"ON Whit-Monday, a Meeting of Church Sunday school teachers was held at St. James's School, Accrington, pursuant to a resolution agreed to at a meeting held some weeks back, as reported in our paper, 'for the purpose of considering the best means of increasing the efficiency of Sunday schools, and also to consider the necessity of a decided stand being made by all Church. men against the encroachments of Romanism and Infidelity.' The Rev. J. C. WOOD, Curate of Accrington, presided. The morning sitting, from half-past ten till one o'clock, was devoted to the improvement of Sunday schools. The discussion was opened by Mr. Alston, from St. John's, Blackburn, and several other teachers followed with various suggestions, Messrs. Kenyon, and Cronshaw, of Accrington, Mr. Gilbertson, of Burnley (the promoter of the meeting), Messrs. Peter and Thomas Higham, of Blackburn, and other gentlemen, whose addresses we are unable to obtain in time for publication. At one o'clock, dinner was provided, of which about eighty teachers from various schools, partook. Teachers were present from Bamber Bridge, Walton-le-Dale, Blackburn, Church Kirk, Green Haworth, Oswaldwistle, Baxenden, Accrington, Burnley, Padiham, Bury, and other places. After dinner the meeting was resumed, the chair being again occupied by the Rev. J.C. WOOD, who commenced the proceedings by an eloquent address on the

necessity of a determined stand being made against Romanism and Infidelity. He had been invited to the meeting, but he had never anticipated such a delightful and truly Christian treat. Mr. ALSTON, Mr. CARTER, of Accrington, Mr. GILBERTSON, of Burnley, and Mr. THOMAS HIGHAM, of Blackburn, addressed the meeting, now consisting of above one hundred and fifty teachers. The Secular School Association received a severe handling, and we regret our inability to give the argumentative, excellent, and truly eloquent address made by the latter gentleman. On the announcement of tea at half-past five, the assembly were quite taken by surprise at time's swift passage; afterwards the proceedings were resumed by the proposition of a resolution affirming the desirability of a Church of England Sunday School Union for the county of Lancaster; this having been duly seconded, was unanimously agreed to, and a committee appointed to correspond with the Clergymen and teachers of schools in the county, to ascertain whether the same would be agreed to and supported, and if so, to take the necessary steps for the formation of the

Bainbridge, of Padiham, Messrs. Grant and Gilbertson, of Burnley, the latter being unanimously desired to accept the office of secretary, which he did on the understanding that Mr. Higham would assist him when necessary. Mr. Grant proposed a vote of thanks to the Clergy of Accrington for the use of the school, and for their countenance and support, also to the Accrington teachers' committee and the ladies, for their excellent and economical arrangements.

Mr. Alston seconded the same, which was at once agreed to, and having been replied to by the Chairman, the doxology was sung, and the company separated, after one of the most interesting meetings it has been our lot to witness, and anticipating much good from the valuable suggestions they had heard. Too much praise cannot be given to the managing committee for their arrangements."

ON the 10th of December, a meeting was held at Launceston, of the members and friends of the Christian Knowledge Society, the Rev. W. H. Browne, L.L.D., occupied the Chair. In the course of his speech he stated, that he had lately made arrangements for a weekly meeting of the teachers of the Sunday schools, and such other persons as might wish to join in reading articles selected by him, from works illustrating the doctrines and services of our Church, and then conversing upon the subject read. On the previous evening he had the pleasure of meeting nine or ten young persons, who assembled for this purpose, in St John's Church Library, who, after spending some time in this manner, departed, much gratified, he believed, with the evening's occupation; he trusted the practice would continue and be extended, and that God would bless it.

In the summary of the proceedings of the branch, the Secretary stated, among other things, that a very pleasing communication had been received from the Secretary of the Church of England Sunday School Institute, advising that the books for which £75 had been sent in February, would be forwarded in about a month.

