two years ago a Sunday-school was instituted, and now numbers ninety children. At the recent Government census the mother of one of the scholars, although secretly Protestant, described herself and children as Catholics, from fear of the priests. The child, upon hearing the same, was uneasy, saying she was no Catholic, and would not be so described, giving her mother no rest until the alteration was made. Yes, Popish bondage, the slavery of the soul and body, of the nation to the Church of Rome, this is the great enemy we have to fight against, more audacious than ever; and we know that it does not hesitate to use the most extreme meas

especially in manufacturing districts, where it makes proselytes among the working classes. In the rural districts, on the contrary, it either remains stationary or decreases. You are aware that in France the population does not increase, and the mixed marriages often carry over the few children there are to Catholicism; so that it may be said, as far as numbers are concerned, Protestantism loses on one hand what it gains on the other. Its influence, however, is greater than could be expected from its numerical strength. We are not one thirtyeighth of the population, and in the Chamber of Deputies alone one-tenth of the members are Protestants; and certainly Protest-ures. We must, therefore, endeavor to create, antism has overcome many prejudices, and its work has not been in vain. But it would do more were it united, active, and animated with a more powerful spirit, although it is not uncommon to meet with some energetic and decided characters. For instance, I will here relate the case of a Sunday-school scholar. At Saint Audelain, a village in the Departement of La Nièvre, where many converts have been made from Romanism, some

by means of the Protestant Sunday-schools, a new generation, more vigorous, more Christian, and less fearful.

When our Saviour wept over Jerusalem, he knew that all would forsake him, nevertheless he hesitated not to accomplish his expiatory sacrifice. May we also in this great work never falter at any sacrifice; and the little tree, yet small and weak, will grow up to a larger and stronger one.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS-THE BIBLE SERVICE.

BY THE REV. J. H. VINCENT, D.D., NEW YORK.

I PROPOSE to speak of a comparatively modern institution, which, although still called "Sunday-school," is quite unlike the most excellent enterprise inaugurated by Mr. Robert Raikes, of England, a century ago. Of his work and its later modifications too much in the way of praise can not be written. It has received from the churches a cordial indorsement, and under the Divine blessing has been of untold advantage to our race, saving its tens of thousands from ignorance and from spiritual death.

"The Bible Service" of which I now propose to speak, although of recent origin-in | some sense, indeed, an outgrowth of the modern Sunday-school movement-is, in fact, one of the oldest and most fully authorized agencies of the Christian Church, meeting the demand which was in other ages met by ecclesiastical provisions of which I shall hereafter speak-provisions justified by the necessities of Christian character and experience, by the example of Christ and his apostles, and by specific commands in both the Old and the New Testament.

3. The most efficient agency of the Christian Church is the CHRISTIAN FAMILY. Because of its early access to the child, its rightful authority, the susceptibility of its subjects, its opportunities for the repeated enforcement and illustration of truth, it transcends all other means in importance and power. There is no place like home for religious instruction. Our highest thought of God is as "Our Father;" our highest ideal of the redeemed Church is that of "the whole family in heaven and in earth;" and the fairest type of heaven on earth is the family where parental authority is exercised that it may be a shadow of the Divine authority; where the details of daily life are directed by the purpose to illustrate the grace and power of the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. The Church, in obedience to her Founder's command, provides the PREACHED WORD. In connection with it are services of prayer, praise, and Scripture reading. This agency, never more effective than now, can never yield its pre-eminence. For a little child, Believing that the work which this in- though he understand not one word of the strumentality is designed to accomplish is sermon, I know no more powerful teacher of hindered by indefinite and incorrect theories, religion than is furnished by the great conand by the defective methods which embar-gregation, the open Book, and the living rass the Sunday-school, it is my purpose in preacher. The service of praise, of Bible this paper to show the distinction between reading and exposition, of prayer, and of the Robert Raikes "Sunday-school" and the preaching puts the seal of heaven upon the modern "Bible Service," that the two may | be no longer confounded, but that both may receive recognition, and each perform the distinctive work to which in the providence of God it is called.

I respectfully invite your attention to a few well-considered statements, which will lead us to a correct understanding of the true theory and work of the great institu- | tion to which our time and thought are now devoted.

