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and an instance was narrated of an individual who had given an address, distinguished by these characteristics, to the scholars of a ragged-school. At the close, one boy whispered pretty audibly, "That's a very decent preach; that old chap can come again." An opinion in which his companions appeared fully to

concur.

was 550. The average attendance has been mornings 384; afternoons 487.

The morning separate service for those too young to join intelligently in the service of the sanctuary, had been held every Sunday; and also a distinct one for the infants only, in another room. All the children however, except the infants, had the option of attending the service at the church, or other places of worship with their parents.

Sunday evening services.-During the year, this branch of the school operations which is carried on without any expense except that of gas, had continued to draw together a large number of children and their parents.

The President summed up the remarks made, drawing especial attention to one or two points, and in conclusion, urged upon the meeting the desirableness of endeavoring during the vacation to make the class more widely known, so that on recommencing operations, in the autumn, a larger number might receive the benefits of the course of instruction provided; the general adop- | year, tion of the plan originated in the Normal 301 for each Sunday. As far as could Class, rendering it very important that be ascertained-with very few excepit should be sustained in perfect effi- tions these persons had been drawn ciency. not from other congregations, but from T. J. C. the large body of the inhabitants who had hitherto disregarded the claims of the Sabbath.

KENTISH TOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

THE Annual Meeting of this Institution, was held on the evening of Good Friday.

About 250 persons took tea together, after which the large room (formerly the chapel), was thrown open to the public, and was speedily filled to overflowing by the friends of the school, among whom were a large number of the parents of the children.

Mr. FLEMING, the pastor of the church, and president of the school, presided, and having offered prayer, and addressed a few words to the meeting, called upon the secretary to read the report:- -a few extracts from which may prove interesting and useful

There were at the close of the year 1858, 704 children on the books, under the instruction of 64 teachers. The largest number present at any one time

The total number present during the was 15,667, or an average of

A prayer meeting had been held after cach service, which had an average attendance of 80.

During the summer months open air services had been held in a field close by-one at half past 5, and another at half-past 8.

The teachers had had much to encourage them in connexion with this service, and did time permit, several interesting facts could be stated.

Some of the regular attendants had subscribed together to purchase a very handsome pulpit bible, which they had presented to the school, accompanied by a letter expressing the deepest gratitude for the pleasure and profit derived from the service. A leather label in the cover, contained the following inscription :

"Presented to the Teachers of the Sun-
day School, by the Parents, Children,
and others attending the Evening Ser-
vice."

The Missionary subscriptions of the
U 2

school had been £48, 18s. 5d., which of the children their parents and friends availed themselves of the opportunity. The charges were so arranged as to pay all expenses, and leave a small sum to go to the school funds.

together with £8. 18s. 6d. from the Evening Service Society, made a total of £57. 17s. 1d. contributed for this purpose during the year. A portion of this amount is devoted to the support of 8 Hindoo girls, and one young man of caste, in the Madras missionary schools. The Library contains 700 volumes, and 4,409 issues had been made by the librarians during the year.

The Magazine committee completed its
third year of existence in June last.
During the year, the following magazines
had been disposed of by the committee.
158 Sunday at Home.
193 Leisure Hour.

24 Sunday School Teachers' Treasury.
47 Sunday School Union Magazine.
61 Christian Miscellany.

26 Ragged School Union Magazine.
16 Christian Treasury.

35 ditto Witness.

10 British Messenger.

156 Mothers' Friend.
242 Bible Class Magazine.

789 British Workman. 1,224 Childs' Companion.

46 Children's Paper.

99 Christians' Id. Magazine.

24 Tract Magazine.

291 Teachers' Offering.

19 Day Star.

27 Friendly Visitor.

13 Sabbath School Messenger.

691 Band of Hope Review.

563 Dew Drop.

92 Juvenile Missionary Magazine.

565 Child's Own Magazine.

76 Gospel Trumpet.

100 Miscellaneous.

5,587 Total.

Total for 3 years 17,418. The Band of Hope continued its meetings fortnightly during the winter months, the average attendance being about 120. There are now about 200 members; 80 having been added during

the year.

Christmas Entertainments.-A series of meetings designed for the instruction and amusement of the children, were held during the Christmas and NewYear's weeks.

