THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AKMY: ITS POSITION AND PBOGEESS. BY FOUNTAIN J. HAKTJLiEY, F.S.S., Hon. Secretary of the Sunday School Union. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 3?onbon : SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, 56, Old Bailey, E.C. 1889 . PRICE ONE PENNY. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY: ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. TF any Scriptural warrant were necessary to justify the institution of Sunday Schools, we might point to the ancient customs of the Jewish Church, the exhortations of the Old Testament, and the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles, which, all taken together, are surely sufficient to authorize the employment of any machinery adapted to pro- mote the instruction of the young in the principles of Divine truth, and their introduction to the Christian church. The Catechumen Classes, which rendered essential service during the second and third centuries of the Christian era, had very little in common with the modern Sunday School, which is carried on chiefly, though not exclusively, for children ; which takes them up at an earlier stage than is involved in a candidature for church fellowship, and which retains * them in many cases long after their union with the church has been consummated. 4 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY: At the same time these Classes certainly met on the Sabbath-day, and as their object undoubtedly was religious instruction, there is at least some ground for the opinion expressed by Bishop Vincent : “ The good philanthropists of the last century, in digging that they might build a human fabric, laid bare an ancient and Divine foundation.” But even if we had to come to the conclusion that the Institution founded by Robert Raikes, and the modern Sunday School of the Church, which has grown out of it, are to be regarded as a return to patriarchal and Jewish customs, or a revival of the ancient Catechumen Classes, inasmuch as these customs and these Classes had, with occasional exceptions, fallen into desuetude for many centuries, Raikes would have to be regarded as the ^-founder instead of the founder of Sunday Schools, a position which would not materially reduce his claims to the gratitude and reverence of the wise and good,' At any rate, the rapid growth and wide develop- ment of the Sunday School system, following upon the opening of his first Sunday School one hundred and nine years ago, is one of the most remarkable features in the modern history of our country ; and the contrast between its humble beginning and its present numerical strength and moral influence prompts the grateful exclamation, “ What hath God wrought ! ” From the day when Robert Raikes employed his first four teachers to instruct a few dozen neglected children gathered from the back streets of Glou- cester, in or about the year 1780, the Sunday School has been gradually increasing in numbers and use- ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 5 fulness, until its teachers are reckoned by hundreds of thousands, and its scholars by millions. One Heaven-directed mind Revealed the simple plan ; Now in the glorious task combined, Ten thousand are one man. Though poor and mean the place, And small the band he taught, Millions since then have shared the grace — Behold what God hath wrought ! Sunday School Progress. Enquiries are frequently made as to the number of teachers and scholars in our Sunday Schools, and the following pages have been written in order to furnish a reply to these questions, and to present in a condensed form the gradual progress, the present magnitude, and the actual condition of the Sunday School enterprise. In the year 1818 a Parliamentary return was obtained, showing the number of Sunday scholars in England and Wales to be 477,225, being rather more than 4 per cent, of the population. A second Parliamentary return, in 1833, reported the number to have increased to 1,548,890, or nearly 11 per cent, of the population. In 1851 the educational census was taken, and the numbers were given as 2,407,642, being nearly 13I- per cent, of the population. No authoritative returns have been obtained since 1851, and it has, therefore, been impossible until quite recently to ascertain, even approximately, the number of young people gathered within the Sunday Schools of our country. In preparing an estimate of the number of Sunday 6 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : scholars throughout the world for the Centenary Con- vention in 1880, as no statistics of the Church of England schools or those of the Congregationalists were obtainable, I assumed the proportion to have increased from 13^ to 15 per cent, of the population, which brought out a total of 3,800,000 for England and Wales. Since then the Church of England Sunday School Institute and the Congregational Union have followed the example of other religious bodies, and published their Sunday School statistics, so that sufficient data is now provided to present a fairly approximate estimate of the number of teachers and scholars in the Sunday Schools of England and Wales, and to prove conclusively that the totals were considerably under-estimated in 1880. Before presenting the figures a few preliminary remarks are necessary in order to convey a correct idea of their actual value. 1. Only 80 per cent, of the Church of England schools furnished their actual numbers, but the officers of the Institute feel themselves justified in assuming the same average number of scholars for the remaining 20 per cent., making the total number 2,555,399. The same calculation has been adopted with regard to the number of teachers. 