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Now what can be more scriptural, more christian, more important, or more timely than the development of this principle? It has been long and sinfully overlooked. The church has not acted upon it: ministers have forgotten it; and parents have too generally allowed it to be neglected. God and nature, the condition of society, and the spirit and power of a free press, all demand that a hundred-fold greater efforts shall be made to pre-occupy the garrison of the youthful heart, before it falls into the hands of the great enemy. And to promote this glorious result the Sunday-school Union is especially devoted.

It is another principle of this society, that in all its efforts to carry out these principles, it will not in any way interfere with the authority of ministers or churches, or with the peculiar views and tenets of different denominations. The co-operation it demands is only in common plans, and for the furtherance of those objects which lie beyond the precincts of pastoral or denominational control. It is, therefore, an auxiliary to all evangelical churches, and an hindrance or rival to none. attempts not to discharge any pastoral or ecclesiastical functions, but combines the energies of all more efficiently to carry out those designs which are for the common benefit of all.

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These principles, therefore, commend themselves to every christian heart, and characterize as both scriptural and proper, the society of which they are the fundamental principles. And when we consider what this society has accomplished, we must regard it with still deeper interest and affection. If we travel through the length and breadth of our land, and across our western wilds, and as we everywhere meet with Sabbathschools, we ask "Who planted these; who watered them when planted; and who nourished them into maturity and vigour?" we are told concerning most of them, "It was the Sundayschool Union." If we find children everywhere delighted with their juvenile productions, in which, while they find occupation and amusement, they at the same time receive the most valuable instruction, and we ask, "Who prepared and published such beautiful and invaluable works, and at a cost so trifling?" we are again answered, concerning thousands and millions of them, "The Sunday-school Union." And whence came the thousands of teachers in England, in Scotland, in Ireland, in America, and in all parts of the world, who are voluntarily affording gratuitous religious instruction to the rising generation? Whence the thirty thousand teachers in Ireland, whose labours, if compensated, would be worth, on the lowest calculation, some six hundred thousand dollars per annum? And whence the hundred thousand teachers in America, who, at the same trifling compensation, would earn an income of almost one million and a half of dollars? We are again told that much of this is the result

of the Sunday-school Union, and of that spirit of self-denying liberality upon which this society is based. And when our hearts are gladdened by reading the lives, and tracing the labours of the most enterprising and successful missionaries of the cross, and we ask, "Whence did these men procure those principles and that noble spirit which led them to the undertaking and accomplishment of such almost superhuman designs?" -we are still referred to the Sunday-school, and to the hallowed influences there exerted upon their character and habits. Now if such have been the results of the Sunday-school enterprise in past times, what may it not accomplish in time to come. Its machinery is now well tried and adjusted. Growing experience has given increasing wisdom for the conduct of the enterprise. Its library is beyond comparison for excellence and adaptation to the youthful mind, and above suspicion in the tone and character of the doctrines and sentiments it inculcates. And, as if inspired with a new energy, it amazes while it delights us, by now providing a paper adapted to the young, and in the most beautiful style of printing and engraving, for the mere nominal charge of TWELVE AND A HALF CENTS PER ANNUM.

Let us then rally round the Sunday-school Union, both for its sake and for our own advantage. Let us cherish and pray for the spirit of love and charity and christian union. Let us remember the days of GRIMKE, and let him, though dead, speak to us from his honoured grave, and call upon us, as we wish well to the best interests of our country, and would promote the spiritual welfare of the rising generation, to foster and sustain the AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

UNION! it is a hallow'd name

To all who feel the Saviour's love;
Whose hope of heavenly joy's the same;
Who by their words their faith would prove.

Lord! let our union more increase,

As months and years revolve their round;

In purest holiness and peace

Let us, thy servants, still be found.

The Fundamental Doctrines of Christianity, the true and only required Basis of Charity and united Christian Effort.

A

DISCOURSE,

DELIVERED AT

PHILADELPHIA, ON THE TWENTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION,

MAY 17, 1846.

BY THOMAS SMYTH, D. D.

OF CHARLESTON, S. C.

PHILADELPHIA:

AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION,

146 CHESTNUT STREET.

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