three names may be mentioned with deep respect; and I feel sure that if these gentlemen should read this letter, they would favour us with some remarks on Sunday-schools: they are Canon Slade, of Bolton; the Venerable Archdeacon Wigram, of Southampton, who has written a book on Sunday-schools; and the Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, of Frant, a member of the Committee of the National Society. When your Sunday-school department was started, I said to myself, now we shall get letters from well-tried friends of education -from Canon Hutchinson; the Rev. W. Fry, of Leicester; the Venerable Archdeacon Allen; the Venerable Archdeacon Bickersteth, of Aylesbury; and many others, whose time and energy are always ready to give a helping hand to a good movement. May I ask how it is that these and other gentlemen are slow to favour us with letters in

young women, in another room. Should the clergyman not take a class himself, his time may be beneficially employed by calling on each group on his way to church, and by his advice and countenance make the work pleasant to both teacher and taught. Teachers' meetings at the parsonage will, of course, be held monthly. Weekly meetings are perhaps unnecessary.

A library of well-illustrated books on interesting subjects, not "too dry," is a very useful appendage to a Sunday-school. Some roomy well warmed and lighted apartment should be chosen, where the young people might be encouraged to meet once a-week at least to exchange their books, and sit for an hour or so reading any other books or illustrated papers which may have been provided for them.

One or two pleasure-excursions to neighbouring places should be "got up," and "things to be noticed” at each should be previously gone over; thus a great amount of healthy instruction and amusement might be imparted. I need hardly say that lectures on popular subjects, accompanied with experiments and illustrations, should be given as frequently as possible; and whilst the scholars should be admitted free, or at a very small charge, the price to the public should be such as to show clearly that there is a pecuniary advantage in being "on the books" of the Sunday-school. At the same time, the Sabbath attendance should be so strictly enforced by admonition, or even expulsion, if necessary, that no names would be found" on the books" but such as were bonâ-fide scholars, not nominally so.-I am, &c.

DRESS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL GIRLS.

WILLIAM PEARSON.

Whittlesea, Dec. 11, 1856.

SIR,-Surely if the meaning of the texts 1 Pet. iii. 34 and 1 Tim. ii. 9, quoted by your correspondent "Belgrave" in this month's Number of your Paper be, what she would seem to imply, that women should not adorn themselves with "braided hair, or gold or pearls or costly array," the words of the holy apostle should be applied to Sunday-school teachers as well as children. And, no doubt, had this been the true meaning, Quaker plainness of dress would always have been adopted by every earnestminded Christian woman. But does not the second text quoted help us to the true meaning of both? "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." This is the adorning they are to spend their time and thoughts upon putting on, and which they are to feel will alone make them acceptable in the eyes of God and man. And I have found from experience that this deep and true principle is so understood by a class of girls whose ages average thirteen years, that I have no complaints to make of too smart caps or too expensive shawls. They see that such things would be inconsistent with the humble self-denying character they must be ever striving to become. I have said nothing to them about the impropriety of flowers (for how could I, when it would seem God has given them to us for the sole purpose of exciting our love and admiration?); but yet I have seen the "artificials" withdrawn from their caps, because they have felt that they put them there to draw attention to themselves. I do not mean that they exactly argued to themselves in this way, but that I could see such a working in their minds leading to such results. And I must say I felt better satisfied than if it had been done because I had told them not to wear them, because I hope the true principle was laid, which, by God's grace, may guide their conduct through life with regard to what certainly will never be considered unimportant a woman's appearance.-I am, &c. A S.-S. TEACHER. [We have now occupied as much space as we can well spare to this subject, and must, at all events for the present, close the correspondence.-ED. M. P.]

SYSTEMATIC TEACHING IN SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

SIR,-Your correspondent" C. F. Secretan," who writes on the deficiency of systematic teaching in our Sunday-schools, will find much assistance in a very useful book called the Sunday-Scholar's Christian Year, by the Rev. Thomas Allbut, price 9d. Having made use of it in a Sunday-school for twelve months, I am able to say that it has fully answered my expectations; and I can thoroughly recommend it for general use. I remain, &c. GEORGE BRUINO.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"H. O. L.," "H. D.," "L. R.," "Cosy," and "Trent," are thanked for their communications. We must now devote our limited space to other subjects.

"J. M." and "Curate" are thanked. Their communications are under consideration.

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

THE Meetings of the Committee of this Society have not been numerously attended by Members during the last month.

Welsh Education Committee.

This Committee has just issued a very interesting Report of its proceedings during the ten years that it has been acting as the Welsh branch of the National Society, with an especial reference to the improvement of the state of education in the Principality. A large measure of success has attended its exertions; and it now renews its appeal for an extension of that liberal support with which it has hitherto been favoured. The Report will be forwarded to any promoter of education who may be desirous of furthering the object in view.

