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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film^ d partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche it droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 PAROCHIAI . DUTIEfJl PRACTICALLY ILLUSTRATED. SECOND EDITION. <« Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to cood works." ^ Heb. X. 24. MONTREAL : 7RI>X£D BY JOHN E. L- MlLLXftj 1836. J I TO THE REV. ^.-T^a-I^ -i^^l^ i^^^^Wf' RH.V. Sir, This small Work has been rc-prigted as a Guide and Hfilp to Clergymen in these Provinces, who may be disposed to follow the laudable example of the Rev. H. C. RlDLEY, in Iiis well-ordered course of Parochial Duties, so far as difference of clima»e, station, and customs, will permit. As a further encouragement to such benevolent attempts, it should be known, that the labours of the Rev. J. F. OberLIN, a French Protcstait Pastor, in an e^itensive and barbarous dis- trict, and under the most difficult circumstances, were crowned with abundant success. He had the satisfaction of Jong enjoy- ing the fruit of his efforts and prayers. His pariah contained five villages and three churches ; the inhabitants were at first Fudely ignorant and untractable— but afterwards, when they amounted to about 40«0 souls, all the adults, without one ex- ception, were able to read the Scriptures, Lesides being in- structed in other branches of useful know'edge. Mr. Oberlin was distinguished as a promoter both of the temporal and spiritual interests of his flock. As a Philanthropist— he opened roads i promoted agriculture, horticulture, planting; encouraged manufactures of flax, cot- ton, silk-ribbon, iron-work, and indust**y in general. He edu- cated masons, cabinet-makerF, glaziers, farriers, wheel-wrights, medical men, and mid-wives. He established a Loan-fund, Sinking-fund, Schoolhouses and Village Library. He was the founder of Female Bible Associations and Infant Schools; and in various other wars, diffused through a large tract of coun- try, economy, kindness, charity and contentment, and was the honoured instrument of turning a natural and moral wilderness into a fruitful field and garden of the Lord. As n Shepherd— some judgment may be formed of his fide- lity from the following extracts, found among his papers after anooGo * . » "J *- »» » * ? SS39J if <* Thotisanda of (imps have I crlod to God to ^Ive m« prar(» ^ t9 r«ijjn myself, as his child, to his whole will, in regard hoth to my life and death, \ asked to he ahle to surrender myself, 80 as to have no will of my own ; to wish for nothing— to say nothing— do nothing- undertake nothing- but what He, who alone is poodtond wise, sees test." His address lo his |)arishioners, which was written forty-two years prior to his decease, is most touching : — <« Nor will Cod forgot, or ahandon thee, my dear parish ! He has towards I 'lee. as I have often said, thoughts of peace and mercy. All tilings shall go o;i well Only cleave to him, and let him order every thing. O, let my name be forgotten in the midst of thee, and ht that of Jesns, whom I have pro- claimed, he remembered 1 He is thy Pastor— 1 am but his serl vant. He is that gf»od Master, who, after having fitted and prepared me from my youth, sent me to tlioe, that 1 might In? of some use. He alone is wise. good, all powerful, and merci- ful—I am but a poor, wtak, miserable man. Oh I my friends, pray that you may all become his dear sheep There is salva- tion in none other than Jesus Christ ; and Jesus h)ves you, seeks after you, and is ready to receive you ; go to him, such as you are, with all your sins and infirrtiities ; he alone can de- liver you from ihem and heal you- he will sanctify and perfect you. Live unto him; as you die one after anothe"*, may you die HI him; and may I meet you, ami accompan> you, wuh songs of triumph, into the mansions of bliss, before dethrone of the Lamb ! Adiea, dear friends, adieu ' I have b\ed you nuicl), and the very severity which I have deemed it necessary to use on some occ.sions, had for its first and principal reason, ati anxious solicitude to make you happy. May God reward you fur your services. )our benelits, and for the deference and submission you have shown to his poor and unworthy servant; •and may he forgive those who have opposed me. and given me pain and trouble- doubtless they knew not what ihe> did. ('»h ! my God, let thine eye watch over my dear parishioners— let thine e;:r be open to hear them, and thy hdi.d stretched forth to protect them. Lord Jesus, thou hast intrusted to me, weak and sinful as 1 am, this parish. Oh ! suffer me to re-commir, it to liiMie hands : give it pastors after tlnne own heart, and never forsake it; oyer-rule all things for its weal- eniighteu ad the people - lead them, love them, blea& them, and let young and old, superiors and private individuals, pastors and parish- O God, father. loners, meet in thy Paiadise. Amen, ameu. ^5on and Holy Gbosi, iikewi-e add Amen I" This faithful servant of the fiord Jesus entered into his rest at VVttldbach. IJau de la Kuche, France, on the 1st June, lb2C> P^ nprpd 8rrt-*» Attempt nothing with(»ut God" -** Do all to the rjaviour. If this little book should tond, in any mfasure, to the lulvance- nient of the Kpilpenier's kingdom, anil the welfaro of the [tmtr pie commiitcd to yonr charge, 1 sliall