the figures than those who had only looked superficially at the question had ever suspected. He had frequently put the question to ministers from various parts of the country, and their answer was, how was it possible for the children of our schools to be afterwards found in places of worship? Where is the provision for them? and, if there be no provision, how is it possible that they can attend. He was quite in favor of the subject being minutely examined into as regards Hull and the union; but this he felt strongly and painfully, that until a very great increase of perfectly free accommodation is provided in our places of worship for the very poorest of the people who cannot afford to pay, we cannot expect to see them attending public worship. The collection exceeded by 40 per cent. that of the preceding year. DEPUTATION TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS IN AND AROUND WIGAN, IN LANCASHIRE. WIGAN is a manufacturing town, twentythree miles north of Liverpool, undermined by extensive collieries, and surrounded by cotton mills, and large iron works. The population is dense, and according to the report laid before the House of Commons, few districts in our most crowded towns are found to harbour a people more depraved and immoral than the lower class of the inhabitants of this town. To stem this mighty torrent of iniquity, the friends of scriptural education have put forth noble and vigorous efforts; and it was to ascertain how far the means employed were adapted to the great end in view, that the Parent Committee were led to depute one of their members to visit the schools of this local Union. At an early hour on the Sabbath morning of March 23, the visitor, attracted by the sight of several well-dressed young persons evidently repairing to some religious service, was led to discover two prayer meetings, one conducted by elder scholars, and the other by teachers. Unknown and unsuspected, he joined their worship, and united in the fervent prayers with which they prefaced the labors of the day. At half-past eight, accompanied by Messrs. Brown and Park, two of the secretaries, the deputation visited all the connected schools in the town, and five others. To do this, it was necessary to give up attending the public ministrations from the pulpit, as some of the schools continue the instruction through the morning, while some of the unconnected schools were found to have separate services for the younger children. The result of this visitation it would be difficult to compress into the brief space allowed for the published report; but still many points may be referred to with profit. The school accommodation throughout is good; plenty of space, air, and light, render the rooms cool, clean, and wholesome, and the internal arrangements present a business-like and cheerful appearance. In some cases the chapel is used, and the disadvantages arising from the want of consolidation are abundantly compensated for by the individuality afforded to each class, and the privacy with which each teacher instructs his youthful charge. The children are mostly dependent upon Sunday school education, and hence arises the difficulty found in setting aside the mechanical processes of teaching to read, so rigidly adhered to in this district. The A B C Boards, and Class Books 1 and 2, are found in use in a large proportion of the classes; and as in other cases where the mind is not pleasantly engaged, teacher and taught alike proved, in not a few instances, that to teach, and to learn to read, without teaching and learning to understand, is indeed a heartless task. The Bible classes gave evidence of careful and judicious training, and it was peculiarly welcome to observe the advanced age of many of the senior scholars. The teachers, usually members of Christian churches, have, with comparatively few exceptions, passed through the training of the Sunday school themselves, and the value of this course of instruction was most evident, for it is not too much to say that there appeared more real efficiency in the management of their is generally adopted, occasioning, in the classes in these prepared agents, poor and opinion of some, much confusion, jealousy, low in worldly station as they were, than and bad feeling, with little of redeeming we find resulting from highly endowed benefit; singing is much cultivated; in minds; warm to the sympathies of refine- some schools the training is most excelment and taste, yet cold to the interests lent; libraries are attached to nearly all and delights of this noble work. the schools, and a large number of periodicals taken in. Systems of reward are representing a nominal value. The Roman catholic and church schools here present a fine example in zeal, numbers, and order. In one of these upwards of 200 infants were kept to a separate service, instead of going with the elder children. The secret of success is principally found in the good week-day instruction offered to those who will go to the Sunday school, while, with the exception of one school, the whole town of Wigan does not boast a single protestant British or infant day school, unconnected with the establishment. There are many unconnected schools; the Wesleyans prefer working alone. The Depository is in a low and languid state, in debt, and needing much attention. Owing to the want of teachers in some schools, the classes are allowed to over-usually adopted, and in many cases tickets, grow, and that without the help of the collective system, by which almost a whole school might be taught in two or three classes. In some cases fines were levied upon the unpunctual teacher, but the general order of the schools in this respect was good. Love for the children, oneness in their concerns, and singular earnestness in impressing sacred truth, struck the visitor as prevailing characteristics of the teachers of this neighbourhood. The superintendence of the school is in good hands, not respectable overlookers, but intelligent workmen are the men who have the direction of the Sunday school machinery in this district; monthly