Among the many advantages that have resulted from this Union, the following may be particularly noticed:-increased attention to Sunday School institutions in the town and neighbourhood; the establishment of many new schools; considerable improve, ment in some formerly established; increased attention to the religious instruction of children; some attention to the instruction of ignorant adults; and a greater degree of cordiality and affeetion in Christians of different denominations towards each other.

REPORT of the HAMPSHIRE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. THE Committee of the Hampshire Sunday School Union, being now in possession of returns from nearly all the Sunday School Societies with which they stand connected in the county, are enabled to report, that although there are several instances of declension, there are more of increase both with regard to teachers and scholars--and, notwithstanding it is a subject of regret, that comparatively so few are to be found willing to make a sacrifice of ease and comfort, for the benefit of the rising race; yet there is reason to rejoice, that the number of benevolent young persons, of both sexes, engaged in this most important work, has greatly increased, and is still increasing.

The returns which have been received, enable the committee to put the meeting in possession of the following animating facts, which they are sure will come home to the bosom of every one present. The numbers of children and teachers in connexion with the Union, were;

There is a fact which the committee are enabled to bring be fore the meeting, and which they wish to impress deeply on every friend to the infant poor-it is, that notwithstanding all that has

been done, there are yet more than fifty villages in this enlightened county destitute of a Sunday School!!! What will the friends of religion and humanity say to this? Will they not, with one voice, resolve immediately, that such an opprobrium shall be wiped away? Will they not anxiously inquire what can be done to pour the light of instruction into these dark and gloomy corners?-to effect this, is the very object of the Union-there is, therefore, a ready answer to such an inquiry-Let the Union be supported, not only by funds, but by what is even more important, by the active and cordial co-operation of every Sunday School teacher in the county; and it will soon be seen, that the obstacles which now present themselves will quickly vanish, and the means of instruction be placed within the reach of every poor child in Hamp

shire.

EXTRACT from the SECOND REPORT of the BRISTOL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

YOUR committee embrace, with pleasure, the present oppor tunity, to lay before the subscribers and the public a report of the progress of the society since the last general meeting; and, in so doing, they cannot avoid congratulating their friends upon the continued prosperity which has attended the institution. During the last year, thirteen new schools have been opened in various parts of the country, containing 1277 children; and eight others have received considerable donations of books, besides many of the schools which were included in the former report. The total number of schools which have been opened under the patronage of this society, since its commencement, is thirty-eight; and the The number of number that have received assistance, eighteen. children in all these, cannot be accurately ascertained; but your committee may confidently state that it amounts to several thousands.

Adhering strictly to the principles and objects of the institution, your committee have continued to offer their assistance, without reserve, to all denominations of Christians; and have laboured to extend the advantage of Sunday Schools wherever they have had opportunity. Your committee have much satisfaction to report that the schools with which they are connected, In some instances, inare, in the general, in a prosperous state. deed, the zeal of those who conduct them has grown cold, and the schools have consequently declined; but, in the majority, the case is far different-the teachers have felt an interest in the cause proportioned to its importance, and the most beneficial effects have been produced among the children committed to their care. The plan of visiting the schools, in the neighbourhood of the city, has been found very serviceable both in promoting their improvement, and in stimulating the members of the committee to increased exertion. If any proof were wanting to convince them

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of the importance of the society, they have received it, in an abundant degree, when visiting different districts of the surrounding country: the ignorance and wickedness which they have beheld in many places, has loudly called them to action; whilst the happy results of Sabbath Schools, which they have witnessed in others, have furnished the most powerful stimulus and encouragement.

Your committee cannot omit again adverting to the advantages of the quarterly meetings; a spirit of unanimity and zeal has appeared to pervade the assemblies-the minor distinctions of party have been forgotten-one grand object has engaged the attention and excited the energies of all-the glory of God, and the happiness of man.