Half-Yearly Abstract.

The following particulars of the Society's proceedings are taken from the "Half-Yearly Abstract of Proceedings," intended for parochial distribution. Copies of the Paper will be sent to any friend of the Society disposed to promote its interests.

Depository. It is satisfactory to report that the anticipations of the Committee with respect to a large increase of business in the Society's Depository, consequent upon the opening of the new salesroom at the Sanctuary, have been realised. The receipts for the year 1856 will, there is little doubt, show an increase of at least 2000l. over those for 1855. Meanwhile considerable additions have been made to the list of books and school-materials on sale.

It is also gratifying to announce that several fresh dépôts, in important towns, have been opened during the last year. By means of these dépôts it is hoped that the books and apparatus provided by the Society may be introduced into many small and outlying schools which have hitherto, from lack of opportunity, not enjoyed this advantage.

School-Library.-It is proposed to add to the Society's Depository a selection of standard secular books suitable for a school-library. The books thus selected have been recommended by some one or more Diocesan Boards of Education. They will be uniformly bound in a strong binding, and will be offered to the members of the Society at a considerable reduction from the cost-price. The first selection will consist of about twenty-five or thirty volumes; and among them will be found,

White's Selbourne.

Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.
Tales of a Grandfather.
Robinson Crusoe.

Sandford and Merton.
Bruce's Travels.
Thomson's Seasons.
Cowper's Poems.

Monthly Paper.-The sale of this Paper is steadily on the increase; and it is expected that during the year 1857 at least 7000 copies will be printed each month. It will be found to be of especial service to managers of schools who may require a teacher at any other period than at Christmas in each year. As teachers can now be procured from training-schools only at the close of each year, the advertisements in

[blocks in formation]

your Sunday-school department? Can they be aware of the object you have in view? May I ask those whom I have taken the liberty to name, what plans they would suggest for attaching our former scholars to the Church? This would be a question for very profitable discussion in your Journal.

3. It has been suggested in your Paper that Sunday-school teachers should meet their clergyman at certain times (say once a month) for the purpose of preparing themselves to teach classes on the Sundays. Many clergy are at a loss, I believe, in so conducting these meetings as to make them useful. If any one can throw any light upon the subject, by showing what we ought to do when we have thus met, I for one should be greatly obliged. I would humbly suggest that short accounts of Sunday-school teachers' meetings be sent to you for insertion. These would be a sort of guide for such assemblies in other places. I believe you already insert notices of the proceedings of National-School Teachers' Associations, and why not of those connected with Sunday-schools?

4. It has occurred to me, that instead of taking little children, who cannot use their Prayer-Books, to church, and so running the risk of making them dislike Sunday and the Church's service, it would be a good plan to keep the lower classes in the schoolroom until about half-past eleven; and let some one read short and simple stories to them, and talk to them about scriptural subjects, and show them religious pictures. Has this plan been tried by any one? If so, what success has attended the plan?

5. May I request some of the clergy who read your useful periodical to discuss the question, how far it is desirable to exclude those fathers and mothers from the privilege of paying into the village clothing, coal, and shoe clubs who do not take their children with them to church on Sundays. It seems to me that we do too much for parents; in other words, that we relieve them too much of the responsibility which attaches to their sacred position; and that we ourselves have led them to regard the Sunday-school as the place to which they may send their children "to get them out of the way." I never could see why they should bring children into the world to shift the care of them from their own shoulders to those of others.

6. One other subject may fitly engage our attention at the present time, viz. how far it would be practicable to have annual conferences of Sunday-school teachers for one or two days, similar to the conferences which are held in harvest-time for the teachers of day-schools. It seems to me that the National Society might promote such gatherings by sending down persons to lead the discussions. Perhaps, sir, you may be able to tell us whether it is at all likely the Society would assist and encourage such gatherings.

I must apologise for putting together so long a string of subjects for discussion; but I feel that Sunday-school teaching is a matter which deserves the service of our hearts, hands, and tongues—the services of the best and highest among us; for the salvation of souls and the good of our Church depend upon it.-Yours, &c. F. J.

HOW TO ATTACH OUR SCHOLARS TO THE CHURCH.

SIR,-Will you permit me, through the medium of your valuable Paper, to call the attention of our Sunday-school teachers to this subject, of which mention was made in your October Number by your correspondent "G. W. O." I shall indeed rejoice with him to see the day when all our Sunday-school children, dispersed among the congregation, sit within the influence of a parent's eye. I wish my experience led me to believe this end as attainable with respect to parents as he seems to consider it. I would nevertheless ever keep it in view, as most important in its effect both on parent and child. But, in the mean time, let us see if there be not other causes for the result he deplores.

