ADVERTISEMENT. BISHOP BUTLER, the Author of the "Analogy," alluding, upwards of a century since, to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, spoke of it as "a Society for carrying on almost every good work 1." 1 A careful survey of the minutes of the Institution will amply justify this high commendation. The chief designs in which the Society had been engaged when the Bishop used these words, were, 1. The establishment of Charity Schools, and the education of the poor in the doctrines and duties of Christianity, as taught by the Church of England. 2. The gratuitous supply and cheap distribution of the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, the Homilies of the Church, and Religious Books and Tracts. 3. The promotion of Christian Knowledge among particular 1 Sermon preached before the Society, in Christ Church, Newgate Street, May 9, 1745. classes of persons in this kingdom; especially soldiers, sailors, and prisoners. 4. The establishment and support of missions in India, for the conversion and instruction of the heathen. 5. Translations of the Scriptures into foreign languages. Other objects of a minor kind, and of a more general character of benevolence, also engaged the attention of the Society in its early days, when several wants existed, which have since been supplied by charitable institutions of comparatively recent foundation. As there is no branch of the Society's operations which has obtained more of its care and regard, than that relating to the religious instruction of the poor, it has been thought desirable to present, in a separate form, an authentic record of the part which it has continued to take, for a century and a half, in the important and interesting matter of National Education. London, November, 1848. CONTENTS. PAGE The Society's first resolution as to the establishment of Names of eminent persons, early members of the Society Mode of establishing Schools Labour and industry recommended for the children Qualifications and Rules for Masters and Mistresses Extension of the course of education in certain instances Attention to apprentices and servants: Adult Schools Schoolmasters' mutual instruction Collections after Sermons for Schools Dates of the foundation of certain Schools Early efforts in the establishment of Schools in Wales, &c. . 34 Encouragement given by King George the Third Educational efforts made by the Society in various parts of Anniversary Meetings of Charity Schools in and about the Assemblage of the Schools at several City Churches Attendance of royal and noble persons at the Anniversaries. 71 79 |
