overcome obstacles, apparently insurmountable to one in his station. On May 2nd, 1839, he was united to the church of Christ, of which he continued a consistent and devoted member till 3rd February, 1842, when his spirit took her flight to unite with Christ's redeemed church in heaven. The writer visited him when on his death-bed, and can testify to the reality of his faith in the Redeemer. He manifested the patience and resignation of a true Christian. The writer asked him, if he felt that he was a sinner, and was assured of an interest in Christ as the Saviour of the world? He replied emphatically, 'Yes!' He conversed with him for some time, and was much pleased with the state of his mind. How true it is that the death-bed is the place to test the correctness and strength of our faith! It is a solemn sight to see one, from whom the church of Christ bad expected much, and who had bid fair for extensive usefulness, prostrated by consumption! Such a scene gives rise to solemn thought; and, heaving the involuntary sigh, we exclaim, 'Lord, what is man?' Well, too, may it be said, 'Death is the king of terrors!' The history of this youth is but another instance of the value of Sabbath schools. But for these institutions, in all probability, Joseph would have lived and died in ignorance and sin. In his life there is much that is instructive both to scholars and teachers. As a scholar he was obedient and affectionate to his teacher, regular in his attendance, of a retiring disposition, prayerful, and anxious to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. For a long time he and his fellow class mates met before school time in the morning, to pray for the minister, the teachers, and themselves. Though he had a long way to come, he was always found at his post. After the services of the Sabbath, he stayed with his class mates in the school, to pray that the blessing of God might accompany the truth preached and taught. As a teacher, he was exemplary. He that winneth souls is wise,' is a maxim, the full force of which it was evident he felt. He laboured hard to improve his own mind, that he might discharge efficiently the arduous and responsible duties of a Sabbath school teacher, and that he might be generally useful among the young. Though his occupation was laborious and kept him employed from six in the morning to halfpast seven or eight in the evening, yet he made considerable and rapid improvement in the cultivation of his mind; spending for that purpose a large portion of the time that men ordinarily give to sleep. Without scarcely any assistance, he made much progress in a knowledge of the Latin language. He was quite master of common arithmetic and mensuration, and was familiar with algebra, as taught in one of the most popular books of that science. History was a favourite study. With the principles and rules of English grammar he was as familiar as with the alphabet. He had a peculiar cast of mind. He was thoughtful and grave; entertaining an apparent regard for persons and things only so far as they conduced to his advancement in knowledge and piety.He seemed the most at home when his thoughts were concentrated within himself. He was firm and decided in his views and conduct, Had he been spared, and had he received, as was contemplated, an academical education, the hope was, that he would be a useful ambassador of the cross. The purpose of God was otherwise. Joseph showed an uncommon ripeness in piety; and however much he delighted in other studies, religion, and its services, had the first and highest claim upon his attention, and were the most deeply impressed upon his heart: a happy combination seldom attained! While we mourn the loss of him on earth, we cannot but rejoice in his infinite gain.

SUNDAY SCHOLAR! would you wish to die like Joseph ? Come to the same Saviour; seek to be saved alone through him, and then your end shall be like his. TEACHER! let this instance not only encourage you to labour with diligence and prayer, but with faith, hope, and joy, knowing that you shall reap in due time if you faint not.'

6

Poetry.

DON'T KILL THE BIRDS.

FROM OUR AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT.

DON'T kill the birds-the little birds | The little birds how fond they play!

That sing about your door,
Soon as the joyous spring has come,
And chilling storms are o'er.
The little birds how sweet they sing!
O, let them joyous live;
And never seek to take the life
Which you can never give.
Don't kill the birds-the prettybirds
That play among the trees;
'Twould make the earth a cheerless
place,

Should we dispense with these.

Do not disturb their sport;
But let them warble forth their songs
Till winter cuts them short.
Don't kill the birds-the happy

birds

That bless the field and grove;
So innocent to look upon

They claim our warmest love.
The happy birds-the tuneful birds,
How pleasant 'tis to see;
No spot can be a cheerless place
Where'er their presence be.

Notes on Books.

THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS FROM THE CALL OF ABRAHAM TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. 2 vols. 12mo.—

Religious Tract Society, London.

SACRED HISTORY ought to be studied by all our Sunday school teachers, as one of the best means of understanding the will of God, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. These elegant and cheap volumes contain all that their title imports. They are illustrated with beautiful wood and steel engravings, and deserve a place in every Sunday school, vestry, and family library.

CLARKE'S NEWLY-INVENTED SCRIPTURE TEXT WAFERS -Second Series. Paul: London.

OUR readers will be glad to hear that about eight hundred thousand of these holy wafers for protestants have been sold. The profits are devoted to a purely benevolent object. We strongly recommended the first series, and to this new issue we as cordially direct attention. The mottos, maxims, and Scripture truths, realize our early ideas of Homer's 'winged words.' We hope Mr. Clarke will be induced to prepare a third series, adapted to promote Sunday schools.