If, after having passed the Sundays of their youth under the influence of our instruction, our scholars leave us for the chapel of the Dissenter, does not this fact plainly tell us that our teaching has been ineffectual, our labour fruitless? Had they imbibed under our tuition even a faint idea of the Saviour's wondrous love, had we been instrumental in awakening one throb of gratitude, in kindling one ray of hope to share that mercy which He died to give,-the Church, under whose teaching such feelings had been called forth, would hold a place in their affections which the influence of after-years would not easily undermine.

That we have failed in our efforts to turn their youthful affections to their Saviour may or may not be our fault; but ours it must surely be if we have failed in the less difficult task of winning those affections to ourselves; and if our teaching had produced even this secondary effect, we might expect they would love for our sakes

that Church to which we had led them, and those services which would necessarily be assimilated in their minds with those teachers to whose affectionate interest in their welfare they could not have been insensible, though the saving truths we had endeavoured to instil had as yet met no answering chord within the heart.

If we do not succeed in making our children feel that we love them, and are deeply interested in their eternal welfare, the fault, as I said before, must surely be our own. May it not be our own fault that we have attained no higher point? At all events, let us test it by the following questions.

Have we done what we could? Do we really love our work, or are other betterloved occupations allowed to interfere with it? Do we carefully study beforehand the lessons we have to impart, that we may be better able to simplify them to the minds of our children; or are the hours of the Sunday-school all that we devote to this important work? When we meet with difficulties, do we prayerfully and earnestly seek to overcome them; or do we indolently take it for granted that they are insurmountable? Do we allow disappointment to damp our zeal, forgetting that our duty is to work on, and leave the result with Him for whom we work? The sower does not stay his hand because he may never see the blade; he works for wages, we for love. Who will own the latter a less powerful incentive? But have we this incentive? if not, it is vain to hope such half-hearted work can ever prosper.

In conclusion, I would ask what endeared to "G. W. O." the Church of his childhood? Not alone the "comfortable pew," nor even the feeling of security from the beadle's cane, the effects of which would have been merely negative. Was it not rather that, feeling his parents loved God's house, that which they loved became dear to him? and dearer still, perhaps, in after-years, when the scenes of childhood are brightened by the halo which memories of the dear departed shed around them. H. M.

NOTES OF A LESSON ON ST. MATTHEW.

This

Matthew the Publican.-A collector of Roman customs and imposts at Capernaum, a city on the north-west shore of Gennesaret (show on map). His duty was probably to collect tribute from passengers and merchandise crossing the lake. office was known among the Jews as that of a publican. Hence he calls himself "Matthew the publican.' Mark and Luke speak of him by the name of Levi (Mark i. 14; Luke v. 27-32). This was probably his Jewish name, Matthew being one he assumed on accepting office under the Roman proconsul. His position and influence at Capernaum must have been considerable. This is seen by the stir his farewell feast appears to have made among the Jews resident in that city.

Matthew called.-Matthew is described in the sacred narrative as pursuing his daily occupation at the moment when Jesus, in His love and mercy, called him to be one of His disciples. He appears immediately to have resigned his office, and followed Him. All worldly advantages were disregarded. Wealth, advancement, position, influence, he willingly lost to gain Christ.

Matthew the Disciple. The power of Christianity over the souls and minds of men was wonderfully displayed in the Christian conduct of this true believer. As a publican, he, like all his class, was probably extortionate, harsh, unfeeling, and dishonest. He could hardly, humanly speaking, have been otherwise; the very system of farming the tolls, so general among the Romans, scarcely allowed of a man so occupied being either honest or just. Yet this zealous disciple crucified his lusts and his passions at his Master's command, seeking, not his own advancement, but the glory of the Messiah's kingdom. From his call to the death of Christ he appears to have been occupied in preaching to his countrymen the Jews, as indeed was the case with all the disciples more or less; but after the Saviour's death he is supposed to have made many missionary tours in Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Abyssinia, and Ethiopia; at which latter place he is said to have suffered martyrdom with the sword,-sealing with his death his truth and faithfulness to his crucified Lord.

Lessons to be learnt.

1. No sinner is beyond the pale of God's mercy. "Not even publicans," the most opprobrious name a Jew could give his fellow.

2. Worldly gain is heavenly loss.

3. A Christian in name, like Matthew, shows by his humility and Christian zeal that he is a Christian indeed, even to the yielding up of his life.-I am, &c.

THOMAS C. R.

« ForrigeFortsett »