In the Ecclesiastical District allotted to Sedgley Parish Church. 1. Two daily school rooms in the village of Sedgley, 4. Two Sunday school rooms at the Straits, two 5. One of the above used for an infant school, in union with the National Society 6. Two Sunday school rooms at Can Lane, one mile from the village of Sedgley, in union with the National Society, built in 1833, at a cost of 150%. 7. One of the above used for an infant school, in union with the National Society In a part of the above District, which will probably form a portion of the District of Ettingshall Church, at Catchem's Corner. 8. Two daily school rooms, used also for Sunday schools, in union with the National Society 9. One infant school room, in union with the National Society These three rooms and dwellings for the 150 150 150 In the Ecclesiastical District of the Parish of Sedgley, allotted to St. James's Church, Lower Gornall. 10. Two daily school rooms, used also for Sunday Schools, not in union with the National So In the Ecclesiastical District of the Parish of Sedgley, allotted to Christ Church, Coseley. 11. Two daily school rooms, used also for Sunday schools, not in union with the National Society, built in 1832, at a cost of 600l., of which sum above 5007. was contributed anonymously by an individual totally unconnected with the parish, except by the bonds of brotherly communion, and charitable interest in the spiritual welfare of the children of the poorer parishioners Built for Boys. Girls. 250 200 An infant school is much wanted both at Coseley and at Lower Gornall; and if the plan for building a church at Upper Gornall should take effect, pains must be taken to provide there also both. schools and parsonage. Many of these schools have had clothing clubs connected with them; some have also lending libraries. The lending library kept at the Sunday school contiguous to Sedgley church contains nearly 300 volumes, and is much used by above 100 members. The schools have been also helpful in the distribution of bibles, prayerbooks, and religious books and tracts, which have been distributed, chiefly by sale, to the amount of above 100%. a year, on an average of the last ten years. Most of the school rooms are used for the purpose of familiar Scripture lectures, on different week day evenings; and those which lie at a distance from the churches are applied to the same purpose on the Sundays. They are also used for the Sedgley Missionary Meeting; an institution which has led many of the parishioners to feel an interest in the cause of missions, and which raises a considerable annual remittance for these four church societies, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the Church Missionary Society, and the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews. I cannot conclude this summary report of the increased means of efficiency given to the church, by the bounty of others, during the short period of my incumbency, without again expressing my thankfulness to the Giver of all good gifts; and that not only for the many buildings reared, and many institutions formed and fostered, but still more for the many excellent fellow workers in the ministry, who have been appointed by his providence, and moved by his grace, to labour in this portion of his vineyard. To their exertions I owe the satisfaction of reflecting, that the whole truth of the Gospel has been faithfully preached, and all the ordinances of the church duly administered, to thousands, for whose spiritual health I have to answer, as far as it was in my power to promote their well being. During the years we wrought together, not a shadow of a shade of difference or of coolness ever arose, between myself and those whose help I engaged, at different times, in different parts of the parish. It would give pain to themselves, or I would here gladly dwell upon their diligence and self denial, the privations they cheerfully undergo, the labours they gladly undertake. But this I must be allowed to say, that it has been owing, under God, to them, rather than to me, if any, I may say many, of my late parishioners, have been visited in sickness, comforted in affliction, reproved in sin, established in faith, advanced in holiness, and made in any measure more meet than I found them at the first, for partaking of the inheritance of the saints in light. To part from such excellent fellow helpers in the Gospel has been one of the most painful consequences of my removal from a parish, in which I had fondly hoped to end my days. But in the apprehended failure of health and strength I was bound to be thankful for the opportunity of removing; and I was enabled to remove with less of pain to myself, by finding that those whom I had to leave, both clergy and parishioners, were also thankful in my behalf. For this and all their other kindness, I beg them to accept the cordial thanks of one who, though no longer privileged to be their vicar, will be ever their affectionate and faithful friend. ALDERLEY RECTORY, |