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Coroden H. Slafter, the subject of this notice, was born in Norwich, Vermont, Jan. 31, 1811. He removed, with his parents, to the town of Lawrence, St. Lawrence County, in New-York State, where he resided until the year 1831. In a revival which occurred in the town during that year, he became, it is believed, a subject of renewing grace, and united with the Baptists, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Silas Pratt. Immediately on embracing the Saviour, he manifested a strong desire to render himself useful in His cause. He soon began to feel impressions of duty to preach the Gospel; but being without the means necessary for procuring an education, his mind, for a time, laboured under much embarrassment. In the spring of 1833 he repaired to the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, a total strangerwithout pecuniary means, and without patronage or recommendation, other than that afforded by a simple statement of his feelings. His appearance and conversation inspired confidence, and awakened an interest in his behalf. He received encouragement; and commenced a course of studies at the Institution, which he pursued for five years with fidelity and

success.

A considerable portion of the expense of his education was defrayed by the labour of his hands, and by occasional donations from the Churches in the vicinity, to which he ministered.

His amiable disposition, and a mild, conciliating manner, soon won for him general esteem; and the consistency of his conduct, and, above all, the deep and fervent tone of his piety, rendered his influence Dec. 1842.

His

on the Institution, and on all with whom he had intercourse, salutary. Few persons, it is believed, have ever left that or any other Institution with a more irreproachable character, or with a larger share in the confidence and affection of those with whom he was associated. vacations, and most of the Sabbaths during term-time, were spent in preaching to destitute Churches. His labours were blessed; and many, there is reason to hope, were led, through his instrumentality, to embrace the Saviour.

He was early interested in the cause of Missions. Even before his conversion, what he had heard and read on the subjeet had made a deep impression upon his mind and while pursuing his studies, on looking over the field, the condition of the" poor perishing heathen" presented a claim which he could not resist. After prayerful deliberation, he consecrated himself to the work with singular zeal and energy of purpose; and from the oftenrepeated expression of his feelings afterward, we have reason to believe that he never regretted his choice.

He was one of the company of Missionaries who sailed from Boston in the ship "Apthorp," in December 1838; and arrived at Bankok vid Singapore, on the 22d of August 1839. From that period to the time of his death, which occurred on the 17th of April 1841, he manifested an unabated interest in the work to which he had devoted his life, and an increasing desire for the salvation of the Heathen.

Mr. Slafter possessed some traits of character of peculiar value to the Missionary. His constitutional ardour of feeling was tempered by a mild and amiable 3 X

disposition. His manners were simple and prepossessing, and usually gave him easy access both to the religious and the irreligious. His piety no one could question. It was of that deep and ardent kind which diffuses itself over the whole character, and directs the whole course of life. Those to whom he addressed the great truths of the Gospel believed him to be sincere they felt that he was in earnest; and more often than is common, we believe his fervent and affectionate appeals found their way to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. His energy of character, and the singleness of heart and purpose with which he devoted himself to the great work in which he was engaged, rendered him an active and enterprising Missionary.

He had formed the design of visiting every part of the kingdom of Siam, and of carrying the Word of Life to those who could read, or would listen to the simple exhibition of its truths. For this purpose he had fitted up a family boat, in which himself and his companion had made several excursions, upon the Meinam, and the canals which connect this with other principal rivers. He had al

ready penetrated farther into the interior than any other Protestant Missionary had ever done; and had distributed Tracts and Portions of Scripture where the knowledge of God and His salvation had never before reached. It was in the midst of these useful labours, in which his heart and hands were alike wholly engaged, that he received the summons which called him hence, as we doubt not, to his eternal rest.

When first informed of the probable termination of his disease, he expressed some disappointment. He could not believe his work was yet done: his heart was so much set upon doing good to the perishing souls around him, that the thought of leaving them in their destitute and hopeless condition was painful to him. But, on a little reflection, he seemed to resign himself wholly to the will of God: "For," said he, "He is able to carry on His work without us." "For several days before his death," says a Letter from Mrs. Slafter, "his joy seemed to abound: not even the shadow of a cloud appeared to interrupt the peace which he enjoyed."

was only a few months in school, so that her character was not much developed; but latterly she greatly improved in disposition and conduct, was very fond of the school, and thus gave us hope that there was something good in her mind.