2. I have taken no account whatever of Roman Catholic schools (though 232, containing 33,254 scholars, were reported in the census of 1851), partly because of the difficulty of obtaining intelligence respecting them, and partly because, as far as I can learn, they have little or nothing in common with the ordinary Sunday School. 3. I have been unable to obtain any information ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 7 respecting the schools connected with the Plymouth Brethren and some other small religious bodies included in the census returns. I might have made some estimate for these, but have preferred rather to understate than overstate the case, and to con- fine myself to the actual returns made by the several denominations. 4. The census returns reported the numbers in 542 schools, the denomination of which was unde- fined, and which contained in the aggregate 63,334 scholars. Some of these are, no doubt, included now in one or other of the denominational totals, but the bulk of them in all probability consisted of ragged or mission schools, conducted by members of various congregations, and, therefore, unsectarian. The only source of information available with regard to such schools is the report of the Ragged School Union, which is, however, pretty nearly confined to the Metropolis and its suburbs. The number of scholars reported by this Society is nearly 50,000, but as many of the evening attendants are connected with other Sunday Schools, I have only included the afternoon scholars in my present estimate. 5. A new movement has lately been inaugurated in the Midlands called “ Pleasant Afternoons for the People/’ which already numbers some 27,000, is rapidly extending to other parts of the country, and promises to be very useful. As these gatherings number in some cases as many as 1,000, and are not divided into sections, but treated as one large class, I look upon these as services rather than schools, and have not included them in this estimate. There is no doubt, however, that they have attracted many from our senior classes, and will do 8 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY: so to a still greater degree as the movement extends, especially when the class-rooms and teachers are below par. England & Wales. Teachers. Scholars. Church of England SundaySchools 224.750 2,555.399 Wesleyan Methodists 126,203 892,779 Congregationalists. . 68,270 703,611 Baptists 47.555 469,382 Primitive Methodists 58,085 394.774 Methodist Free Church .. 25,642 192,480 Calvinistic Methodists .. 24,322 164,339 Methodist New Connexion 11,116 84,981 Presbyterians 7.495 79.613 Bible Christians .. 7.i9i 38,525 Friends L597 32,122 Unitarians .. 3,850 30,981 Wesleyan Reform Union.. 3,235 21,322 Independent Methodists or Free Gospel Churches 2,164 19,171 New Church (Swedenborgian) . . 690 6,470 Lady Huntingdon Connexion . . 497 4,660 Moravians . . 590 3,849 Free Church of England . . 362 4.275 Reformed Church of England . . 123 1,085 Reformed Episcopal Church 96 667 Ragged and Mission Schools . . 3.ro8 32,840 Total .. 616,941 5,733.325 As some of these figures were collected in 1886, and others in 1887 or 1888, I shall not be far out in ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 9 comparing them with the population of 1887, which, according to the Registrar General, amounted, in England and Wales, to 28,247,151. It thus appears that the proportion of Sunday scholars to the population has advanced since 1851 from 13^ per cent, to more than 20 per cent., or, in other words, that one out of every five of the inhabitants of England and Wales is a Sunday scholar. If, however, we dealt with the Principality sepa- rately, it would probably appear that among our Welsh fellow-subjects, who have always carried off the palm in the matter of religious education, from 25 to 30 per cent, of the population are scholars in the Sunday School. During the period which has elapsed since the census of 1851, the population has increased 57 \ per cent., while the scholars in our Sunday Schools have increased 180 per cent. This satisfactory progress has varied considerably in the several denominations, the Church of England showing an increase of 150 per cent, in the 36 years, the Methodist bodies, taken together, 157 per cent., the Congregationalists, 105 per cent., the Baptists, 150 per cent., and the Presbyterians 383 per cent., while the Friends, who are doing a noble work in their first day schools, have advanced at the rate of 900 per cent. Scotland has made considerable progress during the last thirty-six years in the proportion of Sunday scholars to the population, though it is still consider - ably behind the southern division of the kingdom, as will appear from the following table. As the Scottish Sabbath Schools usually have but IO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : one session many of the scholars, and some of the teachers attend one school in the afternoon, and another in the evening, and on this account 5 per cent, is deducted all round. No notice is taken of the teachers and scholars attending the various mission schools, and the Foundry boys’ schools, because most of them are included as attendants at some other neighbouring school. Scotland. - Teachers. Scholars. T resbyterian Church of Scotland 20,188 242,963 Free Church 18,161 208,102 United Presbyterian Church .. 12,111 124.393 Methodist . . 2,847 18.413 Episcopal . . 1,726 17.257 Congregational . . 1.392 14.499 Evangelical Union 1,461 14.530 Baptist 1,280 n,405 Unitarian . . 