14 STATE OF THE NORWOOD SCHOOLS.

Not to be punished for talking to each other at meals.

A weekly report of the kind and number of cases inquired into and not punished, to be made to the chaplain.

A weekly report of punishment, and for what, to be made to the chaplain.

The importance of reporting to the Chaplain can scarcely be over-rated, for not only will it be a check upon all who may have the power or opportunity of punishing, but it will be more painful to the child than even the correction itself; add to which, it will enable the Chaplain to allude more particularly to these offences in his private and public ministrations. The following tablet, or monthly statement of offences, hangs up in my room, and thus helps to keep in mind the different failings of the children.

This kind of tabular statement and division of offences, I would venture to recommend strongly to all schools, whether Poor-Law, Daily, or Sunday. The difficulty is generally in defining the fault; and though no doubt this table may be improved, yet I confess, after forming and trying every kind of table of offences many years, and failing to include all points about which we should be anxious, I think I have at last succeeded, at least in pleasing myself; and sure I am, that many of my clerical brethren, and Poor-Law guardians, will, as many have, thank me for affording them a copy.

I know full well, however, that all these rules and regulations may be in full exercise, and the schools in a high state of discipline, and yet the children neither be happy nor religious, in the true sense of the terms. What then is their

state? That the children are happy, as far as it is possible under their circumstances, I fully believe; and much happier than they could be, if away from the care of the guardians of the poor. Often have I seen the tear fall, when the hour for their departure has arrived; and I am frequently accosted in the streets of the

metropolis by those who were once at Norwood, and whose countenances show, in the few moments we hold conversation, that they yet have pleasing recollections of those by-gone days. In truth, one peculiar feature which seems to strike visitors, (and there have been upwards of five thousand in the last three years and a half) is the cheerful and happy looks of the children, and how completely at ease and without fear they seem.

But do I mean to say they are all religious? That be far from me; this, however, I do say, that to many of those who have left, and to many still in the schools, I look with the fullest confidence, as growing in the fear of the Lord, and that the seeds of holiness and righteousness have been planted in their hearts. I look at them with hope, that they have received" the engrafted word which is able to save their souls" --that they intend to "fight manfully against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto their lives' end." My full hope is, that many (would that it may be all !) will meet in that blessed place of which we often sing and talk, through the merits of Him who they well know said,

"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

This hope, supported by the promise of Jehovah, is the chief source whence a chaplain in such a sphere can derive comfort under his many trials. Difficulties seen and unseen, numerous and humiliating, painful and self-denying, will come; and knowing there is every hope that schools of this kind with chaplains attached will shortly be established, I would venture to prepare my brethren in the ministry for scenes and circumstances which will require the exercise of all the passive graces of the Spirit, as well as all the active; and nothing will bear them up amidst the conflicting elements with which they will have to come in contact, but a deep-rooted conviction, that from the children chiefly, all their comfort and consolation in their "work of faith and labour of love," will come. To see the children grateful and affectionate, to know a work is going on in them which none but the Spirit of the Lord could commence and can bring to perfection, and to have a testimony within, that they are doing the work of Him that sent them, is all the encouragement they must expect.

A chaplain to pauper children is seen by few