Managers of the Sunday School of this place, at the address I had the pleasure yesterday to deliver in their presence, affords me that gratification, which the approbation of those whom I respect, never fails to produce.

Influenced by a desire to do what lies in my power to promote the prosperity of Sunday Schools, I was induced to yield to the wishes of the Managers in delivering an address before their school-I comply with their further request in giving a copy of that address for publication.

If its publication can, in any degree, further the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, I cheerfully furnish it for the press.

Please to accept, Sir, for yourself and the Managers, the assurance of my respect and esteem.

J. C. CLAY.

An Address delivered by the Rev. Mr. Clay, of Hager's Town, before the Shepherd's Town Sunday School, on Wednesday, the 8th inst. It is the declaration of prophecy that a period shall arrive, the revolutions of which shall be marked by the decline and fall of the kingdom of Satan, and the rapid extension and prosperity of the kingdom of Immanuel. Judging from the interpretations put by celebrated divines upon those passages of scripture which refer to this glorious era, it seems a fair inference that the dawn of Millennial blessings is not far distant. Were those interpretations, however, unsubstantiated by matters of fact, or "the signs of the times," the plausibility with which they are advanced would leave but a faint and uncertain impression. It is by comparing facts with speculations, that we can arrive at any certainty with regard to this subject. And it is the view of facts, more than of theories, that gives to the present period its Millennial aspect.

We read with attention and respect the interpretations of divines, unfolding the dark and mysterious sayings of prophecy, and giving to its declarations upon the present subject, a fulfilment in the close of this, or the opening of the next century. But our attention is more arrested, and more directed to this result, by the moral developements that are taking place in almost every part of Christendom. What is the present as pect of the civilized world, and what are the reflections of the Christian, in the contemplation of the scenes which are exhibiting themselves every where around him? It is an aspect glorious, in the highest degree, in its features and character; they are reflections which lead him to contemplate, as not far distant, the arrival of a period which is to be marked in its progress, by the know. ledge of the Lord covering the earth, as the waters cover the great deep. Surely, the events which are passing before our view, are not devoid of meaning and interest, but prognosticate many blessings to the human family. Does it betoken nothing that those military commotions, which disturbed the repose of the world, are hushed to silence, and that kings and emperors are united together for the discountenancing of war, and perpetuating to the human race the blessings of peace? Does it signify nothing that this laudable object receives the co-operation of thousands of others; and that societies have been formed in different countries, and sections of country, for the dissemination of those principles of national and individual good-will and affection that shall constitute a bright feature in the glories of the Millennium? Does it mean nothing, that of the many nations who, a short time since, pursued, without contrition or remorse, a trade that carried thousands of fellow creatures into captivity and servitude, one only is seen to continue the detestable traffic? Does it argue no good, that there has recently sprung into existence a society, respectable for the numbers and wealth of its patrons, whose object is to break in sunder the bonds of slavery, and to restore to liberty and

terized, one of the most conspicuous of its features will be a devout observance of the Lord's day. The absence of true religion from a neighbourhood or country, manifests itself in nothing more than in a profanation of that day which the Almighty has consecrated to his ser

spised portion of the human family? Does it prognosticate nothing that the friends of the Bible are almost every where exerting their means and their influence to have the Gospel of the Son of God read and proclaimed, and known throughout the world? Does it mean nothing, finally, that there have sprung, and are constantly springing into existence, schools innumerable for the religious instruction of children on the Lord's day? No-these events and transactions are full of meaning, and, in the counsels of Heaven, have doubtless been appointed as agents for the gradual accomplishment of those grand designs of the Almighty, which shall be displayed in the triumphant reign of the Messiah, and in the bringing of all nations and people to bow to the sceptre of his grace. Among all this variety of instruments for the production of the glorious results here contemplated, we consider the last mentioned, or Sunday Schools, as not the least active and efficient. To take a detailed view of the arguments by which this could be demonstrated would be consuming more time upon this address than it is thought expedient to give to it. Let, therefore, a few reflections only be offered in proof of the declaration, that the provisions and exercises of Sunday Schools directly lead to the production of those blessings, the prevalence of which shall constitute the glory of the Millennium.

Upon the arrival of the glorious era here spoken of, and in the accomplishment of that work of reformation by which it shall be charac

reverential observance of this day the progress of religion uniformly keeps pace; and this upon the obvious principle of obedience to the command. No sooner had the Almighty finished the work of the creation, than, in remembrance of it, he imposed upon man the observance of the Sabbath. The arrival of this day particularly reminded him of the debt of gratitude he owed to the God in whom he lived, moved, and had his being. It reminds the Christian, however of a much greater debt -a debt due upon the mercies of redemption-mercies so transcendent, that even angels, in view of them, tune their voices to songs of praise and adoration. Can we conceive, then, that that sensibility to the divine goodness which shall characterize the period of the Millennium, will not lead to a devout observance of that day, in the morning of which that goodness was conspicuously manifested in the resurrection of the Lord from the grave-a resurrection affording a pledge of our deliverance from the influence of corruption to the blessings of life and immortality? No, when Millennial days shall commence their revolution, the Sabbath will be no longer profaned by the noise of dissipation, the neglect of religious duties, and the sinful mirth of children turning a day of rest and devotion into a day of tumult and amusement. Then shall the streets of our towns and ci. ties cease to resound with the noise of folly, and "a day spent in the courts of God's house," be deemed "better than a thousand elsewhere" Lift up your eyes, brethren, and see whether you do not behold the first glimmerings of that glorious era. Where do we find those children, who a short time since were seen running wild in our streets, violating the sanctity of the Sabbath, and thus committing a crime, to which can be generally traced all other crimes, as their origin and beginning? Where do we find them but in the temple of the Lord, engaged in exercises calculated to make them virtuous in life, happy in death, and the subjects of divine favour through eternity? When we consider, that to instil into the mind of a child a regard and veneration for the Lord's day, is to infuse a feeling, that must influence, more or less, all his moral actions; and in the existence of which itseems almost impossible he should go far astray from his God, we look to Sunday Schools, by which this feeling is so greatly inspired, with a satisfaction that contemplates them as admirably adapted to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But a few years have elapsed since the introduction of this system of instruction into our country-but a few months since its introduction into many parts of that country and already its good effects show themselves-already that day which was spent in idleness and frolic, is, in some degree, consecrated to the holy purpose for which it was designed-already those minds which were directed to the contemplation of every thing sinful, are turned to the consideration of those scriptures, by which the soul is made wise unto salvation.

