midst of an old population, yet differing materially from every thing around. The growth of the system, however, soon became manifest, and with it elements were discovered, which attracted considerable attention. It was an indication of a moral resurrection; the slumbering energies of the church of Christ were beheld as coming forth in a form previously unknown. Too long had the grossest apathy among the lay members of the Christian community verified in a melancholy manner the Roman adage—Paulum sepultæ distat inertiæ celata virtus-Energy, when dormant, differs very little from buried inertness. But a new era in Christian effort had commenced, and the laity, encouraged by the clergy, then began to exert themselves for the religious instruction of the rising generation.

The interest and simplicity which encircled the rising influence of the Sunday-school system, soon affected the hearts, and drew forth the helping hands of many friends of the young. One of its first results was, that it remarkably augmented the number of readers, so as to render the ordinary supply of Bibles quite inadequate to the demand. Hence sprang forth into existence that moral "wonder of the world," THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY," with all its attendant greatness and mighty energies, and constituting a union of all Protestants on one common ground. Coeval with that noble establishment, the Sunday-school system has, by its steady progression, acquired decided permanency; and the vast accumulation of schools and teachers is a striking and satisfactory evidence of its beneficial tendency. Like a stately tree, its roots have struck deeply into our native soil; it has spread around its boughs and branches, covered with rich foliage, afford

ing shelter and lodging to the feathered tribes of various plumage.

The extension of the system in Great Britain, the United States of America, and other parts of the world, especially at missionary stations, constitutes irrefragable proof of its adaptation to general usefulness, even to the ends of the earth. Already has it been acknowledged by Christians of various denominations, as a most powerful auxiliary to the public proclamation of the Gospel ; and tens of thousands of children are conducted every Sabbath-day to the sanctuary and worship of God, by thousands of pious teachers, who have dedicated themselves to this honourable and glorious service. Thus have Sunday Schools proved themselves to be the true "nurseries of the church of Christ." No longer, therefore, can this admirable effort of Christian charity be regarded as a mere experiment; no longer can it be viewed as an indifferent circumstance, for it has now acquired power-power which has been felt, and employed too, by nearly every Christian institution. Serious and solemn then is the obligation of all who sympathize with the condition of the rising population, and who feel anxiously concerned about the future hopes of the church of Christ, to examine the principles of this system of religious education; and especially do the specific characteristics of the agency thus created demand scrupulous attention.

The principle of Christian love, which is the "centre of gravity" of the Sunday-school system, so highly calculated to move and bring into active operation the energies of Christian teachers; and the desire to benefit immortal souls, and to train immortal minds, are considerations which admit neither of objection nor com

promise. The constitution of the agency employed in this "work of faith and labour of love," however, requires more particular investigation, that it may be properly understood, and that adequate aid and encouragement may be forthcoming, to render it more powerful as an instrument of public good. The regulating principle of a vast machine may be satisfactory, but the competency of the various parts of the works to perform aright the different revolutions with precision and harmony, may be questionable. As are the wheels and levers of a mighty machine, so are the agents employed in Sunday Schools; some having a larger, and others a smaller sphere of action; but all should work in harmony, with just so much friction as is essential to keep the whole in motion. Look, then, at the nature and operations of this important agency, and endeavour to ascertain how far it has yet advanced towards a state of perfection.

The agency is voluntary and gratuitous. This constitutes the esprit de corps of the Sunday-school system, and is fondly, yet firmly, cherished among Sundayschool teachers. "Freely ye have received, freely give," appears as the unchangeable motto. But these teachers cannot give more than they have received; and what they give should be "not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." When, however, they have received more, they will be in a condition to impart more. Admitting that the heart is animated aright, and that the love of Christ (without which failure must be the result) is the impelling motive-admitting also that gratuitous teachers are preferable to any other in this sphere of Christian effort:admitting likewise that a strong desire of usefulness is

the incentive to diligence, fidelity, and perseverance ;still the inquiries are neither impertinent nor obtrusive,— Whether the zeal which arises from Christian love may not be augmented;—cannot this voluntary agency be rendered susceptible of additional wisdom to control it; -and may not the energies of Sunday-school teachers be greatly strengthened, and their qualifications be most advantageously raised and increased?

With the express and commendable design "to aid in elevating and perfecting the Sunday-school system," the Rev. John Todd, of Philadelphia, has composed the present work, which, after its publication and favourable reception in America, now issues, for the first time, from the press in England. Extracts from the work having appeared in several recent Numbers of the Sunday School Teacher's Magazine, were so acceptable as to awaken a strong desire for the entire volume, which may be regarded as a good omen of its general interest and utility, and affords an additional reason for its republication in this country. The very name of TODD, whose "Lectures to Children" and "Student's Manual" have acquired well-merited popularity in both hemispheres, is sufficient to commend this new work to the favourable attention of British Christians, and to ensure for it an extensive circulation. Its appearance, however, is a subject of some regret, and more reproach, in the mother-country; since no writer in England, where the system commenced, and where it flourishes in full vigour, has yet attempted to present the public with an enlarged work on the nature, results, and prospects of religious education in Sunday Schools. Jealousy for the national honour may be excusable, at the constant importation of similar literary commodities

from the New World; and a prejudice in favour of home manufacture can scarcely fail to exist;-but perhaps such feelings had better be checked.

In consenting to edit the present volume, I feel the serious responsibility, to the Author and to the Christian public, under which I have with some reluctance placed myself. It was considered advisable by the publishers, that some person identified with the Sunday-school system in England, and well acquainted with its details and operations, should be applied to, that the work might undergo a revision to render it quite suitable to English readers; and that a free expression of opinion, from a qualified person, might accompany its publication. I know not how I can better express my convictions, than by stating, that after a careful perusal of the whole work, the strong and beneficial impression which it has left upon my mind, compels me unhesitatingly to declare, that it is really a very good book.

Objecting, as I most decidedly do, to the mutilation of the productions of any author, still I have experienced the absolute need of making verbal alterations in some modes of expression in Mr. Todd's work; which, though common in America, have not been conventionally adopted in England. In no case, however, am I aware that any deviation has been made from the Author's real meaning: in fact, lest the original sense should in any way be obscured or changed, I have allowed some few of those peculiar modes of expression to remain precisely as they stand in the American edition.

In an early part of the volume, I have consented to the omission of a paragraph containing a slight argument, founded on a conjectural amount of cost,