depths of consciousness, is indelibly stamped upon every scroll of human literature. Why have master-poets always invoked the genial breath of heaven upon their harps of many strings? Why did the statesmen, who, in convention, formed the constitution of these United States, open their daily deliberations with prayer? Was it all a mockery? Nay, man has ever felt, in proportion as his mind was occupied with great subjects, that his best thoughts must come from God. Whose hand but the Almighty's can touch the origin of human thought, and purify it with a living coal from off the altar? "I will write my law upon their hearts, and they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest, saith the Lord." Conscience and the Bible mutually unfold each other. As the sun fills expanding flowers with light, so does the Bible fill young minds with thought; and a diligent study of it exercises the young to have always a good conscience void of offence both towards God and towards man. Can you teach the young, while the dew of life is yet fresh upon their affections, any thing better than the Bible? Of all the mental capacities equally enjoyed by the rich and poor, can you educate one more essential to character and happiness, than conscience, our self-knowledge of good and evi!? Thus Sabbath schools, by employing the power of thinking, in the young, upon the Bible,-the noblest object of thought,-in an affectionate and prayerful manner, which is the best mode of employing it,-coöperate with God in creating in the minds of millions a common stock of powerful ideas and feelings which form the base of the enlarged and invigorated moral action that now characterizes the Christian world.

The moral capacities of society, both for action and enjoyment, depend upon the number and strength of ideas possessed in common. All social capacities are founded in a community of thought. Ideas derived from the senses and dominant passions, are common to all men. Hence certain portions of the literature of every age and nation become universal; and graphic descriptions of external scenery, internal feelings and startling events, charm and delight the mind. But no ideas are so universal, so old, so powerful, as those of conscience. They form the widest foundation of social understanding, sympathy and action. Mercantile customs,—those understood laws for understood things,—treaties, national law, our declaration of independence, and bills of human rights, are all founded in equity and good conscience. Even paternal authority, which rules our home, that cradle of the affections and beginning of social life, is but the law of conscientious love. Indeed, conscience is the source of the higher principles through the whole frame-work of human law, and law is the life of social confidence, which is the bone and muscle of moral action.

Sabbath schools, therefore, by educating the conscience, produce a common stock of moral ideas and feelings through which men can be brought to act in masses with precision and irresistible power. By seizing upon a few intense ideas, common to the whole nation, Bonaparte wielded thirty millions of Frenchmen with as much facility as he did his own sword. What, then, are some of the moral capacities of society, which are enlarged and invigorated through the instrumentality of Sabbath schools?

First of all, as liberty has made her favorite abode in the hearts of that people who are diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord according to the dictates of their own enlightened conscience, the capacity of self-government, by making and enforcing sound laws through free institutions, is greatly enlarged and invigorated. Every legislator, every officer, numerous by rapid succession, and every voter, stands in constant need of an educated conscience. It is often, amid the conflict of parties, his only safe guide. But especially do the jury, who, in all free governments, constitute the working point of the law, and into whose hands the property, the character, and the life of every citizen are liable to fall, need a pure, refined and enlightened conscience. The jury seldom agree upon a verdict, from any clear conviction of the understanding. They can only believe in their conscience and upon their oath, that the fact is as by them found. If a free people, as such, therefore, have any conscience, it is the jury.

Secondly, Sabbath schools have enlarged the moral capacities of society in New England, to improve in some degree the condition of humanity. Out of a full heart, the people speak and act kindly to the destitute. Associations are formed to do good on a wide scale. These societies gather up and bring home to their active centres,-their secretaries' offices,—a vast amount of useful information, which being digested, published, and sent to their numerous members, enables every man, woman and child to bestow their spare money, time, and prayers upon needy and thankful hearts.

And, lastly, Sabbath schools have enlarged and invigorated the capacities of society for intellectual activity and enjoyment. In these schools, the minds of all classes of people work delightfully together. The stiff distinctions, which grow out of the differences of worldly situations, disappear, and society is knit together by the intercommunion of interesting thoughts. The moral sympathies are exalted and refined. Friendships are formed, which are like salt to sweeten the ever-souring elements of society. The moral tastes of the young are refined and brought into conformity with the commandments of God. This is to them a source of ever-increasing delight,

