BAPTIST MAGAZINE. JULY, 1827. MEMOIR OF WILLIAM FOX, ESQ. FOUNDER OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SO CIETY. (Continued from p. 256.) visitor at that time was the late Rev. Dr. Haweis. The lady whom Mr. Fox married was by her mother, whose SINCE the former part of this mai 'en name was Grimstone, a memoir was published, some ad-lineal descendant of Sir Harbottle ditional particulars of the early Grimstone, a judge and member of life of this extraordinary man, parliament in the reign of king have been received from Mr. Jo- Charles II. nathan Fox, of King Street, Liverpool, which are here subjoined: His parents were members of the baptist church at Bourton, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Beddome. He was born Feb. 14, 1736. After the death of his father, his eldest brother, a farmer and maltster, used to send him out into the fields when he was not more than seven years of age, to keep the birds from off the corn. At about the age of ten he one day sat down under a tree and wept, considering that his brothers were all provided for, and he had no prospect of support before him this led him to determine even at that early age, that he would go into some business, and pursue it till he had acquired property sufficient not only to purchase the land held by his brother, over which he had so long watched, but also the entire of his native village and lordship belonging to it; which object he steadily pursued till he accomplished this his determination about forty years afterwards. While he resided in Oxford, and when he kept house there, it was always open to any serious clergyman in the university: his principal VOL. II. 3d Series. After his settling in London, he frequently journied through the several counties of England; this afforded him opportunities of witnessing the deplorable ignorance of the lower classes of the population. He not unfrequently found many hamlets and even villages where the poor were in utter destitution of the bible; and ascertained that had the divine book been presented to them, not one in twentycould have read it. This case truly affected his heart, and led him to devise various means by which this lamented evil could be remedied; but the object appeared of such magnitude, that the friends whom he consulted, thought nothing short of parliamentary aid could effect it; he applied therefore, personally, and by letter to many members of both houses, but was soon compelled to give up all hope of assistance from government. He thus determined to attempt this object of universal education for the poor, by the means which he possessed. In the year 1785, calling around him a few friends, he laid before them his plan, and subsequently, as stated in our former number, he fixed upon a plan of a Society for Sunday Schools, x "Mr. Fox to Mr. occasioned by his objecting to the Sunday School system, on the ground of its being likely to injure the Dissenting Interest. "That a faithful follower of the Redeemer should refuse to support a cause evidently calculated to promote his glory, and the good of this as well as future ages, because it interferes with his own particular interest, is what I can scarcely persuade myself exists. In this endeavour, he was accus- | the bigotry was not confined to ed by some of the clergy, and by the clergy of the church of Engmore than one of its dignitaries, of land; even dissenting ministers a design to proselyte, and render expressed their fears that their sectarian the objects for whom he church was in danger! The folwas desirous of providing instruc-lowing letter will afford evidence tion he was inundated with let- of this remark: who the person ters to this effect, and visits were was to whom the letter was admade personally to him by direc-dressed is not known to the writion of the hierarchy, to endea- ter. vour to ascertain correctly whether this was not his intention. He however found ample means for convincing them that his only desire was, that the poor might be able to read the Holy Scriptures; and he assured them that he had laid it down as a fundamental rule that the reading in the schools which he meant to establish, should be entirely confined to the Bible. As one proof of this intention, he was enabled to appeal to the clergyman who officiated in his native village, as to his conduct towards the children who were instructed, and the men and women who were clothed at his expense, whose constant appearance at the parish church, proclaimed that his was not sectarian but pure christian philanthrophy. Indeed, the clergyman was so impressed with his conduct, knowing him to be a protestant dissenter, that he gave notice of his intention to preach a sermon to those who were the partakers of Mr. Fox's bounty, and earnestly entreated him to honour him by coming on that occasion to church. This, however, he declined, from a fear lest what he only thought only a humble return to the Father of mercies, who had made him the almoner of his bounties, should be lauded and magnified. In the sermon, which was very interesting and affecting, and preached to a crowded congregation, Mr. Fox was very highly complimented. It is but fair to state, that all "Animated with love to Christ, and a desire of saving