prosperous, besides a branch-school, a new building for which was built in 1846, at a cost of 1,700l., and which contains six hundred scholars, at which a great amount of good is doing; the scholars at present on the books are 1,200, with an average attendance of nine hundred; there are two beautiful rooms, a large library and reading-room containing 1,700 volumes; all the various religious periodicals are taken in ; the room is opened three nights a-week for the exchange of books; four private earliest. At the close of the second year the scholars had increased to four hundred and sixty. In the seventh year of the school's history, in consequence of the rooms in China-lane being sold, it was determined to alter and adapt the cellars underneath the chapel for the purposes of a Sunday-school. This was done at a cost of somewhere about 1,2001.; and the school was removed thither in February, 1814. The number of scholars during that year was one thousand and fifty-two. In all, since the foundation of this Sunday-class-rooms for week-night meetings. school, there have passed through it thirteen thousand seven hundred and sixty-five scholars. Upwards of two hundred and sixty of the teachers and scholars have been admitted into our church, from time to time, since the school began; thirteen of the teachers have engaged in the sacred work of the ministry, and eleven have been sent out by the London Missionary Society, to carry the gospel to the heathen. This was the first school in Manchester that began the practice of assembling its scholars and teachers in Whitsun-week (1809), to keep them from the races, and it was the first to establish a Juvenile Missionary Society, one of whose founders is now the Member for Stockport, W. KERSHAW, Esq., M.P." Besides the Juvenile Missionary Society, there is a Sick Society, a Funeral Society, three Mutual Improvement Societies, and various classes and working societies for the female scholars and teachers; an efficient Temperance Society, which numbers six hundred of the scholars, and shortly it is intended to form a branch of the Christian Provident Society. There is a teachers' monthly prayer-meeting; a youths' monthly prayer-meeting; and a juvenile missionary prayer-meeting, held also monthly. We deeply regret the necessity that compels us to abridge the sketch of these noble schools, which are in every sense model institutions, especially as regards the Sunday-school depart The present state of the schools is ment. Reviews. The Advancement of Religion the Claim of the Times. Second Edition, foolscap 8vo. A Course of Lectures delivered in Wycliffe Chapel, London. By ANDREW REED, D.D. Personal Piety, and Personal Effort. The third and fourth Lectures, reprinted in a cheap form for general circulation. Ward and Co. cannot share with him the very gloomy view he takes of the present state of religion, we do believe that there is much need of "Alarm in Zion ;" and so pointed, heart-searching, and unsparing an appeal cannot be read without humiliation and resolution. Dr. Reed's work is in its second edition. The plan for the "Advancement of Alarm in Zion; or, a Few Thoughts upon hand. Elegance in style, combined with Religion," is the production of a masterthe Present State of Religion. By DAVID fervour and power, attend the argument, EVERARD FORD. Simpkin. and give weight to the appeal. We have MR. FORD'S "words of warning" have read no work so admirably calculated to been presented neither few nor far be- produce a revival of religion amongst us; tween. The author of "Decapolis," and the two Lectures reprinted for gra"Chorazin," "Damascus," and Lao-tuitous circulation, ought to be freely dicea," has dealt faithfully with his brethren in Christ; and his efforts have had a most important bearing upon the interests of the church at large. While we used in every congregation. The works are not denominational-they are written for Christians; and to Sunday-school teachers we can safely recommend them. Easy Anthems for two Trebles and a Bass. and simple statements of the progress of For the use of Singing-classes, Sunday-missions in various parts of the world, schools, and Families. By J. I. COBBIN. Nos. 1 to 6. Ward. THESE anthems, the words of which have been selected chiefly from the au thorised version of the Psalms, are the best adapted for young performers of any we have met with. In composition they are neither pedantically difficult nor unimprovingly simple, but, combining flowing melody with simple harmony, are easy of execution, and will, we are sure, be favourites wherever they are known. Those of our young readers who are laudably striving to educate themselves for "the service of song in the house of the Lord," will find these "Easy Anthems" pleasing and improving practice at home. Scripture Selections for the Use of Sabbath Schools. Nos. 1, 2, 3. By the Superintendent of Spittal School, Berwickupon-Tweed. Grant and Taylor, Edinburgh. THE title