3. 4. M^-^-^ 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
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 Shelf. Nttmbcv. 
 
SUGGESTIONS 
 
 VINDICATION OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, 
 
 BUT MORE ESPECIALLY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT 
 
 SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOOKS, 
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF THE PLAN OF INSTRUCTION. 
 
 BY ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D. 
 
 PROFESSOR OF DIDACTIC AND POLEMIC THEOLOGY IN THE THEOLOGICAL S£1IINART 
 AT PHINCETON, NEW JEBSET. 
 
 1829. 
 
SUGGESTIONS 
 
 IN 
 
 VINDICATION OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 
 
 The importance of the general diffusion of religious know- 
 ledge, seems now to be universally admitted. No longer is it 
 pretended, that ignorance is the mother of devotion; or that 
 real knowledge can be injurious to any portion of the commu- 
 nity. Experience teaches, that the more ignorant men are, the 
 more liable are they to be hurried into acts of violence and ex- 
 cess; or to be seduced into vice by the persuasions and example of 
 the wicked. Most malefactors, who are condemned by the laws 
 of the country, are exceedingly ignorant of religious truth: the 
 mob, often influenced and led on to acts of shocking outrage, 
 is every where composed of the least informed of the people. 
 An ignorant multitude is always liable to be misled by design- 
 ing demagogues, or seduced by artful impostors. A regard to 
 character, and a respect for tlie opinions of others, is greatly 
 strengthened by an increase of knowledge, and this is one of 
 the strongest barriers against infamous vice. Conscience, the 
 most powerful of restraints, possesses force in proportion to the 
 light of truth in the mind. Superstition may, indeed, be pro- 
 moted by ignorance, but true religion, never. Fanaticism also 
 is closely allied to ignorance, but the most effectual remedy 
 against enthusiasm, is genuine piety. Skepticism, it is true, is 
 often associated with a considerable extent of knowledge; but 
 the cure of infidelity must be found in a correct acquaintance 
 with the truth; and the best preventive of this evil is, early 
 religious instruction. It cannot be doubted, that the manners 
 of men are polished hy education. Where do you find man- 
 ners the most sordid and brutal, but among those who have 
 never been instructed? Ferocious passions naturally spring up 
 
in minds entirely uncultivated. And it need not be feared that 
 instruction will render the poor more miserable, by making 
 them more sensible of their humble condition. Sound religious 
 knowledge will teach them, that happiness may be enjoyed as 
 fully in a cottage as in a palace; that contentment with our con- 
 dition is the duty of all; and that want and affliction furnish a 
 very salutary discipline, by which faith is tried, virtue improv- 
 ed, and the soul prepared for a better world. The discontented, 
 envious poor, are not commonly those who have been religiously 
 educated, but the ignorant and profligate. It can admit of no 
 doubt, therefore, that the diffusion of knowledge, and especially 
 of religious knowledge, among all classes of people, is a thing 
 to be desired; and that no pains and labour can be considered 
 too great, which are the means of accomplishing this end. 
 
 But how this can be most successfully eflected, is a question 
 which demands the serious consideration of every friend of man. 
 God has, indeed, appointed the preaching of the gospel as the 
 great instrument of the instruction and moral reformation of 
 men, and nothing should be allowed to supersede this; for God 
 is wiser than man; and will, moreover, honour and bless his 
 own institutions. Let it be admitted, then, that the faithful 
 preaching of the gospel is the great means to which all others 
 should be subordinate. But God has also directed Christians to 
 give mutual instruction to one another, and "to hold forth the 
 word of life" to those who are in darkness. Private instruc- 
 tion is as much authorized as public preaching; and, in its place, 
 is as necessary. Indeed, without private instruction, public 
 preaching will be in a great measure useless. One who is to- 
 tally uneducated, cannot understand the purport and connexion 
 of a sermon. The people must, by some means, be prepared 
 by elementary education, to profit by the public teaching of the 
 church; and the want of this elementary knowledge, is one 
 great reason why so many hear to so little profit. They hear, 
 but they understand not; and thus the good seed is lost. This 
 preparatory instruction ought to be given in every family; but 
 alas! I need not say how commonly this is neglected, or so im- 
 perfectly attended to, that our youth are, in many places, grow- 
 ing up in shameful and dangerous ignorance. But if parents 
 
and masters will not perform their duty in this respect, can no 
 remedy be devised? can no substitute be proposed? Yes; God, 
 in his kind providence, has directed the attention of his church 
 to a remedy which may be considered effectual, if it be dili- 
 gently and universally used. This is the SUNDAY SCHOOL 
 system of instruction. Although this method of teaching the 
 young and ignorant is so simple, yet it deserves to be ranked 
 second, to no discovery of our age. I do not know that the 
 beneficence of providence has been more manifest in any thing 
 which has occurred in our day, than in the general institution 
 of Sunday-schools. Other benevolent institutions provide the 
 means of religious instruction; but the Sunday-school makes 
 the application of them. Indeed all others require this for 
 their successful operation. Bibles and tracts cannot be useful 
 to those who cannot read; but in these humble seminaries the 
 ignorant are* taught to read. Pious youth are wanted to be 
 educated for pastors and missionaries; and where will you go 
 to find them, but to the Sunday-schools? Here will often be 
 seen the first buddings of that piety, which expands in the per- 
 formance of faithful missionary labour in some heathen land. 
 A large majority of the missionaries now in the field, were nur- 
 tured in Sunday-schools. Here will be sown, in many a heart, 
 the precious seed which will germinate in a thousand bene- 
 volent efforts, and bring forth fruit unto eternal life. While 
 the civilian is earnestly employed in devising plans for prisons, 
 and dungeons for solitary confinement, let it be the noble object 
 of the patrons of Sunday-scliools, to render all such institutions, 
 if possible, unnecessary. And this is not a vain hope, if all the 
 children in the country could be brought under the regular in- 
 fluence of this mode of instruction. Scarce any of those taught 
 in these schools have ever been disgraced by a condemnation 
 for crime. 
 
 We are, as the voice of experience teaches, never less liable 
 to lose the fruit of our labour, than when we instil religious 
 instruction into the susceptible minds of children. This pre- 
 cious seed is seldom entirely lost; for although it may lie long 
 buried, as it were, under the dust, it may spring up at a late day, 
 and flourish long after the hand that sowed it, is laid in the 
 
6 
 
 grave. Besides, we are not aware how much positive evil is 
 prevented by the impressions of religious truth on the minds of 
 youth. In the Sabbath-school the little boy is taught the Ten 
 Commandments; it is moreover inculcated on him, that God is 
 angry with the wicked, and that his curse will follow the evil- 
 doer. Also, he learns there, that the evil of sin is so great, 
 that God's own Son came into our world, and died on the cross, 
 to make an atonement for it. In his Bible, which he here learns 
 to read, he finds it written, that " the loicked shall be turned 
 into hellf^ and that the ungodly shall not inherit eternal life. 
 Now, when this boy goes into the world, and meets with disso- 
 lute companions, who tempt him to steal, or murder, or bear 
 false witness, will not these solemn truths which he has learned 
 at school, rush upon his mind, and operate as strong restraints 
 to preserve him from the commission of crimes, under the power 
 of which he would easily fall, were it not for these salutary im- 
 pressions? 
 
