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flourishing state, and that they are conducted in a manner which calls forth not only the most decided marks of approbation from the Patron and your Inspector, but also from every individual who may happen to visit them.

I consider the claims of the Society to general support, if I may be allowed to judge from the success of the Schools connected with it, very strong indeed.

From a Lady. Feb. 22, 1833.

I beg leave to state, that the LFemale School appears to me, considering its recent establishment, to have been productive of much good in this vicinity. Many young females, who, in former times, would have been engaged in the linen manufactory, are, in consequence of its decline, resorting to other means of gaining a livelihood; and amongst others to needle-work, in which they are instructed in this School. I must also hope the steady attention paid to the instruction of the girls in religious education, may produce a lasting influence on their morals and character.

From the manner in which the two Inspectors sent appear to examine the children, and conduct the business of the Society, I can have no hesitation in expressing my opinion, that the London Hibernian Society has the strongest claims on public and private support.

From a Layman. Feb. 16, 1833.

I have great pleasure in stating my approbation of the condition of the Schools connected with your Society, which are under my superintendence, and that there is every prospect that the effects, with the blessing of God, will be highly beneficial in this neighbourhood.

It appears to me that your Society has a peculiar claim to general support, your plans being so well calculated to give a Scriptural Education, which is so much wanted in this country.

From a Dissenting Minister. Feb. 20, 1833.

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It is to your valuable Society the Protestant poor of Dindebted for the means of an education for their children, according to the principles of the Gospel. Before our School was opened, they were compelled to send their little ones to Monks and Nuns of the town, to be instructed; but neglected by those who should have provided them with the means. Never did there exist in D. a free School, on Protestant principles, before your Society enabled the present School to be opened.

However useful our School, however important it is that the children of poor Protestants should be taught the principles of the Gospel, I fear it must be closed. As we find it impossible to raise the small sum of £10. annually, to pay our Mistress in this district, I will, on behalf of our children, entreat the Committee not to allow the means of instruction to be withdrawn from them; but to recommend our School to the Ladies Hibernian School Society; that the Committee here may be enabled to forward the interests, temporal and spiritual, of the children committed to their charge.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 22, 1833.

I have inquired more particularly into the state of the Schools in this district, which are in connexion with the London Hibernian Society, and have much pleasure in reporting that they still hold a fair share of public confidence. As to my own opinion, founded on extensive experience, I can safely affirm that there is not any other system of education so well adapted to the wants of the poor of Ireland; and that the Roman Catholic population actually receive much benefit, and are generally satisfied with the mode of teaching pursued in the several Schools under my notice. I have not unfrequently found the children of that religion as desirous of Scriptural instruction as any others, and have known them, in several of the Schools, to commit to memory large portions of that volume which maketh wise unto salvation.

From a Presbyterian Minister. Feb. 21, 1833.

I feel great pleasure in stating, that, in my opinion, the system of national education adopted by the London Hibernian Society is better calculated to relieve the moral wants of the illiterate Irish than any other that has yet appeared. The plan of paying the Teacher according to the progress of his pupils, is, in my opinion, admirably calculated to raise the attention of the Teacher, and to awaken the pupils to honourable exertion in their respective classes; while the regulation which enjoins a certain portion of the Scriptures to be committed to memory quarterly, fills the storehouses of their memories, (at an age when the memory is most susceptible and retentive,) with the treasures of that heavenly wisdom, which is "able to make wise unto salvation." I have attended most of the inspections which have taken place in the Schools under my care, since they were connected with the London Hibernian Society, and have always been particularly struck with the attention paid by the Inspectors, both to the interests of the Society and the wants of the pupils.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 18, 1833.

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With respect to the Hibernian School, in the Parish of Aam thankful to have it in my power to speak most favourably. The Master, appointed about a year since, is an efficient Scriptural Teacher, and his School is, under Divine Providence, prospering. At one period, not, however, lately, I had conceived your Society's plan of education was only adapted to convey a "head knowledge" of Scripture to the pupils; but having narrowly watched the proceedings of various Schools under your Society, I have found, that although, in some cases, my first opinion was correct, still a solid foundation has, in very many instances, been laid. Much depends on the Teacher; it too frequently happens, that worldly acquirements, not a knowledge of the Holy Bible, have been the chief recommendation in the appointment of Masters.

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As far as I can judge, the London Hibernian Society is very deserving of the warm co-operation of every one who is really interested in the welfare of our poor brethren in this unhappy country.

From a Lady. Feb. 19, 1833.

The School of Tunder my superintendence, is, I am happy to say, coming on very well; the attendance of the children has been much better this last quarter than usual; and the repetition of Scripture to the Inspector was very good, particularly the eldest class. I see the greatest improvement in the childrens' conduct since the commencement of the School. The Society deserves every encouragement, it is of

such essential service.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 19, 1833.

I feel happy in having it in my power to bear ample testimony to the great benefits which have accrued to the inhabitants of this part of the country, both children and adults, from the instruction conveyed to them through the medium of the Schools of the Society, and particularly from that part of their system whereby the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures is communicated to them; and thereby contributing, in a great degree, to make them wise unto salvation, by removing from their minds the dense clouds of ignorance and superstition which they are taught, and, I may say, compelled to imbibe from certain institutions opposed to your Society.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 9, 1833.

