and adopted. Christians of all denominations, wondering that it should never have been devised before, seemed determined to repair, as much as possible, the mischief of past neglect, by applying with the utmost diligence, the benefits of this new discovery in the world of morals and religion.

Several public spirited gentlemen in the metropolis, perceiving that the system would be greatly aided by the establishment of a society, which should combine the patronage and energies of all denominations of christians, held a preparatory meeting August 30, 1785, to take into consideration the propriety of forming a society, for establishing and supporting Sunday Schools for the instruction of poor children in different parts of the kingdom. In consequence of a resolution then passed,a public meeting was holden on the 7th of September, and an institution formed, bearing the title of "A Society for the Support and Encouragement of Sunday Schools in the different Counties of England." This establishment was exceedingly beneficial to the growing cause. By the respectability of its members, it increased the public confidence; by their talents it enlightened the public mind; by their activity it stimulated the public seal; and by their property it assisted the public expenditure.

It was an object of importance with the committee of the Sunday School Society, to engage the co-operation of Episcopal authority within the pale of the established religion of the country; and it must be spoken to the honour of the Bishops, that they promptly came forward, and cast the weight of their mitres into the scale of this good cause. Among the dignitaries of the

church, who patronised the plan, the Bishops of Salisbury and Llandaff, and the Deans of Canterbury and Lincoln, obtained a conspicuous place by their zeal and talents. So rapidly had the flame spread through the country, that by the close of 1786, it is conjectured not less than 250,000 children were every Sunday receiving instruction.

The schools were at first universally conducted by hired teachers. This entailed a load of pecuniary difficulty upon the plan, which, had it not been removed, must have considerably retarded its progress, and consequently diminished its usefulness. The Sunday School Society alone expended, during the sixteen first years of its existence, no less than four thousand pounds in the salaries of teachers. And this was not the least evil attending upon purchased labour. Hireling teachers can scarcely be expected to possess either the zeal, or ability of those who now engage in the work from motives of pure benevolence. Gratuitous instruction was an astonishing improvement of the system; and which does not appear to have entered into the views of its benevolent author. "If we were asked," says a writer in the Sunday School Repository, "whose name stood next to that of Robert Raikes in the annals of Sunday Schools, we should say, the person who first came forward,and voluntarily proffered his exertions, his time, and his talents, to the instruction of the young, and the poor; since an imitation of his example has been the great cause of the present flourishing state of these institutions, and of all that future additional increase which may be reasonably anticipated." At what precise period this was first introduced, does not

appear, or where it commenced, so that the award of this second honour is reserved for the decision of the last day. About the year 1800 this plan became very general through the kingdom.

The improvement in the mode of popular education, introduced by Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster, must be considered as forming another era in the history of Sunday Schools, by affording new facilities to the business of instruction. And the advantage derived from these useful systems, does not merely consist in a servile imitation of all the arrangements, but in demonstrating to the world, more clearly than was ever shown before, that education is an art susceptible of indefinite improvement, and in exciting an ardour, before unknown, to carry it on to perfection.

The institution of Sunday Schools was now become universal in this kingdom. Every city and every town had warmly espoused the cause. Still there was one to the highest de

thing wanting to raise the system gree of efficiency, and that is UNION. In every possible application of the sentiment, UNION IS POWER. Reasoning upon the general principle, many were led to conclude, that great benefits would result to this particular case, from an association of counsel and energy. After much private intercourse on this subject, between many persons in London, a public meeting was holden, July 13, 1803, in the school rooms belonging to Surrey chapel, and the SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION was then formed. The design of this association is thus announced in its own regulations :-

"The objects of this union are,--1st, To stimulate and encourage each other in the religious instruction of

the young.-2dly, By mutual communication to improve the methods of instruction.-3dly, To promote the opening of new schools.—4thly, To print books, &c. suitable for Sunday Schools, at a cheap rate.--5thly, To correspond with ministers and others in the united kingdom and abroad.-6thly, To promote the formation of country unions, which are expected regularly to report to this society; and are allowed to purchase its publications at reduced prices."

This new society commenced its operations with no less prudence than vigour. Carefully abstaining from even the appearance of a desire to interfere with the private management of any of the associated schools, it aimed to diffuse new life and energy through them all. One of its first objects was the compilation of a new spelling-book, more adapted to moral and religious instruction than any they could find already in existence. This production reflects no small degree of credit on its industrious compilers. The next object of the committee was to ascertain, by an extensive correspondence, what parts of the country were most destitute of schools. Finding, in many places, that the advantages of the system were greatly diminished by the want of method and order which prevailed in the schools, they published in 1806, "A Plan for the Formation and regulation of Sunday Schools."

The example of the metropolis was soon imitated by many of the large towns, and several counties. Unions were formed in different parts of the kingdom, from which the happiest effects have resulted; among which may be reckoned the establishment of new schools in neglected parts of large towns, and amidst the

darkness of benighted villages ;-a fresh excitement given to those employed in the work of tuition ;--the diffusion of christian affection;-and in some instances a great improvement in the mode of instruction. The formation of the Sunday School Union must therefore be regarded as an event of vast importance to the success of this valuable scheme,

In an account like the present, the establishment of the SCOTCH SABBATH EVENING SCHOOLS, ought not to be omitted, as they may be fairly stated to have arisen out of the English Sunday School Institution. The children of the poor, so far as common education is concerned,are all taught to read in the parochial schools, which are established in the southern parts of that enlightened country. Still, however, as it respects the observance of the Sabbath, and the more direct business of religious instruction, like the children in this kingdom, they are left of course to the care of their parents, multitudes of whom, indifferent to the welfare of their own souls, feel no solicitude for the salvation of their offspring. Observing and commiserating the condition of these neglected youth, who in great numbers spent the sabbath, and especially the sabbath evenings, in profanity and vice, the friends of religion in Edinburgh formed the pious resolution of collecting them together on the Lord's day evenings, for the purpose of imparting religious knowledge. They assemble at six o'clock and are dismissed about eight; during which time every effort is made to instruct them in the way of eternal salvation, and to urge them forward in the path of life. This admirable system commenced in Edinburgh, in the year 1787, and soon spread through