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AN

ADDRESS,

DELIVERED

ON REQUEST OF THE MANAGERS,

ΤΟ

THE CHILDREN OF THE UNION SUNDAY SCHOOLS,

CONVENED IN THE CITY HOTEL ASSEMBLY ROOM,

ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY,

February, 1817.

BY JOHN STANFORD, A. M.

From the New-York Christian Herald.

EDUCATION is of great importance to the mind of man. Our mental powers are naturally enveloped in shades of ignorance, because we are born in sin. Education, like the rays of the sun, opens the bud of intellect, expands its flowers, to emit their fragrance for the benefit of mankind. For many years, this city has been eminent in acts of benevolence to the various classes of the indigent, and, especially, to the children of the poor. Many are the charity schools which have been established in connexion with the churches of various religious denominations; and, unquestionably, have proved a valuable blessing to the rising generation. Yonder stands the Orphan Asylum, which takes its first rank in the class of benevolent Institutions. Beneath that hospitable roof, children, without father, and without mother, are clasped in the arms of kindness; sheltered from the blasts of adversity; their tender minds instructed in useful learning; and to them the charming sentiments of the Gospel are explained and enforced, in hope, through the benediction of God, they may be made wise unto salvation through faith as it is in Christ Jesus, and become useful members in the community. Still, great is the number of the children of the poor and needy, who are destitute of the means of instruction; and for want of precept and example, are abandoned to idleness, vice, and the profanation of the Lord's day. To remedy this growing evil, Sunday Schools have recently been established; and it is devoutly wished that the Lord of the Sabbath day may so crown these pious efforts with his smiles, that they may prove extensive and lasting benefits to rising generations!

It must be confessed, that this Institution is founded upon the pure principles of humanity and patriotism. Besides, it has a powerful example, drawn from the Bible. Moses, the servant of the Lord, having conducted the Israelites nearly forty years in the wilderness, knowing the day approached that he must die, gave to that people his last direc

tions for their future conduct. One of the most remarkable, is recorded in Deuteronomy xxxi. 12, 13.-Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and the stranger that is within thy gates, that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. This requisition, you will readily perceive, was in favour of the more ignorant Israelites; its benevolence extended to the stranger; the children were expressly included, especially those who were entirely ignorant and knew not any thing. The purposes for which they were to be collected were, to hear and to learn, fear and obey the Lord their God. The reason to enforce the duty was, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. This text may be truly called a SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORY; and admirably corresponds with the religious liberty and extensive benevolence of America. For here, the foreigner, the stranger of every class and nation, mutually partakes with our citizens in every moral benefit. The ignorant children of the needy, especially they that know not any thing, are in our Sunday Schools instructed to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, to obey their parents in the Lord, and to be serviceable to their fellow creatures. Indeed, we may apply the reason of Moses as a sufficient motive to persevere in this good work. It is as much as to say, Do all the good you can while you live; for you will soon go over the Jordan of death, to inherit the land of everlasting rest.

As this is the first ANNIVERSARY of the INSTITUTION, on request of its MANAGERS, I shall now, with fidelity and affection address the children, who are now assembled.

CHILDREN,

Be persuaded, that the generous patrons of this Society are deeply interested in your welfare. They are convinced, that without some degree of education, you will not be able to act a useful part in life, whether for yourselves, or the good of others. You therefore are taught to read, by which you may not only become conversant with business; but be able to understand the will of your God in the Holy Scriptures. These are benefits which you ought most highly to esteem! For you cannot but know, that the mind of youth, instructed in useful and sacred knowledge, is a fruitful source of pleasure and interest to itself; while the ignorant and thoughtless are as useless to themselves, as they are to their fellow creatures. To aid in promoting this happiness in you, is the pious ambition of the Managers of the Sunday Schools; the consideration of which will, of course, inspire you with gratitude and esteem.

Let me give you a few advices for your general conduct and behaviour. Cultivate the greatest attention and diligence in the school, without which the labours of your Teachers to instruct you will be in vain. The time allotted for your learning may be short. The necessities of your parents may require your aid in the family, or to place you out in situations to procure your own living. As therefore your present learning will then be of the greatest advantage, be assured that without attention and diligence, this valuable benefit cannot be obtained. Be clean in your persons, and exemplary in your conduct, whether in or out

of the school. Never let it be said, that a Sunday School scholar was heard to tell falsehoods, curse, swear, or use any wicked language; for every one must believe that such are a disgrace to a Sunday School, where they are taught to fear and serve the Lord, and forbidden to take his name in vain. Never be found in company with children of such bad character, for evil communications corrupt good manners; but cultivate truth, honesty, meekness, kindness; for be assured, that such virtues will always make you amiable, and will not fail to procure you many friends. And let me request you to behave to your Teachers with the greatest respect, attention and affection. These friends of yours sacrifice their time and labour from pure motives of benevolence, purposely to instruct and do you good. Not a child present but what must in a moment be convinced, how much you are indebted for their kind and assiduous attention: and it is seriously wished that to them you may prove obedient, thankful, and affectionate children.