rejoico with thanks for your accpplancc of il , I am, Heverond Sir, Kcspect fully, W. P. C. Moiitn^al, Angtjsf, I83G. I I! ' ADVERTISEMENT. The first Edition of »*Pdrochial duties practically illustrated," was printed for private circulation, and it was not expected that such a trifle would excite much notice ; Its reception, however, has been most gratifying, as it implie? the approval of so many Clerical Brethren, at whose request It is now made public. Since the first edition was printed, the hand bill of Novem- ber 4, 1828, has been issued. It is accordingly altered to this form, and two articles regarding Confirmation and Vaccination are added at the end, which occur in the hand bill of 18^6, and which (with the Blessing of God; will probably appear in ?)at of 182L», or tl«c year follo'ving. i O \ T E IV T S. I tiamblcden Hand Bill, Uible, Prayer IJook and Tract Depots. J3ible, Missionary and Tract Societies, Quarterly Missionary Meetings, Parish Library, Cottage Lectures, Sunday School, . Holy Communion, Evening Adult School and Sewing School Sunday Evening Reading, Savinfjs Bank, Supply of Fire Wood, Potatoes, Child-Bed Linen, ^'ck, Clothing, Population, , ; Confirmation, Medical Aid, . . PACK 10 12 IB 14 15 16 IS 20 21 !22 23 23 24 24 25 23 26 27 29 10 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 27 23 PAROCHIAL DUTIES. I I The Hambleden hand bills have been so long printed annn- aMy, and having found their way into snch a variety of places, have so often led to the inquiry, *' how this, or that little plai. l.HS been effected," that it has been thought advisable to draw up a simple statement, for any persons who may think it worth their trouble to read. It is hoped that it may give a hint of practical utility. There are a few preliminary observations to be made. The first is, that every plan hereafter named, is not only practica- ble, but has been tried for a length of time. The second is, that all parishes may not be so favourably situated in many re- spects as Hambleden, and therefore no Clergyman need be dis- pirited, if equal success seem not at first to attend his exertions. Let this one remark, however, be made, that every Minis- nister is, by his own choice, the servant of God, and the ser- vant of that tlock to which he is appointed, and as such he is u* devote his whole time and strength to those services which h^ has chosen. A Clergyman's family, house, occupations, and every thing connected withlhim, should be consistent, and all family arrangements made subordinate to his parochial dutie;^. There should be a unity throughout. The hand-bill which follows is to act as a sort of text by which the arrangement rf the different pl'.ns, (adopted in Hambleden,) may be explained. A similar bill, varying in any new suggestions, or circum- stances, that may arise during the year, is annually sent to ev^ry house ia the parish, on the first M#iday in November. 10 airnln '^'^^r''*'''^^''''^'!;;'^ '""-^ besupp'ie.!, .s heretofore, w.th Bibles, lesjaments. Prayer-books, S^eHir.e .,,d Cn^y i3ooks, at very low prices, hy applvi.ur u R.clvard J.-es Han.bleden ; Mr, Bovvnes. Friefh I Vr Eliz.h.tb KZy/Sk rl inett: where any persons may sulKsenbe a penny, or ,nore, at at.me, as they please, for a book. ^ ^^r inoic, at Should any person wish to contribufo to tlx? Sncie*v for nro Ti^ot.n^ Christian Knowledge: the Sodocy for propa^'v-atinrr' tL' (.ospel .n 1 ore.^n Parts; ,h. Hibic JSuciety ; (ho Churc V ! Monary hocety /or teach.ng ChristianUy to ,he Heathens, , ,o rhatofconvertm^ the Jews; their snhscri;,tions. however sm. If taken to the Rev. H C. Hidley. on thc^ (ir.t Sund.y or M< I Wa"rdedV'''" ' '''" '' '^"'^'""^ ^^'^^''^"^ and carefully Jt is much to be desired, that every one in the parish whr^ kno«-s the blessinpr of. Jiible, a Prayer 15o.,lc. and'a C h.rd would put by one penny a week, or a n.onth, f,.r the m, ,«eof extending these blessings to others. There have been V O week y and monthly contributors durin^r the last year. hi. To be hoped, that the number will incrcrse. The quarterly papers for the Church Missionary Sociotv. and the Society for promoting Christianity amonjr., The Jev vl u^ bo deh vered for the subscribers on Ti,msdays,N 5t of J- n.nn 16Lh of April, 9th of July, 8th of OctLr.l^ H^^^n bchooKRoom, at su o'clock, and informatio'n respec n^^^ n'ay atw^T." ^'^ '''' '^ ^"""' ^^"> P— wl.o please Books of different, dascriptlons are lent to any inhabitant «f the parish, and may be had by applying at the Schoo I'oonf on Sunday evening, after Divine servic-Z when ti.ebooL w ch have been borrowed nu.st be brought back, a.d nu.y bo ciranf cd for others Jt is desired that no book ho kep UU u : .month l;2S families have borrowed books du ing he yc J ho parish library contains 52S volumes. ^ ^ * The Moly Scrii.tures are read and explained in Han.blrde,. School-Room Tuesdays, eleven o'cKkK ; Skirmctr, at S.muV iT ''' w'f'^'!; "'^« '^'^-'^'^^^ ? Moor Coo.mon, at Job Browns, Wednesdays, two o'clock ; rexceptim.- ti.; last Vved' nesday m every month, when the reading- wilT he a Tbm .a^ Ws, I..ttle J^r.eth, instead of Moor Com.no.j RoVkw. t i'>nd,at VVilham Hi^r^.'s, every Wednesday fJrtniVht t i q.urterpa.t twelve o'clock; and at John L:^e^''^t:t:\ the scconn iiicbday lu every m'.M,lf;, at Uyv o'c!"d; ' '\rv »er fc^'n who plcnyccmaf aiie„a. ' »^"^'^^^. Arypii. 