estimate of the Sunday-school system of the Principality by personal observation and inquiry. Welsh Sabbath-schools had their origin in the great religious movement in that country, which took place about the middle of the last century; and, as they derived their existence from it, they, in turn, gave support and permanence to it. From the first they have been essentially Church-schools, consisting of the different congregations, which meet on Sundays, not only for worship, but for the instruction of the young, and for a systematic study of religious truth. Perhaps in no country have these institutions yielded so large a per-centage of Churchmembers. Our own Sunday-schools, in the two Welsh-speaking Districts, contained 22,012 scholars, 8,238 of whom are members of Society, or thirty-seven per If the same procent. of the whole. portion of such scholars were universal in our schools, we should report upwards of 200,000 members of the Church, or six times the present number, among our Sunday-scholars.

The school-work is performed under some disadvantages. Separate schoolbuildings, so essential to appropriate organization, are the exception to the rule in Wales. Our schools are generally assembled in the chapels, and sometimes Occupy the gallery as well as fill the area. The use of chapels for school-houses has a tendency to weaken the sense of reverence for sacred places, though it may suggest attendance for worship at the same chapel to which the scholars go as a school. It also prevents the judicious division of the schools into departments. The want of school-rooms is felt by our school-superintendents, and some efforts have been made to supply it. At Denbigh there is one separate room, which, if not sufficient for the school, is found very useful in dealing with the infants. At Abergele there are three such rooms for the juniorclasses; and it is hoped that a schoolbuilding, distinct from the chapel, will ultimately be secured. At Bagillt there are three, available for classes in the Sunday-school, and for the Society on the week-days. At Bangor the erection and presentation of a complete establishment

-Chapel, Day-school, and Minister'shouse to the Connexion, by Mr. Evans, have made provision for the classification of St. Paul's Sunday-school on the most approved principle, in infant, juvenile, and upper-divisions. That school is classified on the English model; still, the Horeb-school, which is arranged in the old Welsh fashion, with men, women, and children together, is quite as popular as its young rival.

The absence of separate rooms, whether

for schools or classes, necessitates the training of even the youngest children with other and older scholars. They begin with the simplest rudiments,-the alphabetic tablets, spelling, and First LessonBooks being in use. Now, as at the first, with many the Sunday-school is the only school they ever attend; and they acquire the art of reading their mother-tongue through its instrumentality. When Charles of Bala began his benevolent work of Sabbath-school instruction there was scarcely one Welshman in ten who could read in any language; but now there is not one Welshman in a hundred, above ten years of age, who is not able to read at least in Welsh. An officer in one of the schools said to me, "This is our national college, Sir;' and expressed his regret that Englishmen generally do not appreciate the value of the lessons learnt in it in a literary view. Perhaps this circumstance leads the common people to regard the Sunday-school as simply an educational institute. Still, from whatever motive the children are sent, they come under a Christian influence in the school, which often results in conversion. I had evidence of the religious aim with which the better teachers convey the knowledge of reading. The Bible, too, soon takes the place of the Easy Lesson-Book, and thenceforth becomes "the one Book" of the school. Then the education of the memory is a speciality of the Welsh Sunday-school. The little ones are accustomed to commit to memory texts of Scripture, verses of hymns, answers to our Catechisms, and portions of good books; and these seeds of truth frequently take root, spring up, and yield, in due season, the fruits of good living. Repetition of Catechism, &c., forms a constant part of the school-exercises, and the amount of it is announced at the close of school. In the Abergele Sunday-school, 1,207 chapters, and 5,075 verses, with several chapters of Catechism, were reThe peated in this manner last year. children are met on one or two evenings of the week, and questioned on the text of the previous Sabbath; and are addressed upon it, the service being interspersed with singing, recitation of Psalms, chapters, &c. These children's-meetings have made impressions on multitudes of the young that have never worn out in afterlife, and form an important means of pastoral oversight of the young.