 Sunday-schools were originally instituted with a special view 
 to those unhappy children, who through the ignorance, or pro- 
 fligacy, or carelessness of their parents, have no religious in- 
 struction; but on the contrary, are brought up under the in- 
 fluence of evil counsels and worse examples; and such children 
 ought still to be considered the direct object of these institu- 
 tions; but it has been found, that they may be rendered highly 
 useful to children of every description. Often it happens, that 
 well disposed and pious parents are poorly qualified to commu- 
 nicate religious instruction to their own children; and not un- 
 frequently, children are more attentive to lessons of morality 
 and religion coming from others, than to those which they learn 
 from their own parents. From these they are so accustomed to 
 hear advice and reproof, that they are very apt to contract a 
 habit of heedlessness when admonished by them; but when an- 
 other, who claims no authority but that which is founded on 
 kindness, speaks affectionately to these children, they are mute 
 with attention, and seem to be tenderly affected with what they 
 hear from their beloved Sunday-school teachers. The good or- 
 der and solemnity maintained in these schools, has a great effect 
 in predisposing the youthful mind to be attentive and serious^ 
 
and also the gentle emulation which is properly excited, gives 
 a spring and alacrity to the spirits which is favourable to im- 
 provement. There are few parents, I believe, who can instruct 
 their own children as well as they may be taught in many of 
 our Sabbath-schools. 
 
 But the good effect of this institution is nearly as conspicu- 
 ous, in regard to the teachers, as the pupils. It has been long 
 a maxim, that to know a thing accurately, the best method is 
 to teach it. And with respect to religious knowledge, it has 
 ever been found very difficult to induce people generally, whe- 
 ther old or young, to give such patient attention to divine 
 truth, as to become well acquainted with the doctrines and pre- 
 cepts of the Bible. Now this difficulty is happily obviated in 
 regard to the teachers in our Sunday-schools. The necessity 
 which they are under of teaching the lesson, furnishes a motive 
 sufficiently strong, to induce them to study it with diligence, 
 and by the aid of all the helps to which they can have access. 
 Thus many of our intelligent young people are actually becom- 
 ing accurate Bible theologians. They are acquiring divine 
 knowledge, in that way, which leads them thoroughly to under- 
 stand what they learn, and to fix it indelibly in the memory. 
 I do not know any better school in which these persons could 
 be placed for their own improvement, than to enjoy the privi- 
 lege of teaching the children in Sunday-schools. The advan- 
 tages of this situation, I am persuaded, have not been overrat- 
 ed. The good resulting from this benevolent employment has 
 not been confined to mere improvement in sacred knowledge, 
 but in many instances, has issued in the conversion of the heart 
 to God. There can, I believe, be no doubt, but that a larger 
 proportion of Sunday-school teachers, have become truly pious, 
 within a few years, than of persons of any other class or de- 
 scription. God fulfils his own gracious promise, that they that 
 water shall themselves be watered. The benefits derived from 
 these blessed institutions to teachers, are, themselves, a rich 
 compensation for all their labour, and for all the expenses in- 
 curred, in keeping them up. 
 
 But Sunday-schools have not only been beneficial, in a high 
 degree, to the pupils, and the teachers, but also to the parents, 
 
8 
 
 and other relatives, of the children. Many parents are so hos- 
 tile to religion and to religious men, that they can scarcely be 
 approached, in any other way, than through their children. 
 All such persons view religion, distorted and deformed, through 
 a medium of dense prejudice; but when their children repeat 
 their lessons in their hearing, and read to them from the sacred 
 Scriptures, new light often darts into their minds, and speedily 
 a great change takes place in their sentiments. Sometimes, 
 also, ignorant or profligate parents will accompany their chil- 
 dren to a Sabbath-school, who can by no other means be induced 
 to enter the walls of a church. When there, their attention is 
 rivetted, while they listen to the answers of their own children; 
 and thus the truth finds access to minds long estranged from 
 God, and deeply buried in ignorance. 
 
 But it is not the ignorant and vicious parent only, that de- 
 rives benefit through the attendance of his children at Sunday- 
 schools; many well-informed and respectable people are led by 
 the inquiries of their children, to search after many things 
 which they never knew before, or had forgotten. In families 
 where much attention is paid to the lesson for the week, all 
 hands are set to work to find out appropriate answers to the 
 questions. Commentaries are consulted, and I have no doubt, 
 that, in many cases, the exercises of the Sunday-schools have 
 been the means of bringing these valuable books into families, 
 where they would not otherwise have been found. And it is 
 much to be desired, that we had a commentary, sound and con- 
 cise, evangelical and practical, adapted to Sunday-schools. If 
 such a book were placed in every family from which children 
 come, how extensively would Bible knowledge be difi'used in 
 a short time?* 
 
 It may , moreover, be mentioned as one of the minor advantages 
 of Sunday-schools, that they promote neatness and decency of 
 dress and personal appearance,among the poor. The moral, pious, 
 and industrious poor are generally remarkable for cleanliness, 
 and for being tidy in their dress, when they go out from home: 
 but the idle, intemperate, and profligate, are usually disgustingly 
 
 * It is understood that such a work is in the course of preparation. 
 
filthy; and their children are squalid in their whole appearance* 
 Now, how close the connexion is between neatness, and purity 
 of mind, I shall not attempt to determine; but that every step 
 in civilization is favourable to virtue and religion, there is no 
 room to doubt: and whatever will have the effect of inducing 
 parents to exercise some care and industry, in attending to the 
 personal appearance of their children, so as to put them into 
 decent trim, has, in my opinion, a very salutary result. 
 
 But my object in this essay, is not, merely to descant on the 
 utility of Sunday-schools: I wish to enter somewhat particularly 
 into the principles on which these institutions should be con- 
 ducted; and the improvements, which may, without difficulty, 
 be engrafted on the existing system. Not, that I mean to give 
 any precepts, relative to the minute regulations of these insti- 
 tutions. My experience does not enable me to judge, or direct 
 any thing on this subject: and it is one on which teachers and 
 superintendents are better capable of directing, than other per- 
 sons. But although I have had no experience in the manage- 
 ment of Sunday-schools, I have not been an uninterested spec- 
 tator of their origin and rapid progress; and the more I reflect 
 upon the subject, the more important does the institution appear. 
 1 confess, therefore, that I feel no small solicitude, that nothing 
 should occur, which would have a tendency to retard its ad- 
 vancement, or prevent it from attaining to that perfection and 
 accomplishing that measure of good, of which the system is 
 capable. My zeal in the cause of Sunday-schools, therefore, 
 together with the request of some respected persons who are 
 devoted to this object, must be my apology, for offering my 
 opinions, freely, to the public, on this interesting subject. 
 
 1. I have observed, with pleasure, that the system of Sunday- 
 school benevolence, in its most prominent features, is catholic. 
 It willingly embraces all who receive the Bible, and are willing 
 to use it. It has, therefore, been considered a desirable ob- 
 ject, to combine as many religious denominations, in this enter- 
 prise, as possible; and it is not perceived, that with prudent 
 management, there can exist any ground of unpleasant collision. 
 The American Sunday-School Union, as a society, professes 
 no creed but the Bible; although the individuals who are con- 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 cerned in its management, belong to several distinct denomina- 
 tions; to the forms and peculiar opinions of which respectively, 
 they adhere. But, in conducting Sunday-schools, they know 
 no sect but Christianity; no creed but the Bible. 
 