WATT'S SONGS, COBBIN'S COMPARISONS, AND COBBIN'S PROVERBS, WITH ANECDOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Dyer and Co.

THESE three works are profusely illustrated with wood engravings, and got up in a highly respectable style. Watt's Songs' are universally admired. To each one there is an illustrative engraving, with an anecdote and practical remarks. The Comparisons' consist of about forty texts of scripture, explained by both pen and pencil. So are the 'Proverbs.' Many of the engravings are exquisite, and the remarks are simple, instructive, and touching. Each work may be regarded as a choice presentation Book.

A MANUAL, EXPLANATORY OF CONGREGATIONAL PRINCIPLES. By REV. G. PAYNE, L.L.D. Dinnis. HINTS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE DUTY OF DISSENT. By REV. THOMAS BINNEY. Do.

THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTOLICAL SUCCESSION TESTED BY SCRIPTURE. BY REV. R. ALLIOTT, L.L.D. Do. THE avowed neutrality of this Magazine prevents our doing more than introducing to the various sections of our readers, works by which their minds may be informed and their denominations advanced. Hence, to our dissenting friends we name the pamphlets before us, as positively certain to win their favour. Each is short, clear, powerful, and cheap. Dr. Alliott's subject reminds us of an Indian Legend. The American Indians were notorious smokers. They were almost walking chimneys. The child lighted his pipe from his sires, and he from the grandsires, and so on, until, by an uninterrupted succession, the fire was traced up to the sun, which, some ages back, had stooped within reach of a famous chieftain !!

Entelligence.

Astley. In connexion with the Parochial Chapel in this place, a flourishing Sunday school has for some time been in operation, as well as two daily schools, one for boys, the other for girls. Hitherto, the only school-rooms they have had were two very incommodious ones, converted to that use, from what was once the barn of the parsonage. So far had the number of the scholars outgrown this accommodation, that an absolute necessity compelled its conductors to provide one more ample. This, under much difficulty has been accomplished, and this little village may now thank God for a building, not only airy and commodious, but handsome, though not expensively ornamented. The building is of one story, eighty feet long by thirty feet wide and fifteen feet high internally; divided into two rooms, of equal size, by a partition, half of which is moveable, so that the two can be thrown together, thus making an excellent lecture-room. The walls are of brick, the windows are of gothic or elliptic-arched form, with sliding sashes to open at the top, and in the ceiling are six ventilators. Spacious yards are enclosed by brick walls, and effectually drained by a brick culvert. The whole cost of this erection is about £720. Of this sum £100 was granted by the National Society, £200 by the Comittee of Council on Education, and the rest has been contributed by the inhabitants of Astley, and the surrounding neighbourhood, with the exception of about £10, which remains to be paid.

These rooms were opened on Sunday, the 21st November. The Sunday scholars, on the morning of that day took possession of the rooms, and in the afternoon, the Rev. Alfred Hewlett, M. A., the Incumbent of the Chapelry, and manager of the schools, delivered to the scholars, an address suitable to the occasion. In the evening, both rooms being thrown together, the Rev. gentleman delivered a lecture, from Zechariah iv. 9, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands also shall finish it.' The rivetted attention of upwards of 500 persons, who, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, were congregated, proved the absorbing interest felt in this impressive discourse.

On the evening of Thursday, the 25th., a social tea-party, consisting

of the building committee, the teachers, subscribers, and the respective friends, to the number of 340 assembled in the room, which was most tastefully and appropriately decorated for the occasion, with wreaths of evergreens, interspersed with scriptural mottoes, tastefully and elaborately prepared by the ladies of the congregation. The repast being ended, and a hymn, written for the occasion, by a gentleman of the congregation, opened the latter, and more interesting part of the evening's proceedings. The Rev. A. Hewlett then arose, and addressed the company, in a speech of considerable length and full of pleasing interest, sketching the history of the undertaking, and indeed of the school altogether, since his connexion with it, showing how marvellously God had dealt with them in the undertaking, and how, above all human calculation, he had opened a way for the accomplishment of his work. The Rev. gentleman said, ' of this sum of £700 and upwards, which the building cost, £400 has been contributed by a christian public, the number of subscribers up to that time being 699, of whom more than 400 are resident in the township. And it is a pleasing fact, that out of all the householders in Astley, from whom subscriptions have been solicited, not more than about twenty have refused their assistance.' The Rev. gentleman then dwelt on the small hope there was six months before, of seeing so 'goodly a pile' erected on the spot where that now stands. He said, 'ere we commenced the work, I said to my friend who was heading the subscription book,write as our motto, 'Our hope is in the Lord,' and, then if we do not succeed we shall know that it is not his will that we should have the school, and so we shall not feel disappointed.' He did so, and throughout the whole course of our labours this has been our stay and strength, and we have not been disappointed. Therefore we say, 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise.'

