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a period when that fruit shall be increased an hundred, and even a thousand fold. Union is strength; the great law of the New Covenant is love; and the more those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, esteem, and love each other, the more they strive together for the things by which they shall edify one another, and to promote the cause of their common Lord, the more abundant will be the blessing of God, and the more extensive will be their success. It will be recollected, that, at the last annual meeting, it was reported, that the first edition of the Hymn Book, consisting of 5,000 copies, had been sold, and that a sub-committee was appointed to prepare a second edition for the press; that edition, consisting of 7,000 copies, which was published in August last, is also nearly disposed of; and a third edition, intended to con sist of 10,000 common, and 500 fine copies, is now going through the press-The society will perceive the growing influence and utility of the Depository, when they are informed, that 2892 Easy Lessons and Spelling Books, 960 Copy Books, 3141 Hymn Books, 600 Catechisms, besides Slates and Quills, have been sold during the last year; beside which, 160 Easy Lesson Books have been given to Adult Schools, and 60 to two new schools for children.➡ The committee take this opportunity to express, that they and the society are under the greatest obligation to Mr. Roworth, for the great and unremitting exertions he has used in promoting the interests of this useful establishment.

Considering the excellency and the useful tendency, of the sermon delivered at the last annual meeting, by the Rev. Mr. Stevenson, of Loughborough, your committee requested him to publish it; that publication has accordingly taken place, and it is now sold at the society's depository.

The Union becoming increasingly extensive, and, in consequence, the duties of the secretary proportionably heavy, it was resolved at the meeting of the committee, held on the 30th of December last, on the motion of Mr. A. Barnett, the present se cretary, seconded Mr. N. Barnsdall, that Mr. Thomas Smith be appointed joint secretary with Mr. Barnett; and Mr. Smith has, since that time, signified his willingness to accept that appoint ment for the ensuing year.

Your committee are concerned to state, that their exertions to promote the establishment and success of Adult Schools have not been attended with a greater measure of success; they trust that the subject will not be lost sight of by the society, or by its future committees, and that persevering and patient exertions, will be crowned with more encouraging success, until the happy period shall arrive, when through the universal influence of early educa tion, the necessity of Adult Institutions shall be wholly superseded.

The committee have been happy if their services should have proved in any way acceptable to the society; and have contributed to promote the very interesting objects of it; they have

felt anxious that the duty they have discharged should be progressively divided with the other friends of the institution, and that in a way least calculated to retard the important duties of their official situation; they have therefore determined, and beg leave to recommend that determination to be adopted by the society, That the senior member of the committee, selected from each congregation, shall annually retire from his station, and that the vacancy shall be filled up by some other person from the same society.

The society will observe, with pleasure, not only the increase of Sabbath School institutions, but the many gratifying and encouraging instances of success which annually multiply upon us. The immortal spirits of many children are doubtless now in heaven, who have been conducted there by the fostering hand of Sabbath School education; and many young persons are now occupying honourable and useful places in our churches, - many are devoting their Sabbaths to the worship of God, and spending their weeks in his fear, who, but for these institutions, had been now in the darkness of ignorance, and in the broad road to destruction. These are the first fruits,-and but the first fruits. They are sufficient for an encouragement, but not sufficient for our satisfaction.-Let us go on, till our tens shall become thousands, till the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.-Unto him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Summary of the Sunday Schools, comprising the Nottingham Sunday School Union.

Religious Denominations.

Schools.

Children,

Teachers.

Methodist

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Methodist New Itinerancy.

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Independent

1,770

177

Particular Baptist ·

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The reports of the schools, in reference to general improvement and moral and religious instruction, are very encouraging.

The following Statement exhibits the progressive Increase of the Union, from its Commencement to the last Annual Meeting.

Schools, containing Children instructed by Teachers,

August 14th, 1810,32
April 15th, 1811,37

4,834
5,279.

722

772

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Among the many advantages that have resulted from this Union; the following may be particularly noticed:-increased attention to Sunday School institutions in the town and neighbourhood; the establishment of many new schools; considerable improve ment in some formerly established; increased attention to the religious instruction of children; some attention to the instruction of ignorant adults; and a greater degree of cordiality and affee. tion in Christians of different denominations towards each other.

REPORT of the HAMPSHIRE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. THE Committee of the Hampshire Sunday School Union, being now in possession of returns from nearly all the Sunday School Societies with which they stand connected in the county, are enabled to report, that although there are several instances of declension, there are more of increase both with regard to teachers and scholars and, notwithstanding it is a subject of regret, that comparatively so few are to be found willing to make a sacrifice of ease and comfort, for the benefit of the rising race; yet there is reason to rejoice, that the number of benevolent young persons, of both sexes, engaged in this most important work, has greatly increased, and is still increasing.

