upon his mind. They were all aware of the great political events which had occurred in Europe since they had last met. Nations had been convulsed, kingdoms overturned, and in some instances, anarchy was triumphant. While, therefore, we were thankful that such events had not visited this country, he was sure the Meeting would agree with him when he stated his belief that we owed this, not only to the constitutional liberty which we enjoyed, and to the preventive measures of the Government, but that our security was owing, under God's blessing, to the prayers which had been offered up in many a Sunday school, and from many a domestic altar. There were sins enough in this country to bring down God's denunciations upon it; but he believed that we owed it to the leaven of religion in the country-that God, in his judgment, had remembered mercy. This increased the responsibility of those who were zealously engaged in this cause. If it was their wish to check the increasing progress of infidelity, and to counteract the emissaries of Satan who were desirous of imbuing the minds of the rising generation with its pernicious doctrines, there could be no more effectual mode than in forwarding and supporting the efforts of institutions for diffusing Scriptural education among the young, and none were better calculated to promote this end, than a well organized system of Sunday schools. It was impossible to estimate the blessings which Sunday schools had conferred on this country. Look at what they had done in Ireland. They were like an Oasis in the desert, the one bright spot in that benighted country. Two or three days ago he had received a report of the Sunday School Society for Ireland, containing an account of what had been done by it. It was not exclusively a Church of England society, but nearly so; its members principally belonging to the Establishment. The number of schools was 2,982, and in 1847, the number of scholars was 245,604, and of teachers 22,720, and there had been a very large circulation of bibles and tracts. Owing to the poverty of their parents, about 100,000 children were unable to attend the weekly schools, and their only resource was the Sunday schools. He had also received a communication from a Clergyman in Cavan which expressed an opinion that "these schools were a valuable institution, acting as a nursery for the Church of God, and he hoped they would continue to flourish." If then Sunday schools were able to effect so much good in Ireland, where they laboured under such great disadvantages, might it not be expected that they would produce similar results in this country. In order fully to estimate the value of Sunday schools in this country, it was necessary to consider the state of education. The statistical accounts which had been produced by the Government Education Committee proved that the schools were defective, both as to their number and to their kind. It was shown that numbers of children never went to school at all, and that others who did go, came away without being able to give reasonable answers to questions relating to the Word of God. The average length of time of their attendance at the schools, did not amount to more than three years. The reason of this was obvious, namely, the demand for labour making their services necessary for attending to their families. Education was a far different thing from merely teaching a child to read. Why should they not act towards the children of the poor, as they did towards their own, and educate them until they came to years of discretion. In three years there was not time to allow their minds to be impressed with the truths they had been taught; their hearts might be touched, but weakly, and they would go forth into this wicked world only too slightly prepared to encounter its perils. It was important therefore that those children who had been thus educated in the other schools, should remain in the Sunday schools, so that their affections might be raised from things

tr

below to things above. It was for these reasons that he recommended such institutions as this, and he earnestly called upon Sunday school teachers to persevere in the course they had taken, through all sacrifices, remembering what their Saviour had done and endured for their sakes. They might suffer disappointment, but still they had the promises of God to ensure their success; though they cast their bread upon the waters, yet they would find it after many days!" for often when the word of God had been choked, yet the seed which had been sown, in after times brought forth fruit, and many had confessed that they had been brought to a knowledge of God by the impressions which they had received through the instruction in Sunday schools-he, therefore, earnestly urged those engaged in this work to persevere.

MR. J. G. FLEET, the Corresponding Secretary, then read the Report.

REPORT.

"The Committee of the Church of England Sunday School Institute, rejoice in feeling that their Fourth Annual Report will show the Society to be in a much more satisfactory position than at any previous stage of its short career, a result for which they would call on their friends to unite with them in giving thanks to Him who alone can grant success to the efforts of his people in promoting the furtherance of his Kingdom.

They would, however, guard against the temptation to overrate their progress, as they feel that very much yet remains to be done before the Society can assume the position which its friends have ever contemplated as its proper one, that of a National Sunday School Society.

Before this object can be attained there must be redoubled efforts to increase the funds of the Institute; there must be a far more extensive co-operation in its plans, on the part of the Clergy and Managers of Church Sunday Schools, and the hands of the working committee must be materially strengthened by the active assistance of London superintendents and teachers, who can devote a portion of their leisure time to the welfare of this young but important Society.

