praise and thanksgiving have suppressed the murmur and the sigh. Even the more favoured schools, where the minister and teachers were able to assist their

In

clothing which has come to hand from friends at a distance, I should think the help which has been thus afforded us is not much less than £5,200. It is a noble gift from the Sunday schools of own poor, have received the benefit of the Union at large to their unfortunate your example, and not only have they suffering brethren in Lancashire, forgiven freely in their immediate circles, which they are profoundly grateful. I but have extended their benevolence to hold in my hand the resolutions which other schools, whose faint cry for help was were passed by our committee, and whispered by the ordinary visitors.' though it will be quite unnecessary that Another gentleman says, speaking of the I should read them, I think I might advantage which his school has obtained give you an extract or two, which will from the fund, and I may add that this show you something of the feeling has been the same, to a great extent, with which has been manifested. The secre- many others, I feel that words are tary of one of the District Union Relief altogether inadequate to convey the Committees writes: 'Never can sense of obligation under which the we sufficiently express our deep and Committee's kindness, and that of the heartfelt gratitude for the prompt and many generous and self-denying donors, generous assistance you have extended have placed us. I only wish we could to the suffering schools of the union. bring together the many scholars and By your bounty the naked have been teachers who, by this fund, have been clothed, the hungry fed, the ignorant clothed and fed, and convey them to the instructed, and the little ones practically great city, that, by their united voices, brought to Jesus-the children's friend. they might testify their gratitude at the Several schools which, in all human assembled meeting of the Union. probability, would have sunk beneath the absence of this, we shall feel thankthe combined agency of want and dis- ful to you to convey our grateful acease, have been sustained in efficiency; knowledgments, first and foremost, to and not only so, but their numbers have the Committee, for organizing and carbeen recruited from the highways and rying out this appeal for aid, and taking hedges of the towns, insomuch that our charge of and reporting the same, from schools, so far from presenting a dimi- time to time; and secondly, to the Comnution of numbers, have actually at-mittee in Manchester, and those friends tained to a higher average than usual. who have, amidst their onerous duties, Not a few of the teachers have been found time to meet together and adminipreserved from the degradation of a pau- ster to our necessities.' This is the spirit per's condition by your benevolence, of all the communications which I hold in and enabled to maintain a respectable my hand. Some of them have come position before their fellow-men, by from schools where we thought that no eking out a scanty income barely suffi- distress prevailed. God had favoured us cient to clothe their little ones. During with great prosperity; He has now these ordeals the ravages of fever have brought us down to a sore time of need, been frightful, in some cases sweeping and though, for the present, our necesaway a whole family in a few days. sities are not so pressing, we fear there Amongst those to whom your bounty has is still before us a more trying season been singularly blest, we have reason to in the coming winter, even supposing believe that many have been brought to that the war should come to an end, a knowledge of the truth, and your and a sufficient supply of cotton should kindness to them has flashed like a ray be obtained to afford work for some of heaven's light over the threshold, and of our operatives. But turning from

these collective instances, let me men- though how or by whom I could not tell. tion one which has come under the per- And so it was ;—a neighbour brought in sonal observation of the Committee, a loaf, and the following day I received which will show you something of a portion from the Sunday School Relief the nature and extent of the distress. Fund, which helped me out of the positiI was astonished and pleased to re- on I was in, and for which I desire to tenceive a letter from one individual, who der my sincere and hearty thanks.' Such, thus writes,—" Permit me, through you, friends, are some of the instances which to thank the numerous young friends your bounty has relieved and satisfied. who have come forward so nobly to as- Let me then, in conclusion, assure you sist us in the present distressing crisis. that their heartfelt prayers are conI have a family of five children, and for tinually ascending for the blessing of a considerable time I have been without God to rest upon you for your liberality. employment. I have travelled scores We still trust in the Lord, who has been of miles in search of it, but every effort our helper, and are persuaded that He has proved entirely fruitless. I have will be so even to the end; and while been in different circumstances to what we acknowledge His goodness, we I am now, but little by little my stock humbly and affectionately ask an inhas been reduced, until, at last, the terest in your prayers, that the season whole has completely gone. To apply of our distress may be speedily removed, either to the parish or to the Relief and that we may come out of the fiery Fund I am ashamed, and yet very often furnace purified seven times, and that I cannot tell where the next meal will by and through us, the name of the Lord come from. One morning we sat down and of His Christ may be abundantly as usual to what should be our break-magnified." fast, but a small portion, sufficient for We had marked for quotation several only one of us, was all we had to divide passages from the addresses delivered at amongst the members of the family. the meeting, but want of space compels Mrs. had a heart too full to speak us to postpone them. while I was meditating upon what appeared to me a mysterious providence. With body suffering and mind depressed, I laid the matter before the Lord, whose ears are always open to the cries of His children. While thus engaged, my CHURCH OF ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL eldest daughter began to sing that heartstirring hymn

'Though troubles assail, and dangers affright;
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,-
The Scriptures assure us, the Lord will provide.
The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,

From them let us learn to trust for our bread;
His saints, what is fitting, will ne'er be denied,

So long as it's written-the Lord will provide.'