11 1 S2S. rf'tofor^^, [id C)j)y 1 Jaiies« \V» Skir- muie, at for pri). iJtinfr tfie rcl) iVii fi- ns, or ((> or Moii- carefuliy ish, who Chi'rch. I' pose of 10 week - in to he Gty, and Hvs. will anuary» ii>»t^ the pleasu itant of -Kooni, iS which cliai!^- ;cr than le year, 1 John it VVcd- rhonifiK ►ckweil- riy por. Such parents i.s wish to send their children to the Sunday School, may apt>ly to the Rev. H. C. Ridley* The present jiijiiiber of fccholars is I'dl ^irls and 109 boys. Any persons wishing to be instructed concerninpf the Holy Coniiiitinion. are invited to attend at the School Room, Ham- biedeii. ^at live o'clock, the evenings of the Sundays on which iioMce has Ueon given at Church, of the celebration of the Cuniniunion on the following Sabbath. The Kvenins: School for teachin^^rown up persons, and tlMjsewho^M) to daily labour, to read and write, will open in ijambltden Sciiool-Rooni, on Tuesday, November 11, at half- pKSt five o'clock, and be open from that hour till eight, on Tues- days find Fridays, during the winter. The women and girls will be t.iu}?ht at the Rectory House, on the same eveningrs, at the s.ime hours. The number of scholars last year, was 131. — It is interded to open the Sewing-School for lace-makers, soon aft or the Kvening Schooi closes, Nearly 70 attended last sum- jner. Any young men and others desirous of reading the Scriptures and iiaviug theni explained, are invited to attend at Hamble- deii School-Room on Sunday evenings from six to seven ii'ciock, as diu'ing the last year. The money intended bv the industrious, to he put into the Savings Hank, Henley, I's carried in on the first Thursday jii ihe month. The poor may he supplied with wood, in the usual proportions and prices, every Monday morning, beginning November 24th. At Hambleden,'from eight to nine o'clock— at Pheasant's HiJU at half-past nine-at Rockwell End, at ten— at Pheasant's, at "Jialf-past ton— at Moor Common Corner, at half-past eleyen^ at Great and Little FrieUi. from half-past twelve to a quarter before t^wo- at Skirmett, from two to three — and at Hatchman's Corner, at half-past three. VVhere there are two or more of the same family residing together, and only one fire place, they will be considered as one, and have wood only for one family. Potatoes every Monday fortnight ^^for those who have not gar- det.s.) from nine to twelve o'clock, at Hambleden, beginning December 1st. No family allowed more than half a bushel every fortnight. Any persons discovered to have sold their po- tatoes or wood, will not be allowed to purchase any more this season. Any poor woman in the parish is allowed the use of a set oi child-bed linen for the ni^onth of her confinetrient ; She is^xpec- tpd to return it clean. There is in the bundle a paper of grosts, a hand boll, a bottle of castor oil, and half a pound of soap. 12 il! k w She will be allowed also, for the four vreeks, a double quantity uf wood, -A' the usual price* Persons afflicted with sickness, and confined to their beds, may borrow from the Rev. H. C. Ridley, a pair of sheets and a hand bell, for a few weeks, or longer, if necessary. The Clothing Room for poor persons is open at the Rectory House, (as heretofore.) on Monday mornings, from nine to one o'clock ; aud for men only, from six to seven on JSatwrday evenings. # Hambleden parish contains 245 houses and about 1350 inha- bitants. Bibky Prayer-Book and Tract Depots, *'The inhabitants of this parish may be supplied as heretofore, with Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books, {Spelling, and Copy, Books, at very low prices, by applying to Richard Janes* Hambleden ; Mr. Bownes, Frieth ; or Elizabeth Kdney, Skir' mett; where any persons may subscribe a penny, or more, at a time, as they please, for a book." Hambleden is a long scattered parish, 18 miles in circumfer- ence, and of course requiring rpore than one depository for books, to render the access for the poor easy, and the persons to phom the sale of them is allotted, live in the parts of the parish most convenient for that purpose. The amount of mo- ney received for books last year was L.20 17s. Od., and com- prised 104 Bibles, 109 Testaments, and 161 Prayer Books, &c. When a child, or other person applies for a book, a card is 4?iven to him with his name on it, the book required, and the sum received, and every additional payment is set down till the sum is completed, the subscriber keeping the card. In some instances, though rarely, the book is delivered before all its price is paid. It is presun 1 that there is no one conversant with the habits of the poor, who will not have observed that what they purchase themselves is treasured up with doi'.blecare to that which is given. The purchased Bible, or Prayer Book, is cased and covered. The given one is soon dirtied and neglected^ Let it not be 18 supposed thai there are no cases in which this (reneral role most not be passed by. Nor is it irrelevant to remark, that* where Bibles, Testaments, or Prayer Books begin to be tattered in school, they may be well removed and given to those who ciiiinot afiFord t»> purchase them. A torn Bible vf ill be of lhttl« sv-rvice in a school, but of much in a family. Bible, Missionary and Tract Societies. ** Shon'd any pers'^n wish to contribute to the Society for pro- moting Christian Kncwiedge: the Society for