effected by our Societies: the world is still dead in trespasses and sins'-vast tracts of barren Protestantism, or untilled and fruitless Popery, stretch all around us." But the blindness of these pretended Seers is as conspicuous as their bigotry, and their folly equal to both. I have scarcely ever attended an Anniversary without being compelled to hear a great deal of frothy rhetoric, and empty declamation, blended with many injudicious sentiments, and much objectionable matter. Did this description need additional proof of its accuracy, I might refer to Mr. Norris's Letter to the Earl of Liverpool, in the Notes to which, abundant specimens of the style of speaking prevalent at these Assemblies may be found. The facts are notorious and cannot be denied; nor do the greater part of these extracts admit of any extenuation or defence. Mr. Scholefield, therefore, in his reply to Mr. Norris, after a few apologetical observations, very properly ac knowledges the charge; expressing at the same time a hope (in which every judicious friend of the Bible Society will cordially concur) that the Lecture which Mr. Norris has there delivered will have its due effect upon the advocates of the Institution, and induce them, in their public Addresses, to attend more closely to the dictates of" truth and soberness." There is another consequence of the general strain adopted at these Meetings not a little injurious to the cause of real Religion, and that is its tendency to produce an indifference to all Creeds and distinctions of Sect, a species of latitudinarianism much to be deplored and condemned. The Arian and the Socinian are heard with the same complacency as the Presbyterian or the Independent; so favourable an opportunity can seldom be suffered to pass without each having at least a sidelong fling at the Members of the Established Church, the downfal of which must, of course, be an object of desire to all of them. In truth, the advantage at these Meetings is greatly in favour of the Dissenters their habits of extempore speaking necessarily give them a superiority over the regular Clergy; their smooth and rounded periods are listened to with delight by the auditors, and the next thing is to frequent the Chapels where they usually officiate, to be gratified with a repetition of these honied barangues. I do not hesitate to say that such results occur but too often, they have actually taken place within this very Society; and thus the cause of dissent is strengthened, and the

Vide Rev. D. Wilson's Letters, Vol. I. Page 69.

REMEMBRANCER, No. 72.

Church proportionately weakened. But regarding, as I do, that Church to be of apostolical institution, and to exhibit the purest model of faith and worship; believing her doctrines to be most accordant with Scripture, her liturgy to be the finest of uninspired compositions, and her rites and ordinances to be admirably calculated to promote public devotion, and individual edification, I cannot but regret the existence of any thing which interferes with her usefulness, and detracts from the number of her members. If it be said that the Meetings are essential to the interests of the Society, the assertion may be controverted by appealing to many charitable Institutions which never resort to such measures, and which are yet exceedingly prosperous. I allow that its funds are augmented by them, but I cannot admit that the end sanctions the means, especially when attended with such consequences as I have just described. It must also be remembered that the spurious philanthropy, and artificial charity, which are only kept alive by repeated applications of powerful stimulants to the imagination, or the feelings, must in time be infallibly exhausted—the dose will eventually lose its effect, and excite only nausea and disgust. For these various reasons (and more might easily be given) I am decidedly of opinion that it would be most expedient and proper for the Committee of the Tower Bible Society to avail themselves of the present favourable opportunity to abandon their Annual Meetings. They can now do it without affording any triumph to the direct opponents of the Society. By continuing to publish a Report as usual, the Institution may, I think, be kept in a very efficient state; its depository always ready to meet any unexpected demand for Bibles, while it contri. butes also to further the general objects of the Parent Society.

I am fully aware that for publishing these opinions I shall be charged with inconsistency by two opposite parties; by the one for not doing it sooner, by the other for doing it at all. I shall not attempt now, however, to vindicate myself from these contradictory imputations. I plead 'not guilty' to both; and am quite prepared to defend my past, as well as my present conduct. In each case I can appeal with satisfaction to the approbation of my own breast, and to the consciousness of having always endeavoured to discharge what I conceived to be my duty, with undeviating independence and rectitude. I remain, my dear Sir, most truly yours, SAMUEL ROPER.

