ion, the
catechetical method may be resorted to with success, your subjects being
of the simplest kind; as you advance and your people acquire habits of
attention and reflection and improve in knowledge, your subjects may be
more elevated.

"5th. The matter of preaching, at least for no very inconsiderable a
time, may be chiefly, narratives, biographies, striking works of God,
miracles, parables. Didactic discourses, at least at first, are far from
being interesting to them. Vary the exercises of worship by singing, and
sing standing. Let portions of scripture be committed to memory, as well
as psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, to take the place of the foolish
and irreverent ones that are often in use among them. The besetting sins
of this people ought to be exposed continually. Here give line upon
line, and precept upon precept, until conscience is enlightened. Give
encouragement in preaching, address them as men, men whom you love, men
whom you believe to be capable of improvement, and who, you make no
doubt, will improve.

"6th. Of the classes of instruction, I would say that they are of
incalculable benefit. All that can be said in favour of Sabbath schools,
and Bible classes, can be said in favour of these classes: properly
conducted, they are nothing less or more, than Sabbath schools, and
Bible classes for coloured persons. Our main hope of permanently
improving this people lies just where it does with every other people:
in the instruction of children and youth. Be beforehand with their
parents, who can only, in the vast majority of cases, inculcate evil
both by word and deed; and if it were practicable, an entire separation
of children and adults (as is attempted by our missionaries at some of
the stations by boarding schools and the like,) would be the best thing
that could be done. Every effort therefore should be made to draw out
and attach children and youth to the schools opened on the Sabbath, at
stations, and to schools opened in plantations. Wherever these schools
are opened, if the missionary cannot be supported by good teachers, let
him instruct the whole school, on the infant school plan himself. His
instructions too should not be short, and imperfect, but embrace some
regular system of Christian doctrine and practice; so that after a
reasonable time, when the course is completed, a connected and
intelligent view of Christianity will have been communicated. Connected
with such a regular course of