the schools, in the course of the last year, 51 Prayer Books, and 56 Exposition of the Catechism. This society generously and gratuitously supplies the schools with the Book of Common Prayer, &c. which may be necessary for the poor. The Board have likewise great pleasure in acknowledging donations of Bibles from Mrs. Cochran, and Mrs. C. M. Logan; some small sermons from Mrs. Russell, and some children's clothes for the use of the poor from Mr. J. Simmons Bee. During the last year, the Board of Managers appropriated $40 for the purchase of clothing for the children in needy circumstances. Larger funds are wanted for, this important purpose than the Board can afford to spare. The charitable can in this way do much good. The children of the rich can make an offering to those who are in want, and thus acquire a habit of generous feelings, and show their gratitude to God for the blessings they enjoy. The Board of Managers cannot close their report without expressing their respect and gratitude to the superinten. dents, for their unwearied attention to this. pious work, and to the ladies and gentle. men of the several congregations who have, with so much cheerfulness and zeal, devoted a portion of their time, and kind. est care, to the instruction of the classes. The Board have nothing to offer but the meed of their applause; but there is One who "seeth in secret," and who knows what is in the heart of man, who, we trust, will graciously behold these labours of love, and will recompense sevenfold into their bosoms. "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least" of Christ's lambs, ye have done it" to the "Great Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." And here the Board must be permitted likewise to declare their obligation to several pious ladies, and more particularly to Mrs. Russell, of St. Philip's, and Mrs. Hazlehurst, of St. Michael's, for their zealous exertions in seeking out, and bringing into the schools, the children of the poor, these interesting objects of our more peculiar regard. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not," said the Saviour of the world; and his blessing, we trust and pray, will descend upon those who bring them into his presence, and place within their reach "the means of grace, and the hope of glory." The religious education of children has, in all ages of the Church, usually devolved upon mothers. Upon mothers, therefore, we would more particularly urge the importance of Sunday Schools. Alive to the happiness of their offspring, they cannot but feel an interest in an institution which will prepare them "to shine in another world as well as in this." Religious themselves, they must rejoice in the moral and religious character of their children. This observation is not new. St. Augustine, 1400 years ago, proclaimed it to the world, "I cannot express," says the Bishop of Hippo, speaking of his mother, "with what solicitude she regarded me in my tender years; and the pains and labour with which she sought to bring me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." And St. Basil, Bishop of Cæsarea, has likewise declared, that he owed to the anxious care of his mother, his early in struction in piety, and the knowledge of God. This was likewise the declaration of our late lamented Diocesan, and of many other eminent servants of God. If, with all our solicitude, the tree should not immediately bear good fruít, we must not be discouraged. By constant care and cul. ture it may live to be an ornament in the garden of God. Nourished by the dews of the Gospel, cherished by a parent's prayers, it may at length bring fortli "the fruits of faith, of righteousness, and peace," through the power of the Holy Ghost. In conclusion, the Board of Managers would earnestly recommend the society to the patronage of the pious. Funds are wanted for the purchase of premium books and clothing; and for other incidental expenses. A subscription of one dollar a year constitutes a member of the society; and ten dollars, paid at one time, a member for life. But the Board are par ticularly anxious to increase the number of pupils in the schools, and more especially the children of the poor; under the fullest conviction, that these seminaries are a great means, under the blessing of God, of bringing them up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and of giving them the knowledge of those important duties which are essential "to their everlasting peace." The Board, therefore, earnestly solicit the influence of the pious in accomplishing this important object. Signed in behalf of the Board of Managers. Officers for 1822—23. The Right Rev. Nathaniel Bowen, D. D Bishop of the Diocess, (ex officio) Presi dent; the Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D. D. Rector of St. Philip's Church, (ex officio) 1stVice-President; the Rev. Christian Hanckell, Rector of St. Paul's Church, (ex officio) 2d Vice-President; Ebenezer Thayer, jun. Secretary and Treasurer. Board of Managers.