of man. The other female voices, occasionally heard at the close of each line; the indistinct sounds of some of the men acquainted with the tune, and the confused murmur of the remainder, made an impression that returned, at intervals, long after the music had ceased. At the close of every two lines, the moment of stillness between the singing and the reading of the next two, was heard the dropping of the rain on the brick pavement, and the dashing of the storm against the windows, together with an occasional long-drawn sigh, and the heavy respiration of one who had, from the intensity of his feelings, sung himself out of breath, formed a symphony, that well accorded with the tune, and completely harmonized the feelings. Truly must we say, this was indeed the music of the heart. (To be Continued.)

1

DEBATES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

[Continued from page 206.]

"Question.-Who are the most proper Visiters to the Homes of the Children ?"

Another Superintendent in reply, remarked, "that doubtless, as had just been stated, a special Visiter had many facilities for the performance of his duties, which could not be possessed by the teacher (as Visiter.)—He might be useful to the families, and gain himself much experience and valuable information-but what was he to do with it?how is it transferrable to those in the school, to whom it would be useful -how can he well communicate it to the respective teachers, to whom it would not only prove valuable and profitable, but is also necessary? This cannot be done on any plan, and the teacher of course foregoes much useful experience by allowing another to visit for him; and excludes himself from the most valuable helps, the possession of which promises him surer and more immediate success. Visiting the scholars is the most important of Sunday School duties, it gives additional force to the effect of every other; an intercourse with the parents will promote the discipline of the school, by enforcing a more regular and punctual attendance, and disposing the children more readily to submit to its regulations. He said, "It was urged in one of our earliest discussions that such visits would, under prudent management, prove the best means of obtaining the influence and co-operation of parents; if so, the inquiry is of moment-"who are the most proper visiters??? Such a question would have been needless did not various plans prevail in Sunday Schools at large, and some of them productive of evil rather than good. The least efficient plan, and that which prevailed at the earliest stage of Sunday Schools, is that of having a committee under the name of "Visiters of Absentees," whose duty it was to visit all the absent scholars promiscuously during the week; or at stated times once or twice a month; it can easily be perceived that this plan only VOL. I.

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serves to promote a regular attendance-no acquaintance is established with the families by these transient visits, and as the visits are exclusively to the absentees, the others are omitted, though they occasionally extend their visits to all the families. They are of little use from the change of visiters, their infrequency, and want of regularity An improved system of visiting has been more lately introduced-that of having a standing committee chosen from among the directors or managers, or from the elders or members of the church, to which the school is attached; each of this committee has a visiting district assigned him for one year; they are weekly visiters of absentees, and make occasional visits to all the families of their own particular district. This plan is well calculated to improve the truant boys, and keep the careless in regular attendance, and will doubtless excite increased interest in the parents and scholars; some schools, however, adopting neither of the above plans, send a messenger from the class every Sunday, with a note of inquiry: this is very good when connected with a system of visiting, but without that it will be of little avail. I would remark this-the plans of visiting I have mentioned, are very imperfect, and productive of but partial good; the only efficient system of visiting is that which though it most naturally suggests itself, yet is the least prevalent of any; and though it attained practice previous to the sensible and valuable hints of Dr. Chalmers, it has since that period gained much ground in our Sunday Schools, and has led to great consequent improvement and success. This system is a general visitation of the families by the teachers and all the conductors of the school. The Superintendent and other officers, making visits in rotation, and each teacher visiting his own scholars, assuming the social features of pastoral visits. In this way a familiar intercourse is promoted with the family, by which the teachers acquire the useful knowledge of the circumstances, habits and dispositions of the children, and learn also the character of the parents. The value of such an acquaintance, and the necessity of it, must be seen at a glance, and must at once convince that they are the only proper visiters to the homes of the children. But this system also is capable of improvement. It is a wellknown fact, that the common mind estimates the value of a thing by the trouble exerted in obtaining it; and it rises in worth according to the difficulties overcome in order to possess it. Thus, very trifles rise in estimate when great exertions are made to obtain them. Let then the conductors of Sunday Schools be reminded to make the least of their affairs a matter of importance, and as it were to encompass sea and land to obtain the least advantage, in furtherance of the object they have in view. For these reasons it might be suggested, that besides the regular visits of the teachers, the superintendent should visit all the families yearly, half yearly, or quarterly, and when practicable should be accompanied by the pastor or elders of the church, particularly in case of sickness. Stated periods of visiting by both teachers and superintendents would give much effect, from the circumstance of its disclosing a regularity in the movements of the school; it might, therefore, be of great advantage to the teacher to visit each family connected with his class on New year's, Christmas day, or any national holiday. This, while it afforded time and opportunity to the teacher, would present an opportunity for some suitable and useful reflections. The school of which I am a conductor, has long pursued the latter practice. This I have advocated as, in my opinion, the best to pursue. Much prosperity has been the result of it, and were all our Sunday schools established under such regulations in regard to visiting, the happy effects would

