their warlike front, and the English soldiers quitted Palestine for their native country." The Holy Land finally fell under Turkish dominion in 1291, after the memorable siege of Acre. "The memory of the Templars is embalmed, for the last struggle for the Holy Land was made by the Red Cross Knights." The fourth anniversary of the NewYork Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society was celebrated in St. Paul's Chapel, in this city, on the afternoon of April 25th, the Festival of St. Mark the Evangelist. The scholars assembled exceeded 1000 in number, and presented a most interesting spectacle; while the great propriety of their deportment gave the most encouraging evidence of the care taken by their Teachers to train them up to devout attendance on the services of the sanctuary. Evening Prayer was conducted by the Rev. William Creighton, Rector of St. Mark's Church, and an address, adapted to the occasion, delivered by the Rev. Thomas Breintnall, Rector of Zion Church. The scholars having sung some appropriate verses selected from the 119th Psalm in metre, the services were closed by suitable prayers selected from the Liturgy, and the Benediction, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the New-York Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society. THE Board of Managers of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society are gratified in being enabled to report the very flourishing state of the Schools under their care. Regarding this Charity with deep interest, as intimately connected with the happiness of individuals, the welfare of society, and the great cause of religion, they do not doubt that the details which follow will be favourably received by all who reflect and all who feel. The extracts which we now present are taken from the reports of the respective Superintendents, ranking the Schools according to the number of their scholars. The Schools in connexion with this Society are thirteen, viz. Male and Female Schools of St. John's Chapel. Do. do. Do. do. Zion Church. and Grace Churches. Female School of Grace Church. Male and Female Schools of St. Mark's Church. Do. do. St. Philip's Church. These Schools comprise 1244 scholars, under the charge of 138 Superin tendents and Teachers. No. 1, St. JOHN'S CHAPEL, within the Parish of Trinity Church-Male Department. "Since the commencement of the School, in March, 1817, 998 boys have been entered upon its register. The School, during the present year, has continued to increase in numbers, and now consists of 258 scholars. Of these 216 are regular attendants, and 42 occasional and irregular. The whole are divided into 12 classes-159 of the scholars are readers, but in various stages of advancement, and all of them commit to memory the Catechism, portions of Scripture, and other exercises. "The improvement of the greater part of them is regularly progressive, and highly gratifying, and a general punctuality exists in committing to memory the required exercises, and many are in the habit of exceeding them. Between 50 and 60 boys have lately committed to memory the whole of the Church Catechism as broken into short questions and answers, and recently published under the direction of the Bishop, and have been advanced to the larger Catechism. par "There are many of the scholars who, for their diligence, industry, and uniform good conduct, receive the ticular commendation of their Teachers and the Superintendent: and one of the oldest, a lad of about 16 years of age, who has been in the School from its commencement, has, for several months past, had charge of a class, (the Teacher whereof has been absent), and has conducted himself in an exemplary manner. The School is at present conducted by a Superintendent, Assistant, and 12 Teachers, whose duties, owing to the increase of the School, and the loss of several Teachers, during the past year, have been very laborious. The zeal of the Teachers, however, continues unabated, and they have supplied, by diligence and regularity, the want of additional assistance. "During the past year, the School has felt the want of Bibles and Prayer Books, and also of other suitable books to distribute among the scholars as premiums. There are many who by the rules of the School are now entitled to Bibles and Prayer Books, which we are unable to furnish. The Superintendent trusts that the mention of the circumstance that the Bibles and Prayer Books are most of them absolutely necessary to the progress of the scholars, and that no premiums of any consequence have been distributed for 18 months past, , will be sufficient inducement to measures for an immediate supply. "The Superintendent has been lately enabled, by offers of assistance from several gentlemen concerned in the institution, to organize a plan of visiting, which promises to realize the best effects. It is that of dividing that part of the city from which we receive our scholars into small districts, and assigning to each a permanent visitor, who will undertake to act for at least one year. Each visitor will thus soon become acquainted with every scholar in his district, will more readily find the absentees, and will have an opportunity to acquire much useful knowledge of the character and habits of their parents, and in many instances to the benefit both of the scholars and their families. "Upon a review of the operations of the last year, the Superintendent is pleased to remark a general improve formerly sceptics to the supposed advantages of Sunday Schools. Their operation upon society begins to be apparent, and too many instances of individual improvement are constantly before our eyes to admit of the supposition that our labours have been in vain." No. 2, St. JOHN'S CHAPEL-Female Department. "Since the last annual report there has been an increase of 33 scholars; making the total number 190, of whom 126 are white, and 64 coloured; 29 of the latter being adults. Five have been baptized; two admitted to the Holy Eucharist, and two more are preparing for that holy ordinance at the next celebration. They appear anxious for instruction, and grateful to their Teachers. Their behaviour during Divine Service is