prayer meetings are held, but those for business are not observed, in many cases, with punctuality and method. The plans of teaching are varied; in most schools no Scripture notes are used, and where they are, the excellent lessons prepared by the Rev. W. Roaf are highly prized. The junior department in nearly all the schools requires re-moulding. In many classes the teacher makes a pilgrimage round and round his class for half an hour at a time, and thus the little one, who has just pronounced the "next letter," is left to merriment, or orderly idleness, till the teacher, having made a complete circuit of thirty-six such as himself, appears once again on the horizon of the child's beclouded vision. When shall we banishment of existing means of scriptural edusuch exploded, anti-economical, anti-educational systems from our midst! In the afternoon, at 4 o'clock, the visitor addressed above 1,500 children in St. Paul's chapel, and after this interesting service, met Mr. Wright and the four secretaries. It was then decided to take special means to reform the state of things connected with the Depository, and the subject of the teachers' conference came under notice. Of this conference, so numerously attended, the visitor might say much; it was replete with interest, and already the deputation is made aware that its practical character has exhibited itself. In looking back upon the visit, it is with earnest and anxious hope that, by the improve cation, by the establishment of British and Infant schools, and by a more closely cemented, and perfect union, the Sunday school teachers of Wigan may be blessed in their labors, always abounding in the work of the Lord. CHARLES REED. In one school a plan of Joseph Lancaster's was in operation; the younger children were supplied with trays of sand, in which they wrote the letters presented to their eye, naming each as this process was performed. The system of taking places in the classes as a special contribution in answer to the appeal. A sum of £9 has reached the Parent Union, THE NEW ORPHAN WORKING SCHOOL Now industry and good conduct, obtained a CHILDREN. comfortable livelihood, and some of them have risen to influential stations in society, and become governors of the charity. The continued increase has occasioned a large THE Orphan Working School was esta- additional expenditure, so that for some blished in the year 1758, and was opened years there has been an average annual defiat Hoxton for the reception of twenty poor ciency of about six hundred pounds, which orphan or destitute boys. The efforts of a has been met by the sale of funded property. few benevolent individuals soon enabled the The recent falling in of the leases on the Committee to admit twenty girls also. In City Road estate, would have enabled the 1771, a plot of freehold land was purchased charity to meet this deficiency without in the City Road, one portion of which was difficulty, were the governors content let on a building lease, and on the other with the present extent of their exertions; the present building was erected, in the but the increasing number of applicants for year 1773, for thirty-five boys and thirty-admission-the large amount of public five girls. A gradual increase has taken confidence which the institution enjoysplace in this number, until it has reached the claims of the orphan and destitute poor at the present time one hundred and-and, above all, the obligations they are twenty-one, the full number being now under, as the stewards of Him who is emseventy boys, and fifty-one girls. The phatically "the Father of the fatherless," average annual admissions for the last three- compel them to go forward in the good years have been twenty-sir children from all work they have undertaken. parts of the country. ONE THOUSAND The building in the City Road will not ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWo children admit of enlargement without depriving the have been received since its commencement, children of the means of healthful recremost of whom, after receiving a religious, ation. After mature consideration, the useful, and suitable education, have been governors determined to erect a new buildplaced in situations, in which they have, by ing capable of receiving DOUBLE the present Saturday afternoon meets about 150 of the girls and boys, for reading and familiar explanation of the Scriptures. number of children. For this purpose they purchased an eligible piece of land, about three miles from the city, on an elevated spot, at Haverstock Hill, Hampstead Road. The morning attendance, in all the The institution will be seen to advantage schools, is said to be, on ordinary occafrom all the neighbouring roads. The sions, nearly equal to that of the afternoon. building will be in the Italian style, com- They have libraries for teachers and schobining great simplicity with elegance and lars. About 60 per cent. of the children good taste. Architectural display has not are in the Scripture classes, and a great been sought, though it is hoped the design number are learning the alphabet. There combines economy and good taste, and is is no senior class, properly so called, in creditable to the skill and ability of the either of the other schools. Alternate architet, Mr. Ainger. The domestic ar-teaching and superintendence is sanctionrangements of the plan have been carefully ed, as also reading on the collective plan, attended to, in order to promote the health and instruction on the individual: in nearand comfort of the children, by providingly every instance there was an absence of spacious and airy day-rooms, dormitories, play-grounds, infirmaries, and all requisite conveniences. The Committee have entered into a contract for the building; £6,200, out of the benefactions of deceased governors and friends, have already been expended by order of the general court, in the purchase of the ground; about £14,000 are required for the completion of the plan; and they look to the governors and the public to supply them with funds to enable them to carry on the work. WORCESTERSHIRE. DUDLEY.