soon be discernable in the improvement and moral advancement of the schools, and the families connected with them. But many teachers are deterred from these duties by the unpleasantness of the task; but this is only from want of familiarity with the subject. At first there will seem to be many obstacles in the way; the visiter is received with coldness and indifference; but this is, in most cases, soon changed for a most engaging affability, more frequently found among this order of people than elsewhere; for they are untainted with the sophistry and time-serving hypocrisy of the politer world. Repeated visits gain their honest good will, excite their gratitude, and soon win their best confidence. All diffidence and reserve are removed, and the task becomes agreeable and delightful, and offers good opportunities for observation and moral reflection. Such visits become daily more gratifying to the teacher, because he will feel their value and usefulness to himself and others.

Consistent with the views I have here taken, the following is an article of that school of which I am one of the conductors. "It shall be the duty of the superintendent to visit the parents every quarter, (if any wise practicable,) but it shall by no means be neglected half yearly. A list of the absentees being made out every Sabbath, they shall be visited during the week; and the teachers shall visit their scholars at their homes as often as possible; and there shall be no other appointment of visiters from the school besides the superintendent and teachers, they being the most proper persors, and such an acquaintanceship increasing the facilities of teaching the children." I have thus fully expressed my views on this subject, and doubtless it meets the opinions of many; yet they may answer, although the plan of teachers visiting is the best, yet it cannot generally be adopted; the burden is too great, connected with the other duties, and they have not time to perform faithfully this duty. But it can be done, and teachers have time. Let it not be said by those (whom the love of Christ should constrain to labour) that they will "let slip" such precious advantages as this system offers, because the toil is great. O! let them consider the abundant recompense to themselves, their scholars and the parents; and let them at least be resolved to accomplish it in part; and the continued practice of it, I doubt not, would so increase the facility of the task, that in time they would be enabled fully and faithfully to execute it. Ordinarily the classes in our S. Schools, consist of ten scholars; which, at the utmost, gives an appointment of ten families to the teacher. In well-regulated schools there will be, on an average, one of the ten absent thus, the visits of absentees, would be one visit a week, occupying, at the utmost, (taking into consideration teachers living out of the district, and the time occupied in going and coming,) one hour; this would be but a deduction of one hour from 85, all the seasonable hours for transacting of business and duty, during a week. But let these visits be punctually and faithfully attended to, and this time would be gained, to most of them; for the greater part of the classes would not report any absentees for months together: but the teacher will say, (as those in the parable, who were bidden to come and be partakers of good things, as S. School teachers are in this concern,) "I have my farm, my merchandize, my wife; prith'ee have me excused." It cannot be; they ought not to be excused. Let us take an extreme case. A teacher is engaged in business the whole six days; has besides a family and home: all with their urgent obligations pleading for his time. Let it be so; but he has wisely and mercifully resolved to pursue the heavenly, beneficent purpose of instructing the young, the poor and ignorant, into "the gospel of the Kingdom;" and as a faithful and wise steward, hav