INSTITUTE.

THE 19th Annual Meeting of this Institution was held on April 12th, at St. James's Hall. The attendance was, notwithstanding very unfavourable weather, considerable, but, owing to the cause mentioned, it was much less than that of last year. The chair was taken at seven o'clock by Lord Calthorpe.

F. NORTON, Esq., Finance Secretary, read the Report. In speaking of the nature of the assistance afforded by the When the second verse was sung, it Institute, the report said that in order to came like a cordial to our wounded secure as far as possible uniformity in spirits; hope sprang up, and I firmly the teaching, and to supply the lack of believed that deliverance was at hand, the weekly study class for the teachers,

where the clergyman found himself un- of union for metropolitan superintenable to conduct it, each series of lessons dents, periodical meetings being held was accompanied by notes and out- for the discussion of subjects relating to lines of the instruction to be given, with the management of the Sunday school: copious descriptive references. The ad- and it furnishes roll-books, registers, vantage of such a systematic course of class-books, &c., on the most approved instruction over the plan, unhappily plan for maintaining the school in permitted in some schools, of each a state of discipline and good order, teacher selecting his own lessons, could so arranged as to show at a glance not be over-estimated; it secured connec- the present state and progress of the ted, progressive teaching, adapted to the school. During the past year lectures, capacities of each class; it led the chil- conversational meetings, and training dren on from the first elements of Chris-classes had been held at the rooms tian truth to a general knowledge of the of the Institute as heretofore; but Bible, and the chief doctrines and arti- the Committee, finding that the atcles of the Christian faith, as taught in tendance at these meetings was graduthe Scriptural formularies of our Church; ally diminishing, owing to the difficulty it necessitated the due preparation of the of inducing teachers, especially ladies, subject on the part of the teacher, and it to come any great distance from home in encouraged the scholars (and sometimes the evening, have held several series of their parents also) to the study of the training classes in the outlying districts lessons at home during the week. Free of the metropolis,-at Holloway, Kilgrants of the various publications were burn, Hoxton, Bermondsey, Paddington, made to schools in the poor districts, Bloomsbury, Kennington, Islington, Fuland the Committee regretted that the ham, Shoreditch, Hampstead, &c., and very limited funds placed at their dispo- they were glad to say that the attendsal prevented them from responding ance of teachers, and the interest evinced much more liberally to many press-in such meetings, had generally been ing appeals which they received, especially as the whole cost of the school was often borne exclusively by a clergyman whose income from his living was under £100. per annum. To superintendents the Institute offered many special advantages, which could be obtained by no other kind of agency. By means of its magazines it showed a superintendent the standard to which other schools in like circumstances to his own had attained by judicious management, and gave accounts of the various plans, rules, and regulations which had been tried and adopted; and the success or failure which had attended them. The periodicals also contained papers by writers of experience, on all matters of school management and discipline, and supplied a medium of communication for the interchange of ideas, and for inquiries on any points of doubt or difficulty. The Institute was also a centre

very gratifying. Manchester, Clifton, the Isle of Wight, Boston, Guildford, Ewell, Rochester, and other places, had been visited by deputations during the year. As regarded the magazines, the Committee said that, without wishing to impugn the merits of other kindred periodicals, they would urge upon all Sunday school teachers, and others connected with the Church of England, the duty of giving their heartiest support to those magazines which strive to uphold and maintain the doctrines and formularies of our beloved Church as an important part of the instruction to be given to her youthful members; more especially in times like the present, when foes without and foes within are seeking to draw away the unlearned from their due allegiance by false yet specious arguments. The financial position of the Institute still continued, it was observed, to be a source of great anxiety to the

ensuing year. He said that, in his own archdeaconry, he had organized periodical meetings of teachers for conference, which had proved of the most satisfactory character, and that was one of the means by which the Institute sought to improve Sunday schools. He considered teaching in a Sunday school one of the best preparations for the work of the ministry, and had found that young men who had taught in a school usually passed their examination previously to

in a most satisfactory He was an advocate for dogmatic teaching of the great truths of our religion in the case of childrena point in which there was often a great deficiency in the Church of England; and he believed that the systematic inculcation of those truths would be the best preservative against the heresies of the day. Children should not be so much taught Christianity as Christ. If teachers wanted to show a child what sin was, let them take it to Calvary; if they wished to teach a child any duty, or to instil into its mind any virtue, let them point to the example of Christ; if they would fortify it against error, let them impress on it the words of Christ. The words and character of the Saviour constituted, in fact, the strongest argument against every form of error.