Perhaps you know, that Sunday Schools are supported by the contributions of our CITIZENS without any expense to your parents; of course, their expectations are fixed upon your present and future good conduct. Our hopes are indeed founded upon the virtue of the rising generation, to produce good and valuable members of society. We know not what path you may tread, nor what part God, in his providence, may design you to perform; yet you must be convinced that the public, who are so generous as to provide the means for your instruction, have a right to expect from you a virtuous course of conduct, that you may prove yourselves to be sober, faithful and industrious; and in this we hope not to be disappointed.

I cannot but, upon this occasion, press upon your tender minds the great importance of obedience to your parents. This is one of nature's first dictates, and there are very few children but what are convinced of its propriety, however they may act disobediently. But remember, it is the command of God who made you. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exod. xx. 14. Solomon says, Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Prov. xx. 11. Nothing so much proves the character of a child, whether he be good or bad, as his temper and conduct towards his parents. And it is equally true, that a child who disobeys his parents will be found capable of almost every other wicked action. On the contrary, you will scarce ever find a child, who loves and obeys his parents, but what is virtuous in all other parts of his conduct; and assuredly gains the esteem of all good men.

The principal book used in the Sunday School is the BIBLE. This sacred volume is put into your hands, because it is designed, with the blessing of God, to make you wise unto salvation through faith as it is in Christ Jesus. Any other book might be sufficient in which you may learn to read; but this reveals a Saviour, and contains the necessary religion for sinners. Though you are now young, you are sinners, and need a Saviour. Your minds are ignorant, and your hearts are depraved; and it is by the word of your God, you can be instructed and renewed; for, said David, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto, according to thy word, Psalm cxix. 9. Here too, you will be directed to the cleansing blood of the Saviour;

find those invaluable precepts to direct you in your future paths, and those promises of God, which are calculated to support you under all the afflictions of your lives.

I shall conclude my address by enjoining you to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This is God's command; and is designed, not only for the purpose of devotion, but, by the discourses you may hear, to improve your minds, guard you against vice, stimulate you to virtue, and lead you to that compassionate Saviour, who took little children in his arms and blessed them. I assure you, that a neglect and violation of the Lord's day, has been the means of a vast many children forming wicked connexions, cultivating vicious habits, and eventually to commit those crimes which conducted their feet to the dreary shades of a prison. Should you forget every thing else I have said to you this evening in presence of this large assembly, remember, that it has been, and still is, on a Sabbath day, and in a Sabbath School, that you receive your learning, and perhaps the only education you ever received. Should you therefore, hereafter, despise or neglect the duties of this holy day, the recollection of it will produce the keenest regret, and add to your punishment. You are not, even now, too young to die. Walk among the tombs of the dead, and there you will perceive graves shorter than yourselves. Instances of mortality have already occurred in our Sunday Schools; and we are informed, that some of those children have died happily in the embraces of Jesus. You are now addressed by the oldest standing minister of any religious denomination in this city; and whose eyes may soon be closed in death. Your kind benefactors and teachers, now assembled with you, must also pass the Jordan of death. While, therefore, we live in the land, our efforts for your instruction are affectionately extended for your benefit; and our prayers are directed to the throne of our God for your interest and happiness. Amen.

The Stranger.

THE following occurrence took place while I was on a visit to a neighbouring city. The only inducement to its publicity is, it may possibly fall into the hand of persons under similar painful impressions; and, through the smiles of a compassionate Saviour, be the means of their instruction and relief.

On the morning of May the 28th, 1821, as I was walking up one of the principal streets, a well dressed gentleman, apparently about twentyfive years of age, suddenly came to my side and said, "Sir, are you a minister ?"—Yes, Sir." Are you in the habit of praying for the distressed ?"—Yes, Sir, it is my pleasing duty." Then, Sir, will you, as you journey, pray for me?" By this time, coming to the corner of a street, and perceiving a shady place, I invited the stranger to step aside for a few minutes, and inform me the cause of his distress. He did so, and said, "the cause of my trouble is the anger of God against me for my sins. God has cast me off in wrath, and hid his face from me." How long, Sir, have you been under this painful apprehension?" About two years. I have read the Bible very frequently, but to me it has no light, no life-affords me no relief." Your case, Sir, is certainly severe; yet, you must not consider yourself singular in affliction. Job, with tears confessed, I went mourning without the sun, xxx. 28.; but, the sun of mercy arose again upon him, and his latter end was twice better than the beginning; and I hope the sun of righteousness will arise and shine upon you. You certainly, Sir, said right, that the Bible could give you no light, or life; for, it is only as the glass of the window which admits the light; and that light must shine, or certainly the window itself cannot give any. The Spirit of light and life from Christ must shine upon your mind through the medium of the Bible; then, all your clouds of thick darkness will vanish away, and in God's light you will see light. Perhaps you may not have sufficiently thought on this way of God's giving light and life to the soul of man; if so, you may now perceive your duty and privilege, under the pressure of your darkness, to pray for the Spirit of light to shine upon your heart. "Indeed, Sir, said he, I have not thought that this was the way for my relief. I am confused. The wrath of God upon me is so heavy that it bears me down. I have not a single spark of light; no, not one thing to give me hope. O, God, what shall I do!!"-Looking at this gentleman's person, and perceiving him greatly debilitated, I inquired concerning the state of his health; to which he replied, "My health is greatly reduced; I dare not eat animal food; when I take a refreshment, which promises nourishment, it speedily produces an effect which agitates my whole frame; and, for

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