The great barrier to this most desirable union of the Church Sunday Schools is the too prevalent feeling of self-satisfaction, which leads teachers to rest contented with their own experience and their own plans, regardless of the improvements which their fellow labourers could suggest. It would be difficult to conceive an idea more opposed to progress in our work. There are few Sunday schools that cannot contribute some good suggestion for the general welfare of the system, but on the other hand it may safely be added that there are none which should be above receiving hints for improvement.

While thus urging the benefits of such an association of Sunday schools, the Committee would thankfully acknowledge the extent to which this view has already been acted on. They trace it in the increasing number of their own Metropolitan members, and in the formation of similar Societies in other cities and large towns. With such Societies they are prepared to enter into friendly intercourse and connection, to mutual advantage, whilst they would from experience, strongly recommend the formation of Church Sunday School Unions where not already existing.

The financial affairs of the Institute are cheering. All its sources of revenue have increased; and, although the increase is but small, it is yet such as, in these times of depression, to give the Committee much satisfaction.

They feel however, that the income of the Society is at present far below its

real wants, and that the friends of Church Sunday School Instruction, in the wealthy classes, may justly be appealed to, for a more liberal pecuniary support than they have yet bestowed on the Institute. Much additional strength would also arise from members of the Institute voluntarily doubling their subscriptions, but on this point the Committee speak with hesitation, well-knowing that many Sunday school teachers are already liberal to the best of their ability—an additional reason for claiming from the more affluent friends of Church Sunday schools that support, without which, the operations of the Institute must continue to be cramped, and years elapse before its stock of material can be made adequate to the wants of Sunday schools.

The balance in hand is very small, and there are still some outstanding accounts. The Committee will feel grateful for the collection of small sums, by means of their boxes and collecting cards.

The Publications of the Committee during the past year, have been confined to the "Hymns for Church Sunday Schools," and the "Quarterly Magazine." In both cases they thankfully appeal to the sale as a most satisfactory proof that the Publication was wanted, and does, in the opinion of very many friends, supply the

want.

The first number of the Magazine was issued only a month since, and the Committee have already received most gratifying testimonials as to its adaptation to the requirements of Sunday school teachers. They would take this opportunity of thanking the many friends who have so warmly interested themselves in its welfare, and of urging even increased efforts to make the Magazine still more useful in its character, and to promote its circulation. It is designed to diffuse far and near, more correct views of the work undertaken by Sunday school teachers, and of the qualification, religious and intellectual, required for a proper discharge of their duties; and if, as the Committee trust, it shall by God's blessing carry out this design, it will deserve to be found in every Clergyman's study, and every Church Sunday School Teacher's library, throughout England and her Colonial dependencies.

The Committee are now also engaged in carefully reading through a number of reward books for Sunday scholars, with a view of furnishing a list of such as they recommend, and keeping them on sale. They have undertaken this as another step towards the completion of their object of supplying Clergymen and Superintendents with every requisite for a Sunday school, in the shape of books and materials.

It will be readily acknowledged that publishing requires capital--and that every fresh work issued by the Committee involves the having on hand an additional amount of stock. The want of such a capital has seriously impeded the Committee, leading to a temporary supply by a loan from some of its members, a most unsatisfactory source of revenue, which the Committee hope the liberality of the Christian public wlll enable them in future to dispense with.

The Lectures arranged by the Committee and cheerfully given by many excellent Clergymen of London and its neighbourhood are numerously attended, and the Committee would gladly obtain the delivery of similar Lectures in the suburbs where practicable. One of last year's series, that on "the Temptations Peculiar to the office of a Sunday School Teacher," has been published in the First Number of the Magazine, and the Committee need only refer to it as a proof that their labours would be well bestowed, if they only obtained the imparting of such valuable instruction to Sunday School Teachers as this Lecture conveys. Their thanks are justly due to the Clergymen who render them and their members this important

assistance. And they would also take this opportunity of acknowledging the kindness of the Revds. Daniel Moore, W. Harrison, Thos. Jackson, and Wm. Cadman, in preaching for the Institute during the year that has elapsed since the last Annual Meeting.

