5. P. C. K. and s, P. G.—Salisbury Dio

cesan and District Committees.

THE Report read in the Council Chamber, Salisbury, at the annual meeting, which is on the whole satisfactory, in speaking of these societies, says: "These might strictly be termed Church Societies, since their object was to disseminate far and wide the knowledge of gospel truth as taught in the Liturgy of the truly christian Church of England. Among other advantages which had been produced by them, was the circumstance that they had been established at a period when their offices were most needed, and in proportion to the increasing want of spiritual instruction, their operations had been conducted on a more extended scale. Their tracts gave a clear idea of the fundamental truths of Christianity, and the duties thereby enjoined."

The collection at the Cathedral and door of the Council Chamber amounted to 431. 8s. 6d.

We will not for a moment suppose that the memory of past benefits, and the prospect of future and more extensive ones, thus held out, will permit the Clergy and friends of the Church to become slack in their exertions; and to promote this object, we shall feel obliged to our readers for brief abstracts of any reports connected with the above societies.

Opening of West Hackney New

National Schools.

ON Thursday, August 16, the New National Schools at West Hackney, erected after a chaste and beautiful design by Mr. M'Intosh Brookes, were opened with becoming solemnity. At about half-past two, the Rev. E. Birch, the Rector, accompanied by the Rev. S. Isaacson, Curate, in their robes, proceeded to the Boys' School, where, during the morning, active preparations had been making for a substantial repast for the children, on this interesting occasion.

The room was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the Union-jack and Volunteer-flag waved gracefully at the extremity.

At three o'clock, the churchwardens,

Messrs. Springuth and Dunn, and most of the members of the committee, with several clergy, and ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood, having arrived, the children walked in procession to the Girls' School, where the business of the day was opened by a solemn prayer, delivered in a most impressive manner by the Rector. The children then sang a hymn appropriate to the occasion, and the Rector and Curate each delivered an eloquent address on the nature and prospects of the schools in connexion with the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church; and made affecting appeals to the sympathy of their hearers for further patronage and support. Of this prayer and the several addresses, we hope to be enabled to give copious extracts in our next number.

The dinner was of the good old substantial English fare, to which the children, who were waited upon by the whole company, did ample justice; and "God save the Queen" having been sung by Mr. Jolly and the amateurs present, the ladies and gentlemen departed, amid the cheers of the children, evidently delighted with the whole scene; which indeed was manifested by the liberal contributions, towards defraying the expenses of the entertainment, deposited in the plates, kindly held by two ladies at the door.

The entire expense of building these schools will probably exceed 1,000s nearly the whole of which has been raised by voluntary contribution, aided by a Government grant of 200., and 501. collected in the parish church of St. John, Hackney, after an eloquent and powerful appeal in this behalf, by the Venerable J. B. Hollingworth, D.D. Archdeacon of Huntingdon; who occupied the pulpit, most liberally offered by the Venerable the Rector of the parent church, on Sunday, August 19th.

The labours of the committee during the last year have been unremitting, but such labours carry with them the recompense of reward; and the knowledge that, in these schools, education based on the pure word of God will be continued long after the present

generation shall have passed away, will make them feel an inward satisfaction, in the hope that "the work begun, continued, and ended," with such views, may bring forth an abundant harvest.

We have peculiar pleasure in recording the erection of these schools at this moment, from observing certain ، signs of the tirnes," which show how much their success is dreaded by the anything-arian and nothing-arian classes, and the enemies of the Established Church in general. On this point, our excellent contemporary the STANDARD observes:

It

"The plot which the factious and political Dissenters have for some time been devising for the ruin of THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF EDUCATION' has at length transpired, through the official garrulity of the Patriot. It now appears that a memorial was presented, in April last, from the committee of The British and Foreign School Society,' to Lord John Russell, not only for the infraction of the charter, but for the subversion of the schools which belong to that noble and universally successful institution. We are sorry that we cannot afford room for the whole of this document. presents an inimitable display of that self-importance which the pedagogue is almost sure to assume when he is admitted to a correspondence with the Treasury or the Home Department. But the following 'Suggestions of the Committee' will put our readers into possession of the plot. It has been suggested, that great advantage would result if these commissioners were brought, in the disposal of the public funds, into immediate correspondence with the individual or local committee sustaining each separate school, instead of acting through the agency of any society or societies. This point seems well worthy of consideration; but, however this may be decided, the committee would suggest-1st, That (excepting titles extinct, subsequently mentioned under this head) this board should not interfere in any way with the religious instructions imparted in any school. 2dly, That it should not impose any terms or restrictions, except such as might be necessary in order to secure the efficient teaching,

and an adequate share of secular education. 3dly, That the Holy Scriptures should be read and taught in all the schools, such instruction to form part of the usual order of occupation in this school, and to be communicated by the schoolmaster; but that the children of Catholics and Jews might, if their parents required it, be absent at such time; and that the children of Dissenters shall not be compelled to learn any religious formulary or catechism to which their parents objected.'

