HULL CHURCH OF ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL THE thirtieth anniversary of this Association, was held on Friday, Sunday, and Monday last, the 6th, 8th, and 9th of July. On the first named day, the clergy, teachers and children assembled in the afternoon for divine service, in St. John's and Christ churches. The collective number of the children was from 3,000 to 4,000. Those of the Holy Trinity, St. John's, St. James's, St. Stephen's (Collier street), St. Stephen's (Eastcheap), and Mariner's Church schools met in St. John's, where the sermon was preached by the Rev. R. H. Whitworth, curate of St. James's, whilst, at the same time, the Rev. Uriah Davies, B.A., curate of St. Mark's, preached in Christ Church to those of Sculcoates, St. Mary's, Salthouse-lane, Christ Church, St. Peter's (Drypool), St. Mark's, and St. Paul's. Both churches were very full, and St. John's was oppressively crowded. After public worship the children assembled in their respective school-rooms to tea, and very excellent provision, including spice buns, was made for them. In the evening, the clergy, teachers and friends took tea together in the Public Rooms, Jarratt-street, where about 350 ladies and gentlemen sat down under the presidence of the Rev. John King. Two very excellent addresses were delivered on the occasion by the Rev. C. R. Alford, M.A., incumbent of Christ Church, Doncaster, and J. G. Fleet, Esq., of London, as a deputation from the "Church of England Sunday School Institute." Both their speeches were of an eminently practical kind. Mr. Alford meets his teachers weekly, apart from the Sabbath, and goes over the lessons with them, preparatory for school instruction. He also personally superintends the schools. Prior to taking orders he had been many years actively connected with Sunday Schools, and he regards the training of the young as one of the most important branches THESE Annual Excursions were commenced in Macclesfield five years since, for the purpose of counteracting and destroying the evil effects produced on the youthful mind by frequenting the fair which is held about the festival of St. Barnabas, familiar with the inhabitants by the name of 'Barnaby fair.' In making arrangements for the excursion, the Committee desire no profit, but all surplus money, after deducting conveyance expenses, is appropriated for the refreshment of the children. Friends pay double for their tickets, and receive nothing in return; childrens' payment is regulated by the number of visitors and the stipulation with the railway company. the The last excursion was made on the 22nd of June. His Grace, the Duke of Sutherland, most kindly granted permission for the party to rusticate in his noble and beautiful domain, Freatham Park, Staffordshire, and a very reasonable agreement having been made with the North-Staffordshire Railway Company, nothing was required but a fine day. When 'Barnaby day' arrived, Morpheus set his younger disciples at liberty somewhat earlier than usual; and at 7 o'clock a. m., the teachers were busy classifying the children, while England's flag, floating above the roof of the school, bore indications of some extraordinary stir among the scholars of Christ Church Schools. Nothing could be more pleasing to those interested in the welfare of our poorer youths, than to see 500 of them neatly and cleanly clad, with joyous countenances; who, seemingly forgetful of all care and trouble, were going to realise a treat, granted by one of the chief nobles of our great Empire. The procession being formed, marched through the town to the railway station, with flags waved by the morning breeze, bearing the usual loyal sentiments to the Church and our Gracious Queen. Crowds of spectators lined the streets, and really one could not help taking cognizance of the very anxious desire of many to join our ranks, did circumstances permit. About ten p. m. a train of considerable length, containing 850 individuals, bid farewell to Macclesfield for one day, amidst the sounds of music and loud hurrahs. The mere ride was a great treat to many of our children, who doubtless had never been twenty-five miles distant from home, or travelled by railway before in their lives. In somewhat more than an hour it arrived at the Freatham station, and after buns had been distributed, the procession was re-formed, and marched orderly to the park, led by an efficient band. Imagination would fail to paint upon the mind a more pleasing scene than that which might have been observed after the children were dismissed. Here and there, small groups of juveniles were joining in every variety of game with which youth is acquainted. The girls forming rings in familiar intercourse with their teachers, and their teachers with them; the boys amusing themselves in the more noble game of cricket; while some solitary stragglers, it would seem, were admiring nature's scenery. At suitable times, the children were regaled with pies and good new milk, which of course gave fresh impulse to their sports and pleasures. The ladies and gentlemen were kindly conducted in small companies, through the splendid gardens surrounding the stately palace of his Grace; which, from the extremely tasty manner in which they are laid out, rank amongst the first in the kingdom. The Time, who favours no one, used his wings as usual, and to many of our party somewhat quicker. At 7 o'clock, a. m., the train was in readiness to convey its sunburnt inmates home. children returned to the school, and after a glass of British wine and a bun had been distributed to each, the Rev. C. O. Pratt, their Clergyman, delivered a suitable address expressive of God's providence in allowing them to return with no limbs broken or lives lost. There were similar excursions to Sandon Park, the seat of the Earl of Harrowby, by the Old Church, and Hurdsfield Church Sunday Schools. Macclesfield. Z. ALL SAINT'S DISTRICT, ISLINGTON, INFANT AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS. THE Seventh Annual Meeting was held in the school room, on Tuesday evening, September 4th, 1849; the Rev. John Russell Stock, the new Incumbent, took the chair at half-past six. After prayer had been offered up, a very gratifying examination of sixty children took place, the questions being chiefly drawn from Scripture, in which the children seemed well grounded. The answers were of a highly satisfactory character, and reflected great credit on the teachers. The Rev. D. Wilson in moving the first resolution, "That the report be printed," observed that when the Bishop of Calcutta came into the parish twentyfive years ago, the whole population was only about 