1. The work of the Holy Spirit in the processes of awakening, regeneration, and edification is performed through the truth of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This truth "maketh wise unto salvation," 'converting the soul," and promoting in all believers Christian growth, strength, purity, and activity.

2. The Church is "the pillar and ground of the truth," upholding, announcing, perpetuating, and defending it, that men may be warned, attracted, persuaded, sanctified, and instructed by it.

Sabbath-day, brings into public notice the divinely appointed and endowed ministry, and suggests by its great assemblies the unity of the race, the universal need, and the universal provisions of grace. The Church, through the family and the pulpit, is to teach the truth which saves the soul.

5. At this point let me ask, What shall be done for the tens of thousands, even in Christian lands, who have no such home influence, and who are never brought within the sound of a Gospel sermon, who in ignorance, depravity, and wretchedness are running to ruin, imperiling at the same time the nation of which they form a part? ROBERT RAIKES'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL is the answer. Its efficiency can not be overstated. (1.) It welcomes, clothes, cares for, and instructs the young. (2.) It supplies voluntary, Christ - loving teachers, who sacrifice personal ease for the sake of souls, and who thus become to these pupils what mother and father and pastor would otherwise have been. (3.) It renders religious truth and religious service familiar

and attractive by its charms of song and picture and of skillful teaching. It was in Raikes's day a substitute for secular teaching; it is now as then a substitute for family religion, a substitute for pulpit instruction, a substitute for pastoral care. The Robert Raikes Sunday-school is a missionary institution.

6. An additional word or two concerning this substitutionary agency-the Robert Raikes Sunday-school-an institution differing widely from the "Bible Service" which I here discuss.

(1.) The Robert Raikes Sunday-school leaves its best work undone so long as it neglects the HOMES from which its members come, and so long as it fails to bring both parents and children under the influence of the PREACHED WORD IN THE SANCTUARY. Mission schools are intended to establish true home life, and to bring their members under the full influence of the Church.

(2.) The Robert Raikes School can not exist within the bosom of the Church as an accepted substitute for home and the pulpit without detriment to the institution that fosters it. The distinction which makes the Sunday-school the "Church for the Children," excusing them in view of its provisions from the public service of the sanctuary, is damaging in the extreme to children and parents, and to the Church itself. We want no substitutes for the family altar and the pulpit in our modern Church!

7. I now come to speak of another agency in operation among us, usually called "The Sunday-school," but which, as I have already said, differs materially from the misThis sionary appliance just described. agency I call "The Bible Service." Of it let me assert

(1.) That it is not designed especially for the members of irreligious families. It would have a legitimate and important service to perform even if all families represented in it were consistent, studious, Christian households. The mission element will be represented in the "Bible Service," but its distinctive aim and character are not dependent upon that element.

(2.) I assert that it is not designed to be a substitute for the pulpit; for where the Word is preached with greatest clearness and vigor the "Bible Service" is most in demand.

(3.) I assert, again, that this new department is not designed exclusively for children. These will always be present, forming, indeed, an important section of it; but the juvenile feature will not be emphasized. Its songs and mottoes and programmes will not be chosen with exclusive reference to the needs and tastes of children, but rather with an eye to the power and preciousness of the Word of God. The young man and the maiden will be there; the strong man in

middle life and the mother of children will be there; the venerable sire, who, having long tested and long trusted and long loved the Scriptures, will be a patient, teachable, and delighted member of the "Service."

(4.) It will no longer be SUNDAY school, as though the larger opportunities of that blessed day were the only reason for maintaining it; and the idea of Service, without entirely displacing that of School, will be predominant, for the closest study in accordance with the most approved methods of the secular schools will become a beautiful and spiritual "service" unto the Lord.

(5.) I have already anticipated in part my definition of the "Bible Service," which, more fully stated, is that department of the Church of Christ in which the children, youth, and adults of the Church and community are thoroughly trained in Christian knowledge, Christian experience, and Christian work. It co-operates with the family and the pulpit. As much as they do, it depends upon the Holy Spirit. It has one textbook-the Holy Bible. It has one specific aim-spiritual edification. It is the training department of the Church: not a recruiting office, but rather a military academy. It is not for children merely, but for Christians of all ages. As preaching and the accompanying services of the sanctuary are for children as well as adults, the "Bible Service" is for adults as well as children. the instructions of the family, the secular school, and the pulpit are supplemented by class recitation, discussion, and conversation. Here take place the activity, the attrition of brain and heart, by which truth is made clearer to the understanding and gains a firmer hold upon the affections.

