SOUTHWARK AUXILIARY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, THE second Quarterly Meeting of the Southwark Auxiliary Sunday School Union, was held at the Rev. Mr. Chin's meeting, Walworth, on Thursday evening, the 8th of September, 1814. The Rev. Mr. Day (of Greenland Dock) in the chair. After singing the hymn, "Attracted by love's sacred force," the Rev. Mr. Preston engaged in prayer. A report was then read from the committee by Mr. Heward. It stated, that the plan for ascertaining the state of the schools in the connection of the Auxiliary Union, had completely suc ceeded. By requesting an account of the number of children on the books, and the number attending, they found the number of absentees in each school to differ materially. Some had eight, some ten, and others from twelve to twenty, and even thirty absent in one hundred. Conceiving the number of absentees a better proof of the discipline and order of a school, than mere numbers, they recommended from twelve to fifteen in one hundred, as a desirable standard for each school to adopt. It stated, that measures were taken for the establishment of a depository in a central part of the Borough, for the convenience of their schools in purchasing books, &c. published by the parent institution. It concluded by observing, that in removing their Quarterly Meetings to different places of worship in Southwark, their object was to interest their congregations in the great cause of Sunday Schools, and made an animating appeal for their liberality to be exercised on that evening. The Rev. E. Mitchell in moving its reception, observed, that the cry of every new born soul was, "What wilt thou have me to do." To which Sunday Schools, like so many distinct voices, replied, "Come over and help us." He also expatiated on the general utility of Sunday Schools. The Rev. Mr. Bridge in seconding the resolution, related an anecdote of a child having been instrumental in the conversion of its parents, by praying with and for them. The Rev. Mr. West of Harold, in moving the second resolution, viz. the alteration of the 6th rule of the society, stated, that should any persons want inducements to engage in the good work, he would say from six years experience, "If you have a desire to promote religion in your own soul, to grow in grace, engage yourself in a Sunday School." Should any be discouraged by the want of success, he would mention to such a circumstance of a boy with whom he had, when in a Sunday School, taken much pains for a long while, as he thought, without any success; but See the state of the Schools annexed to this account. F 2 meeting him some years afterwards, he was, by his conversation, encouraged to hope that his labour had not been in vain. Mr. Jones, (secretary of the parent institution) in seconding the resolution, mentioned the formation of a West London Auxiliary Union, two evenings before, and the quarterly meeting of the East London on the last evening, enforced the value of an immortal soul, that for its destruction or salvation the powers of hell and heaven were employed. He related an anecdote of a child having been instrumental in the conversion of father, mother, brother, and sister; and another, shewing the utility of singing in a Sunday School, and concluded by an appeal to those present, on the be half of the funds of the institution. Reports were then read from the following schools: Crosby-Row, by Mr. Denham. The third resolution, "Thanks to Mr. Chin and his deacons, for the use of the meeting, &c." was moved by the Rev. Mr. Kid; he stated that he had been engaged in a Sunday School in Yorkshire, mentioned a fact of two children from that school having joined a Christian church, and expressed a desire to enter into the ministry; he concluded by addressing parents who might be present, and teachers, and relating an affecting circumstance of a boy fifteen years of age, being visited by his teacher on a death bed. Mr. Heward, in seconding the resolution, stated an opportunity for opening a new school in Southwark; mentioned from his own experience the good effects of the union. He did not, he said, hesitate to inform the meeting, that once hearing Lyon-street Schoo! was enlarged, and the teachers actively engaged in filling it with children, he felt a little degree of jealousy when he found some children had left the school under his own care, to attend Lyon-street; but the Southwark Auxiliary Union had completely cured this distemper, it had made him acquainted with the superintendent of that school, he had given him the right hand of fellowship, and would feel no objection in assisting him or any other superintendent, to fill their schools with children. Indeed he would take that opportunity of suggesting a plan, whereby in a few weeks, one hundred new scholars had been brought to Prospectplace School: this was by encouraging the children to go out into the "highways" and "hedges," and invite others to come in. Such children received a tract for every new scholar they brought, but not till it had attended four Sundays constant; at the same time, a smaller tract was given to the new scholar. He concluded by hoping the liberality of those present that evening, would enable the society to