We would not be weary nor discouraged, for this we know, that if we are steadfast and abound in the work of the Lord, our labour will not be in vain.

SCHOOL NO. 15.

Since the last anniversary, 140 scholars, from the age of 5 to 63 years, have been admitted: 130 may be reckoned regular attendants. They are under the direction of a Superintendent, Secretary, and 14 Teachers. A number from the alphabet have improved so far as to be able to. read the Bible, and commit to memory Divine Songs, 4 Catechisms, and several chapters in the Bible. The adults are all coloured people, and their good conduct, and attention to their studies, demand our highest praise. With the warmest gratitude to the great Author of all good, we are enabled to report, that 5 Teachers and 4 Scholars have been brought from darkness to light, and are added to the number of Christ's flock.

SCHOOL NO. 16.

Fifty scholars have been admitted, 46 white children, and 3 coloured, and 1 coloured woman: 13 have advanced from letters to read in the Bible. The number who usually attend, is from 70 to 80: many of the children have given proofs of astonishing powers of memory, and have committed 3 Catechisms, Divine Songs, and many chapters in the Bible.

At the commencement of the last year only one of our Teachers was pious; faint expectations comparatively could be entertained of the faithfulness and success of those, who endeavoured to teach what they themselves were ignorant of: but the spirit of God has triumphed alike over our doubts and fears; five out of seven have, within the last three months, given evidence of a radical change of heart. The appearance of our school is altered; the prospect which recently presented a barren desert, now blooms as the garden of God. We have had the satisfaction of seeing a general improvement in morals and learning. The occurrences of the past winter afford us abundant encouragement to go forward in this labour of love, believing the promise, that "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing the precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

SCHOOL NO. 17.

This school is under the care of a Superintendent and 8 Teachers. The number of scholars registered is 205; 12 coloured adults, 188 white children, and 5 coloured do. ; 24 have advanced from the first lessons to read in the Bible. These have committed to memory the Episcopal and one other catechism, and Watts' Divine Songs. A. C. aged 11 years, has committed 72 Psalms, 3 chapters in Isaiah, 44 hymns, and has not been absent once during the year.

Mary L. entered last August, did not know the alphabet, now reads very well; has learned 3 different catechisms, 12 chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel, and all the Divine Songs. Many others have improved beyond our most sanguine expectations.

M

Since the commencement of the year, it has pleased God to awaken two of our Teachers, who have since been received into the communion of St. Stephen's Church.

SCHOOL NO. 18.

One hundred and seventy-six scholars have been admitted; the average number who attend is 80. We can make no very splendid exhibition of individual improvement, yet many of the learners have done well. Mary M., aged nine years, has committed to memory during the last six months, all the Westminister Catechism with proofs, the Catechism in verse, Watts' Divine Songs, and 321 verses of Scripture; three others have done equally well. Mrs. D. P. a white adult, was admitted last June; she barely knew the letters; she now reads, and has been presented with a Bible. A few among the coloured adults have advanced from the alphabet to reading.

SCHOOL NO. 19.

In presenting our second Annual Report, we desire to bles that kind Providence who has spared us as a Sabbath School another year. Although we are conscious of much unfaithfulness in the discharge of our duties, yet we trust, that we shall never have cause to regret having engaged in this "labour of love," but that, on the contrary, we shall have abundant reason to rejoice, if the Lord shall be pleased in any degree to smile on our feeble endeavours to instruct the ignorant in the things which belong to their everlasting welfare. If this has in any measure been effected, "Not unto us, not unto us, but unto His name be all the glory."

We have admitted during the last year, 132 scholars, and have dismissed 61: 90 remain on our class papers,-58 white children, 17 coloured adults, and 9 children; 4 have learned to read. The school is divided into eight classes, who are instructed by one Superintendent and 8 Teachers. In five of the classes the pupils commit to memory portions of Scripture, catechism, and hymns. Most of our scholars attend Divine service on the Sabbath, and generally remember the text preached from. Although our school is not so large as in times past, those who now attend are more punctual and diligent than they have ever been before. 38 chapters, and 1375 Scripture lessons have been committed to memory.

SCHOOL NO. 20

Is situated in the village of Haerlem, and was attended during the summer by 24 scholars, male and female, who were instructed by two male, and two female Teachers. In July last, a coloured woman came to put her child to the School; we asked her if she would not come as a Scholar herself? Oh, no,' she replied, 'I cannot leave my house, it would be so exposed;' but after a little persuasion she came in, (though it appears she had not been to Church for six months, for the above reason.) She remained until we went to Church, and accompanied us. In the afternoon she appeared again. The next Sabbath morning, Patience, (for that is her name,) was at her post in School. We observed to her, "You can now leave your house, it seems ?" "Oh, yes!" was her reply. On the after

noon of the third Sabbath, she begged her Teacher would just step over, (to use her own expression,) and visit her; when she told her, she had reason to bless the Lord that she ever came to the Sabbath School. It appears, she was struck with strong convictions while hearing the Bible read and the Catechism repeated. In the evening of the second Lord's day in August, Patience's Teacher visited her, and found her very ill with a burning fever, and in much distress for her soul. She exclaimed, "Oh Lord, have mercy upon my poor soul! My dear Teacher, I have sent for you to read for me. Oh, that the Lord would spare my life, and teach me his holy word! I once thought I was to live in this world for ever; but now I know that I must die, and that my soul must be happy or miserable for ever. Lord have mercy on my soul. O my dear Teacher, I am such a sin, ner, will the Lord have mercy on me?" Her teacher answered by pointing her to the blood of Christ, which can cleanse from all sin, of however deep a dye.