The most remarkable characteristic of the Welsh Sunday-schools is the attendance of adults as well as children and young people. This had its rise in the historical development of these schools in the Principality. The founders of them, when they gathered the young for Christian instruction, accepted all who came;

and persons of all ages, and both sexes, flocked to them, and so it has grown into a habit for persons to attend the schools even to advanced age. We have a goodly sprinkling of old scholars in our Sunday-school at Carnarvon; and in the Calvinistic Methodist school I noticed seven venerable women in one class, conning over the Sacred Page, and tracing the lines in their well-thumbed Bibles, to spell out its glorious truths; at Bagillt the gallery of our chapel was occupied by young men and women, old men and matrons. The habit of adult attendance prevents the general loss of scholars on their approach to mature life, which is too much the case in England. I did, however, hear regret that in some schools difficulty was felt in keeping young men from eighteen to twenty-five. This was attributed to the want of more intelligent teachers, and regular inquiry into the causes of absence, and vigorous effort to bring back absentees. Indeed, in Wales, as elsewhere, the visitation of absentees is too much left to official visiters, and too little attended to by the teachers themselves, who are the natural visiters of their own scholars, and most likely to reclaim wanderers to their duty. A vigorous system of registration would facilitate this most needful work. In some Welsh Sunday-schools, no class-registers are kept, but the names are entered upon a common roll-book, and the numbers present are ascertained by the Secretaries going from class to class, and announced, with the texts repeated, before the dismissal of the school. In the Conway and Abergele schools, both class and general registers are used; but in others there are neither. In such schools the adoption of the excellent Registers published by our English Book-Room would stimulate officers and teachers to seek and save the lost, and bind more closely the bond which unites the teachers and the taught; while a frequent comparison of the attendance of teachers and scholars would keep the subject continually under notice.

The senior scholars are wholly engaged in the study of the Word of God; which is sometimes gone through chapter by chapter. Great care, I am told, is taken with the reading, the spelling, punctuation, and pronunciation of the scholars. At one time a whole chapter is discussed; but at another, a paragraph, or even a verse, will occupy the time. After a chapter has been read, consecutively, it is slowly gone through a second time, questions as to its meaning being addressed by the teacher to the reader, or as frequently put by some member of the class to the others. When the views of the class have been elicited, the teacher sums

up the whole, and gives his own conclusions, with the reasons on which they are founded. Commentaries by Barnes, or Clarke, or Coke, or Scott and Henry are possessed by many of the scholars, who often sustain their opinions on the subject of inquiry by quotations from some of these authorities. About twenty minutes before the close of the school, the Superintendent reads a few verses of Scripture, and conducts a free examination of the whole. I heard this done at Carnarvon, when the resident Minister obligingly translated the answers given to me. They showed the accurate acquaintance of the pupils with the scope of the passage, one giving Dr. Clarke's note on vain repetitions" in prayer, from memory. The circulation of the Scriptures and inquiry into their meaning have gone on concurrently in Wales; the need of Welsh Bibles for Sunday-schools having given rise to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the first efforts of that noble institution having been put forth to supply Bibles for the Welsh schools. The union thus formed has been most usefully continued to the present day. "In Charles's time, to see a labouring man the possessor of a Bible, and able to read it, was a wonder; but now, to see a labouring man without a Bible, and unable to read it, is a greater wonder." Would that this were the case throughout the United Kingdom.

The teachers of the schools are earnest and godly, upwards of ninety per cent. being members of Society; which may account for so many scholars being also Churchmembers. The officers are changed, or re-elected, annually, and the teachers quarterly, or even monthly; and though some are rarely removed, and do not leave their classes for a series of years, others, and especially in the infant-classes, are frequently changed. This is often a necessity, from the tediousness of teaching the alphabet or spelling-book in trying circumstances, and many teachers will not endure it longer than a month. They are recruited from the ranks of the elder scholars, who, nevertheless, prefer remaining to learn, to teaching the little ones. It is, too, much to be wished that this class of scholars could be drafted from the rest, and taught collectively with object - lessons. Were this done, one teacher would keep in order as many as eight or ten can do on the present plan, instruction would be more pleasantly communicated, and teachers of experience would elect to stay with the infants for years from love of the work. The increase of Day-schools under trained teachers is rapidly going on in Wales, and must ultimately render elementary instruction in Sunday-schools unnecessary, leaving

these schools to pursue their high object, the Christian education of the young.

