and male adults, who are unable to read, shall be considered eligible for admission as learners. 3. That the business of the school shall be conducted gratuitously, by a superintendent and a suitable number of teachers. 4. That the school shall be uniformly opened and closed with prayer, or some other religious exercise. 5. That personal cleanliness shall be enjoined upon the learners, and particularly attended to by them, as far as their circumstances will admit. 6. That the school shall be divided in the following manner, that scholars in the same stage of learning may be kept together : First Class to consist of those who spell words of two or three letters. Second ditto, of those who spell words of two syllables. Third ditto, of those who spell words of three or more syllables. Fourth ditto, of those who read short sentences. Fifth ditto, of those who read the Scriptures and spell indefinitely. If there be more than a convenient number of scholars in a class, they may be arranged in two or more divisions. 7. That to stimulate and encourage the learners, they shall be rewarded in the following manner: As often as they are present at the time appointed for opening the school, they shall receive a ticket for punctual attendance; six of which shall be valued at one cent. For conducting with propriety during divine service, they shall receive a ticket for good behaviour, and the same when advanced to a higher class; six of which tickets shall be valued at two cents. For committing portions of Scripture to memory, or lessons from a catechism, or other religious book, their rewards shall be proportioned to their labour. Teachers may, at discretion, give one or two extra tickets a day to such scholars as particularly deserve them. Each scholar shall receive the value of his tickets in books or clothing, at such time as the superintendent shall determine. 8. That the learners shall be subject to the following punishments and forfeitures : For absenting themselves from the school without sufficient reasons, they shall, after having been called on three times, be liable to exclusion. Every scholar who is found guilty of lying, swearing, fighting, or stealing, or any other indecent or immoral conduct, and who, after repeated admonition, will not desist from such behaviour, shall be dismissed, and forfeit the rewards which he was entitled to at the time of his exclusion. A scholar who loses or destroys a book shall be required to pay for it in money or tickets; its value to be estimated by the superintendent. For disorderly conduct during divine service, two tickets for good behaviour to be forfeited; and one for punctual attendance for the like conduct at school, and for every book neglected to be brought. 9. That when a learner has been absent from school two Sabbaths, he shall be visited by the teacher of the class to which he belongs, who shall report the cause of such absence to the superintendent. Compliance with this rule is of particular importance, as it may prevent the violation of the sabbath by the scholars; or if they are confined by illness, it will afford the teacher a favouable opportunity to speak to them on religious subjects. 10. That a learner in one school shall not be admitted into another, unless he brings a written approbation of such removal, from the conductor of the school to which he belonged. 11 That the object of this Society shall not be considered to have been gained, until the learners can read distinctly and with facility in the bible. 12. That as the superintendents and teachers of each school must be, in effect, a particular school society, or committee, for the organization, government, instruction, and whole internal management of the school under their care: therefore, when subscribers, whether of the same denomination, or others who can conveniently act together, undertake the establishment of a school, they shall choose at least two, and, if practicable, four, superintendents, and a competent number of teachers; which superintendents and teachers together may be denominated The * School Committee, and shall choose from their number a chairman and secretary, and appoint their own meetings, take measures for collecting scholars, determine the place and hours of teaching the school, and make every arrangement necessary for the most successful accomplishment of their object. 13. That the superintendents shall attend the school by turns, relieving each other statedly, not oftener than once in three months; and shall regulate these periods by the quarterly meetings of the Committee of the neral Society. ge 14. That the acting superintendent and teachers at the close of each quarter, shall prepare a view of their proceedings during that period, and lay it before the Committee of the Union at their quarterly meeting. 15. That it shall be the duty of the acting superintendent to be uniformly present at the opening and close of the school; to examine and admit learners; to keep the records usually kept by superintendents in such schools; and to see that the whole business of the school is properly performed. 16. That it shall be the duty of the teachers to keep a regular list of the names of the scholars belonging to their respective classes; to note the early or late attendance, and the instances of absence of the learners; *This blank to be filled with the name of the street in which the school is kept. to follow the method of instruction adopted by the school committee; and to endeavour, habitually, to promote the religious improvement of the scholars. 17. That as far as possible adults and boys, white persons and coloured, shall be taught in separate schools, or at least in separate classes. 18. That the managers of the schools shall take particular pains to provide seats for their scholars in places of public worship, and to see that they regularly attend. The Society recommend that the managers of schools endeavour to avoid expense for rents, as suitable rooms may often be obtained gratis, or at a very low rate; and that in looking for scholars, a particular street or neighbourhood be thoroughly examined. Officers of the Society for the year 1816. RICHARD VARICK, Esq. PRESIDENT, No. 108 Broadway. THOMAS CARPENTER, First VICE-PRESIDENT, 130 William-stre et, JOHN CAULDWELL, Second do. 94 Pearl-street. DIVIE BETHUNE. Third do. 6 Pine-street. ISAAC HEYER, Fourth do. Beaver-street. GUYSBERT B. VROOM, TREASURER, 49 Pine-Street. ELEAZAR LORD, SECRETARY, 3 Nassau-street. |