"Such are the rules by which this very modest committee of the British and Foreign School Society propose that all future parliamentary grants for national education shall be adjusted by the Board of Parliamentary Commission, by which it is plain, that every school in the kingdom conducted on the principles of The National Society' would be necessarily excluded from all benefit or participation in any grant for the purposes of national education!

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By the fundamental principles of the National Society, the CATECHISM OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND is taught in all its schools-the children attending its schools are expected to go to some church or chapel belonging TO THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. Such is the charter by which this society exists. And in the teeth of this charter, the legislature is now called upon, by this memorial, to exclude all schools from the parliamentary bounty which insist on the teaching of the Church Catechism. What is this, but saying indirectly, that no National School shall have any national assistance, unless it will first set aside the forms of its charter?

"We rejoice that such a document has been laid before the public, because its bigotry and intolerance will unite men of all parties in our favour. We had thought that the British and National Schools were proceeding in a race of friendly and useful rivalship; the former comprising the Dissenting, and the latter the Church part of the community; and the principle of dividing the parliamentary grants according to the respective members in these schools, seemed to be perfectly just

and equitable. But it now appears that the committee of the Boroughroad School are desirous of putting an end to this equitable arrangement, and that they wish to monopolize the whole of the educational grants, to promote the objects of Dissent and Infidelity!

"When it is considered, that the great bulk of the national wealth is in the hands of Churchmen, and that in any grant of Parliament for the purposes of education, about 197. of every 201. come out of the pockets of the members of the Establishment, it must reasonably be thought, that common sense and common prudence would silence all murmurs and dissatisfaction

on the part of The British and But Foreign School Committee.' they feel that their schools are in a rapid decline, both as to their finances and popularity. Every year leaves them at a greater distance from the schools of the National Society; and hence, they have proposed this desperate remedy, in the hope of ruining, by their treachery, those whom they cannot hope to outdo by their industry and exertions.

"And these are the advocates of the voluntary principle '-these the lovers of liberty and toleration-these the men who detest all connexion between Church and State!"

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

My Lords and Gentlemen, "The state of public business enables me to close this protracted and laborious session.

"I have to lament that the civil war in Spain forms an exception to the general tranquillity. I continue to receive from all foreign powers the strongest assurances of their desire to maintain with me the most amicable relations.

"The disturbances and insurrections which had unfortunately broken out in Upper and Lower Canada, have been promptly suppressed; and I entertain a confident hope, that firm and

judicious measures will empower you to restore a constitutional form of government, which unhappy events have compelled you for a time to suspend.

"I rejoice at the progress which has been made in my colonial possessions towards the entire abolition of negro apprenticeship.

"I have observed with much satisfaction the attention which you have bestowed upon the amendment of the domestic institutions of the country. I trust that the mitigation of the law of Imprisonment for Debt will prove at once favourable to the liberty of my subjects, and safe for commercial credit; and that the Established Church will derive increased strength and efficiency from the restriction of the granting of benefices in plurality.

I

"I have felt great pleasure in giving my assent to the Bill for the Relief of the destitute Poor in Ireland. cherish the expectation that its provisions have been so cautiously framed, and will be so prudently executed, that whilst they contribute to relieve distress, they will tend to preserve order, and to encourage habits of industry and exertion.

"I trust likewise that the act which you have passed relating to the Compositions for Tithe in Ireland will

increase the security of that property, and promote internal peace.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I cannot sufficiently thank you for your dispatch and liberality in providing for the expenses of my household, and the maintenance of the honour and dignity of the Crown. I offer you my warmest acknowledgments for the addition which you have made to the income of my beloved mother.

"I thank you for the supplies which you have voted for the ordinary public service, as well as for the readiness with which you have provided means to meet the extraordinary expenses rendered necessary by the state of my Canadian possessions.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "The many useful measures which you have been able to consider, while the settlement of the Civil List and the state of Canada demanded so much of your attention, are a satisfactory proof of your zeal for the public good. You are so well acquainted with the duties which now devolve upon you in your respective counties, that it is unnecessary to remind you of them. In the discharge of them you may securely rely on my firm support, and it only remains for me to express a humble hope that Divine Providence may watch over us all, and prosper

our united efforts for the welfare of our country."

THE CANADAS.-We wish the hopes expressed in her Majesty's speech may be realized; but we never had any confidence in Lord Durham, the last man in the universe for a pacificator; and the Indemnity Act must at once annoy and embarrass him.

THE WEST INDIES.-On the 1st of August, the West India proprietors, who had it in their power, remitted in the noblest manner the remaining period of apprenticeship, and at once emancipated their negroes. We trust that this disinterested proceeding will silence the clamour that has been raised against the planters, and that the next arrivals will bring intelligence gratifying to all parties.

BELGIUM.-There have been some warlike rumours; but the demonstration of the Conservative powers will probably make the Revolutionists pause.

FRANCE. This country is at open war with Mexico, maintains a doubtful friendship with her neighbours, and is by no means in an enviable position in Africa.

SPAIN. It is confidently expected that the king of Spain, in consequence of the large pecuniary supplies forwarded from the Northern powers, will reach Madrid before the expiration of three months.