Sabbath Schools. They are subalterns in the army of the great Captain of salvation, and have an important part to perform in training up the "sacramental host of God's elect." These schools will be nurseries for the churchnurseries from which multitudes will be transplanted into the garden of the Lord. It was a true observation of Calvin, "If we would have the church flourish we must begin in the good instruction of children." Too much exertion, therefore, cannot be made to instil into the minds of the rising generation the truths of christianity. How vastly important the system of Sabbath Schools, and kindred institutions, as Bible and Theological Classes! Blessed be God who moved upon the heart of the benevolent Raikes, and who permitted him to be the instrument in his hand of giving the first impulse to this mighty engine. For wherever Sabbath Schools are known, the memory of Robert Raikes will be fondly cherished, and held sacred as the founder of this institution. Could he now be permitted to revisit this earth, with what astonishment and delight would he see the immense amount of good that has been effected by this Benevolent scheme. While we surrender to the preached word the first rank among the many means of doing good now in operation, we must claim for Sabbath Schools the second; and we feel confident, that if properly encouraged and patronised, nothing, with the exception above named, will take the precedence of this system in the power of doing good. Here will be trained up the Brainerds, Buchannans, Careys, and Martyns of future ages, who shall carry the Bible and preach it on the banks of the Ganges, on the shores of the Pacific, and on the islands of the seas. This Society is not insulated. It is a part of one stupendous whole. In connexion with the other benevolent enterprizes of the day, it is working wonders. Some of its glorious effects may be

learnt from a statement of facts collected by Rev. Dr. Wisner and published in his sermon on the "benefits and claims of Sabbath Schools.", "Not long since, one of the Justices of the Police Court in this city (Boston) stated, at an anniversary meeting of the Boston Sunday School Society, that "there are more juvenile delinquents brought before that court on Monday, than on any other day in the week; and that he was happy to say, that no Sabbath School scholar was ever found among their number." And in the last report of the Massachusetts Sabbath School Union, I find the following statement. ❝ In the reports of thirty-five schools it is definitely stated, that no individual from their number has ever been arraigned before a civil tribunal for in.moral conduct; while only two from all our schools, are mentioned, who have been arrested; and these attended the Sabbath School irregularly for a very short time." And a few years since, “it was stated before a committee of the English House of Commons, by persons who had been much concerned in Sabbath Schools, that they had never known one of their pupils to become a common beggar. And Mr. Raikes, the founder of the Sabbath School system, stated, that, "duripg 20 years among 3,000 persons who had been instructed in these institutions, he had after strict inquiry and diligent search, heard of but one who had been committed to prison as a criminal."" Of the influence of these institutions in promoting vital religion among their teachers and pupils, we have such statements, from authentic sources, as the following. During the first year after the organization of the New York Female Sunday School Union, "twenty-four of the scholars made a profession of religion; and many others, by their seriousness, gave reason for the hope that they were not far from the kingdom of God." And the report of the same society for 1828

states, that, during the preceding. year, sixty-six of their teachers, and eighteen of their scholars, and during the seven preceding years of the existence of their society, 418 teachers and scholars, had made a profession of religion." "In Philadelphia, when Sunday Schools were first established, out of the number who were employed as teachers, there were sixty-five who gave no indication of decided piety. But, in two years, out of this number, fifty had made a public profession of religion." And from 1818 to 1824, in one of the Unions in that city, 205 teachers, and 73 scholars, had united themselves with the church. And in this city, (Boston,) it is known that of the additions made to our churches during the last eight years a considerable and continually increasing proportion have been from among the teachers ånd scholars of our Sabbath Schools. And similar have been their fruits in country places. In the account of a revival in the state of New York, several years since, it was stated, that of thirty-five who were hopeful sharers in the work, twentynine belonged to the Sabbath School. And of one bundred who united with a church in another place, in the course of a single year, ninety-eight had enjoyed the blessings of Sabbath School instruction." In 1825, a member of a church in New Jersey, wrote,-" About one hundred young persons have," since the establishment of our schools," been united to the church, who, after considerable investigation it was concluded, have all been, in some way or other, connected with the Sabbath Schools of the congregation, either as teachers or scholars. We may add to this about thirty persons of color, who have received religious instruction in some of the Sunday Schools, and have made a profession of religion." And in 1828, a clergyman in one of the towns of Massachusetts, said he was confident that every individual who was in his first

Sabbath School, was then a member of his church. And that while some, during a recent revival, were hopefully converted from every other house in the vicinity, one large family of children, whose father, (a member of the church,) refused to let them attend the Sabbath School, (saying, he could give instruction enough at home,) was passed by without a single trophy of renewing grace.' The report of the Massachusetts Union for 1828, states, "In sixty-nine schools, 348 teachers, and 248.scholars have publicly professed their faith in Christ during the last year; besides very many who hope they have exercised faith in his atoning blood, but have not yet publicly espoused his cause." And the last year they report,

"380 teachers and 237 scholars added to the church. And the report of the American Sunday School Union for 1828, after remarking that very few of the reports received from auxiliaries, mention. the number of teachers and scholars who have made a profession of religion in the past year, adds, "the number of the former actually reported is 1269, and of the latter 909; which being added to those before reported, makes 7659.” "But we believe this," the managers subjoin, "is not one fourth of the teachers and pupils, who after their connexion with Sabbath Schools, have been taught by the Holy Spirit, and publicly professed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." Thus the Holy Spirit bas remarkably set his seal upon the institution of Sabbath Schools.

We have the most abundant testimony to their blessed effects. Revivals of religion follow in their train. They replenish the churches, and furnish a multitude of young men for the service of pastors and missionaries. "It is said that of the missionaries who have gone from Great Britain to the heathen, nineteen twentieths became pious at Sabbath Schools; and that of the evangelical ministers

in England who are under forty years of age, more than two thirds became pious at Sabbath Schools.-The celebrated Dr. Morrison, missionary in the vast empire of China, who has recently translated the whole Bible into Chinese, a language spoken by the largest associated population on the globe,.became pious at a Sabbath School." At a Sabbath School also the first religious impressions were made upon the minds of the Rev. Messrs. Henderson and Patterson who have wrought such wonders on behalf of the Bible cause. Under a conviction of the salutary effects of these institutions, the pirate Gibbs exclaimed a short time before his execution, "Sabbath Schools would have saved me from the gallows; but they were fifteen years too late for me." What multitudes are now suffering the horrors and anguish of hell, who might say, "If we had enjoyed Sabbath School instruction, it would have saved us from our awful perdition, but they were established too late for us." This christian enterprise is one of the most efficient instruments, chosen of God for the advancement of his kingdom. This is the uniform feeling and acknowledgment of the friends of Christ. It is countenanced and sustained by all the different evangelical denominations of Christians. The wise, the good, and the patriotic have espoused this cause, pregnant with blessings great and glorious. "No man" says Chief Justice Marshall "estimates more highly than I do the real value of the Sabbath School Institution or the intrinsic value of the object it pursues. I am much, very much gratified at the success which has thus far attended its philanthropic, meritorious and well directed labors." De Witt Clinton said "the Institution of Sabbath Schools is one of the three levers, by which the moral world is to be moved "

Such are the blessed effects of Sabbath Schools. Who