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the present year, and go over the lessons | remembered as among the very best a second time. ever delivered in that room.

Teachers' prayer-meetings had been held every Saturday evening, and after the evening service on the last Sunday in each month.

Enquirers' classes, consisting of those who are believed to be in earnest about personal salvation, are held at frequent intervals, and are met by teachers well qualified to instruct them more fully in Divine things. The teachers have good reason to believe that many in these classes have in reality given their hearts to the Saviour: and will soon come forward and openly profess His name.

In every respect the meeting was of the most animated and interesting character.

CLERKENWELL PAROCHIAL

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The fifty-second annual meeting and examination of the children of these schools took place on Monday, April 30th.

The Chair was taken by the Rev. S. A. HERBERT, and subsequently by the Rev. R. MAGUire.

There were present, among other friends, Mr. Sturgeon and Mrs. Maguire, Superintendent; Mr. W. H. Groser, (representing the Sunday Power, (repre

School Union); Mr.

The Boy's devotional or Young Christian's Class meets for prayer every Sunday afternoon after school, and on one evening in the week. One of the fundamental rules of this class, is, that only such boys as give sufficient proof of a change of heart, or at any rate an earnest desire to become Christians, senting the Sunday School Institute); shall be members of it. All belonging Mr. Davis, of the Religious Tract Soto it are expected to engage in some acts ciety; Mr. Groser, sen.; and the variof usefulness, as tract distributing, ous members of the Committee. speaking privately to their companions, &c.

Prayer-meetings of the children, originated at their spontaneous request, are held every Sunday; boys and girls separately, before school in the morning, and at the close of the evening service. Tract Societies.-Both boys and girls have been in active operation. Above 18,000 tracts having been distributed during the year-nearly all of which have been purchased by the children

themselves.

The Rev. Mr. HERBERT conducted the examination of the children.

The

The annual report was read, from which we gathered that the schools are progressing most satisfactorily. number of teachers on the books ismale teachers, 15; female teachers, 21. The number of children is larger than heretofore, and the respective returns stand thus-boys 220 (average attendance, 130); girls, 216 (average attendance, upwards of 100.) The writing classes are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. A library of useful and instructive books is open one evening in the week. A service, under the sanction of the Incumbent, adapted for children, with a suitable address, is held every Sunday evening. confined to the children of the school; It is quite impossible in the limits of parents are also invited. A course of this notice, to give anything like a fair instructive and interesting lectures idea of the most excellent speeches of have been given by the teachers on these gentlemen, which will long be week evenings.

The report having been read, the following gentlemen delivered short, but most interesting and useful addresses, viz.: Rev. J. H. Wilson, of Aberdeen, Rev. T. Thoresby, of Spa Fields, Rev. F. Tucker, of Camden Road, and Messrs. Shirley, and Bailey.

This is not

Addresses were delivered by Messrs. | long remembered. The meeting was Groser, W. H. Groser, Power, and opened with prayer, and after some reDavis; after which the distribution of marks by the chairman, Mr. W. Munday, rewards took place. the superintendent, read a short report,

The Rev. R. Maguire then addressed which urged the universal adoption of

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Sunday schools in workhouses. Mr. G. White, of the Abbey Street Schools, examined the children in Scripture knowledge, who readily, cheerfully, and accurately answered the questions put to them. The recitations were delivered with good effect, and the singing, which consisted of "Jubilate," Holy Lord." (Sanctus) "Come unto me," and "Jerusalem," (anthems) and "Now unto Him,” was executed in a style which reflects great credit upon Mr. R. Prestage, the teacher. During the evening, speeches were delivered by the Rev. D. Katterns, Mr. Paxton, and Messrs. Gamman, Baxter, Williams, and Homer. Mr. Brain attended as a deputation from the Sunday School Union.

The tenor of

the Lord Mayor's speech was union and love, which was eloquently described as the great and only means for the re

formation of the world. Mr. Homer referred in an able manner to the establishment of the Hackney Workhouse Sunday School, and its present prosperous state. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, &c.; and after the meeting, the children were regaled with cake and milk. Many of the guardians were present, and took great interest in the proceedings.

We can but hope that the influence of this meeting will permeate the length and breadth of the land, and bring speedily about that result for which those who are engaged in this work constantly and earnestly pray.