For three months of the past winter season the usual Conversational Meetings were suspended, and a training class for the mutual improvement of Sunday School Teachers in the art of teaching held weekly, with pleasing results, although the attendance would have been more satisfactory had it included a larger number of the young and inexperienced teachers, for whose benefit it was especially designed. The Committee hope that a similar plan will be resumed, as they think it scarcely possible to overrate the importanee of teachers endeavouring to acquire that practical art of teaching, without which the best instructions are too likely to fail of their effect.

The Library has been increasingly used, the issues of books for circulation being 1545 against 1217 last year. This is the more pleasing as the Committee feel that their narrow resources have prevented their doing anything like justice to the library; only 83 volumes having been added to it during the past year. They anxiously ask for donations of suitable standard works from those who, out of their abundant stores, could well spare a part for their less favoured neighbours. The Committee hope to be able to report a considerable addition to the Library when they next have to present a Report; and they also intend to increase the supply of standard periodicals for use in the reading room.

The Statistical labours have been continued, and the following is the summary of the information received.

Returns have been obtained from 85 Metropolitan Church Sunday Schools, showing a total of—

The average attendance being 13,460. Upwards of three-fourths of the schools have lending libraries, and in 33 there are week-day evening classes for the scholars. The returns received from Country Sunday schools, are but a nucleus for future operations-being from 62 schools :

One girl's school returns an average attendance of 350 out of 403 on the books. These returns are of course very meagre, but they are given as presenting good ground for satisfaction so far as these schools are concerned.

The Committee deeply regret the apathy on the part of the managers of schools which so frequently interferes with this branch of their labours, feeling assured that a correct knowledge of the Statistics of Church Sunday schools would prove most highly encouraging, whilst cases of destitution which would thus be brought to notice, would thereby be put in a far more likely way of being remedied.

The Committee gladly notice their removal to their present commodious premises, at 169, Fleet-street, a change which they believe will be found very advantageous to their members and friends, whilst the facilities for the sale of their publications will be increased.

They have much pleasure in placing their Reading Room at the service of Clergymen, for Appointments.

A rule was passed two years since, by which the payment of a subscription of two guineas by a Sunday school entitled all the teachers in such a school to the privileges of Membership of the Institute. The Committee believe this rule to have worked beneficially, both for teachers and the Institute, by bringing a greater number of the former within its influence, and they therefore recommend a resolution which will be proposed to-night, reducing that rate of subscription on the part of schools to one guinea, believing that such a step will act still more benefici ally in the way above alluded to, whilst they rely on the liberality of their richer friends that their funds shall not suffer by this application of their guiding principle, to supply such advantages as they can offer to teachers at the lowest possible rate of subscription.

Such is a brief summary of the steps which the Committee have been enabled to take in furtherance of the object of their Society, the efficiency of Church Sunday Schools, —an object which they cannot but think equal in importance to any that can claim the sympathy and support of the Christian public.

The tremendous convulsions of society that have marked the present year, are fraught with lessons of the deepest interest to all classes of society, and Sunday school teachers will do well to gather their instruction also. A careless and superficial observer, startled by the shock of revolutions and falling kindoms, might indeed be tempted to overlook and lightly esteem the voice of the Sunday school, as too weak to enter into contention among such mighty elements and influences; but such an impression will not stand the test of reflection. As there is not an evil in the social system which cannot clearly be traced to the faults and crimes of individuals-so is the converse equally true, that the right training of one individual may (through God's overruling providence), prevent a large amount of national calamity, a view of the case which imparts a truly momentous importance to the labours of the teachers, both in our numerous and rapidly improving day schools, and in our Sunday schools. Bishop Beveridge has truly and strikingly observed, "Who knows but that the salvation of ten thousand immortal souls may depend on the education of one child." Let us place side by side with this remark the opinion of a living dignitary of our Church, that Sunday schools have saved the manufacturing districts, and the fact mentioned by Dr. Browning, that out of 1065 prisoners who were conveyed in five different voyages, under his authority and superintendence, to the penal colonies of Australia, only 14 had been educated in a Sunday school. What a powerful stimulus is here brought to bear on us! What great encouragement to persevere in a work which is thus proved to tell already upon society with a mighty influence for good. If, indeed,