furtherance of Sabbath school instruc tion.[ The speaker then particularized various schools which had been so improved or built. No schoolroom was now considered complete without their class-rooms. He attributed those improvements to the fact of their being connected with the Parent Society. Sabbath school teachers took their part in the religious education of the poorest classes in the country. Several advantages were derived from the connection with the London Sunday School Union, many of which the speaker ennmerated.

The secretary (Mr. W. R. Brown) read the report, stating that there were twentytwo schools in the union, thirteen in the town and nine in the country. The town schools had 390 teachers and 3,800 scholars, the country schools 74 teachers and 665 scholars, making a total of 464 teachers and 4,465 scholars.

Mr. Brain, deputation from the London Sunday School Union, gave an earnest exhortation to increased diligence in the Sunday school work, and its extension in destitute suburbs of large towns. Other resolutions were subsequently passed, after interesting and brief speeches by Mr. Vivian, who urged the importance of punctuality; Mr. James, who described the organization of the Friends' adult schools in Plymouth; and others.

DEVONPORT AND STONEHOUSE.

On Sunday, the 1st November, Mr. Brain, deputation from the Parent Society, visited the whole of the town schools, and in the evening attended a united teachers' prayer meeting, at which upwards of 200 teachers and friends were present, presided over by the Rev. Dr. Stock.

On Monday evening, 2nd November, the annual meeting was held at the Temperance Hall, Fore Street, Devonport, about 250 being present. Mr. P. C. Clarke presided. Mr. Brain delivered an

address on the subject, "How may our Sunday schools be rendered more efficient?" The various schools were well represented, and great interest was evinced in Mr. Brain's address, considerable discussion, ensuing at its close. Rev. Dr. Stock, Rev. Messrs. Vaughan, Bourne, and Currie, with others took part, and a vote of thanks was given to the deputation.

Testimonials.

BEDFORD.-A testimonial consisting of a complete Tea service was presented, on the 28th October, by the teachers of Bunyan Meeting Sunday School, to Mr. JOHN ASHTON (who has been secretary of the school for nearly eighteen years), on the occasion of his marriage.

LONDON-Islington Green.-On 10th October, the members of the Bible classes at Wheatsheaf Yard Sunday School presented to Mr. F. BLANKLEY, Superintendent, an Album containing a portrait of each member of the classes.

Bayswater.-On October 29th the members of the young women's Bible class connected with Craven Hill Congregational Church presented to their teacher, Mrs. MORANT, a silver Teapot, as a token of their affectionate regard, on the completion of her seventh year of faithful care over the class.

Bethnal Green. On 27th October the officers, teachers, and senior scholars of Park Chapel Sunday School presented to their late superintendent Mr. JOHN GILBURT a writing-desk, on his retirement from Sunday school work, after thirty-nine years' active service.

Mile End Road.-On 22nd October the teachers of Salem Chapel School presented a Timepiece to Mr. WITNEY, their late superintendent, in token of their great respect and high esteem.

R་་ ་

The Committee of the Sunday School Union, with many of their friends, met in the Lecture Hall on Wednesday evening, October 28,to take farewell of Philip Phillips, Esq., previously to his return to America.

The proceedings commenced by singing the piece "Bright Home."

After prayer by Rev. J. Curwen, Mr. Benham, who presided, explained the object of the assembly, and in a few words referred to the great help that good singing was to the progress of a Sunday school. Mr. Phillips's progress had been an eminently successful one, and his services had been highly appreciated wherever he had travelled. His was not by any means a mercantile speculation. He had been singing for the Master, and it was fitting that on the eve of his departure we should meet to give expression to our good wishes for him, bidding him God-speed, desiring for him a safe voyage and continued health and vigour. It was matter of regret that Mrs. Phillips was unable to be present this evening, in consequence of the illness of her little son.

Mr. Hartley said they met under a shadow in consequence of the death of Mr. Watson. It was at first thought it might be desirable to forego the present meeting, but second thoughts brought the Committee to the conviction that this occasion was not incongruous with the feelings which have been occasioned by their great loss. He felt that it would not be fitting to flatter Mr. Phillips, who had been doing the Master's work. It was but three months ago that their friend arrived, though the time appeared much longer because so much had been accomplished. Thanks were due to America for sending such a representative man. Mr. Phillips came over a stranger, but will go back having some 20,000 friends in this country. He has attended eighteen places in London, and six in the country, while six more will be visited before he sails from Liverpool. He had shown a

pleasant, cheerful, obliging manner, with real talent and a loving heart. Good must result from what he had done. He (Mr. Hartley) was persuaded we had not accomplished half enough in the direction in which Mr. Phillips laboured, and he wished Mr. Curwen had been at the side of the Committee that they might have had the benefit of his counsel. It seemed new to us to have spiritual results from "singing the gospel," but there was no doubt that spiritual good had resulted from Mr. Phillips's singing. In it there was the power of music combined with the power of evangelical truth.