Dogmatic teaching is a distinguishing part of Welsh Sunday-school work. In addition to our own Catechisms, several others on Scripture doctrines, evidences, or history, by eminent Welsh Ministers, are in common use in the schools, while much of the instruction given assumes a catechetical form. More than this, the schools of a Circuit, or part of a Circuit, to the number of three or four, are occasionally assembled to recite Catechism, or to be orally examined on some Biblical subject which is previously announced; when much emulation is shown in giving quick and satisfactory answers to the questions of ministerial catechists. All this has a tendency to whet their appetite for theological knowledge, and to fami

liarise their minds with doctrinal and saving truths.

Our Welsh brethren have anticipated us in the preparation and publication of a duly authorised set of Rules for the regulation of Welsh Sunday - Schools. They are constitutional in principle, at the same time that they are liberal in spirit and substance; providing for a complete organization of the schools, and furnishing forms of statistical reports for the union of the schools of a Circuit. They have received the sanction of the North and South Wales District Meetings and been generally adopted; and, where not taken in their entirety, they serve as a model for school-authorities, and promote uniformity of practice in everything essential to efficiency.

Praying and Giving.

ONE of our friends keeps a family Missionary-box, and a little daughter of six summers was very desirous of putting in her pennies also with the rest. Come

time after, she was saying her eveningprayer at her father's knee when, to his surprise, she hesitated a moment, and then added, "Lord, bless my two pennies, for Jesu's sake. Amen."

66
"I'm God's Child."

A LITTLE boy, two years and a-half old, was one day asked, "Whose child are you?" "I'm God's child," said he.

I once knew of a little girl, not quite so old, who, if any one asked her who she was, would reply, "I'm Papa's 'ittle daughter; Mamma's 'ittle daughter, too Dod's 'ittle dirl; and Desus' 'ittle lamb."

Dear little ones, can you say, "I'm God's child?" "I'm Jesus's little lamb?" I hope you can, and that you may all be gathered into His fold when He comes.

MOSES INTERCEDING.

SUMMARY.-God threatens to withdraw His presence, and to send an angel before the people: this fills them with much distress. Moses seeks the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, the "cloudy pillar" descends, and the people worship. The Lord talks with Moses, who entreats Him not to forsake them.

I. THREAT OF DIVINE WITHDRAWAL. -V. 1-3. Depart, &c.,-a repetition of ch. xxxii. 34. Which Isware, &c.-Gen. xii. 7; xiii. 14-18. V. 2. An angel, -an ordinary angel, not the "Angel of the covenant" promised, ch. xxiii. 20-23. Will drive out, &c.-So God still intended to give them the land He had promised, ch. iii. 8. V. 3. Flowing with milk, &c.-Rich in flocks and bees, pasturage and flowers. I will not go.. lest, &c.-God says, in effect, "If I dwell in the midst of thee, My wrath will be the sooner kindled against thee for thy obstinacy and sin, and I shall quickly and surely smite thee to destruction." Stiffnecked. See Illustration.

II. MOURNING.-V. 4—6. Evil tidings, that God would withdraw His presence. Did put on, &c.-It is an Eastern custom, in time of mourning, to lay aside all ornaments and comfortable clothing, 2 Sam. xix. 24; Esther iv. i. 4. V. 5. Therefore now put off..that I may know, &c.-A command showing that God would respect their penitence and sorrow for the sin they had committed, and would not consume them. V. 6. "From Mount Horeb, onwards, they laid aside the ornaments they had hitherto worn, and assumed the outward appearance of perpetual penitence."

THE

Exodus xxxiii. 1-17.