of these little books explains their nature and object. The selections are judiciously made, the books being graduated according as the class is more or less advanced. Even the alphabet-class are provided for, as they have here a little book of simple texts, chiefly in words of one syllable, which may be soon committed to memory, and, with a little explanation, soon understood. We cordially recommend them. The History of Rome. By Miss CORNER. Dean and Co. MISS CORNER has rendered good service to the young by her various well-known histories, but in none, perhaps, more than in the present work. Abounding, as the early history of Rome does, in the fabulous and legendary, it is important that the young should be taught to discriminate between fact and fiction; and this the authoress has made her chief aim. Niebuhr, Arnold, and others, have thrown great light on the infantile history of the "mistress of the world," and Miss Corner has industriously availed herself of their researches, and here presents to the young a more truthful and correct picture of the manners, customs, and institutions of this interesting people, thau, in our opinion, has yet been done. The Children's Missionary Record of the Free Church of Scotland. Vol. III. Johnstone, Edinburgh and London. NONE of our cotemporaries has a larger circulation, or more extended influence, than the modest little publication before and certainly none is more worthy of the patronage it enjoys. Its interesting us; affecting pictures of the ignorance and depravity of the heathen, and pleasing narratives of native conversion and use fulness, are pre-eminently adapted to nurture a missionary spirit among the young. As a volume, it forms a neat gift-book, and many of its articles will be found to possess a permanent interest. Wertheim's Bible Cartoons for the School and the Cottage. Four wood-engravings, illustrative of the Life of Joseph. Wertheim, Paternoster-row. THIS is a commendable attempt to supersede the trashy prints which too often disgrace the village cottage-wall and the city workshop, by something more elevated and useful, and as such we cordially wish it success, and trust it will meet with sufficient encouragement to justify the continuance of the work. Not only children but adults learn much, and perhaps rereceive the most deep and lasting impressions, from correct delineations of scriptural scenery and manners, and it is therefore of no small importance to present interestingly truth to the eye as well as the ear. The engravings are well executed, but the drawing of some of the figures is not very correct, and the designer has evidently confounded the Saracenic with the Egyptian and Jewish costumes. Brethren. No. 197. Exposition of the Chronology of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Scripture Selections, for Sabbath-schools. Nos. 1 to 3. Wertheim's Bible Cartoons for the School and the Cottage. The Jewish Exile; or, Religion exemplified in the Life and Character of Daniel. By the Rev. J. KENNEDY, A.M., Stepney. The Children's Missionary Record of the Free Church of Scotland. Vol. III. The Anxious Inquirer after Salvation directed and encouraged. By the Rev. J. A. JAMES. The Will-Forgers; or, the Church of Easy Anthems, for Sunday-schools, &c. Correspondence. THE BOOK OF REVELATION. THIS book of Divine Revelation has hitherto been little introduced in Sunday-school instruction. Its practical tendency, nevertheless, is declared as early as chapter i. 3; in which same verse, according to the right rendering of the passage, we find it said, "Blessed is he that readeth," in the sense of instruction; or, reading to others, "and they that hear the words of this prophecy." Did we feel the force of the words, "the time is at hand," our children might reap the advantage of having their young minds early directed to this portion of God's word, with which it is needful they should become acquainted, that the day of the Lord come not upon them unawares. Ought we to shrink from this duty on our part, because we can only now hope to prepare them for future light? The solemn conviction I have of the importance of the subject, induces me Intelligence. A. L. SMETHWICK.-The annual meeting | delivered, which produced that feeling of the Sunday-school connected with the Independent Chapel, Smethwick, near Birmingham, was held on Monday, December 27, 1847. A large assembly partook of tea, and much pleasure was felt by the several addresses of the teachers, (some of whom had been scholars in the school from infancy,) and happy were they to state that it was in the Sunday-school where they first received their religious impressions; there they were led to see their state by nature; and although many of their fellow-scholars had gone into the world, yet they would have to bless God, through eternity, that a Sunday-school had been established in Smethwick. The superintendents, Mr. J. Freeth and Mr. S. Thompson, were each presented with a handsomely-bound copy of Ingram Cobbin's condensed Commentary, as a mark of esteem and sincere love, in which their valuable services were held by the teachers. After the presentation the superintendents acknowledged this mark of esteem with replete gratitude, for the appreciation of their humble services. Other addresses were subsequently in the hearts of those present, the re- BOROUGHBRIDGE.