Society. The first is, your permission to the adult scholars to take home their books: this is the grand secret of their rapid improvement; they rise before the day-they steal some moments at their meal-time-and they keep the rush-light burning late at night, that they may con over their Sunday lesson. The second good regulation is, all the apparatus of conductors' papers, and teachers' books, which take a wonderful hold of poor people, as they see their lukewarmness and neglect will be entered in something like a permanent record. "As I have noticed what I think the excellencies of your system, I will mention, also, what I think the danger to which it is most liable: for I can most truly assure you I am unacqainted with any positive fault in any part of the plan; and that is the danger of contracting the influence and extent of the system, by any rousing of religious differences. The more you can keep it to the noble boast and motto of the Bible Society, (which I look upon as its lawful parent)-Co-operation without Compromise-the more widely extended will be both its sphere and usefulness. I have, on the full persuasion of its great utility, written to my ecclesiastical superior a full account of the Keynsham Adult Schools, and borne a full testimony to the integrity of design, as well as the constant zeal of Methodist and Baptist teachers, and to the liberal contributions from the Society of Friends; and I have done so, not merely because I thought it my duty not to make use of so just a moral engine (as far as my insignificant support and countenance can be called my making use of it) without his approbation; but because I think the plan calculated for universal adoption. While we behave fairly to each other, there is not a town or village in the kingdom, which may have a Bible Society or Association, but may, and ought, also to have an Adult School. I am happy to say, my Bishop approved of the plan; and has, in Wells, set on foot something of a similar nature. ઃઃ Wishing you every success, and a full enjoyment of that promise of the Bible-' He that watereth others shall be watered also himself :' "I remain, with much respect, "Your obliged humble servant, "THO. B. SIMPSON." The worthy conductress of one of the principal schools in Bristol, who favoured me with the following letter, has been a zealous labourer in the cause of educating the Adult poor, from the commencement of the undertaking; and generously undertook the management of the first school opened for those of her own sex. She modestly requested her name might not be inserted. To Thomas Pole, M. D. "Bristol, Dec. 20, 1818. 66 "SIR, Agreeably to your request, I send you some account of the Adult School for Females under my care, in Gloucester-lane. The recollection of the commencement of this school affords me much pleasure: but to see the amazing progress of the learners, and the delightful prospect of its future happy effects, is beyond the power of my pen to describe. Many, who came only to learn to read, have, by reading the Holy Scriptures, been truly enlightened, and are now seeking the Lord with all their hearts. I have made inquiry respecting many of them, and I find that there are (speak ing within compass) ten who appear to be thirsting after divine life. The benefits resulting from these Institutions will never be fully known in this world. Frequently, on asking them questions respecting the good they receive, they have all seemed unanimous in expressing their gratitude to God, and to those through whose kindness they have the opportunity of learning. They certainly know and feel the value of learning, and bless God while they are reading the Scriptures. Truly the Lord is working a new thing in the earth.' We have lately had three young women, sent by some of the Friends (Quakers) to my school, who were taken from off the town; their serious deportment and attention to their books are very pleasing. These once abandoned creatures cannot now say-' No man careth for my soul.'-No, thanks be to God, there are benevolent persons who are now seeking out those who have been two long left a prey to sin and Satan. The number admitted into Gloucester-lane School from its commencement is ninety-eight; the present number in the school is about fifty-nine. Some are removed to other schools, some gone to distant parts, some dead; but very few have turned away from it. I could mention the names of several of the women, were it necessary, as proofs of what I have above stated; and were their united voice required, it would be heard exclaiming The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad!' "These are a few of the particulars relative to my school, which are at your service, for whatever purpose you are disposed to use them. "I am Sir, "Your's respectfully, "E........ B........." * This was before the School of Refuge commenced. The author of the interesting letter below is one of the secretaries of the Bristol Adult School Society, who has been a steady, zealous, and useful labourer in this important Institution. * "To Thomas Pole, M. D. DEAR SIR, "Bristol, Jan 21, 1814. "A few weeks ago I was much gratified with the moral change apparent in the conduct of two of the learners in our Adult Schools-a man and his wife. The account I received from the wife is as follows: that, prior to their entering the Adult Schools, neither of them had attended any place of worship for seven or eight years; that her husband, who by trade is a shoemaker, was never contented but when in a publichouse; the result was that they were almost destitute of raiment to cover them, or food to eat. He often wounded her, in different parts of her body, with his knives, and treated her in a very brutal manner. She observed, she could not be sufficiently thankful for the change experienced in her own temper, as well as that of her husband, since they have been taught to read the sacred Scriptures. Thank God! she exclaimed, now my husband and myself attend always some place of worship; and when we cannot both go at the same time, we never forget to pray for each other.' She likewise remarked, that her husband absolutely dislikes the idea of even going to a public-house on business; and that, instead of oaths and improper usage, he never enters his bed without praying to the Father of Mercies for their salvation. She added, 'Where I had one morsel of food before, I have ten now at least. My husband is become so just in all his dealings, that he will not let any one carry out his shoes for sale, fearing they should ask for them more than they are really worth. By the help of God, it is our mutual determination to live and die in his service; and grateful to those who have kindly instructed us to read the Holy Scriptures.' "I believe, my dear Sir, I have written the account exactly as it was related; and should you think proper to make any use of it, I need only say, the parties have no objection. "With great respect, "I am your sincere friend, Amongst the evident improvements in the moral char acter of the lower classes, since the establishment of Adult Schools, as well as those for the education of the rising generation, it has been pointedly remarked by the inhabitants of Bristol, with peculiar satisfaction, that, during the present winter, we have not heard of one fourth-part of the nocturnal depredations in this city and neighbourhood, as have of latter years been committed. It has likewise beeen observed that, during the late illuminations, the lower classes have been far less rude and riotous than was formerly the case, when they were in the habit of breaking the windows, not only of those who scrupulously objected to put up candles, but even of such as did not illuminate to their wishes on the late occasion, nothing of this kind, worth speaking of, occurred in this place. This improvement in their conduct has, by a considerable number of sensible and reflecting persons, within my own hearing, been attributed to the beneficial effects produced on the minds of the common people by the combined influence of both Adult and Children's Schools. If those circumstances, which must afford peculiar satisfaction and pleasure to every good citizen, : |