HUNTSWORTH MEWS RAGGED SCHOOLS, DORSET SQUARE. 185 engaged in order to the enjoyment of those blessings. "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty," Prov. xi. 24. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever," Dan. xii. 3. Our Saviour himself, with reference to his expected death, said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit," John xii. 24. The history of the Christian church, in all ages, affords many proofs of the great advantages derived by those who have been diligent in the Saviour's cause. "There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, life everlasting," Luke xviii. 29, 30. Let but an individual, or a family, or a nation, become distinguished for piety, and there will be happiness and prosperity. "Righteousness exalteth a nation,' Prov. xiv. 34. In Ragged Schools much personal as well as relative good may be obtained. Teachers have often said, "If I am not doing good, I feel I am getting good." We would, therefore, urge all to be thus engaged, that "while watering others, their own souls may be watered," Prov. xi. 25. A teacher thus engaged should, above all, seek the help of the Holy Spirit, without which he can neither be blessed nor made a blessing; and then whatever trophies may be won, to cast them at the Saviour's feet. D. C. HUNTSWORTH MEWS RAGGED SCHOOLS, DORSET SQUARE. (A PAPAL COLONY.) ALTHOUGH the institution of these schools is comparatively recent, (1849,) by the persevering industry of the founders, they have risen to a position in extent and efficiency exceeding some that were established at a much earlier period. The condition of the neighbourhood demands extensive and vigorous efforts; it is one of those territories which Popery claims as its own; where, over a drunken and brutified population, the priesthood exerts an authoritative sway, which threatens to neutralize every evangelistic enterprise. Within a very short distance of the schools, a large Conventual establishment has just been completed, which, in addition to a Nunnery, contains school accommodation for a thousand girls. It is easy to imagine what will be the ultimate effects of this over the surrounding neighbourhood, unless immediate and energetic efforts are put forth by the friends of evangelical truth. Where this is done in the true spirit of the Gospel, and prosecuted with perseverance and zeal, the triumph of priestly "aggression" has generally been shortlived. Love and sympathy have proved more powerful than intimidation or external show. Children driven away from the Ragged Schools by the anathemas of the priests, have generally found their way back again the earliest opportunity. Thus we have strong grounds for encouragement, although such interferences cannot fail seriously to injure a work at all times difficult. One afternoon lately a priest entered a Ragged School not very far from the one above-mentioned, and although the mistress insisted on his quitting the room, he refused to do so until he had completed a list of all the children present who belonged to Romish parents. They were forbidden, under most severe penalties, ever to enter the school again; but even this was not enough; in the evening he returned, compelled the children to bring out into the court all the books they had received at school, (among which, we were informed, there were several Bibles,) and obliged the reluctant owners to tear them in pieces, thereby strewing the entire court with the mutilated leaves. Processions have been frequently got up, largely composed of children, who march round the neighbourhood with candles in their hands. The teachers have been hooted, insulted, and threatened with every imaginable species of punishment. Such are some of the foes against which we contend, and, through the grace of God, we hope eventually to overcome. But Popish liberality contrasts strangely with the Ragged School Protestant effort in the neighbourhood of Dorset Square. In the one case, a new and magnificent building has been erected, and its permanent operations secured; in the other, an old and limited building has, with much difficulty, been appropriated, and, like most of its contemporaries, been kept on the verge of uncertainty, chiefly depending on a few casual donations. From a circular recently issued by the Committee, we find that the Ꭱ school consists of eight departments, attended by boys, girls, infants, and adults-the total numbers averaging about 328. With a laudable anxiety to extend their operations so as to meet, in some degree, the increasing necessities of the neighbourhood, they propose carrying out the following additional arrangements, if sufficient assistance is afforded them : "A Refuge Dormitory and Laundry for girls, wherein they may be safely housed, and usefully employed. "An Infant Nursery, as