little discussion arose on the admission Mr. Miell referred to the advantages of works of fiction into our libraries; of being united in this great work; the general opinion being that any expressed the pleasure he had exwork having a religious or moral ten-perienced in having been engaged for dency ought not to be excluded.

This Union comprises five out of the six Sunday schools connected with the Nonconforming Churches in this city, and meets quarterly for the purposes of prayer and conference. It has about 760 children and young persons, under the care of 100 teachers. Mr. John Lawrence, Jun., was re-elected to fill the office of secretary for the ensuing year.

The representatives of the several schools were returned as follows.

Scot's Lane (Independent) Rev. H. J. Chancellor, Mr. S. Hill, and Mr. W. Buckle.

Brown Street (Baptist) Rev. R. Bai lache, Mr. J. Keynes, and Mr. C. Old.

Milford Street (Wesleyan Reform) Mr. T. Kent, Mr. T. Miell, and Mr. J. S. Atkins.

Endless Street (Independent) Rev. H. J. West, Mr. Councillor Whitlock, and Mr. J. Giddings.

Fisherton (Primitive Methodist) Rev. J. Causer, Mr. Hopkins, Sen., and Mr. G. Hopkins.

Mr. Buckle referred to the progress made in the Scot's Lane School during the past year as regarded the general management, but regretted that so little success was manifest with reference to the great object of Sunday schoolsthe conversion of souls. He also spoke of the duty and necessity of teachers making preparation for their work, illustrating the advantages that generally result from due preparation.

Mr. Keynes spoke of the satisfactory state of the Brown Street School; the punctuality of the teachers, which induced the same quality in the children. Several young persons during the year had been led to connect themselves with the church, chiefly the result of the teachers praying with and for their

children.

forty years as a Sunday school teacher. Spoke of the happy death of a young person connected with the Milford Street School who had exchanged earth for heaven during the past year; and also the intelligence he had just received of the death of a young man, formerly a scholar in this school, but who having removed to the Isle of Wight, where he had been made very useful, within the last few days had been mysteriously called home in the morning of life, leaving a bright testimony behind that the seed sown in the school had taken root, sprung up, and brought forth fruit.

Mr. Whitlock spoke in reference to a good work going on in the Endless Street School, which he was happy to state was greatly improving; their numbers had also increased; a spirit of enquiry had been awakened, and they felt strongly encouraged to pursue their labors.

Mr. Hopkins, Jun., said that the school in Fisherton had made considerable progress during the year; that their numbers had also been multiplied, and they felt encouraged to persevere in their humble endeavors to do good. J. L.

HERTFORD.

An exceedingly interesting meeting, in connection with the Sunday schools belonging to Cowbridge Chapel, was held on the evening of December the 7th. The parents of the children had been invited to take tea with the pastor and teachers, and upwards of 100 responded to the invitation. The upper schoolroom was tastefully decorated for the occasion with evergreens, and flags bearing appropriate inscriptions. The Rev. William Spencer occupied the chair, and, together with several of the teachers, and some of the parents, ad

dressed the company. A printed appeal, of the members of the class warmly exprepared specially for this occasion, pressed their gratitude for the benefits [Vide p. 24] was also placed in the derived by them from Mr. Cuthbertson's hands of each person present. A very long-continued and self-denying efforts deep and profitable feeling was evidently produced, fully justifying the determination to make this the first of a series of similar annual meetings.

to promote their efficiency as Sunday school teachers, and attested their due appreciation of his uniform kindness and courtesy. The following is the inscription on the time-piece :-" Presented by the Teachers' Preparation Class, Sunday School Union, London, to Francis Cuthbertson, Esq., as a small token of esteem and gratitude for the courtesy and ability displayed by him

commencement in 1847. Nov. 10, 1858.” Mr. Cuthbertson, with much emotion, said that this testimonal was entirely unexpected by him; and that he believed they were all engaged in the great work of religious education, with a higher motive than to gain the applause or the reward of their fellows.

