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souls from ignorance and vice, and in bringing them to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.

Extract 6th.

This School commenced February 18. Rewards were offered to the children who could read if they could find a passage in Scripture relative to the fall of man; not one could answer. April 14th, the children, when required to find a passage of Scripture relative to the fall of man, and atonement through Christ, one turned to four passages appropriately; three to two passages; seven turned to Rom. vi. 5, seven to Rom. v. 7, 8, three to Rom.

v. 15.

The Directress informed the Society that a School had been opened in the State Prison, to instruct the female convicts to read the Scriptures, superintended by the Rev. Mr. Stanford, and had been supplied with lessons from the Society; That two more Schools would be opened the following Sabbath, viz. one by the members of St. George's Chapel, and one by the members of the Moravian Church. She likewise proposed the: a Committee, consisting of one or two from each religious denomination be appointed to visit the schools, as the duties were too arduous to be properly fulfilled by the Directresses. This was agreed to. The Society, after singing a hymn of praise to that God, whose blessing had so eminently attended their work of faith and labour of love; and, concluding with the Christian doxology, adjourned to the first Wednesday in July.

Quarterly Meeting of the NEW YORK SUNDAY SCHOOL

UNION SOCIETY.

THE officers and committee of the New-York Sunday School Union Society, held their first quarterly meeting, with the superintendents and teachers of the schools, at the Methodist Church in John-street, on Monday the 6th of May.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Scolfield: after which Richard Varick, Esq. President of the Society, addressed the superintendents and teachers.

We lament that our limits prevent us from inserting this excellent address.

The business of the meeting was conducted in an animated and interesting nauner. Reports were read from the committees of fourteen schools, giving an account of their establishment and of the circumstances which had marked their progress, These reports were handsomely drawn up, and exhibited many interesting details and encouraging facts. It appeared that the above schools were conducted by thirty-six superintendents, and one hundred and forty-four teachers, and that there had been admitted into them 1800 learners; of whom nearly 200 were adults, and between 400 and 500 people of colour. In general the scho lars had been punctual in their attendance at school and at places of public worship, had been diligent in their studies, cleanly in their appearance, orderly and decorous in their conduct, and

thankful for the exertions and kindness of their instructors. The reports furnished the most satisfactory evidence of the utility of Sunday schools, of the salutary effects already produced by those connected with this association, and of the promptitude and zeal of the superintendents and teachers in the discharge of their duties.

From ten other schools, comprising, it is believed, 1000 learn ers, owing perhaps to their recent formation, no reports were made; they are however known to be in a prosperous state.

The following are extracts from the Reports received:

The committee of a school comprising 156 scholars say: "The progress of the learners, in many instances, has been such as was peculiarly gratifying to the teachers. As to the effects of the school on the children and their parents, in a moral or religious point of view, we have to observe, that in our first visits to those places where the poorer classes reside, we frequently found the parents, and sometimes even the children, in a state of intoxication, disputing with each other, and using the most profane language; but in our subsequent visits, we are happy to say, instead of witnessing such horrid scenes of destroying vice, we found an obvious alteration in the conversation and habits of some, who were teaching the children their lessons, and who appeared to take some interest in this good work. Some, indeed, have requested Bibles for the illumination of their own minds, and for the instruction of their children; which requests have been complied with."

The committee of another school say, "We find much encouragement in the general good conduct and progress of the scholars under our care, and the great desire manifested by them to receive instruction. The improvement in the manners and personal appearance of the school is worthy of notice, as well as their cheerfulness in attending public worship at the house of God, and good deportment while there."

Another committee state, "That the adults in their school are particularly attentive to their studies, and evince a very great desire to obtain information; but from their minds having been so long uncultivated, their progress, in general, is slow. The children have, in many instances, far surpassed our expectations: many of those in the higher classes have already committed to memory nearly the whole of "Brown's Catechism," besides a number of hymns; and, from present appearances, we have no doubt but the most beneficial consequences will result from their attendance at the school."

The committee of another school observe, "That they have witnessed, with much satisfaction, an anxiety for improvement in a number of the scholars, of whom many, when admitted, could not repeat the alphabet, who are now candidates for admission to the higher classes. Among the adult Africans, a disposition for receiving instruction, and an eagerness of application, have been particularly observable.”

Another committee, after giving an account of the classes into which their school was divided, observe, "That among the children are several who have improved greatly in their studies, as well as in their manners, and who we hope may yet become men devoted to God, and useful in the world. We judge that many happy consequences will result to the parents from the attendance of the children at school; and that they are not insensible to the benefits which may be expected from the undertaking, is implied in the punctuality of the children, their cleanliness, and their disposition to persevere."

The following is from another report: "We have," say the committee, "the satisfaction to state, that our school is well furnished with able and skilful teachers, happily united in the labour of love,' and punctual in their attendance, conscientious in the discharge of their duties, and anxious for the moral and religious improvement of the several classes committed to their care. Their unwearied exertions in seconding the philanthropic views of the Society, have thus far been crowned with abundant success, and will, we trust, be the means of reclaiming many from the paths of ignorance and vice. From the organization of our school to this time, every Sabbath has demonstrated the success of our labours. We have had the pleasure of seeing the children of this school progressing rapidly in cleanliness, in decency of dress and behaviour, in habits of subordination, and in the improvement of their minds and morals. Through the benevolent exertions of Miss Borland, and her associates in the good work, many of the poorer children have been decently clad, and thereby enabled to attend school and church, without exciting feelings of disgust and commiseration.

