The Scholar's Mark-Book, by J. Kentish. C. Robinson and Co. A Letter to a Child. Wertheim and Mackintosh. Attendance-Card for Schools. Wright, Stafford. Civil-Service Competitions, considered as a Means of promoting Popular Education, by Horace Edward Stanford, 6 Charing Cross. Mann. Price 6d. Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses' Associations, The Editor cannot undertake to notice reports and proceedings of Associations unless sent in a brief form. METROPOLITAN.-The usual monthly meeting was held on Saturday October 3d, when some new members were elected, and others proposed for election. Mr. Troughton read a paper on "Sundayschools connected with the day-schools." The paper strongly condemned the practice of placing children on Sundays in the remotest seats of the church, and most out of the way of the clergyman's voice. Mr. T. also urged that the work of the Sunday-school should be so distinct from the day-school that the books used in the one should not be used in the other; and that the master should not be compelled to take any part in the Sunday duties. On Saturday the 17th, P. L. Simmonds, Esq., gave a lecture to the members on "The economic uses of shells." Specimens of various shells and shell-work were exhibited, and created much interest. A vast amount of information on the structure of shells, as well as their uses, was given by the lecturer. OSWESTRY.-The October meeting was held at the Whittington Rectory. Although the Rev. W. Walsham How, Rural Dean of Oswestry, had invited a large number, the meeting was but thinly attended. His object was to obtain the teachers' opinions upon the subjects discussed at the meeting of Diocesan Inspectors at St. Asaph in July. Those subjects were, Children's pence, Home-lessons, Registers, Night-schools, Capitation Grants, Sunday-schools, Schoolmasters' Associations, &c. reverend gentleman provided tea for those present, after which the meeting terminated. The SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE AND EAST WORCESTERSHIRE.-At the sixth annual meeting of this Association, held at Dudley, there was a good attendance of members and friends. The Venerable Archdeacon Hone presided. Mr. Vaughan read a paper on," "What do we mean by religious instruction, and how far may we hope to carry it out in our schools?" A discussion followed, in which the Rev. J. H. Sharwood, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Watts, and Rev. E. A. Kempson took part. At the dinner were assembled sixty persons. J. T. Chance, Esq., filled the chair, and the Rev. J. H. Sharwood the vice-chair. The toasts proposed and responded to gave occasion for many interesting remarks on the progress of education; and among other matters, it was stated that the prize-scheme which had originated in that district, had so much extended that there were now sixteen associations of the kind in England. Mr. Sluter, the secretary, read the report, which showed the Association to be in a prosperous condition. NORTH CHESHIRE.-The eleventh meeting of this Association was held at the Boys' School, Weaverham, on Thursday the 8th instant, and was very well attended. The chair was taken by the president, the Rev. R. Greenall, Incumbent of Stretton, and Ru al Dean. The proceedings of the meeting, as usual, were commenced by prayer; after which a discussion on "Reading" took place; but the subject being of such vast importance in education, and opening out into so many branches, it was unanimously agreed that it should be resumed at the next meeting, to be held at Bowdon, along with the following, viz. "Is religion taught in our schools, and how is it taught?" BRISTOL.-The members of this Association held their fourth annual meeting on Saturday October 3d, at the Belle-Vue School, Clifton, when the treasurer's accounts, which presented a very favourable balance, were audited. The secretary's report was read and adopted; the lessons to be given next year were appointed, and several essays volunteered. Messrs. Biggs, Serjent, and Wilson, were re-elected to the offices of president, treasurer, and secretary respectively, and unanimously thanked for their services during the past year. The following is an extract from the report: "The present number of members is twenty-three, representing most of the more important Church schools of the city and immediate neighbourhood. The following is the order in which the lessons have been given, and the essays read, during the year just elapsed: Lessons-1. Elisha causing iron to swim;' 2. 'Generosity;' 3. The Feudal System;' 4. The skin;' 5. Music;' 6. Fractions;' 7. The Passover;' 8. Coalgas;' 9. The Brazen Serpent;' 10. The hand;' 11. The Saxon's home;' 12 Presence of mind.' Essays-1. Haughton's Arithmetical Exercises: their adaptation for class as well as individual teaching; 2. The cultivation of the mind more important than fact-teaching;' 3. The failings of our training: 4. Perseverance;' 5 'The influence of home on the children, the school, and the teacher.' The subscriptions to the Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses' Benevolent Institution will amount, it is hoped, to upwards of 71. in connection with this Association; and when the objects of that excellent society are more fully understood, this amount will, without doubt, be much increased." EAST KENT.