 The object of Sunday-schools, is, to communicate that know- 
 ledge which is common to all who hold the fundamentals of 
 Christianity. There is, undoubtedly, in our time, some ap- 
 proach to the spirit of unity and Catholicism; and, certainly, this 
 spirit, when genuine, should be cherished, as pertaining to the 
 gospel of Christ. In whatever institutions, therefore, chris- 
 tians of different denominations can combine tlieir benevolent 
 and pious efforts, with an increase of strength, and without 
 compromising their peculiar tenets, they ought to unite; and it 
 partakes of the nature of schism, to break this union, on ac- 
 count of narrow sectarian feelings and interests. While schemes 
 of close connexion between those who differ in matters viewed 
 to be of some importance to the purity of faith and worship, 
 are only adapted to produce collision, and greater alienation 
 than before existed; it is delightful to see those, who have long 
 been too far apart, drawn near together, by the power of their 
 mutual love to Christ, and by the sweet bands of brotherly love. 
 Why should those who are so soon to inhabit one house in 
 heaven, treat each other as aliens and enemies? or, spend their 
 time in building up high walls of separation? Let each section 
 of the church catholic, maintain, with becoming firmness and 
 zeal, what they honestly believe to be the truth of God; and no 
 imputation of bigotry can justly be charged upon them, while 
 they pursue this course: but, as the points of difference between 
 evangelical Christians are trivial, compared with the important 
 and fundamental truths in which they agree, brotherly kindness 
 ought not to be interrupted on account of their differences; and 
 whenever any occasion offers, on which they can cordially unite 
 their efforts, it is manifestly their duty to receive one another 
 as Christ has received them; and to show to a world which is 
 ever cavilling on account of the dissentions of christians, that 
 real christians can love one another still, although partially se- 
 parated by names and forms. 
 
11 
 
 It is manifest, from an examination of the constitution of the 
 Sunday-School Union, that all its articles are catholic: no pre- 
 ference is there shown to any one denomination. And it is 
 equally evident, from a consideration of the character of the 
 gentlemen who compose the board of Managers, that no par- 
 tiality has been exhibited. It would scarcely be possible to 
 form a board, with a more equal respect to the several denomi- 
 nations concerned in this enterprise; and, as far as is known to 
 me, the same impartiality is manifest in the proceedings of the 
 board, both in the selection of their officers and committees, 
 and in the books selected for publication. 
 
 I have been led to make these remarks, because it has been 
 objected, by some, to this society, that while it professes ca- 
 tholic principles, it is, in fact, merely an instrument for build- 
 ing up one denomination. But how is this possible, when no 
 one denomination has a majority in the board? Will all parties, 
 retaining their peculiar sentiments and attachments, concur, in 
 promoting the separate interests of a society different from their 
 own? And I would ask of those who make this objection, what 
 single act of the American Sunday-School Union has even the 
 semblance of partiality for a particular sect? I am verily per- 
 suaded that no such act can be pointed out. It may be true, 
 indeed, that some denominations enter more zealously and ge- 
 nerally into the enterprize than others, but this argues no fault 
 in the constitution, or partiality in the board; or in their agents. 
 The remedy is — and it would be a most desirable one — that all 
 denominations emulate each other in zeal and energy, in pro- 
 moting Sunday-schools, in their respective churches. Here is 
 a wide field for a noble, a holy competition. But surely, there 
 exists no ground of complaint, and no reason for objection to 
 the constitution or administration of the Society. 
 
 2. But while the American Sunday-School Union have been 
 scrupulously careful to maintain impartiality, as it relates to 
 the several religious denominations united in this scheme of 
 benevolence; it is probable, that they have not been sufficiently 
 aware of another objection, which has recently been made by 
 some warm friends of the institution. It is alleged, that there 
 is danger, lest the American Union should establish a system of 
 
12 
 
 religious instruction every where, independent of the regular 
 and authorized pastors of the church. It is said, that their 
 agents penetrate into the parishes of every denomination, and 
 there establish their schools without the consent, or concur- 
 rence of ministers, or other church-ofFicers; and that by this 
 means, the religious instruction of the youth is likely to be 
 taken out of the hands of those to whom, according to the 
 economy of Christ*s house, it has been regularly committed 
 And, moreover, that we have no security for the soundness of 
 the doctrines inculcated by the teachers of a society, which may 
 propagate just what opinions it pleases; and so it may happen, 
 that the children of a parish may, in the Sunday-schools, be 
 taught doctrines directly repugnant to those held by the minis- 
 ter, and by the church to which he belongs. I bring forward 
 this objection with all its force, that its weight may be duly ap- 
 preciated by the Managers of the Union. 
 
 Now, in answer to this, it can be truly stated, that the Managers 
 of the American S, S. Union have ever been solicitous to obtain 
 the co-operation of the clergy in their respective spheres of ac- 
 tion and influence; and they have not only invited their aid, but 
 have even, in some instances, given offence to some clergymen 
 by one of their standing questions, which they regularly call 
 upon the schools under their care to answer; which is, " How 
 far are the ministers engaged in promoting the schools? Have 
 you taken any steps to interest ministers in your vicinity to 
 promote Sunday-schools?"* But if ministers, generally, have 
 paid little or no attention to the subject, and the schools have 
 gone forward without their aid or inspection, surely the blame 
 does not lie at the door of the American S.S.Union. If the clergy 
 of the different denominations will not take hold of this thing, 
 and give it a direction within their own parishes or preaching 
 districts, it is impossible for the American S. S. Union to compel 
 them to perform their duty. And if the minister of a parish 
 
 * The following is one of the duties enjoined in the commission which the 
 Managers give to their agents: — "It will be your special duty to. wait on all 
 ministers of the gospel, and make known particularly to them, the nature and 
 objects of your mission, and use your influence to interest them in promoting 
 Sabbath- schools in their respective congregations, towns, and counties." 
 
13 
 
 will not come forward and lend his aid and counsel, must the 
 work stop? Must the Sunday-school agent make no effort to pro- 
 vide for the instruction of those who are willing to be taught 
 within those bounds? Surely, no sincere friend to the rising gene- 
 ration would affirm this. And candour compels me to declare, 
 that when at the late meeting of the Delegates of Auxiliaries with 
 the Board, in Philadelphia, this subject was brought up and 
 discussed, the Managers discovered every disposition to adopt 
 any resolution, or take any measures, which would have the 
 effect of enlisting the clergy of the several denominations, cor- 
 dially in this work: and when a resolution was proposed and 
 voted by the Delegates of the Auxiliaries, to urge this matter 
 again and more earnestly on the pastors and other church-offi- 
 cers, it received the decided approbation of the Board of Mana- 
 gers of the American Sunday-School Union. But the aspect 
 of^ the question which is most important is, not who have been 
 remiss in the discharge of duty in time past, but what can be 
 now done to avert the danger and prevent the evil which it has 
 been seen is imminent. In observing on this subject, I beg 
 leave respectfully to say to the ministers of the gospel of every 
 denomination: — 
 
 Dear brethren, I scarcely know a pastoral duty of higher re- 
 sponsibility, than to lend your utmost aid and influence to give 
 efficiency and a right direction to Sunday-schools within the 
 limits of your parishes and your vicinity. You have known 
 and felt how difficult or rather impossible it is, for one man to 
 instruct effectually all the youth of a large parish. If you should 
 do nothing else, it would still be imperfectly done. Under 
 these discouraging prospects, some of you have probably been 
 driven almost to despair of effecting any thing; while others 
 have endeavoured, by occasional catechising, and by paying an 
 annual pastoral visit to the families under your care, to accom- 
 plish what seemed practicable: but you know, that unless pa- 
 rents, guardians, and masters will do their duty faithfully, in 
 the domestic instruction of their families, these occasional ex- 
 ercises nfever can be effectual to feed the lambs of Christ's 
 flock. 0! how much would many of our fathers in the minis- 
 try have given for a half a dozen faithful co-adjutors in commu- 
 