-The Rev. Frederick Dalcho, M. D. and the Rev. Allston Gibbes, Assistant Ministers of St. Mi chael's and St. Philip's, (ex officio ); Thomas S. Grimke, Daniel Ravenel, and Ebenezer Thayer, jun. Superintendents of the Sunday Schools of St. Philip's, St. Michael's, and St. Paul's, (ex officio); the Rev. Milward Pogson, Thomas W. Bacot, Daniel Huger, Archibald E. Miller, Samuel Henwood, Lawrence E. Dawson, John W. Mitchell, James S. Johnson. To the preceding very interesting address and report on the subject of Sunday Schools, we have to add two communications recently raade us on the same exalted charity in our own state. The first is the report of the Superintendent of the school at New-Rochelle, Westchester.county, in the form of a letter addressed to its President, the Rev. Lewis P. Bayard. The second is the report of the Secretary of the Sunday School of St. Peter's Church, Albany. These articles further evince the utility of Sunday School instruction, and will be read with interest by all the friends of religion and piety, and particularly by those who feel the importance of this work of love.. New-Rochelle, 20th Nov. 1822. REV. AND DEAR SIR, Your request to receive a report of the Sunday School over which I have been privileged to preside as its superintendent is cheerfully complied with. The school commenced on the 29th of September last, and the most sanguine anticipations were fully realized by seeing 52 children assemble together for the purpose of receiving instruction in the rudiments of the English language, and the principles of the Christian re ligion: the school has increased with a rapidity that must surprise all who were acquainted with the difficulties and discouragements the founders of it had to contend with. We have now on our register 108 scholars, of which number 58 are males, and 50 are females; the greatest number present at one time has been 81; the smallest 51, and that on a day when, in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, very few were expected to be present; the average number is 65. I took an early opportunity of impressing on the minds of the children the necessity of employing their leisure moments during the week days, and committing lessons to memory to be recited on the Sunday. The prospect of receiving a reward for diligent exertion stimulated them to exert their ability, and several were competi⚫ tors for the prize. On the 20th of October, 228 verses were recited by eight scholars from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and a prize Testament awarded to William De Grushe, for having committed to memory 64 verses from that Gospel. The succeeding Sunday, 284 verses were recited. On the 3d of November, 700 verses of Scripture were recited, and a prize Testament awarded to Jane Golden, for having committed to memory 113 verses. On the 10th, the children, without any assurance on my part that they would receive any other reward than the tickets which they are in the habit of receiving for their good lessons or their good be haviour, recited 630 verses from the Scriptures, with four hymns containing 18 verses; a prize Testament was awarded, and by you presented to Benjamin Roe, for having committed to scholars are entitled to more praise memory 118 verses of Scripture. The than on a preceding occasion, when they recited 700 verses; then an additional reward was promised them; at this time no additional inducements were presented. On the 17th, 812 verses of Scripture were recited, and 36 verses of hymns. Two of the scholars, whose conduct in the school, and their exemplary diligence in the pursuit of knowledge, and who have more than once received the merited commendation of their teachers, have again shown what industry can effect, when stimulated by the prospect of reward. The individuals in question are Jane Golden, and William De Grushe; the former, last Sunday, recited 160 verses from the New Testament; the latter 132: as they had already received the highest prize I could at that time bestow, I wish to know, whether you do not think that such laudable exertions ought not to be further rewarded by the present of a Bible to each of them. Since the commencement of the recitations, 2,654 verses of Scripture, and 54 verses of hymns, have been committed to memory by the scholars. I have, for a long time past, been connected with institutions of this kind, and I never have seen greater attention displayed than is manifested by those at present under my charge. The teachers are entitled to all the praise that can be bestowed upon them by those who feel interested in Sunday Schools; their zealous co-operation with my own feeble exertions, have been the means of raising our little institution to the height it has attained, and I humbly hope that at a future day we shall be allowed to see that the seed sown here was not sown altogether in vain. But vain would be any attempt of mine to eulogize the exertions of the teachers. I trust some of them feel the force of the remark, that "the praise of men is but as smoke;" but, looking further than the vain applause of a fellow worm for their reward, and animated by a holy ambition, they endeayour to cultivate the esteem and love of that Holy Being whose "favour is better than life itself." In haste, I remain your obedient humble servant, JOSHUA L. HARRISON. The Secretary of St. Peter's Church Sunday School, (Albany,) RESPECTFULLY REPORTS, AT present there are engaged in the male department of the school a superintendent, an assistant superintendent, a secretary, and six teachers, who have committed to their care and instruction 65 scholars, of whom from 40 to 50 regularly attend, and are divided into seven classes, viz. three Testament, two -reading