47 4 i 3 Total 59.213 65 U 975 These figures show that the proportion of Sunday scholars to the population of Scotland is more than 16 per cent., whereas in 1851 it was but slightly over 10 per cent. In Ireland, as no information can be obtained re- specting Roman Catholic Sunday Schools, while three-fourths, perhaps four-fifths, of the population are Roman Catholics, anything like so large a percentage of Sunday scholars is not to be expected. ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 1 1 The actual numbers, so tar as can be ascertained, are as follows : — Ireland. Teachers. Scholars. Schools connected with theSunday School Society for Ireland 14.653 169,057 Schools belonging to the Presby- terian Sunday School Society. . 9.744 108,483 Methodist Sunday Schools 3.294 28,274 Congregational Sunday Schools 20 7 2.055 Baptist Sunday Schools . . I42 i, 3 8 ° Unitarian Sunday Schools 92 850 Total 28,132 310,099 Compared with the entire population of Ireland, this would show a proportion of about 6 per cent., but if we assume that three-fourths of the population are Roman Catholics, the proportion would be 25 per cent, of the remainder, showing that Protestants are making large provision for their own j'oung people, and doing something towards the instruction of their Catholic fellow subjects. Turning now to the Colonies, I am indebted to the Statistical Report of Mr. Payson Porter, of Philadel- phia, prepared for the World’s Sunday School Convention in London, for the figures relating to Canada and Newfoundland. According to that Report, it appears that the Sunday Schools of Canada and Newfoundland con- tained 57,212 teachers and 490,109 scholars, the 12 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY: latter amounting to about 9 per cent, of the population. In Australasia the Sunday School has taken a very firm hold, and is rapidly extending its influence. The total number of teachers and scholars in the Australian Colonies, including Tasmania, and the Fiji Islands, as well as New Zealand, amounting respectively to 49,283 and 580,227, the proportion of scholars to the population being about 13 per cent. Referring again to the Statistical Report of Mr. P. Porter, I find that the Sunday Schools of the United States contain 1,100,104 teachers and 8,435,431 scholars, being about 13 per cent, of the population. Considerable difficulty is found in obtaining correct statistics of Sunday Schools on the Continent of Europe ; but the result of numerous enquiries show that they contain certainly more than a million of Sunday scholars, and that, thanks to the active efforts put forth in connection with the Sunday School Union Continental Mission, the numbers are rapidly increasing, particularly in Germany, Holland, Norway, and Sweden. As to the Sunday Schools connected with the several Missionary Societies in heathen and Mohametan countries, the annual reports presented supply such scanty information that anything more than an approximate estimate is impossible. The figures given under this head, as well as the previous one, are believed to be considerably within the mark, and the following summary may, therefore, be confidently relied upon as presenting rather a mini- mum than a maximum computation of the number ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 13 of Sunday School teachers and scholars throughout the world : — Summary. Teachers. Scholars. England and Wales 616,941 5,733.325 Scotland .. 59.213 65U975 Ireland 28,132 310,099 Total United Kingdom . . 704,286 6,695,399 United States of America 1,100,104 8,345,431 European Continent 58.308 1,027,177 Australasia 49.283 580,227 Canada and Newfoundland 57.212 490,109 In connection with the several Missionary Societies in India 5.744 110,270 Ditto. West Indies 9.523 108,233 Ditto. Africa, China, Japan, Persia, and Central America. . 12,145 363,289 Grand Total . . 1,996,605 17,720,135 While these marvellous figures call for the ex- pression of devout gratitude for the blessed work which is being done, they also suggest the hope and prayer that the two millions of voluntary teachers may exert upon the seventeen millions of scholars entrusted to their care all the influence for good of which they are capable, and that the benefits which Sunday Schools have conferred in the past, both of a preventive and a positive character, may, with growing intelligence and increasing devotion, be multiplied in the future a thousandfold. 14 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : Lessons to be Learned. Referring now more particularly to the figures relating to England and Wales, it is a matter for congratulation and thankfulness that the predictions which were given utterance to some years back — viz., that the spread of day school education would do away with the necessity for Sunday Schools, and lead to their gradual decline — have not been fulfilled, but that, on the contrary, the proportion of children in the Sunday School has never advanced more rapidly than during the last few years. The in- struction given in the Board Schools, as well as in the National and British Schools, is doubtless very efficient in the secular department, but neither the energies of schoolmasters, nor the time at their disposal, are sufficient to give anything like the amount of religious teaching which our young people require, and for which large numbers of them must still be mainly indebted to the Sunday School. While, however, it is a matter of rejoicing to the friends of Sunday Schools, that so large a proportion of the juvenile population has been and is now under Sunday School instruction, it is undeniable that gratitude should be accompanied with humility, since it might fairly have been expected that a larger number of former scholars would be found in atten- dance upon public worship, and more satisfactory evidences afforded of the prevalence of the principles of morality and religion. There are doubtless many things