14 
 
 nicating elementary knowledge to the young? But in their 
 time, such aid could not have been obtained. No young per- 
 son, nor scarcely any elderly one, could have been persuaded 
 to become teachers. Such a thing was unknown and uncus- 
 tomary, and no one thought of it. But, now, Providence 
 has provided you with a piece of moral machinery, which, if 
 rightly directed, will be of as much avail to you, as the labour- 
 saving machines to the mechanic in our extensive manufactories. 
 It will not answer for you to leave it in the hands of others. 
 They may direct it well, or they may not; but as it is to operate 
 on the youth of your charge, for whom you have an account to 
 give, you ought yourself to attend to its operation. You ought 
 to be solicitously attentive to, and be found in the midst of, all 
 Sabbath-Schools within your own charge — watching, from week 
 to week, with that deep interest and anxiety which you cannot 
 but feel, the course of instruction — the conduct and character of 
 teachers and scholars — and the progress and prospects of the 
 school; admonishing in love and pastoral faithfulness the la- 
 bourers who may seem to be remiss — giving encouragement to 
 the faithful and a word of exhortation to all. Thus you will 
 make one of their number, — you will be intimately acquainted 
 and connected with all their plans and proceedings, and may 
 exercise over them all the kind care and salutary influence 
 which belong to your place and duty, and for which they will 
 return kindness, confidence, and gratitude. It is this faithful, 
 constant, official inspection, which the officers and managers of 
 the American Sunday-School Union greatly desire to see exer- 
 cised over their schools by every minister of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ; — they feel as if this was the right and province and 
 duty of ministers, and they have often mourned over the dis- 
 tance which has seemed to separate the chief labourers in the 
 vineyard from those whose design, responsibility, and success are 
 so nearly allied to their own. Others may perform the laborious 
 parts of the service, but it belongs to you, and it behooves you, to 
 inspect these schools, and see that nothing is inculcated which is 
 contrary to sound doctrine,and that no spirit of wild fanaticism is 
 introduced by ignorant zealots. As a watchman on the walls of 
 Zion, you cannot, you must not remain an indifferent spectator 
 
15 
 
 of this powerful system. It will go forward whether you lend 
 your assistance or not; but it is your incumbent duty to give it 
 direction, so far as its operation affects those under your care. 
 Why is it that some of you, my brethren, have so little dis- 
 cerned the signs of the times, as not to perceive, that a mightier 
 moral engine has not been set in operation for ages? That it 
 affords to the faithful pastor greater facilities for the instruction 
 of his people than any thing before discovered? And is it pos- 
 sible that any of you have paid no serious attention to the pro- 
 gress of Sunday-schools, and have given no effectual aid to their 
 establishment in your parishes? or that, having them there, you 
 are contented that they may take their course, (and whoever 
 will, may have the superintence of their Instruction?) I respect- 
 fully ask you, who have hitherto neglected this subject, what 
 you could desire in the way of aid to your arduous pastoral du- 
 ties, more convenient and effectual than Sabbath-schools in every 
 district of your congregation? By their means you enjoy the 
 assistance of ten, twenty, thirty, or forty persons, every Sab- 
 bath, earnestly and diligently engaged in giving religious in- 
 struction to the children of your charge; and giving it to mul- 
 titudes whom your instructions would never have reached. And 
 your young men and women, instead of spending the Sabbath 
 idly or unproiitably, are now, many of them — if Sunday-schools 
 abound with you — in a train of useful learning and improve- 
 ment, which will every year be rendering them more capable 
 of being useful and respectable members of the church, and 
 will qualify them for becoming heads of families with a good 
 prospect of being able to teach them the way of life, and to 
 bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord. I am acquainted with one large congregation, where the 
 pastor, until lately, neglected Sabbath-schools, and they lan- 
 guished until they were near extinction; but now he feels their 
 importance, and devotes himself to promote their prosperity, 
 visiting one of them and lecturing to children and parents 
 every Sabbath, and the whole aspect of this congregation is 
 changed. The desire of learning has extended itself to all ages; 
 and there is, throughout the congregation, a lively attention and 
 alacrity in relation to sacred things, which is very different from 
 
16 
 
 the apathy and lukewarmness of their former condition. I con- 
 fess, I do not see how Jiny man having the care of souls, can 
 reconcile it to his conscience, or how he will answer it to his 
 Master, if he continues to be indifferent to this important con- 
 cern. But it is not sufficient that you approve the institution, 
 and speak well of it, and give free consent to its introduction 
 into your parish: much more than this is incumbent on you, and 
 expected from you. It is a duty, the obligation of which you 
 cannot evade, to give your personal aid and counsel to carry on 
 this important work. Many ministers begin to have their eyes 
 opened to see this business in a far different light from what 
 they formerly did; and begin to look upon Sunday-schools as 
 the most important auxiliaries to their great work of rescuing 
 immortal souls from everlasting destruction: and I hope the 
 time is at hand, when every clergyman and every church-officer, 
 will be found taking an active and a leading part in the affairs 
 of this institution, so far as it is connected with their respective 
 churches. 
 
 ' And, here, I beg leave to state, that the American Sunday- 
 School Union prescribe no standard of doctrine to the schools 
 in their connexion. Their object is to bring their scholars to a 
 knowledge of the Bible, the great repository of all religious 
 truth. The Sunday-school teacher who seeks wisdom from on 
 high, and draws his instructions from this pure fountain, will 
 not be likely to be misled, or to mislead others, in any matter 
 of importance. But it behooves the pastors of the churches to 
 see to it, that nothing is inculcated on the youth under their 
 charge, which is inconsistent with that form of doctrine which 
 he himself esteems and teaches to be truth. And it is a fact too 
 well known to be here repeated, that the catechisms of different 
 evangelical churches have been frequently and willingly used as 
 books of instruction, whenever this has been requested by pa- 
 rents, or others having the right to direct the religious instruc- 
 tion of children. And if this long approved method of instruc- 
 tion has been less attended to than its importance demands, the 
 reason may be found in the diversity of religious denominations, 
 which are frequently mingled in the same school; or, where this 
 does not exist, in the inattention of the clergy to the schools 
 
17 
 
 ^established within the precincts of their pastoral charges. Fol^j 
 I may venture to affirm, that no evangelical pastor will ever 
 meet with any difficulty in having 'the catechism or form of 
 doctrine adopted by his own church, inculcated on the youth of 
 his own parish. I am, at this time, acquainted with a large and 
 flourishing Sunday-school, containing above a hundred scholars, 
 in which the catechism of the church to which they belong is 
 made an object of attention and instruction on one Sabbath in 
 each month. But in schools unconnected with the pastoral 
 charge of any minister — of which there are many — the super- 
 intendents and teachers must of course pursue that mode of re- 
 ligious instruction which to them appears best: and as long as 
 all the books of instruction used in Sunday-schools are pub- 
 lished, and may be examined by all who feel an interest in this 
 subject, there can be no danger that error will be circulated by 
 means of this institution. 
 
 3. Another important subject connected with this institution^ 
 is the publication and circulation of books. As much has been 
 said of late respecting the character of the books issued from 
 the Depository of the American S. S. Union, I will take the liberty 
 of expressing my opinion of the manner in which this depart- 
 ment of the business should be conducted. 
 
 Although the preparation of books was not originally contem- 
 plated as a part of the Sunday-school system; yet, in the pro- 
 gress of the enterprize, it has grown up to an importance which 
 is fully equal to that of any other department. Indeed, when 
 we reflect upon the recent origin of this Institution, and upon 
 the smallness and obscurity of its commencement, we cannot 
 but be astonished at the extent of its operations in the circula- 
 tion of books. If we except the book establishment of the Me- 
 thodist Episcopal Church, I believe, there is no other society in 
 this country which supplies so large a portion of the population 
 with its reading. And, certainly, they who select and distribute 
 the books which are perused and studied by the people, and 
 especially by the young, will have a greater influence in form- 
 ing the character of the nation than any other persons, let them 
 use what other means they may. 
 
