THE

SUNDAY SCHOOL

TEACHERS' MAGAZINE,

AND

JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.

Fourth Series.

VOLUME THE THIRD.

1852.

LONDON:

Published for the Proprietors,

BY EDWARD BUTT, (SUCCESSOR TO R. DAVIS,)

60, PATERNOSTER ROW.

!

PREFACE.

THE trumpet has sounded, the notes of preparation have been unmistakably heard, the jubilee year of the Sunday School Union is announced, and all the friends and teachers of schools for the special religious instruction of the rising population, should employ their powers of thought to devise the best, most extensive, and most effective means of celebrating this auspicious event.

To spread among the masses of this country the unspeakable blessings attendant on moral and religious education; to advance in some measure the intelligence of our growing youth; and to train them up to the worship of God, to habits of self-control, and to energetic industry, have been the favored objects of desire, as expressed by all true Christians and philanthropists. In the promotion of objects so essential to the establishment of Christian character, and the well-being of human society, the Sunday school has long held a distinguished place among the institutions of the land; and too great importance cannot be assigned to the regular Sabbatic gatherings of children to receive instruction in the rudiments of Scriptural truth; while, through the regular engagements of religious devotion, they are led to the throne of their Everlasting Father, that they may honor him, and receive his divine blessing through the mediation of Jesus Christ the righteous.

If such be the vastly beneficial nature of Sunday schools, how important is the enquiry as to the most proper plans to be adopted for the purpose of preserving these institutions from suffering any. diminution, either in numbers or spirit; and for extending their benefits, improving their operations, and augmenting their efficiency. One great means for this purpose is, the strengthening, enlarging, and consolidating the influence of the Sunday School Union; for it cannot fail to be acknowledged by all parties who will calmly consider the matter, that whatever of additional power may be imparted to that society, cannot, in the natural course of things, be otherwise employed, than for the general advantage of Sunday schools, both in England and foreign countries. The celebration of the Jubilee in the forthcoming

year, presents a fit opportunity for manifesting attachment to the Sunday school system, by making augmented provision for its improvement, extension, and perpetuation; and we trust that the forcible appeals already made by numerous publications, addresses of ministers, and other staunch friends of Sunday schools, mingled with the already expressed expectations of large bodies of teachers, will be responded to in a manner worthy of the noble cause of religious education.

The subject of emigration demands some attention, as one the advantage of which to distant parts of the earth, is beyond calculation. Among the vast numbers who have left our shores, many, from having been members of Christian churches, and Sunday school teachers, have carried with them the elements and means of usefulness. They have not departed without carrying along with them the seeds of gospel truth, to be deposited, by means of religious instruction, in hearts where, through the Divine favor, fruitfulness shall be experienced as one of the greatest blessings that can be enjoyed by our rising colonies; and it is extremely gratifying to have so agreeable a prospect presented to our contemplation, chiefly through the operations of British Sunday schools.

As it regards this Magazine in particular, its conductors have, with much satisfaction, continued to devote their voluntary efforts for the advantage of Sunday schools, and the encouragement of teachers, with the hopeful design of removing defects, promoting improvements, and more widely extending the blessings of religious and intellectual knowledge.

To our numerous contributors we tender our grateful acknowledgments; to our subscribers we offer our thanks for their continued support; and we trust that in the forthcoming year, through their joint sympathy, recommendation, and exertion, the circulation of the monthly numbers may be so far increased, as to sustain the Magazine in all its integrity, and to confer still greater benefits on the Sunday schools of England, and on the teachers to whom the country is so much indebted for the promotion of religion, morality, and the most useful intelligence among the people.