the minds of many, while they shall warm and inspire the heart to a new and continued zeal in their pious labours to the praise of the churches.

New-York, October 18th, 1284.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNALS.

THE WHITE BOOK.

[Concluded from page 306.]

The honest satisfaction that beamed from every face, as the amiable and honoured youth approached the table of rewards, gave a silent yet conclusive evidence of his acknowledged worth, and of their accordance in the decision and judgment of the superintendent. Though a tear of disappointment dimmed for a moment the eye of hope, and the brow of virtuous ambition for a moment lowered, yet the renewed complacency, now apparent in every countenance, testified that they were well assured, that justice there decided the cause of merit as certainly as they believed that truth traced the record, or affection bestowed the reward.

The successful candidate for the first reward was a lad of 16; he was cleanly and neatly clad, tall and awkward; his embarrassment heightened by the unexpected and almost unhoped-for honour. He approached with diffidence, and stood in an averted position, with his head bowed down, as if he would seek a hiding place in his own bosom from the inquiring though affectionate gaze that met him from every side. The tear that trembled in his eye, the sole simple tribute of a heart overflowing with joy and gratitude, was proof of the justice of the reward, and of his truly amiable disposition. The superintendent approached, and laying his hand upon the youth's head, read the following record from the White Book.

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"This day of rewards is to me a day of gladness of heart, for as I record the names of those of our dear lads who deserve

praise, it reminds me that they are such whose mild and well "disposed conduct awakens a bright hope that they will more

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'willingly surrender themselves to the care of God, in receiving "pious instructions and parental advice, and will listen to the gospel with attentive minds; may the number of such increase to the rejoicing of all friends who bless and thank God for the Sunday School. Those whose names follow have done virtuously, and excelled. I pray God nothing may hinder them "to go on, and do better."

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"Robert N — takes this honourable place; first in the "class of merit I trust, not only to the approbation of man but "to that of our Divine Master. The meekness, attention, and patience, of Robert for the past year I feel assured will gain "him new blessings every day. He has walked among us with a spirit of peace and love, blameless, and without offence." The Superintendent then taking from the table of rewards a plain gilt frame enclosing an inscription, said, "Robert, In this frame are a few directions and rules for your conduct in life written with my own hand, and at the close is recorded the earnest prayer of my heart, that in the pursuit of such maxims you may be happy in this life, and reap the continual blessings, of your heavenly father. May this often remind you of the godly counsel you have received, and revive in your heart the early lessons of virtue and religion you have here been taught." The inscription was short and simple, and on the back was recorded the date and the occasion on which it had been bestowed. A neat volume of Natural History and a parcel of religious tracts were added to this reward.

A vacant range of benches had been reserved for those who should receive rewards; to the first seat of which he now gladly, and tremblingly retired. A momentary bustling was heard, and every eye in the assemblage followed him to his seat of merit; and for a moment all eyes rested upon him, as he, scarcely conscious of his actions, folded his rewards in his chequered handkerdhief, then laid them on his lap, and bowing his head on the form, he gave way to the current of his feelings. Again was the attention of all arrested as the name of the second in order of the class of merit was announced by the Superintendent. He was under twelve, of respectable parentage,

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well dressed, and approached with boldness and alacrity, and evidently received the intelligence as if he felt conscious of having earned the reward; and had always contended, confident of success, for the merited distinction. There was however a suitable diffidence, or rather respect, in his manner, and an amiable serenity in his looks that would assure the stranger he well merited the honour he was about to receive and so well known was his character that a general smile from the children evinced their approbation in the decision of the Superintendent. His reward was a neatly framed engraving of Robert Raikes the founder of Sunday Schools; in presenting which, the Superintendent gave a brief account of the incidents that gave rise to such blessed institutions: never could they have been more suitable. It was an eulogium on the founder of Sunday Schools by a Sunday School teacher, addressed to Sunday School scholars.

