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Mr. Raikes had very soon occasion " from to answer another inquiry Bradford, in Yorkshire." His letter, which is dated, "Gloucester, June 5, 1784," will be found in the New Annual Register for 1785, (212) and agrees, in substance, with the foregoing. Yet the following passages may serve to complete the interesting information, upon the subject of the Sunday School, the last which we can receive from the inventor himself.

"I went round to the parents to remonstrate with them on the melancholy consequences that must ensue from so fatal a neglect of their children's morals. They alleged, that their poverty rendered them incapable of cleaning and clothing their children fit to appear either at school or at church; but this objection was obviated by a remark, that if they were clad in a garb fit to appear in the streets, I should not think it improper for a school calculated to admit the poorest and most`neglected. Many children began to show talents for learning, and a desire to be taught. Little rewards were distributed among the most diligent; this excited an emulation. Certain boys who are distinguished by their decent behaviour, are appointed to superintend the conduct of the rest, and make report of those that swear, call names, or interrupt the comfort of the other boys in their neighbourhood. When quarrels have arisen, the aggressor is compelled to ask pardon, and the offended is enjoined to forgive. The happiness that must arise to all, from a kind, good-natured behaviour, is often

inculcated.

"This mode of treatment has produced

a wonderful change in the manners of these
little savages. I cannot give a more stri-
king instance than I received the other
day from Mr. Church, a considerable ma-
nufacturer of hemp and flax, who employs
great numbers of these children. I asked
him whether he perceived any alteration
in the poor children he employed.' Sir,'
says he, the change could not have been
more extraordinary in my opinion, had
they been transformed from the shape of
wolves and tygers to that of men.
per, disposition, and manners, they could
hardly be said to differ from the brute

In tem

creation. But since the establishment of

Sunday-schools, they have seemed anxious to show that they are not the ignorant, illiterate creatures they were before. In short, I never conceived that a reformation so singular could have been effected among the set of untutored beings I employed."

It appears, from the first letter of Mr. Raikes, that the Sunday School originated in 1780. For three years the schools gradually extended in his neighbourhood, to which they appear then to have been confined, and where several clergymen, besides the curate mentioned by Mr. Raikes, very laudably contributed to the success of the scheme, by their personal attentions. The report of that success, in and about Gloucester, could not fail to draw attention from other parts of England. In 1784, the plan was adopted in Yorkshire by several manufacturing towns. In Leeds, 1800 children were speedily collected.

In 1785, was established in London, a "Society for the support and encouragement of Sunday Schools," by donations of suitable books, or rendering them of easy purchase, also by remunerating teachers in districts too poor to reward them. This institution was zealously sup ported by members of the established church, and Nonconformists of every denomination. Sunday Schools were opened under the patronage of the Society, in the environs of London, at the close of this year, (1785), at Kemington, superintended by the Rev. Mr. Swaine; and at Stoke Newington, by Mir. Hoare, (G. Mag. 55, 1036); the first-named gentleman a clergym. of the Church of England, the other one of the society of Quakers.

Clergymen of rank now did themselves honour by advocating this cause. Among these, the Rev. Dr. Kaye, Dean of Lincoln, was distinguished, by a "Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeacoury

of Nottingham." This charge entered so justly into the design and tendency of the institution, that we make no apology for the following quotation.

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"The divine goodness seems to have pointed out to the present age a measure so peculiarly comprehensive in the advantages which it holds out to society, that it appears formed to counteract the evil propensities of these days, and to prevent them from being injurious to succeeding generations; which folds, my brethren, within its benevolent arms, every sect of christianity, every description of mankind. The measure which appears to me to possess this invaluable antidote to the poisonous manners of this depraved age, is the establishment of Sunday Schools. power and efficacy of these institutions, reach to such extent of situation and of numbers, as no other mode of improvement can possibly equal. Having anxiously watched their infancy, and attended to their progress, I have thought their principles the most unequivocal, and their influence the most extensive, that can be employed in the cause of general reformation. Nor will the benefit be confined to the children;-it will importantly affect, the manners of the families, and even of the neighbourhood to which they belong.

"In the larger towns, the obligation of these establishments is more strongly marked; but I am persuaded that there are few parishes where there will not be found children to be benefitted by these institutions. And in manufacturing es tablishments, they who profit by the la bour of such poor children, will, we trust, universally recompence them with this humane return; since the children they employ on the days of labour are thereby deprived of the advantage of every other improvement. This object, my reverend brethren, I own to you, is nearest my heart, in my present communication with you. You cannot employ your influence in more humanity to individuals, and more patriotism to your country, than by giving it every assistance and protection in your power."