Out of these schools, also, has grown a literature of great interest to the Christian scholar. It is rich in sound doctrine, moral facts, and impressive anecdotes; it contains the romances of early piety, the poetry of the affections in the young, sanctified by the Holy Spirit; memoirs-tributes of grateful remembrance; with many an affecting message from the dying scholar or teacher to loved companions in their Sabbath school, which often prove like good seed sown in good ground, springing up and bearing fruit an hundred fold. And, while the early education of the conscience enlarges and invigorates the moral capacities of society, by multiplying those thoughts and feelings which are the basis of social action and happiness, it also strengthens our faith in the promises of God, that minds, which through the endearments of social cultivation and mental sympathies, have become attached to each other on earth,shall meet again in heaven. And though the heart which embraces in the circuit of its affections many objects of social interest connected with the young, is doomed to frequent sorrow, as children,like the morning cloud and early dew soon pass away, yet hope, ever the child's companion in life, at the head of its funeral train, walks pensive in the veiled light of heaven, pointing with her magic wand to the star of Bethlehem in its Redeemer's crown.

Revival in Princeton, Mass.

The Recorder of August 2d, contained an account of the interesting revival that had been in progress during the eight months previous, in Princeton. The following were mentioned as among the means which seemed to have been blessed in producing this work of grace:

Several discourses on infant baptism obviously had a salutary effect to excite many parents, who had neglected their duty, to bring their children to the baptismal font, and to urge others, who had previously done it, to seek more fervently for their offspring the renewing and promised influences of the Holy Spirit. The fact, that many children, who were affected directly or indirectly by these discourses, are now in the visible church, evinces, that they were seasonable and appropriate means of human salvation.

Our Sabbath school, having been under the direction of a discreet and devoted superintendent, and the coöperation of a good proportion of faithful teachers, was a prominent instrumentality in gradually casting up the highway of the Lord. The superintendent reports that 60 belonging to the Sabbath school, were hopefully converted the last year. The Assem

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bly's Catechism constituted a part of its lessons. The familiar exposition of this invaluable manual of Christian doctrine and precept from the pulpit, exerted an important influence in effecting the glorious revival which ensued. The great truths it contains are preeminently the sword of the Spirit.

The Maternal Association should also be regarded as part of that approved agency, which preceded the day of God's gracious interposition. And why may we not always expect, that when prayer, instruction and effort are put forth under the influence of maternal solicitude and faith, the Lord will furnish a memorial of his approbation in the conversion of many sons and daughters to himself? In such tokens of his favor many mothers now rejoice in this place.

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

And, dear young reader, the Lord Jesus is calling unto you, "Follow me, and I will bestow upon you all the blessings of my love." Do you ask, "How is he calling unto me ?"

He calls you by his word. Every promise, every invitation, every offer of pardon and eternal life, and also every warning, is a call. Indeed, you can hardly open his blessed Book, but his voice, in melting strains of love, is heard. He speaks to you by his ministers and by the faithful instructions of your

pious parents and teachers. Through them, he cries unto you, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; seek him early, and you shall find him. Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?"

The Saviour calls you to follow him, by all the blessings with which he is crowning your days,―your food and clothes, and health, and friends, and every joy that warms your bosom. Yes, and there is a voice, too, in every pain, and sorrow, and affliction, saying, "Follow the Saviour,-cast all your burdens and sorrows on him, for he careth for you,-and when your father and your mother forsake you, he will take you up, and be unto you a father, a friend and a Saviour."

And the Lord Jesus calls you still more earnestly and tenderly by his Spirit. When you sit in the house of God, or the Sabbath school, and listen to the solemn and melting words of your minister and teacher, what overwhelming thoughts of God, of death, judgment and eternity sometimes rush into your mind! They are the voice of the Spirit, beseeching you to repent, believe and live. And when you walk alone in the silent grove, or wake in the stillness of the night, that kind Spirit sometimes comes to you in secret whisperings, saying, "My son-my daughter-give me thy heart,-Look unto Jesus and be saved,-Follow me."

And, dear youth, have you given heed to these gracious calls of your Saviour? Have you, like the Galilean fishermen, left all and followed him? If not, "Now is the accepted time," while he still waits to be gracious,—while his voice still is heard, "Follow me." O, delay not, lest that voice die away upon your ear!

"Then shalt thou perish in thy sins,
And never be forgiven!"

The Teachers's Office.

Who that had the education of a young prince, would not feel that he had in his hands a nation's weal? But look at the Sabbath school teacher. Here are six or eight youth under his instruction, all of them, it may be, destined to occupy high places of trust in their country, and whose influence for good or for evil may depend upon the impressions received during this early training! Is not the teacher's an important and responsible office?