PUTNEY.

INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL.-The annual sermons connected with the above school, were preached on the 13th of March; in the morning by the Rev. T. Davies, and in the evening by

the Rev. J. B. Talbot, of London; on and by Messrs. Wright of Hull; the Tuesday following, the annual meet- Groser, of London; Allison, of Leeds ; ing was held, when a large company W. Corke, J. Tuley, and W. Salter. sat down to an excellent tea. The Rev. J. M. Soule, of Battersea, presided at the public meeting; and the report was read by Mr. James, the superintendent. Appropriate addresses were delivered

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.

This Union has remitted a second con

by the Rev. F. F. Thomas, of Toot-tribution to the London Union of nearly ing; Davison, of Wandsworth; Davies, £33, collected chiefly among the children of Putney; and also by Messrs. King of the several schools in town and and Harrison, of Putney, and Mr. Sin- country, towards the liquidation of the clair from London. The account, as remaining debt on the JUBILEE ME. read by the superintendent, was very MORIAL HALL. The friends in the North cheering; the school was on the in- duly appreciated the valuable and percrease; three of the teachers had been severing labours of the Parent Society, received in church fellowship; and the and have much pleasure in thus pracfunds were in a very satisfactory state. tically expressing their sympathy and grateful sense thereof.

YORKSHIRE.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL AT
HOBART TOWN.

HALIFAX.-THE annual conference of teachers was held in Trinity Road Chapel, on April 22nd. At the morning meeting Mr. J. H. Philbrick presided. Mr. Wright, of Hull, read a paper on "The Past, the Present, and the Future of Sunday schools; and Mr. Allison, of Leeds, read a paper on Agencies to Sunday Schools." In the afternoon, Mr. Councillor Sugden presided. Mr. Groser, Corresponding Secre. tary of the London Sunday School 27th December, 1858. Union, read a paper on "Teachers' held the day following Christmas. The Training Classes." These papers were children assembled about eleven o'clock severally discussed, and at the close of in their respective schools, in various the Conference, the delegates had tea parts of the city, and proceeded to the in the Sion school room. Wesleyan chapel. The children were The annual meeting of this Union seated by twelve o'clock. They comwas held in Sion Chapel, April 22nd. menced by singing one of the hymns F. Crossley, Esq., presided. The re- selected for the occasion. Prayer was port stated that 48 schools were in offered; the second hymn sung. The union, containing 2,050 teachers, and Rev. J. G. Mackintosh then addressed 12,200 scholars; that 166 scholars | them for a short time. The children had joined churches during the year; listened very attentively. It was a

BEING a constant reader of your Magazine, and observing frequently the notices of Sunday school anniversaries that occur in various localities in England, I thought that it would not be Auxiliary uninteresting to give you some account of the Christmas anniversary of the Sunday schools in Hobart Town, Tasmania. The anniversary was held on Monday, It is usually

and that 73 visits had been made to pleasing sight to see so many gathered schools by the visiting committee. | together. It would be happiness, indeed, Addresses were delivered by the chair- if all of them loved the Saviour. They man; the Revs. T. M. Newnes, G. then sang the concluding hymn. About Hoyle, T. D. Matthias, and J. C. Gray; 1,400 Sunday school children were pre

Poetry.

sent. The chapel was full in every part. connected with Sunday schools. One of The children and teachers left the chapel the speakers (a stranger to the place), in the following order :-Wesleyan remarked that the impressions he first schools, 4; Independents, 4; Presbyte- received on visiting Hobart Town would rians, 2; Free Church of Scotland, 2; long be remembered by him, for it was Free Wesleyans, 1; Ragged schools, 2. on the day of the anniversary. He was Each school was headed by its banner very much pleased with the behaviour or flag, with the name of the school, or of the children, and the orderly manner other device, upon it. The streets the people and children amused themthrough which the procession passed selves in the park. Before the meeting were lined with spectators, many of them separated, it was resolved to have quarparents of the children. On arriving at terly united teachers' tea meetings. the Queen's park, the schools separated; some went among the trees, others to the open ground, where they amused themselves by playing at different games, cricket, swinging, skipping, &c., &c. Cake, buns, milk, lemonade, fruit, &c., were provided for them. After amusing themselves between two and three hours, the schools returned to their several places of worship, where the children were supplied with tea, cake, and buns. About five o'clock the children returned home, many of them tired with their day's holiday. At six o'clock the teachers and friends sat down to tea, many of them fatigued with their day's work (for it is now about the midSuch gloom upon thy brow? dle of summer). After tea, persons are Thy wistful glances trace called upon to speak, when some topic The nearer path to heaven which some have trod, connected with Sunday schools is dis- The path baptized by their tears and blood,

DISCOURAGED, BECAUSE OF THE WAY.
On weary, murmuring soul!
Yearning in spirit for the Lord's release,
Impatient for thy pilgrimage to cease,

While yet far from the goal!

