THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEACHER. 75 Nov. 13th, 1851. DEAR SIR,-Perhaps the following case of self-denial may not be uninteresting, if you think proper to notice it in your Magazine : A little girl who attends our Ragged School works very hard to assist in supporting herself and her widowed mother, her earnings being 2s. 6d. per week. She leaves her home at eight o'clock in the morning, and returns about eight at night. She has her breakfast before she leaves in the morning, and all her poor mother can afford to give her is one penny per day to buy a cake for her dinner. For four successive days she denied herself even this, in order to save her money to buy a Bible with, the other two pence being made up by a kind friend. Her mother, formerly a Papist, now enjoys the Bible, it being read to her every night by this dear child; and she told me when I visited her that she never was so happy before; this little girl was quite a comfort to her. I beg to remain yours faithfully, SAMUEL WISE, Superintendent of Colchester Street Ragged School, Whitechapel. [Another child, who had never possessed a Bible, received, last month, the second prize for an answer to one of the Bible questions, and immediately purchased with the money a copy of the sacred volume.-ED.] Editor's Portfolio. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEACHER. Ir is much to be lamented that there are so few enthusiasts in this honourable and important work. Many who are engaged in it regard it as a bondage, and sigh for the day which shall finally release them from its drudgery and din. They have never felt that theirs is a high calling; nor do they ever enter the school-room with the inspiring consciousness that they go as missionaries and pastors there. They undervalue their scholars. Instead of regarding them as all that now exists of a generation as important as their own; instead of recognising in their present dispositions the mischief or beneficence which must tell on wide neighbourhoods ere a few short years are run; instead of training up immortal spirits and expansive minds for usefulness now, and glory afterwards, many teachers have never seen their pupils in any other light than as so many rows of turbulent rebels, a rabble of necessary torments, a roomful of that mighty plague with which the Nile of our noisy humanity is all croaking and jumping over. And many undervalue themselves. Instead of recollecting their glorious vocation, and eying the cloud of teacher-witnesses with whom they are encompassed; instead of a high-souled zeal for their profession, as that which should form the plastic mind after the finest models of human attainment and Scripture excellence, many regard their office as so menial, that they have always the feeling as if themselves were pedants. To prescribe the task, to hear the lesson, to administer meritorious praise and blame, is the lifeless round of their official perfunctoriousness. But there are few fields of brighter promise than the calling of the teacher. If he give himself wholly to it; if he set before him the highest object of all tuition-the bringing souls to Christ; if he can form a real affection for his scholars, and maintain a parental anxiety for their proficiency and their principles; if he has wisdom enough to understand them, and kindness enough to sympathise with them; if he has sufficient love for learning to have no distaste for lessons, he will be sure to inspire a zeal for study into the minds of many, he will win the love of all, except the very few whose hearts are deaf-born, and in a short time the best features of his own character will be multiplying in spheres far-sundered in the kindred praises of his grateful pupils. Should he live long enough, they will praise him in the gate of public life, or cheer his declining days in the homes which he taught them to make happy. Or should he die soon enough, the rest from his labours will ever and anon be brightened by another and another of the children whom God hath given him.-Dr. Hamilton. CHILDREN OF PRISONS. 66 WHEN I was in Berlin, I went into the public prison, and visited every part of the establishment. At last I was introduced to a very large hall, which was full of children, with their books and teachers, and having the appearance of a Prussian school-room. "What!" said I, "is it possible that all these children are imprisoned here for crime? "Oh no," said my conductor, smiling at my simplicity; "but if a parent is imprisoned for crime, and on that account his children are left destitute of the means of education, and are liable to grow up in ignorance and crime, the Government places them here, and maintains and educates them for useful employment." This was a new idea to me. I know not that it has ever been suggested in the United States; but surely it is the duty of Government, as well as its highest interest, when a man is paying the penalties of his crime in a public prison, to see that his unoffending children are not left to suffer and inherit their father's vices. Surely it would be better for the child, and cheaper as well as better for the state. Let it not be supposed that a man will go to prison for the sake of having his children taken care of; for those who go to prison usually have little regard for their children. If they had, discipline like that of the Berlin prison would soon sicken them of such a bargain.Professor Stowe. A FINE PICTURE. "I HAVE just seen a most beautiful picture," said Mr. E to his friend, Mr. T, as they met to spend a social hour after the labours of the day were over. "What was it?" said Mr. T—. "It was a landscape. The conception is most beautiful, and the execution well-nigh perfect. You must go with me and see it to-morrow, before it is removed." "I have seen a fine picture to-day, myself.” 