Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

in the village of Geneva, state of New York. The Address is accompanied with some very just and liberal remarks, which we are induced to copy, in order that our readers may learn the opinion entertained by the Americans relative to an undertaking from which they can expect to reap no benefit, should it prove ever so successful.]

[From the Geneva Gazette.

The following "Address" has appeared in several of the newspapers published in Upper Canada, and it is said to engage the earnest attention of the "Resident Land Owners" in that province. Our relations with Great Bri tain, and our proximity to the Canadas, give us a secondary interest in measures affecting the mother country, or her American dependencies; not that we view with jealousy or apprehension any attempt to increase the population and prosperity of the neighbouring province: we see no reason for indulging feelings of this kind. United and happy at home, respected and admired abroad-too just to provoke aggression, and too powerful to invite it; what has united America to fear from other nations? Secure in the enjoyment of national and individual blessings ourselves, we desire to see similar blessings extended to the whole human race. The redundant population of England might find in Canada a safe asylum from famine and the sword, to which it is alternately exposed; while the Government, by this draining, would find idleness, immorality, pauperism, prevented at home more effectually than by all its boasted and expensive charitable institutions. Thus would the mother country and the provinces' be mutually benefited, and thousands of human beings turned from shame and beggary to usefulness and happi-!

[merged small][ocr errors]

Mr. Gourlay appears to be a man of sound sense, of true patriotism, and of correct benevolent views. His connexions in Great Britain and in Canada are said to be highly respectable; and, if we are not much mistaken, he possesses that rare combination of talents, industry, and judgment, which is calculated to effect good in the world. We heartily wish him success in the cause he has undertaken, because it is the cause of humanity.]

Every attempt in Canada to convert the wilderness into cultivated farms; to draw forth the hidden resources, and improve the natural advantages of the province; to extend the sphere of civilization, and to increase the sum of human happiness, will awaken in us feelings of sympathy and respect, with a determination still to outdo them in the good work.]

[To the Teachers of the District Common Schools, in the District of Niagara.

GENTLEMEN,

You are required by the Board of Education to inquire into the state of the inhabitants in your respective neighbourhoods, as to their possessing, or want of the Holy Scriptures, and your Trustees are requested to aid you in this benevolent inquiry.

Firstly. You will inquire, by going from house to house, if they possess any copy of the Scriptures, and in what condition.

Secondly. If they are without this invaluable treasure, whether they are desirous of possessing it, and are willing to form associations to purchase it, by instalments of a quarter dollar per month.

Thirdly. How many of the family can read, and if any person, of honest worth, find it difficult to spare this small sum, he may subscribe less, or have his Bible gratis, if he

appears to deserve it. Let this information be entered in separate columns, and sent to Samuel Street, Esq. at the Fall Mills, secretary to the Niagara Bible Society.

This inquiry is preparatory to the formation of associations in this district, for the high purpose of spreading the knowledge of divine truth, and it is evident that the act of periodically contributing to a religious object by any set of men, and especially to procure Bibles for themselves and children where they are wanted, or to aid their distribution among their poorer neighbours, and their fellow-creatures in general, leads to the formation of economical and pious habits, and tends to generate and cherish those feelings in the mass of the community, which conduce in a great degree to private virtue and public happiness.

Resolutions recommended for adoption at meetings assembled for the formation of Bible Associations, will be published in some future Spectator, as soon as the Niagara Bible Society receives information of Bibles being sent out to be disposed of by their Committee.

R. CLENCH,

A Member, and Secretary to the
Board of Education.]

[Niagara, June 1, 1817.

The following forms of report and certificate will be attended to, by the trustees and teachers of the district common schools, within the district of Niagara. And the Board of Education beg leave to recommend that the following rules be adopted in the different schools. The books mentioned in the rules will be provided by the Board of Education, with as little delay as possible.

Report of a District Common School established in the township of day of

on the

in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

FORM OF A CERTIFICATE.

WB, the Trustees of a District Common School, established in the township of

[ocr errors]

in the district of Nia

gara, province of Upper Canada, do certify that Mr. A. B. a British subject, has taught the said district common school as aforesaid, for the space of six months, commencing on the

of

[ocr errors]

day of

and ending on the

day

181; having not had less than twenty scholars, and has well demeaned himself as teacher of the said school, and much to our satisfaction; given under our hands in the township of

To T. S. Esq. Treasurer,

District of Niagara.

aforesaid, this

day of

181 .

[blocks in formation]

RULES.

1. The master to commence the labours of the day by a

short prayer.

2. School to commence each day at nine o'clock of the forenoon, and five hours at least to be taught during the day, except on Saturday.

3. Diligence and emulation to be cherished and encouraged by rewards judiciously distributed, to consist of little pictures and books according to the age of the scholar.

4. Cleanliness and good order to be indispensable, and corporeal punishment seldom necessary, except for bad habits learned at home, lying, disobedience, obstinacy, and perverseness, these sometimes require chastisement; but gentleness even in these cases would do better with most children.

5. All other offences in children, arising chiefly from liveliness and inattention, are better corrected by shame, such as gaudy caps, placing the culprits by themselves, not admitting any to play with them for a day or days, detaining them after school hours, or during a play afternoon, and by ridicule.

6. The master must keep a regular catalogue of his scholars, and mark every day they are absent.

1

7. The forenoon of Wednesday and of Saturday, to be set apart for religious instruction; to render it agreeable, the school should be furnished with at least ten copies of Barrow's Questions on the New Testament, and the teacher to have one copy of the Key to these questions for his own use; the teacher should likewise have a copy of Murray's Power of Religion on the Mind, Watkins' Scripture Biography, and Blair's Class Book, the Saturday Lessons of which are well calculated to impress religious feeling.

These books are confined to no religious denomination, and do not prevent the master from teaching such Catechism as the parents of the children may adopt.

8. Every day to close with reading publicly a few verses from the New Testament, proceeding regularly through the gospels.

« ZurückWeiter »