G. Mag. 1786, vol. Lv1. 257.

At the same time, the Rev. Mr. Hearne, one of the Rectors of Canterbury, exerted himself zealously

BELFAST MAG. NO. XLI.

among the indigent population of that place. A very gratifying account of his success was given by him in a letter addressed to the Dean of Canterbury, Dr. Horne, afterwards Bishop of Norwich, who in terested himself in this cause The letter is preserved in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1786 (V. 56, p. 257), and also given in the Selections from that Magazine, just published, (V. iii. 115), and is well worthy of perusal. Mr. H. candidly states his constant use of Dr. Watt's Songs in the Schools, and the countenance be received from a Dissenter," and a "Quaker." About this time, it was estimated that no less than 250,000 children, in different parts of England, were under instruction by Sunday Schools.

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The late Bishop Porteus, then Bishop of Chester, recommended the formation of Sunday Schools in his extensive diocese. This prelate had early conceived a very favourable opinion of the plan, as we are informed in his life, just published, and in several instances privately encouraged it.

"But, as an act of prudence, he determined not to give it the sanction of his public approbation, till,' as he observes,

time and experience, and more accurate inquiry, had enabled him to form a more decided judgment of its real value, and its probable effects.' When, however, repeated information from various quarters, and particularly from some of the largest manufacturing towns in his diocese, had convinced him that such institutions, wherever the experiments had been fairly tried, had produced, and could not fail to produce, if discreetly regulated, essential benefit, he no longer hesitated in promoting them generally throughout his diocese. With this view, as the wisest and most effectual mode of giving publicity to his sentiments, he addressed to his clergy a very excellent letter, containing, in a short compass, a plain, temperate, and judicious exposition of the advantages of Sunday

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Schools, and of the rules by which they

Should be conducted."

Life of Bishop Porteus, p. 93. This patronage of Sunday Schools, by the late Bishop of London, appears much more in character, than the caution from which he at first withheld his public support. Considering his opinion of the scheme, and that it originated with a man after his own heart, in church matters, it is wonderful, that while thousands were perishing "for lack of knowledge," he could hesitate to employ any influence which bis public station, afforded to urge Clergy and Laity thus to do good on the Sabbathday. The trite adage, bis dat qui cito dat, is here peculiarly applicable.

On this occasion, the late Mr. Thomas Christie should not be for gotten. That gentleman, during the course of a liberal education in Scotland, where he once designed the medical profession, had composed Essays on a variety of subjects. A volume of these he published in 1789, under the title of "Miscellanies; Philosophical, Medical, and Moral." The 3d consists of " Hints respecting the state and education of the people." Having complained that "too great eagerness in inferior manufacturers, obstructs the formation of human minds, the greatest of all manufactures," he proposes that "a part, at least, of the Sunday may be usefully employed in instructing those who will not go to church, and indeed cannot be expected to go, because they can neither read, write nor understand." He adds,

"Since these remarks were first written, a grand and extensive plan has been set on foot in England, by Mr. Raikes, of Gloucester, for the education of the common people. It will easily be understood that I allude to the institution of Sunday Schools. It is with infinite satisfaction, that I find so many eminent and excellent persons have now engaged in promoting

these, and that the good effects flowing from them are already beyond all expectation. Excellent Mr. Raikes! May thy benevolent example be universally followed! Thou hast raised the depressed human mind, and given light to those who sat in darkness. The blessing of them that were ready to perish shall come upon thee; and the people who were destroyed for lack of knowledge shall celebrate thy name."

P. 214.

Mr. Christie adds, that "enlightened politicians throughout Europe, are generally beginning to adopt the same sentiments." He mentions a work which he had lately met with, entitled, Fues patriotiques sur l'education du peuple; à Lyon, 1785, 12mo. The following is a translation, by Mr. Christie, of a passage of that work. in answer to Rousseau's objection to the education of the poor. It is curious, as a specimen of a publication, for the people in France, so early as 1783, and too closely connected with our subjeci, for its insertion to require an apology.

"How, without some instruction, shall they learn to conform themselves to their situation, to lessen the number of its diffi culties by industry, to mitigate them by resignation, or sometimes to rise above that unfortunate condition into which the chance of their birth has thrown them? 1 teach the rich, say you, to make a proper use of their riches; but what can I teach the poor man? Much;-not to make a bad use of his poverty; not to make it a pretence for giving himself up to beggary and idleness; or for making free with the fortune of others: lastly, to pay his country that tribute with his strength, which another pays with his gold. Do not then consider this as the least useful task. Whether ill or well educated, the rich can always lay out their money; and it is of little consequence to society, whether the tavern-keeper or jeweller is the means of circulating it. But is it also indifferent in what manner the poor man employs his hands? Is it the same thing to society, whether he sprinkles the furrows of the plains with the sweat of his brow, or drenches the high-ways with the blood of the traveller? To speak with propriety,

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it is the poor man, it is the common people who have most need of education."

P. 216.

This is necessarily rather a Memoir of Sunday Schools, than of their inventor. These now enjoyed such general countenance, that it would be useless to seek farther after their early patrons. If any great men waited, even longer than Bishop Porteus, who, it appears, was satisfied as a man, while be hesitated as a Bishop, they reserved to themselves only the very easy task to

Pursue the triumph, and partake the gale.

