PROCEEDINGS, &c.

The officers and committee of the New-York Sunday School Union Society, held their first quarterly meeting with the Superintendents and Teachers of the schools, at the Methodist Church in John-street, on Monday the 6th of May, 1816. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Scolfield; after which, RICHARD VARICK, Esq. President of the Society, addressed the Superintendents and Teachers as follows:

GENTLEMEN,

The Superintendents and Teachers of the

New-York Sunday School Union Society,

PERMIT me at this, the first stated meeting of the socie ty, since the adoption of the constitution, in the name and behalf of the officers and committee, to congratulate you on the establishment, in this city, of an institution so interesting to the heart of benevolence, and so highly favourable to the cause of religion and good morals.

"It is well known to those who have taken the pains to examine the subject, that for many years past the Sunday School system has been gradually dispelling the darkness and chasing away the mists of ignorance and irreligion which had covered the minds of a great portion of the youthful poor of England, Scotland and Ireland; and that it has engaged the hearts of many, very many of them, with gladness to receive, not only the first rudiments of education, but therewith the first impressions of the blessed truths of the benign religion of the Prince of Peace; and that many of those who have been first taught at Sunday schools, have become well informed and valuable members of society, the indefatigable instructors of others, and distinguished professors of the religion of our once crucified but now exalted Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ; our hope in this world, and our all in all in that which is to come.

"But not until very lately have the benefits of the Sunday School system been experienced by the inhabitants of other countries, where it is now transplanted, and promises

to grow and increase with never ending advantages to the young and benighted inhabitants.

"These facts with their causes, are to us inscrutable, although our ears are agreeably saluted with the blessed tidings, and history moreover assures us of the happy effects resulting from the system, wherever it has been adopted.

"When we consider the objects of its provision, and reflect on the manner in which the system originated in this city, and the zeal with which it has been organized and fostered, we are naturally induced to believe, with lively gratitude, that the formation of the society was dictated by that invisible power, which doth all things well, and for our greatest good; and we have cause to welcome the establishment thereof, as one of the auspicious omens, not only of the Divine forbearance, but of the favour of the Almighty towards the guilty inhabitants of our city and country, and the harbinger of great good to those youth of the rising generation, who have no friend to guide them in the path of wisdom.

"In the sacred volume we are informed, that there is a season for all things; and that Almighty Being in whom all wisdom and benevolence unite, best knows how and when to excite the holy flame, and in due time to fan the living fire; and we fondly hope and trust that the sacred influence has extended to us, and that we are by him made the willing instruments "to aid in instructing the ignorant, in turning many of the vicious from the paths of error, and in pointing out to them that way in which lies their future peace and welfare." And in so well doing, the rising generation will have cause of eternal gratitude to that God who hath put it into our hearts to devote a small portion of our time, our labours, and our substance, to rescue them from the paths of ignorance and vice, the highways to interminable destruction.

"We have, moreover, great cause for mutual congratula tion on the interest and good will which have been manifested by many of our fellow-citizens, in support of the institution committed to our charge.

"In the first instance, the subject of such an institution was spoken of, as it were, in faint whispers. It received immediate countenance, and the voice soon become general, audible, and impressive; and measures were soon adopted to bring the benevolent plan before the public eye.

Such, indeed, are the principles on which the institution is founded, so simple and inviting are its objects, and so certain, are, in our judgment, the results, that it requires little more than a sound head and an honest and well disposed heart, to engage in its support with equal warmth and perseverance.

"The ladies of this city have again, to their honour, on this occasion, as on others, been foremost in acts of benevolence and piety towards the ignorant and destitute of their own sex. History and experience furnish abundant proofs that their good example and good opinion, have frequently excited our sex, not only to deeds of valour, but to many acts, in their nature noble and equally honourable.

"In this instance, although we have been slow to act, the same exalted spirit, like an electric touch, hath animated us, and been diffused throughout the community.