-The quarterly meeting of this Association was held in St. Lawrence's School, Thanet, on Saturday October 3, at which upwards of twenty members were present. After the usual business of the Association had been transacted, two excellent lessons were given to a class of children on "The sin of Achan" and "The force-pump" respectively; the former by Mrs. Hawkins, of St. John's Schools, Margate, and the latter by Mr F. Goshawk, of Minster National Schools. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in discussing the methods adopted in giving the lessons. It is intended to hold the next meeting at Sandwich. VALE OF AYLESBURY.-The usual bi-monthly meeting of this Association was held in the Aylesbury National Schoolroom, on Saturday October 3d. The Ven. Archdeacon Bickersteth presided; and there was a full attendance of the members, both clergymen and schoolmasters. Prayers having being said, the Archdeacon called upon the Rev. A. P. Cust to read his promised paper on "Church-music." This paper, which was highly instruc ive and interesting, drew forth the warm approval and thanks of the members present; and the various points alluded to were then discussed in a very pleasant and profitable manner. At the close of the meeting, the members adj urned to the church, where various canticles and hymn-tunes were practised with the accompaniment of the organ. The meetings of this Association appear to increase in interest; and it was unanimously resolved before the members separated, "That a lesson in Church-music should, whenever practicable, form a part of the ordinary business of the Association at its bi-monthly meetings." BATH DEANERY.-The quarterly meeting of this Association was held at Trinity School, Bath, on Saturday October 10th, and was fully attended. Mr. Humphreys, Master of the Central School, Bath, gave a lesson on "Mace and nutmeg" to a class of the Trinity School children, who by their ready and intelligent replies gave strong evidence of the care with which they had been taught in general sub jects. Mr. Davies, of Twerton School, afterwards read an interesting paper on "Notation," in which he contrasted the various systems, and showed the advantages that would arise from the general adoption of the decimal coinage. A brief discussion on the lesson and paper brought the meeting to a close. The secretary announced the presentation of a handsomely bound set of Twenty-seven Volumes of the Church-of-England Magazine, the gift of the Rev. H. Calverley, Rural Dean. BARNSLEY AND WAPENTAKE OF STAINCROSS.-In July, Mr. Joshua Barraclough read a paper on "The topography of Lancashire," at Silkstone; in August, Mr. John Burland, on "Botanists in humble life," at Ardsley; in September, Mr. James Barraclough, on "Caverns," at Hoylandswaine; in October, the meeting was held at Stainborough, where no paper was read. The November meeting will be held at Silkstone. WENTWORTH.-Owing to the serious illness of Earl Fitzwilliam, K.G., the patron of the Association, it was thought not advisable to hold an annual meeting of a public character, as on the two previous years. Accordingly the members met on Saturday October 3, at Mr. John Brown's, of Hemingfield School, who read a paper entitled "Late-comers." After tea, the subject of the paper was discussed; and many valuable remarks were elicited. Votes of thanks having been given to the retiring officers, Mr. Berridge, of Elsecar, was elected chairman; Mr. Hargreaves, of Wombwell, treasurer; and Mr. Pearson, of Brampton-Bierlow, secretary, for the ensuing year. TESTIMONIALS. -To Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS a handsome Writing-desk, suitably inscribed and furnished, by the Pupil-teachers and Boys of St. Bride's School, Liverpool. To Mr. GEORGE ARNOLD, on the occasion of his Marriage, a handsome Rosewood Tea-caddy, by the Teachers and Children of the Cowbridge National School. To Mr. GEORGE TERRY, Pupil-teacher, Walmer National Schools, on his leaving for Chichester Training College, a Church-Service, by the Committee; and Companion to Sunday-Services, by the Rev. G. Gainsford. To Mr. GEORGE SLANEY, on resigning charge of the Rendlesham School, a handsome Time-piece, with inscription, by the Scholars, their Parents, and other Friends. To Miss WARNER, Mistress of the Stalbridge National School, an Ormolu and Bronze Eight-day Time-piece, bearing a suitable inscription, by the Scholars and old Pupils of the school. To Miss KILLICK, on her leaving the St. John's Schools, Redland, Bristol, a Writing-desk, from the Pupil-teachers and Children. To Mrs. JOHN CHURCH, Mistress of the St. Peter's Schools, Walworth, by Miss Elizabeth Miller, Pupil-teacher, on the expiry of her apprenticeship, a Lady's Work-case; also a Writing-case to Miss CHURCH. To Miss TEAL, Assistant-Mistress of St. Mary's Girls' School, Sheffield, on her resignation-from the Rev. William Wilkinson, Incumbent, Montgomery's Works; from the Head-Mistress, Handel's Messiah; from the Teachers, a Writing-case; from the Teachers and Girls, a Rosewood Work-box, with suitable inscription. To Miss M. C. MARSHALL, a Dressing-case, by the Girls; and a Writing-case, by the Boys, of the Coborn School, Bow. To Miss MCGREGOR, on her leaving St. Paul's School, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, a Gold Pencilcase, by the Children. APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. JOHN WILLIAM DOVEY, from Low Harrogate, to be Organist and Schoolmaster at St. Mary's, Wolverhampton. Mr. ALFRED WOOD, late Assistant of St. Peter's Commercial School, to the Mastership of Bicker National School, Lincolnshire. MARRIAGE.