MOTHERS' MEETINGS. 199 invite their mothers to meet once a fortnight, or oftener, to learn to mend and make clothes for themselves and their children, and for such instruction in household and family matters as can be given in conversation. A short time of the evening is also spent in giving the simplest religious instruction. These classes have, on the whole, been very well attended by those for whom they were designed. The "Bible women " generally have a class of this kind under their care, but none of them seem to have equalled in real success those taught by ladies. In "Ragged Homes and how to mend Them" every hint needed will be found; and if painted rather in the rosy light, in which ladies are now apt to view their own works, the results would unquestionably be astonishing, though viewed through the most prosaic medium. When the use of a schoolroom can be obtained, the expense of an evening class will be little more than the cost of light and firing. It is better far for the scholars to buy their own pens, copybooks, and slates; the very low price at which they can be obtained from the National Society, or from Government schools, puts them within the reach of all but absolutely "ragged " scholars. Grants of Bibles and Testaments, when the poverty of the school justifies it, can be obtained from the British and Foreign Bible Society; and of lending libraries from the Christian Knowledge or Religious Tract Societies. The indispensable black board and its stand, maps, &c. will be found in every schoolroom; and desks, with a little management of the lights, can supply the place of tables to the sewing scholars. If you are unable to obtain the help of a coadjutor in the conducting such a class, it will be better to begin with a few of those of whom you already know something; and until perfect order is established among them, and you have measured your own powers of voice and command, the number should be limited to fifteen or twenty at the very most. Lastly, in respect of all teaching of this kind, remember this: "What moved these pupils to gratitude, perhaps more than anything else, was the sacredness with which he regarded all their engagements. Although teaching them gratuitously, he was as punctual, and manifested as much disappointment if prevented from meeting them, as one could do whose obligations or interests were at stake." CHAP. XII. WHAT WE CAN DO BY PERSONAL INTERCOURSE. FOUNDATION LAID FOR THIS IN OUR SCHOOLS:- 1. IN THEIR "Our province is virtue and religion, life and manners ; the science of improving the temper and making the heart better. He who should find out one rule to assist us in this work would deserve infinitely better of mankind than all the improvers of other knowledge put together.”—Dr. Butler. THE acquaintance we make with our scholars in their schools and classes must form the foundation of our work for them; it must not end as the school door closes on them. To make our teaching efficient, indeed, we must continually follow our scholars home in search of truants, of the sick, the poor, or the faulty. And if we have done this, and so established ourselves as the family friend, we need not cease to watch over and counsel them when they cease to be our pupils. We may try to keep them as long as we possibly can under direct instruction, but this not only, not even chiefly for the sake of the actual instruction that can be given them; but rather to keep up, as much as possible, personal friendly intercourse with them during those perilous years which see them launched into life. It should be regarded as a matter of course by them, and it very much rests with us to make it such, that our old scholars are to call on us each time they come home from service; that they send for us in illness, come to us in any difficulty, when in want of work, when changing their situation or home, and when about to marry. And if on looking over our old lists we find some of whom we are losing sight, a call should be made on them at once. Too often, when they get tired of "schooling," they will avoid their teacher, pass you in the street without knowing you, as though they had offended you by leaving, and therefore all intercourse must cease. This shows us the harm that may be done by too great a desire to retain them as scholars. The real way of keeping them under instruction, is first to have something more to teach them, and then to make learning pleasant to them; but if this will not prevail, let them leave your class, feeling that you are as much their friend as ever, and that you will be always glad to see them and to help them when you can; invite them still to your yearly treat, or to share in any amusement you may be able to provide for your scholars. 1. This matter of amusements and treats is a very OF PROVIDING AMUSEMENTS. 203 important point in our intercourse with them, and I know none that requires more discretion. We can hardly guard them from the bad and corrupting amusements they are tempted to indulge in, except by putting within their reach real amusements and recreations that are harmless in themselves and safe in their circumstances. On the other hand, we must take care not to draw them away from their own homes, not to teach them to think evenings spent in their own cottages dull and tedious. Fortunately the almost universal habit of our people is to have two or three great holiday seasons in the year, when they give up a week to pleasure and then set to work again; but the increase of education and mental stimulus is having a very marked effect on their demand for constant excitement of this kind, and it is a danger that should be carefully watched against. The most practicable way of providing them with amusements is by lending them books or serials; but they must be books that honestly amuse and interest yourself, and are not too far removed from their experience to amuse them. If they have been successfully taught to read well, with tolerable fluency and accuracy, and in an intelligent manner, put them on reading the book you lend aloud at home. The books they may have heard you read to them in their Sunday, or other schools, will be the best for them to begin with; having themselves heard it well read, with the needful explanations, &c., and having talked it over with |