ACCOUNT, &c.

Before I enter into an account of the actual state of Church Education, as it exists among the Poorer Classes within the Diocese of Bath and Wells, it may be proper to explain the machinery which was called into being in the year 1839, for the purposes of encouraging, improving, and overseeing the instruction given to the poor.

It had long been felt that, whatever was going on in the way of Education among us should be known and seen, before we could be reasonably content with it. A persuasion that more efficient Teachers were needed, more fitted and prepared for their work by direct training, was widely prevalent and the conviction rapidly grew deeper, that it was the bounden duty of both Clergy and Laity, to provide a system of instruction, which should be improved in its secular departments, and more intimately combined with religious knowledge; a religious knowledge, which should not remain in the vagueness of undefined form, but be explanatory of the vital truths of the Christian Faith, as connected with the Doctrines and Discipline of their Church.

Strongly influenced by such motives, our late Diocesan called together a meeting of the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese, and organised a Society, called "The Bath and Wells Diocesan Board for Promoting the Education of the People in the principles of the Established Church;" the object of which was, "to promote and extend throughout every parish and place in the Diocese, sound religion by

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means of a Scriptural Education, in connection with the Church and the Clergy, attending first and chiefly to the Parochial religious instruction of the Children, and to the inculcation of Christian morals on a Scriptural basis: hoping that thus, by God's blessing, children may be brought up in a right understanding of themselves, with a saving knowledge of Gospel truths, and in dutiful attachment to our Apostolic Church."

To effect this general object, Officers of various kinds were appointed; and a School for training Teachers was established; which, after succeeding well for a short time, was discontinued from various causes, aided probably by an impatient spirit in the Public, which hoped to reap before time enough had elapsed to mature a harvest. Part of the funds, which had been thus devoted, are now employed in sending up Pupils to other training Establishments, and in making Grants toward the building of School-rooms. Another portion of the Machinery was, the appointment, by the Bishop, of a Diocesan and

DISTRICT INSPECTORS.

The Diocese was divided into sixteen Districts, to each of which a local Inspector was appointed; whose duty is, with the Incumbent's consent, to visit annually every Parish, and to examine its Sunday and Day Schools: to ascertain the quantity and quality of the instruction given: to give intimations to the Clergyman which he may profitably impart to the Master; or, shew such practical example in his own examination, that the Teacher standing by may learn: the Inspector draws his attention to portions of the examinations, explaining the reasons why questions were asked in a certain way, and the object which he had in view. Thus every Inspector's examination becomes a model for the Schoolmaster's; and the Clergyman having been present, is able

hereafter to see whether the Teacher has received instruction and the example been followed. The duty of the Inspector's office, and the spirit with which it is fulfilled, are both expressed in that word of Scripture, "though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech you."

Another important portion of the Inspector's function is, to examine the books in use; to recommend others which may be needed; to mention what he sees amiss to the Clergyman, and to the Master apart from his Pupils; to point out those plans and methods which are not only abstractedly good, but suitable; and to give that full praise to zeal and skill, which justice demands and a clear-sighted Prudence requires. Notes are taken; and, at the end of the year, any thing worthy of remark in the Schools is recorded; the opinions of the Inspector expressed, according to his discretion; such encouragement or assistance given as circumstances warrant; and a Report for the information of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, is sent through the

DIOCESAN INSPECTOR,

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whose duties are partly similar and partly additional to those of the District Inspectors. Every year he visits one third of the Diocese; and, of every Parish, whether there be a school or not, if the Population be such as to enable it to support a school, he calls upon the Incumbent, by previous appointment, to see whether arrangements can be made or aid afforded to establish one he examines those already existing; tests the teaching capacities of the Master or Mistress, and the requirements of the Scholars, from the first to the last class; sees how far the Master pervades his school, whether the mind is cultivated or merely the memory exercised, and afterwards makes communications to the Clergyman according to the condition of the school. Nothing.

is attempted to be done unless the will and judgment of the Incumbent are entirely with the Inspector; dictation is out of the question, and the slightest appearance of intrusion is carefully avoided. The consequence of acting in this manner is, that on an average, about two individuals in three hundred may civilly allege reasons for not receiving the inspection; while all the others receive it with gladness, treat the Inspector as a friend, listen to him as counsellor, and the speedy improvement shows that the present courtesy arose from friendly approval and cordial co-operation.

During the year of the Diocesan Inspector's annual visit to one of the three Archdeaconries into which the Diocese is divided, the District Inspectors, included within that Archdeaconry, are relieved from their Duties. Thus every year the Diocesan Inspector visits one Archdeaconry, and effects an Inspection of the whole Diocese in three years. This year (1846) nearly the whole of the Diocese has been visited by the Diocesan Inspector, that its Educational state, so far as the Church is concerned, might be laid before the Bishop in one view, and not produce that imperfect effect which a piecemeal statement must necessarily create.

Throughout twelve of the Deaneries and Districts every Parish has been visited whose Population was much above one hundred, (and some where it was even below this number,) in which schools actually existed, or to make enquiries if they could be established. Four Parishes did not come under Inspection because the Clergymen regretted that the lay supporters of those schools objected to Episcopal superintendence; and a few others were omitted in consequence of the Diocesan Inspector being informed that the schools were either temporarily suspended, or other local circumstances rendered a visit at the appointed time inexpedient. In no case has a Parish been entered without the express consent of the Clergyman, and almost universally has he

himself been present during the whole of the examination. The present report is the result of this visitation.

The most friendly and frequent intercourse is kept up between the District and Diocesan Inspectors; the freest communication of thoughts and plans is carried on. Mere official intercourse is far from fulfilling the object desired to be accomplished; for, though it is valuable for ascertaining particular points, yet it will never sustain the spirit and life of a system. Cordiality; mutual approval, ascertained by mutual acquaintance; unity of intentions, with frequent expression of views; the certainty in all, that each is well acquainted with his subject, because he is an active agent in his own sphere; every individual feeling that he is, not an isolated worker, but a component part of one machinery, his place marked, his working indeed particular but its effects more widely spread; a consciousness, that theory is estimated only by its practicability, that plans resolved on become actual realities, that what is talked of is done, and what is done is for good-all these are the inspiring spirit which cause the Inspectors to work as one man, and which unitedly constitute a bond of friendly union and most efficient power.

A SECRETARY

is appointed by the local Boards to each District; who if so disposed, may be a most important member of the system. In some cases he is the same individual as the District Inspector, but generally otherwise. If he considers himself solely as the receiver of the monies which voluntarily flow into his hands, or the recorder of merely official and routine facts, the Funds of that District will be small and the facts of the driest nature. But if he feels, that upon his exertions, the EXISTENCE of that portion of the Society depends; and that he is not solely a receiver, but an influencer and applicant within the area of which he has kindly volunteered to