 The plan of- connecting libraries'with each school, and esta- 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 blishing depositories in convenient situations, is characterized 
 by wisdom. It has long been a desideratum to have congrega- 
 tional libraries for the use of the people; and, frequently, attempts 
 have been made to establish them; but with very little success. 
 The people have not taken a lively interest in these institutions, 
 and where they exist, do not, generally, make much use of the 
 books. The reason of this seems to be, that the authors selected 
 for such libraries, though valuable, are not suited to the taste, 
 nor level to the capacity of common people. Few have leisure 
 or inclination to go through ponderous volumes, or to peruse 
 books of deep reasoning, and replete with learning. The ex- 
 periment made by the American Sunday-School Union, evinces^ 
 that small books, written in a lively style, and rendered interest- 
 ing by pleasant narratives, are the kind of reading which is 
 adapted to the taste of a large part of our adult as well as youth- 
 ful population. For, although the libraries are intended par- 
 ticularly for the use of the children, yet it is found, that when 
 the books are*brought into the families to which the scholars be- 
 long, they are read with avidity by persons of all ages. By this 
 means, the books published and distributed into every nook and 
 corner of the United States, by the A merican Sunday-School 
 Union, are producing a great effect on a vast multitude of peo- 
 ple. The management of this business has been committed, by 
 the Board of Managers, into the hands of a publishing commit- 
 tee, who have, without the least prospect of personal emolu- 
 ment, devoted to it their time and attention, with an untiring 
 assiduity, which demands the gratitude of all who are friendly 
 to the universal diffusion of knowledge. The caution exercised 
 by this committee will be manifest, when it is understood that 
 no work is sent to the press to which any of the committee ob- 
 jects. The demand for books, however, has increased so rapidly, 
 and the call for variety, as well as numbers, has been so urgent 
 and incessant, that it may not have been practicable for the pub- 
 lishing committee, in every instance, to furnish the most suita- 
 ble works. They have done^, perhaps, the best that could be 
 done in their circumstances; and while they have merited our 
 warmest commendation for their disinterested labours, there 
 seems to be no just ground for censure, because they have not 
 
19 
 
 done what it was impossible to do. I think it necessary to en- 
 ter thus far into a vindication of the publishing committee, since 
 much has been said respecting the character of the books pub- 
 lished, under their inspection; and complaints are still abroad on 
 this subject. But while I would cheerfully award unqualified 
 commendation to this respectable committee, I do not mean to 
 say, that they have fallen into no mistakes, in managing this mo- 
 mentous concern. But it should be kept in mind, by those in- 
 clined to find fault, that this responsible business has devolved 
 upon them unsought and unexpected. Indeed, there is something 
 wonderful in the rapid increase of every thing connected with 
 this Institution. The persons who now have the management 
 of this great concern, began their labours in obscurity, neither 
 desiring nor seeking the notice of the world; but God has abun- 
 dantly prospered their humble and disinterested efforts; so that 
 now they find themselves, without having aspired to it, placed 
 at the head of one of the most useful institutions in the world. 
 They feel their responsibility to be great beyond expression, 
 and are deeply sensible, I trust, of their need of wisdom from 
 on high; and, at the same time, will be thankful for any sug- 
 gestions which the friends of the cause are disposed to make to 
 aid them in their arduous work. I am not apprehensive, there- 
 fore, of giving any offence to the Board, or their committee by 
 the freedom of my remarks. 
 
 The principal objection in regard to the books issued from 
 the Depository is, that, too generally, they were of a light and 
 fictitious character. Now, I am not sufficiently conversant with 
 all the publications of the Union to judge correctly on this sub- 
 ject, but I am inclined to believe, that there has existed a mis- 
 take on this point. Too many fictitious stories, and some of 
 them containing few lessons of moral or religious instruction, 
 have been put into circulation. The tendency of this is to 
 vitiate the taste of the rising generation, so that while they are 
 greedy after fiction, they will have no appetite for solid, instruc- 
 tive reading. And, I believe, the committee themselves have 
 for some time been turning their attention to works of more 
 substantial value. 
 
 But, it is evident that no course which can be pursued in thii 
 
20 
 
 business, will unite the suffrages of all good people; for some 
 object to all fictitious writings as having in the main a bad ten- 
 dency, and as incompatible with the simplicity and sincerity of 
 the Christian religion. It seems necessary, therefore, to say a 
 few words on this subject; — but it would require a volume ta 
 discuss it fully. 
 
 I would, then, observe, that we cannot proscribe all writings 
 in which fictitious personages are introduced, without passing a 
 sentence of condemnation on various parts of Sacred Scripture, 
 and particularly on the parables of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 These must fall under the denomination of fictitious discourses; 
 or discourses in which unreal personages are introduced, and re- 
 presented as speaking and acting, that by this means important 
 truth might be conveyed to the minds of men, in such a manner 
 as to be understood, to obviate prejudice and to create interest. 
 The Song of Solomon, also, a canonical book of Scripture, is 
 from the beginning to the end a spiritual allegory. This method 
 of instruction seems also to be dictated by nature; for fables or 
 apologues and allegories, are in use among all nations; and the 
 severest moralists have never supposed that there was any thing 
 inconsistent with the strictest regard to truth in the introduction 
 of fictitious personages: for where there is no purpose to deceive, 
 and where no one is deceived, there can be no violation of truth 
 and sincerity. Words are but the signs of our ideas, and it mat- 
 ters not what language we use, if it fairly conveys our true 
 meaning to others. When a man employs words ironically, the 
 literal sense is absolutely false if the irony be just; and yet the 
 meaning of the person is as clear, and more forcible, than if the 
 truth were simply uttered. 
 
 Again, — a fictitious narrative, used as a vehicle for important 
 moral instruction, bears a strong analogy to the use of general 
 terms in common speech. We know, that all things in existence 
 are particular or individual things; but finding a great many in- 
 dividuals which bear a striking: resemblance to each other, we 
 give a common name to the whole. In like manner, there are 
 many individual persons of similar character; there are many 
 courses of conduct, which, with their causes and attendant cir- 
 cumstances, are of usual occurrence; and it is important to col- 
 
21 
 
 lect these features of human life, and so embody them, that they 
 may be useful to those who are yet without experience. Now, 
 this may be done in several ways, as by general maxims or 
 aphorisms; by narratives of real facts; or connecting those com- 
 mon matters of observation and experience with fictitious per- 
 sonages, which, as it leaves the moral instructer at liberty in the 
 selection of circumstances, possesses some advantages over the 
 simple narrative of facts in the order, and with the circumstances, 
 in which they occur. When, however, the picture of human 
 manners or character is fairly taken from nature, it is, what may 
 with propriety be called, general history; it is a representation 
 of what often actually happens, without the peculiar circum- 
 stances of any single case; and the difference between a judi- 
 ciously constructed fictitious narrative, intended to convey mo- 
 ral instruction, and real history, is no greater than between the 
 
 f '• 'u^e of a proper name and a common appellative, when we speak 
 of any individual. In this way much might be taught, which, in 
 common, is learned by painful experience. And this mode of in- 
 struction being capable of being rendered highly interesting to 
 the young especially, ought not to be relinquished, or given up 
 to those who will employ it for the mere indulgence of fancy 
 and feeling, and frequentl)'^ to the real injury of the reader. It 
 is impossible to suppress all fictitious writings, or to restrain 
 young people from reading them; is it not then the dictate of 
 wisdom to provide them with such as are not only innocent but 
 
 ■^ instructive? Is not this the most probable method of weaning 
 'our young people from the fondness for novel-reading? the ef- 
 fects of which are sometimes so fatal, and most commonly in- 
 jurious. But, I am aware, that the land of fiction is a dangerous 
 ground to travel over. There is no species of writing so liable 
 to abuse; and none so difficult to execute with judgment. The 
 
 ^^.imagination, when indulged, is prone to extravagance; and is as 
 liable to become wild on religious subjects, as any others. A 
 vivid fancy is often without the guidance of sound judgment 
 
 > .. and correct taste; and when a writer begins to feel a deep in- 
 terest in the personages of his own imagination, the great end 
 of writing is apt to be forgotten, and the narrative be so woven, 
 as to create interest and afford pleasure, rather than to convey 
 
22 
 
 moral instruction. It should also be remembered, that fictitious 
 writuigs should never be permitted to form the principal read- 
 ing of the young; and they should be prepared with much judg- 
 ment and care, and used with great caution. A judicious parent 
 will not refuse to indulge his child, occasionally and moderately, 
 with wholesome sweetmeats, creams, and comfits; but who 
 would think it wise to feed him with nothing else? Just so, 
 writings of this description may be useful to interest young 
 people, and to form a taste for books in those in whom it does 
 not naturally exist, and to convey moral instruction in a grateful 
 vehicle; but the books commonly used, should be of a more 
 solid and didactic kind. 
 
