apprenticeships with the same readiness as in common schools, nor generally to make this class of children direct recipients, in their own persons, of money raised by taxation. Grants for the purchase of books and maps might be made to ragged, on the same terms as to other schools, and their lordships have already adopted minutes, which would enable them to make grants for the erection or hire (of one-half the rent) of workshops, and for the purchase of tools. Where master workmen (not being otherwise remunerated as teachers at the public expense) are retained, their lordships consider themselves at liberty to allow a fee for the average number of children under such masters' instruction, at a rate not exceeding 10s. per annum for each scholar. Beyond admitting ragged-schools to these forms of aid, their lordships are not prepared to recognise them, especially in distributing the grant for education. CASE OF THE MADIAIS. Lord Roden, Captain Trotter, Lord Cavan, and the other gentlemen of the deputation sent to Florence to obtain the release of the imprisoned Madiai, have returned to England. In Florence they adopted an address to the Grand Duke, and applied through the Foreign Minister, the Duke of Casigliano, for an audience. Lord Roden has communicated the reply of the Duke to Lord Shaftesbury, who, in turn, has sent it to the journals. The Grand Duke says that the Madiai have been legally impri soned for the crime of propagating Protestantism;' that the Court of Cassation has declined to reverse the sentence; that the Grand Duke cannot permit any interposition in a case which concerns the internal administration of justice; and that, not considering it necessary to listen to any kind of intervention on the subject,' he regrets that he cannot grant the interview solicited. Further information since received, however, gives warrant for hoping that a pardon will ultimately be granted. VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. We are glad to see it stated in the weekly papers that this association is rapidly succeeding. Since the last annual report, the society has nearly doubled the nuinber of pupils in its two normal schools. The committee have lately arranged a course of lectures on the distinctive features of the association, intended primarily for the benefit of their pupils, but open to all who are friendly to the cause of voluntary education. Amongst the list we observe the names of the Revs. John Burnet, J. Chapman Davie, Henry Richard, David Thomas, and William Walters, of New Parkstreet Chapel. The Lecture Session was opened on the 9th ult., by Mr. Douglas Allport, the Secretary, whose subject was, 'The Governmental Scheme of Education.' THE ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION Commenced its winter course of meetings at the London Tavern on the 29th November. We observe that the principal towns in Durham and Northumberland are shortly about to be visited by a deputation from the Society, and that Mr. Burnet is to attend several meetings in South Wales. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. DAVENHAM, CHESHIRE (Congregational chapel), on the 26th Oct. NEW CHAPEL OPENED. STURMINSTER, NEAR POOLE (Congregational chapel), on the 4th ult. MINISTERIAL REMOVALS. The following calls to church pastorates have been accepted: BIRMINGHAM (Mount Zion Baptist church).-The Rev. Chas. Vinee, late of Stepney College. BLACKBURN (Third Congregational church).-The Rev. D. Williams, late of Western College CLAPHAM (Congregational church).-Mr. Benjamin Price, late of Western College. CREWKERNE, SOMERSET.-The Rev. E. Davis, of Romford. GROSVENOR-SQUARE (Robert-street church).-The Rev. Alfred Johnson, late of Basingstoke. ISLINGTON (Barnsbury Congregational chapel).-The Rev. Theophilus Lessey. KEPPEL-STREET, LONDON (Baptist church).-The Rev. W. H. Bonner. LEAMINGTON (Mill-street church).-The Rev. Alfred New, from Cheshunt. AUG 26 1916 |