-On Monday, October 5th, at St. Paul's Church, Chacewater, by the Rev. G. L. Church, JOHN NINESS, Master, to JANE, Mistress of the Chacewater National Schools, and daughter of the late Captain Samuel Tippett. OBITUARY.-On Thursday August 27th, ALFRED KERSHAW, late Pupil-teacher of the Keighley National School, in the fourth year of his apprenticeship and seventeenth of his age, was drowned in the river Aire whilst bathing with his fellow pupil-teachers, who endeavoured, but without success, to assist him. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. We cannot undertake to notice anonymous communications, nor to insert letters or information received after the 20th. The name and address of our correspondents should always be sent, though not necessarily for publication. "W. Hughes," "Subscriber," "A Nine-years' Vegetarian," " W.," "J. M.," declined with thanks. "J. W." Inquiry declined. Can hardly be considered educational. "Alpha." We incline to think no objection could be raised. "Candidate." Inquire of one of the many certificated masters in your neighbourhood. "J. R." is thanked; the information has been supplied by another correspondent. "Beta." One copy only, we believe, is sent, and intended, we conclude, for the use of both managers and teachers. The book would be part of the school property. "J. Stanton." We cannot afford space for your inquiry. It is usual to charge higher for farmers' and tradesmen's children than for labourers'. The former sometimes write in copy-books, while the latter are restricted to slates, &c. "A Master." The managers of the school are the proper body to take cognisance of the point on which you seek information. "A Schoolmaster." We cannot altogether agree with you. Much has been done to improve the dwellings of the teacher; and he may save himselt trouble and annoyance by getting a full description of the residence offered before he spends time and money in visiting a school previously to an appointment. "A National Teacher." Declined with thanks. We fear your letter is not written quite in the spirit it should be to help the cause you have at heart. "W. Kermode" should search our previous Numbers for answers to his inquiries. The price of Young's Latin Grammar is 2s., and may be obtained through any bookseller from Williams, the Eton bookseller. "J. G." Your appeal came to hand too late to be available. The letter, however, which appears in this Number on the same subject may promote the cause you advocate. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. [THIS portion of the Number of the Monthly Paper is now published in a separate form as THE NATIONAL SOCIETY'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL PAPER, and may be obtained regularly through any bookseller at the cost of one penny; or twelve copies of this Number, or any already published, will be sent postage free on remitting one shilling in postage-stamps to the Editor, or six copies will be sent for seven stamps. This arrangement has been made in compliance with the request of clergymen and others who have the management of Sunday-Schools, and are anxious that every teacher in the school in which they are interested may be provided with the Paper at the least possible cost. As a large circulation is necessary for the success of "The Sunday-school Paper," it is hoped that an effort will be made in Sunday-Schools throughout the country to subscribe for six or a dozen copies monthly.] In consequence of the increasing demand for and rapid sale of the "Sundayschool Paper" our readers are requested to order early in the month the number of copies which they require. Attention to this point will insure an issue of the Paper equal to the demand, and prevent delay and disappointment. "The Sunday-school Paper" in a separate form commences with the June Number 1857. The Papers extend back to July 1856, but are not published except as part of the National Society's Monthly Paper. Proceedings. DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER. The Report of the Winchester Board for 1856-7 has recently been printed. It states, that the Sunday-school Committee of the Board have been prosecuting their labours under the direction of the Venerable the Archdeacon of Winchester, and with the most untiring energy on the part of their secretary, the Rev. A. Crowdy. An interesting letter by the Archdeacon, on the Sunday-school proceedings in the county of Southampton, has been published; and a series of cheap tracts issued under the direction of the committee calculated to stimulate and instruct persons willing to devote their energies to the work of teaching in Sunday-schools. DIOCESE OF GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL. The subjoined extracts from a paper on Sunday-schools, read before the Cirencester Association of Teachers, in July, by the Rev. A. Kent, Vicar of Coln St. Aldwyn's, are inserted as a continuation of those which have already appeared in the Sundayschool Paper. It is evident that a very important operation for a Sunday-school is to maintain a connection with those boys and girls who have left the week-day school. It is a common complaint all over the kingdom, that children are so early taken from the day-schools. This is certainly a great misfortune, and one of the greatest trials with which teachers have to contend; but we must not forget that our Sunday-schools are of the greatest advantage in keeping up what has already been attained by the National schools. They serve to maintain the hold of the clergy over the youth of both sexes, and are also of great use in keeping together, as it