66 Have you ? What was it?" I received notice this morning that there was great suffering in a certain family, and as soon as I could leave my business, I went to see what could be done. I climbed up to the garret, where the family was sheltered, and as I was about to knock at the door, I heard a voice in prayer. When the prayer was ended, I entered the wretched apartment, and found a young merchant, whose shop I had just been in, and whose business I knew was very pressing. Yet he had left it, and had spent some time in personal labours for the comfort of the sick and suffering inmates of that garret ; and when I came to the door, was praying with them, preparatory to taking his leave. I asked him how he could find time to leave his business at such a busy season, and he replied, that it was known that the condition of the family had been communicated to several professing Christians, and that he was afraid the cause of religion would suffer, if relief were not promptly given. It is not absolutely necessary,' said he, that I should make money; but it is absolutely necessary that Christ's honour should be maintained.' Surely Mr. T—— did not speak inaccurately, when he said he had seen a fine picture. Compared with such pictures, the efforts of the greatest masters lose their power to charm. Such scenes relieve the deformities of the moral landscape, and inspire emotions which it is beyond the power of art to reach. Such pictures we may all have a hand in painting. CHRISTIANITY IN HUMBLE LIFE. I HAVE no doubt that there is more Christianity in London than we see or suspect. We can see Christianity only when it flashes from on high. We cannot see those beautiful lights that are shining in lowly and miserable places, in the forms of patience, meekness, gentleness, battling with hunger, and nakedness, and cold-unknown martyrs. There is many a martyr in a London cellar whose praise the trumpet does not sound, whose commendation the newspaper column does not record; and when, perhaps, we say, I only am left alone-we may have in our parish, in our neighbourhood, seven thousand unseen by us, but seen by the all-seeing God, who have never bowed the knee to Baal. It is thus that because piety is much of it necessarily hidden, the righteous do not now shine forth in the kingdom of their Father. These flowers are hidden because they are in the sequestered nooks of the world. These diamonds are now encrusted with poverty, and therefore they cannot responsively reflect the light of the sun. Were men of real religion placed in the high places of the world, a little religion would go a great way; but when real religion is placed amidst the pressure of narrow circumstances, it takes a great deal to penetrate the thick cloak, and make itself to be seen and felt from afar. Place a single candle on the spire of a cathedral, and thousands can see it; place a burning and a shining light at the bottom of a coal mine, and only a half-dozen miners can see it. God's people are in the subterranean crypts of this great life of ours. By-and-bye they shall be lifted up into the grand cathedral itself, and there they "shall shine forth in the kingdom of their Father."-Dr. Cumming. Intelligence. BERMONDSEY RAGGED SCHOOL. THE Annual Meeting of the above school was held in the school-room, No. 144, Railway Arches, on Monday evening, February 16, 1852. About 130 of the subscribers and friends sat down to tea, after which a Public Meeting was held. G. A. A'Becket, Esq., presided. The meeting was commenced by singing, "From all that dwell below the skies." Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Ralph. The Chairman observed, that he was by no means reluctant to preside on the present occasion, for that he was greatly interested in the success of Ragged Schools. He considered it a most painful part of the duties of a Police Magistrate to be called upon so often to deal with juvenile delinquency. Experience had proved that by sending boys of tender age to prison no real reformation was effected, but they come out worse than they go in. The provision of such institutions as these was a step in the right direction, and they are especially valuable because they commence at the beginning-they take the very worst possible material, and endeavour to make the very best use of it. Mr. A'Becket then urged on the meeting the importance of industrial departments being attached to Ragged Schools, and closed by expressing how gratified he felt at seeing so many of the working classes present, and evidently deeply interested in the objects of the institution. The Report stated that the Committee had been greatly inconvenienced by a lack of funds, but from the liberal grant of £10 and half the salary of a master for the week evening classes by the Ragged School Union, they were somewhat relieved. An improvement in learning and behaviour had taken place amongst the boys. The attendance on Sabbath evenings had been good, and on the week evenings the numbers had considerably increased, there being between 30 and 40 in attendance. A week evening school for girls has been established during the year. It was commenced nine months ago with nine scholars, now there are 23. Some of them when first admitted hardly knew the use of a pen, now they write in copy books-then they were unacquainted with figures, now many of them can cypher creditably-then they were ignorant, but now they show considerable advance in knowledge, secular and religious. The balance sheet showed a very small expenditure, little more than £30, and that the school is at present out of debt. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. J. Ralph, M.A., the Rev. J. E. Armstrong, LL.D., the Rev. Joseph Brown, Joseph Payne, Esq., Mr. W. Payne, jun., Mr. Wallbridge, and Mr David Milne. CALMEL GRAY'S-YARD RAGGED SCHOOL. A PUBLIC Meeting of the friends of this School was held on Wednesday afternoon, March 3rd, at Marylebone Literary and Scientific Institution, Edward Street, Portman Square; the Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. The Meeting having been opened with prayer, the noble chairman observed, that the Ragged School Movement was at the present time in circumstances of much difficulty, and he feared that these institutions had now reached their zenith. Many of the friends and subscribers had fallen away, and others had refused to join the movement upon the plea that their patronage might be better bestowed upon a different system of education. He was ready to admit that every thing had not been effected which they had hoped might be effected, but it could not be denied that a vast amount of sin, destitution, and misery, had been removed by the Ragged School system, and it was no argument against the efficacy of their efforts that they had not succeeded in accomplishing all that they had wished. It had been stated that it would be advisable to make an application to Government for a grant to assist in promoting the interests of these establishments, but he (Lord Shaftesbury) begged them to consider, before they made up their minds to adopt such a course, that the effect of a Government grant would be to involve them in responsibilities from which they might have great difficulty in extricating themselves. Whilst he admitted that there were many discouragements to the successful carrying out of these undertakings, he must observe that there never was a public movement which could present more noble instances of prosperity, and with this feeling he expressed a hope that the friends of the institutions would continue their efforts in support of so praiseworthy a cause. The Report stated that the school was established in 1836, and that since that period 3,000 children had participated in the benefits arising from it. At the present time there was a day school for infants, and the average attendance was 110 per day. There was also a school for boys, where the average daily attendance was 65; and a girls' school, where the average was 56. There was, moreover, a Sabbath day school, and the attendance was about 100 a day. The establishment also included a coal and clothing club and a lending library, and weekly meetings were held at which the Scriptures were read and explained. The annual expenditure upon the schools was £300, and there was now a balance due to the treasurer amounting to £27. The institution was progressing in a manner which testified to its general usefulness, but funds were still wanted to enable the Committee to carry their endeavours to a successful and permanent issue. The Meeting was numerously attended, and the following noblemen, ministers, and gentlemen, took a part in its proceedings: the Earl of Waldegrave, Admiral F. E. V. Harcourt, the Hon. Somerset Maxwell, Rev. E. Scobell, M.A., Rev. Chas. Money, G. Phillip Smith, Esq., Mr. Haselden, and Mr. W. Ferry, of the Ragged School Union. HUNTSWORTH MEWS AND LISSON GROVE RAGGED SCHOOLS. A United Meeting of the above schools was held on Tuesday Evening, March 16th, at the Marylebone Institution, Edward Street, Portman Square. The Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. The Meeting was very numerously attended, and a number of influential noblemen, ministers, and gentlemen supported the noble chairman. Eloquent and heart-stirring speeches were de livered by Rev. George Fisk, Rev. James Stratten, Rev. Sanderson Robins, Rev. Misce Thomas, Secretary of the Colonial Church Missionary Society, Rev. J. Kingsmill, Chaplain of Pentonville Prison, J. Macgregor, Esq., of the Ragged School Union, Major Hughes, and H. Williamson. A handsome cushion, the materials having been furnished by some ladies, but made by the girls of the industrial classes, was presented to his Lordship, which he accepted in terms expressive of the high gratification it afforded him. The Report of the Huntsworth Mews School stated that the operations during the past year had been very successful. Schools for boys are held on Sabbath Afternoon and Evening, the average attendance being 34; Daily, the attendance averaging 53; Week Evening, averaging 17. There is also an Industrial Class of about 13 boys, by whom a large quantity of clothes has been made and mended, also a few straw mats, Schools for girls are held on Sabbath Afternoon, at which adults are also admitted, the attendance averages 42. Daily School for girls and infants, averaging 101; Week Evening School, attendance being 34; and an Industrial Class at which about sixteen girls attend. On Sabbath Evenings about 37 boys and girls are conducted to a place of worship. Eight girls have been sent to situations-two placed in asylums. Four boys are in the employ of the Shoe-black Society-one of whom, noted for regular attendance at the Sabbath Evening School, has also been eminent for honesty in circumstances of great temptation. This boy has earned the largest sum of any of the brigade, viz., £2. 28. d. At one time he had £5. 