which hinder and impede the usefulness of Sunday School instruc- tion, such as the intermittent character of the atten- dance, and the counteracting influence exerted upon ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 15 many of the scholars at home ; but it is equally true that if teachers had been better qualified for their work, and more diligent and earnest in the dis- charge of their duties, a far larger measure of success might have been realized. At the same time, we cannot admit the wisdom and fairness of some of the charges of failure made against the institution, on account of the large pro- portion of the occupants of our prisons, penitentiaries, and refuges, who, during some portion of their early years, have been under Sunday School in- struction. Indeed it is not at all surprising that such should be the case, for nearly all the present population in the middle class of society, and a large proportion of the lower class, have been, for a longer or shorter period, scholars in the Sunday School. When it is remembered that the percentage of Sunday scholars to the population has been gradually rising during the present generation from 1 3^ to 20, that the proportion of the population between five and twenty years of age, is 32- 19 per cent., and that many of our scholars begin after they are five, and leave before they are twenty, while very few of them attend for the uninterrupted period of fifteen years, the conclusion is irresistible, that, deducting the upper classes of society, who do not as a rule send their children to the Sunday School, six out of every seven of the remainder have been under the instruction and influence of Sunday School teachers. While then, on the one hand, we must admit that with such an extensive hold upon the people of our country we might have hoped for greater usefulness, on the other hand we are not much surprised when i6 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : we are told that six out of seven of the inmates of our penal and reformatory institutions have been Sunday scholars ; especially when we remember that there is little doubt that most of these fallen ones, if their history could be traced, were among the most irregular and inattentive at school, and the most ill- trained or uncared for at home. The teachers and friends of Sunday Schools should learn, therefore, to be neither unduly exalted by the magnitude of their operations, nor unduly depressed on account of the comparative smallness of the results ; but while grateful for past and present achievements, they should strive after greater efficiency for the future. It would indeed be a subject of profound thanks- giving if we had reason to believe that the qualifi- cations of Sunday School teachers, and the efficiency of their instruction, were advancing in as large a proportion as the number of their scholars, or that, in other words, extension and improvement were proceeding hand in hand. Necessity for Further Extension especially in London. If we were now rashly to conclude that all who ought to be under religious instruction were actually to be found in our Sunday Schools and Ragged Schools, we should be making a very serious mistake. In the Metropolis, and many of our large towns there are still multitudes who need to be brought under the kindly influence of the Sunday School teacher. ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. I J The number of Sunday scholars in London cannot be ascertained precisely from denominational statistics, but so far as the varying boundaries and uncertain returns will allow of an estimate they may be stated as follows : — S. Scholars. Schools connected with the Sunday School Union, contain according to the report for 1889 .. .. 319,738 The Church of England Schools, according to the estimate of Mr. j. Palmer, Secretary of the Sunday School Institute in 1884, and adding estimated increase, 20,000. . .. .. .. .. .. 280,000 Estimate for Schools unconnected with either Society within the boundary of Greater London .. .. 20,000 Estimated Total . . . . . . 619,738 This would amount to about 12 per cent, of the population of Greater London, which is double the percentage reported in 1851 ; but as the propor- tion in England and Wales is 20 per cent., it is plain that Metropolitan Christians have still a large amount of work to do in bringing the outside popula- tion under Christian instruction. These remarks especially apply to the lower classes of society, and particularly to those elder lads and girls who have not profited as they might have done by the educational facilities now provided for all. For this class the various Ragged and Mission Schools with their evening classes are doing a good work, but the number of these institutions needs to be greatly increased. If the various suburban churches would each of them plant and sustain a Mission School in one of the most neglected districts of London, something might be done to overtake the great and growing needs of the Metropolis, and i8 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : respond to the bitter cry of those who are sinking deeper and deeper into ignorance and depravity. Nor is there any solid reason why the children of the upper classes of society should not enjoy the benefits of Sunday School instruction, as whatever may be said of the possible evils they might derive from association with the children of a lower class, they are undoubtedly deprived of many positive advan- tages by their absence from the Sunday School ; and notwithstanding their superior educational privileges, they are often wanting in that Scriptural knowledge, and those moral and religious habits and tendencies, which the instruction and influence of an