were, a permanent Confirmation class. It is most desirable, then, that the children who have passed out of the National school should be induced to attend the Sunday-school as long as possible. Here, however, is a difficulty. Boys who are beginning to fancy themselves men do not like to be in the same class with a number of little girls and very young pupils. In this case I have found my class-room of immense service. Boys whom I could not induce to remain at school with the little girls will readily come to be taught by the clergyman in a room apart, sitting on chairs and having a table for their books. I have found this out by actual experience. When I first came to this parish, I obtained with difficulty boys of an advanced age on Sunday. Now I have a dozen full-grown lads regularly. Before this school-room was built, I had this class in my own house. This, I admit, was not in some respects very pleasant,-my servants complained of the effect of nailed shoes upon the carpets; but while the necessity lasted, I submitted to it patiently. The plan which I adopted succeeded, and the boys now attend regularly in the class-room of the school which has since been built. Every plan adopted for keeping up a connection with past day-scholars must be one of attraction. It is out of the question to use severity, except on the rarest occasions. Sunday is not the day for it. Whenever, unhappily, I have felt compelled to use it, my composure for the church-service has been disturbed. I caught eagerly, therefore, at a little scheme mentioned at a former meeting by the Vicar of Northleach, and have tried it with good effect. It is to have a clothing club for the Sunday-school boys distinct from the other clothing-clubs in the parish. They pay their pence on a Sunday afternoon, and scarcely a minute is occupied in collecting their payments. To the sum which they contribute is added a premium at the end of the year-say a halfpenny to each penny subscribed. If a boy is absent his penny is not received, and therefore he loses the premium for that week. The plan has answered; the club keeps the lads regular, and I no longer hear those excuses which were once so common,-"Henry Weaver was obliged to go here," "Dick Sharp was obliged to go there," &c. A great benefit would accrue to our Sunday schools and parishes if farmers who employ children would discourage unnecessary labour on Sundays, especially during the hours of divine service. The excuses often made for non-attendance are such as should never be heard: for example, "Thomas Donkin was watering the cattle last Sunday afternoon;""Martha Styles absent from church and school all last Sunday because she was tending sheep in the roads all day," &c. I cannot think that the horses need be fed just between two and four on Sunday afternoons. The simplest arrangements in the world would remove such reproaches, if the employers took only a decent interest in those whom they employed. Our Saviour pronounced a severe woe upon those who caused His "little ones to offend." Correspondence. [The Committee of the National Society are thankful for any communication likely to assist SchoolManagers and Teachers, or otherwise promote the work of Church Education; but they do not necessarily hold themselves responsible for the opinions of the Editor's correspondents.] To the Editor of the National Society's Monthly Paper. SUNDAY-SCHOOL DISCIPLINE.* SIR,-I pointed out in my last letter four or five proofs of the existence of discipline in the conduct of our schools; let me now add one or two others. It belongs to the discipline of the Sunday-school that scholars should be carefully entered as members of the school; let this be done by the superintendent, or better still, the clergyman of the parish. The scholars should be made to feel that they are undertaking a real engagement. As many of our parochial schools are now conducted, young persons go and come just as it suits their convenience, Should there be a sick-club or clothing-society in connection with the school, many of them come just in time to pay the weekly subscription, on one part of the day only, and leave the room again as abruptly as they entered it. In country-parishes, especially where the collection of the weekly payments is necessarily made upon the Lord's-day, this evil is particularly observable. Now let scholars understand at once that they join the school for some other purpose than the entry of their contributions in the books of the sick-society or clothing-club's treasurer or secretary; let names and addresses be taken down; let them be asked whether they intend to come regularly to school, and let the benefit of doing so be as forcibly as possible pointed out to them. Again, it would be well if, at the time of entering, each scholar should undergo at least a nominal examination. When I say nominal, I mean that it need not be either very strict or very searching; let there be a standard of some kind-say correctness of reading, fluency, readiness, or general intelligence. In too many schools there is much too great a disparity as regards these things among boys or girls of the same class; some read well, others indifferently; some understand what they read, others do not. Such an admixture of scholars in the same class is an exceedingly injurious one. Another thing, as regards the discipline of the scholars, is, that a probationary register should be kept of all new-comers. Every Sunday-school teacher knows how often it happens that a boy or girl attends the