We are happy to learn, from the third number of the Hibernian Society's Statements, that its admirable system is in full activity. The local and itinerant readers penetrate into regions of darkness, and communicate the word of life to the benighted children of Ireland, who receive it with eagerness and joy.

Liverpool Bethel Union.-The Bethel Union seems to be advancing in usefulness and importance. The 6th and 7th Numbers of "Notices of the Proceedings of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society," have been transmitted to us, and we have found them fraught with most interesting information. At the Floating Chapel the average attendance has been 1000 persons, and the School affords the means of instruction to 175 boys.

Gainsborough Educa ion Society.-We have received the First Report of the Gainsborough Union Society, for the education of adults and young persons; it is an interesting document, and furnishes abundant evidence of the beneficial effects of such associations.

Craven Chapel.-The western suburb of the metropolis has long been lamentably deficient in the public means of evangelical instruction, and though several laudable attempts have been made to supply it, and with partial success; yet the peculiar circumstances of that neighbourhood, and the want of proportionate funds, have hitherto prevented any efforts being made commensurate to the growing necessities of that district. The removal of Carnaby market, hear Marlborough-street, in 1821, presented a spacious site, which Lord Craven, the pro

prietor, offered to let on building leases, for a term of between 70 and 80 years. A benevolent individual, (by whose distinguished zeal and liberality four spacious chapels have already been erected in the crowded suburbs of London) observing the eligible spot, and deeply feeling for the moral necessities of the inhabitants in its vicinity, obtained a lease for the erection of a chapel, 61 feet by 81 feet within the walls, with commodious rooms below for Sabbath Schools.

The foundation of this building was laid in March last, and it is now completed for public worship, and, with its double tier of galleries, will seat 2000 persons. It was opened for the public worship of God, according to the form of Congregational Dissenters, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when Dr. Collyer preached in the morning from Isaiah lii. 13, and Dr. Waugh, and Messrs. H. F. Burder, and J. Clayton, jun., offered prayer; and in the evening, the Rev. Thos. Atkins, of Southampton, preached from Daniel xii. 3, and Dr. Harris and Mr. Liefchild conducted the devotional services. though the state of the weather was very unfavourable, the attendance of Ministers and people was large and encouraging, and the collections, we understand, were liberal.

Al

The erection of this spacious and elegant chapel, unquestionably the first in London belonging to the Protestant Dissenters, will cost its generous founder £9000. He has therefore addressed "a circular to many of the opulent members of our denomination, inviting them to assist him in this great work by their contributions, in which he declares

"that he does not wish to retain the property of the chapel in his own hands, or to derive any pecuniary advantages from it; but intends, when a congregation shall be established, to vest the premises in Trustees, for its permanent use, and to receive back no more than the principal money advanced by him."

RUSSIA.

The length of the following article renders its insertion somewhat inconvenient, but its importance and uncommon interest have induced us to make room for it without abridgment. It is extracted from the valuable Report (17th) of the British and Foreign School Society.

An Account of the Establishment of the School of Industry at Homel, in Russia; communicated by James Heard.

THE establishment of the Institution for the poor and destitute children of the peasantry at Homel, in the government of Mogiloff, was one of those experiments which are considered as mere visionary schemes, until their practicability and utility are clearly demonstrated. The object at first was to introduce the British System of education into Russia; but arriving at Homel, the estate of Count Romanzoff, where the first School was to be established, an unforeseen obstacle presented; not more than 30 or 40 boys could be collected in one village, and the villages were so distant from each other, as entirely to preclude the possibility of the children of one village attending the school of another. Count Romanzoff being informed that the advantages of the new system would not be conspicuous in a school of 40 boys, and that 200 would be necessary to display it to advantage, was quite at a loss how they were to be collected; and this circumstance seemed for a while to becloud my prospects of success. Having in my journeys through the different villages of the Count's estate, observed a number of miserable ragged dirty children begging from door to door, and being informed that they were orphans, who had no means of support but soliciting charity, I conceived the plan of rescuing these poor little creatures from misery, ignorance, and vice, by the establishment of a School of Industry, in which they might by their own labour contribute something towards their support. This plan was objected to by many, as being impracticable: the chief objection urged was, that the children, being accustomed to a life of vagrant idleness, could never be brought to contribute in any material degree to

There are 17,000 male peasants on this estate, one town, and between 80 and 90 villages.