Mr. Henty, in addressing the meeting, observed that the Society not only gave pecuniary support to places of worship within the colony, but extended it to schools, and to every means used for the furtherance of education. A great object to be obtained was, the establishment of a depository for books, to bring within the reach of all classes, at the smallest cost, the numerous publications on religious subjects issued at home; and in enumerating such works he drew attention to the Quarterly Magazine of the Church Sunday School Institute, price one shilling, which contained both original matter and selec tions; instruction of the best and most improving kind, most fully of course on the great subject of education for every class and every age, but embracing notices of Societies, Missions, and all other institutions of the Church.

The great object of the Society was the establishment of a depôt for the sale of such books, and he concluded by laying before the meeting the outline of a plan for its accomplishment.

The attention of the meeting, from the report before us, appears to have been directed principally to matters connected with Sunday schools, and concluded by a general discussion on

the then approaching anniversary of the Sunday schools.

We think the foregoing, extracted from the Launceston Examiner, of the 21st of December, will prove interesting to our readers. "The zealous Sunday school teacher will be delighted and encouraged, to find that the work in which he is employed at home, engages the thoughts and enlists the services of like-minded men in our most distant Colonies. Nor need we wonder at it; the teaching which leads to these exertions is the same, even the finding

of the Holy Spirit. Such encouragements should lead us to seek, more earnestly than we have been wont, for those gifts which will enable us, under all apparent discouragements, to persevere, in firm reliance on the promises of God in this our most necessary work, and of this we may rest assured, that if we act in this spirit, we shall even be permitted to see of the labour of our hands, and rejoice that we ever strove to fulfil his command, to 'Feed his Lambs.'"

ONE of the objects of the Church Sunday School Institute is to collect and record statistical details respecting Sunday schools; and in pursuance of this, efforts have been made year by year, to obtain returns from all such schools as come under the notice of our Committee.

Only those accustomed to work of this kind, can estimate the trouble and difficulty experienced in it, and the great industry and patience expended on what, after all, often appear meagre returns.

It is not our purpose however, on this occasion, to magnify either the kind efforts of those members of our Committee who have laboured in this department, or the friendly co-operation of the many Clergymen and superintendents who have furnished us with returns. Nor are we now desirous to find fault with those, who from mistaken motives have withheld that co-operation. But we felt these few remarks necessary, to introduce to our readers a class of Statistics in which, unless we are much mistaken, they will take great interest, the occupations of Sunday school

teachers.

The following returns apply of course, only to Church schools. They are not presented as by any means all that could or may hereafter be obtained; for it will be seen, that they relate to a comparatively insignificant fraction of our teachers; but we see no reason to suspect that these statistics are in any point unsafe guides as to the results of a far wider investigation.

Information under this head was sought for-to show how the work of Sunday school teaching was joined in by all classes, forming a bond of union, uniting all Christians in a holy brotherhood, and also to enable the Committee to form something like a correct judg ment as to the nature and variety of the books they should undertake to publish for the use of teachers.

The results in London shew, that out of 565 teachers, fixed to no particular locality-450 may be said to belong to the educated, or as they are conventionally called the " upper and middle ranks." Of these eighty-one may be presumed to be highly, or well educated, ten being gentlemen, forty-two of professions, (five barristers, twenty-two attornies, five architects, &c.,) and

twenty-six students, including divinity law, physic, the arts and sciences. It may be remarked, that out of the vast number of medical students in London, we have but one returned as a Sunday school teacher. Next, and perhaps, carrying more weight in a worldly point of view, we find fifteen engaged in mercantile pursuits, including brokers and underwriters, nine wholesale men, and four manufacturers.

Next in status, we take the tradesmen. Out of the 565, eighty-six are set down as occupied in the various retail businesses of London, and they represent thirty different trades; twenty-two are not specified, but returned generally as tradesmen, and here the result shews, that those whose calling indicates something as to taste in the choice of business, or of preparation for it, or who in following it have time for thought, are the most numerous in the school work; thus, there are six booksellers, eight bricklayers and builders, six tailors, three auctioneers, four plumbers and glaziers, three printers; the last however, is a varied one, the units shewing wide differences. Setting aside two publicans, we have one butcher, one silversmith, one feather-bed maker, one jeweller, &c. &c.