 Upon the whole, then, I would give it as my opinion, that 
 while fictitious works should not be altogether proscribed, they 
 should not form a large proportion of the books issued from the 
 Depository; and that in the selection of those to be put into 
 the hands of children, the utmost caution should be used. It 
 would be a real loss to the rising generation, to call in all the de- 
 lightful and instructive little stories of Mrs. Sherwood and Miss 
 Edgeworth. Who would object to the " Shepherd of Salisbury 
 Plain," or other stories of Miss Hannah More, in the "Cheap 
 Repository," because they are not real histories? For a long 
 time it was commonly supposed, that that tract of unrivalled 
 excellence, "The Dairyman's Daughter," was a fictitious story; 
 and now, when it is known, from the best authority, that it con- 
 tains a history of real facts, its effect is probably no greater than 
 before; although it affords us much pleasure to be assured, that 
 the persons in whom we have taken so lively an interest, did 
 actually exist. One thing, in my opinion, ought faithfully to be 
 done by authors: they should inform their readers whether the 
 personages and occurrences of their narratives, are real, or ficti- 
 tious; for whatever be said of the lawfulness of fictitious wri- 
 ting, it never can be consistent with truth, to palm on the public 
 a tale of the Imagination for historic truth. 
 
 It may occur to some, that there does not exist sufficient se- 
 curity, that the books selected for publication will uniformly be 
 of the proper character. It may be alleged, that the committee 
 of publication, consisting of gentlemen engaged in secular busi- 
 
23 
 
 ness, who can only devote their leisure hours to the examina 
 tion of books, there is reason to apprehend, that an injudicious 
 selection will often be made. And, moreover, it may be thought, 
 that as clergymen, as a class, are better acquainted with reli- 
 gious books, and better judges of their adaptation to be useful 
 to the rising generation, than any other description of men, 
 that it would be wise to submit all contemplated works to them 
 for their opinion and advice, before publication. To which I 
 would reply, that several of this committee are men of liberal 
 education, and are so situated as to have it in their power to de- 
 vote much of their time to this interesting work. Moreover, 
 they have constantly, the aid and advice of the Corresponding 
 Secretary of the Society, and of the Editor of the Magazine, 
 who are not only pious, but literary men, whose whole time is 
 devoted to the interests of the Union. But still, I am pleased 
 to find that the public mind is awake to the importance of this 
 subject, because it is evident, that the same power of multiply- 
 ing and distributing books which is calculated, under a wise 
 direction, to be the means of so much good, is equally capable, 
 under a different guidance, to become an engine of incalculable 
 evil. It gives me pleasure, therefore, to have it in my power to 
 state, that the committee are so deeply sensible of the high re- 
 sponsibility of their office, and of their own liableness to error, 
 that they have been in the habit of subjecting those works, con- 
 cerning which there could be any doubt, to the judgment of 
 men in whose opinion the religious public repose the greatest 
 confidence. And it is still their wish and purpose, as far as pos- 
 sible, to avail themselves of the suggestions and counsels of such 
 men, both of the clergy and laity; so as to secure, as far as 
 human frailty will permit, the selection of those books for pub- 
 lication, which will be best adapted to promote the edification 
 of all who read them. 
 
 I will now proceed freely to inquire, whether the system of 
 instruction in Sunday-schools admits of any improvement or 
 enlargement. And here, before I go farther, I would remark, 
 that my observations on this subject must be considered theo- 
 retical, rather than practical : but the benefit of theory is, that it 
 often suggests what, in practice, is found to be easiest and best. 
 
24 
 
 Again, I would observe, that it is not contemplated as practica-' 
 ble that the whole system which I am about to delineate should 
 be every where introduced; or that it should be carried into 
 complete effect, any where, immediately. Improvements in such 
 institutions require time and experience; and I doubt not, that, 
 in some resgects, better plans and arrangements than those here 
 specified will be discovered. My object will be accomplished 
 if improvements be commenced; and in some measure answer- 
 ed, if I can succeed in turning the public attention to the sub- 
 
 It appears to me, then, that the system of Sunday-school in*!? ' 
 struction might be greatly enlarged, both as it relates to the 
 pupils received under their tuition, and as it relates to the sub- 
 jects of instruction. In regard to the former, my plan would"l"i. 
 be so large as to include all persons who need instruction, from 
 the infant of two years, up to the man of a hundred years of 
 age. Infant schools are now in a rapid progress of being esta- , ^r 
 blished, and they are filling the minds of the Christian and phi-^A 
 lanthropist with pleasure and surprise. And there is no reason 
 why there should not be Sabbath-schools for infants as well as 
 for children of greater age. In giving instruction, age should 
 make no distinction. Infant schools should therefore be a re- 
 gular part of the Sunday-school system. It is true, they are 
 kept through the week; and so are other schools; but their*^) 
 teachers, during the week, may give them no religious instruc- 
 tion. If the American Union does not gather these tender lit- 
 tle ones under her fostering wing, they may fall into the clutches 
 of those who will seek to devour them; their infant minds may** d 
 be made to imbibe the poison of error, instead of the sincere 
 milk of the word. 
 
 Again, — the Sunday-school system ought to embrace all those 
 youth who are included in Bible classes. There never can be 
 any definite line of distinction drawn between the appropriate 
 studies of Sunday-schools and Bible classes. In practice, all dis- 
 tinction is already confounded; and why should the instructions 
 of Sunday-schools stop at a particular point? Why not instruct 
 the pupils as long as they are willing to remain? The objections 
 that might be conceived to this amalgamation will, 1 trust, be 
 
25 
 
 ©bviated by the plan which will be submitted immediately for 
 consideration. 
 
 But I would not confine the instruction of Sunday-schools 
 to youth; I would have it extended to all who are willing to be 
 taught. The fact is, that multitudes of adults need instruction 
 as much as the youth; and many would be delighted to have 
 the opportunity of learning. Pride and false modesty would 
 prevent some from coming forward, lest their ignorance should 
 become manifest; but I would spread a mantle over their weak- 
 ness, and devise a method of instruction which would require 
 from adults nothing else but to hear, with the privilege of ask- 
 ing questions as often as they might be disposed to do so. 
 