"The parents of the children belonging to this school, have been frequently visited for the purpose of ascertaining their feelings with regard to the objects of the Institution. In most cases they have manifested a deep sense of gratitude for the attention bestowed on their children, and a willingness to co-operate with us in promoting the objects of the school.

"It is worthy of remark, that, among the number of coloured persons received into this school, not one had received any religious instruction. One youth, of 19 years of age, being asked. who was the Saviour of sinners, was unable to give an answer: nor had he even heard of salvation through the Redeemer. He appeared sensible of his lost condition by nature, and manifested -a deep concern for his eternal interests.

"We cannot, gentlemen, close our remarks, without recording a signal instance of enterprise and meritorious exertion in one of our pupils. Samuel W. Hutchinson, a lad only nine years old, has acquired the admiration of his instructors and school-fellows, by his success in persuading other boys to partake of the benefits of this Institution. Sunday afternoon, April 28th, he returned to school at the head of a company, consisting of nine white, and three coloured boys, whom he had recruited during the bour

of intermission.

Since that time his zeal has induced several others to become members of the school. For such conspicuous acts of good conduct, every mark of distinction within our power has been conferred on him, and we hope his merit may be rewarded by some token of your approbation."

Another report contains the following: "The committee regrets to say, that, from circumstances beyond their control, they have not been able to make as full and complete a statement of their labours and success, as the magnitude of the subject requires. "The desire of being first among those who were devoting their time and talents to the improvement of the minds and the correction of the morals of the ignorant, the profligate, and the needy of our city, was powerful in calling many and able teachers to undertake in this great and good work.

"The spirit with which they enlisted could only be equalled by the object in which they engaged, and our first essays were crowned with abundant success.

"By a systematic division of all that part of the city included by Catherine-street, the Bowery-road, and Rivingtonstreet, we were enabled to visit every house, and to ascertain most of the objects of the Institution. These circumstances,

combined with the interest we were enabled to excite in parents by special interviews during our visits, brought at our first meeting about three hundred children, mostly boys from ten to fifteen years of age, whose mental stupidity was only equalled by their depravity and disrespect for good behaviour.

"Such a number of children, it will readily be seen, required a room of no ordinary size for their accommodation; and though every exertion was made to procure a place where they might be taught to advantage, none could be obtained.

"Regretting, as we do, that our time and labour have been productive of so few of the objects of the Institution, the committee feel themselves called upon to declare, that in general the importance of the subject does not appear to be duly appreciated in this section of our city, though perhaps no part of it calls for greater exertions, or promises a richer or more abundant harvest. To this, however, there must be some exceptions. The very arduous and singular services of the Rev. Mr. Safford, merit our warmest gratitude, and have been, productive of the most important consequences to our scholars.

"Trusting in the aid and guidance of Him who has thus roused the feelings of his people to the diffusion of his Holy Word, and the advancement of knowledge and virtue, we will go forward, not doubting but all obstacles will give way before us, and that our labours will be considered by your most respectable body as the best testimony of our zeal."

After the ordinary business of the meeting, the President again addressed the superintendents and teachers, and gave them much wise and excellent advice, of which the following are the heads:

"1. To consider the importance of the employment in which you have freely and gratuitously engaged.

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"2. Let all your instructions be grounded on religion.

"3. Let all your instructions be conveyed in the accents of kindness and affection.

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4. Study well (as far as time and circumstances will permit) the tempers and dispositions of the children.

5. Permit us also to recommend to all of you, gentlemen, as well the superintendents as teachers, that you observe the greatest punctuality in your attendance at the precise time for opening your respective Schools. In this way, your respective duties being well arranged and properly understood, all will proceed with exactness, harmony, and mutual good will.

"6. We trust, gentlemen, that from your fair standings and characters in life, either as members in full communion, or regular attendance at some one of the many distinguished places of public worship in this favoured city, it is needless to present to your view, the propriety of a regular attendance at church, at least once on every Sunday. This is so important a duty, and so congenial with your own practice, views, and feelings, as to require no observations from us. The subject is only mentioned, that the nature and obligations of public worship may not escape attention."

The meeting was concluded with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Morti

mer.

SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS in PHILADELPHIA. AMERICA. FROM extracts of two letters from a young lady in Philadelphia, and other sources, it appears, that almost every church in that city has a Sabbath School Association, for the instruction of poor children. In this laudable employment, the Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, and different denominations of Presbyterians, are all engaged. The Associations consist generally of pious young ladies, who form a constitution for themselves, and then seek the destitute and ignorant for their pupils. They attend on the children generally in rotation, by a committee; but in some instances, all the members are constant teachers. Testaments are obtained for these schools from the Bible Society, and other religious books from the Tract Societies. Each young lady takes the charge of ten or twenty scholars, and instructs them in one corner of the church, while another does the same in another part; and frequently, during the public worship of the Sabbath, she is seen at the head of her band, preserving order, and attempting to enforce attention. The blacks are not excluded from the care of any association, or of any member of it; and the writer of the letters has not been ashamed to appear at the head of a class of little chimney-sweepers. The same young lady was also the prime mover of schools for the adult poor in Philadelphia; and she has had the happiness of knowing that several aged black people, who were under her care, have not only learned to read the Bible, but to know Jesus Christ, so as to inherit eternal life. In one of these schools, a young lad has repeated the greater part of the New-Testament.

Before these Sabbath School associations were contemplated in

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