propaeatine the Gospel in Foreijirn Parts ; the Bible Society ; the ChurcHi Missionary Society for teaching Christianity to the Heathens^ or to that'for converting the Jews; their subscriptions, how- ever small, if taken to the Rev. H, C. Ridiey, on the first Sunday, or Monday, in the month, will be thankfully received and carefully forwarded. It is much to be desired, that every one in the parish, who knows the blessing of a Bible, a Prayer Book, and a Church, would pu'. by one penny a week, or h month, for the purpose of extending these blessings to others. There have been i 10 weekly or monthly contributors during the last year. It is to be hoped that the mmiber will increase. It is earnestly desired, that none of the friends of these reli- gious Societies may think them improperly amalgamated ; they seem to be all sisters in the grand work of spreading the Gospel, and are all members of the same body. It has been ever an object in Hambleden, not to prefer one above another, but to recommend all equally : and as no feeling of jealousy has ever been excited, so none has ever been expressed. The con- tributions by yearly, monthly, or weekly subscribers, can ne- ver bet in such a parish as Hambleden, very great. The pro- motion of Christian knowledge in every possible way, is more the object, than raising a sum from among a population, prin- cipally consisting of agricultural labourers. The number of subscribers is constantly increasing, there being now IIG, whereas five years* since there were not above 12. There is a satisfaction evidently felt even by the poorest, in giving a penny monthly towards promoting the objects of these societies. The mtle sum thus contributed brings to the subscriber's up H recll.cllon Lis own M.ssines. of winch other n.tlo.TS nre ir, nred.^He feels on enhanced vaii.e forli.ar. lJi'.K> wMch mil lions are viitl,out. lie en.ers more feoiinply into the beauties of that L.ttirpy which his own form of worship prescrihf s, and J.e looks with still more reveror.ce to Ins viii.ge steeple, ami I.ears the du.rch.calling hells with an awakened afTection, when he recollects how many are wiih<,ut a .shelter fron, the snn and tU^ siorn,, under which to offer up their prayers to the Great Creator. Are not. these little calls to Kencvolence ca'culnted to endear to every inhabitant ol J5ritain, his country. I,,, kin.r, a„d those laws by which these blessings are sec.r.d, ,,ud to attach every member of the rstahlishcd Chnrrh. to that pure fo.mof.eH- gion to which he belontrs '•' Quarterlij Missionary, Meelinrrs, ' *' The quarterly pripersf.r the Church Missionary Socie'v atid the Srcety for promotinof Chriscianitv anu.n' P^--^ -^- "'-- These quarterly meetings are intended to keep ahve the. spiritof charity towards unenlightened nations, and are well attended. There is nothing, it is hoped, lo which the most rig.d observer of due order could object. They are solely nieetmgs of the Minister and his flock. No strangers, either to address or to be addressed, are invited. Thev are opened u.th the Evening Hymn and a short prayer, and Hso closed with a psalm and a prayer. The simple detail of Missionary progress occupies about one hour and a half, and such articles of natural curiosity connected with Scripture history, or with the Missionary labours, are introduced, as may tend'to enliven and instruct those who are present. Pomegtanates, olives, dates, the Kcnnimonv w^.L.. T*/f__„_ • • t , - - ■ '^ '"- "•■'•=^=', iTiwravjan Daskets, Jndian bows and arrows, New Z.^aiand dresses, idcJs, myrrh, aloes apd iO lOiTS :ire in wliich mil 'i(* beaufif^*; crihfs, and tec pie, {.mi :tioii, wiien lie siHj and ' the Great I to endear . and those ach every i m of reh'- « Society, I ho Jiiws. ' I5tfj of at Ilam- espectingr ho please ahve the are well the most ire solely s, cither e opened so closed issjionary t articles or with enliven I olives, in bows )es apU CTSsifl. or nuy thin^r elsi' that c;m elucidate the s'ib'prt, ^ro nc- cdsiooaily produced. There is no collcctinn made for the Mis- fiionary canst', hut thv; (juarterly subscriptions are received, anci KMV trillinjr d>in;itionr. that may then be offered, are ac- cept k PariUi Library. '» !;(H)ks ofrrfTerent lii^sci iptioiis are lent to any inhubifant of tiic pariNh. und n ay In' ha.i by applyinfj at the t^chool-room, on Sunday eveninp: after Divine eervice, when the books which have been borrowed must bo broupht back, and may be changed fur others Ir, is deiiired that no book be kept longer than a month. 1'2S families have borrowed bo(vks during the year. The parish library contains 5'2S volumes" It is uow upwards of twenty-three years since a parochial library v^as established, and some of the hooks then issued are still in existence. They require to he covered with strong brown paper, and often to have that covering renewed. The library consists of a great variety of publications. Those of the Society for rromoting Christian Knowledge; the Bristol Tract tSociety : tlie Religious Tract Society; the Irish Tract, the St. ISv\ilhin Sunday School, the Klldare-street, Societies ; the Friendly, and Cottager's Monthly, Visitor; and any other works that, on perusal, seem adapted for village reading. The library is often receiving additions. Friends occasionally present bo(,ks. The delivery mid exchange of books is made ;i8 simple as passible, A ledger" with an index is kept, in which the name of every borrower is entered, and it only re« quires the eye to be cast over the numbers of the bocks already lent to the individual* to see that he has not the same volume again . Twenty or thirty persons will often change their books on a Sunday. It would be a very great addition to the comforts of the poor, if the societies would occasionally print a copy of standard works in a larger type. Peer's Companion to the Affcd, Plain Sacratncalal Truths, Davy's Sermons, und some Scotch Troct^. arc of w type adapted to tlic puur. 16 Cottage Lectures. While's, Friday o„: ! 