Mr. Hartley then, on behalf of the Committee, presented Mr. Phillips with a handsome Stationery Case with fittings, as a token of remembrance and sincere friendship. The Committee, Mr. Hartley said, loved Mr. Phillips for his work's sake and for his own sake, and he (Mr. Hartley) trusted he would return to his native land with this conviction.

Mr. Phillips, in rising to return thanks, said it was an agreeable surprise, the more so because he could not see a reason for it. While in London he had enjoyed happy, pleasant days of Christian love and friendship. He hoped that America would some day have to welcome a deputation from the London Sunday Schoo Union.

Mr. Phillips then sang "I will sing for Jesus."

Rev. John Curwen congratulated the Committee on this pleasant gathering. He said he had been asked if it were possible to teach children to sing expressively. Some time ago, when Dr. Lowell Mason was in England, he (Mr. Curwen) went with him to the Home and Colonial Infant School Society, and he never heard any persons give such expression in singing as the children there did under the guidance of Doctor Mason; loud and soft, full and staccato notes, were rendered admirably. Children soon see the connec

tion between the expressions needed and the words sung. If Mr. Phillips has shown how this can be carried out, he has done a grand thing. In England, it was because singing was not expressively done that it was done to so little an extent. He was thankful that the Sunday School Union had begun this good work, and it will be a shame to them if they look back. The Committee must go on with it, and when Mr. Phillips comes again to England he must see that the Sunday schools here have been busy.

Mr. Phillips then sang " He leads us on." Col. Griffin said he felt proud to stand on the platform with his dear brother Phillips, who was beloved on the other side of the Atlantic. He loved Sunday school friends all the more now for loving Phillips. He (Col. G.) had often wished much that a suitable person might come over from the United States to give in England practical examples of Sunday school music prevailing in America, and now that desire had been fulfilled. As Mr. Phillips is now returning, he hoped that though they might possibly "forget the singer" they would never 'forget the song." It was delightful in America to hear such songs, and he agreed with Mr. Curwen that such music was adapted to children.

66

Mr. Phillips sang "Both Sides of the

River" and "The Christian's Mission."

Mr. W. H. Groser, after expressing the regret felt by his father at not being able to be present, in consequence of absence from town, said that several American brethren had visited us of late years, men of individuality, who had left their mark, such as Mr. Woodruff, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Moodie, Col. Griffin, and Mr. Phillips. It might, perhaps, have been said that Mr. Phillips was "a man of one idea." He (Mr. G.) thought it no light honour to be so called; it was a shame that so many

professing Christians did not attain to that advancement. Mr. Phillips had not invented music, but had taken Sunday school music, and had put it on a higher level. Honour should be done to him as to the man who had put to practical use the embryo telescope, or to him who had diverted the camera obscura from being a mere toy. We were now holding a double farewell meeting, bidding farewell to an old friend on whose grave we lay the tribute of our respect and affection, and taking farewell of a new friend; the one has "crossed the river," the other was about to traverse the ocean. We bid them adieu, but only for a while; ere long we shall meet them again.

The friends present joined Mr. Phillips in singing "Nearer Home."

Mr. Clements said, the idea of "singing for Jesus" was a delightful thought; such would be the engagements of heaven. Though Mr. Phillips was going away, his books would bring him to remembrance, and his idea must be carried out by the Committee here. He was sure they would look back on Mr. Phillips's visit with great gratification. He thought we should be obliged to send a deputation to America. Mr. Phillips sang "Shall we meet you there ?"

Mr. Shrimpton said he was anxious to reiterate the expressions of obligation to Mr. Phillips. What were to be the prac tical results of his visit? A new sphere of labour must be entered on; classes must be formed. In our Sunday schools at present we have plenty of gusto, but no pathos. He trusted that the light of God's countenance might shine on the friend to whom we now say farewell.

Mr. Phillips then sang "The Home of the Soul."

The chairman made a few remarks, the hymn "Sun of my soul" was sung, and Mr. G. J, Stevenson closed with prayer.