intelligent, loving, Sunday School teacher would have helped to impart. Many of the young people in these classes of society may find appropriate places in some of our existing schools ; and special schools or drawing- room classes might be established to meet the wants of others, until all are receiving Sunday School in- struction, not as a substitute for parental teaching and influence, but as a helpful auxiliary thereto. Proportion of Teachers to Scholars. The number of Sunday School teachers, and the proportion which they bear to the number of scholars, opens up another interesting field of enquiry. The original plan adopted of employing paid teachers was soon found to place a barrier in the way of Sunday School progress, and the noble resolution — “ Let us do it ourselves ,” inaugurated that principle of “ willinghood ’’ which is the true glory of the ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 19 system, and opened a way for its almost indefinite extension. The number of teachers in 21,724 schools in England and Wales at the time of the census in 1851 was 301,447 (including 10,383 paid teachers, consist- ing chiefly of the masters and mistresses of National Schools); and if the 1,790 schools which made no report as to the number of teachers contained the same proportion as the others, the total number of teachers would amount to 318,135, so that after deducting the paid teachers, there was then a noble band of more than three hundred thousand voluntary Sunday School labourers in England and Wales alone. This number has now more than doubled, having increased to 616,941, but as the scholars have increased more rapidly than the teachers, the per- centage of teachers is much smaller than it was thirty years ago. In 1851 the proportion of teachers to scholars was between 13 and 14 per cent.; it is now rather less than 1 1 per cent. This diminution partly arises from the increase of large infant classes and senior classes, and partly from the gradual disuse of the custom of employing alternate sets of teachers, a practice which formerly prevailed in some schools, but which, happily, has now pretty nearly died out. In fact the present number of teachers, 11 per cent., which, after deducting officers, wouldgive each teacher an average of 10 scholars, would be amply sufficient if these were equally distributed, and all of them efficient and regular in their attendance. The proportion, however, varies considerably among 20 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY: different denominations. The Church of England schools have a proportion of teachers to scholars of rather less than 9 per cent., the Baptists n per cent., the Congregationalists 10 per cent., and the Methodist bodies taken together, 14 per cent. The proportion varies also in different localities. In the Country Sunday School Unions it averages nearly n per cent., while in the London Auxiliaries it is less than 9, and in some instances less than 8 per cent. It is indeed impossible to disguise the fact that the Metropolis is badly off for teachers, and that some of the schools are languishing and almost dying for want of the agency which the churches ought to provide. Unhappily, such is the difficulty of procuring an adequate supply of suitable agency in London and other large cities and towns, that superintendents are frequently compelled to accept the services of un- qualified teachers, and submit to the multiplied evils of frequent absenteeism, rather than leave their classes absolutely vacant, or place too many scholars in one class. Here, then, is a lesson for the Christian churches of our land, and one to which they will do well to take heed. The work of religious instruction is the work of the church, and no part of its duty is more imperative or will be more remunerative and blessed in its results than the training up of children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Sunday School is almost the only direct agency put forth by the Christian church for making known the Gospel to the young ; and the great com- mission of the Master, as well as the known results of Sunday School instruction, unite to render the ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 21 prosecution of this work, in all its completeness, an object worthy of the devout attention of the very flower of the church’s piety and intelligence. Proportion of Teachers who are Church Members, and who have been Sunday Scholars. Two of the facts relating to the teachers of the schools in connection with the Union are full of en- couragement. 83 per cent, of the country teachers, and 90 per cent, of the Metropolitan teachers, are communicants of Christian churches ; and though this fact does not evidence the existence of all neces- sary qualifications in those who are thus connected, nor the absence of some measure of fitness for their office in those who are not, it affords ample ground for the conclusion that the agency employed in the work of the Sunday School is largely imbued with the spirit of earnest and consistent piety, and capable of exerting a mighty influence for good upon the young people committed to its care. The other fact relates to the number of teachers who, having sprung from the ranks of the Sunday School, may be regarded as living illustrations of its re-productive power, and may fairly be supposed to be well acquainted with the nature of their work, and deeply interested in its promotion. 