-The teachers and managers of the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday-school, Boroughbridge, held their anniversary tea meeting in the school-room, on Monday, Dec. 20; and, after tea, Mr. Richard Umpleby was called to preside. During the course of the evening, addresses were given by Messrs. R. Burrell, S. Raw, J. Bacon, J. Akers, jun., T. Scott, J. Topham, &c. Many of the speakers, when they arose, bore testimony to the instructions they received in Sundayschools. A remark was made by one of the speakers, that the greatest part of the speakers had been taught in a Wesleyan Sunday-school; and, in appealing to the chairman, he said, if the point would not be too delicate, he should like all present to stand up who BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. had been scholars in a Wesleyan Sun--The annual meeting of the members day-school. The request was imme- of the Birmingham Sunday-school diately complied with, and, to the great Union was held in the spacious schoolsurprise and equal satisfaction of all room belonging to Ebenezer Chapel, present, the whole company arose with on Tuesday evening, the 11th ult., when the exception of four, there being forty a large and respectable company sat present at the meeting. down to tea. After tea, the Rev. C. H. Roe having led the devotional exercises, the chair was taken by Joseph Sturge, Esq., who, after some very suitable remarks, called upon Mr. J. S. Wright (one of the secretaries,) to read the report. The report referred to several important subjects bearing upon Sunday-school instruction, and gave a statistical statement, from which it apteachers and 8,000 children in connecpeared that there were nearly 800 LEEDS POTTERY-FIELD SUNDAYSCHOOL.-On Tuesday evening, the 4th ult., the annual tea meeting of the above-named school was held in the school-room. The attendance was nu merous and very respectable. After tea, which was provided by the ladies of Pottery Field district in a highly creditable manner, the vicar of Hunslet (the Rev. John Clark, M.A.) was unanimously called to the chair. He addressed the assembly in an impressive speech, containing pertinent observations on the advantages of Sundayschools; he was followed by the Revs. Mr. Barnes, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Nicholls, Mr. Stokes, and Mr. Brameld, the esteemed curate of Hunslet; by the superintendent of the school, Mr. Barker, Mr. J. T. Haigh, and other gentlemen. The entertainment was good, and every one appeared highly gratified with the evening's proceedings. tion with the Union. The various resolutions were moved and supported in suitable speeches, by the Revs. Messrs. Swan, O'Neil, Hammond, and Bradshaw, and by Messrs. Manton, Lee, Wright, Cooper, Rennie, Griffiths, Shaw, &c. teresting and instructive character, and The meeting was of a highly inthe Union appears calculated to render important service to the Sunday-school cause in this town and neighbourhood. the officers for the ensuing year :-PreThe following gentlemen were elected sident, Mr. H. Manton; Treasurer, Mr. J. H. Hopins; Secretaries, Messrs. J. R. Lee, J. S. Wright, and J. A. Cooper. STROUD OLD CHAPEL SUNDAYSCHOOLS. The anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. Thomas Nicholas, and a collection amounting to upwards of 351. presented to the funds of this prosperous Institution; of which it may be truly said, while the school supplies the church, the church does not forget her obligation to support the school. LEEDS SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.-The principal business transacted at our last quarterly-meeting, was the examination of various publications for the use of Sunday-schools. The appearance of "THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MAGAZINE" was much liked, and the internal excellences were matter of general remark. Our labours here are very great. Sunday-school work is done too much by fits and starts. Some years ago our Union was in the very best state, and all promised well; then came a time of quiescence and division; and TEA MEETING AT ABINGDON. now, again, we are looking as we did of One of these delightful meetings of old, vigorous and strong. This fitful-friends in connection with the Sabbathness is most injurious, and there is no reason for it but apathy. We hope to make an effective movement upon the country schools this year. school of the Independent Chapel, took place in the Council Chamber, (the same having been kindly lent by our respected Mayor) on Wednesday, the 19th |