This strengthening word of cheerA sunbeam, gladdening Earth's lone desert waste"He who believes on me shall not make haste,"

Falls on thy listening ear.

Earth's laborers may repine,
When tardy nightfall lengthens out the day:
Their weary eyes may chide the long delay--
But, oh, my soul, not thine!

They may despond; but thou,
The servant, nay, the child of God, the heir
Of glory everlasting-shouldst thou wear

Who ran the martyr's race.

What! Couldst thou, fearless, drink That cup of mortal agony and woe! 'Neath the dread terror of the severing blow,

Would flesh nor spirit shrink?

Presumptuous, sinful thought!
E'en now thou faintest, when thy cager lips
Find sorrow in joy's cup. One hour's eclipse
Of light to thee is fraught

With horror and dismay!

And couldst thou walk serene through Death's

cussed. Between the speeches some pieces are sung. The meeting was concluded about nine o'clock, and thus ends one of the happy days which children and teachers spend together upon earth. Formerly, in connection with the anniversary, the teachers took breakfast together on Christmas morning, which was very well attended at first. It was found that many persons went out of town on that day, and it was thought Would not thy footstep falter, and thy spirit fail, Without one gladdening ray? desirable by the teachers to have a tea Nay, leave to God, Allwise, meeting in the month of January in lieu The ordering of the path. Be thine alone of it. The meeting was held on 3rd The earnest care, to walk as he hath shown, February, 1859, in the Independent school room, Brisbane-street, when teachers from the various Protestant denominations were present. Several ministers and friends spoke upon subjects

dark vale?

With heaven-directed eyes.
The promise standeth sure!

Seest not the glorious crown hung at the goal?
Fear not! In patient strength possess thy soul;
Firm to the end endure !
Presb. Mag.

"REDEEMING THE TIME."

AN ADDRESS TO CHILDREN.

DURING the dark days of the winter we were longing for the bright days of spring, and made some very good resolutions to improve our time more, when the light peeped in at our chamberwindow earlier, and the evenings were a little longer! Well, the time has come, the leaves are upon the trees, the blossoms sparkle upon the branches-all nature is cheerful! " For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." We did not know that we should have these sunny days! Many dwell in the dark grave who hoped to see them Serious thought! the past has been ours! the future may not be! Yesterday and to-day we have had-to-morrow we may not have. But, however many bright years may be in store for you, forget not this little motto of life,-" Redeeming the time."

too.

That we may fully understand this, let us try and make plain the meaning of this word redeem, because it is used in different senses. One meaning is to re-purchase-to buy back again. You know that poor Uncle Tom had to be sold, and came into the hands of the cruel Legree, who treated him so brutally that he died. Master George went to buy him back-to redeem him. It was too late. His young master was obliged to return without him; he told Aunt Chloe that he would have given all his fortune to have brought him back, but he had gone to a better country. Lost time is like a dead Uncle Tom,—no money can redeem it.

Another meaning of the word is to save. It is in this sense that Jesus Christ redeems us. "He came to seek and to save that which was lost." He bought us with a price-but a price more valuable than any amount of money-with his life. But this is not the meaning of the word with regard to time. If once lost we cannot bring it back again. Suppose any of you had lost a valuable diamond. You might offer a large reward, and the diamond might be restored to you. But let any one who has lost only a minute of time offer a reward to any one who can return it! No matter how many bills he may have printed about it-no matter how large the amount he may be willing to give for it he cannot redeem it. It is said that a queen exclaimed, when dying, "Millions of money for one inch of time!" It was of no use. A million of millions would not have bought it!

"Lost time is never found again."

Improving is a word that might be used instead of the word

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