and spelling, one spelling, and one alphabet class. Although the embarrassments and disorganized state the school has been in for some time past has been such, as would almost have damped the zeal of its patrons; still they look forward with increasing energy, trusting in him who is the Author and Giver of "every good and perfect gift," that they will shortly realize the benefits they anticipated would result from an institution calculated as this is to generate industry, economy, and morality. It is with pleasure the secretary states, that they have lately been enabled to increase their number of teachers, which induces them to look forward to the day when the school shall not only increase her numbers, but that they may be able to reclaim those who have deserted the school when in want of teachers. It is a source of gratification to the patrons of this institution, to witness the improvement the youth in general have made in religious knowledge, by their correct answers to questions, which were lately proposed to them by their teachers from the Testament. The number of verses. recited the past year in this department is 3586. The female department at present consists of 72 children; from 50 to 60 regularly attend, and are conducted by a superintendent, and eight teachers. It affords the highest satisfaction to their teachers that their labour is not in vain, evinced by the improvement the scholars make in religious knowledge and correct deportment. From the respective reports of each teacher, the secretary has every reason to conclude, that this department is in a flourishing condition. He deems it unnecessary to lay before the public their several reports, but trusts that the following incidents will convince those who entertain but a poor opinion of Sunday Schools, that they are, or at least would be, were they to assist in instructing and bringing up the poor orphan "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," of all other institutions, the most beneficial to society. One little girl has committed to memory, since last November, St. Matthew's Gospel, Epistle of James, eight chapters in Proverbs, Selection of Psalms, and all the collects and hymns set forth in the Conimon Prayer Book, Another little girl has committed to memory the greatest part of the hymns and psalms set forth by the Church in the Common Prayer. After hearing a child, seven years old, recite the Lord's Prayer, she was asked if she was in the habit of saying her prayers. She emphatically replied, that she prayed every morning for her mother and sister. This little girl is cast as an orphan on the world's wide stage, and without one kind aid, in ignorance and wretchedness to roam; her father being dead, and her mother having abandoned her. A little girl, about ten years old, came to St. Peter's Church Sunday School, from her own inclination, never having been sought or invited. She could scarce spell words of two syllables; but her ambition and anxiety to imbibe instruction was so great, she soon equalled, in spelling and reading, and, in a short time, surpassed those who were tolerable readers when she was taken in the class. She had never been to any school for instruction until she came to the Sunday School. Her parents lived in the country, and sent her to live with an aunt in this city, who is in indigent circumstances. She was not absent more than once, or twige, during the year and a half of attending school; and, living beyond the Hay Scales, (which is nearly a mile,) no weather, however boisterous, inclement, cold, or rainy, prevented her punctual attendance. Her young heart appeared to overflow with delight in reading the Scriptures, in reciting the Church Catechism, or in repeating the numerous hymns, and whatever was given by her teacher to commit. Her being called home by her parents, was a source of regret to her teacher, who had witnessed her uncommon capacity, docility, and obedience, and her serious and devout deportment, from which was anticipated an instance, out of many, that might be given from this school of the blessed effects of Christian instruction on the young and tender mind, and an encouragement to those who are engaged in this interesting work, not to remit, or draw back from these labours of love, for much remains to be done. The number of verses recited in this de partment for the past year is 9774, JOHN LE BRETON, Secretary of St. Peter's Sunday School, Albany, Albany, November 3d, 1822. 6 smoking. On seeing me, they called and said, 'Sir, whence are you?' I answered, 'I am a native of Delhi.' They said, 'Speak truth! your ap pearance and speech are not like a Hindoostanee.' I said, 'That arises from my having associated much with the people of the west.' They asked me, Are you of the people of the west?', I answered, 'Ask not concerning my birth: my father and mother were of good extraction; but I have renounced my family, and forsaken Islam, and have now embraced Christianity.' They be came angry, and said, 'Dishonourer of your house! why have you forsaken Islam, and become a Nazarite?' I said, 'Sirs! I say the truth-that in the Pentateuch, and Psalms, and Books of the Prophets, I found no trace of your prophet. He, without any authority, styles himself a prophet, and has ruined a world of souls. All your scriptures are contrary to God, and the Lord Je-, sus Christ: and