In their former report, the committee expressed a hope that they should be enabled to establish schools in some villages in the neighbourhood, by the aid of voluntary teachers from Bristol: in this they have been partially disappointed. The number who offered their services not exceeding six every Sabbath, the committee could only assist three schools, viz. those at Pill, Fishponds, and Batten's Chapel. To the teachers who have thus distinguished themselves, the committee tender their public acknowledgments; whilst they take the opportunity of earnestly inviting others to imitate so laudable an example. Much might be advanced upon this subject, but the committee would rather refer to two schools, conducted upon this plan, which reflect the highest credit upon those immediately concerned, and also furnish a powerful motive to similar exertion:-the first is a school of one hundred girls, at Screwshole, established and carried on by a voluntary Association of Female Teacliers, belonging to different congregations in this eity. The benevolence and zeal of these ladies have been very conspicuous-disregarding alike the heat of summer and the inclemency of winter, they have persevered in their undertaking, and have now one of the most prosperous and best regulated schools in the surrounding country. The other school is at Wick war, consisting of one hundred and twenty boys and girls: this is conducted by a number of voluntary teachers from Wottonunder-edge. The thanks of your committee are particularly due to these active individuals, who regularly walk twelve milescause no expense either to the inhabitants or the society-and whose exertions in the school are unwearied, and have produced the most gratifying results.

Your committee might mention many other instances, where the establishment of schools has been attended with very pleasing events; particularly Blagdon, Sodbury, Falfield, Alverton, and Almondsbury, in your own neighbourhood; and also several of the schools in Wales; the improvement in the morals of the children has been very observable, and not a few have manifested a hopeful degree of seriousness, and have learned to venerate that inestimable volume which is the only guide of youth, and the sure support of age.

In conclusion, your committee would respectfully invite all denominations of Christians-all friends to the religious instruction of youth, to promote the objects of this society. By the Divine - blessing upon its labours, much has been done; but more remains to be effected the field for exertion is extensive and barren-the labourers are comparatively few; let every Christian then be active in this important cause, until that glorious period arrives when the Redeemer shall be universally known and beloved from the rising to the setting sun.

EXTRACT from the SECOND ANNUAL REPORT of the BATH SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION..

YOUR Committee have to state the opening of several new schools in the past year; and although the number may not have been equal to that which they had to exhibit in the first and former year, they may venture to assert, that no society of a similar description could have done more with the same means, and in the same time, towards attaining the grand object and design of such institutions, than has been done by the members of this Union. And indeed, when it is considered, that, besides attending constantly to many of the schools which had been opened in the course of the first year, there have been no less than thirteen new schools established during this second year (some of them at no inconsiderable distance from Bath), and all of them formed either by the exertions of teachers and other members of the Union, or by the help afforded in the gratuitious supply of initiatory books, &c, it must be allowed that our labours of love, have been increasingly active and useful, and that the Bath Sunday-School Union has not been formed in vain.

Of the schools opened in the first year, there are now belonging to the Bath Sunday-School Union, as follows:

Batheaston ....

Bishop-Sutton

Combhay
Castle-Comb

Camerton
Doynton
Ford

Hinton

..

Children.

49

200

60

61

64

50

55

30

63

45

Monkton-Comb

Marksbury

Although your committee in their former Report could not apprize you of the establishment of Schools for Adults in this city, they have now the satisfaction to announce that pleasing event; and to state that through the active exertions of a friend, whose name will ever be recorded in the history of Adult Schools in Bristol, a considerable number of poor persons of both sexes, and of various ages, in Bath and its vicinity, have been induced to receive instruction in the art of reading. Several conductors, and many teachers, have engaged in this pleasing and most acceptable of all services, with praiseworthy zeal and alacrity; and in consequence of their united exertions the following schools have been opened, and the numbers of men and women now under instruction as against each school expressed:

Men's

Women's

Totale

School.

dirto.

Twerton ..

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Not a few of these poor persons have made such progress since they have been under instruction as to be able to read with facility