which it appeared that the objects of the Society had been advanced, the Lectures had been well attended, as also a proposed service on Maundy Thursday; it was also hoped that many schools which had joined the Association would do so, as the benefits of union in carrying out this work were so apparent. The balance in hand was £4 10s. 1d.

The MAYOR of Leeds, in moving the adoption of the report, referred largely to his experience as a magistrate as to the effect of Sunday school teaching on that part of the community which it was intended to benefit. He spoke in high terms of the demeanour of witnesses who had received instruction in Sunday schools, and having applauded the modesty, intelligence, and truthfulness of such persons, he proceeded to remark upon the fact that out of a large number of prisoners whose cases had been reported upon by the chaplain of the Leeds gaol, a large number had been in Sunday schools. A great many of these had been instructed in the Church Catechism, comparatively but few could read; on this fact the speaker built an encouragement to Sunday school teachers; he expected that something would be done to promote general education, and this would help to remedy the evils he had alluded to. The work of the Sunday school teacher was hindered by the carelessness and indifference of scholars and parents; this should arouse teachers to unwearied persevering exertion in their labours. In conclusion, he remarked that he believed a system of national education would not supersede, but help forward the Sunday school teacher, and he urged a connexion with the Association as a means to the great end of rendering this instruction effective.

The Rev. W. H. STOCKER seconded the resolution, which was carried.

The Rev. J. FAWCETT moved the thanks of the meeting to the gentlemen who had given lectures during the past year. In his remarks he dwelt upon the importance of connecting religious with secular instruction, and quoted Sir James Graham's apt illustrations, that education without religion was like "a steam-engine without a safety-valve, like a watch without a regulator, a ship without a rudder, and a mariner's compass without polarity." He concluded by urging teachers to patience and perseverance in what was the work of God.

The Rev. J. BICKERDIKE seconded the resolution.

W. B. DENISON, Esq., next addressed the meeting, and in the course of his speech bore high testimony to the value and importance of Sunday school teaching. He considered that the responsibility of teachers increased every daythe advance of science had multiplied the temptations to sin. He thought that the purpose of Sunday schools could not be over-rated. Liberty and innovation advanced hand in hand. He did not deprecate this progress, but it behoved those who had at heart the best interests of their fellow-men to be on the alert-to instil (as Lord John Russell had enforced from that place, a short time before) a love of pure truth, rather than a definite amount of knowledge. After some forcible remarks respecting the responsibility of parents and the great value of the exertions of teachers, Mr. Denison concluded by moving the resolution committed to him.

It was seconded by the Rev. G. THOMAS, and carried.

The meeting concluded by a hearty vote of thanks to the Vicar; and a doxology having been sung, and the benediction pronounced, at ten o'clock the meeting terminated.

IT has not unfrequently been urged by the advocates of Infant and Sabbath school instruction, that our chief efforts at arresting the progress of the infidelity and vice which now so fearfully abound on every side, should be brought to bear almost undividedly on our youthful population.

The reason assigned for this is, that after the mind has been impregnated with infidel cavils, and the heart hardened by evil influences, and habits of vice been formed, it were as easy to stay the advancing of the rising tide, as to arrest the onward march of the debased and depraved adult to perdition.

Facts however prove that this opinion has originated in substituting theory for well directed effort; for if there be one class of adults whose case you would be more inclined to regard as hopeless than another, that class must be that of convicted criminals.

What however is the result of our efforts, even in so unpromising a field as this? The question will be best answered by giving a slight outline of the "Colonial Training Institution ;" an institution established, in Great Smith Street, Westminster, for the reformation of adult male criminals.

In the year 1848, a zealous teacher in the Ragged School, in Pye Street, Westminster (whose praise should be in all the Churches, and whose example adopted as a model by many who, having a name for devotedness, would do well to follow in his steps), determined on, or rather should we not say was guided by the Spirit to determine on, the attempt to scatter the seed of the Word on soil regarded till then as altogether unproductive.

He commenced with two youths; of

these, one went back to his former criminal courses, but the other, under the blessing of God, became completely reformed. Encouraged by his success in the latter case, he proceeded with renewed energy on his glorious mission; and in the fact, that he now finds himself the governor of a home, which has admitted, since its formation, 445 prodigalswhich at present spreads its sheltering wings over 116 men, of ages varying from sixteen to fifty; a home which has found employment in their own country for thirty-five; which has restored to the firesides, from which they had been banished, seventeen; which has sent abroad eighty-five-not with bodies enchained, and minds depraved and debased, sinners themselves and the com. panions of sinners-but free men! made free with that most glorious of all freedom, that with which Christ makes his people free-now therefore as useful, labouring, happy (because of many we have good cause for adding converted) men-which has sent out in her Majesty's service (instead of as violators of the law,) as soldiers, thirteen; as sailors, two-may we not declare with truth he has his reward?

But it may be urged:--These men were criminals, about whom in the present day there is too much of morbid sentimentality. To such an objection we would reply,--These men have been punished, and now therefore, although we have no sympathy with crime, we must, if indeed we be followers of Him who went about doing good, hold forth most cordially the helping hand to assist the penitent on their way.

