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SPECIAL SERVICES.

1. FOR THE OPENING OF A NEW SCHOOL. 1. The Superintendent addresses the whole.

May the God of all grace be with us in our important undertaking to-day. We are here to open a Sabbath school- -a school for instruction in the truths and duties of the Christian religion where we may use the means which have been so signally blessed of God, in many places, for the increase of virtue and happiness. May we enter upon this work as a delight, and find the encouragement which is ensured by a good purpose and an earnest heart. Let us speak to each other in Psalms : —

II. RESPONSES.

S. But where shall wisdom be found?

T. And where is the place of understanding?
C. The depth saith, "It is not with me!"
All. And the sea saith, "It is not with me!"

S. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

T. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx or the sapphire.

C. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it; and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. S. Whence then cometh wisdom?

T. & C. And where is the place of understanding? S. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

T. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord,

C. That is wisdom,

T. And to depart from evil,

All. Is understanding.

III. HYMN. C. M.

O, in the paths of wisdom, Lord,
Let all our feet be found;
And here be teachers of thy Word
Who with thy grace abound!

In mercy, Lord, regard this vine
Now planted in thy fear;
And may it yield the fruit divine
That crowns the Christian year!

May youthful hands pluck healing here,
And infancy sweet flowers;
While passing Sabbaths make more dear
The coming Sabbath hours!

IV. PRAYER.

Promoter of all good purposes! we lift to thee, our Father, our earnest supplication, and invoke thy direc tion and blessing. Thou didst make the mind for truth, the heart for grace. We implore that the school now. opened may be owned of thee, as a school of Christa school where souls shall be taught of thee and of thy love, where duty shall be made plain, where the attractions of the Saviour's life shall be felt, where the heart shall learn of the good that only comes from living to thee. Lord, be with the officers and teachers of this school, and give them prudence and patience, a willingness to learn, that they may teach; and may they labor to promote order, quietness, and union in this school. Be with all the parents and guardians of these scholars, and give them an interest in the efficiency of the school, that they may be faithful to home preparation. Be, O Father, with each scholar, and may a firm resolution be cherished to be constant and punctual here- with lessons well studied and learned with hearts willing to do what is required for the order and success of this school. May each and all labor for one end-to be more children of God-and this school be a true vine of the husbandry of Christ; which we pray for in his Amen.

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V. The Superintendent to the School.

Our school is now opened, and let us be careful to prevent as long as possible the introduction of any disturbance, but may we all labor to know and love each other, to be diligent to perform our duties, and to contribute to the happiness and success of the school. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, While the evil days come not,

Nor the years draw nigh,

When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."

II. FOR THE RE-OPENING OF A SCHOOL AFTER A SUSPENSION.

I. The Superintendent addresses the School.

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"I was glad when they said unto me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord,'" said the sweet Psalmist, in allusion to the different tribes going to Jerusalem, to unite together in worship and social joy. As they gathered after a separation, so do we assemble now all happy to meet again all rejoicing that we are permitted to meet as a Sabbath school. May the blessing of Heaven be with us; and as parted streams brought into one flow more swiftly and joyously, so may the union of our influence aid our virtue and happiness, by promoting our progress as Christians. Let us sing the praise of Him who has kept us when apart, and hath now united us:

II. HYMN. C. M.

We come with songs of praise to thee,
Thou Giver of all good;

And with the voice of melody

To tell our gratitude.

We meet as blossoms on the tree,
Sweet promises of spring;

O, may thy love, full, rich, and free,
The gol len harvest bring.

May this dear Sabbath be the dawn
Of one long day of bliss;

And every heart to thee be drawn,
Through Christ our Righteousness.

III. PRAYER.

Father of the morning light! the day is thine, and all its blessings. Thou renewest for us the privileges of our Sabbath school, and to thee would we give thanks. We rejoice in our meeting to-day; and we pray that we may resolve to be faithful to our duty, and find the benefits of the Christian Sabbath. Sanctify to us all the events which have taken place since we were last together; and by all the tokens of our frailty, our liability to sickness, to the interruption of our privileges, and to death, may we be won to spiritual and heavenly things. O God, bless the officers and teachers of this school. May their example be good, and may their goodness be copied by all who feel its influence. Make us all eager to have a good school, a school where we shall be happy and grow wise, where thy presence shall be felt, and Jesus loved. Bless all parents and guardians, and incline them to advance the cause of religion by doing their duty to the young. O Father, forgive our transgressions, and keep us steadily in the way of thy commandments, through Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen.

IV. SCRIPTURE READING. Prov. xxx. 24-28.

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

From the little ant let us learn forecast and industry; from the cony, with soft and velvet foot, timid and retreating, let us learn to prepare a refuge for our fears in the Rock Christ Jesus; from the locusts let us receive

the lesson that tells us of the strength of union; and even from the spider let us catch the spirit of true aspiration, and rise from one degree of knowledge and virtue to another, till we enter the Great King's palace of truth and holiness.

V. HYMN. L. M.

Now let our voice be raised again
In one united gladsome strain,
While every heart implores that love
That wins the soul to things above.

O, from this hour let all our mind

Be set the highest good to find,

That thus our school may grace receive,
And we in Christ the Saviour live.

III. ON THE INDUCTION OF PERSONS INTO OFFICE.

1. To a Superintendent, by the Pastor, or some person who represents the Society.

My Brother: You have been elected to superintend the affairs of this Sabbath school, an office of honor, responsibility, and privilege. The Sabbath school has been wisely called "the nursery of the Church." It is so. Here the young trees are to be planted and trained, so that when they shall be carried elsewhere, they shall abide the change, grow, and be fruitful. May you have a true husbandman's care of all the interests of this young garden of God. May your oversight of all who are under your care, as officers and teachers, win their confidence and affection, and the whole school prosper in your keeping. As Boaz said to his reapers, so may you as heartily say to your teachers," The Lord be with and may they respond as fervently as did the reapers, "The Lord bless thee!" May the harvest be great, and even the gleanings make many a Ruth and Naomi happy The school will now receive the Superintendent. The school will rise and say, Welcome !]

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