Is not this thy work, O Christian! in thy troubled path below, Yea, there is a fairer harvest, and yet more needful bread, H. T. CORRESPONDENCE. REMOVING CHILDREN FROM ONE CLASS TO ANOTHER. DEAR SIR,-I read last night, according to custom, your last "Teacher's Visitor," in which appears the hint about keeping the same class under the same teachers as long as they remained at school. It struck us all so forcibly, that, upon discussing the subject, although practical difficulties suggested themselves, yet the benefit appeared so overwhelming, that it was unanimously and cordially agreed to establish the system forthwith in our school. Several of the Teachers at once said, that the children were removed from their class just when they began to feel an interest in them; and expressed the regret they continually felt at losing them, as soon as they showed much signs of improvement. It set my brain so much to work, as rather spoiled my night's rest; but if on coming down this morning, I felt the want of sufficient sleep, it was amply repaid by the consciousness of having all the details of the newmodelled school arranged in my mind, and having, in my midnight reverie, overcome, I believe, every real difficulty. The grand benefit no doubt consists in giving the Teachers an interest in their own children, which it is impossible to feel to such a degree when they know that the child will soon be removed into another class: but the point mentioned by your correspondent is no unimportant advantage the doing away with all the jealousies of "moving up" both Teachers and scholars. With regard to the difficulty suggested of one child falling, in time, so far behind his class, I believe the Teachers will feel such an interest in their class, that they will never grudge an hour or two in the week to whip up the stragglers, and so keep them tolerably together. As Mrs. M. and myself have a male and female Bible class, into which we draft the children from the school at the age of ten, it will be necessary, at the first commencement, to revolutionize the classes, by putting all of the same age together, that the classes may arrive at a learning age about the same time, when the Teacher will begin afresh with a class of infants, and work them up. Experience only can prove its efficacy; but I certainly have the highest expectations from it. Believe me, yours faithfully, Penkhull, Stoke-upon-Trent, July 28th. S. MINTON. OCCASIONAL TEACHERS' MEETINGS. Bristol, 18th August, 1845. REV. SIR,-Among the valuable suggestions to Sunday-school Teachers which have from time to time been afforded by your little publication, I do not remember to have seen any reference to the expediency and desirableness of establishing occasional meetings of the Teachers, for the purpose of mutual consultation and advice, respecting each other's plans and general system of instruction, &c., &c. The Rev. Chas. Bridges, you will doubtless remember, has some excellent remarks on this subject, in his most admirable work on the "Christian Ministry," (fifth Edition, p. 406); and as it is really a matter of much importance, and might be conducive to the practical benefit as well of the Teachers as of the taught, perhaps you may not consider it unworthy of notice in the "Teacher's Visitor." I beg, therefore, to extract the passage referred to, in case you may wish to place it before your readers: "Periodical meetings of the Teachers are among the most important parts of the Sunday-school system. We thus ascertain the progress of the school; investigate the hindrances to its advancement, the many little trials and vexations that belong to it, and suggest means for their removal; recommend the adoption of new plans, or encourage perseverance in the old frame-work. By comparing each other's notes, many profitable questions are started, and many improvements are made. We mark where we have failed in prayer, faith, perseverance, or interest, while the discovery of any points of success brings with it fresh energy and encouragement under more humbling recollections. These meetings are also most valuable, as a bond of union with the Teachers, strengthening the influence of evangelical motives, awakening a spirit of mutual inspection and provocation, (Heb. x. 24, 25.) and joining in special prayer for increasing energy, faith, and patience, in the work, and a larger effusion of divine influence upon it." A foot note referred to, is as follows: "The obvious form of conducting them appears to be, commencing with prayer, then proceeding to the business of the school, by examination of each other's card; raising the children to higher classes, discussing their conduct, making such alterations in the classes, or in the rules of the school, as may be requisite, (in which each teacher is considered to have a voice); throwing out suggestions or hints, as they may occur; mentioning new books, that may be wanted; general enquiries as to the progress of the children in reading, learning, intelligence, steadiness, or seriousness of deportment. After the routine of business is finished, endeavour to promote general conversation upon the importance of religious instruction, or particular points of detail. Then finish with exposition and prayer. Where the Teachers are of nearly equal rank with ourselves, (it will be remembered, that these remarks were primarily intended for the guidance and assistance of the Christian minister,) it is desirable to make it a social meeting of kindly Christian intercourse." I trust, Sir, that the divine blessing may continue to rest upon your useful and seasonable publication. I hope the Lord will encourage you to persevere in the arduous and responsible, but most blessed work you have undertaken. FRANK. CHURCH SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER'S REV. SIR,-I do not know whether the Macclesfield Church Sunday-school Teachers' Association is prepared to furnish any person that may apply with one of their monthly papers, or with any number that may be wanted, perhaps you would kindly inform me in your next notices to correspondents: but I think, Sir, it would be very desirable that the Sunday-school Institute should get drawn up, for the use of all Church Sunday-schools, a course of instruction for every Sunday in the year. The Sunday-school Union adopts some system of this kind, and why should not we, who have Articles, Forms of Prayer, &c., &c., in which to instruct our young? All the Teachers of our Sunday-schools do not feel themselves competent to question the children of their class in the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, for the day, nor yet competent to do so upon a portion of the Scriptures. Moreover, the clergy and superintendents are not all sufficiently at home in their work of conducting Sunday-schools, to say what course of Sunday instruction is best to be pursued, nor yet able to decide how the hours may be best allotted to the subject. It would be very useful, therefore, in my opinion, to have a kind of time table, with the business of the day printed opposite the several portions of time, and also a paper of printed questions for the subjects of each month, for the use of those Teachers who find a difficulty in catechising themselves. Hoping that you will forgive the intrusion upon your time, which this letter may occasion, I am, Rev. Sir, very faithfully, Lindfield, Cuckfield, August 19, 1345. F. H. SEWELL. CATECHETICAL HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 66 Brighton, August 19, 1845. Rev. and DeAR SIR,-In answer to the enquiry of your Correspondent, a Teacher," in this month's No. of the "Teacher's Visitor," respecting a Catechetical History of the Bible, I beg to mention Watts' "Short View of the whole Scripture History, &c., represented in the way of Question and Answer," as giving a connected sketch of the Scripture Narative, and being unobjectionable in its mode of statement. It does not enter upon, any discussion of doctrinal points. With regard to the other subject of enquiry, brought forward in your Correspondent's letter, that is, the best manner of conducting Public Annual Examinations of a daily school, I would suggest, as a part of the plan to be pursued, that such examinations be held at least twice in the year. When held at longer intervals, the matter is too large for the memory to be teased with. The interest too is liable to droop, for want of freshness in the subject, and the children are apt to be dull, and not sufficiently clear in their answers, from not being more frequently questioned. Another suggestion is, that the parents be invited to attend ; not only, in order that, by being present on such an occasion, they may see what is being done for their children, and take a livelier interest in their education, but that it may be a means of instruction for themselves, when they have important truths brought out in the examination. There is also presented here a favourable opportunity for addressing the parents generally on any irregularity of the children, which may be connected with improper management, or neglect at their own homes. To attain this object of the parents' attendance, the examination should be held in the evening. I have then adopted the plan of dividing the school into three sections; the examination beginning with the youngest, who, if it was considered too late for them to remain, might go home before the rest. I gladly take this opportunity of returning you my best thanks for the production of the "Teacher's Visitor," which is full of interest and much sound Christian instruction, and valuable information. I circulate it among my Sunday-school Teachers every month, and I pray that a blessing may rest upon its perusal, as well as upon the labour of those who are instrumental in furnishing its materials. R. S. S. SUMMARY OF PASSING EVENTS. "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand." THE contest is still being continued in different parts of the country between the opponents and supporters of Sunday traffic on Railways. At the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Meeting, on the 26th August, the question was discussed, and a motion put forward, relative to the discontinuance of that traffic on the above-mentioned day. At a meeting of the North British Railway, (which is not yet completed,) on the 10th September, the same question was brought forward by other parties, who are interested in the subject. We cannot, indeed, report that the motion was favourably entertained at either meeting; but we are convinced, from the tenor of the speeches, and from many little facts which are happening around, that its importance is gradually making way into the minds of people, and that success will be gained by little and little which could not be at one rapid stride. It is a great question; and, like all great questions, the public mind has to undergo a long process of seasoning, as it were, ere it becomes alive to its importance. Many endeavours may seem to be futile, and many repulses may discourage; but the progress to a happy consummation, though slow, still advances, and God's glory be again promoted. Nor is it only Railway traffic which is involved in the question of the due observance of the Lord's Day; but it cuts at the root of a multitude of practices, sanctioned by custom, supported by self-interest, and pleaded for by the passions of pleasure and indulgence. The business of the Post-office and the letter-carrier, the opening of places |