ing received, at the hand of Divine Providence, ten souls, each one, of more value than a world. He will covenant and engage to afford every justifiable means to obtain such influence over their mind, as to gain their attention and good will, so that they may hear those things by which faith cometh: and he will consider a friendly intercourse with them at home to be of the first importance. And though wife, farm and merchandize may hinder him at other seasons, he will give a portion of his Sabbath to this useful engagement. Two visits every Sabbath afternoon and evening, would complete the task every five weeks; and thus the classes might be regularly visited, only devoting a small portion of the Sabbath to it. But broken opportunities of leisure fall to the lot of all; and a Sunday School walk would prove to the teacher, a pleasing recreation at all times. This would make him a regular and faithful visiter; and thus would be accomplished a useful purpose, and it would prove a happy illustration of that striking portion of the parable, that says, "he traded with his talents, and gained other two." But some may say, " must I make a sacrifice of my pleasant sanctuary, and Sabbath privileges? I answer, YES: and in the words of our divine master, I repeat-freely ye have received: freely give." And to do good and distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased; and I would inquire, why should a man, whom God has blessed, keep this precious store of grace and truth within himself, only for his own precious peace and enjoyment, and alone to his own profit; should he not rather dispense its light, and joy, and blessing, for the happiness and profit of his fellow men? This, indeed, is a charity " that droppeth, like the gentle dew from Heaven, upon the place beneath it is twice blessed; it blesseth Him that gives, and him that receives." Let then the S. School teacher resolve to visit the dear children of his charge, and prove instrumental in advancing the present and eternal interest of parent and child: let him deny himself, that he may bestow rich and fertilizing blessings on them: let him make the sacrifices that the important occasion demands; and though it may prove a heavy burden and toil to the flesh, yet it will assuredly prove abundantly refreshing to the spirit. I then decidedly say, that I should admire to see the S. School TEACHER, the only visiter to the homes of the children; as he is the best visiter for this important and useful purpose."

A superintendent said, that he should advocate the sentiments previously offered, but he regretted that teachers could not be found (at least a very few,) in our city to do it; and in debating on the subject he thought that teachers should consider local differences; he therefore thought it his duty to point out a necessary substitute for the excellent system that had been proposed. For a faithful visiter, in his opinion, whether one otherwise connected with the school or not, was of the greatest utility. He said, he had conducted a school, in which a zealous, punctual, and diligent visiter alone was deputed for that purpose. His plan was to have a visiting book, and at the close of the school he went to each class and took down the names of the absent; these he visited on the hours of the Sabbath, and in the week. This visiter, however, was always out during the hours of teaching, and appeared just at the close of the school, and frequently brought in new scholars. He could recommend this plan; for he thought, on whatever method visiting the scholars was pursued, no school should be without one such visiter. A superintendent remarked, that all teachers should visit their scholars, even though visited by committees, and he thought it the duty of superintendents to make this inquiry of the teachers every Sabbath. In conclusion, the chairman observed: He highly

approved of the plan offered by the opener of the questionhe had found it the best in his own experience. It was his opinion, that as a superintendent governs the school, a general influence was required for the duties of his station; and for such purposes it is necessary that he be familiar with the families of all the pupils. On the same principle, to extend their influence and usefulness, and for the government of the children, teachers, also, should visit the homes of the children; and then it was desirable that some committee or a visiter be appointed to fill up the deficiencies-adopting the admirable plan of Dr. Chalmers, as before mentioned; establishing a locality for social visiting; bringing out all the ignorant to receive instruction; and also discovering such auxiliary efforts and funds for their benevolent purposes as might otherwise long remain hid. These visiters should explore every haunt of misery and pauperism, for objects of relief; and enter also the gates of the wealthy, soliciting alms for all their heavenly purposes; promoting the Bible and Missionary cause. Let them also extend their exertions to ameliorate their poverty and misery, and to guard their personal comfort. And with such views, let a stated inquiry be made in regard to vaccination, by which interference much might be done to arrest the progress of a loathsome disease, and ultimately drive the small pox forever from our land. Such, he remarked, and many more as interesting and useful, would be the effects of visiting, as it embraced all the three plans advocated in the various arguments of this debate; and, he would add, in confirmation of what had been advocated, that he had tested each of the plans, and his personal experience assured him, that these combined efforts would crown the purposes of Sunday School Teachers with success; for he had always found that his school flourished or declined, diminished or increased, as the homes of the children were on either hand visited or neglected. On the close of these remarks, the following resolution was adopted: "That in the opinion of this meeting, the teachers* were the most proper and useful visiters to the homes of the children."

IMPROVEMENTS IN SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Extract from the report of Sunday School No. 23.

New-York Union Society, April, 1824.

"In hope of extending our usefulness, we are desirous to state those points in which we differ from others; and which our long experience prompts us to urge upon all who are engaged in similar pursuits; of these we may briefly state, that we multiply the opportunities of religious instruction, by meetings held alternately at the homes of the children, by their respective teachers."

Note.-The interesting little card we are about to notice, is connected with the above proposed plan, and has remained a long time in our hands for the purpose, though urging itself upon our attention, by a most impressive plea-that of acknowleged usefulness. We are therefore happy that it should find a place in our pages, hoping that it may prove an introduction to simi

* By teachers, is here implied all the conductors of the school.