subsidiary to it, and as helpful towards training girls for servitude. "A Refuge and Dormitory for boys. "But, however necessary and desirable, the Committee cannot, out of their present resources, undertake anything of this magnitude, since it is as much as they can do to keep in full activity their present apparatus. They have, however, been greatly encouraged by a communication received from THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, (late LORD ASHLEY,) stating his readiness to make a grant of £75 out of a fund placed at his Lordship's disposal, on condition that the Committee raise at least an equal sum, and expend both, (together with any needful increase,) on the reconstruction and enlargement of the premises now in their possession. The Christian public therefore must determine whether the Committee will be enabled to fulfil this condition, so as to receive the benefit of an important grant, and also to meet the increased current expenditure that will be consequent upon the enlargement of their plan. The wants of the Committee stand thus, viz. "Towards providing the Dormitories, Laundry and Nursery, in addition to £350 £300 the sum promised by the EARL OF SHAFTESBURY "An increase in Annual Subscriptions to the amount of, per annum. "The Committee state their wants and urge their appeal with confidence, not only because they feel that the cause of Ragged Schools is gaining ground, but also because their operations are carried on in the immediate vicinity of a rapidly progressing Conventual establishment, occupied by 30 nuns, with school accommodation for 1,000 girls." We sincerely trust that the Protestant and wealthy inhabitants of Dorset Square and the surrounding neighbourhood will not allow a work so great and so urgent to be hindered from a cause which may be so easily removed. Poetry. UP AND BE DOING, A Second Plea for Emigration,* suggested by a paper written by "OLD HUMPHREY,” under the name of "UP and be doing," the old man said; song, As he pass'd in the pride of his strength along. "Up and be doing," the merchant cried, As he loaded his wares at the good ship's side; << Up and be doing," let Christians hear, But by number of youthful bands, Temple. "OLD FATHER THAMES." Taught in the Ragged School how to prize 66 Up and be doing," then, England's friends, "Up and be doing," while morn is bright, "In which no man can work," as the Scripture "Up and be doing," while earthly scenes For the First Plea, see page 99, vol. iii., Ragged School Union Magazine. J. P. Editor's Portfolio. THE OUTCAST. THOSE passing the prison of Edinburgh, between the hours of eight and ten, may have observed strange-looking groups of human beings, waiting impatiently the liberation of their associates in misery and crime, with features, forms, and habiliments as many coloured as the rainbow. 66 Wishing, like most people, to learn all I could from human nature, I watched nearly an hour the gipsy-looking group before me. The first person who arrested my attention was an old woman, wrapped in an old tattered red cloak, the widow's black band bound her hoary locks and torn cap, with her pointed chin resting on the skeleton-like palms of her trembling hands-how fearfully piercing were the looks she ever and anon sent to the little wicket door, that opened and shut like the iron mouth of the prison. Farther up, on the steps leading to the Calton Hill, were gathered together a string of thoughtless girls, singing loudly the ditties of the convict ship-fearful mirth! theirs were the forms and hearts moulded by God to adorn and bless the human race, but hunger and sin had blighted the charms of the one, and chilled the warm virtues of the other. Alas! for the early lost. Near to them, but not of them, wrapt in deep thought, sat a young woman; her dress and looks went to prove that she had seen better days; a child, wrapped in a gaudy silk shawl, lay sleeping upon her knee, over which she bent her fair head in deep sorrow. On the middle of the carriage-way were a crowd of young pickpockets playing at pitch and toss; their early history-their present career-the future fate of these outcasts of society-are gloomy outlines of a sad picture. A few well-dressed persons of both sexes were walking about, who seemed inclined rather to "bide their time" at a respectable distance. At length the bell struck ten-the little wicket opened-all eyes were turned to the spot-when out stepped a young woman, dressed in the first style of fashion-the next moment she was locked in the withered arms of the old woman with the tattered cloak and widow's band; they both wept aloud, and as they passed me, I heard the old woman say, Come home, come home my child; oh! come home; never again go near that den of destruction, or you will bring my grey hairs with sorrow to the dust." "I will, I