82 per cent, of the Metropolitan teachers, and 88 per cent, of the country teachers connected with the Union, are re- ported to have been formerly scholars in Sunday Schools ; the larger proportion from the provincial schools arising, doubtless, from the fact that these retain, in their senior classes, a much larger number of elder scholars, who naturally rise up to engage in 22 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : the work from which they have themselves realised so much benefit. In some of the manufacturing districts nearly all of the present Sunday School teachers have been scholars, so that the multiplication of senior classes in the London Sunday Schools, and their careful training by means of our normal classes, will be found one of the most effectual means of supplying the lack of teachers so extensively complained of in the present day. Average Attendance of Teachers and Scholars. As it is comparatively of little importance to have large numbers of teachers and scholars enrolled upon the books unless they are really to be found in our schools imparting and receiving instruction; the average attendance of teachers and scholars, both in the morning and afternoon, is a matter of great regret, and claims our earnest attention. On the 30th March, 1851, according to the Census Returns, the number of Sunda}' scholars actually present in the reporting schools was as follows: — England . . 1,554,359, being a proportion of 75 06 per cent. Wales.. .. 233.999 ,, 7882 ,, Scotland .. 230,024 ,, 7S'&3 ,, London .. 96,671 ,, 6975 ,, As these figures probably represent the attendance at that part of the day in which the greatest number were present at each particular school, it is difficult to make any precise comparison with the average attendance of the present day, though it is quite certain that the condition of our schools in this respect is considerably worse than it was then. ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 23 According to the Returns presented by the Metro- politan Auxiliaries and Country Unions in this present year (1889) the average attendance of scholars on the Sunday afternoon is 66 per cent, both in London and in the country. Is this as large a proportion as might fairly be expected if all proper means were adopted to make the schools attractive, and if the scholars were encouraged to attend regularly by the example and visits of their teachers ? But whatever may be thought of the afternoon attendance, the great deficiency is in the morning, which is the more to be regretted, as the morning is confessedly the best time for religious instruction. From the Returns just quoted, it appears that the morning attendance of Sunday scholars connected with the London Auxiliaries is only 22 per cent., while in the Country Unions it averages 33 per cent. So early as 1866, the Committee of the Union called attention to the declining attendance of morn- ing schools in London. In that year 70 per cent, of the teachers and 55 per cent, of the scholars were present in the morning, and the Committee earnestly appealed to the metropolitan teachers to bring about an improvement in this respect ; but the appeal was made in vain ; the downward tendency has been con- tinuous, and the attendance is now less than half of what it was forty years ago. The attendance of scholars is doubtless affected materially by the attendance or non-attendance of the teachers, but the average proportion does not agree so closely as is generally supposed. In the country schools the morning attendance of teachers is very little larger than that of the scholars, 24 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : being only 37 per cent., and in the afternoon their attendance is absolutely smaller than that of the scholars, amounting only to 65 per cent. In the London schools, however, the percentage of teachers in attendance is much larger than that of the scholars ; the fact being that in the morning 28 per cent, of the teachers, and 24 per cent, of the scholars are present, and in the afternoon 78 per cent, of teachers, and 67 per cent, of scholars. It will thus be seen, that there must be other causes at work to account for the small morning attendance of scholars, besides the irregular attend- ance of teachers, though this is doubtless one principal source of the evil, as children naturally desire to be rewarded for their attendance at school by the presence of their own teacher, and are dis- appointed and discouraged when they have to be placed under the care of the teachers of adjoining classes. What can be done to improve this state of things and bring about a larger average attendance of scholars, especially in the morning ?— is a question well worthy of the attention of all earnest Sunday School teachers, particularly in the London schools, where the morning attendance is getting every year worse and worse. The only practical suggestions that can here be made are these : — Make your school-room attractive — warm, lofty, light, clean and cheerful. Let the officers and teachers set a good example to the scholars of regular and punctual attendance. En- deavour to enlist the children in a united endeavour to improve in this particular. Visit the parents ; try ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 25 to obtain their sympathy and co-operation, and report to them quarterly the number of times their children have been present and absent. Above all, prepare to teach the lesson of the Sabbath day with so much life and interest that the scholars may be induced to say of their Sunday School, “ I have been there and still will go, 'Tis like a little heaven below.” Proportion of Scholars in Infant and Senior Classes. The Annual Statistics obtained from the Metro- politan Auxiliaries include the number of scholars above 15 years of age, and also the number of scholars in infant classes ; and although these parti- culars have only recently been furnished by the Country Unions, they fully confirm the impression produced by the visitation of