philosophic thinker, the indefatigable writer, the effective preacher, and the noble, generous, unpretentious man we know him to have been, had he not come under the renewing power of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. At the same time, the ardour, and perseverance, and success with which he pursued knowledge, ought to make his life an inspiration to all who, under similar disadvantages, are seeking to enter the broad and ever-expanding realms of knowledge.

Liverpool.

HENRY SMITH (A).

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

REPORT OF THE CONNEXIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Presented to the late Conference, and published by its Authority. THE Committee have again the joy of recording substantial progress in the Sunday-school department of our Connexional work. The progress shows itself more in efficiency and improved methods of work than increased numbers. The special aims which, for many years, the Com. mittee have kept steadily before them are being more widely adopted and more vigorously employed. This fact itself is a promise of the higher kind of usefulness which should be ever kept in view. Even from schools whose numbers are stationary or indicate a slight temporary decline we have the account that the general work is in a better condition, with increased signs of vitality and genuine advancement.

THE ANNUAL CIRCULAR.

In October last the Committee addressed a circular to the quarterly circuit meetings, to the managers of our Sunday-schools, and to leaders' meetings. Reference was made to the importance of a carefully defined method in teaching; the great value of systematic Bible instruction, and of the periodical examination of scholars in Biblical knowledge; the desirability of teachers having more direct and frequent contact with the homes of the people; the need of juvenile classes and evangelist services for the young; the usefulness of adult Sunday-schools, Sunday afternoon and week-night Bible-meetings, and working-men's classes as means of retaining and educating for Christian service our elder scholars. Above all, we urged our ministers, leaders, and teachers to aim more earnestly at the grand object to which all other suggestions are subsidiary, viz., the conversion and true spiritual training of our scholars whilst they are of tender age and of a nature easily impressed with religious truth. We have felt that this was of prime importance. It would do more than anything else to give them a place in our churches, to keep them for the service of God in our denomination, and to increase our staff of able ministers, pious and intelligent teachers, and Christian workers of every class.

The Committee cannot help feeling that if the topics referred to in these

annual circulars were more thoroughly discussed in our Church courts and teachers' meetings, still greater good would result. ministers and school-managers to arrange for this.

They entreat the

THE DAYS OF UNIVERSAL PRAYER FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

Along with the circular was sent a leaflet calling attention to these days of intercession, and asking that they might be more generally observed in our chapels and schools, not only as days of prayer, but as days of direct effort for the conversion of scholars, to be followed, where convenient, by a series of services for the young. An appeal was also made to the schools and churches, through the pages of the Magazines. Whilst the Committee regret that in some circuits the suggestion was ignored, or inadequate arrangements were made for carrying it into effect, they rejoice to hear that in many cases the days were marked with blessing. For example, one minister writes: "In connection with the Sundayschool special service day in October, very gracious influences prevailed, and a number of young people in the school were brought under concern for salvation. Several of them still manifest their desire to love and serve the Lord, and are met weekly for counsel and prayer." Another minister says: "I conducted on Intercession Day an evangelistic service in Ladywood School (Birmingham). A large number of scholars, say one hundred, came out as seekers after God. We have them now in classes."

Who can doubt that by taking similar means many more of our churches might have rejoiced in accessions to their fold of those lambs whom the Shepherd of souls loves to embrace? Will you not try to remember next Intercession Day? May it give you joyful news to send!

CLASSES FOR THE YOUNG.