Ruth, another very interesting girl, who was formerly in the Boarding School at Bangalore, was also taken under Mrs. Campbell's care for about seven months. For a considerable time back her body had been in a most deformed state, and she was a great sufferer till the day of her death. She had, however, a very good knowledge of the Gospel; and, what is better still, she had evidently imbibed much of its spirit. While with us in

Mysore, she was the admiration of all who had an opportunity of observing her meekness and patience in suffering. As long as she could bear it, she was carried from her little house to Mrs. Campbell for reading and sewing, in both which she took great delight. She was one of the best readers. She fell asleep in Jesus on the 23d of November, and we doubt not we shall meet her among the saints in glory.

The other girl died on the 21st of December, of typhus fever. She was an orphan, and had been under our care for eighteen months. Though rather slow to learn, she manifested a quiet and teachable disposition. She could read the Scriptures, had attained a knowledge of the grace of the Gospel, and declared on her death-bed that her whole trust was in Christ. A few days before she died, she said to one of the other girls, "I am going to be beside Ruth." She and Ruth were about twelve years of age.

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nished; though much yet remains, and always will remain, to exercise the Christian Patience and Benevolence of the friends of Education and the Church.

Mode of Appropriating the School-
Building Fund.

In the disposal of your fund for School Building, the object which your Committee have invariably kept in view has been to call forth the largest possible amount of local efforts, and to produce the greatest attainable extent of Church Education. The whole number of cases is 316; the total sum granted is 15,8817.; and the number of scholars accommodated is 52,180; being a larger number by 11,907 than in any preceding year*.

The largest grants are given to populous parishes and manufacturing districts; though the greatest number of grants is made in small sums to parishes either thinly peopled or of very limited extent. Your Committee have voted to St. Swithin's, Walcot, near Bath, 2007; to St. Michael's, Manchester, 250.; to Barnsley, 250.; to Hunslet, near Leeds, 2001.; to Hurdsfield, near Macclesfield, 1757.; to Colne, 150.; to Maidstone, 1807.; to Mossley, 1507.; to the districts of St. Andrew and St. James, Bethnal

Green, 3007.; to the district of Trinity, Blackburn, 1257. In most of the above cases there is every reason to believe that the assistance voted by your Committee is sufficient. But in others there is much ground for apprehension that all the aid which your funds can afford will not enable the applicants to avail themselves of the Parliamentary vote. It is very painful to reflect, that, for want of a few hundred pounds, a whole township is, in many instances, abandoned to ignorance and barbarism, to socialism and infidelity. Government Method of making Grants. The arrangements made by the Heads of the Church with the Committee of Council, in August 1840, still continues to regulate the proceedings of Government. Grants are awarded in proportion to local contributions; and the recommendations of the Society are received and acted upon, so far as the public service admits, in a spirit of confidence and cordiality.

* In former years, the Report included the whole number of children for whom school accommodation was provided, whether by grants from the Society, or from the Lords of the Treasury on its recommendation.

Factory-Children Education.

Your Committee resolved to make more than ordinary exertions to provide Education for children employed in mills and factories. Their experiment has been followed by the most gratifying results. Favourable Reports have been received from Bradford, Leeds, St. James's, Heywood, from Bingley, and other places.

Inspection under Church Authority.

One of the two Clergymen who succeeded the Rev. Edward Field, M.A., the Rev. George D. Hill, M.A., made a tour of inspection through a considerable portion of the diocese of Winchester, when fatigue and ill-health obliged him to retire. The Rev. Henry Hopwood, M.A., in the course of ten months, beside visiting the Archdeaconries of Buckingham and Salop, has made a tour of inspection through the diocese of Canterbury, and is now similarly employed in the diocese of Oxford. He examined 309 Schools. Your Committee have been much gratified by the kind and cordial reception which their Inspectors everywhere experienced, and by the readiness of the Clergy and School Managers to adopt their recommendations.

Schools received into Connection.

of stating, that beside numerous Schools united indirectly through the Diocesan and District Boards, the Society has, during the year, received Schools directly into union with itself in 253 places.

