Page images
PDF
EPUB

Luke, xiv. 12-14.-13. Why was it right to devote this ointment to the Lord's body ?-14. For what end does Jesus say Mary had done it?-15. How was that?-16. What promise does Christ make about Mary?-17. In what way is her conduct told for a memorial? Heb. vi. 12.-18 While worldly actions are forgotten, how will religious ones be regarded? Matt. xxv. 34-40, Ps. cxii. 6.-19. What does Christ deserve from us?-20. In determining what we give to Christ, what should be our motive and rule ?-21. How can we like Mary shew our love to the Lord Jesus?

Entelligence.

Birmingham.-A Bazaar on a large scale and in a splendid style has recently been held in the Town Hall, in order to raise funds for the re-building of the school-rooms connected with St. Mary's church. Upwards of a thousand pounds have been realized. The Hall was most gracefully decorated with stars in gas, festoons, paintings, transparencies, &c. The Third Dragoon Guards' Band was in attendance. At the conclusion, the Rev. J. C. Barrett delivered a very pleasing address to the visitors; and the teachers, by whose vigilance the utmost order prevailed through the several days of sale, were invited to a supper by the members of the congregation.

Bungay.-The Penny Clothing Club connected with the Sabbath School, at the Independent Chapel, Bungay, made its first distribution of funds among the children, on Sunday, November 27th. This excellent institution was established in January last, and the children have been enabled to accumulate the sum of £60. 16s. 8d.; to this, were added contributions in aid from members of the congregation; and the teachers were enabled to give a bonus of 1s. 3d. to the end of the several sums subscribed. This school has for several years enjoyed great prosperity, which (under God's blessing) is chiefly owing to the unwearied exertions and prudent administration of its affairs by Mr. Charles Childs, the secretary. When we reflect upon the little regard which is had among the poor to the amount which can be annually saved by small weekly payments; we think that every means which can be employed to exemplify to them the truth of the adage, "Pence are infant pounds;" and to instil into their minds habits of economy and punctuality, are worthy the attention of all who desire to ameliorate the condition of their fellow-men.

Derby.-TESTIMONIAL OF REGARD.-The teachers of Victoria Street and Chester Place Sabbath schools, anxious to express their sense of the untiring zeal and christian love, so uniformly manifested by Miss Pike, for a number of years as Superintendent and teacher of Victoria Street girls' school, on occasion of her leaving the town, resolved to present her with a Bible. The new pocket copy with 20,000 emendations, beautifully bound and enclosed in a morocco case, was selected. Mr. Corbin, the Junior Pastor, having been requested,

kindly consented to present it. The teachers having met on Thursday Evening, Sep. 22nd, Mr. Corbin delivered a very appropriate address; and, on presenting it to Miss Pike, observed that it was a small mark of their regard for the deep interest she had taken in the school, and an evidence of the esteem and affection entertained for her, by those who had enjoyed the happiness of co-operating with her in the honourable and self-denying employment of Sabbath School

instruction-At the same time her sister Elizabeth was also presented with a handsomely bound copy of Barne's Notes on the Gospels-Both the presents bore suitable inscriptions-The teachers retired with feelings of unmingled satisfaction.

Dockhead.-A large meeting of the teachers and old scholars connected with the Sunday School, in Butler's Place, sat down to tea, on the 16th of November, Mr. Maitland, in the chair. Many interesting communications were made to the meeting, by persons who had received their first religious impressions in that school,-especially by a policeman, appearing in his official dress. He stated, that the first Bible he ever received, and which he still possessed, loved, and used, was given to him by the wife of the excellent chairman.

Edinburgh-A most interesting Missionary Meeting of Sabbath School children was held in Bristou Street church, on Monday the 24th October, for the purpose of hearing an address from the Rev. R. Moffat, African missionary. About three thousand three hundred children were present,-being a limited number selected from about four hundred Sabbath Schools in the city. Mr. Moffat's address was full of anecdote, and admirably suited for children, and was accordingly listened to with the deepest attention. At the conclusion, by the kindness of the Sabbath School Union for Scotland, each child received one of the little books lately published,-containing extracts from Mr. Moffat's "Missionary Labours." This meeting was the largest of the kind ever held in Edinburgh; and will, we feel assured, never be forgotten by the children who were present. As some hundreds of children could not be admitted for want of room, Mr. Moffat kindly gave another address to those who were disappointed, This also was a most interesting meeting.