108. in the savings bank, a considerable part of which he has withdrawn for the support of his invalid mother. Another boy has £5-the others smaller sums. An Infant Nursery has been established, where the infant children of the poor are taken in, day by day, while the mothers are earning a liveli hood. The payment asked is threepence per day for each infant. The girls of the Refuge are INTELLIGENCE. employed in attending to the infants under the direction of a competent matron. A Laundry has also been built by means of a special fund. The receipts for the past year have amounted to £890. 98. 7d. The expenditure has been £723. 128. 2d. Leaving a balance of £66. 178. 5d., to meet the expense of £80, incurred in fitting-up the Laundry. The annual expenditure of these various operations is estimated at from £450 to £500. The Report of the Lisson Grove Ragged Schools stated that there is in operation a Sunday Evening School, conducted by about 23 teachers, the average attendance of the children being 230. An Infant Day School, in which there are about 200 in attendance. The Week Evening Schools are proceeding very satisfactorily. A Shoemaking Industrial Class, which has been recently commenced. Two scholars have emigrated from this school. There is also a Lending Library for the scholars, which is much used and valued by them. WHITECHAPEL RAGGED SCHOOLS. THE Annual Meeting of the above schools was held at the Society's Great School-room, Whitechapel, on Friday evening, March 19th; the Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. The worthy rector, with a view of bringing the poor into close contact with his lordship, whom be rightly designated the friend of the poor, had sent special invitations to the parents of the children, many of whom were present. His lordship opened the business of the evening with a lively, impressive, and affectionate address. The Report, which was read by the Rev. John Windle, was very satisfactory and encouraging. It stated that in the Colchester Street School about 500 children had been admitted during the past year at the present time there were 200 children on the books-the average attendance being 175. The school is conducted by 37 voluntary teachers, who so arrange that eight are present every evening. There are two paid teachers, one for boys and the other for girls. The Sunday afternoon school has been in operation for one year, 309 children have been admitted, there are now on the books 180, the average attendance being 92. About 115 children of this school voluntarily attend Sunday evening service at the parish church. The Provident and Clothing Fund is found to be very useful; there are 120 depositors. There is also an industrial class for boys, into which 10 have been admitted as a reward for good conduct. The children have purchased 120 Bibles during the past year. There is also in connection with this school a female adult class. In Buck's Row School as many as 400 children have been admitted during the past year. On the books there are 174, of whom 109 have never 79 been to any other school, and are of the poorest class of the district. The migratory character of this part of the district is indicated by the fact that nearly the whole set of the children is changed about every four months. This school is under the superintendence of a Scripture reader, and conducted by 11 voluntary teachers, four of whom are present each evening. 72 Bibles have been purchased by the children, and about 60 of the children voluntarily attend Sunday evening service at the parish church. The Sunday school has 82 children on the books, and about 45 on the average attend. Osborn Place School.-The daily school was opened in October last, 87 children have been admitted, there are on the books now 79, but the average attendance is not more than 40. To this school there is a paid teacher. There is also a Sunday afternoon school, 119 have been admitted, the attendance is now 64. The school is conducted by 10 voluntary teachers. A week evening school has been opened during the past three weeks-104 children have been admitted, the average attendance has been 75, the school is conducted by 10 voluntary teachers. The receipts for the past year have amounted to £250. 48. 1d., the expenditure to £157. 168. 44d., leaving a balance in hand of £92. 78. 8d., which, though apparently large, is not sufficient to maintain the schools much more than half-ayear; it is therefore hoped, that those who have already assisted the good work by their contributions, will be disposed to continue that assistance according to the means which God has intrusted to them for use in his service. The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. W. Champneys, м.A., Mr. W. Ferry, the Rev. Thomas Prescott, B.A., and Mr. Venables. HULL RAGGED AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. THE Annual Meeting of the subscribers and friends to this institution, held in the Public Rooms, on Tuesday evening, February 12th, was one of the most crowded and interesting assemblies held for a long time past within those walls. Not only the seats, but all manner of standing places, were thickly pressed with people. Bethel Jacobs, Esq., read the Report. The Mayor stated that a letter had been received from the Earl of Shaftesbury, expressing his extreme regret at not being able to be present, and enclosing a donation of £10. Alderman Palmer said that happily, of late years, the social elevation of the people had to a considerable extent become the question of our country and our time. Happy, indeed, might that country now be regarded which could afford a sufficient amount of social calmness for the consideration of social questions, which could minimise its political questions, and maximise those questions which had for their object the succour and elevation of the most helpless and most needy of our fellow-creatures. There were evils |