he believed the adult portion of the Birmingha m School, at least that portion of it under the care of his friend WILLIAM WHITE, had been so fully described by that Friend in his visits to various places in connection with the deputation for the establishment of First-day schools, that any explanation or account of their school was almost needless; yet as he believed many teachers in schools recently established laboured under discouragement from the small numbers who attended, perhaps he might say a few words upon the early days of their school.

On the first opening of the school, the attendance of adults as well as juniors was large. He believed the adults numbered from forty to sixty, but in the course of a short time that attendance dwindled down to an average of about sixteen, at about which rate it continued for some months. After this period of depression the numbers again gradually increased to sixty or eighty; there were as many as their room could then accommodate, but upon their removal to a larger and more convenient room, the numbers had gone on gradually increasing, and the attendance now varied, according to the season of the year, from 170 to 200, being quite as many as could be accommodated; and they found the average attendance generally about two-thirds of the number on the lists. And he believed it would be found the experience of most schools, that there is always in their establishment a period of depression, and that this circumstance need not be a cause of discouragement. On the opening of the school they had separated the adults from the juniors, and this he believed was absolutely necessary to the success of an adult school. His own attention in the commencement of the work had been more especially turned to the adults, believing that they were the class, not merely the most neglected, but that for which the qualifications of Friends, as teachers, were best adapted. Several of the classes appoint one or two scholars from among themselves to perform the duty of visiting, and this was found to have a beneficial effect. They had their monthly and yearly meetings, at the former of which, appointments for this and other purposes were made, and he believed these meetings had a very favourable influence. He had recently attended a Monthly Meeting of WILLIAM WHITE'S class, upon the presentation of a remembrance to one of their writing teachers, on the occasion of his leaving them to take charge of another class, and their manner of conducting the business, and the spirit of love which appeared to pervade the whole of their proceedings, were exceed. ingly gratifying. He afterwards alluded to the formation of two self-supporting libraries, in connection with the school, managed by the scholars, which was a means of uniting them in friendly intercourse.

JOHN E. BAKER, of Birmingham, observed that he thought his friend, JOSEPH CLARK, had a little overstated the numbers who attended at the establishment of the school, as his statement did not quite accord with the average which he found in the account for the year at that period. He also wished to remark, that he did not think it would have been wise to establish quite so high a standard for the teachers, as some of the remarks in the report led him to fear was considered requisite. He believed that if they had done so in Birmingham, they would never have got their teachers together. They simply made the proposal to teach reading and writing without debarring any teacher from giving such religious instruction as he might feel himself qualified to impart. He noticed in the report from Manchester, that the average attendance for a whole quarter had been considerably raised during the distribution of relief at a time of distress, by some

Friends connected with the school. He would have been surprised if a large attendance had not been the result for a short time; but the experience of the junior division of the Birmingham school, showed that a large falling off occurred in the attendance after any treat given to the scholars, which counterbalanced the previous large attendance.

He mentioned the circumstance of their teachers having tickets to admit the scholars to the places provided for seeing the Queen on the occasion of her late visit to Birmingham, which caused their attendance to increase very considerably, but the following First-day the attendance was one-half of that on the previous weeks. The Birmingham teachers had, on this account, quite discontinued either treats or trips. They were still continued in the adult division, but under the management and at the expense of the scholars.

JOSEPH CLARK wished to say a few words upon the subject of their Young Women's School, all allusion to which had been omitted by both himself and J. E. BAKER, it being quite a separate establishment from theirs, and held at a different hour. The number in attendance every First-day morning was from 170 to 200; and he believed its usefulness could not be overrated; and of the teachers and their earnest attention to their duties, he could scarcely speak too highly.

The total number of scholars on the books of the Birmingham schools was stated to be about 700.

ARTHUR NAISHI, of Bristol, said that after having been for many years engaged in the instruction of boys, he had recently devoted himself to teaching men. In their adult school, the ages of the scholars varied from twenty-one to sixty-four, and he had admitted one pupil aged seventy-five. After some fluctuations, the school now numbered about ninety on the books. He attributed the increase in the attendance very much to the visiting of the men at their own homes. The adult school teacher must converse with his scholars about their work, their children, &c., and show that he is really interested in their welfare. Earnestness, he contended, was a necessary qualification for a successful teacher. He proceeded to remark that the mere teaching to read and write should not be the highest object of the First-day school teacher. He should rather seek to bring his scholars to the feet of the Saviour; and if he would bring them there he must be often earnestly engaged in prayer for a blessing upon his labours. He concluded by narrating one or two instances illustrating in an interesting manner, the subject on which he had been dwelling.

