THE BLIND ASYLUM. FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT, YOUR Committee, in their last report, invited the subscribers and friends of the Institution to unite with them in thanksgiving to Almighty God for the increased interest which had been awakened on behalf of the blind. They have now much pleasure in stating that their own opportunities of usefulness have considerably increased, as will be seen in the details of their report. The number of pupils in the institution during the past year has been 70; 39 males and 31 females. In addition to these in-door pupils, 91 persons, residing at their own homes, have been visited by the blind teacher. The progress and conduct of the pupils in the institution, during the past year, have been highly satisfactory. The superintendents are increasingly impressed with the advantages which the rising pupils derive from the removal of the more advanced ones, and they are thankful to observe the rapid progress, in various departments, of the younger pupils, from the stimulus thus given worthily to fill up the vacancies so made. Whilst the superintendents consider that all the handicraft departments are decidedly progressing, they feel called upon especially to notice the excellence of the work of the females. About five pounds' worth of articles have been contributed by twelve of the elder girls to the "Society for Promoting Female Education in the East," during the past year; the whole of which was done out of school hours, and from beginning to end, almost entirely without any assistance the carefulness and correctness giving proof at once of the pains-taking of the teacher and of the attention of the pupil. Your committee have much pleasure in reporting that Susan Taylor has been appointed organist of St. Barnabas' Church, and they feel full confidence that she will fill the situation in an efficient manner. Of the candidates for confirmation, which took place in November last, two have died-William Cobb, at his father's residence in Birmingham, and Richard Taylor, at the institution, in May. Your committee hope and believe that both rested their hopes for eternity in Christ alone. These young men were brought into the institution from being pupils in the home teaching branch; and your committee feel it a peculiar cause of thankfulness, that besides enjoying the ordinary benefits of the Scriptural instruction given in the institution, they had the additional advantage of special instruction in the Christian truth on the occasion of their offering themselves for confirmation. Your committee cannot but refer to the removal of Margaret Moore from the institution, one of their oldest pupils, to reside with her friends, and have much pleasure in testifying to her satisfactory conduct during the entire period of her residence. It is hoped that many others will seek to follow her good example. The committee are thankful to state that the health of the pupils generally has been as good as usual, and they have again to express their gratitude to the medical officers for their kind and watchful care. In referring to the home teaching of the blind, your committee desire to thank the lady collectors for their valuable aid in raising the funds for carrying on this important work. The increase of pupils, and the consequent necessity of employing another blind teacher, call for still greater efforts; but your committee cannot doubt the willingness of a Christian public to contribute to a branch society which is so calculated to alleviate the sufferings of the afflicted class. As already mentioned, 91 persons have been visited by the blind teacher during the past year; 64 of whom are now practising reading; fifteen, being incapable of learning, from illness or other causes, are read to by the teacher; five have declined his services; five have died; and two have been admitted into the institution, one of whom, as above referred to, has since died. The Rev. H. Humphreys, who kindly overlooks the blind teacher's journal, reports most satisfactorily of the attention given to the persons visited; and the lady visitors, who have rendered such an increased amount of comfort by personal visitation to the cases under their care, give similar testimony to the labours of the teacher. One of the pupils, a married man, with children, has been taught mat-making in the institution, and many of the families of blind persons have had their heavy burdens lightened during the past winter by seasonable and kindly aid. The committee have more than ordinary pleasure this year in reporting upon their financial affairs, as it is the first year since the completion of the building that they have been entirely free from debt. The annual subscriptions have been £1068 17s. Od., being the largest amount ever yet reached. The donations, £211 8s. 8d., and the legacies from Thomas Cotterill, Esq., £500; Mr. Matthew Keirle, £100; and Mr. Lewis Lyons, £50-in all £650, less the duty. The building and furniture, including organs, pianofortes, and every requisite for carrying on the manufactory of baskets and mats, have cost, since its