The in the mind of an ignorant child within the brief space of 18 months? one thing needful must be secured, if the other branches of a secular education be neglected; and if there be not time for all, then the knowledge which will pass away must needs give place to that which leads to life eternal. The Central Commercial School, for promoting education among the middle classes, originally established by this board, continues to keep up its number of scholars, and is even on the increase. The members of the board who have visited and examined the school from time to time, have given very favourable reports. The head master, Mr. Sansbury, continues to conduct the school on the same principles as those on which it was originally founded, to the satisfaction of the board. At Christmas next the board will be entirely relieved from all expenses attending that institution, which was designed from the beginning to be a self-supporting one. It would be highly desirable to promote, in connexion with the Central Commercial School, a system of evening instruction. The Metropolitan Drapers' Association, if successful in abridging the hours of attendance in shops, will give to a great number of intelligent young men the opportunity of improving their minds by evening instruction, The subscriptions and donations of the past year, including a balance in hand, amount to £584 16s. 2d.; the expenditure for the year is £384 11s. 6d., leaving a balance of £200 11s. 3d. The liabilities, however, for the current year will nearly absorb that balance; and as the board has increased the number of pupil-teachers, it will be difficult to meet all the demands of the ensuing year with the same amount of income; but the committee rely upon that good feeling and christian sympathy which will never permit a good work to fail for want of that measure of succour which the necessities of the case require. The whole subject of primary education is comprised in three wordsTeachers, Books, Inspection. The Church will fail in her duty to the nation at large, if she allows any one of these elements to escape entirely from her control. It is a source of satisfaction to every sincere member of the established church, that in the matter of government inspection, a security has been granted for the personal character and church membership of the individuals who are, or may be, appointed to the office of inspector; and there is a further security for the implements of religious and moral instruction, according to the doctrines and discipline of the church, in the catalogue of cheap books of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Still it would be worthy of the attention of this and every other diocesan board, to see how government inspection, without being superseded, might be supplemented; and how educational books might be so classified and improved, as to form a complete series proper to be recommended as a whole for church schools. Both these objects are within the province of boards of education, and both may be promoted independent of State assistance, by the hearty co-operation of the clergy and laity of the church. But for the forming of a sufficient number of competent teachers, and for raising that class to a higher consideration in this country, more means will be required than are placed at the disposal of the church by voluntary contributions; and in this, as well as in the erecting of school-rooms and school-houses, the assistance of the public treasury will continue to be needed; and, happily for educational boards and societies, that assistance is afforded by the committee of privy council on such terms that the Church, if she be faithful to herself, will continue to be what this board has ever maintained she ought to be, viz.-The Instructress of the people of this nation in that which gives to all education its chief value; but in the conflict of opinions which still continues to agitate men's minds on this great subject, it is not easy to foresee the turn which the State co-operation may eventually take. The severance of the secular from the religious part of instruction can never be permitted in Churchof-England Schools, established for the benefit of the poor and industrious classes. To provide against the introduction and revival of such a system should be the care of every diocesan board; and there is no more effectual way of doing this than by raising up, out of schools conducted upon sound principles, an army of teachers, trained from childhood, who may carry, throughout the length and breadth of the land, the words of this christian educational charter, "The Word of God the basis of all good instruction, and the Formularies and Articles of the Church its best interpreter." APPENDIX REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING REPORT. Terms upon which Schools will be taken into Union with the Board. For National and Parochial Schools. 1. The children are to be instructed in the Holy Scriptures, and in the Liturgy and Catechism of the Established Church. 2. With respect to such instruction the schools are to be subject to the superintendence of the parochial clergy. 3. The masters and mistresses are to be members of the Church of England. 4. The managers engage to give information to the board, if required, upon the state and progress of the schools, and especially with reference to the religious instruction. Form of Application for Union. REV. SIR,-Having considered the terms upon which schools are taken into Union with the LONDON DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION, I have to request, with the concurrence of [the committee, trustees, or managers, as the case may be], that the school known by the name of may be considered in union with the board, and that you will be pleased to return to me a Certificate to that effect. To the Honorary Secretary of the I am, Rev. Sir, Your obedient Servant, London Diocesan Board of Education, 79, Pall Mall. N.B. In the case of Infant Schools it will be sufficient to state that the instruction is given upon the principles of the established Church, by masters and mistresses who are members of the same. Certificate of Union. THE LONDON DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION, INSTITUTED 1839. President.