to admire in particular that zeal in the cause of education, which, in every period, has been one of the most striking features of that establishment. If this little work should be attended with no other advantage, (and I am deeply conscious that its execution will disappoint the hopes of those who called it forth,) it at least affords me an opportunity of vindicating your just claims, and of directing the Public to the real quarter, to which they are indebted for those benefits, that have been so widely diffused through the medium of your excellent Institutions. In doing so, I would, at the same time, embrace the opportunity of returning you my warmest thanks for that liberality, which permitted me to become a partner in your labours, the results of which will, I trust, to the last hour of my life, continue to be a source of my highest gratification. May I venture to hope, that, on your part, the confidence, which you reposed in me, will not be considered to have been misplaced; and that, in the superintendance of the education of your interesting charge in those essential principles of our common faith, which ought to be the fundamental basis of all education, no inconvenience has been felt from the circumstance, that there were other points be hind, in which we happened conscientiously (though perhaps widely) to differ. In a work which, though it lies within a narrow compass, embraces a wide range of controverted opinions, I cannot flatter myself, that either you, or perhaps any one of my readers, will concur with me in every point. It is therefore proper to state, that for these opinions I am myself exclusively responsible; and that, the more effectually to protect others from a responsibility which might have proved embarrassing, I have even foregone the no small advantage, which my Treatise might have derived, from having been submitted to the consideration and able correction of the Office-bearers of the Institution. This circumstance it is more necessary to notice, on account of the general terms, which have sometimes been employed in the expression of these opinions. It was my original intention not to have prefixed my name to the "Account," and to have sent it forth to the world as from the Conductors of the Institution. In the progress of the work, however, I found it necessary to treat of so many questions, liable to diversity of opinion, that, in justice to others, I considered myself bound to abandon that intention, and to come forward in my own name; though, partly for the sake of uniform ity, and partly to avoid unnecessary egotism, I continued to employ the plural number. With my best wishes, that, under your parental and fostering care, THE EDINBURGH PAROCHIAL INSTITUTIONS may long continue to be a blessing to the Public, I remain, GENTLEMEN, Your faithful and obliged Servant, JOHN WOOD. GREAT KING STREET, 6th Nov. 1828. CONTENTS. Reasons for Publication, and for its delay.-Error of attach- ing too great importance to the externals of education combated.―Opposite error combated.—Error of disregard ing the age and circumstances of the pupil.-Error of con- sidering the Sessional School as unsusceptible of imitation. Origin of the Sunday Schools.—Origin of the Daily School. Catechisms. Their use. Their abuse. How to be explain- ed. Scripture Biography.-Scripture Reading,-Sunday Direction of the Daily School, in whom vested.-Importance Importance of the Office.-Whether it should be an absolute disqualification for a Teacher that he has higher views. -Aptness to teach, an essential qualification. His obli- gation to do justice to all his Pupils. In what qualified sense this is to be received.-Tact necessary in a Teacher. 81 THE MONITORS AND MONITORIAL SYSTEM. Monitors how selected.—History of the Monitorial System. |
