At all events, therefore, let the fallacy of the indolent notion be exposed, that Ministers are to do every thing. Let all our people be reminded of the immense burden of our work: "besides" the trials of the Christian life, "that which cometh upon us daily—the care of all the Churches."* If then they can do any thing, let them help us in winning souls to Christ. Let them be won themselves to him. Let them spread the influence of the sacred leaven around them, "till the whole be leavened." Let them know our great need of their prayers and example to confirm our doctrine, so that, while it is perverted, misunderstood, or opposed on all sides, we may be able to point to their lives and tempers in illustration of its holy tendency and happy effects-"ye are our epistle, known and read of all men-manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, ministered by us."+ CHAPTER VIII. MISCELLANEOUS. A FEW particulars, which have not hitherto found a place in our work, may be here specified, such asThe importance of adult schools. These are indeed. the complement of the School System. It is difficult to retain boys in the weekly school long enough to ground them in the principles of useful instruction. * 2 Cor. xi. 28. "Cometh upon me"-rushing like a torrent, one after another, ready to bear me down. For the illustration of the peculiar emphasis of the term, Beza and Doddridge may be consulted, or perhaps a better commentator than either, at particular seasons of trial-experience. † 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. The Sunday School also is left without any other means of preserving the knowledge which they have acquired. The utility of adult schools-as continuing indefinitely the course of instruction--is of the highest consideration. The knowledge of the word of God is also equally valuable to adults as to children. Their capacity of understanding it is far greater-though much hindered by inability to read. Shame indeed will sometimes restrain the open confession of ignorance in stooping to the first elements of instruction; yet on the other hand, experience even of the temporal disadvantages of ignorance (where the spiritual deprivations are not apprehended) supplies a constant stimulus for exertion. The smallness of numbers need not operate as a discouragement. In a village it will often be found, that but few will avail themselves of the privileges of instruction. But an assembly of three or four is well worth regular attention. It is a great matter to persuade a man in the middle or decline of life, that in commencing his alphabet, he may be able by a few months of patient application to read his Testament. When sufficient numbers are collected to form into classes the lads and the adults should, as far as possible, be separated. The Testament lessons will furnish an interesting course of questioning; and even the earlier lessons, drawn from the most simple contents of the sacred volume, will be replete with personal application. The office of Helpers may be called into exercise in this department, with much relief to the Minister, and no small advantage to his fellowworkers. Where confidence has been gained, and opportunities are favourable, a class might be formed on the Sunday for more direct instruction, either between the hours of service, or at any more convenient time of the day. The opportunities thus afforded for spiritual instruction--the employment furnished for the leisure hour, (which otherwise might have been spent in idleness or sin,) and the beneficial results pervading the domestic economy from a more intelligent acquaintance with their duties and obligations, render this system peculiarly important. The general success (much facilitated by works expressly written for this purpose) is highly encouraging; especially where the love of the sacred volume is the principle of perseverance. Many, whose scanty knowledge of its contents has flowed from the uncertain kindness of others, have thus been enabled to exercise themselves with most grateful delight and improvement in an immediate access to this unsearchable treasure. A parochial library, where practicable, is an important appendage to the Pastoral system. The capacity of reading communicated to old and young, lays upon us a weighty responsibility. Sound principle and Christian influence are especially needed to give a right direction to this new medium of intelligence, which otherwise will become a channel of vain curiosity and idleness-probably also of infidelity and sin-a field for the activity of Satan instead of a blessing to our people. But,' as Mr. Newton observed-One proposes to fill a bushel with tares; now, if I can fill it first with wheat, I shall defy his attempts.' A store therefore of valuable instruction, adapted to the different gradations of intelligence and religious impressions, would be extensively useful, as a preservative from poisonous influence, and an excitement of interest and * The British Adult Spelling Book, sold by Mason, Paternoster Row-from its excellent type, and admirable selection of Scripture Lessons-will answer all the desired purposes. mutual confidence. With the admission of a few works of general information, the complexion of the library should however be distinctly evangelical, practical, and popular-formed upon the basis of the Divine aphorism-" One thing is needful."* A payment of a penny, or at most of two pence, a quarter, would not be felt by the poorest of our people, while it would give them a sort of interesting property in it, and accumulates a trifling fund for fresh additions to the catalogue, which should be widely made known. A leger should be kept for the entry of the names of the books and subscribers, and of the period when their subscriptions become due, or are paid. The times of exchange and distribution, and the limit of the detention of the books, should be definitely fixed, and, strictly observed. Objections might be made to Sunday as one of these times; as, besides the time that would be employed in the arrangements of distribution, it would be the means of circulating works of too light a cast for the spiritual edification of the Sabbath, and others, excellent in their kind, but decidedly opposed to the sacredness of that holy day. The books, if well covered with brown paper, will sustain for a considerable time the rough handling to which they will be exposed, at the same time that a forfeit should be exacted for injury or loss, as well as for unreasonable detention beyond the fixed bounds. The advantages also of Cottage Readings must not be omitted in this detail. Our Lord's public Ministry extended beyond the precincts of the synagogue, to every concourse of people. In strict conformity therefore with the spirit of this example, we cannot but * Bickersteth's Christian Student (ch. xv.) will furnish a valuable selection for this purpose. suggest the importance of improving familiar opportunities for collective instruction of our people. In every parish there are many, who from bodily infirmity or from other causes, are without the sphere of the pulpit Ministry, and who need therefore not merely general or individual conversations upon spiritual subjects, but distinct expositions of the word of God as the appointed light and food of their souls. Besides that this plan is useful to the poor generally, as enabling us to give those free and popular expositions, which perhaps are not quite consistent with the dignity of the pulpit, and yet which are absolutely necessary to convey correct views of truth to the uninstructed mind. 'No one,' (as has been justly observed by a most competent judge) but those accustomed to question the poor, or to be questioned by them, can form an idea of what by way of explanation they require. It is not only “line upon line, and precept upon precept" they need, but it is almost word by word, and letter by letter.** This mode of instruction will admit of considerable diversity of application. In an advanced state of knowledge or mutual confidence, the catechetical mode has been applied with much interest and edification. In a less matured state, a spirit of inquiry and excitement has been maintained by exercises in the Scripture field-proposing subjects for successive readings, and illustrating them by Scripture parallels. In more ordinary cases, familiar reading and exposition of a course of Scripture (perhaps preferable to unconnected portions), commenced and concluded with prayer, will furnish the plan and fill up the outlines. The evenings only allow the attendance of men upon these meetings. Women (except in the manufacturing districts) may be * Parochial Duties illustrated, pp. 16, 17. |