こ

ward their own support. But fortunately the two principal persons of the place were of a different opinion; and upon a proper statement being made to Count Romanzoff and General Derabin*, it was resolved to erect a large building for the accommodation of the boys; and to inclose a considerable piece of land for a kitchen garden, in which they were to laThe bour during the summer season. erection of the building neeessarily occupied a considerable time; but the Count granted me the use of the right wing of his own house, and I soon collected 50 poor boys from the villages: the barbarous rudeness of their manners corresponded with their miserable appearance; the generality of them had long filthy hair, swarming with vermin; dirty faces, and tattered garments, which scarcely covered their nakedness, no shoes, no stockings, and looks expressive of hunger and misery. Such were they, and such would they have continued to be, until completely accustomed to a wandering idle, vicious life, and quite unfit to fill any useful station, they would have turned out pests to society, had they not been rescued from the abyss of misery by the benevolent kindness of their noble master; who in raising those miserable little orphans to a life of industry, virtue and happiness, had learned the luxury of doing good. About a fortnight afterwards they were all neatly clothed, and on the 9th of December, 1818, the School was publicly opened, and consecrated according to the rites of the Greek Church. The ragged little beggars were now metamorphosed into clean orderly scholars, who seemed to pride themselves not a little in their improved appearance. They had all this by time learned the alphabet, and some to write upon slates; and they performed the evolutions of the system, to the admiration of the spectators, who began to be convinced that peasants, though slaves, are human beings. My chief object in taking these fifty boys under instruction before the school-room was built, was to prepare them to act as monitors, and the rapidity with which they learned was truly astonishing. Their excessive natural stupidity had been urged as a reason for not attempting to instruct them; but it now appeared that human nature is the same in every country and in all classes, and that the difference which we observe between the highly polished inhabitants of France,

* General Derabin, a gentleman of eminent talents and liberal sentiments, had the entire management of the estate, the Count being too feeble to take an active part. The General had been in England, and spoke English well.

England, and other countries of Europe, and the barbarian, arises solely from habit, example, and education. Order was soon introduced into the new Institution, and the children arranged into different classes of labour, according to their age and strength: the eldest of the boys were appointed to be carpenters, shoemakers, or smiths, according to their own choice, while some of the younger and more feeble were employed in splitting the bark of the Linden tree, others in platting it into shoes; some platting straw for hats, others preparing willows for making baskets, and some had learned to make fishing-nets. The hour of assembling in school during summer, was seven in the morning, and they came out again at ten, three hours a day being amply sufficient to teach them reading, writing, and the first four rules of arithmetic, in two years; from ten to eleven they were allowed to play; at eleven the dinner-bell rung, and they proceeded two and two to the dining-room, where grace was distinctly pronounced by the monitor of the day, whose duty it was to read to his companions, while eating their dinners, a portion of the Holy Scriptures. At twelve o'clock they arranged themselves in classes according to their employment, and proceeded to their different masters to work, from which they generally returned about eight in the evening; at nine they supped, and immediately after supper their names were called over by the monitor-general, and those absent marked down for inquiry the following day. This being done, and the Evening Hymn sung by them, they retired to rest. Eight months after the opening of the school, more than sixty children went in procession to their benefactor Count Romanzoff, dressed in clothes and shoes of their making. Such was the delight experienced by His Excellency on this occasion, that he ordered them a better dinner than usual, and promised to partake of it with them; which promise he fulfilled, to the inex

pressible pleasure of the poor children. From this time the Institution continued to prosper, and even those who had opposed it joined in praising it; the children made rapid progress, both in learning and their trades, became cheerful, obliging, and industrious.

"A strict observance of the Sabbath was not forgotten in the Institution, and that part of the day not spent in church was appropriated to reading extracts from the Holy Scriptures.

By means of the school at Homel, the British system of education was spread to Poland, where hitherto the strongest prejudices had existed against instructing the peasantry. Mr. Radovitch, a young man of an amiable disposition, was sent by the University of Vilno to study the system, which he did with the greatest assiduity; and soon after his return, three schools were established for the poor, upon the new plan; and according to the last accounts from thence, they were actively employed in the establishment of more.

"In April 1821, the school at Homel being completely established, and a plan laid down for extending the means of instruction to all the villages of the Count's estate, I left Homel to return to England, and never shall I forget the artless demonstrations of sorrow and affection which were manifested by the children at my departure; the little fellows waited more than two hours in the court before the school, to bid me farewell, and not a few shed tears and followed me with their eyes until I was quite out of sight. Oh, may He who careth for the poor and the fatherless continue his protection over these poor orphans, and incline the heart of their master and benefactor to persevere in the good work which he has begun, until the melioration in the condition and morals of the peasantry shall prove the advantages of an industrious and moral education!"