Kniveton, Derbyshire.-Our warm-hearted friends, the primitive Methodists, are, we are happy to know, becoming more alive to Sunday Schools. This is wise. A most interesting meeting was recently held in this village, at which many of the scholars gave recitations; and stirring addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Tomlinson, Escourt, Handley, and Gilbert, also by the Chairman Mr. Spurgeon, of Uttoxeter. A delightful spirit pervaded the whole assembly, and the claims of Sunday Schools were greatly advanced in the neighbourhood.

London.-Horselydown, Southwark.—An interesting meeting of the Sabbath School Teachers connected with Union Chapel, was held, a few days since, for the purpose of presenting to their esteemed pastor, the Rev. John Adey, a beautifully bound copy of "The Illustrated Commentary," in 5 volumes; as a token of their affectionate regard, and of their sympathy towards him under his present affliction; having met with a serious accident several months since, which will, it is feared, prevent him for some time from engaging in the more active duties of his ministry.

London.-Surrey Chapel Sunday Schools.-It has long been the custom in these schools, occasionally to assemble the former scholars to take tea with the teachers and friends. One of these happy meetings took place in the Castle Yard Room, on Wednesday, December 7th. The spacious room was crowded. Aspley Pellatt, Esq., in the Chair. Several letters were read from persons who had been in the school; all stating how blessed were the labours of their teachers in departed years, and how strong their attachment to the Sunday School still remained. The opening speech of the Chairman, was replete with

Christian benevolence and warm affection. The Rev. J. Sherman, stated, in his usual impressive manner, the joy he felt at the union pervading, and the success crowning the institution. J. Payne, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, illustrated in a most elegant style, the scenes he had witnessed at the bar, as evincing the fearful consequences of an uneducated people. He concluded, by repeating a hymn he had just made for the occasion, which we hope to give in our next number. The meeting was one of the deepest interest, tending very powerfully to attach the adult scholars to the place, and to prove that bread corn cast on the waters is found after many days.

Newport, Isle of Wight.-On Wednesday, November 30, the third anniversary of the Young Men's Improvement Society, was held at Node-Hill Chapel. This institution consists of a number of young men, all Sabbath school teachers, and most of them members of the church, who meet periodically for mutual advancement in various branches of useful knowledge. The occasion was a peculiarly happy one, and the society bids fair to provide a superior order of Sunday School Teachers. May our young friends ever consecrate the choicest fruits of their lives to the glory of Christ.

Stockton.-The first Report of the Stockton Sunday school Union has reached us. It is a pleasing document. Had space afforded us, we would have transcribed it entire. We learn from it that the Union has been happily successful in enkindling a spirit of love and unity among the teachers of various parties,-that improved modes of tuition, especially with senior scholars, have been adopted,— that a Depôt has been opened through the kindness of the Parent Society in London,—and that the importance of efficiently working the Sunday schools is beginning to be felt by the several congregations of the district. Long may this Union continue in its present happy and useful career.

Stourbridge.-On Tuesday, October 4th instant, a Tea Meeting of Members of the Church and Congregation connected with the Independent Chapel in this town, was held in the British School-room adjoining the Chapel, for the purpose of presenting a tribute of respect to Mr. WILLIAM WRIGHT, Excise Officer, of Lye, near Stourbridge, who is removed from amongst them. After Tea and appropriate singing and prayer, a very interesting address was given by the Rev. James Richards, pastor, on the importance of education, accompanied with an impressive and affectionate address to the individual, on whose account the company had assembled ; at the same time, presenting on behalf of himself and friends an elegantly bound volume of Cobbin's condensed Commentary, on the front of which was inscribed To Mr. William Wright, late of Lye, Worcestershire this sacred volume, as a tribute of Christian regard and esteem for his worth and self-denying devotedness, especially as manifested in connexion with the Sunday and day schools, attached to the Congregational Chapel at Stourbridge, is affectionately presented, on his removal from amongst them, by many of those with whom he was associated, with the earnest prayer that his usefulness may never decline till called to receive his eternal reward. October 4th, 1842.'