Here

1. The design of this BIBLE SERVICE is in harmony with the teachings of the Word concerning the value and power of the Word "The law of the Lord as a means of grace. is perfect, converting the soul." "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin "I write unto you, young against thee." men, because ye are strong; the word of "Let the word of God abideth in you." Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another." "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

2. The BIBLE SERVICE meets an acknowledged demand for the proper study of the Word of God. This is indispensable to spiritual growth. After preaching must come teaching. Preaching of a certain kind is teaching; but the best effect of a sermon or lecture requires a supplemental catechisation, in which, when wisely conducted, lies Now the the very essence of teaching.

profitable knowledge of God's Word can preparation for the pulpit, or in order to not be attained without "conversation," supplement its instructions, the plan of indi"discussion," "disputation," "interlocuto-vidual and class catechisation was adopted. ry discourse," or by whatsoever name you Read the fervent appeals of Baxter in this please to call it. Mind must come in Mind must come in con- behalf. Read Luther, Trapp, Bridges, Henry, tact with mind. Usher, and a score of other devoted men, who well as reading, searching as well as hear-long ago felt the need of a service such as ing, teaching as well as preaching.

We must have study as

In the Church of Christ the cultivated must instruct the illiterate, while these, in turn, by their experience in the sweet and hidden mysteries of grace, may be able to throw light upon many a text obscure enough to those who have applied only human learning to its exposition. So shall God's people edify each other, and no member shall say to another, "I have no need of thee."

the Church now craves, and is about to find in fullness and efficiency, as the best fruit of the modern Sunday-school.

4. The BIBLE SERVICE, by embracing the adults, will save to the Church the youth who are now held in the Sunday-school with so much difficulty. It will no longer be regarded as a "children's affair." By making it a service of the Church, in which the piety and culture, the age and dignity of the Church are represented, we shall correct the false and perilous theory which now deters, especially our young men, from a cordial identification with it. It will be deemed as "manly" a thing to attend the "Bible Service" as it now is to be at "public worship."

3. The BIBLE SERVICE is, moreover, a perpetuation, or rather a revival, of a custom prevalent in the days of Christ and of his apostles, and to be found in the Church whenever she has most largely enjoyed the presence of the Master. Teaching, in the sense already described, is an important I am not an alarmist, and yet I confess part of her work. Jesus was pre-eminent- to some solicitude when I see our children ly "the Great Teacher." His methods were brought up to neglect preaching, and at the those of the modern school rather than those same time taught to regard the Sundayof the modern pulpit. By questions, con- school as a children's institution. In early versations, and illustrations he excited the manhood they are, by their theory, graduminds of his hearers to self-activity. His ated from the school, and, not having been longest addresses were usually in reply to habituated to attend preaching, find an easy some inquiry which his own teachings had excuse for neglecting all public worship. awakened. And even after his public ad- My hope is in the "Bible Service," which dresses or sermons, in which he spake the shall be regarded as a supplement to the Word to the people "as they were able to pulpit, and not a substitute; a department bear it," when they were alone he expounded of the Church, and not a human appendall things to his disciples. Familiar with age; a service" for all, and not simply a his methods, his followers went forth "to"school" for the young. preach and to teach in his name." Conver- 5. The BIBLE SERVICE will promote that sation, discussion, catechisation, were ordina- knowledge of the Bible which is the only ry methods of instruction in the New Testament times. In those days the Church was a school, and all Christians were "disciples." "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine," the "word of Christ dwelt in them richly," and "in all wisdom they taught and admonished one another." Paul was a constant teacher, "disputing and persuading, at Ephesus and elsewhere, the things concerning the kingdom of God"-i. e., "holding conversations" with the people in order to persuade them of the truth of the doctrine of Christ.