ST. GEORGE'S-IN-THE EAST. On Monday, the 6th December, the committee and teachers of St. George's and Jubilee-street Wesleyan Methodist Free Churches, held a social tea meet- as the president of the class from its ing in St. George's Sunday-school room, Cannon-street-road. After partaking of ǎ comfortable tea, the meeting commenced by being presided over by W. Allaway, Esq. The chairman, in opening the meeting, gave a very excellent address to the teachers, after which Mr. Essex (superintendent) of Jubilee, gave a very long address on Unity; Messrs. Ryan (superintendent), and Wells (secretary), then addressed the meeting on Conversion and Influence. Mr. Day, in an excellent and humorous address, advised the teachers to walk well, to talk well, and read well. After which Messrs. Nye, (from another circuit), Richardson, Castle, and Akers, addressed the meeting in a very appropriate and interesting manner. After a hymn being sung, and prayer offered up to the great Head of Sunday-school teach ing, the meeting separated, the teachers being much edified and encouraged.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, TESTIMONIAL TO MR. CUTHBERTSON.—

LITERATURE IN MELBOURNE. Sir William à Beckett, late Chief Justice of Victoria, has favoured us with the following interesting extract from a letter just received from Melbourne:-"What think you of our library? The attendance has reached 8,000 persons a month-actually a larger number than that last year at the British Museum-96,000 to 93,000. This year, also, we are fortunate enough to have a grant of £20,000. to expend, and a wing is being added, which gives an additional reading-room ninety feet long."-Literary Gazette.

The members of the Teachers' Prepa- RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT AMONG

THE

CHILDREN OF METHODISTS.

THE Rev. Robert Jackson, in a letter, gives the following cheering statements,

ration Class meeting at the Sunday School Union, Old Bailey, presented their esteemed president, Mr. F. Cuthbertson, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 10, with a handsome time-piece and read-as the result of recent efforts to bring ing stand, which had been subscribed young people to decision:

for by them during Mr. Cuthbertson's, temporary absence in Scotland. Some

At Stanley and Eastington, in the Dursley circuit, the young people were

At Chapel-Town, Leeds First circuit, Mr. J. Robinson, class-leader, says,— to say that many of the young people I am happy to inform you, that twenty-. are meeting in class, and making pro- six of the young people are in a fair gress in the Divine life;" and of the way for heaven; and there are eight latter the minister reports, that there more who began to meet by the same are eight meeting in class. means two years ago; making thirtyfour in all. And there are more who have begun since you were here."

addresses were delivered by the Revs. you." At the close of the service, a tea T. Davies of Putney, I. M. Soule, of meeting took place in the new rooms. Battersea, R. Ashton, Secretary of the The tables were gratuitously furnished Congregational Union, and E. Bolton, by the ladies of the congregation, and of of Hackney College. During the past other Christian denominations in the year the school has prospered in all its town. More than 450 persons were departments, Its numbers (carefully present at the tea, and at its close a analyzed for the occasion) are 570. Of public meeting was held, over which these, 170 attend the infant class; and the Rev. J. S. Bright presided. Mr. 80 are in the adult classes. Several mem- C. Rose, the secretary of the building bers have been added to the church committee, gave a detailed statement as from the school, and the teachers are thankful to know that one of their number, Mr. John Ashton, M.A., has been accepted by the London Missionary Society, as a missionary for India.

DORKING, SURREY.