"Is proof demanded of the facts thus stated? We confidently appeal to your own bosoms. You, gentlemen, well know, and we do with great pleasure appreciate, the alacrity which was manifested in your coming forward to your present stations at the first call of the officers and committee. The pains which you have taken to collect your pupils from the streets, the lanes, the loathsome hovels and cellars of our city, and the diligence and perseverance you have manifested in the performance of your respective, before untried, duties, furnish incontrovertible proofs, as honourable to yourselves as exhilarating and encouraging to us, and highly interesting to the objects of your care and benevolence.

"It now becomes our duty to proceed to the appropriate business of the day, as expressed in the Constitution of the Society, to wit, that "Of inquiry and consultation relative to the interests of the Union, and the best means of promoting them.”

"This being accomplished, the officers and committe will take occasion to make to you, gentlemen, such further observations and remarks, as the nature of the business, and the subject to be examined and considered, may suggest, and as at the first meeting of the Society, may be expected at their hands."

Here the President read the Constitution and Rules for the government of the schools.

The business of the meeting was conducted in an animated and interesting manner. Reports were read from the Committees of fourteen schools, giving an ac

ces which had marked their progress. These reports were handsomely drawn up, and exhibited many interesting details and encouraging facts. It appeared that the above schools were conducted by thirty-six superintendents, and one hundred and forty-four teachers, and that there had been admitted into them 1800 learners; of whom nearly 200 were adults, and between 400 and 500 people of colour. In general, the scholars had been punctual in their attendance at school and at places of public worship, had been diligent in their studies, cleanly in their appearance, orderly and decorous in their conduct, and thankful for the exertions and kindness of their instructors. reports furnished the most satisfactory evidence of the utility of Sunday schools, of the salutary effects already produced by those connected with this association, and of the prompitude and zeal of the superintendents and teachers in the discharge of their duties.

The

From ten other schools, comprising, it is believed, 1000 learners, owing perhaps to their recent formation, no reports were made; they are however known to be in a prosperous state.

The following are extracts from the Reports received.

The committee of a school comprising 156 scholars, say: "The progress of the learners, in many instances, has been such as was peculiarly gratifying to the teachers. As to the effects of the school on the children and their parents, in a moral or religious point of view, we have to observe, that in our first visits to those places where the poorer classes reside, we frequently found the parents, and sometimes even the children, in a state of intoxication, disputing with each other, and using the most profane language; but in our subsequent visits, we are happy to say, instead of witnessing such horrid scenes of destroying vice, we found an obvious alteration in the conversation and habits of some, who were teaching the children their lessons, and who appeared to take some interest in this good work. Some, indeed, have requested Bibles for the illumination of their own minds, and for the instruction of their children, which requests have been complied with."

The committee of another school say, "we find much encouragement in the general good conduct and progress of the scholars under our care, and the great desire mani

in the manners and personal appearance of the school, is worthy of notice, as well as their cheerfulness in attending public worship at the house of God, and good deportment while there."

Another committee state, "That the adults in their school are particularly attentive to their studies, and evince a very great desire to obtain information; but from their minds having been so long uncultivated, their progress in general is slow. The children have, in many instances, far surpassed our expectations: many of those in the higher classes have already committed to memory nearly the whole of" Brown's catechism," besides a number of hymns; and from present appearances, we have no doubt but the most beneficial consequences will result from their attendance at the school."

The committee of another school observe, "That they have witnessed, with much satisfaction, an anxiety for improvement in a number of the scholars, of whom many, when admitted, could not repeat the alphabet, who are now candidates for admission to the higher classes. Among the adult Africans, a disposition for receiving instruction, and an eagerness of application, have been particularly observable."

Another committee, after giving an account of the classes into which their school was divided, observe, "That among the children are several who have improved greatly in their studies, as well as in their manners, and who we hope may yet become men devoted to God, and useful in the world. We judge that many happy consequences will result to the parents, from the attendance of the children at school; and that they are not insensible to the benefits which may be expected from the undertaking, is implied in the punctuality of the children, their cleanliness, and their disposition to persevere."

The following is from another report; "we have," say the committee," the satisfaction to state that our school is well furnished with able and skilful teachers, happily united in the "labour of love," and punctual in their attendance, conscientious in the discharge of their duties, and anxious for the moral and religious improvement of the several classes committed to their care. Their unwearied exertions in seconding the philanthropic, views of the Society have thus far been crowned