sions of riper years, may not be remembered,* and the eye has learned to read that God our Saviour does blot out transgressions for His own sake, and will not remember the penitent believer's sinst-and that He will never leave nor forsake the soul that has fled for refuge to Him.‡ Even the children of the poor become rich in faith by reading of the loving kindness of the Lord to the fatherless and destitute, and by the gracious assurance afforded to every child that prays, that He will be the guide of their youth. His word effectually teaches them how to escape the evil that abounds; and his Spirit enables them to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

If therefore you seek the welfare of your neighbours, the prosperity of the state, and the salvation of immortal souls, you will aid such institutions as that for which I have the pleasure now to plead. But for Sunday Schools, tens of thousands would have remained immured in the dungeons of ignorance-they would have been habituated to the neglect of the Sabbath, and have been led captive by every vice. Bút now they experience mental liberty-they are taught the way of peace-and are led to the constant observance of that blessed day of religious instruction and rest.

Psalm xxv, 7. Isaiah xliii, 25, Acts xiii, 39.

Hebrews xiii,

Of how great importance religious education is to the comfort of Parents-the enlargement of the Church of CHRIST, the benefit of our native Country, and, in the order of means, the present and eternal happiness of the children themselves, no man is able fully to express.* By the divine blessing on these institutions, we live in hope of still brighter days. Thus shall Britain remain a praise in the earth. Thus shall Britain be the glory of the nations. And thus shall Britain continue to bring forth children, who will honor all men; who will love the brotherhood; who will fear God; who will honour the king.

Beloved Brethren, are these things so? Then let us more diligently read the Holy Scriptures ourselves; pray more earnestly to their Blessed Author to open the eyes of our understandings, and lose no opportunity of aiding others to read them; being assured that, from the earliest period, they may be known with incalculable advantage: because they "ARE ABLE TO MAKE

US WISE UNTO SALVATION,
WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

THROUGH FAITH

It was the observation of Mr. Raikes, of happy memory, as the founder of Sunday Schools, that in the course of 20 years, only one soeducated, had been brought before the civil magistrate as a criminal. The same observation was made of one of the Cantons of Switzerland, in which education was universal.

THE REPORT.

THE circumstances under which the Society assembles, at this its THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY, demands some explanation: it having proceeded hitherto, without that general observation which more modern Societies have thought proper to excite by regular Anniversary Sermons and Public Meetings,-the General Meetings of the Society having heretofore been confined to its own members.

Among the objects, therefore, which have particularly engaged the attention of your Committee, there were none which appeared to them of greater moment, than to make the institution of this Society more extensively known in the confidence that the simplicity, purity, and importance of its designs would entitle it to general approbation and support; and that its means of becoming still more beneficial, would then be proportionably increased.

Without asserting its claims to preference above any existing Institution, the SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY may yet be allowed to challenge the praise of having not a little contributed to the prosperity and usefulness of many :It was the pioneer which cleared the way when it was obstructed by ignorance and prejudice; and many societies have profited by that effect of its exertions,

which prepared the public mind for giving them a welcome reception.

Your Committee, therefore, before they report their proceedings during the last year, beg leave to give to this numerous and respectable Assembly, a short outline of the constitution of this Society.

It was instituted in 1785, by a very respectable body of benevolent men, who considered it the most likely means to effect a reformation of manners among the lower orders of the people, by instilling into the youthful mind the first rudiments of useful knowledge, and the important principles of Religion and Morality.

In forming the plan of the Society, the most liberal and Catholic principles were adopted, in hopes that Christians of all denominations would be induced to unite in carrying it into execution with greater energy. Schools connected with the Church of England, and with the different denominations of Dissenters, are equally objects of the Society's notice and relief, provided such schools be under the superintendence of some responsible person.

In order that this fundamental principle may not be infringed, the Committee is composed of an equal proportion of Members of the Established Church and Dissenters; and no books are issued by them for the schools under their patronage, but Spelling Books and Testaments; and those gratuitously.

These Regulations secure the Society against any possible imputation of forming a particular interest, and enable it to advance the common cause of Christianity, by furnishing to the children of each denomination the means of acquiring religious knowledge.