school for a Sunday or two in succession, and then perhaps gradually relapses into careless habits, finally falling-off entirely. Meantime his name has been entered upon the regular class-registers, which, especially if the defaulters be numerous, as they are in our large towns, are consequently disfigured and encumbered with the names of non-attendants. Let a page or two of the class-register, either towards the end of the book or elsewhere, be ruled as a probationary register; and let it be well understood that no boy or girl shall be entitled to be entered as a regular scholar, until after a constant and punctual attendance of at least a month or six weeks from the date of admission. * [The first of this series of letters appeared in the Number of the Sunday-school Paper for July.ED. M.P.] Once more, it appertains to the discipline of the Sunday-school that absentees and irregular or unpunctual attendants should be inquired after, and, if need be, reprimanded or encouraged to a better attendance, according to the discretion of the managers and teachers. Children should never be left to infer that their absence or irregularity is unnoticed or uncared for. Parents should be visited, reasoned with, and advised; every inquiry should be conducted in a kind and conciliating, yet in a firm and earnest manner. Lastly, it appertains to the discipline of the Sunday-school that a time-table should be constructed showing the proportion of time to be devoted to each subject, morning and afternoon. It is taken for granted that the lessons are sometimes varied. Some portion of time will necessarily be occupied in repetition of the collect, the portion of Scripture or the hymn which has been committed to memory during the week; then, perhaps, a lesson on some parable or other passage of Holy Writ may be succeeded by another lesson on the Church catechism or liturgy. The time appropriated to each should be determined beforehand; a table, similar to those which have already appeared in your Paper, should then be drawn up and exhibited in some conspicuous position. Let each teacher refer to this, and so time his instructions on any one subject as that they shall begin and conclude as nearly as possible according to the directions there given. But now, Mr. Editor, I must bring this analysis of Sunday-school discipline to a close. Very imperfect it most assuredly is; my end, however, will have been gained if I shall have succeeded in drawing some attention to the subject upon which I have endeavoured only, as it were, to offer a few suggestions. One word as to the spirit in which Sunday-school discipline should be carried out. I believe it might be carried out very much more extensively than many good-natured but mistaken people are willing to allow. Children are not naturally lovers of disorder and confusion and irregularity; it is only neglect and indifference on the part of parents and teachers that make them so. They very soon begin to appreciate and fall in with rules and regulations for the preservation of order and harmony. We need not carry these out in an unkind, domineering, or intemperate spirit; nor need we be too stringent or punctilious as to their exact fulfilment. Only let us not be altogether indifferent to them. Let not the Sunday-school be a "fortuitous concourse of atoms, each having a law of its own, or obeying only its own impulses." Every where in the effectual management of large bodies of men some degree of discipline is required. There must be concert, subordination, a code of laws, and a dele. gation of authority into the hands of properly appointed administrators and rulers. Let us apply these principles to our Sunday-schools. When we have done so, we shall have attained some measure of discipline. When, however, we come to consider the characteristics of a good teacher, we shall be better able to illustrate that spirit in which all good teachers would desire to administer the discipline of the Sunday-school. This I hope, some time or other, to have an opportunity of doing, provided always that you think my communications not wholly unworthy of a place in your useful and interesting Sunday-school Paper.-I am, &c. M. S. S. Notes of Lessons for Sunday-school Teachers. [The Committee of the National Society, while anxious to give publicity to any communications in the form of "Notes" which may be useful to Sunday-school Teachers, do not necessarily hold themselves responsible for articles inserted under the above heading.] NOTES ON THE GOSPELS. Matt. xviii. 15-22. Matt. ix. 18-26. *These "Notes" are arranged in the form of Questions as specimens of catechetical teaching; but the Questions should be varied and simplified, and others should be inserted to render them still more connected. TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Ver. 21. Who came to Jesus? What did he ask Him? Had Peter a brother? [John i. 40, 41.] But do you think he only meant Andrew? Whom must he have meant? [Each of his fellow-men.] Have we other brethren than those belonging to our families? [Exhortation in Prayer-Book, "Dearly beloved brethren."] Why are we all brethren? Was Peter a Jew? Now, as a Jew, did he think he was doing some great thing by extending mercy to a seventh offence? Yes; the Jews believed from Amos (i. 3; ii. 6) that they should forgive three times, not more.*] Ver. 22. When Jesus says seventy times seven, does He mean this number is to be * See Lightfoot's Hor. Heb. in this place. The advanced student may call to mind that the heathen |