-The Right Hon. and Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London. AT a meeting of the committee, held on at the office of the Board, 79, Pall Mall, the following application having been read, viz.— Rev. Sir,-Having considered the terms upon which schools are taken into union with the LONDON DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION, I have to request, with the concurrence of school known by the name of that the may be considered in union with the Board, and that you will be pleased to forward to me a Certificate to that effect. To the Honorary Secretary of the I am, Rev. Sir, Your obedient Servant, London Diocesan Board of Education, 79, Pall Mall. IT WAS RESOLVED 66 That the said school, having agreed to the Rules and Regulations below stated, be now in union with the LONDON DIOCESan Board of EDUCATION, and that this declaration be communicated to the managers." President. THE SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHURCH SCHOOLMASTERS' ASSOCIATION. ACCORDING to annual custom, the committee of the Church Schoolmasters' Association desire to lay before its members and friends a brief and simple statement of its proceedings during the past year, the seventh of its existence. Meddling with nothing beyond its province, but silently and unobtrusively pursuing a steady course, the record of its progress may not interest those who desire to hear of some new thing, or excite the attention of such as despise the day of small things; but it is hoped and believed, that to all who desire the welfare of our country, both in church and state, and especially to those who are actively engaged in promoting the extension of sound religion and useful learning, our simple annals will be both gratifying and encouraging, and that our fellow labourers in other places will be induced to form similar associations, and so mutually comfort and assist each other, and provoke one another to love and good works. Your committee feel bound at the very outset, not as a mere matter of form, but with a reverential and grateful heart, to acknowledge the good hand of our God upon us during the past year. He who maketh men to be of one mind in a house, hath blessed us with unity, peace, and concord; and rejoicing, though with trembling, we desire to thank God and take courage. From the list appended to this report, it will be seen, that the number of members at present is about the same as at the commencement of the year; no considerable increase or diminution has taken place. Your committee consider this as tending to confirm the expectation expressed in the last report that the numbers would soon again equal those of any former year, being satisfied that the changes which have been made during the past year, and which will be noticed in their proper place, will have that result. Under this head they have to mention, that we are again reminded of that day when we can no longer work, by the death of two of the members during the past year. These, as it were, annual warnings, should indeed make us watchful, that when our call shall come, we may be found ready. With regard to the finances, your committee have much satisfaction in reporting a considerable and progressive improvement; this is chiefly owing to the relinquishing the premises formerly held by the association in Exeter-street, Strand, the rent and other expenses of which pressed heavily upon the association, and involved it considerably in debt. It will be remembered, that this matter was mentioned in the last report, and had then occupied a large share of the committee's attention. Immediately after the last annual meeting, the attention of the committee was again directed to the matter; and after much consideration and diligent inquiry, being satisfied that convenient premises could be had for the purposes of the association at a very much less rent than had hitherto been paid, they felt it their duty to recommend a speedy removal from Exeter-street. By the kindness and generosity of the committee of the St. Martin's Infant School, under whom we were tenants, in dispensing with the usual notice of removal, the committee were able to terminate their tenancy in March last; and as our present premises in Philip-lane are held at a very much less rent, a portion of our debt has been discharged; and the committee hope, by a little assistance from the friends of the association, which they have been encouraged to expect, very soon to be able to discharge the remainder. Indeed, so confident are they of this, that they were unanimous in recommending, recently, a reduction of the annual subscription, believing that the association would be benefited by the accession of new members, and its meetings more numerously attended by those who, living at a distance from the place of meeting, could not attend without incurring some expense. Your committee feel it would be most ungrateful on their part to omit to acknowledge the kind and liberal pecuniary assistance the association has received during the past year from several well known and esteemed members of the church. They feel bound to make especial mention of the very liberal donation of £5 from G. F. Mathison, Esq., being the second donation from that gentleman. Of a person so distinguished for his exertions in