will," cried the repentant girl. Let us hope that she soon threw aside the gaudy trappings of sin and shame, and clothed herself in the humble garb of industry, and returned with a bleeding heart to the home of virtue! Again the little wicket opened, and out came, or rather rushed, another young woman, with beautiful features; she looked wildly around, and catching a glance of the modest young woman already mentioned, clasped her in her arms, crying, "My sister! my child!" Pressing the little sleeper to her bosom, she turned her beautiful eyes to heaven, exclaiming, "Come, dear sister, no power on earth shall part us again." Then away she bounded, with the elastic step of one who has found a treasure, and who may not rest until a place of safety is found. Again the little wicket opened, and out came two lads, about fourteen years of age, laughing and joking with the turnkey who drew their prison bolts; the pitch and toss gentry soon surrounded them, hailing them as heroes. Never shall I forget the blackguard Dick Turpin and Jack Sheppard airs assumed by these poor lads, as their companions in crime carried them off in mock triumph. Again the little wicket opened, and out came another young sickly-looking lad. Reader, did you ever watch the motions of a wild pigeon when let loose from a close trap at a shooting match?―have you observed it wheeling round and round, uncertain which way to take, stunned and bewildered by the sudden blaze of the sun?—or seen a deer turned out to the hunters and panting dogs? Such trembling emotions seemed to thrill the frame of this young lad, as he looked wildly east 66 66 and west, wondering which way to go. Stepping up to him, I accosted him with, "Well, my poor boy, why is there no father, mother, sister, or brother here to welcome you from chains and bolts to sweet sunny liberty ?" The boy looked up in my face, and said, “Sir, I have neither father nor mother, sister nor brother, in this wide world!" What were you put in prison for?" He hung his head and answered, "For stealing beans, sir, from a field near Portobello." "Were you so hungry?" I asked. "Yes, sir, 'twas hunger made me do it." "Have you no relations in Edinburgh." "A person in my father's regiment told me that I had an aunt in town, but I could not find her." In your father's regiment, you say-then your father was in the army ?" "In Don Carlos's army, sir-in the Spanish Legion. He was killed in one of his battles." I requested the youth to tell me his history, as far as he knew. He began by saying, "that the soldier's wife who nursed him and brought him to England, told him that his father was a young man from the west country, a shawl weaver by trade, but being a long time out of employment, he had enlisted in the Spanish Legion; that he was then about to marry his cousin, a young woman belonging to Paisley; she would not stay behind him, got some money from her friends to pay her passage, and so joined her young husband in Spain; she followed the army wherever it went; my father was soon made corporal; but, alas! in one of their dreadful midnight attacks my father was killed. That same night I was born on the battle-field. My poor mother never recovered after my father's death; she died on her passage home to England, and I was left without a friend in the world, except the soldier's wife, who brought me to Chatham. Hearing that I had an aunt in Edinburgh, I travelled all the way on foot to Scotland; sometimes I slept in the open fields, sometimes in old barns, cart-sheds, etc., and when I arrived in Edinburgh I knew nobody. I wandered about the streets dying of hunger; then I thought of going to the seaside to gather shell-fish, or any thing I could get to eat. I went to Portobello; I passed a field of ripe beans; another and I filled our pockets; we were caught and sent to the police-office; then to the prison for a month." Come with me," I said; "I will try and find your friends." I kept the boy three weeks. His aunt in Edinburgh could not be found; but shortly after we were successful in tracing out his mother's relatives, and the boy was sent to Glasgow. 66 It is a beautiful sight to see, when the tempest beats the terrified shore, the kind and strong-hearted straining every nerve to save the poor shipwrecked wretches, which the wild sea is ever and anon flinging to the beach and would it not be as glorious a sight to see the noble-hearted of our land striving to save the shipwrecked of the prison-house-to save them again from falling into their guilty habits and the company of their vile associates? I have thrown out this hint for the notice of those who really wish to do good, and hope soon to see a society organized for this benevolent purpose.