5 D

tuition, has been amply supplied, not only with school books, but with a variety of the Society's other publications, the utility of which in that seminary has been enhanced by the judicious management of Mr. Read, the head master, who has established a lending library for the use of the scholars, consisting chiefly of the Society's publications. For this purpose he was permitted to have a complete set of the Society's books and tracts, in fifty volumes, at the reduced price: besides which, having made a selection of such books as best suited his purpose, he was furnished with so many copies of each as that all the boys of a class might, at one time, be allowed the perusal of the same book; who, being called upon, on return of the books, to give some account, in open school, of their contents, would naturally read them with an attention excited by emulation, and the prospect of display. For several years past, the children of nearly all the schools in this city have attended the Church on the Wednesdays during Lent, when, after being examined by the Rector in Mann's and Crossman's Catechism, a lecture has been delivered to them suited to their age and comprehension. Mr. Mann states that, on these occasions, he has been invariably gratified in a high degree, not only by the numerous attendance of the children, but by the correctness, intelligence, and general propriety, displayed by them.] ST. ANN'S.

In this parish a parochial sub-committee was early formed, to the first report of which the District Committee has now great pleasure in referring, in testimony of the vigour and success with which the designs of the institution have there been carried into effect.

ST. THOMAS IN THE EAST. The report of the Bath school is before the District Committee, by which it appears, that, for some weeks after its commencement, the scholars amounted only to fifteen; towards the close of the first year they increased to sixteen boys and twelve girls, and a favourable account is given of the progress of the children, and prospects of the school. Connected with this subject, and the general objects of the Society, Mr. Trew writes: In this parish there are four schools, which have been established for the instruction of free persons of colour, in which one hundred children are at present enjoying the advantages of a useful education; of these, one situated at Morant Bay, is liberally endowed by the parish, and possesses an in. telligent master. The school house is a convenient building, capable of ontaining

upwards of fifty children, and is in all respects well adapted for their accommodation,

"A second of these institutions is under the immediate patronage of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and promises to be extensively useful to the neighbourhood of Bath. The design of this seminary is to provide the means of instruction for the poor, as well as for the rich, and thus to assist those whose poverty of circumstances would otherwise have precinded them from imparting to their children the blessings of education, Its affairs are managed by an efficient committee, with whom it rests to investigate the claims of candidates for gratuitous admission, as well as to regulate its general concerns. The school at Bath derives its support in the first place from your Society; secondly, from the justices and vestry of the parish, who, with their characteristic liberality, have granted an annual sum in aid of its funds; and, lastly, from the voluntary contributions of the public in general. The master's salary is two hundred and fifty pounds per annum, which is paid him quarterly on his producing a certificate of good conduct, attested by three members of the committee. The remaining schools in this parish are private: to all of them, however, the books of your Society have proved highly acceptable and useful, as they have, from time to time, been circulated amongst the children of each of these establishments."

ST. THOMAS IN THE VALE. From St. Thomas in the Vale, ir. Burton states: "There are three schools in the parish, the first the parochial school, for the education of ten poor children of free condition, and at which there were till within a few weeks back, when sickness diminished their number, ten private scholars. This school is kept at a house in the immediate neighbourhood of the church, and under my own eye, the scholars are occasionally examined, and they are catechised every other Sunday in church; of their improvement in religious and other useful knowledge I can speak most favourably.

"The next to be mentioned is a private school in the neighbourhood of Cuny's Hill, consisting of ten scholars, whose education is similar to the preceding, and whose readiness, in replying to the questions, both in Mann's and Mant's Catechism, as well as their pertinent answers to several questions from myself, did credit alike to their teacher and themselves. The last (but from what has been reported to me,) by far the largest school, is in an opposite

part of the parish called "Above Rocks." As this is the most populous district in the parish, and the population within a small compass, (I have reason to believe) the number of scholars to be very consider able: it is supported by dissenters and conducted on their principles, and I have not felt myself called upon to visit it. I have, however, supplied it with the Society's books, through the medium of a member of your Society. The parish school uses none other than the Society's books, and the children are brought up in the principles of the Established Church. The other school is also supplied by me with books."

TRELAWNEY.

Mr. Frazer writes: "The two consignments of books I duly received, and a good number of them has been distributed among the different schools, where they have met with the heartiest welcome, and I have every reason to believe will do much good. On my notifying their arrival, they were applied for with the utmost avidity.