 Having developed my plan for the enlargement of the sys- 
 tem, as respects the pupils, I will add, that the execution would 
 require a correspondent enlargement in regard to teachers. It 
 would require that the pastor and his coadjutors, by whatever 
 name called, should all become active teachers in these institu- 
 tions. My idea is, that the whole church should form one great 
 Sabbath-school, and that all the people should be disciples or 
 teachers; or sometimes the one and sometimes the other, ac- 
 cording to circumstances. Knowledge, .like wealth, is not ac- 
 quired merely for ourselves; it should be like the light of a 
 candle, for the benefit of all in the house. Every man and wo- 
 man is under sacred obligations to teach those more ignorant 
 than themselves. There is no good reason why the instruction 
 of Sunday-schools should be confined to a few young people, 
 as is commonly the case. Let the aged fathers and mothers, 
 who have been learning for more than half a century, impart 
 of the rich stores of their experience to the young. Let the 
 learned, if there be such in the parish, not disdain to instruct 
 in the higher branches of liberal knowledge; and, especially, 
 let the pastor consider the Sabbath-school as one principal field 
 of his labours. Here the whole work of catechising, and of 
 instructing Bible classes, may be advantageously performed. 
 Here he may preach to the young, far more effectually than 
 from the pulpit. 
 
 But it is time that I should developc the proposed plan, as it 
 respects the enlargement of the studies pursued in these schools. 
 
26 
 
 This has already been hinted at in speaking of Bible classes; but 
 I will now enter more into detail. After mature deliberation, 
 I am of opinion, that all the pupils who can ever be taught in 
 Sunday-schools, might be conveniently arranged into six dif- 
 ferent classes; and supposing a child to enter the first or lowest 
 class, and to go through the whole system, he would rise, by re- 
 gular gradations, through the whole of the six classes in succes- 
 sion. 
 
 The first class would include infants and others, who were 
 learning to spell and read. 
 
 The second class, such children as were able to read, but not 
 sufficiently advanced in age and intellect, to study the lessons 
 contained in the prepared books of questions. These children 
 should be furnished with a simple, historical catechism, contain- 
 ing questions and answers; and also plain moral precepts, with 
 a reference to the retributions of eternity. . 
 
 The third class should embrace all children and others who 
 are capable of learning the select lessons: in short, most of 
 those who now attend Sabbath-schools. 
 
 The fourth class should comprehend all those who have gone 
 over the selected lessons which relate principally to historical 
 passages; and they should be/urnished with a similar book of 
 selected lessons relating to the doctrines and moral precepts of 
 the Bible. Their answers to these doctrinal questions ought to 
 be in the words of Scripture. After which, they should learn 
 the catechism of the church to which they belong, with such 
 explanatory lectures, or exposition, as might be provided. 
 
 The fifth class would consist of such young persons as are 
 commonly included in Bible classes, who would be instructed 
 in the emblems, figures, parables, types, and most remarkable 
 prophecies of Scripture. This would include Biblical antiqui- 
 ties, and many other interesting matters which do not fall under 
 that denomination; especially a short system of sacred geogra- 
 phy, and a concise and perspicuous view of the collateral his- 
 tory of the Bible: by which I mean, such historical facts as are 
 referred to in the Scriptures, or may serve to elucidate the sa- 
 cred history. 
 
 The sixth class should be instructed carefully in the evidence* 
 of divine revelation, external and internal ; in the nature and 
 
27 
 
 proof of divine inspiration; and in the history and canonical 
 authority of all the books contained in the Old and New Testa- 
 ments; together with the reasons for rejecting apocryphal books 
 of every description. 
 
 The obvious objection to this system is, that it is too much 
 extended: but is there any one thing included in it which every 
 intelligent Christian ought not to know? Is there any part of 
 this system, which, in a regular course of Christian instruction, 
 can be dispensed with? And if we cannot communicate as much 
 religious instruction as is desirable, that need not hinder us from 
 forming a complete system, and from carrying it into effect as 
 far as we can. It cannot, indeed, be expected that all, or even 
 a majority of scholars, will go through the whole course; but 
 some will be found willing to do so; and as the value of Bibli- 
 cal knowledge comes to be more highly appreciated, the num- 
 ber of thorough, persevering scholars will increase every year. 
 
 Another objection to a plan of instruction so extended is, that 
 competent teachers cannot be obtained to communicate instruc- 
 tion on all the points mentioned. The answer to this objection 
 has already been given in part, when we spoke of the part 
 which it was expected the pastor and other well informed per- 
 sons in the parish would takfe, in the instruction of Sunday- 
 schools. To which I will now add, that with a proper apparatus 
 of suitable books, on the subjects mentioned, some of which are 
 now in readiness, and others are in a course of being prepared 
 by the American Sunday-School Union, there will be found no 
 great difficulty in carrying the plan Into full accomplishment. 
 
 Moreover, if we create a demand for teachers of higher at- 
 tainments than are now needed, many of those already in office 
 will take much pains to prepare themselves for this work; and 
 thus the extension of the plan of instruction will have a most 
 favourable effect on tlie Improvement of many young persons 
 of both sexes, wlio are now devoted to this employment. 
 
 Besides, it would be one advantage of this plan, that those 
 teachers who should instruct the three lower classes, might be 
 scholars in the tlirec higher, if such an arrangement should be 
 made as would allow of the lower classes reciting in the morn- 
 ing, and the higher in the afternoon or evening. 
 
 If, for examplp, in villages and the country, the Sabbath- 
 
28 
 
 schools should meet at 9 o'clock in the morning, at which time 
 the three younger classes would be instructed, and at which the 
 attendance of the pastor ought not to be expected. Supposing^ 
 then, tlie publip service to commence, as is usual, at 11 o'clocky 
 the children might all attend in the church, under the inspec- 
 tion of their teachers; but let the afternoon be devoted entirely 
 to the instruction of the higher classes and of adults, at which 
 time let the pastor and his assistants attend, and aid in the 
 instruction of the school. And it may here be remarked, that 
 however numerous the schools may be for younger children in 
 the morning, it would generally be expedient that all the teachers 
 and advanced scholars should meet together in the church, or 
 some other central place, in the afternoon y because this descrip- 
 tion of learners will be less numerous than the younger, and 
 the minister cannot instruct in more places than one. This 
 arrangement would, it is true, exclude the afternoon sermon 
 where such a service is usual; but it would furnish a substitute 
 far more effectual for the instruction of the people. In cities 
 and large towns this plan may not be considered expedient, 
 or where the people have always been accustomed to a regular 
 afternoon service in the church; but if once the instruction of 
 adults as well as children was made a part of the exercise of 
 Sunday-schools, it would be found, on trial, to be far more bene- 
 ficial to all concerned to attend these, than to hear an additional 
 sermon; and especially as the usual service of prayer and praise 
 might be as solemnly performed in the Sabbath-school as in the 
 church. And on all these occasions there ought to be some 
 kind of lecture delivered by the pastor. But in regard to the 
 particular arrangement, every congregation could determine it 
 best for themselves. All that I mean by the above observations 
 is, to show that the plan proposed may, without any great in- 
 convenience, be reduced to practice, as in cities and large towns 
 the evening might be occupied with the exercises of the Sab- 
 bath-schocls, if that was preferred to the afternoon. 
 
 In regard to the instruction of adults, several methods might 
 be proposed, which would render the service both pleasant and 
 profitable. They might meet, on some convenient time in the 
 week, in little knots, or on Sabbath morning, and converse 
 freely on the subject of the lesson prescribed, whatever it might 
 
29 
 
 be; and in the time of the regular meeting of the Sabbath-school, 
 such as were willing might be questioned by some elderly per- 
 son, or by the pastor, and the others might be permitted to hear 
 and to learn. Having studied the lesson, they would be nearly 
 as much instructed by the examination of others as by their 
 own; a plan of this sort is now in operation in a very large 
 and respectable congregation in New-Jersey. But should none 
 of adult age consent to be publicly catechised, it need create no 
 discouragement; for the jjastor, or other teacher, might pro- 
 pound the questions and answer them himself, allowing all 
 persons freely to make any inquiry, or ask for any explanation. 
 It is scarcely conceivable what a spring this practice would im- 
 part to the minds of the people, which are commonly left to 
 stagnate; and as it would undoubtedly increase their knowledge, 
 so it would add much to their happiness, by leading them to 
 shake off that inertness which is so unfavourable to real enjoy- 
 ment. It is not necessary, however, to establish any uniform 
 method for the instruction of adults; what would be well suited 
 to one people, would not be adapted to another: a judicious pas- 
 tor would be able to regulate this matter in his own flock. Let 
 the experiment be fairly made, and if it do not result in much 
 good, I shall confess myself disappointed. 
 