7", " '=^'' ■ «k'n„e.t, at Samud Brown's Wc-dS;v;t«^Iv''t *";""■ f'""""""' •■" -'"hn nesdayi^ e.erv mT.V ? "'T'' ' <-^'"'<'r""^ the last Wed- E^st'l lutleVr" h ;. Z J '/'!/'^"<«"e "il' be at Thomas • .parler past twelve o'clock •• .,H-. r,!,'' '^"'' ""«'"• »' theseoond ■|\,esda;i every mo, h ".t^ ' ^YT' ' ''''"■'''■"• so,, who pleases ,T,ayatteodJ' ' "'=''"•'''• ^">' f"" hand "JlT^';"'' """" ^"'™' ""■"'"^' '™l""-">"' '■"••""^e in ,h» e „ ,''wf '™'-"' '"^''" '"«"■" °^^-- •"■'"^- -" <-< eco" Z [T '"""'' ■ "" '■" """"""' ""-'- " '" "-r 'IH. heMri "; r°.' """'"'"'■ ""'"f "F"--e. When UtTli ""I" '''^ """»' ■»« <■«' considerable pain auhecooscousnessof the responsibility that e.ists, of .!,!„„ .nd,v,dua; sp,r,tual M to all .heir sheep. Time a^d stfelLth can never e found for rendering do^ieiUary visi sof a yZ' use .„ expla,„,„p Scripture, (at all events ,„ a large nun-be ."et^,;;"':!::'""' t^ "' "•-' ^-"-e.p„ti.i:„?:^' ZTJ r "'"' '° ■='">«>'""■«' ideas to an uueduca- •ed m,nd. No one but those accustomed to question the p^or or .0 beq„est,oned by them, can form an idei of what, by way of e,p lanation, they re,uire. It is not only line upon ine. Ind P ecep upon precept they need, but it is almost word b^ord' and letter by letter. Nor must it pass our observation " a m.tted the teach,ng of ,he infant mind) are often for a great port,on of thcrlives, excluded from the public service of'our A. ^T^ ""'''' *° """"" "^ """""y '«>'' « ">e instructres, of herch,ldre„, finds herself soon encumbered with f^m ^ l:Z7L ::"''''''"' '"■''''""''• ''""■^ -fantwinseldl' • tHerfrom Church ser;.;? T;;rc::;;:rr ::;:'.?,:; i^v \/:. 17 baptized, and thai is all. Now at these coUago readings, they ore able to attend, and many eagerly taite advantage of them. It is by no means unusual to see 8 or 10 children in arms, and if one is restless, the mother can easily retire, and being near her own home, the fatigue of carrying the infant is not regard- ed, bo with the aped and infirm : To walk 2 or 3 miles to Church and hack, is no easy matter, and for the Minister to wait on each such individual is altogether impracticable. Thus the declining years of many of our people are not cheerod by the lamp of life, and when they require the sinking eye of mor- tality, (if not daily, at all events weekly,) to be raised to the Cross of the S^.viour, there is no kind voice to direct it, and they are not kept in that watchinpr, and praying state, which their appointed Shepherd, and the Church to which he belongs, would most earnestly desire. The plan adopted at these read- ings is very simple. The time fixed in the band bill is always punctually ol.served, and before the bell is rung, the little flock may be observed preparing f^r the summons. The Cler, gyman rings the bell himself, and on entering the room, a short prayer is offered up, The portion of Scripture is then begun in continuance with the last reading. From 10 to 30 verses are gone through, almost word by word, with the dis- tinct meaning of every passage and its reference to others, and explained as simply as ^;..ssible. The whole passage is then repeated in a sort of paraphrase, and lastly, the practical duties arising from its consideration are summed up under three par- ticular heads. This, with the Lord's Prayer and another, com- prising any prominent features of request, suggested by the portion read, occupies one hour, after which, the little party retires. The portions of Scripture at present under reading, are, at two houses, the middle chapters of St. Mark, and at Hambleden School Room and Skirmett, the Book of Genesis, At the two Hamlets, (where there is only a monthly reading,) the subject is not always taken in continuance with that of the former month, but is a Parable, or any other instructive pas- sage in the Old or New Testament, which may be begun and concluded in one reading. The attendance, considering the hour, (which is never later than two o'clock) is very good. In m i *>«"«. ti,„e, (he ,e,rf,„ „ ."' '^■'" ^ <"• 5 hearers. Dur, "-»'. in.-.sr""a^.: ;rr-^ --"---. --: ;: S-.Ue .„ these Co..a,e Lei* l''^ "" ""^ ""'-"'-«" re- "^''.»^, a f» benches. a^J " "/eTT"' " """^ ^"*f. -"«■ •" '"^'-ous., a..e...,o,, .. „Vr /•"■'•. ^"^ '" "'« se.'oc,,,,,. ""• "• --.„ „,e. at.h d C/ "'""■ «=• «-'■ - »''-?er, hy .horn vou ar.L ""*""■ ""' •■'"« ■«l"=-r. o,.e,. i„ereases their „ J, '" l^'"'"*-' -" "-l-or, -= not ,„te«ded to supercede tt M """ "■"'" ^-"'"g^ «^s, or attendance on the sick indi ,,''"'* to separate -Jsw/z^/a^ Sc/iooi, O"^' i"'Ua,io„, ^ ,„ ,„if ;„ f"'^ K-^'-"' '""ice, than i,,.,,-,;. -•>-'>«e, i. „ , . "";>e'aSeho„i.„„,h«„„,^'^"'"'!"