The returns which have been received, enable the committee to put the meeting in possession of the following animating facts, which they are sure will come home to the bosom of every one present. The numbers of children and teachers in connexion with the Union, were:

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There is a fact which the committee are enabled to bring be fore the meeting, and which they wish to impress deeply on every friend to the infant poor-it is, that notwithstanding all that has.

been done, there are yet more than fifty villages in this enlightened county destitute of a Sunday School!!! What will the friends of religion and humanity say to this? Will they not, with one voice, resolve immediately, that such an opprobrium shall be wiped away? Will they not anxiously inquire what can be done to pour the light of instruction into these dark and gloomy corners?-to effect this, is the very object of the Union-there is, therefore, a ready answer to such an inquiry-Let the Union be supported, not only by funds, but by what is even more important, by the active and cordial co-operation of every Sunday School teacher in the county; and it will soon be seen, that the obstacles which now present themselves will quickly vanish, and the means of instruction be placed within the reach of every poor child in Hamp

shire.

EXTRACT from the SECOND REPORT of the BRISTOL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

YOUR committee embrace, with pleasure, the present oppor tunity, to lay before the subscribers and the public a report of the progress of the society since the last general meeting; and, in so doing, they cannot avoid congratulating their friends upon the continued prosperity which has attended the institution. During the last year, thirteen new schools have been opened in various parts of the country, containing 1277 children; and eight others have received considerable donations of books, besides many of the schools which were included in the former report. The total number of schools which have been opened under the patronage of this society, since its commencement, is thirty-eight; and the number that have received assistance, eighteen. The number of children in all these, cannot be accurately ascertained; but your committee may confidently state that it amounts to several thousands.

Adhering strictly to the principles and objects of the institution, your committee have continued to offer their assistance, without reserve, to all denominations of Christians; and have laboured to extend the advantage of Sunday Schools wherever they have had opportunity. Your committee have much satisfaction to report that the schools with which they are connected, are, in the general, in a prosperous state. In some instances, indeed, the zeal of those who conduct them has grown cold, and the schools have consequently declined; but, in the majority, the case is far different-the teachers have felt an interest in the cause proportioned to its importance, and the most beneficial effects have been produced among the children committed to their care. The plan of visiting the schools, in the neighbourhood of the city, has been found very serviceable both in promoting their improvement, and in stimulating the members of the committee to increased exertion. If any proof were wanting to convince them

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of the importance of the society, they have received it, in an abundant degree, when visiting different districts of the surrounding country: the ignorance and wickedness which they have beheld in many places, has loudly called them to action; whilst the happy results of Sabbath Schools, which they have witnessed in others, have furnished the most powerful stimulus and encouragement.

Your committee cannot omit again adverting to the advantages of the quarterly meetings; a spirit of unanimity and zeal has appeared to pervade the assemblies-the minor distinctions of party have been forgotten-one grand object has engaged the attention and excited the energies of all-the glory of God, and the happiness of man.

In their former report, the committee expressed a hope that they should be enabled to establish schools in some villages in the neighbourhood, by the aid of voluntary teachers from Bristol: in this they have been partially disappointed. The number who offered their services not exceeding six every Sabbath, the committee could only assist three schools, viz. those at Pill, Fishponds, and Batten's Chapel. To the teachers who have thus distinguished themselves, the committee tender their public acknowledgments; whilst they take the opportunity of earnestly inviting others to imitate so laudable an example. Much might be advanced upon this subject, but the committee would rather refer to two schools, conducted upon this plan, which reflect the highest credit upon those immediately concerned, and also furnish a powerful motive to similar exertion:-the first is a school of one hundred girls, at Screwshole, established and carried on by a voluntary Association of Female Teacliers, belonging to different congregations in this city. The benevolence and zeal of these ladies have been very conspicuous-disregarding alike the heat of summer and the inclemency of winter, they have persevered in their undertaking, and have now one of the most prosperous and best regulated schools in the surrounding country. The other school is at Wick war, consisting of one hundred and twenty boys and girls: this is conducted by a number of voluntary teachers from Wottonunder-edge. The thanks of your committee are particularly due to these active individuals, who regularly walk twelve milescause no expense either to the inhabitants or the society-and whose exertions in the school are unwearied, and have produced the most gratifying results.

Your committee might mention many other instances, where the establishment of schools has been attended with very pleasing events; particularly Blagdon, Sodbury, Falfield, Alverton, and Almondsbury, in your own neighbourhood; and also several of the schools in Wales; the improvement in the morals of the children has been very observable, and not a few have manifested a hopeful degree of seriousness, and have learned to venerate that inestimable volume which is the only guide of youth, and the sure support of age.

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