In the Apostolic Church "teachers" were appointed, and these certainly were not in all cases "ministers of the Gospel." The Jewish "assemblies" for the careful study of the Scriptures and of the Talmud were familiar to the early Jewish Christians. In the first century, Christian schools were instituted. In the fourth century, we find a rigid and thorough catechetical system in operation. The wise leaders of the Church in all ages have recognized the necessity of this training process, in which, by way of

sure means of opposing the skepticism of our day. Error must be met by truth. It is strong faith in the Word of God that overcomes the world in whatever form its antagonisms are encountered. Thus the Master conquered in the wilderness of Judea. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Many of the charges of modern infidelity are based upon an entire misapprehension of the Word of God, and an acquaintance with the mind of the Spirit as revealed in the Scriptures will enable us promptly and triumphantly to refute them.

It is true that the Christian's power in antagonizing skepticism is found in the strong undercurrent of internal testimony which the Word of God contains, but into which those alone can come who patiently, thoroughly, and devoutly study its contents and imbibe its spirit. Again, knowledge of the Word quickens zeal, develops spiritual life and activity, and imparts that moral power which, revealed in the life, is the most ef fective because an unanswerable reply to all doubt.

6. The BIBLE SERVICE trains a band of devoted and competent teachers, who rightly estimate the power of truth and the dignity of the teacher's calling, and the importance of a careful preparation for so high and holy an office in the Church of Christ.

7. The BIBLE SERVICE is the most valuable auxiliary of the pulpit, because it prepares the people to desire and to appreciate expository preaching. A knowledge of the Bible, and the custom of conversing upon it in the family, the classes for study, and the social circle, will whet the appetite of the people for Biblical and evangelical ser

mons.

el to continue the same course of Bible study wherever they may be. The international system publishes to the world the fact of the true unity of God's people, as it is an answer to the Master's prayer: "Sanctify them through thy truth . . . that they may be one."

As a step toward popularizing the study of the Holy Scriptures by increasing the efficiency of teachers, the great Sunday-school Unions of this country, the American, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist Episcopal, have agreed upon substantially the same course of normal class training for Sundayschool teachers. It is expected that this enterprise will elevate the standard, command the confidence and respect of the Church, and train our senior scholars to become competent Bible teachers. This will be a realization on a broader scale than he anticipated of Dr. Moses Stuart's suggestion, made in 1852, in an article on "Hebrew Criticism" contributed to the Bibliotheca Sacra, in which he so ably pleads for "a seminary on an adequate pecuniary basis, the sole object of which should be to teach, to explain, and to defend the Bible." He says, "An appendage of this critical Bible School (into which last laymen, if they desire it, as well as theological students, should be admitted) should be another department, with at least two competent teachers, to fit youth, male and female, for the great business of Sabbath - schools. A residence at this department should be at the election of the pupil as to length of time, beyond a half year's course; but none should be admitted for less than six months."

It is a significant and gratifying fact that, with the new awakening of the Church to the importance of Bible study, and while the hearts of Christians of all communions are turning toward each other in longing after closer fellowship in Christ Jesus, just at this juncture the great international lesson movement should have been inaugurated. The same Scripture lesson is studied each Lord's day by five millions of people - Baptists, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Methodist Episcopalians, Protestant Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Reformed. The London Sunday - school Union will adopt the same lesson in 1874. Already in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, India, the lessons for 1873, from the books of Genesis and Matthew, have been translated into the languages of those countries. The prospect now is that in all the tongues of evangelical Christendom, the Holy Word being opened at the same place, the same lesson will be recited by old and young. This international movement deserves a careful consideration by the members of this great Ecumenical Council, in view of its value in exalting the Bible above all creeds; in increasing facilities for Bible study, commanding the ablest talent and the entire religious press in weekly Scriptural exposition. It promotes familiar conversation upon the Oracles of God among business men, and travelers who casually meet in the intercourse of secular life. Engaged upon the same subject, they find pleasure and profit in a comparison of opinon. It facilitates the preparation of the lesson by teachers, renders teachers' meetings more practicable, enables persons in this age of emigration and constant tray-praise forever.

I am happy to report that many churches in this country have organized these normal classes, and that in New England many have given to the "Bible Service" one-half of the Holy Sabbath, providing in their programme for each Lord's day, 1st, a sermon; 2d, a Bible service of careful investigation and class teaching; and 3d, a public devotional and conference meeting, in which the fruits of the sermon and the Bible Service are diligently, devoutly, and confidently sought.

And now to the Eternal Word, who hath revealed unto us the wisdom and glory and grace of our Heavenly Father, be honor and Amen.