- Maclagan. Literary Notices. Sovereign of All! Hymn for the Queen and Welcome to all Nations: A Contribution to the Great Exhibition of 1851. Dedicated to Joseph Paxton, Esq., by an EXHIBITOR. Nisbet & Co., and all Booksellers. Beautifully printed on rich enamelled paper, in gold letter, it would not disgrace the most fashionable drawing-room or richly decorated stall in the Great Exhibition. Music for the Hymn-com posed by L. H. Lavenu-has also been published by Messrs. Cramer, Beale, & Co., Regent Street. The profits arising from both publications will be devoted to the aid of Ragged Schools. We understand it has already been the means of raising a considerable sum, and also securing the attention and sympathies of several parties to our educational movement. We trust that the little tractate may yet achieve even greater things, and that its FIRST NIGHT IN A RAGGED SCHOOL. benevolent author may accomplish fully the end he desires while singing of the great, by "having respect unto the lowly." A second and superior edition has just appeared. Barnes's Notes on the Acts and Romans. Green's Edition. London: Benjamin L. Green. This is a handsome edition of "Barnes," "designed for Sunday School Teachers and Bible Classes," published at a price so extremely low, as to place it within the reach of the poorest teacher. It may be gratifying to the publisher to know that several boys belonging to a Ragged School have already saved their pence, and procured copies of the Gospels. The Doctrines and Practices of Popery examined. In a Course of Lectures by Ministers in Glasgow. London: William Collins. This volume is a reprint of a course of lectures on Popery, delivered by eleven of the most talented ministers in Glasgow, .. 189 about fifteen years ago. The numerous demands made upon the publisher for their re-appearance at the present time, are strong proofs of the high estimation in which they have been held. The volume contains much invaluable information, powerfully and truthfully stated, upon a subject with which every intelligent friend of Bible truth ought to be acquainted. Reformatory Schools, for the Children of the Perishing and Dangerous Classes, and for Juvenile Offenders. By MARY CARPENTER. London: C. Gilpin. This work is calculated to do important service for the best interests of the juvenile poor. We regret that time and space prevent us from doing more at present, than merely calling the attention of our readers to the publication; we hope to return to it, and at greater length, in a future number. It will prove an invaluable addition to our criminal and educational literature. The Children's Gallery. FIRST NIGHT AT A RAGGED "I WANT to ask you a question, papa, if you please," said Arthur one morning at breakfast. "I heard you talking to some gentlemen yesterday, when I went into the library. You were talking about a school-room which has just been built in the town, and you said that it was intended for a Ragged School. I am puzzled to think what kind of school a Ragged School can be. Will you tell me, if you please?" "It is one intended for the very poorest class of children," said Mr. Dormer; "and not only for the poorest, but for those who are familiar with something far worse than poverty-with idleness, and bad companions, and sin. A Ragged School is meant for the reception of all who will come. In every large town there are many unhappy children, so degraded by ignorance and vice that they could not well be admitted amongst others of better habits: the Ragged Schools are intended for them. And there are some so poor that, even though their character may be good, the want of proper clothing prevents them from appearing at other schools. These may come to the Ragged School without fear of being sent away. There they may be taught what otherwise they might never learn-that there is a God who made them, and a Saviour who died to redeem them; that they have duties to perform in this world, and souls which must live for ever, either in heaven or in hell." "You have seen a boy who comes past our house very often,' said Arthur's mother, "driving a donkey-cart that is filled with dust and bones, and all kinds of rubbish. Do you remember him, Arthur ?" "I know the boy that you mean, mamma," said Jane: "he often goes past when Arthur is at school; but I always come away from the window when I hear him crying, Any old bones or dust to-day!' because I cannot bear to see him beating his poor donkey in such a cruel manner." "I know him too," said Arthur: "his name is Jack Newman. I have heard boys call after him in the street." "Jack Newman would be a very suitable boy to be got into the Ragged School," said Mrs. Dormer. "Let us hope that he will present himself there," said Mr. Dormer; "and then it will not be long before he is taught, among other good things, that though God has made the beasts of the earth for man's use, and he may employ them in |