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Correspondence.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.

DEAR SIR,-As you have kindly given insertion to the expression of my convictions upon the subject of Sunday school treats, I am emboldened to trouble you with a few remarks upon "C. B.'s" letter respecting anniversary and other public services in connexion with our Sunday schools.

In my former letter the true aim of the teacher was incidentally set forth as being nothing less than the leading of children to the Saviour in their earliest years. I have no fear whatever of being contradicted on this point, and shall therefore proceed, without devoting any words to its demonstration.

To settle the question of the utility of anniversary services, it is only necessary to apply this test: do they directly or indirectly tend to the realization of our aim ?

To me it seems quite impossible that they should do so. What are the facts respecting them? The following are two: that in many cases the direct work of the school is to a greater or less degree set aside in favour of the getting up of tunes or of recitations for the annual display; and that in the effort to remember words and tunes, the constant repetition takes away all thought, and the whole proceeding becomes lifeless and mechanical, so that through the hymns sung, and the pieces learnt, there is no likelihood even of an indirect influence for good resulting.

But I would say to them, trust less to man and more to God for your support. He will take care that a quiet, earnest work for His glory shall not fail for lack of means. The assistance of people who require the excitement of special services to make them help you, is, even in the form of money, of little worth, and it will be nobler for you not to stay your labours in the least degree in order to secure it; time is precious; we cannot spare it for the thankless work of solicit ing their gifts.

An appeal may be made to the worth of the sermons preached upon these occa sions; to the people these may be of worth, but as regards the scholars they are generally thrown away. They are never intended for the children, but for the special congregation the services are supposed to draw together.

So far, then, they are worthless, but injurious only in the sense that they take up the time which would be used in positive instruction resulting in spiritual good. But when these anniversaries are characterized by competitions in recitation, singing, &c., they become productive of evil in the way "C. B." has shewn.

I am not sure, however, that he has not exaggerated their ill effects, as emulation, while it may often cause serious harm, is a principle of our nature, and wisely guided may be made as powerful for good. It is necessary to bear in mind the real nature of children; like ourselves, they are not, and cannot be, It may be said that these displays are wholly influenced by pure ethereal monecessary to rouse the attention of out- tives. We must open our eyes to look siders to the work, and to induce in at facts, not shut them, and meditate, them sufficient liberality to secure a admire, and guide ourselves by theories, supply of funds for the purposes of the however beautiful. Would “C. B." state school; I believe that many, who would that the hope of escaping hell and reachscarcely admit it to themselves, looking heaven had no place in his religious upon anniversary services in this light. motives? That is unquestionably

selfish motive, but it may lead, and does often lead, as no doubt it has done in "C. B." himself, to motives of a higher,

holier character.

MIMPRISS'S SYSTEM.

SIR,-A hand-bill, containing an advertisement and explanation of the Mimpriss System of Instruction, was I do not see that competition can be given to me a few days ago, and as, in useful in any way in leading to some- addition to a recommendation of Mr. thing better, though as I have before Mimpriss's publications, it contains some intimated, I believe the danger to be incorrect statements with reference to apprehended from it is considerably over- those of the Sunday School Union, it estimated. But as to the giving of prizes, appears desirable to call attention to and which also comes in for "C. B.'s" con- correct observations which are calculated demnation, that is a proceeding with to convey a very erroneous impression which I cordially agree. To illustrate as to the cost of the Society's Publicamy feelings upon this question, I will tions. suppose a case, somewhat extreme, but nevertheless not so extreme as to be inapplicable.

An untaught child comes to the Sunday school, not from any love of learning, but from curiosity; not having been taught, it cannot act from the highest motives there; you must instil those highest motives-but how is it to be done? The child will not act properly, listen attentively, nor receive earnestly; it has not been accustomed to these things, it knows but little of their propriety. Restless, inattentive, careless, as it naturally is, if by the prospect of a prize it can be induced to subdue in some measure these inclinations, which stand in the way of its tuition, an indirect good, as clearing the way for direct and spiritual influences to be brought to bear upon it, will be secured. In this case the end justifies the means, as surely no one will hold that the means, the reward system, is evil in itself.

The operation of low, though not improper, motives, is thus made to secure the opportunity for the teaching of higher motives, and therefore such lower motives ought to be received and used gladly, instead of being condemned because they are not of the highest character. In this way the giving of prizes acts, and therefore I defend it.