behalf of church education, it would be impertinent in your committee to say a single word of praise; they cannot, however, but regard it as a token for good, that they are allowed to look upon such men as Mr. Mathison and other kindred spirits, whose names adorn the pages of this and preceding reports, as cordial friends of the association. The committee have been much gratified by the liberal manner in which the appeal contained in the last report on behalf of the library has been responded to during the past year; several volumes have been presented, and more are promised. And it is with especial satisfaction the committee mention some donations from Messrs. Rivington and Messrs. Longman and Co., and the liberal donation of five pounds' worth of books from Francis Green, Esq., of Upper Clapton; a gentleman who, being himself engaged in the work of education, has thus in the kindest manner shown his sympathy with those who are called to labour in a humbler, though, as he would himself readily allow, not less important sphere than his own. Your committee would again respectfully recommend the library to the notice of their friends, and indulge a hope that in future reports they shall again have to acknowledge their kind donations. The monthly meetings of the association still continue to be valued as a means of mutual comfort and assistance, and have been continued during the past year without any interruption, or it is hoped, diminution of usefulness. From the following list of papers read and discussed at these meetings, it will be seen that the time is not wasted upon unprofitable matters, but improvement in the great work in which we are engaged is the object kept steadily in "What Connection is there between the National Society and the National Schoolmaster ?" "On Spelling and Spelling Lessons." "On the Art of Catechising." "On the Importance and Necessity of making Instruction systematic and progressive." "On the Method of teaching Geography." "On Schoolmasters' Associations-the Advantages resulting from their Establish ment." "On the Importance and best Method of keeping up a Connection with Children after leaving School." "On the Sunday Duties of a National Schoolmaster." Your committee trust that in the ensuing year some of those members who *The committee have much gratification in stating, that since this Report was sent to the press they have received from Mr. Mathison a third donation of £20. For this well-timed and munificent donation, the committee beg to tender their respectful and heartfelt thanks. have not yet taken part in the proceedings of these meetings, will contribute their share to the common stock. The bible and language classes still continue in operation, and are still conducted by our rev. president, of whom the committee cannot speak but with feelings of the most affectionate respect. The advantages resulting from these classes are so many and great, and have so frequently been acknowledged by those who have been able to partake of them, that the committee feel justified in strongly recommending to their fellow members who have not yet been able to do so, to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the contemplated re-arrangement of the classes. The secretary will be happy to receive the names of those members who may wish to join either of these classes: the president will then be able to lay down a plan for their future management, of which due notice will be given. During the past year a larger number of lectures have been delivered to the association than in any preceding one. We have been favoured with three from the Rev. F. D. Maurice "On the Life and Character of King Alfred." "On the Progress of Education during the year 1844." "On the Derivation and Meaning of certain important Words in common use." Two by the Rev. M. Mitchell "On the History of Painting." Two by the Rev. T. Jackson"On Church Architecture." One by the Rev. R. Burgess "On the Monuments of Rome connected with Sacred and Ecclesiastical History." Two by our Rev. President "On the Life and Character of Bernard Overberg." For the quality of these lectures, it is sufficient to refer to the names of the lecturers. For themselves and their fellow members the committee desire to tender these gentlemen their respectful thanks, not only for their valuable lectures, but also for their kind and christian courtesy; and trust that in the ensuing year they shall be favoured with other lectures from them. It is with much satisfaction the committee refer to a new feature in the proceedings of the association, viz.:-that of the delivery of lectures by the members themselves. We have been favoured with seven :- Four from Mr. M'Leod "On the Study of Natural History." "On the Geography of Palestine." "On the Manners and Customs of the East." "On Entomology." One from Mr. Myers "On Teaching English History." One from Mr. Martin "On the Steam Engine." One from Mr. J. Martin "On Oxygen." Of these lectures the committee find it difficult to speak. Were they to speak as they feel, they might be suspected of praising themselves in their friends; they must, however, be permitted to say, that they wish these lectures could have been heard, and the illustrations seen, by those who are accustomed to think and speak disparagingly of church schoolmasters. The committee wish to mention, that the lectures of this association are open to their female fellow labourers in the service of the church; and it is hoped they will not hesitate to avail themselves of the advantages they afford. In the last report it was mentioned, that some of the members of this association were engaged in preparing a plan for the establishment of a Church School- . masters' Provident Society; they have now completed their task, and put into |