Page images
PDF
EPUB

Bible to him, about which he was very careful to make many inquiries.

The foregoing instances which have occurred in Schools connected with this Union, are doubtless well calculated to encourage Sunday School teachers to proceed in their work with delight and diligence.

The time did not admit of many more being related; but it was mentioned that one Sunday School in this district had produced five ministers of the gospel, and about fifty members who had joined their church. In another School it was remarked, that instances of usefulness came to the knowledge of the teachers almost every Sunday.

The ministers who addressed the meeting stated, that those serious young persons who refuse to assist in Sunday Schools should be placed on a hill like Lot's wife. Three cautions were given to Sunday School teachers.-1, To beware of pride: for if pride crept in, every instance of usefulness that presented itself would be thought ascribable to the praise of the persons themselves, and God would not suffer prosperity to attend this. 2. To be careful what they say to the chil dren: for though they may hear some of the good they were doing, they would not hear of the harm. 3. To be very particular in their conduct: for persons judge more by what they see than by what they hear.

It was further observed that Sunday School teachers should be always collecting useful information for the children. That they should be careful to fill up their stations as Christians, remembering their duty to their own families, to the church, and to the Schools; that they who appear serious and pious among the teachers in Sunday Schools might be no less so in their own domestic circles,

Southwark Auxiliary Sunday School Union.

THE first Quarterly Meeting of this Union was held at the Rev. Mr. Mitchell's Chapel in the Borough, on Thursday Evening, June 9th, 1814.

The Rev. G. Collison of Hackney was requested to take the Chair on the occasion.

After singing and prayer, a report was read by Mr. Gale from the committee: it stated, that their plan to ascertain the state of the Schools belonging to the auxiliary union, had been attendedwith success. A list of sixteen Schools was then read, comprising the time when such-Schools were opened, the number of children admitted into each School since its commencement, the average'

3 R 2.

number on the books the last quarter, the average number attending, and the number of teachers in each School; a few Schools had not yet filled up and returned their printed forms, so that the total numbers could not be reported till the next quarterly meeting. It also stated, that for the sake of obtaining interesting information for each quarterly meeting, they had requested a written statement of the rise and progress of each School to the present period. Four such reports would be read that evening: it concluded with requesting such Schools as had not yet subscribed, to remit their subscription either quarterly, half yearly, or annually, to the committee meetings.

Reports were then read from the Kent-street, Mint, Borough, and Unicorn-yard Sunday Schools, by their representatives. The three first are under the care of the Southwark Sunday School Society, the other belongs to the Rev. Mr. Hutchings.

The very interesting matter contained in these reports animated the hearts of all present, to persevere in the noble cause in which they were engaged, and to rest assured, that their labours should not utterly be in vain, if done with a view to the glory of God.

Resolutions of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Mitchell for the use of his chapel, and to the chairman, were moved and seconded by Messrs. Heward, Hoskins, G. Medly, and the Rev. Mr. Mitchell.

The chairman in reply gave a most animating address to the teachers, stating the powerful motives which should influence and stimulate them in the solemn and important work in which they were engaged. The meeting concluded with singing and prayer.

The peculiar feeling which characterized this meeting will not easily be forgotten, the sparks of zeal were kindled into a flame every heart seemed refreshed by the encouraging reports, and energetic address, that formed the more interesting feature of this meeting. The chairman expressed himself highly gratified, and begged that the reports might be published for the information of other Schools. The more interesting parts of those reports will be forwarded at a future opportunity, with an account of the second quarterly meeting, at which a greater number of teachers and friends were present, than at any of the former ones.

West London Auxiliary Sunday School Union.

ON Wednesday Evening, September 7th, 1814, a meeting of teachers and friends of Sunday Schools, was held at Oxendonstreet Chapel for the purpose of forming a West London Auxiliary Sunday School Union, when Mr. W. F. Lloyd was called to the chair.

The business of the evening commenced with singing, after which the Rev. R. H. Shepherd prayed.

The chairman stated the nature and object of the institution about to be formed.

Rev. R. H. Shepherd moved the formation, and stated the necessity of union, as being the fountain from whence all the streams of strength flow.

Mr. Niven seconded the resolution.

Mr. Coombs moved the rules, and pointed out the particular claims of Sunday Schools on public attention.

Mr. Mogenie seconded the resolution.

Rev. J. Day moved, that Joseph Butterworth, jun. Esq. be invited to accept the office of treasurer to this society, and stated the good effects which had already evinced themselves in the Southwark union, as excitements to exertion in this part of the metropolis.

Mr. Wild seconded the resolution.

Mr. R. Jones moved, that Messrs. J. Warr and W. Ireland be secretaries, and stated the necessity of great efforts, as from a late survey of the district, it was ascertained there were 30,000 children at that time without instruction.