Trowbridge.-The Tabernacle Sunday School.-On Wednesday, Nov. 16th, a new and complete set of school rooms were opened in communication with the above institution. This school has existed about sixty years. It was founded by the Rev. John Clark, and first suggested to him, as is believed, by Fletcher, of Madely, before Robert Raikes had commenced his school. Indeed it would seem that the state of the manufacturing population, in those days of religious revival,

called so loudly for the instruction of youth, that many devoted christians heard the call in various places, and commenced simultaneously, without concert or example; and hence perhaps the conflicting claims for the honor of priority in this good work. Be this as it may, Mr. Clark's school has proceeded with uninterrupted harmony and prosperity through various stages of progress to the present time. It began with five scholars, it has now nearly five hundred, and its present position and prospects are of the most cheering character. The rooms recently erected include one large upper room, fifty feet by forty, divided in the midst by columns and a falling blind from the roof, removeable in less than a minute for devotion and addresses, when down forming a complete separation of boys and girls during the time of teaching. The seats are all arranged in parallel small squares with backs, each square containing a division of a class, with the teacher in front, so that the whole are under control. This room communicates directly with the galleries of the Tabernacle, and has a small secretary's room adjoining, with separate stairs for girls and boys. The ground floor is occupied partly as a crypt, and the rest with class rooms, vestry, &c. There is accommodation for six Bible Classès, which are composed of young persons who were formerly dismissed from the school at a period when they most needed religious instruction. Many decided cases of conversion have already resulted from the adoption of this plan. The system of sacred tuition now in operation embraces all ages from infancy to manhood. There are two Teacher's Improvement Classes, conducted by the Pastor; a Pastor Bible Class, composed of the better educated children of the congregation, more than thirty in number, who meet on the Sabbath morning. Writing Classes on Friday evenings. Two male and three female Bible Classes, besides the ordinary Sunday school instruction. With the Spirit's blessing good must be done. The new rooms were opened on the Seventy-first Anniversary of the Tabernacle, to commemorate which the venerable William Jay preached in the morning. In the afternoon above five hundred persons took tea in the large room; after which the teachers presented to Mr. Haden, the Senior Manager, as a token of their respect for twenty years service in that office, a richly bound copy of Bagster's comprehensive Bible with massive silver mountings and inscription on a silver shield. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Tabernacle, at which Thomas Thompson, Esq., of Poundesford Park presided. After several ministers and gentlemen had addressed the overflowing assembly, the managers and teachers publicly presented a Silver Medal, struck for the occasion, to the Rev. Thomas Mann, their Pastor, as a testimonial of their regard. Each child in the school was also presented with a medal, having the likeness of Mr. Clark on the obverse, as the founder of the school, and Christ inviting children on the reverse. There was no collection at the opening, and although the Building Committee have expended more than £1000 for the rooms and the entrance to the tabernacle, they have the grateful pleasure of anticipating no debt. The whole of the buildings have been erected under the direction of H. E. Goodridge, Esq., Architect of Bath, the style is a simple Gothic, combining great strength and elegance. The juveniles have been set in motion for the heathen world by an animating address delivered by Mr. Thompson, on Thursday evening, when he exhibited a number of idols, &c. to impress them with the folly of idolatry. More than a thousand children were present, and about fifty have since applied for collecting cards. "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][graphic][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

AMONGST the popular amusements in China, the Drama is of frequent recurrence. Like other Oriental nations, the Chinese are passionately fond of works of Romance, and of stage exhibitions,-in proof of which we may only mention that in a moderate library of their books, belonging to the East India Company, there are no less than two hundred volumes of plays, and a single work in forty volumes contains just one hundred theatrical pieces.-Though the government of the Empire do not (like that of ancient Rome) provide spectacles for the people out of the national treasury, yet it gives sufficient countenance to such amusements

B

« PreviousContinue »