I have witnessed with delight the zealous, though unobtrusive labours of the London Hibernian Society; through many dangers have they sped their way; many difficulties have they encountered, and many obstacles have they overcome. It does not require much foresight to perceive, that, through the instrumentality of this National Society, much good is doing, and much more will yet be done. Rising generations may yet bless the Lord, that, in the Schools under the Society's care and management, that Word was taught, which, under God's grace, made them wise, and enabled them to tell to others of the true wisdom which is from above. Ireland's moral darkness must be dispelled, before the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ; the cause of your Society must meet with success; and when Zion's King will be universally acknowledged Britain's King, then I do expect that the London Hibernian Society will be found to have borne its part during the toil and heat of the day, and to have been originally favoured by God's providence in winning souls to Jesus.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 14, 1833.

A ship makes little way in a calm; a rough sea and heavy gales, instead of retarding, accelerate its motion. The sea of Society, at present, is much disturbed in our latitude; the storms of persecution against God's word and vital religion rage most violently, and yet the saving truth of the Gospel is progressing; it is no less extraordinary than true, that notwithstanding the great and melancholy increase of infidelity and crime in our unhappily disturbed country, there is a light shining in darkness, and a hungering and thirsting after the bread and water of fife, that satisfactorily prove the spark of spiritual life is not extinct.

I have not, at any period, witnessed a better appetite in this neighbourhood for the hidden manna than at present; and I never saw our London Hibernian Parochial School so well attended. I was yesterday highly gratified to see upwards of sixty in attendance, twenty of whom read to me a portion of the New Testament.

The Sword of the Spirit, which the London Hibernian Society has drawn, and hitherto, under the Divine blessing, so successfully brandished, is going on conquering and to conquer; nothing but that Sword, nothing but God's Word, will or can save or tranquilize our country, in any sense, civil, political, or religious; there never will be national, domestic, and individual peace, experienced or enjoyed, aggregately or separately, until that peace of God which passeth all understanding is shed abroad in the hearts of the people, by the Word and Spirit of Jehovah.

May God bless the labours of the London Hibernian Society, and of all who are engaged in the holy war of true religion, against infidelity, superstition, and crime.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 20, 1833.

I beg leave to say, that the Schools in this parish, and I may further state, in this district, which are under your Society, were never flourishing with greater prosperity, both as to the number and education of Pupils, as well as the beneficial effects produced thereby in their respective neighbourhoods, than now. Opposition was raised a few years ago in this parish to your Schools, which, at the time, proved somewhat detrimental to the cause of Scripture education; but I am happy to state, the storm has passed by, and we are now advancing with the sunshine of prosperity. To the silent, tranquil, and unostentatious manner in which the labours of the Society are carried on, I attribute this good effect. The more I consider and witness the labours of your Inspectors, and the effects produced thereby, the more I admire the machinery of the Society. I have sometimes heard a charge brought forward, that the Society was too profuse with regard to their School Books; but this, I am satisfied, is from the want of sufficient information on the subject by those who make the objection. Being the Book Agent of this district, and one who has paid strict attention to this subject, I can faithfully say that I have always witnessed a most judicious distribution thereof; in fact, the Quarterly Inspector orders none, unless when and where he sees it absolutely necessary, after a strict investigation.

· From a Clergyman. Feb. 15, 1833.

I have the pleasure of assuring you of my continued attachment and gratitude to the London Hibernian Society, arising from my conviction of the important blessings conferred by the Author of all good, through the instrumentality of this Society, upon our country in general, and this parish in particular. As to the state of the Scholars under my superintendence, I trust I can make a favourable report of the Scriptural reading, whatever defects may exist in other departments. The Inspector is very assiduous, and very ready to extend the advantages of books and inspection. The condition of the LSchool House, as to furniture, and, of course, in facility

instruction, has been much improved by the bounty of the Mercers Company, on whose estate it is situate.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 23, 1833.

I am happy to inform you that the three Schools under my immediate patronage continue in a prosperous state; and I consider that they have been the means, under Providence, of greatly improving the religious, moral, and intellectual state of the young persons in this neighbourhood. The judicious and liberal aid afforded by your Society, we cannot too highly prize; nor do I know any Society in our country, which I think has stronger claims for liberal support from the Philanthropist or the Christian.

From a Clergyman. Feb. 26, 1833.

I have every reason to bless God, and to be thankful, that my small exertions has met with such encouragement, both from your Society, and the few Protestant inhabitants of the parish.

The hand of God has been so much with us, I cannot forbear mentioning, that since the Roman Catholic children have been withdrawn from our School, it has increased in number tenfold beyond whatever has been known in the memory of the oldest man, (even when both parties were together); there are at present 170 children on the books. Our School has been but little more than one quarter in connexion with your Society, and I can with pleasure say, that the good effects of the instruction which the children have received are already conspicuous. There is much opposition shown by the Roman Catholic party, and every endeavour made to establish a National School, in all of which they have failed as yet.

Under these peculiar circumstances, it is with much pleasure I acknowledge your kind support, and beg for a continuance of it. You may rest assured that nothing shall be wanting on my part to render you every assistance in my power to forward the objects of your Society. I hope to have some collections made in aid of your Society very soon. I cannot close this without giving my meed of approbation to the Inspector under whose auspices the labours of your Society have prospered greatly in this district; and I have reason to think, that, under his indefatigable exertions, they will prosper.

From a Clergyman. March 5, 1833.

I have been some time anxious, and have at length succeeded in establishing a Boys School in this large and populous town. Your Society has already a Female School here; may I ask you to place my Boys School also under the valuable superintendence of your Society. I fear, from the low state of your Society's Fund, you will not be able to allow a remuneration to the Teacher; but I hope you will give me books and inspection. In case you accede to my request, will you allow me at once to draw some books from your Depository here, as we have already 50 boys in attendance, and few or no books for them; and hope some of your Inspectors may shortly be able to classify the School; or, if allowable, I would try and do it myself, if your Inspector will not be here shortly.

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