souls, let us not waste a moment in the enquiring "Who is of Paul and who of Apollos?" but as the great work of instruction and reformation depends, under providence, on the exertions of every denomination of Christians, let us make a united effort to save a guilty land from ruin, or at least prevent the evils that now exist from descending to future generations. And where, Sir, can means be found sufficiently extensive, or that promise advantages equally comprehensive with those held forth in the establishment of Sunday Schools? Here, at an easy rate, the poor become acquainted with that inestimable book, which is able to make them wise unto salvation. And permit me, Sir, to say, were we sufficiently acquainted with its worth, and properly affected with the important truths it contains, we should not only pray for a blessing upon it, where it is, but should strive by every | ourselves :-then we should enmeans in our power to send it deavour to do good to all. where it is not. "But to conclude: If teaching persons to read the Bible, and placing them under the sound of the gospel (for all the dissenting children and some of the church go to meeting), should injure the dissenting interest, it must be an interest unworthy of our support, Give me leave just to add, that in consequence of plans sent to Colchester, all the ministers, churchmen and dissenters, to the number of sixteen, including a speaker among the quakers, assembled at the Rev. Dr. Forster's, and unanimously agreed to support the in "Would it be possible for us Sir, to behold, unmoved, criminals dying victims to the laws of our country? or could we riot in luxury, while our neighbours were perishing with hunger? And shall we, while in the possession of every spiritual blessing, view with unconcern the multitudes who are perishing around us, for lack of knowledge? Forbid the thought. What! has Christ laid down his life for us, and shall we refuse a cup of cold water to these little ones? "To teach to read the Bible, in-stitution in that place. Trusting conceivable as the blessing ap- my good friends at will pears, is not the only object of not be outdone in acts of humanthis institution, Sabbath-breaking, ity, christianity and liberality, by the inlet to all other sins, is hereby any other friends in any other prevented, and the children are place, and hoping ere long to hear conducted clean and decent, as of your success, circumstances will admit, to places of public worship. And what have we not to hope? How many have gone to the house of God through mere curiosity, and others from more unworthy motives, when that word they meant to ridicule, sharpened by the Spirit of the Lord, pierced them to the heart? And should one soul be brought to glory by these means, how amply should we be repaid! He that winneth souls is wise, and they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.' "After all that has been said, can any of us be so bigoted as to have our minds absorbed in the little distinctions of interest in which we were educated; and judge every thing unworthy our notice, that does not immediately tend to promote it? We should do well to consider the ground on which we stand:-Are we for Christ? then we should love our neighbour as 1 am, &c. It would not be proper to leave this part of the narrative, without stating that Mr. Fox had many active coadjutors among the clergy, and also the dissenting ministers. Of the former might be mentioned, the Dean of Lincoln, Dr. Kaye, the Rev. Joseph Easterbrook of Bristol, the Rev. Mr. Watkins of Odiham, and the Rev. Mr. Docker of Holybourn, near Alton; and of the latter, Dr. Caleb Evans of Bristol, and Rev. Daniel Turner of Abingdon, and the Rev. Mr. Wilkins of Bourton. The following advertisement, bearing date London, 26 July, 1785, about a month before the first meeting, was circulated by Mr. Fox, and before he had heard of Mr. Raikes's plan of Sunday Schools. To the Benevolent and the Humane, in favour of the Illiterate Poor. You cannot be entirely unacquanted with that extreme ignorance in which multitudes of poor persons dispel from their minds that worst are, even in this land of gospel of all evils, ignorance of themlight-raised but a small degree selves, and of the true character of above the brute creation, unable God who made them? to read the Bible, and incapable of procuring an acquaintance with it. There is no reason to wonder, therefore, if they discover a spirit hostile to Christianity, and indulge dispositions that are the bane of civil society; evils these, over which the wise and the good have ever mourned; and against the growing effects of which, many laudable attempts have been made by benevolent individuals, with ob vious success. 