-

to the origin, 'progress, and successful completion of the undertaking. Mr. Todman, the treasurer, furnished some interesting particulars as to the finances, especially in regard to the productiveness of the weekly contribution. Interesting addresses were delivered in the course of the evening, by the Revs. J. Graham; Thomas, (Wesleyan); WEST STREET CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOLS. G. H. Adency, of Reigate; J. Waite, of These schools were established by a Leatherhead; R. Lewis, of Shore; J. relative of the immortal Raikes, in 1806, Payne, Esq., of Leatherhead; and Mr. At their jubilee celebration in December, A. Mitchell, the superintendent. The 1856, an effort was initiated to obtain cost of the new rooms, with vestry, the erection of new rooms for their ac- offices, and other requisites, to render commodation. Subscriptions lists were them complete, exceeds £700.; toward accordingly opened, and a weekly con- which about £400. has been collected. tribution towards the requisite funds On the following Sabbath the pastor commenced. So successful had been the liberally offered to devote the whole of endeavour, in the spring of the pre- his income derived from the pew consent year, that the Committee appointed tributions for a year, towards the liquiby the Church to superintend the under-dation of the debt, providing the holders taking, felt justified in proceeding with of pews and sittings would double their the work. The site on which it was subscriptions for the same object. As intended to erect the building having there is little doubt of the acceptance of been used for many generations as a this noble offer, it is hoped that the place of sepulture, rendered it difficult amount remaining unpaid will be cleared to secure a solid base for the future su- off during the present year. perstructure. This obstacle was surmounted by the employment of concrete, and the corner stone of the new erection PRIZE FOR AN ESSAY. was laid on July 14th, by the Rev. J. S. Bright, the minister of the chapel. The THE Bishop of Oxford has offered a new rooms were opened under very prize for the best essay on the following auspicious circumstances, on the 20th subject:-" The best method of proOctober. An excellent sermon on behalf moting reverence and devotion among of the building fund was preached in the school children during Divine worship." afternoon, by the Rev. J. Graham, of Cra- Competitors for the prize are confined ven chapel, from 1 Peter, v. 7, "Casting to the Diocesan Association of Schoolall your care upon Him for He careth for masters.

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD'S

CUMBERLAND:-ALSTON.

in the first place, on the part of teachers -due preparation for teaching-personal piety-fervent prayer, and oftener conversations with the children on soul matters. Much was said in favour of Bible circulation, for home use, by means of the children's own small

THE annual deputation of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Sunday School Union, consisting of Messrs. E. Ridley and J. W. Townsend, recently visited Alston, a distance of 45 miles, where they met. with the usual cordial reception. Two of the friends met them at the station, weekly payments. Libraries, too, and and intimated the duties and arrangethe periodical publications of the Sunments, which respectful and business-day School Union were warmly relike attention were appreciated. The commended, as were also Bible Classes, and Week-Evening Free Schools, for the Congregational, Wesleyan, and Method impartation of secular elementary educaist schools were visited in the morning, tion, coupled with religious instruction,

which are conducted in Alston on a liberal scale, and which it were desirable should obtain wherever Sunday schools are established.

A CORRESPONdent.

and for the most part found in an active and encouraging state; the number of teachers in all was gratifying. All three went on in their usual way, so that the order, usages, and mode of teaching could be witnessed. A good number of classes were separately gone into, and a kind and seasonable word offered to teacher and child. In several, it was recommended that shorter lessons be read, less time given to the exercise licitation of the friends connected with of reading, and more to questioning the | this Union, Mr. Fountain J. Hartley, children on the lesson, explaining it, lately visited Ipswich, as a deputation and grounding practical instruction from the London Sunday School Union; thereon. and during his stay was kindly enter

IPSWICH.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.-At the so

In the afternoon, the schools assem-tained by E. Goddard, Esq., the late bled in one of the largest chapels, when mayor, and also by Mr. E. Grimwade. the devotional exercises, with an introductory address, were undertaken by the Rev. J. Harper, after which the teachers and children were severally addressed. A variety of questions were put to the little people regarding some of the leading truths of the Bible, which they readily and satisfactorily answered, thereby indicating their progress in divine knowledge.

In accordance with the previous arrangements, a special prayer meeting of the teachers was held on the Saturday evening, at Nicholas Chapel school room, (kindly granted by the Rev. J. Raven.) The attendance of the teachers on the occasion was very gratifying. After prayer had been offered by several friends, an address was delivered by Mr. Hartley, who took for his subject In the evening, there was a still the "Personal aspect of the Sunday larger attendance of parents, teachers, School work," especially in reference to and friends. The services were intro- the teachers themselves. The address duced by the Rev. Mr. Long, after was listened to with great interest and which all parties were suitably ad-pleasure by the friends assembled. dressed, and evinced considerable interest on the occasion.

At the close, a conference of teachers was held, when several practical points were started and warmly recommended. Among the rest, early attendance; and,

On Sabbath morning, Mr. Hartley, accompanied by Mr. Rees, one of the seeretaries of the Ipswich Union, paid a brief visit to the following schools in connexion with the Union, viz: Nicholas Chapel, Friar's Street, Globe Lane,