remarks and illustrations fitted to interest and instruct the young. I know one brother in the ministry (would that all preachers possessed his gifts!) who is ever pausing in the delivery of his discourse, and by some familiar observation, calling the attention of his youthful hearers, to the truth he has been exhibiting. There is, however, this difficulty in the way of a regular, or weekly ministration to the young, in conjunction with ordinary sanctuary services: The preacher who would exhibit to his hearers the entire system of Divine truth, must often preach upon themes which are not adapted to juvenile capacity; doctrines must be exhibited, and to deal with Scripture doctrine thoroughly, modes of thought must be adopted, which the fully matured only can comprehend. Still, so far as subjects especially intended for adults can be adapted to youthful capacity, it is well that they should be so adapted. Ordinary Sabbath services then, can only partially be made available, as a direct means of instructing the young, and hence this method must not suffice. 3d, I know another brother, who once each month abbreviates the ordinary service, and assembling the children in front of the pulpit, there catechises them. Perhaps no better method of instructing could be adopted. It is a thoroughly evangelical mode. Luke tells Theophilus, that he intends to give him an account of those things, in which he had been previously instructed, literally catechised or catechetically taught. It is a mode of teaching that was practised by Christ. We read of Him "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing and asking them questions;" and on another occasion teaching His disciples the grand fact of His Messiahship by the same method. (Luke i. 4; ii. 46; Matt. xvi. 13-17.) With such a warrant and example, we may confidently resort to this method of teaching the young. A course of catechetical exercises on the parables or miracles, on Scripture biography or doctrine, on the Shorter Catechism, or the ordinary lessons of the Sabbathschool, might in this way, be most profitably considered, and that without detriment to the regular service of the church. 4th, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Dayton, Ohio, has enjoined ministers to "give at least onehalf of every Sabbath service to the children and youth." This seems a fair and equitable arrangement, inasmuch as each class at all the diets of worship, has a portion allotted to them. 5th, The plan which seems the fairest of all, is that of devoting one of the diets of worship each Sabbath to the young. Not, let it be observed, holding a service every Sabbath for the special benefit of such, at a different hour from that of the ordinary service, or in a separate place. Such a mode may do well enough in efforts for the benefit of the neglected children of a community, but the children of the Church stand upon an entirely different footing. A service for the children of the Church apart from their parents, is to be condemned, inasmuch as it isolates parents and children, where for the sake of both there ought to be habitual association. Whatever may be the practice of earthly parents, a heavenly Father has no table for young children apart from his other children; and it is well that such is the order of His house. One of the most hallowed recollections of life, is that of having sat in the house of God, side by side with parents gone. But is it really suggested that we are to give up to the children the forenoon or afternoon service of every Sabbath? It is. A sermon need not be childish, although addressed to children. What Vinet says of good books, may be equally said of good sermons for the young. "A child's book," he says, "may be a great or beautiful work, and deserve a place of honour in our libraries. Good books for children are the best among the books for men ;" and so good sermons for children are the best for all. Manly simplicity will please and profit young and old. The plan has been adopted with signal success. Dr Tyng of New York, has acted upon it for full twenty years, and he says respecting it—“It has been one of the most interesting and effective of my labours in the ministry. The Lord has been pleased very graciously and mercifully to own the work as His in many cases of conversion. I have considered no part of my work more valuable and important than this; and certainly no portion of it so popular and acceptable to others." That the plan shall yet be generally adopted in this country, I am fully persuaded, although it may not be till years more have passed away. Of course, in all these services, it is understood that not only the sermon, but the psalmody and the prayers be adapted to juvenile worshippers. The Nor is it to be overlooked, in thus dealing with the young, that there may be among them the children of God. fact of early conversion is undoubted. Why, then, should we always address children as if their conversion was yet to be accomplished? May we not be withholding from many, the portion to which they are entitled? In ordinary pulpit address, we have ever before us the fact, that we have believers in our audience. Why, then, should this conviction evanish whenever children become our auditors? Something more advanced than the mere primary principles of the Gospel may be addressed to them-something pertaining to Chris tian experience and Christian hope-Christian living, and Christian working. Nay, the fact that in all likelihood in every congregation, there are converted children, ought to impress us more deeply with the importance of giving them. their own place in the Church's service. But, in order to all this, two things are requisite: The Church must be awakened to the importance of the subject, and ministers must be trained to the work. The simple fact that preaching to children is so rare, and so few are known as preachers to children, is proof enough that the Church is not alive to a full sense of her duty to the young. The early Church better understood its duty. We find a Greek hymn of Clement's, of Alexandria, which was sung in the second century, thus expresses the sentiment of the Church in relation to children: "Shepherd of tender youth, Through devious ways. Christ, our triumphant king, To shout thy praise." Now, this is a duty which ministers cannot sinlessly evade. The religious instruction of children is the special work of every pastor—it is a work that cannot be delegated or performed by others. The Sabbath-school is most important in its own place, but it must never be regarded as a substitute for the Church service; and yet it has, to some extent, become so. Perhaps not half of the children able to attend church, are present at its service; and no wonder. So long as their presence is ignored, it is not reasonable to expect that it shall be otherwise. In the Sabbath-school they are quite at home-their presence is recognised, the service is adapted to their capacity, while in the house of God, no special notice is taken of them, and their full attendance is apt to be regarded in a well-let church as an intrusion. Ministers, too, must be trained for this important part of pastoral work. How common is it to be met with the apology-" I confess I could never preach to children, it's a thing really I cannot do;" and this said as if the inability or dislike, were very good reasons for a neglect of the duty. The man who cannot preach to children may be qualified for many offices, but certainly not for that of pastor. Doubtless, preaching so as to interest children, is to a large extent a natural gift. Some excel in it, just as some excel in public speaking and vocal accomplishments, but all possess it in some degree, and by due cultivation any may acquire the art. Happy are those ministers who are naturally constituted, so as to enlist the friendship, and profitably interest the young. The late Nathaniel Hawthorne was such an one. "If I value myself on anything," said he, "it is on having a smile that children love." Edward Irving was another of the same class. Any one who has read his life must have been struck with this fact. His love of children was one of his most marked characteristics, and hence he was ever a favourite with the young; and this must seem all the more remarkable to those acquainted with the man. That tall, gaunt, almost spectral figure, seemed to belong more to the class of Old Testament prophets, who, like John, lived apart from human society and human sympathies. Perhaps none ever equalled the late Alexander Fletcher as a preacher to children. Those who knew him well, have told me, that the secret of his power lay in the boyishness of his nature; he seemed to carry up into manhood all the tastes and feelings of his early years; he loved |