-YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION DAILY PRAYER- To convey an adequate conception of Dr Bruce's character, energy, and catholic sympathies, reference must be made to some of the various religious and philanthropic societies in which throughout his life he took the keenest interest. The Newcastle Bible Society especially occupied a very high place in his regard. His father, John Bruce, had from the year 1823 until his death in 1834 served as one of the hon. secretaries of this society, and had taken an active part in promoting its welfare. In December 1834, shortly after John Bruce's death, his son, John Collingwood Bruce, was requested, by a resolution of the committee, to fill the office held by his late respected father as secretary of the society until the next anniversary meeting, when he was appointed one of the hon. secretaries, an office which he continued to hold until his death in 1892, thus holding the office for a period of fiftysix years. Mr Thomas Pumphrey, one of the hon. secretaries of the society, in a letter referring to the work done by Dr Bruce for the Bible Society, says: "It is an unusual record of continued service fulfilled in no mere formal way, but with an earnestness of spirit and zeal which seemed never to flag. With his earnestness was combined such a bright and lively humour and mental scintillation as often enlivened the meetings of the committee during the thirty years in which it was my privilege to be his colleague." At the first meeting of the committee of the Newcastle Bible Society after his death, the following minute was entered in their books: “It is our mournful duty to record the decease of our senior secretary, Dr Bruce, in whom the Bible Society has lost one of its most faithful friends, and the local committee one of its wisest counsellors. In bygone years, when travelling was more difficult than it is to-day, Dr Bruce was ever ready to advocate the interests of the society at its country meetings. The annual reports were drawn up by him until within a few years of his decease, often evidencing his Christian earnestness of purpose, and enlivened by thoughts from his cultured mind: his presence on the Newcastle platform was a familiar feature each succeeding year. He has laboured earnestly with many men whose lives were an honour to our town." Another religious effort to which Dr Bruce devoted himself was the Newcastle "Town Mission," now known as the "City Mission," established in the year 1846. At that time there were comparatively few clergy in Newcastle, and it was impossible for them to pay pastoral visits to a tithe of the people in their parishes. Large numbers of the poor who did not resort to any place of worship would but for some agency like the "Town Mission " have been left altogether outside religious influence. The object of the "Town Mission" was to supply missionaries to visit these people in their homes and to call their attention to the truths of religion. The Society's work, although useful, was unobtrusive, and it was difficult to provide funds sufficient to carry it on. Dr and Mrs Bruce at a very early period in the history of the mission exerted themselves to provide funds for its support. Other means failing, a bazaar was established in the year 1851, and was held annually shortly before Christmas from that time forward. Mrs Bruce always took a prominent part, and spared no labour in making herself and collecting from her friends articles for sale. She was assisted in this work by her daughter, Mrs Philipson, up to the time of her death in August 1874. For one or two years the bazaar was held in the schoolroom at Percy Street; but in time it outgrew this, and was held in the Music Hall or one of the other public rooms in the town. An amount of about £300 was generally realised at these annual sales. As Mrs Bruce advanced in years she felt the work more laborious, and in a letter to his son in November 1890 Dr Bruce says "Your mother is very very busy with her bazaar for the City Mission.' We are having so many bazaars I fear it may not be so successful as usual; still it is our duty to do what we can to help on a great work. I should not be surprised if this bazaar be the last for this object; at all events your mother, on whom the weight of this effort will fall, ought to be released from exertions of this kind." In the Royal Jubilee School Dr Bruce took a deep interest. His father had taken an active part in the establishment of the school. In the year 1808 attention had been directed to the subject of the education of the poor by papers read before the Literary and Philosophical Society. 66 'In consequence of this a number of individuals, as well members of the society as others, joined in a respectful application to the corporation for their countenance and support in an effort to provide better means of education. This was productive of the desired effect, for soon afterwards the mayor and corporation publicly advertised their intention to bring forward a plan for this important purpose.' "1 Shortly afterwards advantage was taken of the preparations for a public rejoicing, such as was general throughout the kingdom in October 1809, to commemorate the happy event of the entrance of King George III. upon the fiftieth year of his reign. The King took great interest in the education of the children of the nation, and at the opening of a school at Weymouth his Majesty made use of these words: "It is my wish that every poor child in my dominions may be taught to read the Bible." It was thought by 1 Quotation from John Bruce's Memoir of Dr Hutton. ROYAL JUBILEE SCHOOL. 219 the people of Newcastle that it was better to show their loyalty by erecting a school than by having an illumination. At a public meeting of the town, held in the Guildhall, it was resolved that, instead of illuminating, a collection should be made from house to house throughout the town for the purpose of establishing a school which might remain as a lasting monument of respect to the venerable monarch, and also tend to promote his benevolent wish. Subscriptions from the townspeople amounted to over £730. Three hundred guineas was given by the corporation, and a further sum of £652 was given by other persons, including £50 from the Duke of Northumberland. The foundation-stone of the school was laid on the 4th June 1810 by Major Anderson, and the school was called the Royal Jubilee School. "Prior to this," writes Dr Bruce, "the children of the labouring classes had very scanty means of obtaining even the rudiments of education." There were charity schools in connection with St Nicholas', St John's, St Andrew's, and All Saints', but these schools were inadequate for the education of the poor children of the town, and as they were all church schools, many dissenters had a conscientious objection to sending their children to them. There was great need for a school such as the Royal Jubilee School. It is stated in 'White's Directory' for 1826 that no less than 3650 boys had up to that date received the benefits of that school, of whom 482 then remained under the tuition of the then master. Mr John Bruce was secretary of the school committee from the commencement, and served the office until |