commencement, with all repairs, £12,103, which sum has been discharged from the following sources: namely-donations, £9,229; legacies, £2,534; and £340 from the annual subscriptions and articles sold. It may now be a proper time to notice the aggregate amounts of such sales from the commencement of the institution, which have been £1,612, while the materials and some of the smaller tools have cost £929, thus showing a surplus of £683. It would not be correct to add to this outlay the cost of the teachers in basket making and weaving during that period, as the whole of such charge may strictly be considered as applicable to the instruction of the pupils. The committee would beg to remind the subscribers and the public, that music forms a very material object in this charity, and during the past year they have met with especial encouragement in this department; but in order to accomplish this, the wear of instruments is very great, and consequently, presents of pianofortes would at all times be most acceptable. Another expense, that of coals, may be alluded to, as a very large item of expenditure, being increased by the extent of the buildings. The committee hope they may with propriety appeal to the coalmasters of Staffordshire for help in this respect; and they would mention the great number of pupils from that county. For many years past, they have never been fewer than one-third of the whole number, and have cost, at least, £400 more than the amounts paid by their parents and friends. The committee beg to call attention to the stock of baskets and mats, in all of which will be found very material improvements, especially of mats and rugs composed of cocoa-fibre and worsted, many of which are executed with remarkable skill and ingenuity. Your committee cannot close their report without again asking their friends to unite with them in praising God for the mercies of the past year, and earnestly requesting their prayers for his blessing on the work in which they are privileged to engage; feeling assured that "neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." BLUE COAT SCHOOL. EXTRACT FROM REPORT, 5TH APRIL, 1861. 1860, January 1, in school, 92 boys and 60 girls. Elected at Easter, 35 boys and 30 girls. Left during that year 19 boys and 14 girls; leaving at its close 108 boys and 76 girls. On Fentham's trust, at the close of 1860, eight boys and five girls. Aggregate number of children in the school, 31st December, 121 boys and 81 girls; daily average during the year, 190. Two sermons were preached at St. Philip's Church, on May 26, by the Rev. David Melville and the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, which brought to the aid of the school the sum of £60 9s. 9d. DONORS, 1860.-The True Blue Society (1859-60) £21; J. T. (a subscriber) £10; Mr. John Nicholls £2; Mr. John Nock 21s.; Mr. George Swain 21s.; Mr. Richard Turton 21s.; Mr. F. O. Badham 21s.; Mr. E. Baker 21s.; Mr. John Clarke 10s. 6d.; Mr. R. H. Bate 5s. Children remaining in the school on the 31st December. The following is the Treasurer's report for the year ending the first day of January, 1861. 183 3 8 Old clothes, &c., sold Trustees of Fentham's Charity, for Maintenance and Education of * Royal Commission of the Patriotic Fund for Maintenance and education of Orphans, and a premium of £20 paid with an Apprentice For Maintenance and Education of James Little, admitted under addition to Rule XVII. Legacies, viz.: Architect, surveyor, accountant, and other charges .. Balance in the hands of Attwoods and Co., 1st January, 1861 3 11 0 20 0 0 3706 3 10 74 16 8 3 19 9 £3785 0 3 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE REV. CHANCELLOR LAW AND THE REV. SAMUEL WILSON WARNEFORD, LL.D. Weymouth, Dec. 6th, 1839. My dear Friend,-I have this day received your report of the recent proceedings at Birmingham, touching the proposed Hospital, with much interest. Do not care for a little opposition, nor for the virulence of hostile parties. By the blessing of God you will meet with complete success. I noticed in the Birmingham newspaper that I appeared in the front rank; be it so, if I can do any good you may depend upon me. May I venture one suggestion. Do not attempt to retort upon your opponents by anything which looks like personality; it might only endanger your strong footing upon the lofty eminence which we occupy. In plain English, another Hospital is wanted, in addition to the present one, for the immense population of Birmingham and the district. I am too far off and too fully occupied here to be of any service, except by my purse and anxious good wishes. I repeat, regard not opposition, and you are as sure of complete success as any certainty can attend future plans in earthly matters. I expect that you will appeal to the public with that perfect confidence of success which you feel, as confidence creates confidence. Wm. Sands Cox, Esq. Your sincere friend, JAMES THOMAS LAW. Weymouth, November 19th, 1839. My dear Friend,-Having five minutes to spare before the post goes out, I take up my pen to thank you for your letter of the 16th instant. Nothing is more |