66 "With a view to the forming of a permanent Society for this benevolent purpose, and on the most catholic plan, a meeting will be held at the King's Head tavern in the Poultry, on Tuesday, August 16, at five o'clock in the afternoon; at which time and place it is requested that all such gentlemen as wish well to the design would give their attendance." But we must return to the public establishment of the Society. The first meeting was held in May, 1785, Mr. Keene, a deacon of the Baptist Church in Maze Pond, was in the Chair. At the second meeting, held at the King's Head_tavern, August 16, 1785, Mr. Fox delivered an address. The following circular was agreed upon at that meeting: Nothing has contributed so much towards promoting this design as early instruction; for, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good.' Schools are already established in various parts of the country, in which the poor of different ages are taught to read. But as these establishments have hitherto been much circumscribed, it "SIR-Encouraged by the prois the wish of many individuals in mising success of the Sunday the metropolis, who have already Schools established in some towns entered into a subscription, that a and villages of this kingdom, sevedesign, in their apprehension of the ral gentlemen met on Tuesday greatest importance to the commu- evening, the 16th instant, at the nity at large, and to the poor in King's Head tavern, in the Poulparticular, should become general. try, to consider of the utility of "In this good work all the be-forming "a Society for the estabnevolent and humane are earnestly lishment and support of Sunday entreated to unite. For, were they Schools throughout the kingdom to enter the villages that are re- of Great Britain." mote from the dwellings of the rich and the great, they would find them exhibit, in striking colours, the necessity of such a charitable exertion: the sad scenes of ignorance and poverty there beheld, would be appeals too powerful for a compassionate mind to resist. Who, then, that possesses an ability, but would rejoice in an opportunity of diffusing the light of divine knowledge amongst persons that are enveloped with darkness; and that would not endeavour to "At this meeting it was agreed to form such a Society; and a committee of fourteen gentlemen was chosen to draw up a code of laws for the government of the said Society, and a set of proper rules for the regulation of the schools. "The committee having met, and drawn up a plan of the intended Society, and the laws and rules necessary for it, and the schools; they propose to submit their plan to the consideration of all such gentlemen, as shall attend a public meeting, to be holden on The third Meeting was held at Tuesday next the 30th instant, at the Paul's Head tavern, August the Paul's Head tavern, Cateaton 30, 1785, when the Society was Street, at four o'clock in the after-founded. noon. The following letter from the Secretary to Mr. Fox, will shew the estimation in which he was held by the members of the original committee. "SIR, "To prevent vice,-to encourage industry and virtue,-to dispel the darkness of ignorance,-to diffuse the light of knowledge,-to bring men cheerfully to submit to their stations, to obey the laws of God and their country,-to make that I AM directed by the Committee of useful part of the community, the the Society for the Support and country poor, happy-to lead them Encouragement of Sunday Schools in the pleasant paths of religion to communicate to you the followhere, and to endeavour to prepare ing Resolution: them for a glorious eternity,-are the objects proposed by the promoters of this institution. "To effectthese great, these noble ends, they hope to form a Society, which will be enabled to establish Sunday Schools, upon a plan so extensive, as to reach the remotest parts of this Island; and they flatter themselves they shall receive the support, assistance, and patronage of persons of every rank and description. "Private advantage, and party zeal are entirely disclaimed by the friends and promoters of this laudable institution: however men may be divided into political parties, or however Christians may unhappily separate from each other, on account of difference of sentiment here, they are all invited to join the common cause, the glory of God, the good of their country, and the happiness of their fellow creatures. "Permit me to request the favour of your attendance at the proposed meeting. I am, Sir, by order of the Committee, your humble servant, "W. Fox." "The committee," says Mr. Fox, afterwards chosen, consisted of twenty-four,-half churchmen, and half dissenters.' - "Batson's Coffeehouse, March 22, 1787. "Resolved-That the Vice Presidents and Treasurer, with Mr. Ald. Sanderson, Samuel Thornton, Esq. Thomas Raikes, Esq. John Keysall, Esq. and Mr. Fox, five members of this Committee, be desired to wait on the Archbishops, Bishops, or some of the Dignitaries of the Church of England, to request one of them to preach a sermon in favour of this Institution; and that the several Gentlemen be informed of this resolution, and requested to expedite the business as soon as possible. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, "WM. JACOBSON, Sec." Our limits prevent further details. The following statement from the Minutes of the General Meeting held in 1786, James Martin, Esq. M. P. in the Chair, shews the rapid spread of the Society : "That the number of schools which have been established or assisted by this Society amount to one hundred and forty-seven; that there are, in these schools, 7242 children, who are restrained from the habits of idleness and vice, and are training up in such principles of virtue and religion as it is hoped may contribute to their future happiness. |