RAGGED SCHOOL UNION MAGAZINE. "Train up thy children, England, in the way Of righteousness, and feed them with the bread Of wholesome doctrine. Where hast thou thy mines Thy bulwarks, where, but in their breast? Thy might, but in their arms? Shall not their number be thy wealth! Thy strength, thy power, thy safety, and thy pride ?" VOLUME XI. LONDON: RAGGED SCHOOL UNION, 1, EXETER HALL; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. THE Completion of another volume of the "Ragged School Union Magazine" gives a suitable opportunity for glancing at the efforts made and the results achieved during another year of Christian and philanthropic labour in relation to Ragged Schools. Much has resulted from the labours of a united body of voluntary teachers aiming at the eternal welfare of their scholars (but not losing sight of their temporal interests), which no flesh can gauge, but it shall be made known in that day when all secrets shall be revealed, and when the Judge of all shall announce before assembled worlds that "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these little ones, ye did it unto Me." Much then of the work that is being done in Ragged Schools is being done in faith, and while being done is the subject of earnest heartfelt prayer by those who are convinced that a Paul may plant and an Apollos water, but that God alone can give the increase. (See page 217.) That such a body of labourers, using such means, and with such high and holy aims, should increase in numbers is of grave importance, and with this object in view the Committee of the Ragged School Union brought the subject under the notice of the friends gathered at their last anniversary, by a special resolution, viz. :— "That much gratitude is due to those Voluntary Teachers who have so assiduously, and with so much self-denying zeal, laboured in the Schools during past years; and it being indispensable to the success of Ragged Schools, from their Missionary character, that such voluntary agency should be sustained, that all such teachers be earnestly urged not to slacken in their work, but continue to attend as regularly and as numerously as possible." It is hoped that this has resulted in large accessions to the body. It is here introduced that our Christian readers may again consider the subject with a view to the rendering of that personal help that is in their power to bestow. The number of young persons and adults brought under the beneficial influences of Ragged Schools and Refuges has been increasing year by year, till the following are the results of the returns for the year now closing, viz. :— 145 Sunday Schools with 22,176 scholars in attendance. 150 Day Schools with 15,075 187 Evening Schools with 8,965 115 Industrial Classes with 4,281 159 Paid Teachers in Day Schools. 146 Paid Teachers in Week Night Schools. 64 Paid Refuge and Industrial Masters and Mistresses. 371 Paid Monitors. 2,668 Voluntary Teachers. Total 369. There are 15 Refuges where 500 inmates are fed, lodged, clothed, and educated. 2,372 scholars left the Schools for situations during the year. In March, 568 boys and girls received prizes for having remained in their situations upwards of twelve months, with good character. 63 Mothers' Meetings, attendance 1,704. 4 Fathers' Meetings, 64 Penny Banks, 15,494 depositors. 34 Clothing Clubs. 83. The 10 Shoe-black Societies in London employ an average of 326 boys, who, during the year 1858, earned £4,308, or upwards of £13 each boy. They cleaned during the year 1,033,920 pairs of boots and shoes. To sustain these efforts, not including the Shoe-black Societies, the public has voluntarily contributed the noble sum, during the year, of £33,240. These figures apply only to the metropolis; similar, but less extensive, efforts have been made in nearly all the cities and large towns through the country. In Liverpool and Manchester, Ragged School Unions are in operation with a view to the formation of more schools, as well as for the supervision and increasing efficiency of those already established. These statements are not made in a vaunting spirit, but to recognise Christian efforts and acknowledge noble generosity; and, above all, to show, though in a very humble manner, the indebtedness to Him without whose blessing "the little one would never have become a thousand, nor the small one a strong nation." 1 EXETER HALL, December, 1859. THE EDITOR. |