They consisted of lectures by Messrs Baron and A. Shrimpton; a tea and treat for the Infants only, and on the fourth night a musical entertainment followed by the distribution of 200 books from two large illuminated Christmas trees, to 130 children recommended by their teachers, and 70 parents of those who had attended most regularly through the year. The expenses of these meetings were met, and a small surplus, secured by a small charge made for admission.

Lectures to the children had been delivered at intervals of a fortnight. Those who had been punctual every time during the previous month, were admitted free; and a small charge made to those not so entitled.

On Christmas day about 120 teachers and friends met to breakfast, and afterwards held a Conference upon the following subjects :—“ Recent instances of usefulness, and causes of failure."

A Situation Register had been opened during the year upon which the names and other particulars of those boys and girls requiring situations are entered; the book being kept for inspection in a central position in the neighbourhood.

The Provident Investment Society, commenced in September, had progressed satisfactorily, there having been 121 depositors, who had invested £53., in the Society.

The Summer Excursion to Hampton- The Mimpriss System of graduated Court passed off successfully, and gave simultaneous instruction, was brought such universal satisfaction, that the to a close at the end of the year; but teachers have arranged to repeat the trip this year.

A special train was engaged, and 995

had been so far approved by the teachers that they resolved to recommence the course at the beginning of

the present year, and go over the lessons | remembered as among the very best a second time. ever delivered in that room.

Teachers' prayer-meetings had been held every Saturday evening, and after the evening service on the last Sunday in each month.

Enquirers' classes, consisting of those who are believed to be in earnest about personal salvation, are held at frequent intervals, and are met by teachers well qualified to instruct them more fully in Divine things. The teachers have good reason to believe that many in these classes have in reality given their hearts to the Saviour: and will soon come forward and openly profess His name.

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The Chair was taken by the Rev. S. A. HERBERT, and subsequently by the Rev. R. MAGUIRe.

The Boy's devotional or Young Christian's Class meets for prayer every Sunday afternoon after school, and on one There were present, among other evening in the week. One of the friends, Mr. Sturgeon and Mrs. Mafundamental rules of this class, is, that guire, Superintendent; Mr. W. H. only such boys as give sufficient proof Groser, (representing the Sunday of a change of heart, or at any rate an School Union); Mr. Power, (repreearnest desire to become Christians, senting the Sunday School Institute); shall be members of it. All belonging Mr. Davis, of the Religious Tract Soto it are expected to engage in some acts ciety; Mr. Groser, sen.; and the variof usefulness, as tract distributing, ous members of the Committee. speaking privately to their companions, &c.

Prayer-meetings of the children, originated at their spontaneous request, are held every Sunday; boys and girls separately, before school in the morning, and at the close of the evening service. Tract Societies.-Both boys and girls have been in active operation. Above 18,000 tracts having been distributed during the year-nearly all of which have been purchased by the children

themselves.

The report having been read, the following gentlemen delivered short, but most interesting and useful addresses, viz.: Rev. J. H. Wilson, of Aberdeen, Rev. T. Thoresby, of Spa Fields, Rev. F. Tucker, of Camden Road, and Messrs. Shirley, and Bailey.

The Rev. Mr. HERBERT conducted the examination of the children.

The annual report was read, from which we gathered that the schools are The progressing most satisfactorily. number of teachers on the books ismale teachers, 15; female teachers, 21. The number of children is larger than heretofore, and the respective returns stand thus-boys 220 (average attendance, 130); girls, 216 (average attendance, upwards of 100.) The writing classes are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. A library of useful and instructive books is open one evening in the week.

A service, under the sanction of the Incumbent, adapted for children, with a suitable address, is held This is not every Sunday evening. confined to the children of the school; It is quite impossible in the limits of parents are also invited. A course of this notice, to give anything like a fair instructive and interesting lectures idea of the most excellent speeches of have been given by the teachers on these gentlemen, which will long be week evenings.

Addresses were delivered by Messrs. | long remembered. The meeting was Groser, W. H. Groser, Power, and opened with prayer, and after some reDavis; after which the distribution of marks by the chairman, Mr. W. Munday, rewards took place. the superintendent, read a short report, The Rev. R. Maguire then addressed which urged the universal adoption of the children. Sunday schools in workhouses. Mr. G. Appropriate hymns were sung by the White, of the Abbey Street Schools, exchildren at intervals during the inter-amined the children in Scripture knowesting proceedings, which were closed with prayer.-Clerkenwell News.