he was so unwise as, knowingly, and with his eyes open, to cast himself into perdition.' The speaker said, 'God protect me from Satan! O thou, what word of the prophet of Islam have you found contrary to the word of God?' I said, "The following is a saying of your prophet-The world is a lie, and advantages arise from deceit.' He was much disconcerted, and said, 'My house is near.' I went with him to his house, and staid with him: he treated me very kindly; for three hours we con-. versed on religion; and, were I to detail the whole, this book would not contain it. He at length observed, that, from what he had heard, a desire was created in his heart to forsake Islam; and, if I had a copy of the Nagree Tract, in Persian, he begged I would give it him. I gave him a copy of the Nagree Tract, and of the Psalms, in Persian, and took my leave." At the same place, on the following day, Abdool thus speaks of a visit to some Roman Catholic Christians: "I visited Padre Antonio's Christians. They inquired my name. I told them, 'Abdool Messeeh.' On hearing my name, they immediately said, 'Our Padre has often spoken of you as the enemy of Jesus, and of the Virgin Mary; and that you forbid people to have images of saints, or to worship the Virgin Mary; and that you have led astray many of the Agra Christians: and now are you come here to lead away the Christians of this place! you must not enter into our church.' I said to them, earnestly, 'My dear brethren, if any one hears a bad report of another, he inquires if it be true or false, and why it is. I desire you, do not say any thing of your Padre; but sit down in some place apart from the church, and hear my story; and let any fit person compare what I say with the Holy Gospel. If I speak according to the Gospel, obey it: if I speak contrary, do not obey it.' They then said, 'Don't try to deceive us: we are forbidden by our Padre' and one said, I know you once disputed with Padre Antonio, about ten years ago: we do not wish to incur the excommunication of our Padre for your sake.' On this, two Christians of that persuasion passed by; and, hearing what I said, invited me to their house, and showed me much kindness." In working up the Ganges, Abdool arrived at a village named Jerret. He gives the following affecting account of an interview at that place with a native of a hundred years of age : "He had built a mosque, and dug a pond in that village, and has three sons, and grandsons having children. He supposed me to be a Mussulman guide, and approached me with great respect. I told him briefly my history, from beginning to end. He was much astonished; and his children and many of the village gathered round me. I. asked him if he could read: he answered, No.' I then said, "Oh! Sir, I grieve for your state. God has greatly lengthened your days; and has given you all kinds of earthly wealth in riches and in children; but, alas! you have not yet obtained the knowledge of the true God. It would perhaps have been better for you had I not met with yous and yet, if I tell not the truth, your blood would be upon my head.' Haying said thus much, I remained silent. He then said, 'Pray, Sir, then tell me what I must do. I have done every thing I have been told by native teach you ers. I have dug a well, and built a church, and given much in charity. All these external services I have performied; and now, from your discourse, I find that these things are all for making a name in the world.' I answered, 'I tell you, in God's name, that now is your twelfth hour; and if you will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall, without the merit of your own works, beyond all doubt, obtain salvation.' I then read, and began to explain to him the Parable of the labourers, who, in the evening, received wages alike: and I made known the divinity and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He turned to his eldest son, and said, 'What shall I do?' He, hearing this, rose, and, going into the house, told the family: when the younger son, coming out, was very angry with the father, and said, 'Old man! is thy sense gone! Dost thou think of forsaking thy religion, and becoming an Infidel and a Feringee, and ruin us all ? When he heard his son's words, he said to me, 'I tell you truly, that I have heard what you have read, and now understand it: and now my heart desires to become a Christian; but the love of my children does not allow me.' I asked, 'Will your children save you also from hell?” I shook the dust off my feet, and departed from them; and, coming to the boat, had family worship: four or five people came with me to the boat, and remained till after worship." The next day the boat reached Ghazeepore. Abdool describes, on this occasion, the following method of attracting attention: "I went to the house where I had formerly held a long conversation, and found not one of the people at the door of the house. I said to my servant, Set down the chair.' He set it down. A conjuror was showing tricks, and many people were collected. I directed Suadut Messeeb to ask me questions aloud, and I would answer them; if, perhaps, in this way, good might come to any soul. Suadut asked, Aged brother, why sit you here?' I answered, 'I wish to show these people the true way. I have pity on miserable ignorant souls, who know not the true God.' Several questions, after this |