It will be recollected that Mr. Raikes, in his letter, has, in rather disparaging terms, spoken of "patriots," and "a reform in Parliament," a question then much agitated, and which William Pitt, "the great statesman, now no more," had not yet found it quite convenient to abandon, though he was preparing to kick down the ladder by which he ascended. Mr. Raikes probably had not turned his attention to political subjects, or he would have perceived how he was doing more than any other individual to perfect the design of the "Patriots." For, by rescuing his countrymeu" from the despotism of tyrannical passions, and vicious inclinations," he was gradually removing the only objection which could be endured, under a free and equal government, against a representation the most extensive. Nor, in the mean time, could he have been so easily satisfied, without attempting every practicable" Reform in Parliament," had he observed in how many instances, under the present representative system, election must unavoidably become ...." A market vile

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66

Of slaves self-barter'd."

The "patriots," as they are sometimes called in derision, may challenge a comparison with their warm

est opponents, on the ground of attention to every useful project which has done honour to the age, While they have pursued political improvements, as they ought to have done, they have not left the others undone. It is remarkable, that after the plan of Mr. Raikes had been making for fourteen years a generally applauded progress, an alarm was excited against it, chiefly on account of its encouragement by political reformers, to whose views, misrepre sented by ignorance or interest, it was supposed peculiarly favourable.

In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1797, (V. 67, p. 819), appeared a writer with the signature of Eusebius, and understood to be a clergyman. His letter displays prejudices unworthy of a liberal scholar. He decides that "a man of no literature will seldom attempt to form insurrections, or plan an idie scheme for the reformation of the state." He therefore concludes, that "the Sunday-school is in reality productive of no valuable advantage," and "ought to be exploded as the vain and chimerical invention of a visionary pro-, jector." Eusebius was aided (V. 68, p. 31) by one who signed himself, "A Friend to the Established Church, and a well-wisher to all mankind; though an enemy to every thing that looks like mischief or rebellion." This writer would substitute Saturday for Sunday-schools, that the " employment on the Sabbath" may be "not of a worldly, but entirely of a religious nature." If "the Clergy are allowed and requested to superintend and direct, it is hoped that the minds of children will not be poisoned, as they have been sometimes, with tracts published for the use of Sunday-schools.

The Dean of Lincoln, whom we quoted, had, in another part of his Charge, supposed the race of objec tors to the intellectual and moral

culture of the poor, almost extinct. They however survived in these writers, who were ably, though easily, answered, especially by Clericus (V. 68, p. 32), who charges such objections" with being instrumental in taking from the poor that key of knowledge, which was given to them by Christ himself, before it was bestowed on the rich,"

We know of no later published opposition to the plan of Mr. Raikes, who lived to see his benevolent purposes advanced, to an incalculable, extent, by the facilities lately afforded to the education of the poor. The report of the Sunday-school society, in April last, is worthy of being here preserved, premising that it can only display a partial and perhaps not the most considerable view of the progress of Sunday

schools.

"Since the commencement of this Insti

tution, 285,672 Spelling books, 62,166 Testaments, and 7,714 Bibles, have been distributed to 3,348 schools, containing upwards of 270,000 scholars. Besides which, the sum of £.4,176, Os. 5d. has

been paid to teachers, in places where they

could not be otherwise obtained."

Prot. Dis. Almanack, 1811, p. 22.

Mr. Raikes appears to have been highly favoured in the circumstances of his death, which happened, April 5th, 1811, in his native city of Gloucester, without any previous indisposition, and in his 76th year. Thus he came to his grave in a ful age, and might, surely, have solaced his life's decline, with the promise of his great Exemplar-"Llessed art thou, for these cannot recompense thee. but

thou shalt be recompensed at the resur rection of the just."

Should the period ever arrive when, as the Spectator (No. 610) conjectured of superior beings, mankind shall esteem "the evening walk of a wise man more illustrious than the march of a general at the head of a hundred thousand men," the name of Robert Raikes cannot fail to receive public honours. But nations are "slowly wise, and meanly just" We expend our marble on war-ministers, and their military machines, "worthies," according to the poet,

Who count it glorious to subdue
By conquest far and wide, to over-run
Large countries, and in fields great battles
win,
Great cities by assault;

while we have little to bestow on renowo acquired,

Without ambition, war, or violence,
By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent.

Yet the name of Robert Raikes will not be soon forgotten among those who have diffused light over the dark places of the earth, full of the habitations of cruelty.

Nor, com

paring what he found with what he left, as to provisions for the education of the people, will it be deemed extravagant if we apply to the inline inscribed, in the Cathedral of ventor of the Sunday School, the the Metropolis, to the memory of its great architect,

Si monumenium quæris, circumspice.

"If you would see his monument, look around."

DETACHED ANECDOTES.

SERAPIS, SERAFEUMS.

THE HE superstition of the Egyptians has often been ridiculed;

but their mythology has seldom, if ever, been contemplated with a favourable eye. The Jupiter of the

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