CLAPSON, Rev. Mr. (from Hackney Academy,) over the Independent Church Assembling, in Glenorchy Chapel, Emath, July 4, 1822.

DORSETSHIRE. WAYLAND, Rev. ABRAHAM, (late of Stepney Academy,) over the particular Baptist Church at Lyme Regis, Aug. 15, 1822.

DURHAM.

DOUGLAS, Rev. DAVID, over the Baptist Church at Hamsterley, July 17, 1822, void by the decease of the Rev. Charles Whitefield.

ESSEX.

SIBREE, Rev. PETER, (of Hoxton Academy,) over the Independent Church at Wethersfield, Oct. 31, 1822. MUDIE, Rev. G. D. (late of Hamburgh,) over the Independent Church at Rochford, March 20, 1822.

CARLISLE, Rev. S. (late of Hackney Aca-
demy,) over the Independent Church
at Little Waltham, June 13, 1822.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
JAYNE, Rev. GEORGE, over the Baptist
Church at Campden, Oct. 25, 1821.
CATTON, Rev. WM. over the Baptist
Church at Uley.

WILD, Rev. WM. over the Independent
Church at Chalford, July 11, 1822.
HAMPSHIRE.
FRANKS, Rev. Mr. Baptist, Newport,
Isle of Wight, Nov. 29, 1821. The
Church formed the day preceding.
WILLS, Rev. JAMES, (late student at
Gosport,) over the Independent Church,
Basingstoke, Nov. 13, 1822.
BIDLAKE, Rev. F. (removed from Teign-
mouth, Devon, in consequence of ill
health,) to be over the Congregation at
Andover Sept. 1821.
CASTON, Rev. M. (from Gosport Aca-
demy,) over the Independent Church
at Node Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight,
May 27, 1822,

MILEHAM, Rev. C. T. (late of Highgate,) over the second Baptist Church at Portsea, April 11, 1822.

HERTFORDSHIRE. WALDRON, F. A. over the recently formed Baptist Church at Bishop's Stortford, Oct. 24, 1821.

COPLEY, Rev. WM. over the Baptist Church at Watford, June 27, 1822. GREENWOOD, Rev. JOHN, over the Congrégation at the Old Meeting-house, Royston, June 20, 1822.

HEREFORDSHIRE. MORT, Rev. H. (late student at Hoxton,) óver the Church formerly the Rev. Joel Bromfield's, at Bromyard, June 13, 1822.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE. HALLEY, Rev. ROBERT, (late student at Homerton Academy,) over the Independent Church at St. Neot's, June 11, 1822.

CHAPPELL, Rev. J. (late of Newport, Pagnell, Evangelical Institution,) over the Independent Church at Yaxley, Sept. 18, 1822.

KENT.

BLAKEMAN, Rev. J. D. over the Baptist Church, Mile Town, Sheerness, April 23, 1822.

LANCASHIRE.

CARNSON, Rev. D. T. (late student of Blackburn Academy,) over the Congregational Church, which meets in Fishergate Chapel, Preston, Lancashire, Nov. 8, 1821.

RYAN, Rev. J. (late of Bridlington,) over the Independent Church, Orchard Street, Stockport, July 28, 1822. LEICESTERSHIRE. BARROWs, Rev. SAMUEL, (late of Mr. Bull's Academy Newport, Pagnell,) over the Independent Church at Market, Bosworth, March 7, 1822. ROBERTS, Rev. J. (late of Hoxton Academy,) over the recently formed Independent Church at Melton, Mowbray, July 18, 1822.

GEAR, Rev. Mr. (also from Hoxton Academy,) over the Independent Church at Market, Harborough, Oct. 9, 1822.

LINCOLNSHIRE. PAIN, Rev. JOHN, (late of Hoxton Aca

demy,) over the Independent Church at Horncastle, May 10, 1822. HIMMERS, Rev. JOHN, over the particular Baptist Church at Boston, July 11, 1822. A Society in connexion with Baptists was formed immediately after the ordination of Mr. Himmers, with the view of promoting more effectually the spread of the Gospel in this county. MIDDLESEX.

HOUSE, Rev. W. over the Baptist Church in Ship Place, Temple-bar, May 23,

1821.