The Rev. Thomas Owen, of St. Clement's, Manchester, then congratulated the people on the auspicious event which had called them together, and alluding to the difficulties, which had been overcome in the progress of the work, he adverted to the truly christian spirit in which it had been begun, carried out, and completed, in dependance not on human strength, however great, or human effort, however well directed, but on the divine blessing and assistance. Alluding to the mottoes on the walls, he pointed to the first, 'Our hope is in the Lord,' for the commencement, Ebenezer,' during its progress, and 'God has granted our desire,' in its accomplishment; this he said was but giving honour and glory where alone it was justly due. Yet,' continued he (addressing himself to the Rev. A. Hewlett) I am desired, my dear brother, to say on behalf of the building committee, how sensible they are, how much of their success they owe, under God, to your instrumentality. For this building they feel that under God they are indebted to you, for humanly speaking, not only would they never have accomplished so much, but what is more, they never would have attempted it, and in their name I am to thank you for your exertions in that behalf. But it is not in this matter alone that you are entitled to the gratitude of your people. I do not wish to flatter you, and if I did, I know you would resist flattery. But I know how much, and how zealously and how successfully you have laboured in the Lord's vineyard; that in the discharge of your pastoral duties you have ever shown yourself a faithful minister of Christ, and have been the honoured instrument in God's hand of making known the mysteries of redeeming love to the souls of sinners, and it is an acknowledgment of these services that I am requested now to present to you this plate, (handing up a silver tea-service) in the name of your congregation. The inscription on the tea-pot is as follows:- Presented (with other plate) to the Rev. Alfred Hewlett, A. M., incumbent of Astley, by an affectionate congregation, as a token of their grateful sense of his exertions in promoting the erection of the National School, and his

devoted zeal in the discharge of his ministerial duties among them, for eight years; November, 25th, 1841.' With some other very appro priate remarks the speaker then handed to the Rev. Pastor this tribute of the people's affection. Mr. Hewlett gave a most affecting address, and the meeting broke up with the happiest feeling.

May the Editor bespeak for this interesting case, the liberality of a few friends, to remove at once and for ever, the small debt from the building? Remittances may be sent either to him or to the Rev. A. Hewlett, Astley, near Manchester.

Clapham.-The teachers and scholars of the Independent Sabbath school, lately determined to send relief unto their distressed brethren in Paisley, and collected £1. 12s. for that purpose, among themselves. Diss. The Baptist church in this town, recently presented their excellent pastor, the Rev. J. P. Lewis, with a purse of twenty-two sovereigns; when the Sunday scholars presented him with a valuable copy of Watt's Hymns; the teachers also, presented Baxter's Polyglot, and the Bible class a handsome copy of the new Selection of Hymns. Edinburgh. A kind correspondent writes, "I may state, that, some important movements have lately taken place among the Sabbath school teachers in this city, which may by the blessing of God, lead to important results. A remarkable spirit of union and prayer has been lately manifested among them; four Unions have been formed in different districts of the city, and they are rapidly increasing in numbers and efficiency.'

Halifax.--An admirable report, the twenty-second of the Sunday School Union, has been forwarded from this place. It gives a faithful, and in most instances, a cheering account of each school comprised in the union; with plans for systematic visitation in the current year. We regret being able to afford space for only the general statistics. Increase, during the year, six schools, 363 teachers, 1175 scholars : total, teachers 2130, scholars 8076; teachers who were once scholars 1135; teachers who are communicants 740; books in libraries 5380; bibles sold to the children during the year 324; testaments 259; hymn books 597. This branch has made a grant to the London Union of £25.

Harpurhey.-Testimonial of esteem.-On Tuesday, February 1st, 1842, the scholars, comprising the second class of girls, in the Independent Sabbath School, presented their beloved teachers, Miss Clarke and Miss Wood, with two elegant copies of the Word of God. The juvenile character of the scholars, their lowly condition, and their ardent affection, are the traits which enhance their gift-valuable as it is, without the associations with which it is endeared, and the hopes which it has inspired. The following is a copy of the characteristic letter which accompanied their affectionate tribute: February 1st, 1842. Dear teachers, we take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude for your past kindness, and we hope you will continue in the good work of the Lord, knowing that your reward is in heaven. Dear teachers, the Scriptures say, "Cast your bread upon the waters, and you shall find it after many days." Dear teachers, we hope you will accept of this small token of our affection; though we have said nothing, you have not been forgotten in our prayers, and we hope we shall long be spared to spend many happy Sabbaths together.

"And when at length our weary feet,

This vale of tears have trod ;

May children and their teachers meet,
Around the throne of God."

'We remain, your unworthy scholars.'

Weymouth. At a Missionary Meeting held here on February 22nd, it was announced that the children of the Sunday school had, during the year, contributed and collected £13. 9s. Old. on behalf of the London Missionary Society.