almost uniformly devout and attentive. Many of them have committed large portions of Scripture to memory, and one the whole of the Hymns contained in the Book of Common Prayer. "The white children have become more orderly, and many of them evince a desire of improvement. There are several not over six years of age, who can repeat correctly from memory our Saviour's sermon on the Mount, his miracles and parables. There are many, very many of these girls, who would do credit to any institution. "The School is divided into 15 classes, with 17 Teachers, 7 of whom commenced with the organization of the School; 9 of them are communicants. The number of scholars regularly attending is from 100 to 120." No. 3, ZION CHURCH-Male Depart ment. "The Superintendents report that the School under their charge has, during the past year, increased in the regular number of attendants, and that a manifest improvement in their exercises and deportment has taken place both in School and in Church during Divine Service. "The School consists of 124 regular attendants, divided into 12 classes-11 white and 1 coloured, under the charge Department. "Since the commencement of the of 12 Teachers, who have been parti- No. 6, St. PAUL'S CHAPEL-Female cularly attentive in imparting to the objects of their care the first rudiments of human learning, in reforming their morals, and impressing on their young minds religious truths; and it is with pleasure the Superintendents state, that, under God's blessing, their zealous exertions have been in a great degree successful." No. 4, ZION CHURCH-Female Depart ment. "The Superintendents of this department state, that the progress of the School has exceeded their expectations. Among other particular instances of improvement, one little girl, who was kept at home by illness the greater part of the winter, committed to memory 28 chapters in the Bible, and 18 Psalms. The number of regular attending scholars is 126, under the care of 12 young ladies." No. 5, St. PAUL'S CHAPEL, within the "The Superintendent reports, that very shortly after the last annual meeting of the Society, considerable additions were made to the number of scholars, and that its present state is prosperous. The average number of attendants is 50. "One of the boys, who has been a pupil in this School from its commencement, has been rewarded for his improvement and general good conduct by the charge of a class. "Several other instances of diligence and good deportment are mentioned by the Superintendent. Many have evinced a remarkable degree of attention and retentiveness of memory, in committing and reciting the whole of the Catechism broken into short questions and answers, in the short space of two Sundays, without omitting any of the ordinary exercises assigned them. "On the whole, (he concludes) this School may be considered as in a flourishing state, and, under the Divine blessing, much good may be expected from the continued and successful prosecution of the meritorious la bours of its instructors" School, in May 1817, 544 white, and coloured. "That the minds of many, and disis evident: and a hope is entertained positions of some, have been improved that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, all may be benefitted in some way. "There are at present 6 Teachers attached to as many classes, 2 SuperComintendents, and 1 Secretary. mittees have, for the last year, been appointed to search for scholars, who appropriate one afternoon each month to engage children for their own department, and for the Female School of Trinity Church. Their last visit produced an accession of 7 scholars." No. 8, TRINITY CHURCH-Female De partment. "The Superintendent reports the state of this School, during the past year, to have been such as to gratify all who are interested in the important object it professes to advance. "Through the winter the School has constantly, though slowly, gained, and is now in a more flourishing state than in the same season of any previous year. There are now 94 scholars who actually attend, of whom 41 are coloured women and children. They form 10 classes; 5 of which read well in the Bible; 2 of them have gone twice through the Church Catechism, and one has committed to memory a considerable portion of Scripture Instruction. The younger scholars are 6 divided into 3 classes, over each of which 2 Teachers preside. "It has been our aim, (it is added), not only to inculcate Christian duties and doctrines, but to instruct those under our care in the principles of the Church, to explain to them the service in which they are expected to unite, and to lead them to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Instances of misconduct during Divine Service are rare; they scarcely ever occur except in those who have not been long enough in the School to understand and respect its rules. Many of the scholars manifest a degree of seriousness and devotion, particularly interesting to those who have been instrumental in enlight ening their minds, and impressing their hearts with the all-important truths of the Gospel of peace. "There are at present 13 Teachers, the most of whom have been long actively and zealously engaged in the School." No. 9, GRACE CHURCH-Female De partment. "At the last annual report, this School consisted of 34 scholars; since which 6 have left it; 4 of whom have gone to the country, and 2 to the Episcopal Charity School. During the last year, 36 have been added-11 of whom are white children, 19 coloured women, and 6 coloured children, so that there are now 64 scholars, most of which are generally regular in their attendance, decent in their appearance, and anxious to improve." No. 10, St. MARK'S CHURCH-Male Department. "In this School, consisting of 25 boys, little change has taken place since the last report. Their attendance is tolerably regular; but there is the same difficulty, as in former years, in procuring properly qualified Teachers." No. 11, St. MARK'S CHURCH-Female Department. "The Superintendent states, that the small number of children under her care have realized her most sanguine expectations, both as it respects their deportment while in School and during Divine