f his friends, who knew the state of his
health, were rather opposed to his leisure moments being thus occupied,
and considered that he ought to take exercise and recreation in the open
air. Such were not his views. He shortly had to remove from business for
a time, and to take one or two sea voyages, which happily restored him to
his former health, and enabled him to return to his duties.

After exercising as a prayer-leader as well as a teacher for some time,
he became impressed with the conviction that it was his duty and
privilege to preach the gospel. He was encouraged to proceed, and his
name placed on the local preachers' plan. He then ceased to attend the
Sunday-school.

In a letter to a brother, George observes: "I can scarcely remember
anything of serious impressions while at school; though, I doubt not, the
instructions I there received had a salutary influence upon my mind. If I
remember rightly, several of the elder children were converted during the
revival at M.; and most of those who continued steadfast were, or had
been, connected with the school, either as teachers or scholars."

George was not satisfied with his attainments in the divine life, but
sought to possess higher enjoyments and more extensive usefulness,--"to
deeper sink, and higher rise, and to perfection grow." He was soon
enabled to testify that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all
sin;" and had much delightful evidence that to be more holy was to become
more happy and useful. He labors devotedly and successfully as a local
preacher, and is determined to live to the glory of God.

CHAPTER V.

CONCLUSION--BENEFITS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

Having now brought my sketches to a conclusion, I would here make a few
remarks, before I take leave of my reader. First: the benefits resulting
from Sabbath-schools are not confined to those which are present and
palpable. How often do we hear of children leaving the school, and going
out into the world, without any apparent effect being produced in their
minds; but yet, in the course of time, through the blessing of God, the
most beneficial results have appeared from these instructions.

Not a few instances of boys who have been excluded on account of bad
conduct, but who have been brought to the knowledge of the truth, through
the blessing of God upon the instructions received in the Sabbath-school,
have been laid before the public. And who will say, that in many cases
where there see