RUXWORTHY, Rev. Mr. over the Baptist Church at Croydon, July 23, 1822. WILTSHIRE.

ingfield, Essex,) over the newly formed Church, which meets in Claremont Chapel, Pentonville, Oct 16, 1822. SHENSTON, Rev. J. B. over the Independent Church, Crouch-end, Oct. 3, 1822.

SALIER, Rev. Mr. over the Baptist GIBBS, Rev. Mr. 、 Church meeting in the Free Chapel, Lower Chapman Street, St. George's East, August 11, 1822.

NORFOLK.

SAYCE, Rev. GEORGE, over the Baptist Church, Wrexham, June 27, 1821. ROBINSON, Rev. H. E. over the newly formed Independent Church at Walton, Oct. 22, 1822.

WILLIAMS, Rev. JOHN, over the Baptist Church at East Dereham, June 6, 1822.

TIPPETTS, Rev. JOHN, (late of Hoxton Academy,) over the Independent Church, which meets in Broad Street, Lynn, Sept. 18. 1822.

EVANS, Rev. Wм. (from Hoxton Academy,) over the Independent Church at Wymondham, July 24, 1822.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. BOTTOMLEY, Rev. W. E. (late of Bristol Academy,) over the Baptist Church at Middleton Cheney, Oct. 23, 1821. BROOKS, Rev. JOSEPH, over the Baptist Church, West Haddon, April 30, 1822. MILLER, Rev. THOMAS, (late pastor of the Church at Oakham,) over the Baptist Church at Woodford, near Thrapston, May 22, 1822.

COLEMAN, Rev. J. co-pastor with Dr. Hennel, over the Independent Church in Woollaston, Sept. 5, 1822

NORTHUMBERLAND. COLEFAX, Rev. W. (from Idle Academy,) over the Independent Church at Hexham, July 11, 1822.

OXFORDSHIRE. NUNNICK, Rev. D. Baptist, Bloxham, Oct. 2, 1821.

SOMERSETSHIRE. JUKES, Rev. JOHN, (Bristol Academy,)

over the Baptist Congregation, Yeovil, Oct. 18, 1821.

CORP, Rev. JOSEPH, (from the Western Academy,) over the Independent Church and Congregation, Bridgewater, August 20, 1822.

SUFFOLK.

JAMES, Rev. ABRAHAM, (formerly of Penknap, Westbury, Leigh,) over the Baptist Church at Limply-Stoke, June 12, 1821.

BEST, Rev. THOMAS, over the Independent Church, Fovant, near Tisbury, Nov. 7, 1822.

GREEN, Rev. J. over the Independent Church, which meets in Ebenezer Chapel, Market, Lavington, Sept. 24, 1822.

YORKSHIRE.

RHUDER, Rev. J. (late student at Idle Academy,) over the Independent Church at Ossett, July 3, 1822. BLACKBURN, Rev. A. (late of Idle Academy,) over the Independent Church Myrtle Grove, Eastwood, near Halifax, August 22, 1822.

WALTON, Rev. J. over the Independent Church Sutton, near Thirsk, August 7, 1822.

ASPINALL, Rev. R. (from Idle Academy,) over the Independent Church at Glassington, Oct. 16, 1822.

PARSONS, Rev. J. Over the Independent Congregation Meeting in Lendal Chapel, York, Oct. 24, 1822.

RowSE, Rev. JOHN, (late of Bradford Academy,) over the Baptist Church at Kilham, May 7, 1822.

WALES. JONES, Rev. T. (late student at Abergavenny,) as a Baptist Itinerant at Lancarven, Glamorganshire, August 22,

1821.

OWENS, Rev. Mr. OWEN, (late of Dinas Mowddy,) over the Independent Congregational Church at Rhes y Cal, Flintshire, Oct. 30, 1821.

WILLIAMS, Rev. S. over the Congregational Church at Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Nov. 8, 1821.

MORRIS, Rev. W. (late of the North

Wales Academy,) over the Congregational Church at Llanfyllin, January 2, 1822.

DAVIES, Rev. E. Classical Tutor of the

North Wales Academy,) over the Congregational Church at Bwlchyffridd, near Newtown, and co-pastor with Dr. Lewin, over part of the Congregation assembling at Newtown Chapel, Jan. 24, 1822.

JONES, Rev. J. T. (late student at Abergavenny,) as pastor of the particular Baptist Church at Hay, Breconshire, April 3, 1822.

JENKINS, Rev. D. over the Independent Church at Brychgoed, South Wales, May 22, 1822.

GRIFFITH, Rev. J. (late of Carmarthen College, over the Independent Church Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, Sept. 26, 1822.