"Indeed it is with real pleasure that I witness the increasing desire among the free coloured people to educate their children, and hail it, as the promise of a new and better character."

In a previous communication, Mr. F. had stated, that " at Falmouth, in this parish, there were six schools, attended by ninety-three scholars, and at Rio-Bueno one school with about thirty scholars."

ST. JAMES'S.

Mr. Jenkins states, that "in this parish the free people of colour are increasing in number rapidly. Many of them, who are very poor, wish to have their children taught to read and write, &c. but cannot send them to school, on account of the expense. What can be done for them? Something should be done on their behalf in every parish. The necessity of it is generally acknowledged; but the impove rished state of the country will prevent any effectual steps being taken for some time to come."

HANOVER.

Besides a fair proportion of other books, a large supply of school books has been sent to this parish, on the urgent application of Mr. Rose, the rector, who has established a Sunday school in the parish, to the use of which he has appropriated all the books. In August, he states the number attending the school at thirty boys and girls. In his letter of the 18th of November he states them to have increased to about ninety. "The children," he adds, "attend in the vestry-room of the Church

on Sunday mornings, to be instructed, from eight to ten o'clock, and then walk into the Church to hear divine service, and in the afternoon, from two to four, and do the same; and the institution appears to be most agreeable to all ranks of people, and is, and will be, of infinite service to the rising generation."

WESTMORELAND.

From this parish Mr. M'Intyre, recently appointed Rector, reports, that “ on the state of education in this parish, generally, it is not in my power, at present, to give much information; but it is pleasing to me to say, that, in the town and vicinity of Savanna-la-Mar, I have every reason to expect a rapid and extensive improvement. At the suggestion of the late Mr. Daun, the trustees of Manning's free school applied, through him, to the Bishop of London, soliciting his lordship to recommend a young man, not in holy orders, for the situation of head master. In consequence of this, a gentleman arrived here a few months since, who fully justifies the high character, which the Bishop gave him; and seems eminently qualified to realize the wishes of the trustees. I shall, at some future time, do myself the honour to communicate more fully with you; and to submit to you, for the approval and support of the Society, a plan for establishing a Sunday school in this town, for the benefit of all who may be disposed to attend.' ST. ELIZABETH'S

Mr. Williams, who had on repeated occasions expressed an anxious desire that the District Committee would assist in establishing a school in this parish, where one is much required, has now (25th of November, 1823,) "great pleasure in stating that a school on a large and liberal plan, will shortly be established here, and this too without calling on the Society for any aid, owing to the benevolent bequests of Messrs. Munro and Dickenson, being on the point of being carried into effect."

MANCHESTER.

A similar cheering prospect is held forth from this parish, where, in a few weeks, the munificence of public subscription has provided a fund sufficient for the endowment of a considerable school.

VERE.

In this parish there is a well endowed free school, which is now under the able management of the rector. Some of the Society's books have been distributed among the boys on the foundation of this school-but, Mr. Jefferson adds, “the free people of colour are by no means unmerous in this parish, and, as there is ne

school of any kind amongst them, I doubt if scarcely any of them can read."

From these extracts it may appear that, in most of the favourable situations throughout the island, the means of education for the free classes are by no means altogether wanting, and that there appears to prevail, at the present time, a very ardent desire to increase them. Whether the Jamaica District Committee has had

an influence in exciting this desire, it would be difficult to ascertain. It cannot however be doubted, that the success and advancement of these schools will be greatly promoted by an institution, which, though it may be unable to make direct pecuniary grants for their support, is yet ever ready to supply, either gratuitously or at very reduced prices, such books as the pupils may require.

COVENTRY DISTRICT.

A sermon was lately preached at Dunchurch, by the Rev. Mr. Andrews in aid of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, when the collection amounted to 71. A sermon for the like purpose was preached at Meriden, on Sunday, the 26th September, by the Rev. William Somerville, after which the sum of 81. 17s. 6d. was collected. We are happy to find this District Committee thus following up their resolution entered into last year, of solicit ing annually from three different parishes within the Archdeaconry of Coventry, a collection at the Church doors in support of the general funds of the Parent Society, and the local funds of the District depository. The following extract from the last report of the Coventry District Committee, we beg to submit to the attention of our readers.