WILLIAM BECK, of Stoke-Newington, as a representative from London, gave an account of the schools which had been founded in consequence of the visit of the deputation. He feared there was a want of sufficient earnestness amongst the young men of London in regard to the First-day school cause, but he hoped that they would be encouraged by the example of other places. From the extreme pressure under which many of them worked during the week, or from some other causes, it seemed peculiarly difficult to enlist their services in teaching on First-day. He was particularly pleased to learn from the report which had been read, that Friends at Bristol had united with the teachers of other denominations in a canvass of the city. He thought that it should never be forgotten by Friends that they had been long preceded in the work by other bodies, and that they had learned much from them, though perhaps they might also have something to learn from our Society.

WILLIAM WHITWELL, of Darlington, said that a school had been begun there twenty-one years ago,

but had died out, and was not revived until 1848. Both the boys and girls' schools having suffered from want of better accommodation, the Friends of the meeting had liberally subscribed upwards of £1000 to build a new school-house, which had been completed, and was in constant use. Their school contained 134 boys and 195 girls. Their rule was, that all the children should attend meeting on First-day morning. It was observed that those teachers who were the most diligent in visiting the scholars at their own homes, had the largest classes. Many of the boys had taken a great interest in the library. He concluded by expressing a hope, that as they progressed further with their work, and gained more experience, they would be permitted both to impart and to receive increased benefit.

ARTHUR NAISH wished to remind the teachers of adult classes that they must not only recognize their scholars at the school on First-day, but also whenever they met them in the street at other times.

CHARLES THOMPSON, of Manchester, not being a regular teacher himself, could address those present who were not teachers, and ask them to help in the schools occasionally when their services were required, as he often did himself, either as superintendent, teacher, or librarian. Not being much acquainted with the details of the school, he called on

GEORGE SATTERTHWAITE (also from Manchester) to add a few particulars, who, after alluding to the advantage of visiting not only the absentees but all the scholars, referred to the fund which had been raised by Friends in Manchester, for distribution amongst the families of those who had suffered from the commercial distress during the past winter. Their women Friends had been particularly useful in this work, which had consisted in part in the distribution of clothing amongst those scholars who would otherwise have been prevented from coming to the school. In reference to their practice of bringing their scholars to meeting, he mentioned that recently the meetinghouse having been under repair, the children, instead of attending meeting, received a Scripture lesson from one of the teachers. They had, however, expressed their preference for the attendance of meeting in the accustomed manner.

MARK LEICESTER, junr., said that at Liverpool, as in other places, they had had to contend with many difficulties. Soon after their school was established, the premises in which it was held were taken down, and it was not until some time had elapsed that others were found. After a while they established a good school for girls, to which a boys' school, held in the same room, had been added. The two schools now had about 428 scholars on their books, the average attendance being 334. Being quite full, they had to refuse admittance to candidates every week, from want of accommodation. There were about thirty-seven teachers engaged in the schools. Some time ago they united with the teachers of other bodies in a general canvass of Liverpool, and although their numbers had not been increased, yet it had had a very beneficial effect in increasing the attendance at other schools.

JOSEPH ROWNTREE, junr., of York, said-Our school is much upon the same model as that at Birmingham. I think that those who begin First-day schools have often an exaggerated idea of the amount of machinery required for their efficient working. In our adult school we have found that we require more variety and freshness in our teaching than in the junior school. Men require mental recreation as well as instruction. With this view we have adopted the plan of reading to them some carefully selected book at the close of each lesson. We have experienced a good deal of trouble from our pupils enlisting. We attribute their

disposition to do so, in a large degree, to the want of good companionship during the week. We have established a small essay society for the winter, but we should value any hints on the best mode of employing their spare time during the week.

W. H. MARSHALL, of Leeds, said that their operations were limited from want of better accommodation. He believed, however, that there was a prospect of their being better circumstanced in this respect before long. An evening school, for teaching sewing to the mill-hands, had been for some time successfully carried on.

JOHN HALL THORP, of Leeds, suggested that each First-day school should send copies of their reports to all the other schools for mutual information.

JOSHUA W. ROBSON, of Huddersfield, referred to the advantages of regular teachers' meetings. The average attendance at their school was sixty, and many applicants had to be refused from want of

room.