Committee. In the year 1861, they appointment of the Committee for the made a great effort to raise a sufficient fund to pay off the heavy liabilities incurred for the stock in trade of their several publications, which it was found absolutely necessary to keep on hand, but which, never having had any capital with which to commence their publishing operations, they were compelled to obtain on credit, paying off the liabilities incurred in each year, with the moneys received in the year following. This was the utmost they were ever enabled to accomplish, the very low price at ordination which they were compelled to issue manner. their various publications, to meet the capabilities of Sunday schools, which were proverbially ill supplied with funds, yielding little or no profit. At the time mentioned £1,000., was raised for this purpose, the Committee contributing themselves £200., yet the failure of the usual income, from donations and collections during the past two years, owing, in a great measure, to the distress in the manufacturing interest, had deprived the Committee of more than half the benefit. In subscriptions from schools and individuals, the decline had not been very considerable. The Committee earnestly appealed to all the friends of Sunday schools, both amongst the clergy and the laity, to come forward liberally to their assistance in their present necessity, being well assured that, were the Society once placed out of debt, and with The Rev. W. CADMAN, in seconding an available working capital at its dis- the resolution, said the influence of posal, it would be well able to continue this Institute was most valuable to its course with vigour and success. The the Church of England. A teacher sum of one thousand pounds, in addition might have a warm heart without sound to their usual annual income, would knowledge or judgment, and the Instisuffice for that purpose, and the Com- tute came to the assistance of those mittee could not but feel that they had who felt their deficiencies, teaching a right to claim it of the Christian public. them the best way of conveying inThe cash account showed that the struction, and of winning children for receipts of the year from all sources the Saviour. He had no wish to depreamounted to £3,562. 8s. 2d., and that ciate any other Society formed for a after the disbursements £188. was over- similar purpose; but it was an imdrawn. portant fact that this Institute was a The Ven. Archdeacon UTTERTON moved Church of England one, and on that the adoption of the Report and the account it appeared to him to have

special claims on the clergy and laity of that Church. It was a matter of no slight importance to have lesson books prepared for teachers which were in accordance with the Liturgy of their Church; and he would add that no one could examine those books without perceiving that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was there presented to children with all simplicity and truthfulness.

The resolution was supported by J. G. FLEET, Esq., one of the Honorary Secretaries.

the next resolution, viz. :—“ That_while acknowledging the success which under God's blessing has attended the efforts of the Church of England Sunday School Institute, this meeting desires to record its conviction that increased efforts should be made to place the Society on a firmer basis, in order that its usefulness may be largely extended;" which was seconded by the Rev. E. AURIOL,

PAVEMENT CHAPEL SCHOOLS
NEW NORTH ROAD.

THE anniversary was held at the Wesleyan School-rooms, kindly lent for the occasion, and the interest was considerably enhanced by the presentation of two testimonials. About 450 friends and scholars sat down to tea, at the conclusion of which the Superintendent, in the name of the teachers, presented to the Rev. S. Hershell, a present of one dozen silver spoons and silver sugar tongs. The meeting then commenced, and the Chairman, on the behalf of the teachers, presented a silver tea service to Mr. H. Cox, the superintendent. An accompanying address was read by the Secretary. Mr. Cox having returned thanks, the ordinary business of the evening commenced by the reading the re

The Rev. J. H. TITCOMB, who also supported the resolution, said he had learnt with great regret that the Society was suffering seriously in its funds, not only because of the inconvenience of such a state of things as respected its operations and the limitation of its usefulness which it involved, but also because it might afford an opportunity for the revival of a mischievous opinion broached two or three years ago, to the effect that it had done its work, and might now fairly be laid on the shelf. He certainly did not coincide in that opinion. The Society was needed very much; they could not, in fact, do without it. It was needed as a depository of Sunday school information for all the members of the Church of England; it was needed as a kind of fly-wheel for the regulation of Sunday school move-port, which showed the school to be in a The magazine ments throughout the country; and it very prosperous state. was needed as a referee when doubts and department, established only a few difficulties arose, as they often would, months, had been peculiarly successful, with regard to the administration and there being already a monthly circulamanagement of Sunday schools in every tion of 215 periodicals. The adoption of part of the land; and, lastly, it was the report was moved by the Rev. H. needed to stimulate and kindle them in New, and seconded by the Rev. Ernest the work when their faith and zeal Coulson Jay. Addresses were also derequired some external influence. livered by the Revs. Messrs. Hannay Moreover, it was needed as a kind of and Brake, and also by Deputy-Judge recruiting sergeant to increase the num- Payne, who concluded a very amusing ber of teachers, more especially as re- speech by his 1838th tailpiece, entitled garded boys' schools, where the manhood "The Two Hershells." of the Christianity of the land was not ings were much enlivened by the singing at present at all adequately represented. of several pieces by the scholars at The Rev. W. SPARROW SIMPSON moved intervals.

The proceed