The coloured people really exceed our most sanguine expectations in the rapid progress they have made in learning to read. Many of them have committed a number of chapters of the Bible to memory; these encouraging circumstances excite us to persevere in the strength of the Lord. We feel constrained to notice, with humble gratitude, the kind providence of our Lord, in raising up a young gentleman of independent circumstances, who has taken upon himself the sole charge of the school during the winter, when the other Teachers had removed into the city.

SCHOOL NO. 21.

The present number now attending is 130; 60 of whom have been received since the last anniversary. It is our satisfaction to state, that not one of our pupils has been dismissed for disorderly conduct, but that all are deserving of praise.

Thirty of our charge have progressed from the alphabet, to reading in the Bible; a few have committed a great part of the New Testament, various catechisms, Scripture lessons, and Divine Songs.

SCHOOL NO. 22.

This school has admitted 36 scholars, chiefly coloured adults, and is instructed by one Superintendent and 4 Teachers. Five have learned the Catechism, Watts' Divine Songs, and 6 chapters of the gospel of St. Matthew; eight are professors of religion in the African Church. The improvement of the school generally has far exceeded the expectations of the Teachers.

SCHOOL NO. 23.

In presenting our Report, we are sorry to state, that it is not in our power to give as correct and animating an account as the school merits. The number of scholars received, and discharged, during the past year, with the progress made, and the lessons committed to memory, cannot be ascertained; chiefly owing to the school having been without a Superintendent for some time past.

It now contains sixty-four white and two coloured children; they are under the direction of a Superintendent, Secretary, and 8 Teach

ers, who are encouraged by the improvement made, to continue their services.

SCHOOL NO. 24

Situated at Manhattanville, when last reported consisted of 44 scholars, and was instructed by 4 Teachers. The School has been dismissed for the winter season, but will be resumed when the Teachers return to the country.

SCHOOL NO. 25

Was organized August 3d, 1817, since which time 50 coloured adults have been admitted; 30 of these attend regularly, and are instructed by a Superintendent and 4 Teachers. Although there have been few instances of very rapid improvement, yet the progress of the scholars is very apparent. Several who when they commenced did not know one letter, now read in the Spelling-Book, and others who began with the first lessons, now read with facility, and have committed to memory catechisms, and portions of Scripture. They have generally paid the most serious attention to religious instruction, and often the tear of penitence or remorse has bedewed their cheeks, while the weighty concerns of their souls have been pressed upon their consciences. "Hitherto the Lord hath helped," and in his strength we are determined to persevere, believing, that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. Last sabbath one of our Teachers bade us an affectionate farewell; she has accompanied her sister, whose husband is engaged as a missionary to the Tuscarora Indians. SCHOOL NO. 26

Was organized on the 7th of September, 1817; since which time 114 scholars have been admitted, 105 of whom attend regularly, and are diligent in their studies. Two teachers have lately joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, the other ten are all members of the same church.

SCHOOL NO. 27

Commenced April 13, 1817: 216 scholars have been admitted; only 43 of these now regularly attend. They are under the care of a Superintendent and 6 Teachers. 25 have advanced from the first lessons to reading the Bible. Three teachers and 2 scholars have experienced a change since they belonged to the school, and have joined the church.

SCHOOL NO. 28

Was opened in June, 1817, with 30 scholars; 26 of these have been retained during the winter, and still continue to attend ; 6 can now read the Bible; 8 have advanced from the alphabet to Scripture lessons. The duties of this school have devolved principally upon one individual; assistance has been obtained occasionally, but only one regular teacher has as yet been procured.

SCHOOL NO. 29

Contains 20 female scholars; 6 read the Bible, others are in a progressive state of improvement.

SCHOOL NO. 30

Was opened on the 9th of November for coloured adults; 20 have

been admitted, and have received books; only nine attend regularly. One woman who has attended since the commencement of the school, and who scarcely knew all her letters, in eight Sabbaths read a chapter in the Bible of 32 verses, without being told. Two others, from spelling one syllable, are good readers. Three of the women were pious before they entered the school, the rest are seriously inclined, and all are anxious to learn.

SCHOOL NO. 31.

This school is conducted by two Superintendents and 20 Teachers: 200 scholars have been admitted; upwards of one hundred attend regularly, 6 are coloured adults, and 3 coloured children: 13 have advanced from letters to reading.

From these extracts it would appear, that the average number who regularly attend the Schools, is 2877, under the care of 384 teachers; 336 have been advanced from learning the alphabet to reading the Bible; 3306 chapters have been committed to memory, besides catechisms, hymns, and portions of Scripture innumerable: 45 Teachers and 24 Scholars have been enabled to profess their faith in Christ, and have become members of the visible church.

The Society have this year, as on the former, reason to rejoice in the harmony that has attended this Union.

Let our thanksgivings abound towards God, whose blessing alone giveth success, and let our prayers be persevering and fervent, that He would crown every year with gladness, and cause the dews of his grace to descend on the souls of both Teachers and Scholars, in schools and in the sanctuary, on his own day.

BRITISH & FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Having been recently favoured by our attentive correspondent at Liverpool with the seventh number of the Monthly Extracts, from the correspondence of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for February 1818, we present our readers with a part of it for this number of the Christian Herald. The explanation of the meaning of the terms in their constitution "without note or comment," coming from such high authority, is deemed very important. The cheering intelligence respecting the means afforded of circulating the Scriptures among the Chinese, as detailed in Mr. Milne's letter, will rejoice the hearts of all who are friendly to the true religion.

Queries recently proposed by the Rev. William Milne, now employed in conjunction with the Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D. in translating the Scriptures into Chinese, at Malacca; and the determination of the Committee respecting them.

What is the real import and utmost extent of the Society's Motto, "Without note or comment ?"

1. Does it preclude various marginal readings?

2. Does it preclude a marginal explanation of terms which cannot be rendered in the text without circumlocution?