«"- ">-» '"ust be „a„v -" Han,h/edcn .W 36 girl ZJ' "' '> '""'-'' '-- S.hoJi ';>«-'-. .oexa„,i„e,bei''pfiltr: '" ^" "'' "'^- ""<'■' '"' -nure and admonitio/ „7 " ' ^^ "* "^'"S 'bem up i. °P-» at nine „,,<„, ;„ ,^ 1' in . "'"^ ""'"'-^ S^^oo, after eve.T-r.«„,... "^^'^"'nff* and r/, c.o :_. ,. '^ ^'^"^^^'- it is divided into27 cT'^ --"^-^'ately '"to 27 classes, or occasion- CO will h(» • 'ee if, • is s>rt of Ouri/inr U that is iajjes re- '^'blejj or 'f?j some se/ectiori Miitt. x. P« c table t 12 or it-dijors Potions "admgs ^parate Jnday rt'bcut icli\i- s de- sier, Jsive lajiv '100/ la/iv 'pi's ^ iii lool ejy )ti- 19 aify more, and taiip;ht by a very large proportion of gratuitous teachers. The school began with 14 girls* 22 years since* The instruciitui is similar to that of other Sunday Schools. Scon ufirr the Church bells announce the hour for public worship, the u'lildreii i>repare to start* and in order to prevent talkint; by the vay. they sing a psalm from the school door to their seat in (Jliuich. The 95th or 84ih psalms, are eenerally selected. 'F'he number of scholars is now 240. and it is gradually increase »Hg. The children from a distance bring their dinners with them during the Summer ; and thoi.w in the village go home for dinner. The remainder of the year, they are provided with a thick nutritious soup, made on Saturday, at the Rectory House, and carried down to the school that night. It is warm- ed during Church hours on Sunday mornine, two children and one schoolmisiiess remaining at home, and taking care that every thin^r should be ready, table-clolbs spread, and the soup placed on the tables, in red porringers with a spoon in each, by the time that the morning service concludes. Each child, whea it has finished its meal, carries the porringer into the scullery, and they are all washed and put by in the School- Room, on Mon- day morning. In order to provide that no soup should be wast- ed, [which in the event of a wet Sunday might be the case,] there are 16 blocktin cans with covers, wherein whatever re- mains, is placed, and sent to the distant sick or indigent, by the children that are present. On the Sunday following, the cans are brought hack to school. Nearly the whole of the Ist and 3nd class of boys are ploughboys, or labourers, who have fo^ some period left the Day School.— A Sunday School, well con- ducted, is a most important feature in a large parisl*. It keeps up a connection between the Minister and his flock, and enables him to press those solemn duties home to the hearts of its members, which, at 10 years of age, when they go to day la- bour, they too often forget. The girls are all dressed alike, ». e. in straw bonnets, check aprons, and blue tippets. The boys in long white pinners with sleeves. In the 1st week of Novem- ber, the summer ciotnin^ rs p«j. uy, via., ^a^ a-^ifcis au^ ^-su ners, and grey drugget cloaks are delivered in their stead* These continue ifl use till the 1st week in May, when they are 20 relumed, repaired, baked, and put by til. wanted P brewed between the layers of cloaks to 1 . , '''' " moth. cmjKsto preserve them from ^ohj Communion, *' Any persons wishinsr to be instrurfp.? n. too.niunion, are .uv.fed to Je TTuf^ ^TTll""^ '''^ Hofy bled.o. at five o'cloc^c, the t liLi'^^'r' ""^•"^- f^**"'- «o'r Bite. 0„ .he Sund./ e«d „?. ?c ''"^"^ '" '"« "ho Wish for instruction are in.i.ed'o '^ . T' "' ' "'°^'' Ha^Ueden Schoo,.„„„„ ^e fi ovU" rl " "t"'"*^ '" come is from 150 to 200 =.n^ »k ^ number that P-ain. in conneirr reU^:;--;- j^- "> e«- "-e prea. principles of religious l,„o„,edge, the M of „ T' co„se,>,e„.corrupt,..„ of hun,an nature! he prl^ilLf s -our, and redemption through his bl«^, t, e~.v of a regenerat,„B and sanctifying iufluenc.. of ITZ ' f. ° •hen the institution of th; srcramZ^/V "'"'' ^''"'^ ' cat,ng, and theparticuia: Fr. Td iw,^,t:7°';-- «cupie,onehoura„daha,f, ana ,s '^:i ::~::; ,:' •enfon. Many are present at four or five lecture. hJ „ become communicants, and the increas! of k " " Lord's table is eradua A, „ '°""f' °^ numb.,:. ,uhe "bout 120commu cans O T '"'"''"''' '""' "« .- Kaster, theraTa i. e^h: o^ """"'"'• ""'"' ^' '''■ at the different hamlets oT col' fr:/""': ^"■"""■'"•»- «™Uies,e.e„t an o..ac,er.fe:; IircetaTcr "" 21 Pfpper IB fiem from t'le Hofy n. H«n). on winch n of the le course a doubt >gr in the ion, the i those ning in »cr that to ex- •upper, 3u, the a. JSa- of the Spirit ; muni- ?. ft at at- thev M nnd pris will" b. tanala .t ibe Kf c.ory Hoi- e. -n «he same even.nrs at the s^.me hours. The numbt-r of sclm!:irs l^.st year, whs IoI.— It is i.. termed to op->n the Sewinjr Scbool for lace-m:.k.rs, soon nf.or the Evening School closes. Nearly TO a'touded last sum- mer." The Adult Scl.nol is a moct vnluaMe addition to an affricul-. tural parish, and tbough attended with considerable fatigue, fully r''P'\v9 the Minister who undertakes it. Let it be nnficed, that at the wetk'v scboo's of a country parish, and even at the na.ional ones i. the neiphbourhnnd, few bovs can be retained afte- t.n ve«rsof age. From that period till they reach man- hood, they must be indebted either to Sunday-schools, (whieh thev usually quit at fifteen.) or Ac]u't.ccli..jls, for keeping up the'know!ed'.ie tbey have acquired. There are many also v ho h..ve not hadtbe same advantages vith themselves in younger d!.vs, who. .vhen they come to an age to be able to appreciate th; value of knowledge, feel their deficiency. To them Iha Adult-school is open. They come if they please, but no mvMt- tion, except the general one in the hand bill, is given. No- thincr can be more gratifying than iheir attendance. 