20,000, and when it reached 25,000, and it was proposed to divide the labour between four or five, it was thought they would have a great deal to do, but now the population of AllSaints alone was over 20,000, chiefly poor. After alluding to the number of Churches and school-houses in the parish, the Rev. speaker reminded his audience that that was only the machinery, which must not be relied upon, but prayer must be offered for the Divine blessing, "Not by might nor by power, &c., &c." "What a delightful thought, 260 children taught here on the Sunday. I do not know any office more interesting or self-denying, than the Sunday School Teacher's, or one for which I feel more respect; the Sunday visitor, going from house to house, sympathizing with the sick and the afflicted, and weeping with them that weep. The Sunday School Teacher, while instructing his class, obtains much instruction himself, and I would strongly recommend all who are not otherwise engaged, to become Sunday School Teachers, and receive a teacher's reward." The motion having been seconded by Mr. Williams, the next resolution was moved by the Rev. J. D. Baylee, who stated, that he only gave expression to the feelings of every one present, when he said, the examination reflected the greatest credit on the parties who instructed the children; enlarging on the necessity of teaching a child while young; for as in the natural world, so in the spiritual, a tree being required to grow in any particular direction, is trained while yet a sapling; so should the mind of the youth, before it became hardened by sin. Mr. Joseph Elmer, in seconding the resolution, called the attention of the meeting, to the increased accommodation required on account of the growth of the population. In 1841, the district contained 680 houses, 210 cottages. In 1849, 1850 houses, 600 cot tages; taking each house to contain 10 persons, each cottage 5, it made a total of 21,500 inhabitants, chiefly poor, with one school-room in connection with the Church, the subscriptions to which, amounted to only 437. 2s., being a falling off from the preceding year, and a deficiency to meet the current expenses. The speaker, after going into some more very interesting details, concluded by stating, that for 5s. or 6s. a year, a child could be received into the infant day school, and also instructed on the Sabbath. The Rev. W. Burt, in moving the next resolution, bore testimony to the value of infant instruction, stating, that he had to do with a class of persons, from 18 to 30 years of age, and found in many cases where they had attended school, for the want of having what was taught, thoroughly drilled into them, they had forgotten the grand and leading truths. He strongly recommended that the same thing, over and over again, be impressed on the minds of the children. This resolution was seconded by N. C. Radiger, Esq., in an appropriate speech, after which, a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, Treasurer, and Committee, and the meeting separated, shewing their approval to the proceedings, and love to the cause, by the collection made at the door. The following is an extract from the report read at the meeting— "During the past year, 215 children have been admitted to the infant school, making a total number of 1394 children received into it from its opening in October, 1842; and there are now under instruction in it 205 children, being an increase of 23 upon the number of last year. "In the Sunday school, the Committee have the pleasure of reporting, that a considerable increase in the attendance of children has also taken place during the year, and that there are now entered in the school books 127 boys, and 135 girls. In this branch of the school, great inconvenience is experienced from the want of more extended accommodation than the present school-room affords, and it is represented to the Committee that if enlarged accommodation could be provided, a still larger attendance of children at the Sunday school might be secured. Having regard to the important advantages of Sunday school instruction, it is much to be desired that the Committee should have additional means at their command, to enable them to bring under religious education a greater number of children from the rapidly-increasing population of this district, which already considerably exceeds 20,000 souls, and consists almost wholly of the operative and labouring classes of society. This is a subject to which the committee are anxious to give their best attention, in order that, if possible, means may be devised for extending the benefits resulting from the school, and they trust that, if they should hereafter seek assistance in promoting such an advantageous object, their appeal may not be fruitless." H. E. M. DEAR SIR, LISKEARD SUNDAY SCHOOL. THE accompanying paper will probably prove interesting to you as a suitable introduction to a short report of our Sunday school. We have stood alone for some years in declining to entertain our children with tea and cakes, as we considered such entertainments unprofitable at best, occasioning waste, and leading, at least in our neighbourhood, to incidents of a very unpleasant nature. We had at first many obstacles to contend against, but the value of the prizes or books which we give away on the day of our examination, has proved to be far more acceptable, not only to the parents, but even to the children. In 1847 we had but 150 in our school. The anniversary collections amounted to £8. 11s. 5d., the whole of which was distributed amongst the children. This year our collections reached £8. 15s., and 102 girls, and ninety-five boys were entitled to presents, besides six or seven, who had left the country before the anniversary. The treasurer has enabled us to distribute books to the value of £10. 7s., but about ten shillings of this sum were contributed by the children, to enable them to have books of their own selection, rather more expensive than the amount of their tickets. Amongst these were 41 Bibles, (4 with references, in morrocco, and 4 with references, in roan), and 6 Testaments, 15 Pilgrim's Progress, 13 Richmond's Annals of the Poor, 10 Hymn Books, (used in our Church), &c. The children are allowed to select the book they prefer- of course within certain limits-and the value corresponds with the attention, &c., which they have shown throughout the year, as ascertained by the amount of tickets given to them. The effect of this last anniversary has been most encouraging; many parents have withdrawn their children (without solicitation) from other schools, and entrusted them to us. The attendance yesterday afternoon |