to learn to read in, for the encouragement of such as I may be able to recall to their duty."

"I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the society for the assistance I received from them for the parish of l'ancraswike, Devon, in 1801. I am happy to say, that, by the help then afforded me by your Society, and from other sources, I was enabled to instruct, and bring to a regular attendance at Church, about thirty parish apprentices, and half as many other children, in a thinly inhabited parish.

Buckland.

4. "About a year ago I was instituted to the Rectory of I found the parish in such a state of ignorance and disorder, from a variety of causes, that, out of 300 inhabitants, scarcely 30 had been taught to read: and, except among the five principal farmers, not more than five Bibles were to be seen in the houses. No Sunday School had been instituted, and the only means of instruction was for the cottagers to send their children, at two-pence per week, to two little schools under the care of women. By constant catechising in the Church, and some encouragement to the poor families, the number of the children who can read, is considerably increased: but they are so often engaged in the fields during the week days, that I thought little progress could be made without a Sunday School.

"The chief object of my present application to the society is, through your kindness to solicit their assistance towards the donation of Bibles, Testaments, and Spelling-books, for which the poor children are exceedingly anxious. The few I

have been enabled to distribute have been received with such an impression, as gives me the greatest encouragement to hope that a perseverance in this respect will be followed by the happiest effects."

Dingestow.

5. "I have much pleasure to inform you, and the Gentlemen of the Committee, of the increasing prosperity and success to the Sunday Schools at Dingestow, Monmouth, and Ruxton.I have the opportunity of hearing the poor children at Dingestow most Sundays in several things-the Church Catechism, Collects, and several portions of the Holy Scriptures. Many

And I am sure | when | I come | unto you | I | shall |

come | in the fulness | of the Blessing | of the Gospel | of

10

the Messiah.

instances of reformation are to be seen: and the improvement in their general demeanour is undeniable.

"The children that attend are very poor-far from being able to purchase Bibles for themselves. Some of those that carry on the school at Ruxton told me lately, that they have about forty poor children there taught and clothed too: they are all able to read tolerably well, but are destitute of Testaments and Bibles. I was desired also by them, very much to solicit your Society to favour them with Testaments and Bibles, if possible."

Buckland.

from

6. "Yesterday I received the parcel forwarded by you the Sunday School Society. They have arrived most seasonably, as my stock was nearly exhausted. The number of children in both the Schools last Sunday exceeded eighty, which bears a very large proportion to the population of the parish, which in the last survey did not amount to 300. It is impossible for me to describe the deplorable ignorance of this part of the country. If the divine blessing should accompany my desires and efforts to establish a permanent Sunday School in my parish, I do not doubt of seeing many beneficial effects arising from such an Institution. I am ashamed to solicit any further aid from the Society; but the demand for Bibles as well as Testaments is so great, that I cannot help being a further petitioner for a few copies. With many thanks for your kindness, and fervent prayers for the success of all your labours for the glory of God, I am, &c."

Bramfield.

7. "I beg leave to return thanks to you for your attention to my application, and to the Sunday School Society for their donation of Testaments and Spelling-books, sent some time ago for the use of the school established under my superintendance in the parish of Walpole. I have deferred making this acknowledgment before, that I might be enabled to make some report of the progress the children have made, and of the beneficial effects already produced, which are equal to what I had reason to expect. Of thirty-five children, of which the school consists, nine can read well in the Bible, say the Church Catechism, and

answer the questions relating to the Bible History contained in the Spelling-book. Eight, who merely knew their letters; can read the Testament and almost say the Catechism; and the rest are making as rapid a progress as can be expected from children very young, and who receive instruction only one day in the week."

Chipping Norton.

8. "The general benefits of the school are already seen in the parish. Before it was established, the Sabbath was generally spent by the youth in such sports and pastimes as were highly unbecoming the day: and so little attention had been paid to their religious instruction, that no more than fourteen children (boys and girls) could be found to say their Cateehism at the usual season. But now the village is still and quiet the children go orderly to church: and the schoolmaster tells me he shall send me between thirty and forty the Sunday after next, which is the day the season for catechising commences.".

9. "I have received a letter from my friend and relation the Rev., Rector of, desiring me to acquaint you that the Sunday School at Buckland, Her, continues to flourish, in opposition to many obstacles. . . . When Mr.

first came to the parish, very few could read, and a Bible or Testament would scarcely be accepted. .. Few houses are now without the Bible, and every child that can read is in possession either of the Old or New Testament. . . . About three or four weeks ago, Mr. procured more than forty Prayer-books of different prices, and sent them to a shop to be distributed among the poor, at very reduced prices, for he knew, from former experience, that they would scarcely accept them as a present. In a few days all but one were sold, and on the next Sunday he had the pleasure of seeing them in the hands of some of the poorest of his congregation."

FINIS.

Printed by Ellerton and Henderson, Johnson's Court, London.