108 were on t'he list last year, and the averacre present was above 90. There is no limit to age, - the going to daily '^bour const., tutingany, admissible pupils. The scholars are div.ded mto nine or ten classes, according to their proficiency, takmg care „ot to put quite lads with men grown up. The six hea^d classes read the Testament, and answer scriptural questions ansmgout of their, reading, one hour and a half. The other classes read the Psalter or spelling books for the same time, T hey then all go through the arithmetical tables, write for three quarters of an hour, and sum till eight o'clock. The Evenmg Hymn, or a psalm, is then sung, and two or three short prayers are read. Tue general conduct of the scholars is most pleasing, and their H 0>0 i^il iWi II' (^ -pr ^.;..^. »nH pen, a. „-,::::;: r ,;: r^ • , ;'"'■': P^era.lv a book is presented ,„ eacO The fl e ',"" "•e Ere.,t.r part are the first c'-„s S, ,,7 , ' ' " *" teaci.ers and<,,m. t , ^"""la, -sohool girls, anil Hector;,::::::,::;:- ;\--;--.)..end a. ,he --.io„ ,3 t„e san« as at .LsZ'.tuse. '" "'"" "' '""^ '- porl'; r::r;"7 '" ""r'"^''"- '■>• -'-" f-™'--esup- pjriea, ii» t><)bbii» lace, and It ;«: -ic ..^, li ^ ;•-. -o a„e,„pt to iJter J;^:^;;:;": :, ::::;;,: :,: sdes.rable. Accord.nsly, two evenings i„ the week, du-iua esun„„er n,o,.,l,s, are appropriated to a Se.in,-sc„„o, ^ = 1 lace-makers are i„v„ed. The school is open rath^Z scholars. At seven o'clock a psalm is suntr a„Hi„„ are read bef.re the people are d,sn,is.ed^' ° ""^'"^ ir I Sunda?/ Evenhg Rending, den School-Room ou Sm.rl.v .'"''"^ ^' ^^^^'^^>'e- o'clock, as durin. tCiasrlelr/' "^" ^'""^ ^^^ ^^ «*^^^" The Sunday Evening Reading has only been tried one vear a one'.";' r:; "-' "■ "■■^ «"' ■-'-- ^--" - "- vou ri'; alone .but adm.sston was soon so sought by the aeed iLaf »re no* excluded. A class of about twelve vo t..e portion of scripture, verse by ve s d i s^ """ "'" on and explained familiarly as they oce^d h '''"'"'="'^'' and pracii^ I duties in.i„.H Z ' ^'" '""Pli'-ased f.™l. ■ , •■ ""' ""■ ^*"'^" K»«" lo Michaels... <•-.-..„. a.owea 10 occupy one of the rooms, and the men 23 scripture, s to Call for ied. Their ';it[I>f, and ( >f whom Ri.-Is. and end at the ' their iu. s are sup- won Id be i»i'iir)gr an 'Jie needle "• dui-ju^ lool, and lier more iimer TO-, > prjyers tl«i. eluded wi'ha psalm and a pruyer. The iittri d;inct> is very recular, and great S'Jtisfaction expressed. Frum 150 to 'iO'».are usual y prese«it. The bell rings pui.ciu- a-ily HI SIX, and iUc whole is 'Concluded by half past seven* Savi)igs Bank. '• The money intended by the industrious, to he p\it into the S^iviiigs IjHiik, Hynley, js carried iu on the first Thursday in ihe nKinth." The offer to convey the small sums put by to the Savings Bank, Hen ey. is often taken advantage of. and labourers in a few instances, servants, and small shopkeepers, send their month- ly deposits. nptiires [amble- » seven i year, nds of 'e been orant. [? men t none I read lented I rased met! Siipphj of Fire- Wood, "Thf poor may he sup(>lied with wood.in the usiial proporfiois a)ice that is placed in them, (as their debt is never named, unless »sked by them) tends to keep up a spirit of self-respect and honesty. The Mon- day and Saturday evenings shop enables the Minister to get a considerable acquaintance with his flock. Many Prayer Books and Bibles are sold on Monday, Many hints are givea in regard to absence from Church on the preceding day Any sickness or other <:ause for Ministerial visits are b ught to the Clergyman's ear, and application for admission to ^hool, ser- vices for young people, and th.t indefinite detail to which a Pa- rish Priest is subject, is then brought to his notice. I„ fact, the four hours occupation on a Monday morning, proves rather an assistance to the economy of time, than a waste of it. (I' 1 Population, bitlnu''^'''^^" ^^''^^ contains 245 houses and about 1350 in- The number of parishioners belonging to Hambleden, is aot exactly known ; but as in the year 1831, [when the last census vras taken,] the number was 1281, and the baptisms have an- nually exceeded the funerals by 10, it is concluded, that the KuniwOi i9 «uw about I350< S7 Confirmation. Extract from Hand Bin, NovembbrU, 1826. «* On the 5f.h of September, 1&26, 137 persons of Hamlleden, were confirmed, at Henley. Such of these, or any others, who wish to be further instructed concerning the Holy Communion, frre invited to attend at the School-Room. Hambleden, at five o clock, the evenmgsofthe Sundays on which notice have been pivenat Church, of the celebration of the Communion on the followinjr Sabbath." The solemn rite oT Confirmation will never be slightly prssed overj or formally introduced by any Minister of the Gospel, who has the eternal welfare of his flock at heart. But it re» qufres considerable judgment to arrange, that all things connect- ed \yith it should be done decently and in order. The huddling together a number of young persons, either in waggons or on foot, the introducing them to public houses, the leaving them to the care of the Church-wanlen (be he ever so kind and atten. live) or