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ledge, who readily, cheerfully, and accurately answered the questions put to them. The recitations were delivered with good effect, and the singing, which consisted of "Jubilate," Holy Lord," (Sanctus) "Come unto me," and "Jerusalem," (anthems) and "Now unto Him," was executed in a style which reflects great credit upon Mr. R. Prestage, the teacher. During the evening, speeches were delivered by the Rev. D. Katterns, Mr. Paxton, and Messrs. Gamman, Baxter, Williams, and Homer. Mr. Brain attended as a deputation from the Sunday School Union.

The tenor of

the Lord Mayor's speech was union and love, which was eloquently described as the great and only means for the reformation of the world. Mr. Homer referred in an able manner to the establishment of the Hackney Workhouse Sunday School, and its present prosperous state. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, &c.; and after the meeting, the children were regaled with cake and milk. Many of the guardians were present, and took great interest in the proceedings.

We can but hope that the influence of this meeting will permeate the length and breadth of the land, and bring speedily about that result for which those who are engaged in this work constantly and earnestly pray.

PUTNEY.

INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL.-The annual sermons connected with the above school, were preached on the 13th of March; in the morning by the Rev. T. Davies, and in the evening by

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.

the Rev. J. B. Talbot, of London; on and by Messrs. Wright of Hull; the Tuesday following, the annual meet- Groser, of London; Allison, of Leeds; ing was held, when a large company W. Corke, J. Tuley, and W. Salter. sat down to an excellent tea. The Rev. J. M. Soule, of Battersea, presided at the public meeting; and the report was read by Mr. James, the superintendent. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. F. F. Thomas, of Tooting; Davison, of Wandsworth; Davies, of Putney; and also by Messrs. King and Harrison, of Putney, and Mr. Sinclair from London. The account, as read by the superintendent, was very cheering; the school was on the increase; three of the teachers had been received in church fellowship; and the funds were in a very satisfactory state.

This Union has remitted a second contribution to the London Union of nearly £33, collected chiefly among the children of the several schools in town and country, towards the liquidation of the remaining debt on the JUBILEE ME. MORIAL HALL. The friends in the North duly appreciated the valuable and persevering labours of the Parent Society, and have much pleasure in thus practically expressing their sympathy and grateful sense thereof.

YORKSHIRE.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL AT
HOBART TOWN.

HALIFAX. THE annual conference of teachers was held in Trinity Road Chapel, on April 22nd. At the morning meet- BEING a constant reader of your Maing Mr. J. H. Philbrick presided. Mr. gazine, and observing frequently the Wright, of Hull, read a paper on "The notices of Sunday school anniversaries Past, the Present, and the Future of that occur in various localities in EngSunday schools;" and Mr. Allison, of land, I thought that it would not be Leeds, read a paper on "Auxiliary uninteresting to give you some account Agencies to Sunday Schools." In the of the Christmas anniversary of the Sunafternoon, Mr. Councillor Sugden pre- day schools in Hobart Town, Tasmania. sided. Mr. Groser, Corresponding Secre- The anniversary was held on Monday, tary of the London Sunday School 27th December, 1858. It is usually Union, read a paper on "Teachers' Training Classes." These papers were severally discussed, and at the close of the Conference, the delegates had tea in the Sion school room.

The annual meeting of this Union was held in Sion Chapel, April 22nd. F. Crossley, Esq., presided. The report stated that 48 schools were in union, containing 2,050 teachers, and 12,200 scholars; that 166 scholars had joined churches during the year; and that 73 visits had been made to schools by the visiting committee. Addresses were delivered by the chairman; the Revs. T. M. Newnes, G. Hoyle, T. D. Matthias, and J. C. Gray;

held the day following Christmas. The
children assembled about eleven o'clock
in their respective schools, in various
parts of the city, and proceeded to the
Wesleyan chapel. The children were
seated by twelve o'clock. They com-
menced by singing one of the hymns
selected for the occasion. Prayer was
offered; the second hymn sung. The
Rev. J. G. Mackintosh then addressed
them for a short time. The children
listened very attentively.
It was a
pleasing sight to see so many gathered
together. It would be happiness, indeed,
if all of them loved the Saviour. They
then sang the concluding hymn. About
1,400 Sunday school children were pre-

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