As the superintendent dwelt on the lovely virtue of his character, and exhorted his amiable pupil to emulate the worth of this pious philanthropist, every ear hung in silence on the short history of virtue with an interest equal to the candidate himself. Then did it appear that the love of virtue and piety revived in the heart of many a Sunday scholar; and to many in that assembly the loveliness of the institution was more enhanced than ever. As the lad retired, I could but admire the evidence of that distinguishing trait in the human character, in venerating the founders of good and great institutions, as it was not only evinced in the pride and delight with which it was received by the lad himself, but in the eagerness evinced by all those he passed to catch a glimpse of the picture; and many a little hand was extended when he reached his seat, to claim the privilege of beholding the likeness of the amiable. founder of Sunday Schools. The following was the record read by the superintendent from the White Book.

Andrew H2d.-This my beloved scholar has followed close in the steps of Robert; I have but few things against him but the best of his praise is, that he is ever ready to be guided in the way; he takes our whole advice as the perish

ing sick man takes physic to save, and do him good; now our words, being the truth of God, are "the balm of life," we know it will do him good, and we pray that it may save him, and gain him a crown of reward among the angels of Heaven.

On calling the third in order in the class of merit, an affecting incident heightened the interest of the scene. He was a youth beloved by all for his mild and inoffensive disposition, yet his character was marked by an ardour of pursuit that distinguished him from his fellows.

He had been many years in the school; and when first received was nearly blind, in which state he had been for many years, and was then fast approaching a state of idiotism; by great persuasion he attended the school, being constantly led by one of the scholars. He soon began to regain his vigour of mind, and was at last, by the charity of the Eye Infirmary, entirely restored to sight. He had greatly improved in mind as well as manners, and was now much attached to the school. But his health was declining, and consumption was daily wasting his young and tender frame. When his name was called, a visible delight shone forth in the smiles of his little friends, which instantly changed into tender concern and sympathy, as his teacher replied that he was not present, adding that he had attempted to reach the school, but was overcome and had been carried home again. The sensation was perceptible, and the pious hearts of some of the anxious crowd sent a momentary supplication to the Father of mercies that he might receive a higher reward in" another and a better world." His teachers and his little classmates listened with pleasure to the following simple record of his character.

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Henry D

3d.

-I here bear testimony to the constant endeavours of this dear child to do well. I believe Henry is trying to do as much good to himself, to his parents and his teachers, as he can may he still try and be blessed in his virtuous exertions. So good a son, and such an attentive scholar, comes near to God, and nigh to his blessing;" just as the beloved John was nearest of all the deciples to his divine Master, and received his blessing as he departed; "and Jesus

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talked to him from Heaven." May such be the blessing of Henry by the teaching of the Bible through the holy spirit of God. The 4th candidate approached with the same apparent diffidence as had characterized the others. There was, however, no gleam of sparkling joy in his eye, but sedate, composed, and humble he stood before the superintendent. Formerly he had been an indolent and careless scholar, indifferent to the pious concerns of the school; but its sacred precepts of love and truth had infused at length in his young mind a new spirit, and he was led thereby "to count those things gain, which were once his loss; and the things despised became his chief joy." A year previous to this period he had been baptized and received into communion with the church. "The first fruits" of that beautiful vine that had been there planted in "the courts of the Lord's house to bring forth its fruit in due season." The earnest of the precious harvest of souls to be gathered from that field of promise, where the God of the harvest had set many a labourer to sow and water, and to whose work he had promised to give the increase. This dear youth was of pious but poor parents the first remarkable convictions of truth on his mind, were on a Saturday evening, while seated on the floor reading the 24th chapter of Mathew to his little brothers and sisters; and on receiving an answer from his mother in explanation of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, he burst into a flood of tears, distressing and alarming to his companions; and when he anxiously inquired what he should do in that great day and hour, he was so overwhelmed by his feelings, he fell trembling and senseless on the floor. His agitated state of mind continued until the following day, when he became more serene and calm, and seemed in continual meditation of that solemn portion of scripture. His home was a mile and a half from the school, and so enfeebled was he by his excess of feeling the previous night, that he did not attend that Sabbath, but went with his parents to a neighbouring church. They hid all these things, and pondered them in their hearts, rejoicing secretly in the change they perceived in their dear child, who they now committed with their earnest prayers to the arms of a merciful Redeemer.