-Mr. Groser met Mr. Burge by appointment at Dudley on Saturday night, March 22; and on the following day, in company with Messrs. Sheddon, they visited the schools belonging to the Independents, Wesleyans, Wesleyan New Connexion, Baptists, and Primitive Methodists. method; each teacher pursuing his own plan, and changing that occasionally. The Sunday Scholar's Companion, and Union Hymn Book, are used; and among the New Connexion alone, 40 copies of the Union Magazine circulate monthly, and 25 copies are taken by the teachers of the Independent school. In one school, Gall's Lesson System is adopted in all the classes, and the teachers meet weekly to converse upon Gall's “End and Essence of Sabbath School Teaching." On Monday, the deputation were hospitably entertained by John Whitehouse, Esq.; with whom, and T. Whitehouse, Esq., and the Rev. John Raven, they had some lengthened conversation upon the subject of their visit, and the desirableness of forming a Sunday School Union for the town and neighbourhood, that should embrace all Evangelical denominations. At five o'clock, they proceeded to the Lancasterian school-room, Stafford Street, where about 250 persons had assembled to take tea together. At half-past six o'clock, the meeting had increased to 400: William Sheddon, Esq., was called to the chair; and, after the usual devotional exercises, he, in a few brief sentences, introduced the Deputation, who addressed the meeting at considerable length-but not on subjects It was an agreeable surprise to the deputation, upon reaching the largest school, to find 240 boys and girls present at nine o'clock in the morning, and about 27 teachers. There are 550 children on the books; and the average attendance is, in the morning 350 scholars, afternoon 400 it being Easter Sunday, the absentees were very numerous. This school has a good library, and three senior classes, con-exclusively practical; such a course aptaining 50 young men and women. pearing, from the constitution of the meetminister has week-evening Bible classes, ing, not the most desirable one. The Rev. which are numerously attended; and on Mr. Raven, who from the first, had taken The a lively interest in the objects of the deputation, being called upon, spoke with much energy and earnestness in favor of a local Union upon catholic principles, and pointed out the many advantages that would arise from such an association. He was listened to with great attention, and frequently applauded. To this gentleman, Mr. Sheddon, and the friends belonging to the Wesleyan New Connexion, who had placed their anniversary meeting at the disposal of the deputation, their best thanks are due. The box of moveable letters delighted the assembly beyond description, their pleasure finding vent in repeated rounds of applause. Only two questions were proposed, and these had reference to the management of a library and the distribution of rewards. A vote of thanks for the visit, and the information communicated, having been proposed by the Rev. Mr. Woodhouse, and seconded by the Rev. John Raven, was carried unanimously, and the proceedings of the evening closed, NORTH LONDON SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. North London Auxiliary. The thirtieth annual meeting of this auxiliary was held on Tuesday evening, the 8th April, at Falcon-square chapel; the president, Thos. Challis, Esq., alderman, in the chair. The meeting was numerously attended by those who are actively engaged in the work of Sabbath instruction, and a great degree of interest prevailed. The report stated that there were 64 schools in connection with the auxiliary, containing 1567 teachers and 14,265 scholars. During the past year, a sub-committee had been actively employed in visiting the whole of the above schools, which had been productive of much good; and all the schools were now in possession of libraries. The friends of the auxiliary have made a special effort on behalf of the Sunday School Union, and the committee had been enabled to present the Parent Society with the amount of £113. 5s. 4d. A grant of £5, had been made to one school, and the committee of the Parent Union had voted the sum of £50. on the recommendation of the auxiliary to the same object. The several resolutions adopting the report:-recommending the continuance of the system of visiting; suggesting the necessity of teachers being fully prepared for their important work; and the need of keeping up good libraries in the schools, on account of the cheap form in which works of an injurious character are published; were severally moved and seconded by the Rev. T. Aveling, Messrs. J. Branch, W. Gover, W. H. Watson, J. Pitman, G. Groser, W. Groser, and J. Howitt, with Messrs. W. H. Watson and W. Goyer as a deputation from the Parent Society. WESTERN KENT SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. The annual meeting of the above Union was held at Foot's Cray, on Good Friday. Nearly the whole of the ministers connected with the schools of the Union attended, assisted by a deputation of the London Union (Messrs. Groser, Gover, and C. Reed): Rev. Mr. Verrall, of Bromley, presided. The report stated that the teachers of Bexley Heath Baptist School have seceded; there are now 15 schools connected with the Union, and contain 201 teachers and 1364 scholars; 3 schools have been commenced during the year, and there are 18 schools unconnected with the Union, containing 165 teachers and 1100 scholars; 4 teachers have been removed by death in the sure and certain hope of blissful immortality. The reports partook of the usual combination of light and shade, but the teachers were constrained to thank God and take courage. Mr. Groser then gave a short detail of his visit to the schools of the Liverpool Union (see p. 184), and concluded with an energetic exhortation to determined perseverance, reminding the meeting that the promises were yea and amen in Christ Jesus, and that they should therefore look for immediate rather than proximate fruit, for God's word was truth. About 200 of the friends took tea in the |