Service, and their improve ment in that knowledge which maketh wise to salvation. Since the establish ment of this School, 279 children have passed through ;.39 have been admitted since the last annual report, and 28 have removed or joined other Schools. The number at present on the register is 82, and the regular attendants from 30 to 35, 3 of whom are coloured, and 1 adult, the mother of a large family, who has in one year progressed from the Primer to reading tolerably in the Bible, which would most probably have continued to her as a sealed book, had not a Sunday School been opened for her reception. The School is divided into 6 classes, each of which has a Teacher, who unitedly manifest both zeal and perseverance in their labour of love. "Several of the children of this School are regularly catechised with the children of the congregation.". No. 12, St. PHILIP'S CHURCH-Male Department. "Since the last annual report, a great number of scholars have been received into this School, but from various causes the number of regular attendants has decreased. We have at times as many as 35 present, but regularly not more than 25. "All the books set forth by the Society are used in this School, and the improvement of the scholars generally is beyond what might be expected from the few hours which are thus weekly given to their instruction. Their behaviour during the time of worship is remarkably good. It is gratifying to witness the manner in which they perform the responses, and the attention which they give to the whole service. The School has 7 Teachers and a Superintendent; two of the lads who were scholars have been promoted to assist ant Teachers a station to which their capacity and good behaviour entitled them." No. 13, St. PHILIP'S CHURCH-Female Department. "Our School is in a prosperous state. There are usually as many as 45 children, besides 3 adults, in our afternoon School. Our morning School is not so numerous. The children have improved very much in their learning and behaviour. They show a great attach ment to their Teachers, and delight very much in uniting in the services of the Church. The Lord has signally blessed this work of our hands, and made it profitable to both Teachers and pupils. Several children that did not know the alphabet twelve months ago, now read with facility in the Testament: among these, a child not quite five years old. The School has nine Teachers and a Superintendent." It may be proper to remark, that the congregation to which this School is attached, is composed of coloured people, whose discreet and orderly conduct reflects upon them the highest credit, and who promise, under the care of their very respectable minister, to set an example worthy of imitation. Thus far we have presented the labours and successes of those who have been the active instruments in this commendable work; and, if any thing can increase the gratification which we feel at the evidence of exertions so usefully directed, it must be the disinterested goodness, the noble zeal, and the unwearied perseverance by which they have been characterized. The review of the past year ought to give new animation to our efforts, and new strength to our resolutions, for it has not been spent in vain. To have given a favourable bias to more than a thousand dispositions, and to have confirmed the principles of virtue in more than a thousand minds, is a work which heaven will approve and bless. Nor are the consequences of this tuition of small importance even in a temporal point of view, when the good which may originate from such a number trained up in the way they should go, is compared with the evils which they might inflict upon society by being abandoned to ignorance and crime. A charity so beneficial as that of Sunday Schools, wants no recommendation besides what is found in any fair history of their results. By the evidence of their practical benefits, they have extended themselves against the objections of the theoretical, and the doubts of the cautious. Addressing their efforts to minds open and ductile where there are no prejudices to root VOL. V. out, and no false systems to unlearn, and where vice, if she has fixed her residence, must hold but a tottering throne; little more is necessary to bring such minds to virtue and religion than to remove the obstacles from their way, and to "suffer them to come." But the benefits of these Schools do not terminate in those for whom they were designed. They are reflected with increase upon those who conduct them; and while the ignorant are instructed, and the humble are elevated to a rank becoming rational and immortal beings, those to whom Providence has given the responsibility of these duties by higher station, greater knowledge, and more extended influence, discover more fully their own causes of gratitude, by the comparison which is forced upon their view, and become more devoted to the service of their Creator. One of the peculiar advantages of Sunday Schools which ought not to be forgotten, is the economy with which their benefits are imparted. Powers of intellect, and capabilities of usefulness, which are above all price, and which could not be purchased, are here brought to operate gratuitously upon ignorance and indigence. The expense of books and premiums is the principal one that is required, and owing to the frequent changes in the Schools this is considerable. But inasmuch as the books are thus very beneficially circulated, this circumstance ought not to form an objection. To supply the requisite amount therefore so amply that no advantage may be lost, should be a matter of principle and of pride with all who wish well to the Schools, and particularly with those whose personal exertions are not required to forward the work. Some of the Schools under the care of this Board have been much retarded for the want of Bibles and Prayer Books; and also of books suitable for premiums for the younger classes. The Auxiliary Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, who have heretofore been liberal in supplying the former of these wants, being now engaged with limited means in publishing a valuable edition of the Bible, have been obliged 22 |