Page images
PDF
EPUB

Sabbath Schools and Educat

THE LATE CENSUS versus THE COM

PULSORY SYSTEM.

The advocates of a compulsory system of education, supported by the taxation of the people, have, for a long time, insisted upon the vast disproportion between children receiving education and the population. Their miscalculations were exposed at the time; but the late Census has clearly developed the facts. The Eclectic, in an able article of last month, says:

"These gentlemen, though refuted by the census, are of the same opinion still.' The provoking thing is, that whilst all figures relative to education, which militate against their views, are rejected as apocryphal by the impugners of the in

telligence of the peop to receive as oracul

prove their ignorance If they had been ope and well-reasoned

Knight, Professor Ho doubt the soundness Mr. Baines, had lon but waiving the temp contemptuous tone o and the non-marvello of candour, magna which has hitherto admission of error, a acknowledgment tha opponent, Mr. Baines now see what the Cen the most vexed questi

Day and Sunday schools and scholars in England and Wales, in 18 with the population in each year, and the proportion of each class of

[blocks in formation]

Now there have been men taking an active part in the education controversy, who have asserted, again and again, that 'next to nothing had yet been done for day school education; that I in 13 or 1 in 14 was probably the proportion of day scholars to the population;' and the assertion has even been made and iterated in public places by the most distinguished of free-traders, that one-half of the people of England can neither read nor write.' It would have mattered little had these parties been of the class of wordy talkers, whose dictum is of no weight with society; but, unhappily, they are men of mark and authority, who have been active agitators on the question of national education. Will these gentlemen admit they were in error? We suspect not. The bad quality of education will be the future battle cry against the voluntary system; an assertion which we will not dispute, if the utterers will submit to an examination of the relative completeness of their knowledge, looking to their position as public teachers and

masses! But we wi this unwelcome aspect controversy.

It seems, by the co the highest authorities of the population at sch would be a satisfactory education, looking to th demand for juvenile la In Prussia it is 1 in Denmark 1 in 7, Holla in 8, France 1 in 10.5, 10.7. In England the it is 1 in 8, a much than in France or Belgi which its industrial of nearly corresponds."

Mr. Baines says, contributed one fifteenth ing power, and nothing school sustaining power ( allowance to teachers a 1847); and let it be that the system of popul it now exists, was accor government contributed on

Religious Cracts.

garded, and this causes additional expense and trouble. Several applications are now laid aside for want of attention to those directions by the applicants. Will those who have applied, and not received, look at them again, and make new applications?

DONATIONS have been forwarded to

vill be seen by the summary which | for January; for they are usually disre;ive beneath, that our grants of tracts he past year have not been so large n some former years; our means of ly having been curtailed by the reion in the price of the Reporter, and ugh our giving more pages in proion. And yet, though our means e more limited, we are not aware that have refused one application that has a made to us in accordance with our ilations. We therefore conclude, that, ig aware of our position, our friends lined to apply. An increase of the s of this periodical would enable to extend our grants, for which we tinue to receive applications. We uld regret any interruption to the ulation of our tracts in those districts ere they are yet much needed, and

[ocr errors]

Handbills.
500

4 Page. Reporters.

25

[ocr errors]

6

500

[ocr errors]

25

[ocr errors]

500

25

..

25

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

Bingley
Ponlner
Pembroke Dock
Liverpool....... 500
Princes Risboro
Leominster

SUMMARY OF DONATIONS.

ild much rather increase our grants FROM THE PROFITS OF THE

n suffer them to diminish. We can y add, that, providing our sales inase for 1854, we will take care that our nations of grants shall be increased in proportion; and shall rejoice when find that we are able to furnish them larger numbers than we have ever

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

Besides these, many thousands of "InviBut one thing we must again tations to Worship' "have been sent to ess upon the notice of all applicants; various applicants, and several thousands of that is, to regard the "Directions" copies of the "Reporter;" 248 copies of the ich are always given in our number | “Reporter" were sent during 1853.

BAPTIST.

Intelligence.

VE always regret, as much as our correspondents can do, when we are compelled by stern necessity, either to abridge the intelligence they send us, or postpone the giving of it. The latter course we always regard as more objectionable. Hence it is, that this month several lengthy communications appear in an abridged form. Our "Foreign" intelligence, which will better suffer delay, will be given next month.]