OCCUPATIONS.

The clerks of London are a large body, and generally we should say, an educated class; as teachers, they are strong in number, i.e., out of the 565 teachers, 184 are clerks. Of these, thirty-five are lawyers' clerks, (four articled) fifteen in government offices, (two holding high stations,) seven in insurance offices, eighteen commercial, six brokers, six railway, three in religious Societies, &c.

Of the whole number, sixty six are returned merely as clerks.

APPRENTICES.

Six out of the total are apprentices, a small number-and thus divided, two bookbinders, one each of carpenter's,

baker's, seal engraver's, and wheelwright's. This division is suggestive of the thought, In what way are the apprentices of London, a large body of young persons, varying from fourteen to twenty, and twenty-one years of age, engaged on the Sabbath day?

Shopmen form also a numerous class in society, but only thirty-four of the 565 are drawn from this large body of young and generally intelligent persons. Their ranks are recruited from the country, and it will presently be seen, on looking over the country list, that taking the provinces in their width and breadth this class of persons do not seem to be interested in Sunday school instruction. From our own experience of the country, we know that this class of young men are addicted to seeking pleasure on the Sabbath. Employed closely during the week, the day of rest is seized upon by them as a day of devotion to enjoyment, falsely so called. Will the early closing movement effect any spiritual good amongst this body of young men ?

We ought to note that we include another body under this head, viz., warehousemen; for out of the thirtyfour thirteen are of this class. Nine are not specified, and the trades of the others are butchers, 1; chemists, 2; grocers and linen drapers, 3; pawnbroker, shoemaker, and tailor, 1 each; showing a diversity of occupation which is illustrative of the nature of our common Faith and its fruits.

ARTIZANS.

We now come to the artizans of London. But eighty out of our number are of this large, intelligent, and important class; 12 only are generalized, that is set down simply as artizans; the remaining 68 represent 36 branches of industry. Of weavers, 6; printers, 8; painters and tailors, 4 each; carpenters, bookbinders, masons, and watchmakers, 3 each; then 7 of 2 each, the remainder made up of units, one a dock labourer, and one employed in brewing. The list

of crafts shows a considerable preponderance in favour of those employed in manual labour or handicraft work, such as carpenters, masons, &c.

Here an inquiry presents itself. Our scholars are principally from these classes-From what cause is it that so few show their love and attachment to the Sunday school, by engaging in its labours? How do our artizans employ their Sabbath hours? The answer to this is ready to our lips. What then can be done to remedy this evil, and to work out a great reformation -even that of transforming the artizan from a Sabbath breaker into a Sunday school teacher? We mean by this that he should do his duty to his children as commanded in the Word of God.

The last section is the miscellaneous, which again we divide; the first subdivision is composed of educated persons, and comprises 39 individuals, 9 of whom are school masters, we incline to think principally National or Parochial; one is set down as educating a superior private school; 17 are pupil teachers; 10 city missionaries and Scripture readers; 2 reporters; and 1 school assistant. Here we would remark that we are rather sorry than otherwise to find so many overworked men compelled from the necessity of the case to act as Sunday school teachers. We hold that National and Parochial schoolmasters ought to be relieved on the Sabbath from the work which engages and tasks their mental and physical capabilities during the week. The same remark will apply to the City Missionaries and Scripture Readers.

PROVINCES.

Extending our enquiries to the country, we obtained information as to stations in life of 997 Sunday school teachers, a small number compared with the vast body engaged in teaching the way of salvation; still the results are sufficient to make a comparison between

We have no space further to analyze the country returns, and compare them with London, but we think, a practical use may be made of these tables, and it is this, that teachers, superintendents, and Clergymen, ought to turn their attention more closely than hitherto they have done, to the question of how to interest their scholars in the school after they have left it; let it be made a subject of special prayer for Divine wisdom and direction, in faith and patience let it done, and this difficulty solved, our Sunday schools shall no longer languish for want of earnest, zealous, devoted servants of Him, (even our Lord and Master) whose meat and drink it was to do the will of his Father, which was in heaven.