Over twenty circuits have sent us word of these classes, as having been in vigorous operation during the year. Such classes are a golden bridge from our schools into the fellowship of the Church, and they should be established and made readily accessible everywhere. New ones have been formed during the year at Willenhall, Otley, Horsforth, Hurst, and Hyde; three at Scotswood, four at Rendell-street, two at Seaton Burn, and one each at St. Peter's and Snow-street, Newcastle-on-Tyne Circuit, where 200 young people are meeting, none of whom are returned at present, not even on trial. They have been started also in different parts of Durham Circuit, and are growing in favour and usefulness. These preparatory classes are also reported as being in operation in Dudley, Birmingham First, Halifax, Bradford, Hanley, Leeds Second, Dewsbury, Lynn, Oldham, Boston, Sheffield, St. Ives, Crewe, Darlington, Leicester, and Stafford. We are told that they render excellent service to the Church, in training members and workers for God; that the young in them evince a desire to live as Christians should; and one good brother, who says he has met his juvenile class for three and a half years, and that it is as vigorous as ever, having an average attendance of thirty, shows how useful they may be made in teaching the Methodist fine art of "a penny a week and a shilling a quarter," by saying, "I get them to subscribe;"

and he gives both them and their parents good value for their money, for says, "I teach them manners, morals, cleanliness, godliness!" Surely he deserves a Government endowment.

he

TEACHERS' PREPARATION CLASSES.

From Birmingham Second, Leeds Second, Hull and Hartlepool, Clay Cross, Crewe, Leicester only have we received any distinct account of these most needful and instructive classes being held. We regret there are no more; or, if there are others, that they are unreported. We shall never get effective teaching until our teachers are taught-taught how to learn, and what to teach. Many of them have undisciplined minds, and but few books; their time is scant, and their Biblical knowledge and skill to teach scantier still. We shall have to meet them, and guide and train them for their holy and responsible work. Some ministers are using the week-night service to this end. Instead of preaching a sermon, they

expound the school lesson for the following Sunday, and encourage the teachers to attend. "The good effect on both school and church," we are told, "is striking." The best course for teachers in general, we believe, is to follow the International Lessons.

COMPETITIVE AND OTHER EXAMINATIONS IN SCRIPTURAL KNOWLEDGE.

In some

That there is excellent teaching in many of our schools is evident from the large number of prizes and certificates won during the last year in the public competitive examinations conducted under the auspices of the various local branches of the London Sunday-school Union. places test examinations have been held by circuit arrangements or by individual schools. About 20 circuits send us word of these various examinations, and the results are so suggestive and cheering that they deserve the encouragement of being chronicled before this Conference. At Unett-street Birmingham First 40 scholars took part, and the papers they did were good; 4 got 80 marks out of a possible 100. At Ladywood, Birmingham Second, 25 scholars entered; they won 5 prizes and 9 certificates, and thus took for their school the highest position in the Birmingham Sunday-school Union. Cheslyn Hay holds quarterly written examinations, and gives annual prizes. Lindley presented 14 scholars in the Huddersfield Sunday-school Union Examination, and all but one passed in honours; Paddock, 34, of whom 30 passed, one in each division gaining a book-prize, the rest certificates. Halitax school passed all its 5 candidates, 1 in first division, the others in second. Longton organised a vigorous competitive examination; about 200 took part from 6 schools; Newcastleunder-Lyme acted similarly, 62 scholars being examined, of whom 33 passed, winning 14 prizes and 19 certificates. The public presentation of these honours has stimulated the other scholars.

Bethel and Stepney, Hull, had 29 candidates, of whom 3 took prizes and 16 won certificates. At Chester and at Oldham, out of 11 candidates, there were 9 winners of prizes and certificates.

At Rochdale, 8 passed; at Stockport, 11 out of 14 passed; at Redcliffe.

road, Nottingham, only 2 failed, 18 passed, and the examiner says the papers were remarkably good.

Sheffield North won 19 certificates; Attercliffe, 9; Sheffield South, 5 prizes, the largest number by any one school in the Local Union, and the notable number of 53 certificates; Sheffield West, 15 certificates.

London First and Second, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Stockton, Boston (which has won the first prize two years together), Barnsley, and Gloucester are all worthy of mention as having had candidates, mostly successful, in these useful and stimulating competitive examinations. Stafford is the only place which reports any candidates for the Teachers' Competitive Examination. Three teachers entered, and all won certificates.