Baptist MetroPOLITAN CHAPEL BUILDG SOCIETY.-On Thursday, Oct. 20, the undation stone of the first chapel to be ected by this Society was laid at Camden oad, Upper Holloway, by S. M. Peto, Esq.,

ministers and friends, both of the Baptist and Independent denominations. Rev. C. Gilbert gave out an appropriate hymn; Rev. E. White read suitable portions of scripture, and Rev. J. C. Harrison offered prayer. S. M. Peto, Esq., M. P., after laying the principal stone, addressed the crowded audience with which the spacious tent was filled. He said that the occasion was specially interesting, because this would be the first chapel erected under the auspices of the Baptist Chapel Building Society. Mr. P. then adverted to the removals of respectable inhabitants from the city, and the necessity of following them with the erection of suitable places of worship. In these suburban residences dwelt that class of our society which constituted the stability of this great nation. He concluded by

their children, and their children's children, might have cause to rejoice that this edifice, erected for so noble and worthy an object, had accomplished all that for which it was designed. The Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel followed, with a very comprehensive, appropriate, and masterly address, of which we can only give a very brief outline. He noticed the wonderful rapidity with which the population of the metropolis was increasing, calculated at 30,000 per annum, and contrasted this with Rome, surrounded by deserts, and gradually declining. He next compared our liberty with the liberty of the continent; and asserted that the happy state of things in our land arose from the influence of the bible on the nation. He urged them to keep this great fact before them-that truth must ultimately pervade and conquer society; and they should labour to bring about this consummation. He hoped this would be the precursor of a series of such buildings surrounding the metropolis. Mr. Noel proceeded to define and expound the principal tenets which distinguish the baptists from other denominations, and concluded by urging them to adopt a positive course for the propagation of their sentiments. He thought that the erection of such edifices as that, and the preaching of the gospel therein, would do much to spread the truth and break down error; and eventually, he believed, that they would see. "Established Churches" fall to the ground like fruit which was not only ripe but rotten.-The company adjourned to Highbury Barn Tavern to dinner. Mr. Peto occupied the chair. The cloth being removed, the elegant silver trowel with which the ceremony had been performed was presented to Mr. Peto, in the name of the Society, by the Rev. G. W. Fishbourne, the Secretary. Mr. Peto returned thanks, and stated that the Diorama, Regent's Park, would speedily be opened for public worship in connexion with their denomination; and indicated several other spots on which the Society intended, as soon as the funds permitted, to erect edifices suitable to the respective localities. Revs. W. Brock, Dr. Angus, Dr. Acworth, J. Dowson, W. G. Lewis, E. B. Underhill, and other gentlemen, addressed the meeting. Mr. Peto having left, Mr. Deputy Pewtress, of the Common Council, took the chair; and some other addresses having been delivered, and new subscriptions and donations amounting to about £200 having been announced, the proceedings terminated. LANGLEY, Essex, is a considerable agricultural village, where a baptist interest has existed many years; and while the people were united, the cause prospered, and the

chanel which holds some 300 persons

[ocr errors]

of discord crept in, w tion of a separate chu ing from such a step admitted and deplor time past the parties be re-united. At the friends, brethren J. V D. Rees of Braintree, after much conversat of the two churches, held on Wednesday e which a resolution cordially adopted,—“ do forthwith re-unite; the last Lord's-day in for public worship in same occasion, brother father was the princip ing the cause,) preach and effective sermon f Lord's-day, Oct. 30, br his farewell sermon to tion, and the same 0 schools re-united. ΟΙ brother Rees officiated of the people, and on tion of the county, w publiely ratified, and after which, all united Lord's supper. It is b throughout the procee this happy consumation cerned evinced an unus spirit and christian pru

MANCHESTER, Wels Row.-Mr. O. Owens pastor of the church m when brethren Jones of E of Llangollen, conducted was well attended and next Monday evening we when promises were the our debt of £200. Nea subscribed, which, for a a noble effort, and call christian public to clear at once. Our chapel hearers, and the church

GLOUCESTER.-A tea 200 persons gathered at P Oct. 25; afterwards a ser which Mr. J Hyatt presi of Mr. G. M'Michael, B.. College, as pastor of the other ministers were also their sanction and aid to t proceedings of the evenin

DOWNTON, Wilts-Th Baptist church meeting h Mr. F. Smith, late of pastorate, services were h were conducted by breth