W. W.

The hand-bill in question, affirms that "The fifty-two lessons for the year, issued by the London Sunday School Union, 56, Old Bailey, are 1d. per quarter or £1. 12s. per annum, for 100 children;the Monthly Notes for Teachers, 1d. each, or for ten teachers, 10s. per annum, £2. 2s., less 25 per cent. discount-nett £1. 11s. 6d. per annum. Mimpriss's fifty-two lessons for 100 scholars are 18s.; ten Manuals for the Teachers at 6d. each, 5s., £1. 3s.; less 25 per cent. discount, 17s. 3d."

The cost for lessons for 100 children

for
one year is thus given as
£1 11s. 6d. against 17s. 3d.

Singularly enough, however, we are further informed that the cost of Mimpriss's apparatus "for 200 children for two years "would be £6. 10s. 5d., "not more in extra costliness than 2s. 11d. per annum for that supplied by the London Sunday School Union." This intimation naturally excites curiosity as to whether the cost would be increased in proportion, if the system should survive for four consecutive years in any Sunday school; but without pressing this enquiry too closely, I would remark on the foregoing statements:

Firstly. That the Scripture lessons for elementary classes, published by the Sunday School Union, contain 104 lessons, not 52 only; and that consequently the question of price assumes different appearance.

a very

434

This will show an excess in "the

Secondly. That by the admission of their own Bibles, as is becoming inthe writer of the hand-bill, the cost creasingly the practice; whilst the large of Mr. Mimpriss's apparatus for two texts, price 1d. per class per month, may years is greater than that of the lessons be used for the infant classes. of the Union,-this is the case to a much larger extent than he admits,-unless costliness" of Mr. Mimpriss's system his Sunday school knowledge is exceed- of about £2. 12s. on the two years, ingly limited, he must be aware, as instead of 2s. 14d. per annum as stated doubtless all your readers are, that the in the hand-bill. that the monetary elementary classes form but a portion of the Sunday school; and that there- question is an inferior one, and should fore, a portion only of the 200 scholars not have drawn attention to this, had (probably about one-half) would require it not been for the inaccuracies referred

to be provided with the lesson books, to. those in the Scripture classes using

I

am aware

T. J. C.

Intelligence.

A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S
WEDDING.

AMONG the objections to Sunday schools, referred to by Mr. Parnell at the recent anniversary of the Sunday School Union, and mentioned in a previous portion of this magazine, (page 423) one was, that teachers were too fond of each other, and were too apt to take each other "for better or for worse."

but they will not fail to observe that the parties most nearly interested in the proceedings of the day, sought their enjoyment, not so much in the gratification of any selfish feelings, as in diffusing happiness to the greatest possible extent.

Our female readers will perceive that by a delicate attention, which they will appreciate, the pleasures of the day were enjoyed by those in whose welfare the bride felt the deepest interest. Thus, a general invitation was given to the young women composing the Bible class, to which we have already referred, and some other members of the girls' school, to meet at the school, for the purpose of a country ride, on Wednesday, April 15th. Nearly 50 teachers and young women accepted the invitation, and met at the school at a to 10 o'clock, when they were informed of the ceremony that was to be performed prior to the excursion, and that they would have the much-coveted privilege of being witnesses of it.

The speaker did not dispute the fact, but would not admit it to be an evil, and the meeting evidently concurred with him in opinion. There was one illustration of this tendency to union which had then recently occurred, and which would probably have been mentioned by the speaker, had he been acquainted with it. It is an old proverb that extremes meet, and so it was not at all surprising that a somewhat experienced teacher of the infant class, in a school in the metropolis, should select as his partner for life, the teacher of the Young Women's Bible Class; and we have pleasure in recording the manner in which the wedding assembled in the chapel where the day was spent. Our readers will, marriage took place, the spectators perhaps, think it was a singular one, joining, at the commencement and the

All therefore

conclusion, in singing appropriate pieces from the "Select Music" of the Sunday School Union.

The bride and bridegroom, and all the assembly, then visited the school room, where the day school was unexpectedly stopped, while the bride gave to each scholar an envelope containing a coloured picture-card and sixpence. The newly married couple, and the invited guests, then entered the carriages in waiting, and were conveyed to the residence of the bridegroom's sister, and partook of an excellent cold collation.

After spending some little time there, all the party returned by way of the Orphan Working School, at Haverstock Hill, at which they alighted, and, cordially received by the secretary and matron, were conducted over the establishment, to inspect its varied departments; after which, the orphan scholars, boys and girls, were assembled, and delighted their novel visitors by singing several pieces with most excellent effect; and the Secretary then received for each of the 280 orphan scholars an envelope, enclosing a picture-card and a shilling, which they acknowledged by grateful cheers.

The party then took their tea in the large room belonging to one of the local Young Men's Christian Associations,

where the time-honoured bride-cake was introduced and heartily enjoyed.

for act of generosity, and could express no acknowledgment, which best suited the feelings of their delighted benefactor, who knew that, to the greater number of them, it would be a most acceptable and useful boon, many of them being young persons earning their own livelihood.