WILLIAM WHITE, of Birmingham, had been encouraged, whilst listening to the report, to hope that the good work was going on very satisfactorily. He thought that if they had only heard the report, it would have been a sufficient stimulus for another year. He had remarked that in all the accounts they had listened to, one of the grand causes of success was the visitation of the scholars at their homes. The teachers were thus brought into connection with vast numbers in our large towns who scarcely ever seemed to be brought under any humanizing influence. Conversations with such persons about their little domestic concerns, and manifesting a general interest in their welfare, was a powerful means of gaining an influence over them for good. In many places where Friends have no opportunity for carrying on boys' schools, some of our young women Friends might do much good by collecting a few infants and teaching them. When recently in Liverpool, he had been much pleased with a visit to their infant school, which, although taught by a man, was very successful. He had there seen how a man could be closely engaged in business during the week, and yet could in the infant school unbend himself and become almost a child with the young ones. He observed that the class was unusually attentive, which he attributed to the earnestness of the teacher. The teacher was so hearty in his work that the children could not help attending to him. Such were the teachers they wanted. He adverted to the comprehensive character of our schools, embracing scholars from four years of age to seventy-five. In such a work there was scope for the talents of all. He highly valued the advantages of the association of the various schools for promoting the common object, and he could hardly understand why some of the schools preferred going on without connecting themselves with the Association. Was there anything peculiar in the air of certain places which rendered such an isolation a necessity for them? The subject of interesting the adult pupils out of school was a very important one, and he encouraged the teachers to take walks with them, endeavouring to excite in their minds an interest in botany, geology, &c. If they could be induced to form ferncases, aquariums, &c., such occupations would have a tendency to soften and humanize their dispositions. The Treasurer's Account was then read, and the committee re-appointed for the ensuing year.

JOSEPH ROWNTREE said-I am glad that this evening we have had the opportunity of listening to practical men relating their own experience. Whilst I fully admit that the high object which has been pointed out by some of the speakers is that at which all our First-day school teachers should ultimately aim, yet I

am afraid that some may be discouraged from regarding it as beyond their power. In this work there is room for all-one in one position and another in another. And those who enter upon the engagement with a very humble estimate of their own ability, may gradually be led onward to services which at the outset they would hardly have ventured to aim at. There should be an onward progress in this as in all other things. Those who enter the portico will be led on to the temple, and from the outer court to the inner, until at last the servant faithful in few things, will be made ruler over many more.

THOMAS SATTERTHWAITE, of Bolton, was sorry that more allusion had not been made to the labours of our women Friends in the girls' schools, which he believed to be very important. He thought that all present must unite with him in expressing his gratitude to the chairman for the very interesting manner in which he had conducted the business of the meeting. WILLIAM THISTLETHWAITE regretted the absence of many Friends who had been obliged to leave Ackworth before the hour of the meeting, and hoped the Ackworth School Committee would endeavour to make arrangements next year to prevent the recurrence of such an inconvenience. He expressed his deep interest in the proceedings.

After a short pause the meeting separated. Some regret was expressed at the conclusion of this very interesting opportunity, that more time could not be allowed to some of the speakers, from the necessity under which many Friends were placed to leave Ackworth by the evening trains.

FRIENDS' FIRST-DAY SCHOOLS,

SPITALFIELDS, LONDON,

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1858.

THE Association in management of these schools, thankfully acknowledge that they are able to present to their friends this their Ninth Annual Report, with feelings of some pleasure. They believe that during the past year the various departments of their undertaking have been conducted with more regularity and satisfaction than in the preceding year, and although the evidences of success may not have been of the most prominent kind, yet they humbly trust that a degree of the Divine blessing has rested upon their labours.

The number of boys and girls attending the Firstday school is not so large as that of last year. This may be accounted for in the boys' school by the abolition of the tickets. By this change, however, referred to in our last report, united with more energy and interest on the part of the teachers, a marked improvement has been observed in the general conduct of the boys. It is evident that the position of the school is unfavourable for the regular attendance of the teachers, the want of this being more particularly felt in the girls' school.

At the Second-day evening school, many of the elder boys have attended, thus evincing their desire for improvement. The teachers report that they have made forty-eight visits to the homes of the boys with manifest advantage.

On Fifth-day evening the school-room has been used for a class of boys, with the use of maps, and the opportunity of writing and reading. No school has been held on Third-day, the room on that evening having been lent to a committee for the holding of a Band of Hope, which has been joined by many of the scholars.

The number of books lent from the library of the boys' school has increased this year to a circulation

of 252 volumes, and we may state that the parents and teachers have participated in its usefulness. A new catalogue has been printed. Four lectures were given during the past winter-three of which have been gratuitous-two on natural history, illustrated by the magic lantern, by Ebenezer Simmons; one on temperance, by Thomas Whittaker; and one on early missionary scenes, in explanation of the diagrams of the Working Men's Educational Union, by Albert Fox. These seemed to give instruction and evident pleasure to the girls and boys, and were well attended.

The children were taken to the Crystal Palace in Seventh month of last year, accompanied by about twenty-five Friends, including teachers. The day was spent to mutual satisfaction, and we are indebted to our friends for a special subscription for this purpose.

An application from John Patterson (the rector of the parish) for the use of the school-room, for the establishment of an infant school on an unsectarian basis, has been responded to by the Association. Some additional interest attaches to the application, from the fact that one of the first schools of the kind in London was opened in this building by Dr. Wilderspinn.