 6. The only other subject on which I wish to make any re- 
 marks, is that of agents and auxiliaries. To carry into full effect 
 the plans of the American Sunday-school Union, many prudent, 
 industrious, and persevering agents, will be requisite. It has 
 hitherto been common to look to the profession of the ministry 
 alone for agents; but experience teaches, that they cannot be 
 supplied in sufficient numbers from that quarter; and consider- 
 ing the want and importunate demand for preachers in the des- 
 titute regions of our country, they ought not, except in extra- 
 ordinary cases, to relinquish the appropriate duties of their 
 office to become agents for this or any other society. Here the 
 question meets us, whether pious, active, and judicious laymen 
 would not answer for Sunday-school agents as well, and in some 
 respects better, than clergymen? Of this, I have myself no 
 doubt. But, can they be obtained? Why not? There are scores 
 of young men in our principal cities who have been long expe- 
 rienced in conducting Sunday-schools, and who take a deep in- 
 
30 
 
 terest in their furtherance and prosperity. Undoubtedly some 
 of these zealous men will cheerfully offer their services as soon 
 as the door shall be opened for their employment. I know, 
 indeed, that on their part it would require a sacrifice of worldly 
 prospects for the sake of Christ and his cause: but, I ask, are 
 they unwilling to make this sacrifice? I should be grieved to 
 think, that that was the fact. Why should it be required of 
 ministers alone to exercise self-denial, and make sacrifices for 
 the promotion of the Redeemer's lyngdom? Did Christ give 
 one set of terms to ministers and another to private Christians? 
 Or rather did he not require of every disciple the same disposi- 
 tion to deny himself and to renounce the world, by taking up 
 his cross and following him? It cannot reasonably be supposed, 
 that the employment of pious laymen on agencies will in any 
 way infringe on the sacred office of the ministry. He will have 
 nothing to do with the peculiar duties of a preacher. He must 
 often, indeed, give public statements to the people, and it may 
 often be convenient to use the pulpit for this purpose; but an 
 exhibition of the views and plans of the American Union will 
 no more interfere with the duties of those ordained to the sa- 
 cred office, than speaking at the bar, or in the senate. And as 
 there does exist a jealousy among the several denominations, or 
 at least among some who belong to them, respectively, it might 
 have some tendency to obviate the difficulty which has been felt 
 on this point, if well qualified laymen should be commissioned 
 as agents. 
 
 In regard to auxiliaries, it seems to me, that at present the 
 organization of the Union is very incomplete. Their con- 
 nexion with the parent, or central society is by far too loose and 
 undefined, to enable the whole body to exert that energy which 
 she would be capable with a more perfect organization. One 
 thing is clear, that all the agents of the auxiliaries ought to be 
 appointed by the Board of the American Union, and should be 
 amenable to this body. Unless it is intended to carry on the 
 operations of Sunday-schools by societies perfectly independent 
 of each other, something ought to be done speedily to draw the 
 bands of connexion closer, to enable the General Union to aid 
 more effectively the exertions of the auxiliaries; and to render 
 the auxiliaries in fact, what they are in name, aids to the parent 
 
31 
 
 society in her arduous and extended operations. But while local 
 societies appoint agents to traverse large portions of country, 
 and carry on their measures without consulting or even inform- 
 ing the American Union of their plans and operations, it is just 
 the same as if there existed no connexion whatever. As far as 
 I can learn, there is not even any systematized plan of increas- 
 ing the funds of the general society by the numerous auxilia- 
 ries. It would require more wisdom and more time than the 
 writer can command, to devise an effective plan of union and co- 
 operation between the general society and its auxiliaries. All 
 I intended was, to bring the subject before the public; and I do 
 solemnly hope, that it will engage the earnest attention of the 
 General Union, and of all the local Unions in the land. 
 
 And now I would appeal to the pious and benevolent of all 
 denominations, to say whether this Institution, so extensive in 
 its operations, so multiplied in its ramifications, and so beneficial 
 to all classes of society in its results, shall be cramped or re- 
 tarded in its career of usefulness for want of adequate pecuniary 
 aid? Seldom, since its earliest existence, has the American Sun- 
 day-School Union made any appeal to the public for.this species 
 of aid: the operations of this society have been, not to draw 
 any thing from the people, but to confer benefits upon them; 
 and still it contemplates no other system; for while tens of 
 thousands are, every week, deriving rich blessings from the In- 
 stitution, those persons engaged in managing it give the strong- 
 est possible evidence of disinterestedness; — personal emolument, 
 or advantage they neither expect nor are willing to receive. 
 Now, it is evident that the principal burden of sustaining an in- 
 stitution in which the whole community have so deep an in- 
 terest, ought not to devolve upon a few persons: but, hitherto, 
 this has been very much the case. When it is considered how 
 small a sum from every Sunday-school, or even from every aux- 
 iliary, regularly forwarded, annually, to the parent society, would 
 enable them not only to carry on, but greatly to enlarge their 
 operations, especially in the publishing department, I cannot 
 persuade myself that there will be found any reluctance in the 
 public to contribute the funds requisite for the energetic and ex- 
 tensive operation of this powerful engine for doing good. There 
 can be no doubt, that the American Sunday-School Union is 
 
32 
 
 highly in favour with all the friends of religion and sound mo- 
 rality in our country. Perhaps no other institution has so uni- 
 - versally conciliated the affections of the people. It is with con- 
 fidence, therefore, that I make this appeal to the public, to render 
 promptly and liberally all the pecuniary aid which is needed. 
 No permanent funds are contemplated by the society. What- 
 ever sums may be received will be immediately applied to the 
 important purposes of sustaining and enlarging the system of 
 Sunday-schools. That I am not mistaken in supposing that the 
 society needs pecuniary aid, is evident from the fact revealed at 
 the last Anniversary by the worthy President of the American 
 Sunday-School Union, that the Treasurer of the Institution was 
 ^17,000 in advance for the Union. It is true, indeed, that the 
 sums due to the Institution are considerably more than what 
 they owe, but these are widely scattered, and the collection of 
 them very slow. For their valuable building, the Union is in- 
 debted almost entirely to the liberality of a few devoted friends 
 in the city of Philadelphia: but a large part of the purchase 
 money of this property is still due. From this brief statement 
 of facts, it will be evident to all the friends of Sunday-schools 
 in our country, that the time has arrived when it has become an 
 imperious duty for the Christian public to step forward and re- 
 lieve the Board from their pressing embarrassments, and to take 
 effectual measures to prevent the recurrence of the same in 
 future. 
 
 In conclusion, I have only to say, that the more I reflect on 
 the power and salutary influence of the Sunday-school system, 
 the more am I convinced, that it has been raised up by a benig- 
 nant Providence to be one of the most effective engines in over- 
 throwing the kingdom of Satan, and promoting a general refor- 
 mation in society, especially in that class of people who have 
 evaded the influence of other means of improvjement. If what 
 1 have written may conti-ibute in some small degree to the fur- 
 therance of this good cause, I shall think that my time was well 
 employed, and that I have received a rich remuneration for my 
 labour. 
 
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