The grateful guests then returned to their homes at an early hour, and the newly-married couple to their quiet residence at Kilburn; and the next morning our friend was found at his accustomed duties as usual, with no difference, except, if possible, with a happier face, from the recollection of the happiness he had succeeded in diffusing on that, to him, important day.

We have not given the names through fear of offending our friend, but he will be recognized by some of our readers, to whom his long continued labours on behalf of the young are well known, and who will cordially join in the prayer that his life, and that of his companion, may be long spared, and that their usefulness and happiness may continually

increase.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The fifty-eighth general meeting of this Society was held on 11th May, in the large school-room, Borough-road; Earl Russell in the chair. The room

Sir John Boileau, Mr. S. Gurney, M.P., Mr. A. Russell, M.P., Mr. Hanbury, M.P., Mr. J. P. Heywood, Professor Pillans, the Dean of Dromore, the Rev. Mr. Arthur, the Rev. W. Bevan, the Rev. Mr. Rycroft, and Mr. Gurney Hoare. The Secretary, (Mr. E. J. Wilks,) read the report, of which the following is an abstract:—

After a few cheerful kindly remarks was crowded, and among the principal from the bridegroom and his newly-persons present were:-Lord Lyveden, made wife, the former, whose face was radiant with gratified benevolence, said, "Now, before you leave, I have something to give you to take home with you, and, of course, I shouldn't like you to spend it on finery, or anything of that sort, and if you have no particular use for it yourselves, I dare say you know some poor person who would be glad of it." They then gave each of the fortynine guests a piece of cake and an envelope, which was found to contain two picture-cards and a new £5. note. The department provision is now made for party was surprised by this unlooked- the instruction and residence of 200

"The agencies of the Society have continued during the year in active and In the training successful operation.

students; at Stockwell for 100 young women, and at the Borough-road for 100 young men. Both institutions are full. At the Christmas examination for certificates all were presented, and all passed, the proportion in the first-class being large. In the model schools at the Borough-road, 619 boys have been admitted during the year, and 404 girls; the average attendance in the two schools is 892. More than 90,000 children have received in them the elements of a sound scriptural education. In the practising schools at Stockwell over 300 children are in daily attendance, of whom 120 are in the infant school. The inspection of schools is systematically pursued, to the advantage of both teachers and committees. No less than 917 visits have been paid to towns and villages, and the total number of visits paid to schools by the society's agents amounts to 1,188. The inspectors concur in reporting that there is a great and steady improvement in school building and all the appliances for efficient teaching, and that an increasing interest is taken by parents in the education of their children. In addition to grants of school materials made to schools at home and abroad, special aid in this form has been rendered to schools established by relief committees in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Cheshire. The foreign operations of the society have been continued, and various communications have been received from all quarters of the world, supplying interesting details of the spread of scriptural education. A new minute of council relating to training schools will lead to a serious reduction in the amount received for the training department, and necessitate some specific method of supplying that deficiency. From the statement of finances it appeared that the total income for the year amounted to £16,205. 14s. 7d., and the total expenditure to £16,090. 19s. 5d., leaving a balance of £114, 15s. 2d."

whole kingdom

Earl RUSSELL, in addressing the meeting, said :-Who is there now that questions that the education of the whole country is a benefit to the whole country? Who is there now that questions that in adopting a Scriptural and religious education, and not merely a secular education, we have founded education upon the right basis, and that having all the means-having the greatest facility in this country, from the general religious belief of the people, in amalgamating religion with secular edu cation, we have been right to adopt the religious basis which we have adopted? And who is there, after all, that doubts that the education which we and other societies have diffused throughout the country has been a great national benefit, and that its extension and its comprehending the would be of the greatest advantage to the present and to future times. If you look to the beginning of the century, when there were years of scarcity nearly amounting to famine, you will find that the ignorance of that time was not ignorance merely of the poorer classes, but there was ignorance in the goverment and ignorance on the judicial bench, which tended to aggravate the evils of the scarcity from which the people were suffering. If you look again to the years 1817 and 1819, you will find the working-classes breaking out into acts of violence, which we ascribe, not to their being worse men than exist at present, but to the ignorance in which they lived of the laws which govern society, and by which their wants were then inadequately supplied. Contrast with those periods of 1801, 1817, and 1819, that which we have seen at the present time-the severe sufferings which all engaged in the cotton manufacture have undergone, the patience with which they have borne those privations, and the good sense they have shown in every effort they have made, and the remarkable prudence with which they have shown themselves to be en

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