The Association, having failed to procure more eligible premises, resolved to adapt the present building by providing improved ventilation and light, thereby entailing a large outlay; this, united with a smaller amount of subscriptions, owing to the establishment of other schools of a similar kind in and near London, has very materially affected the funds. Whilst taking this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the liberal contributions of Friends, we would continue to invite their attention to the necessity of increased pecuniary aid. In conclusion, we would ask for a more lively interest in the welfare of the schools-both by those who contribute their money as well as by those who give their time-in order that the prosperity of this responsible and interesting undertaking may be more fully promoted.-Signed, on behalf of the Association, JOSEPH HINGSTON FOX, Secretary. DEVONSHIRE HOUSE, 6th Month, 1858.

WIGTON SCHOOL.

THE General Meeting for Wigton School was held on the 23d of 6th Month. The attendance was considered small, compared with what it used to be some years since.

At the meeting in the morning, committees were appointed to nominate successors to those Friends who went off the school committee by rotation, and also to examine into the progress of the children in their learning.

At the adjourned meeting the report of the school committee was read, from which it appeared that the health of the children had been good during the past year. Henry B. Smith had tendered his resignation as superintendent, and that of his wife as housekeeper; which, on account of the delicacy of H. B. Smith's health, had been accepted.

Three legacies, amounting to £400, had been received since last year. The report also contained a suggestion, that the lowest rate of admission should be raised from £9 to £12; to which, after careful consideration, the meeting agreed. The fund left by Thomas Richardson, out of which one-half the bills of admission can be paid, has been for some time accumulating; and it was strongly urged that all who felt any inconvenience in paying the full amount, should apply for assistance from it.

The examination reports stated that considerable improvement had taken place in the reading of the boys of the first class; that of the second and third

FRIENDS' LIBRARY AND LECTURE ASSOCIATION,
BRISTOL.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.

George Thomas, Arthur Naish, Richard Fry, John T. Grace, J. S. Tylor, Walter Sturge. John Frank, Librarian; William Tanner, Treasurer; Lewis Fry, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE,

Presented to the Annual Meeting, held on the 25th of 6th Month, 1858.

It will be remembered that a Conference of Friends was held in Bristol in the 6th Month, 1856, to consider the desirableness of establishing a library of books, illustrative of ecclesiastical history and biblical and religious literature, for the use of Friends in Bristol; and also of arranging for the delivery of lectures on similar subjects, and of promoting the holding of meetings of a social character among Friends of the meeting. A committee, which was then appointed to take such steps in promoting the above objects as they might think best, reported to another conference, held in the 6th Month, 1857, that they had arranged for the delivery of a course of lectures during the previous winter; that a social meeting had been held, and that they were of opinion that the time was come for the establishment of a small collection of books of the kind above described. It was

thereupon decided to form the Friends' Library and Lecture Association, and the committee appointed by the third minute of the conference, have now to report the steps which they have taken to carry into effect the objects of the Association.

A set of rules defining the constitution of the Association, in accordance with the regulations laid down by the conference, and also relating to the management of the library, was prepared and circulated.

The committee devoted much attention to deciding upon the list of books to be placed in the library, and several consecutive meetings were occupied in its careful consideration. Whilst they were anxious, on the one hand, to make the selection of books as complete as possible, they felt, on the other, that the object with which the Library was established embraced only works of a thoroughly substantial and standard character.

library was 142, consisting of 255 volumes. Of these, The number of works finally admitted into the eight works, consisting of twenty-two volumes, were presented by various Friends, whose kindness the committee take this opportunity of acknowledging; and the remainder, comprising 134 works, in 233 volumes, were purchased by the committee at a cost of £77, 2s. 9d.

The committee obtained permission of the general committee of the Monthly Meeting to make use of the committee-room at the Friars for the library, which was accordingly opened there for the first time in the 1st Month last.

to the present time has been 194, of which 28 were The number of volumes issued since that date up renewals of the same volumes to the same individuals. This, after deducting the renewals, gives a weekly average of about seven volumes.

rangements for the delivery of five lectures, which During the past winter, the committee made arwere as follows:

Christian Church."
One by J. S. TYLOR, On the “History of the Early

Writers."
One by JOHN FRANK, on the " Early Christian

Three by WILLIAM TANNER, on the "Early History of the Society of Friends in Bristol and Somersetshire."

The committee are pleased at being able to state that the lectures have been generally very well attended.

to them by the conference, the committee made arIn accordance with the authority verbally given rangements for a large social gathering, similar to the one held the previous year, which accordingly took place in the Cutlers' Hall, on the 30th of the 12th Month last, and was very numerously attended. On behalf of the committee, LEWIS FRY, Secretary.

Bristol, 25th of 6th Month, 1858.

GIVE me a home in the country,
Far from the din and strife,
The dust and the rattling commotion
That torture the city life.