schools, and lead to the conclusion that, when compared with the manufacturing districts, the Metropolis is far behind as to the proportion of senior scholars; while on the other hand, its infant scholars are more numerous than in most other parts of the kingdom. The Metropolitan Auxiliaries report 16 per cent, of their scholars above 15 years of age, and 26 per cent, in infant classes. These proportions, however, vary considerably in different parts of London. In the schools connected with the Country Unions while the infant scholars only number 24 per cent., the senior scholars amount to an average of 25 per 26 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : cent., and in some of the manufacturing districts, they range as high as 30 or 35 per cent. The necessity of extending the infant-class system in the country schools is most urgent, not only on account of the value of early impressions, but because such classes give a completeness to the school, and provide for the other classes a succession of scholars who, from the force of habit, are likely to continue their attendance, until having passed through the various grades, they will become in the end the most useful and devoted teachers. A separate room with raised seats, a black-board, or a box of letters, and a few pictures, with a lively, loving, earnest teacher, will make the infant-class the most attractive, if not the most useful class in the Sunday School. The great duty pressing upon the Metropolitan schools is the increase of Senior Classes for young people of both sexes, who too often at the critical age of fourteen or fifteen are permitted to leave the school; so that just at the time when the teachers might look to receive the fruit of their labours, their hopes are disappointed. Nor should we rest satisfied with one such class for each sex, as is too generally the case, even in large schools ; provision should be made for at least one male and one female Senior Class for every two hundred scholars in the school : and even this would scarcely allow us to rival the schools in Lancashire and Yorkshire, where often- times 30 or 40 per cent, of the scholars are above fifteen years of age. The great difficulties in the way of the extension of these classes are the want of separate Class Rooms, and the lack of suitable teachers, both of which ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 2 7 wants the church is well able to supply : and so great and manifold are the advantages which might be expected to accrue from their multiplication, that the labour and expense would soon be amply repaid. The number of scholars who join the Christian church, and ultimately become Sunday School teachers, is much greater when these classes largely prevail, and the surest way to remove the difficulty caused by the present deficiency of teachers, would be the speedy erection of commodious Class Rooms in connection with all our Schools, and the enlistment in this service of the most intelligent and earnest teachers which the churches can supply. The enter- prise demands the aid of Christian men and women, who will not only be able to impart Scriptural instruction of the highest order, but who will act as the friends and guides of the young people committed to their care, exert upon them an influence which will be likely to lead them into connection with the church of Christ, and train them up for future useful- ness in His service. Number of Scholars who have joined Christian Churches. Another item of statistics has been collected from the Sunday Schools in the Metropolitan Auxiliaries and Country Unions, to which attention must be directed, namely, the number of scholars who during a particular year have come forward and given public evidence of decision for the cause of the Redeemer. It is not of course implied by this enquiry that no good has been done by Sunday School teaching, 28 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY : unless this result has been attained ; on the contrary, it is well known that, in many instances, the bread cast upon the waters by the faithful teacher has been “ found after many days.” At the same time, it is believed that children — while they are children — may become Christians ; and that those who try to bring their scholars to Jesus, and look for their decision while in early life, are the most likely to realise these hopes and expectations. Hence it has been thought that the collection of facts as to the attainment of so great an object would encourage and stimulate those who are engaged in this department of the Master’s service. The number of scholars in the Union schools reported to have joined the several churches in 1888 was 16,869. I n other words, twelve out of every thousand of the scholars during that year had given evidence of their desire to love and serve the Saviour. In the twenty-five years during which this item of intelligence has been obtained from the several Auxiliaries and Country Unions, more than 300,000 of our scholars have declared themselves upon the Lord’s side. These figures of course apply exclusively to the schools connected with the Sunday School Union, which comprise less than one-fourth of the total number of Sunday scholars in England and Wales. When it is remembered that a large number of scholars now remain ten or fifteen years in the Sunday School, although the proportion who are brought to decision in one year is not so large as could be desired, yet at the same time it is sufficiently large to excite our gratitude for what, by the blessing of God, is being accomplished. ITS POSITION AND PROGRESS. 