With respect, however, to the majority of the inmates of the "Colonial Training School," the fearful truth is,

that society rather than the culprit is to be blamed for the transgression, for from infancy to manhood his only instruction has been in depravity—the first words he was taught to lisp were words of blasphemy-his first lessons in wrong doing. As he has advanced in life, the violation of the law has brought on him the endurance of its penalties; but these, instead of being of a character to soften, have rather tended to harden the heart, and the evil influence of fellow-prisoners still further to debase.

be, we have good cause for thanksgiving to Him, without whose aid the planting of Paul, and the watering of Apollos, will be alike in vain.

The term of imprisonment having expired, he is sent once more into the world—we have just said, in all probability, more hardened-but we will suppose a most favourable case. We will suppose the man, as he once more walks forth free, and desiring henceforth to lead a new life—BUT CAN HE? He has lost his character, and therefore most of the ordinary means of employment are closed against him; he has never been taught a trade, and therefore has no hope as an artisan; he cannot starve, he must not beg; what then can he do? The Colonial Training Institution furnishes us at once with the reply, its doors are thrown open to him; he is there placed under a severe probation to test his sincerity, through which, if he passes satisfactorily, he is at once placed on the establishment; he is then during the day taught a trade -there are on the Institution workshops for carpenters,tailors, shoemakers, printers, &c.—and the evening is passed in mental and moral culture; he attends two public services on the Sabbath, and during the morning, afternoon, and evening intervals the inmates form themselves into one of the most interesting Sunday Schools in the Metropo

lis;

This leads us to two concluding appeals, with which we would close this paper.

The first is for adult teachers in our Sunday school; but they must be Godfearing, Christ-serving, Bible-loving men; they must be men who, having received the truth as it is in Jesus, into their own hearts, are desirous to impart it to others. Of the aid of such we stand in great need; to such we say, the work to which we call you, and in which we invite you to take part, is a noble though laborious one; but we can assure you, from experience, that great will be your reward.

for when you remember that all these are adults, and then think on the influence they would have exerted on society, and then on what we may now confidently hope that influence, with the Divine blessing resting on it may

Our second appeal is for funds. On this head, however, we would be brief. If the narration of facts has failed to awaken your sympathy, and ensure your co-operation and support; if the assurance that we have been compelled to refuse-YES TO REFUSE admission to thousands-yes, nearly seven thousand!! -last year alone, upwards of three thousand penitents-amongst whom we might mention Levi Harwood, who was executed for the murder at Frimley, and who was so anxious, a short time before participating in the crime, to lead a new life, that he supplicated most earnestly to be taken in, offering to go through a double probation, but could not be admitted, there not being sufficient accommodation for him; and others, whose crimes, though less notorious, would not have been committed, had not our energies been crippled by want of funds -we say, that if an appeal such as this has no power to enlist your sympathy, we can but fear that further pleading would but be in vain. We hope, however, or rather are assured of better things, when our appeal is to the readers of the "Church of England Sunday School Quarterly Magazine;" and in this persuasion, and asking a blessing from on

lence of a child-call it childish benevolence if you will-I believe it to be the benevolence of the New Testament, and a humble comment upon that verse of Scripture, "We love Him because He first loved us." I dare not enlarge, or I might show you that much still remains to be done; and, knowing that all our efforts will be useless without the blessing of God, allow me to give you a subject of prayer for the jubilee year. Look at Spain. Her Majesty's Ministers were lately questioned as to the Spanish law which forbids the profession of any but the so-called Holy Roman Catholic Church. When in London, in 1851, I saw a large pile of Spanish Bibles and Testaments, which looked like a pile of twist, in bundles which had stood in a warehouse for a

couple of years. I lately asked the

secretary how many Bibles they had sent into Spain the last twelve months. His answer was, "Not one." My brethren, pray for Spain! We might refer to Africa, of which Continent it has been truly said, we have only touched the hem of the garment; but see how Dr. Bruff and others are diving into the interior. Who can tell what may be the result in new translations of the Bible? Why, even at Sierra Leone alone there are persons living speaking above 100 dialects. My Sunday school friends, how is this to be accomplished? I say, indoctrinate your youngest children with the full persuasion that this blessed Book-the Bible-is what it professes to be, the revealed and inspired will of God to

man.

GENTLEMEN,

As I am a constant reader of your Sunday School Quarterly Magazine, I again take the liberty of addressing you on the subject of explicit and simple books for the inexperienced teacher. I perceive by a criticism on a work under review in your last Number, that you do not prefer "the Question and Answer Books as a method of instruction." As a teacher I humbly beg to differ with you most decidedly on the point. I conceive you much mistake the purport of such works, if you imagine they are solely got up for the purpose of "being committed to memory, either by each scholar being furnished with the book, or by oral teaching." I believe such a plan of illustrating the

various passages of Scripture, is more particularly meant to put the inexperienced teacher in possession of the full meaning of the part of Scripture under consideration, which is more fully brought out by Question and Answer than can possibly be done by the usual form of commentary. The teacher having arrived at the full depth of the meaning of the passage before him, he can use these Questions and Answers at his discretion, and he can also vary the language so as to suit the capacity of his class.

It appears to me that you imagine all who have the desire of becoming Sunday school teachers must necessarily have the knowledge, and the capacity for the undertaking; and perhaps