them. Called it the Tabernacle,-because God revealed Himself here, and talked with Moses, as at the door of the tabernacle, afterwards. V. 8. Went out, -for those devotional exercises which had hitherto been observed within the camp. Rose up,-" in reverence to him, as their leader, whom they had lately despised." Looked after,--deeply anxious about the result of his interview with God. V. 9. The cloudy pillar, the symbol of the Divine presence. Talked with Moses,-not from a distance, nor through any medium, as of angels, but directly, face to face, &c., v. 11;-" mouth to mouth," Num. xii. 8. V. 10. And worshipped, feeling truly humbled, and desirous that Moses should succeed with God. V. 11. Turned again, &c.Probably to comfort the people with the hope of pardon and the restoration of the covenant. A young man,-not literally, for he was 66 near sixty years old; but called so, perhaps, because he was the servant of Moses. IV. MOSES PLEADING.-V. 12-17. V. 12, 13. The meaning is this: If I have found grace in Thy sight, and Thou hast recognised me as Thy servant, and called me to be the leader of this people, do not leave me in uncertainty as to Thine intentions concerning the people; nor as to the angel whom Thou wilt give as a guide to me and the nation: that I may know Thee," that is to say, that my finding grace in Thine eyes may become a reality and, if Thou wilt lead the people up to Canaan, consider that it is Thine own people, to whom Thou must acknowledge Thyself as their God." -Keil and Delitzsch. V. 14. presence, My face. Rest,-in the promised land, and especially peace to thee amid the difficulties of thy position. V. 15. Carry us not,-let us go no further. V. 16. See Reflection 4. Separated,-distinguished. V. 17.

66

2 B

My

This thing also,-will give this perpetual proof of My favour towards you.

And I know thee by name,having called thee to deliver My people, and execute all My will, Isai. xliii. 1.

REFLECTIONS.-1. Mercy ever mingles with the Divine threatenings.-In v. 5 there is an intimation that, upon their repentance, the Lord will show them mercy.

2. "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance."-The Israelites put off their ornaments in token of their inward grief; and with us, if there be no fruit or sign in the life, there is not much grief in the soul.

3. God must be sought unto, if we would find forgiveness with Him.Ezek. xxxvi. 37.

4. The manifest presence of God is the clearest proof that we have found favour with Him.

5. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," v. 14, 17; James v. 16-18.

QUESTIONS.-What did God tell Moses to do? What angel was to go with them? What did the people do? v. 4. What did God threaten? v. 5. Where did Moses pitch the tabernacle? why? What came down to the door of it? How did the Lord talk with Moses? For what did Moses plead? What did God reply? v. 14, 17.

For repetition,

SUMMARY.-St. Paul quotes from the Old Testament to show that both Jews and Gentiles are to be blest by Christ, and prays that they at Rome may be filled with "joy and peace." He declares that his peculiar mission is to the Gentiles, and that he has preached the Gospel where it had not been preached; that this is the reason why he has not been to Rome earlier, but now he promises to visit it after he has taken certain collections to Jerusalem for the relief of the poor saints there.

I. JEWS AND GENTILES ARE ΤΟ PRAISE GOD.-V. 8-14. Of the circumcision,-i. e., of the Jews to whom His personal ministry was mostly confined, Matt. xv. 24; Acts iii. 25, 26. For the-proof and establishment of the truth. To confirm,—by fulfilling the promises; i. e., the prophecies of the Old Testament. V. 9. And that the Gentiles, who were, in God's purpose, to share the blessings of salvation with the Jews. Glorify,-by giving thanks and praise. Written.-Ps. xviii. 49. Confess, acknowledge Thee. V. 10. Again. Deut. xxxii. 43. V. 11. And again. Ps. cxvii. 1. V. 12. And again.-Isai. xi. 1, 10. A root,-a descendant, springing up from a family sunk in obscurity, as a sprout springs

verses 18, 19.

m

root of a decayed tree,

up from the Isai. liii. 2. Jesse. The father of David. Over the Gentiles, as well as the Jews. V. 13. God of hope,-inspiring and sustaining blessed, heavenly hope in the souls of otherwise despairing men. What a glorious prayer this is! V. 14. Am persuaded,-have the fullest confidence, "not only by the reports of others, but by my own judgment." Of goodness,-of a disposition inclining you to charitableness. knowledge, as to the duties of religion. To admonish,-put in mind, counsel with kindness, and yet with effect.

All

II. PAUL THE MINISTER TO THE GENTILES.-V. 15-21. Nevertheless,― notwithstanding my confidence in you. In some sort,-a modest manner of speaking; he had not used the tone of authority he might have used: because.. I am (v. 16) the Minister.. to the Gentiles, so that, though a stranger to you personally, I have authority to speak boldly, Eph. iii. 7, 8. Ministering,sacredly, as the priest formerly did in the Temple. Offering up, (Margin, "sacrificing," presenting to God "as living sacrifices," ch. xii. 1. Sanctified, -made pure and holy; not by salt, oil, or frankincense, as under the law, but