school-master, are calcuk>d to weaken, if not to efface* the solemn impression of the vow about to be made by the can- didates for Confirmation. As soon as notice is received of Confirmation, and permission has been obtained from the Right Rev. the Bishop of Oxford, (in whose Diocese Hambleden is not, hut who has ever been kind enough to allow its inhabitants to present themselves at Henley, their own Bishops the Bishop of Lincoln, having seldom confirmed within accessible distance,) public notice is given in Church, and those desirous of offering themselves on the approaching occasion, are invited to attend a' the School-Room, on the five following Sunday evenings, im- mediately after afternoon church, if so many intprvene between the day of notice and that of Confirmation. The candidates are divided into classes, according to their knowledge, and are in- structed for an hour, or longer, on the particular nature of the Holy Rite. On the last Sunday before Confirmation, the re- commendatory tickets are giveu. On the morning of the day appointed by the Bishop^ the candidates all meet at the SchooU 23 Room, and whether old or young, walk two and two, attended by the Minister, to Henley. The distance being nearly four nnilos, there is a waggon pro- vided, to relieve those who may be fatigued. They havesone blight refreshment at a private house, and are never allowed to separate or disperse till they return home. On the road, borh going and returning, pislms (with which the greater part ara familiar) are sung as they walk in order. Hefore ihey break up, on their return to the School-floom, n few words of exhor- tation are addressed to them, and a prayer for their p.ritual welfare in offered up. Medical Aid, •« Nearly aoO were vaccinated this ye,r. it being, as usu- al, in the th.rd year after the last Vaccination. Of, hesa oicur^d nf n*"^* """'? ""'"V^"'* '''' small-p.., and no instance occurred of that complaint beu.g commiuwcattrd ." It would b« wfill if young persons, devoted to the Ministry, had some little knowledge of Surgery and Medicine. The Ho- ly Apostles and our Divine Masfer healed diseases, and it can j.ever be considered inappropriate in the Minister of Christ, lo ' imitate his Master's conduct as far as lieth in him ; at all event, it would seem mors useful and not less interesting, than chem- istry, aad many other branches of science to which a large por- tion of Academical time is devoted. The Clergyman is brought so often in contact with the sick- r.ess of his parisInoners,and has so many opportunities of arrest- ing disease in its first attack, or of relieving its acuteness, that Jtseemato be quite in character with the duties of a Parochial Clergyman to he able to administer, with some little decree of judgment, those medicines which a good God has bestowed to heal sickness. Vaccination seems particularly to come under his charge ; nay, it is almost impossible in country parishes, far from medical advice, to have this properly attended to, without h.s assistance. The medical attendant of a parish is not, and »ierer can be, paid a sumcient sum to en.hi,* i.: /^ r\t%*r^4ai S^T VI'' i29 enoucrh time to wa(ch this dUease 1^ n,n «. t i ^ who is OM the sp.,t anJ v hJ ^ ^' ^""" ^'' '^''^ a v^'j viir >p ji. anu whose vtTv avorjtin... i , , r- his people all d.e week. About ''' ''""'" ^""^^ '""^ ^^-'^--t ^Pr-iinst \acc,u.t,o„ was considerable and ir r . • / the one s.de. a.ul .xpene.ce on the other, ,c. remove it ^: ~7/" '''''-''' ''-'-'' '^-^y ^'-ci or ^: ; f .. . , , K"»'"'toui.iy. ihe hour is numed fur (he dif- V'nerone ot the Scripture re;.dineO wHpf. F«*^ousa.e.-.llo.ed to hiioff their chiidL n A df'nt^ ;.. ,1 . cnndren, and any other reoi- <'-'Hs .a the par.sh (whether young or old) n,ay attend and ^-^> one ,o t.o hundred are generally vaccinated r;;:' iarpun.al . k.,. ,,' ti.ea.e of every one brought, .,. pi m Jr ' ^'-— J-ion, those eases that have Leeu u ^ sfaeto^y, are no.d down. Such persons are suhn^itt^! > ace, MMon .ga.n at the next opportunity, Tl.e nun-b^r ,h.t m. M,e aKe„ ,h..ort„r Variolous Fever, „,,e„ r,.Mdu,. „. he s ,„„3 „„^,^ ^,_^ g_^^,^ p^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ , .h ^0 „ve not b,..en ,,reve,«d by U froo, a,.,..„rf^4 C/,„re and hoh„„, „,o. .ha,. ,„.e S.„.da,. V...cci„..l„,. ,'„a„v o nonce, about ,„.. ,„,„.,., of May, a.,d i. i„ .,,,„„d ,„' „,;; > earned on ,W .,.ee „„,.,„. duri.,, „,,:..-, ,i„,e' a„ a ll 90 *^^ In the foregoing little account, it is hoped that there it noUiinc; exceptionable, and that all is done according to du« order. The simple object throughout, is to bring the members of the flock to know God and Jesus Christ whoni he hath sent, and to love their neighbours as themselves, and this through the instrumentality of their Minister, hlis charge is ** to preach the word, to be instant in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, exhort^ with all long-suffering and doctrine." May he who will not overlook the cnp of cold water given for his name's sake, bless the endeavours of the IX). 000 parochial Ministers ordained to preach the Gospel in this Island ! '* Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minis, ter bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and ia- crt-ase the fruits- of your righteousnes*." — 2 Cor. i.\, 10, FINIS. her« du« ber» ent, ugh * to , to ie.'» for ia-