29 If there is joy among the angels when one sinner repents, what rejoicing must there have been when in one day three thousand souls were added to the church : and surely we are called upon to rejoice and give thanks over the thousands of Sunday scholars who have thus confessed before men their attachment to the Saviour. While, however, we render unto God the glory which is His due, let us take encouragement to put forth redoubled efforts, and unite in earnest prayer that a still greater and ever increasing harvest of precious souls may be gathered from the Sunday School into the fold of the Good Shepherd, until at last, “ a great multitude which no man could number,” stand before the throne, crying with a loud voice, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Number of Scholars who are Church Members. The only other item to which attention need be called in connection with our Sunday School statistics is the number of scholars who, after they have joined the church, remain in the senior classes of their respective schools. The number so reported in 1888 was 78,478, which is nearly 6 per cent, of the total number of our scholars. How honourable and responsible a posi- tion, then, do the teachers of these senior classes sustain ? What opportunities for advanced Biblical instruction and pastcral influence do they possess ? And how earnestly should they labour towards the building up of a high Christian character and the preparation of an efficient staff of Christian workers 30 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ARMY, ETC. to aid in the propagation and final triumph of Christianity throughout the world. Such teachers, so employed, working and praying with a view to such glorious results, would understand and enter into the language of the beloved Apostle, “ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” while they would look forward with joyful anticipation to the day when they shall stand before the throne, and exclaim with the inspired prophet, “ Behold I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me.” London: Sunday School Union, 56 , Old Bailey, E.C. |5oohs for Smitmir ^rbool SmjKrs. TJiE MODERN gaND/IY gCfl00Ii. BY VARIOUS WRITERS. Post 8vo. Cloth, 2s. , paper, is. 6d. What the Press says : ‘'All the essays are sound, thoughtful, and well worth reading.” — Nottingham Daily Guardian. “Ought to be read aloud in all our Teachers’ Meetings,” — Congrega- tional Magazine. THE ♦ AMERICAN * SUNDAY ♦ SCHOOL. BY BISHOP VINCENT, of America. Post 8 vo. Cloth boards, 3 s. 6 d. What the Press says : “ An epitome of facts and experiences which are invaluable to the teacher.” — Christian Commonwealth. “ Superintendents and teachers ought to read this book.’ — Baptist Magazine. * THE * BIBLE : * g>mtdcu? g>d?ooC 'gSooft. BY REV. A. HOLBORN, M. A. Post 8 vo Cloth 2 S.; paper, is. 6 d. What the Press says : “ A most useful compendium.” — Literary World. “ Sunday School Teachers and Ministers alike will find a mine of wealth in this unpretentious little volume.” — Herne Bay Press. ME BLACKBOARD in the SUNDAY JSCHOOL. By BENJAMIN CLARKE and FRANK BEARD. Post 8 vo. Cloth 2 s. ; Paper, is. 6 d. What the Press says : “ The book will no doubt have, as it deserves to do, a large circula- tion.” — Christian. “ Helpful in its suggestions.” — Literary World. The Young Teacher. AN ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK of SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION. By W. H. GROSER, B.Sc. Post 8vo. Cloth, 2 s. ; paper, is. 6 d. What the Press says : “ Cannot fail to be useful to teachers of all denominations.” — Graphic. LONDON : SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, 56, Old Bailey, E.C. TRACTS, Ac., SUITABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOLS. By Colonel Griffin, of Chicago. 2d. ART OF QUESTIONING, 2d., and ART OF SECURING ATTENTION. 2 d. BAND OF HOPE (THE) IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL: Hints as to their Necessity, Purpose, Formation, and Management By J. Milton Smith, id. THE CHRISTIAN BAND: Its Principle and Method. By C. Waters, i£d. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND SUNDAY SCHOOL EXTENSION (The). Being Two Prize Essays by Rev. D. Alexander and W. L. Whitehorn. 4d. INTRODUCTORY CLASS. By W. H. Groser, B. Sc. i^d. MEMORY. A Lecture. By J. G. Fitch, M.A. 2d. PICTORIAL TEACHING AND BIBLE ILLUSTRATION. By F. J. Hartley. SEPARATE SERVICES. By Rev. Samuel Martin, id. SPIRITUAL LIFE IN OUR SCHOLARS: Its Nurture and Development. By Rev. J. W. Mills. lid. SUNDAY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT. By H. Adcock, id. SUNDAY SCHOOL VISITATION. By William Nixon, Jun. i£d. THE ATMOSPHERE OF OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS. By Mrs. S. Watson, ijd. THE BOOK OF BOOKS : Testimonies to the worth of the Bible by some Modern Thinkers. Compiled by Helen S. Kennedy. 3d. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE DIRECTION OF ADULT INSTRUCTION. A Paper read at the Autumnal Convention of the Sunday School Union, 29th September, 1886. By Mr. Alderman White, J.P., Birmingham. 6s per 100. THE MASTER'S CALL TO WORSHIPPERS WHO ARE NOT WORKERS. By Rev. E. W. Shai.ders, B.A. 6s. per 100. THE RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL : A Paper read at the Conference in connection with the Jubilee Meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. By Benjamin Clarke, id. THE SCEPTICAL TENDENCIES OF THE DAY: How may Sunday School Teachers most effectually meet them? A Paper read at the Conference of the Sunday School Union, May 8lh, 1879. By Rev. S. G. Green, D.D. ijd. THE TEACHER'S AUTHORITY; or, Methods of establishing Order in a Class of Sunday Scholars. By Henry Althans. id. THE TEACHER: His Books, and How to Read them. By W. H. Groser. 2d London : SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 56, Old Bailey, E.C.