promote the opening of new, and encrease of old schools in Southwark. The Rev. Mr. Preston (of Suffolk-street Chapel) moved thanks to the chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Preston of Walworth. The Rev. Mr. Day, replied in a short but encouraging address to the teachers to persevere in the work, in which he related an anecdote of the success of a child in his endeavours to convert an adult person. The Rev. Mr. West concluded the meeting by prayer. The meeting was more numerously attended than any of the former ones, and it is hoped the animation felt and testified by all, will prove that they are not in vain, but often kindle afresh the almost expiring zeal of many, while they encourage others "never weary in well doing." to be A Report of the State of the Schools under the care of the Southwark Auxiliary Sunday School Union. First District. (Secretary, Mr. James Taylor, Holland-street, Second District. (Secretary, Mr. Dry, 9, Swan-st. Kent-road.) Prospect-place School July, 1808. 1500 330- 295 28 514 180 140 13 1146 212 160 20 Third District. (Secretary, Mr. Legg, Russel-st. Bermondsey.) Fourth District. (Secretary, Mr. Denham, 3, Baal Zephor-st. Long-lane.) 245 200 23 173 156 17 Crosby-row School.....March, 1805. 2859 562 368 52 Fifth District. Unicorn-yard School ... .... Jan. 1807. 1367 152 120 13 Sixth District. (Secretary, Mr. Courthope, 33, Rotherhithe-st.) Jamaica-row School.... in 1797. 350 76 70' 7 Greenland-dock Do..... May, 1802. 1000 180 140 22 Seventh District. (Secretary Mr. Nettleton, 4, Queen-street, Horselydown.) 7 180 Eight District. (Secretary, Mr. Hoskyns, Grove School Battersea.) Ninth District, (Secretary, Mr. Coy, 205, Kent-street.) 32 5017 40 42 80 80 402 CENTRAL AND NORTH LONDON AUXILIARY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. AFTER several meetings of superintendents and teachers of Sunday Schools in this district; it was unanimously resolved, to call a general meeting of the teachers and friends of these institutions; for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Union, for the central and North parts of the metropolis; a provisional committee was appointed to prepare the constitution, rules, &c. and a numerous meeting was held at the Rev. E. J. Jones's chapel, Silver-street, Wood-street, on Wednesday evening, 23d November, 1814, for that purpose. Thomas Pellatt, Esq. being called to the chair, the Rev. E. J. Jones gave out the 324th hymn, in the Nottingham Sunday School Union collection, and the chairman requested the Rev. Mr. Blackburn to ask a blessing on the meeting. The chairman then briefly stated the objects of the meeting, and the great benefit which would result from united operations against ignorance and vice. On the motion of the Rev. E. J. Jones; seconded by the Rev. Mr. James. Resolved unanimously: That we do unite for the purpose of forming the Central and North London Auxiliary Sunday School Union. The chairman requested Mr. Rogers, the provisional secretary, to read the constitution, and rules as prepared by the sub-committee, which on the motion of Charles Stokes Dudley, Esq. seconded by Mr. Collins, were unanimously approved and adopted. The several other motions were moved and seconded by the Rev. Francis Martin, (from Bourdeaux) the Rev. Mr. Jones, Rev. Mr. Blackburn, Messrs. Lloyd, Jones, Thompson, Stainby, Hardy, Kemp, and Roth. Several interesting anecdotes of the utility of Sunday Schools were related by the different speakers; and it was highly grati fying to witness a protestant minister of Great Britain, and one of France, joining in a motion to recommend a union of exertions, to diffuse the gospel of peace. The chairman in putting the motion very aptly applied the remark, which produced the most lively pleasure to every one present. There are nearly fifty schools already established within the district, several of which have sent their representatives and subscription to the union. Nearly forty pounds have been contributed within the fortnight, since its formation. OBITUARY. Account of Mr. CHARLES NORMAN, late Superintendent of the WESTMINSTER SUNDAY SCHOOL. Mr. CHARLES NORMAN was born about the year 1790, of parents moving in the middle class of society, whose religion consisted only in a nominal relation to the Church of England, so that he was excluded from the privileges of a pious education. As soon as he had attained that learning which generally forms the zenith of acquirement among those in his sphere, he was sent to live with Mr. - a hosier in Lambeth, that in learning the business he might obtain a comfortable mean of providing for his wants in the future periods of his life. His new guardians received and treated him with kindness, but being under the governing influence of principles similar to those of his parents, he learned nothing from their precepts or example, but the common maxims of worldly policy--the best of which are, an adherence to honesty and sobriety. Pleased with their principles and service, and possessing a polite and obliging manner, he won and retained their favour, till the spring of 1809, when the Lord (who had diviner principles for his espousal, and superior benefits to confer upon him) arrested his attention, converted him from dark |