London and Compton of I

VENTION FOR THE REVIVAL OF REN-The last annual association of -al Baptists having recommended the hes of the various districts to meet umiliation before God and prayer for =vival of religion amongst them, with conversation on the things which red-the churches of the Midland ct met at Loughbro', on Wednesday, 9, in Wood Gate chapel. The ministhe place presided. The students of eicester College, at the call of their -, first engaged in prayer; and then twelve till four o'clock was occupied with esses and devotional exercises. Tea provided in the spacious vestry. At six ek, another meeting was held in Baxter the minister presiding, when six esses on given subjects were delivered. whole area of each of the chapels was pied. Both of the meetings were of most solemn and impressive character. elt humbled for past deficiencies, and orated to renewed devotion to their and Saviour. We understand that a report of these meetings will appear in General Baptist Repository for January. ORSHAM.-On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Mr. Jones, late of Usk, was ordained pastor e baptist church in this place. Messrs. el of Melksham, and Thomas of Pontyconducted the afternoon service. After ocial tea meeting and addresses, the ing service was conducted by Messrs. pert and Thomas. The place was filled, all seemed to take a deep interest in proceedings. W. N. SSOCIATION REVIVED.-The Shropshire ociation of baptist churches having for ral years been extinct, a meeting was wened of ministers and other brethren various churches, and held at Shrews. the latter end of Oct. last, when it was nimously agreed, "That the association now recommenced; and that the first ual meeting be held next year at Whitrch."

[ocr errors]

"ONTESTYLL, near Brecon.-On Oct. 18 19, services were held for the recognition ordination of Mr. T. E. Jones to the toral office. Messrs. Edwards and Evans, Brecon, Johns of Maesyberllan, Davis of nmawr, Jones of Merthyr, Williams of ar, Bevan of Nantyglo, Roberts of Llanse, Rees of Llangyuider, Evans of Middle 1, and Jones of Zion, Merthyr, engaged in ducting the services of the two days. CLIFTON, near Bristol. Buckingham apel. -The annual tea meeting was held the large room of the Victoria baths, Oct. when Mr. Morris, the minister, presided. appears that in four years the church has reased from 10 to 97 members; £1500 debt has been paid, leaving £800;

CHELSEA, Paradise Chapel.—On Tuesday, Nov. 15, two services were held, when Mr. Thomas J. Cole was publicly recognized as pastor of the church. In the afternoon the service was conducted by Messrs. J J. Owen of Sabden, W. Groser, the late pastor of the church, J. M. Soule of Battersea, and James Smith of Cheltenham, formerly Mr. Cole's pastor at New Park Street, who affectionately addressed him on the duties of the pastoral office. Mr. Owen Clarke, by whose labours the church was first formed in 1817, closed with prayer. At half past five o'clock the friends partook of tea in the chapel, and in the evening a second service was held, in which Messrs. J. Bigwood of Brompton, J. Smith, in the absence of Dr. Augus, and D. Katterns of Hackney, took part. The pastor concluded with prayer. Several other ministers assisted in the devotional engagements. These services were of an exceedingly interesting character; the addresses were short, pointed, and practical; an earnest spirit of devotion pervaded the assembly, and the presence of the Head of the church was felt and enjoyed by many hearts. The chapel was well filled throughout the

services.

BRETTLE LANE, near Stourbridge.-The baptist chapel at this place having been in a dilapidated state for some time past, owing to the coal mines underneath, has been disposed of, with the land, to the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway Company, whose line of rails passes close by. The foundation stone of a new chapel was laid on Oct. 24, in the neighbouring town of Brierly Hill, in a densely populous district. The new building is expected to be completed and opened for worship early in the spring of next year. W. H. P.

HILLSLEY, Gloucestershire.-The public recognition of Mr. J. Keller, as pastor of the church meeting here, took place on Wednesday the 19th Oct., when two services were held, in the afternoon at two, and in the evening at six, when Messrs. Winter of Bristol, Yates of Stroud, White of Charford, and Stubbins of Sherston, took part in the services. The friends felt much interested on the occasion. May the Divine blessing rest on the union!

SOUTHWARK, Trinity Chapel.-Mr. B. Lewis, who for nearly thirty years was pastor of the baptist church formerly meeting in Dean Street, but now meeting in this place of worship, has resigned the pastorate; and Mr. H. J. Betts, late of Edinburgh, has been invited, with the cordial consent of Mr. Lewis, to become pastor of the church.

REMOVALS.-Mr. Sissons, late of Heyworth, to Stourbridge. Mr. Moses, from near London, to Gooch Street, Birmingham. Mr. E. Clarke, of Weston, near Towcester,

[graphic]
« PreviousContinue »