This catechism, we are sorry to say, is not so extensively employed as we could desire. Only 9 schools out of 446 speak of its regular use, though there may be others in which it is occasionally employed. We commend it to the immediate consideration of our Sunday-schools, and we believe it might be made into a grand auxiliary for the more systematic teaching of religious truth.

ADDRESSES AND SERMONS TO CHILDREN.

There are twelve circuits in whose schools these are reported as being given on Sunday mornings by the ministers either weekly or monthly in the House of God. Of the numberless addresses given by ministers in the schools on Sunday afternoons we have sought no record; though we gladly recognise these as a valuable means of ministerial intercourse with our young people, and of evincing personal interest in Sunday-school work.

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS SERVICES FOR THE YOUNG.

A large number of such services have been held, mainly in the autumn and winter months. In Dudley Circuit they have been held at three or four places with very blessed results to our Sunday-schools. At Heathstreet, Birmingham, a children's evangelistic service led twenty-five to the Lord; and a class was formed afterwards, numbering over sixty. At Ventnor, and several places in Leeds First Circuit, the minister conducted a mission at which large numbers were professedly brought to Christ. At Forest Hill (London Third) there has been a fortnightly meeting for children whose hearts, we are told, have been brought under the influence of the holy love of Jesus, and parents express gratitude for the work done. Other places at which special or evangelistic services for children and elder scholars have been held are Bury, Middlesborough, Leicester, St. Ives, Derby, Boston, Willington, Gateshead, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Clay Cross, Lynn and Harpley, York, Dewsbury, Fence and Mount Zion (Macclesfield), Lindley, and Stourbridge. In some of these and other instances, services were held of a mixed character, and had reference, also, to adults. In some cases there were few open conversions, but in all there were some good results, and in some of the places they led to the formation of Juvenile Society Classes, which are holding the children together to-day,

and preparing them for higher forms of Christian fellowship and service for God.

A work of grace has also left germs of good in the hearts of young people at Dudley Port, Oldbury, Bethel, and Stepney (Hull), Durham, Stockton, Sunderland, Sheffield North and West, mainly, though not always, in connection with the ordinary agencies. One superintendent minister writes to say that he does not approve of "Specialities;" he thinks we can do most by the usual methods of working. But, however the work be done, if done it be, and done well, we therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK. Probably a few useful hints may be gleaned by some of our schools from some of the scattered items in the reports forwarded to the committee. Thus we are informed that well-attended Sunday-school conventions, at which papers on special subjects were read, followed by discussions which excited considerable interest and led to profitable results, have been held once during the year at Stalybridge and Nottingham, and quarterly at Stockport and London First. The Round O system has prevailed in several schools, securing regularity in attendance. It is "costly in prizes, but on the whole has a beneficial influence." At Barrow, Mr. Balfour is offering two handsome gold medals for good conduct, attendance, and Bible knowledge. The minister at Ripon, by means of the Penny New Testament, has taken the boys through the Life of Christ, and by it they have received something of the Master's spirit, and given other gratifying signs of good. Elder scholars at Chester, furnished with invitation cards, have on Sunday at noon missioned the streets from house to house for new scholars, and by this novel means have rendered considerable service. Stapleford has commenced a new mission school. Manchester South has had a Bible-class on a week-night, highly appreciated by the teachers and elder scholars who have attended; and some schools have found a weekly Sunday afternoon prayer meeting for the children greatly beneficial in spiritualising the minds of teachers, and bringing the children to God and to fellowship with the Church.

THE GUILD OF KINDNESS.

The Committee have had their attention drawn to this excellent institution, whose aims of love and mercy have already received the sanction of Conference, and the Committee much approve of its beneficent object, and will be glad to see it spread in its mission of kindness among our young people. Through the pages of our Juvenile Magazine, and by personal instruction and example, it may be made into a valuable auxiliary in the moral and domestic training of children.

THE EMPLOYMENT OF A SPECIAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL AGENT.

This is a subject which we have found exercising the minds of many in our denomination lately. They feel that grander results might be reaped from our families and schools if some warm-hearted, loving minister, with