Rev. Mr. Skene seconded the Resolution, and dwelt on the utility of Sunday Schools, and the necessity of union.

Mr. Collins moved the thanks of the meeting to the Rev. M. Jarmain and the managers, for the use of the chapel, and pointed out many benefits resulting from similar institutions; also strongly recommended brotherly love amongst the teachers.

Mr. Brooks seconded the resolution.

Mr. Coombs moved the thanks of the meeting to the chairman. Mr. Thompson seconded the resolution,

The Chairman acknowledged the vote of thanks, and stated some instances of the beneficial effects of Sunday Schools, as incentives to fresh ardour and increased activity.

The Hymn," Attracted by love's sacred force", was sung, and the meeting was closed with prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Uppadine.

QUARTERLY REPORT of the WEST KENT SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION,

DEAR SIR,

WE have the pleasure to transmit an account of the second Quarterly Meeting of the West Kent Sunday School Union, which was held at Salem Chapel, Woolwich, on Friday evening the 26th ult. The meeting having been opened in the usual manner, one of the secretaries stated, that the Schools belonging to the Union were in a prosperous state, and upon the whole rather on the increase; and also that repeated efforts had been made by the compittee to open a Sunday School at Charlton, but from the diffi

culty of obtaining a place for the purpose, and the disregard manifested by the inhabitants to such an institution, every attempt had hitherto proved unsuccessful. The chairman (John Dyer, Esq.) informed the meeting, that a School for adults had been opened at Deptford by members of the Committee, that about sixteen had been admitted, but at present only twelve actually received instruction, owing probably to some of them having left their homes to profit by the employment which the harvest affords. It was likewise stated, that a School had been opened on the Woolwich Road, by the Greenwich Union Society, (established to promote village preaching, and Sunday Schools) and another at Dartmouth Row Chapel, Blackheath, by the Rev. John Shepherd, A. B. the former containing about thirty children, the latter forty. A variety of interesting information was communi, cated by the chairman, and the meeting was closed with a very appropriate address by the Rev. J. W. Percy.

We feel considerable pleasure in acquainting you, that at a committee of the Union, held last Friday evening, a sub-committee was chosen for the purpose of opening Adult Schools at Woolwich, for each sex. There is every reason to anticipate much success from their operations, which will commence without delay. Indeed, we cannot refuse ourselves the honest gratification of bearing witness that our Woolwich brethren are all life and activity in the distinguished service of instructing the ignorant. And is it not a distinguished service? It is the service of the King of Kings-of Him, at whose name every knee shall bow--of Him, who always has, and ever will, bring off those engaged in it more than conquerors. It is a distinguished service!—and it is a profitable service. It is the service of Him who can reward liberally, for "from Him all good proceeds," and who will reward liberally, for he has declared, if any man serve me, him will my Father honor."--But we request your pardon for thus trespassing upon your attention, and are,

66

Greenwich.

Sept. 13, 1814.

Dear Sir,

[blocks in formation]

WARRINGTON SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

DEAR SIR, Warrington, August 25th, 1814. IT is with peculiar pleasure I embrace the opportunity of informing you that we have established a Sunday School Union in this town, which I hope will prove of the greatest utility, and tend to promote the good of the rising generation, by the united efforts of those who are engaged in so laudable an employment,

but am sorry to remark, that little at present has been done since its first formation, but I flatter myself, that ere long we shall witness its beneficial effects beginning to dawn. At a meeting of the committee, held July 1st, it was resolved that a copy of the rules of this union should be transmitted to the editor of the Sanday School Repository.

Annexed is a statement of the number of children, teachers, &c. contained in the respective Schools belonging to the Union, s delivered by the superintendant of each School.

[blocks in formation]

sermon was

I now proceed to give you a brief outline of our annual meeting, which was held on Thursday the 9th day of June, which afforded a very pleasing sight, and (have no doubt) was very gratifying to great numbers. The children belonging to the respective Schools, as above stated, all concentrated together at about two o'clock in the afternoon in the market-place of this town, where they all joined in singing a hymn, and then marched in regular procession to St. John's Chapel, and a preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Garrett, minister at Bank-street Chapel, to a numerous audience; his discourse being principally addressed to the children of the several Schools, and their parents, who were present, to embrace the opportunity. I hope a divine blessing will accompany our efforts, in adopting such measures as shall tend to the prosperity of the Union, and redound to the glory of God.

Remaining yours,

Very respectfully,

J. W. DAVENPORT, & Secretaries

SAND. ROWE,

STROUD SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

DEAR SIR, Stroud, June 18th, 1814. I INFORMED you some weeks ago that a Sunday School Union had been established in this town, and intimated my intention of sending you more particular information when our society should have become fully established. The union comprehends at present 14 schools, above 200 teachers, and 1500 children;

« PreviousContinue »