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338 NEW YORK AFRICAN

6. I now subjoin an instance of the good effect of this juvenile tribunal. Some time ago, at a meeting of the class, held then in the back part of the school room, one of the members was observed by the teacher to be in considerable trouble. The rest of the class were seated, and the chairman was standing in the attitude of addressing this poor fellow, who it appeared had been doing wrong. The scene being one which interested the teacher, he walked toward the class, and the following dialogue took place:--

7. Teacher. May I be permitted by the chairman, to ask, what is the cause of the grief which seems to afflict this member of the class? (pointing to the boy in tears.)

8. Chairman. Yes, sir. he has been reported by the Standing Committee, as having made use of bad language out of school; it has been proved against him here, and he has been sentenced by the class, to be reproved by the chairman in this manner. 

9. Teacher. It is a serious sentence, and a still more serious crime which has occasioned it; but I perceive that the offender is in great distress. Have you gone through with what you intended to say to him?

10. Chairman. No, sir; I have considerable yet to say to him.

11. Teacher. Shall I request one more indulgence, and that in behalf of poor William? (the 

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name of the offender:) I wish to speak a few words to him.

12. Chairman. By all means, sir.

13. Teacher. How is this, William; did you not know that it was very wicked, as well as offensive to your classmates, thus to transgress?

14. William. O, yes, sir, (the tears all the while streaming down his cheeks,) I know it was very wrong-- but do pray, sir, please to ask the class to forgive me; I will never be guilty of the crime again-- I know I have disgraced myself, and I am very sorry--I have done very wrong. Can't I be forgiven? 

15. It appears that this was spoken with so much earnestness to affect the whole calss, and a readiness to forgive seemed evident in every countenance. The teacher then, turning to the chairman, asked if he could, with propriety, dispense with saying any thing further to William than to express his forgiveness, on condition of a promise that he would be more careful in future. 

16. The chairman (a boy of fourteen years of age) bowed assent; and handing back to the little penitent his medal, of which he had been deprived on conviction of guilt, he expressed the forgiveness of the class in a becoming manner. Poor William, still in tears, thanked his teacher for interceding for him, resumed his seat, and soon appeared greatly relieved.

ONE OF THE TRUSTEES.