Your Committee have the satisfaction

Training School.

There have been received on probation, and trained for the service of the Society, 49 masters and 58 mistresses; while 34 masters and 30 mistresses, previously appointed to schools, have been admitted for instruction. The total number amounts to 171. So lamentable, however, is the want of efficient teachers, that your Committee have the painful task of repeating what they stated last year that they have been under the necessity of rejecting a greater number of applications for teachers than they have acceded to. With the view of obtaining additional room, the establishment for men has been removed from Cannon Row to Manchester Buildings, Westminster; where accommodation is provided for 36 inmates, under Clerical Superintendence. The establishment for women continues to be carried on in Smith Square, as formerly, though under a matron of higher qualifications.

Training College.

The dormitory, in the establishment at Stanley Grove, Chelsea, for the accommodation of 56 pupils, has been completed; a chapel to contain 400 persons has been erected and consecrated; and a Model School, as a place of practical instruction for the pupils in the art of teaching, is now in operation, and attended by 110

scholars.

The original outlay upon this establishment exceeds 20,0001.: the annual expense to the Society is estimated at 20007., and will be strictly limited to that sum. The payments of pupils (of course not included in the above sum) are at the rate of 251. annually from each pupil. Each pupil, after a probation of three months, is apprenticed to the Society till the completion of his twenty-first year. The number of apprentices is at present 35; of whom ten are entirely free, and ten charged 157. a year, instead of 251. For these exhibitions special grants have been voted.

The pupils will not necessarily remain three years under tuition, but will be sent out as teachers and assistants as soon as they have attained a certain standard of proficiency. The studies will be suited to the situation of a parochial schoolmaster, or teacher of the poor. He may be taught the rudiments of Latin; but the object of such teaching will be, not to ground him in a learned language, but to give him a more complete command of his own. The branch of knowledge of which he will learn most will be the knowledge of the Gospel; which, if it be sound and practical, will never tend at any time to unfit him for his station. Institution for training Female Teachers.

An establishment for Female Pupils, corresponding in character with Stanley Grove, has been opened by your Committee at Whitelands, in the parish of Chelsea. Accommodation is there provided for 40 young females, who will remain under instruction for at least twelve

months, at 157. a year to each pupil. The annual cost of the Institution is esti

mated at 7501.

Practising Schools.

To the four establishments which provide means of training and instruction for two classes of teachers, senior as well as junior, of either sex, it was necessary that Practising Schools should be added, in which

the art of teaching might be exercised and exemplified upon children. At Stanley Grove the Practising School is on the premises. The arrangements at Whitelands are not yet complete. At Westminster, the Central Schools and the Infant School are resorted to for practice by the adult teachers of Manchester Buildings and Smith Square.

Central Schools.

The state of the Central Schools continues satisfactory. At the Institution in Tufton Street adult females are instructed in the Infant-School System. The Girls' School is under the same management as before, and is improving both in numbers and regularity of attendance. As regards the Boys' School, your Committee have to express their regret at the resignation of the Rev. G. Moody, M.A., who, for urgent reasons of a domestic nature, has withdrawn from his employment. He still, however, directs the proceedings of the Schoolmasters' Society for Mutual Improvement. In the selection of a successor, the choice has fallen on Mr. Wilson, Master of the School at Norwood. As Mr. Wilson is a layman, the clerical superintendence of the School is undertaken by the Secretary.

Organising Masters.

The Society has at present five teachers employed in this capacity. One has been employed to organise a Factory School at Bradford. A second has been engaged in similar duty at Birmingham, and is now visiting Schools in Shropshire under the Salop Board. The remainder have been employed under the Boston, Hertford, Buckingham, and Leicester Boards. The usefulness of teachers acting in this capacity is evident, not only from the number of applications for their services from every part of the country, but also from the satisfactory accounts given of their efficiency from unquestionable authorities.

Dépôt.

The establishment of a Dépôt for school books and materials, including forms of register, &c., by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, has contributed, in a degree fully equal to what was expected, toward lessening the cost, improving the quality, and facilitating the acquisition and distribution of every requisite for Schools. The reduction in the price of such articles may already be rated at above 20 per cent., and is likely to become considerably greater.