nexion with the NATIONAL SOCIETY, having for their object the extension of the benefits of education, contemplated in the foregoing resolution, as well as the establishment and encouragement of schools for the education of the middle classes, upon principles conformable to those which are embodied in the SOCIETY's charter." 66 That, in order to supply one of the principal defects which at present limit the operations of the National Society, and retard the improvement of education throughout the country, efforts should be made to raise the qualifications of those persons who are employed as teachers in our Parochial and National Schools; and that the resolution, adopted by the National Society in August last, to establish a Training Institution for the education of young persons intended for that office, is calculated to promote the attainment of this object." Present state of the National So city. As regards the improvement of education in late years, the National Society has not only increased the number, and enlarged the scale, of its training institutions, but is continually adding to their efficiency. It now maintains five establishments, namely, St. Mark's College, Chelsea; Terrace House, Battersea; and Manchester Buildings, Westminster, for schoolmasters; together with Whitelands, Chelsea; and Smith's Square, Westminster, for schoolmistresses. In the present year 1848, there are not fewer than 1,365,754 children under instruction in our Church Schools; and there are at least 21,034 schools altogether, in which the children are taught. Of these children there are stated to be 63,891 under education in Church of England Schools in Wales. For information as to the great and successful labours of the National Society, not only in promot ing the cause of education in England, but in supplying the educational wants of many parts of Wales, the annual reports which have been put forth by that institution, especially during the last few years, may be usefully consulted. These documents bear ample testimony to the anxiety of the Committee to do all that can be done, in these eventful times, to fulfil the task intrusted to their hands. In the hope expressed in the concluding passage of their Report for 1847 the author of this little work heartily concurs. "God grant that all persons striving earnestly, and with honest and good hearts, after what is best, on the momentous subject of the education of the people, may finally arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Then, we may not unreasonably anticipate the best results to this Church and kingdom. For though, as long as we remain fallen human beings in a fallen world, we can never expect utterly to extirpate evil, yet we may and ought to hope, with God's help, to diminish its power immeasurably. And if there be any truth, as there undoubtedly is, in the saying, 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,' we may trust eventually to rear up a people obedient, from the ground of the heart, to the precept, Fear God and honour the king;' a people religious without hypocrisy, and loyal without servility; our sons growing up as young plants, and our daughters as the polished corners of the temple."" 6 END OF THE FIRST PART. [STONE STATUES OF CHARITY CHILDREN, OF THE SIZE OF LIFE, IN FRONT OF ST. ANDREW'S SCHOOL-HOUSE, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON.] To the aid and encouragement afforded by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge is owing the origin of the Annual Assembly of the Charity Schools of London and Westminster in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Although numerous arrangements connected with the Schools, and especially with the Anniversary Meetings, devolve on a body of Gentlemen, entitled the SoCIETY OF PATRONS OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHARITY SCHOOLS,-an Institution of which more will be said presently,much interest has always been manifested in the object by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, since the original institution of the Schools. Indeed, in 1701 it was "agreed, That no person be a Trustee to the general subscriptions for schools, unless he now be, or shall be hereafter, a residing or corresponding member of this Society "." It appears by the minutes of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, that on the 25th of March, 1703, "Mr. Bromfield moved, that the poor children in all the Charity Schools might walk in procession once a year to some Church, and there hear a sermon. And it was recommended to the Agents to discourse the Trustees, &c. about this matter." Mr. Bromfield's benevolent and useful suggestion soon ripened into action under the kind influence of the Society. At a Meeting held on the 6th of May, 1703, it was "Ordered, That the Secretary do wait on Dr. Manningham', and in the name of this Society desire the use of his Church for a Sermon to be preached therein to the poor children taught in all the Charity Schools, annually upon St. John Baptist's day: and that they do desire the Doctor to preach the first Sermon." The Innocents' Day was subsequently thought of for the procession and sermon: but at دو The body of "Trustees to the general subscriptions," appears to answer to the present "Society of Patrons." 7 Thomas Manningham, D.D., Rector of St. Andrew, Holborn; appointed Dean of Windsor, 1708; consecrated Bishop of Chichester, Nov. 1709; died, 1722. a meeting held on the 6th of April, 1704, ""Twas proposed that there should be a procession of the poor children in Whitsun week, on Monday and Tuesday. The Secretary was ordered to consult Dr. Manningham about it, and to report his opinion at next Meeting." On the 27th of the same month, the following minute appears :-"Dr. Manningham consented to the meeting of the poor children in his Church in Whitsun week, though he shall then be at Windsor; and the agents are therefore at liberty to proceed therein as they shall think fit"." First anni versary meet-. ing of Charity Schools. We find accordingly that the masters and mistresses were present on the 8th of June, 1704, at St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, with the poor children under their care, in number about two thousand. "It was," says Strype, in his simple style, "a wondrous surprising, as well as pleasing sight, that happened June the 8th, 1704, when all the boys and girls maintained at these schools, in their habits, walked two and two, with their masters and mistresses, some from Westminster, and some through London; with many of the parish ministers going before them; and all meeting at St. Andrew's, Holborn, church, where a seasonable sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Richard Willis upon Genesis xviii. 19, I know him that he will command his children, &c.: the children being 8 Original Manuscript Records. |