We observe farther, that the arrival of the Millennium shall be marked by the general prevalence of virtue and religion. It is in this that its glories are to consist. It shall be distinguished from the ages that preceded it, by a more general diffusion of the precepts of the Gospel,

and by mankind loving and serving God, with the same ardour that they now love and serve the world. And who that knows any thing of the advantages of Sunday Schools will not say, that these are results they are admirably calculated to produce? It has been, probably, one of the greatest errors of the generations that have passed away, that they paid not sufficient attention to the moral and religious improvement of the young. It is so obvious a truth, that mankind are powerfully influenced by the precepts and instructions they received in childhood, that "Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclin'd," has passed into a proverb, that is believed to be as capable of demonstration as the most simple mathematical problem. Take from beneath the gallows the man who is about to expiate his crimes by his life, and ask him how passed the days of his youth? and his answer will be, that he heard little or nothing of the precepts of the Gospel that his heart was never warned by the instructions of piety. Go to the death bed of the Christian, and ask him of the days of his childhood, and he will generally say, that his first impressions were the impressions of piety, and his first lispings the lispings of prayer. What, then, may we not hope from the establishment of Sunday Schools? What may we not hope from the lessons of virtue and religion, which, with much affectionate zeal, are thus engrafted upon the youthful mind? When we behold the young of both sexes spending their Sundays, not in idleness and listlesness, but in the duties of teachers of others; when we see those teachers watching over their classes with the affection and anxiety of parents for their children, the conviction arises, that our "lot has fallen to us in pleasent places," and that "the signs of the times" prognosticate a rich harvest

Sunday Schools. (From the same.)

THE time has been, even in this place, when opposition to Sunday Schools existed. We trust that the time has passed away. If not, we are confident, that after the exercises of Wednesday, the 8th inst. no person could feel hostile to Sunday Schools.

It was the day previously appointed for the examination of the Shepherd's Town Sunday School. The exercises commenced with an hymn sung by the children, and with the reading of the Litany by the Rev. Mr. Bryan. Then succeeded the examination of the pupils. Five were found entitled to a neat pocket Bible, and all the others to premiums of proportional value. As a general remark, we observe, that the exercises and behaviour of the children were such as to entitle them to great credit, and reflect much honour upon the institution.

After the examination and distribution of premiums, an interesting and appropriate address was deliver. ed by the Rev. Mr. Clay. The exercises of the day were interspersed with singing by the children.

We notice with pleasure the respect paid us by the children of the Sharpsburgh Sunday School. At an early hour we were greeted with the arrival of about ninety children of that school, accompanied by their venerable president and many of their teachers. Anxious to see their youthful fellows, who were engaged in the noble pursuit of gaining that wisdom which is able to make them wise unto salvation, they had walked the distance of three miles. It was indeed a happy sight. What may we not expect from Sunday Schools! Who could have witnessed these children without the strongest emotions! Happy children who thus early begin to learn the way of the

Lord! To these children we are much indebted for the assistance which they rendered in singing Their conduct throughout the day was worthy of note, as orderly and respectful. At the close of the exercises, while the spectators were retiring, these little travellers to heaven, in a delightful and affecting manner, sang

"Farewell, my friends, I must be gone, I have no home or stay with you; I'll take my staff and travel on,

Till I a better world can view." And whose heart was not affected? May we not say that it was one of the most interesting days ever witnessed by the inhabitants of Shepherd's Town? What parent, hereafter, will feel indifferent to Sunday Schools? and who will have the hardihood to oppose them?

A Friend to Sunday Schools.

We find great pleasure in recording the evidence of good sense and correct feeling on the part of those concerned in the above noticed interesting celebration, afforded in selecting the Litany for the religious services of the day. We are persuaded, that the more the Book of Common Prayer is studied with a mind capable of appreciating its character, and a heart imbued with the evangelical sentiments it breathes, the more sufficient will it appear to furnish devotions for all occasions. The use of its language may indeed detract a little from credit with men for ingenuity in making a prayer; but not at all from acceptance with God, for fidelity in praying. The letter of Canons and Rubrics will indeed be

fulfilled by using the services in the Prayer Book, and nothing else, in stated acts of public worship; but surely their spirit, as far as that inculcates a love for the prayers of the Church, and a wish to let their light shine before men, supposes a preference of those prayers on all occasions. The Episcopal Clergy would find it a mean of increasing the evangelical fervour and purity of their own devotions, and promoting the credit of their Church, to render themselves so familiar with the language