ted any active means being taken to urge on the work. The pro-
ject although suspended will by no means be abandoned.

The Schools have been in full operation and strictly attended.
The general improvement has been satisfactory. Although as
in other schools and of every grade, there are found dull and and
unwilling scholars, who have a distate for study; still there will
be found here as good minds and as much capacity both in com-
prehending their lessons and in acquiring knowledge, as will be
met with in our public schools. The difficulty is not so much
in deficiency in intellect, as it is in the wrong bias that has been
given to this intellect by paternal neglect, evil association and
bad example. It is an especial office of the Refuge to turn aside
these minds from the wrong and to train them to follow the right.
But as efficient to a certain extent as the school as such, may be,
yet we have no faith in mere secular education for permanent re-
form. More than three centuries ago, in speaking of schools, the
great German reformer said, "every Institution will degenerate
where God's word is not in daily exercise. " Without religion
as a basis, nothing comparatively in our reform schools can be
effected. This is not only the experience of all kindred Institu-
tions in this country, but is acknowledged, nay, insisted on by
all juvenile reformatories in Great Britain, France, Germany and
Belgium. This unanimity of opinion is not the result of any spe-
cial religious creed, but has been forced on the sober convictions
of good men of every sect who have had experience in the matter.
Without the religious element judiciously infused into every
measure adopted for the reform of the young delinquent, no per-
manent good can be anticipated; with it, everything may be
hoped for.

In hearty compliance with these convictions, special attention
has been given to the religious instruction of the inmates. In
the services of the Chapel, with few exceptions, there has been
preaching on every Sabbath. Among the many who have con-
tributed their aid in these Christian exercises, and to whom our
thanks are due, there have been men of the best abilities and of
various denominations, but all have preached the same gospel,—
the Child's Gospel, as it was preached in its simplicity by Him
who was pre-eminently the friend of children and whose especial
mission it was, to recover the fallen and to save the lost by words
of love and invitation, of hope and mercy.

In this connection it is also pleasing to say, that during the
past year, the Sabbath School has enjoyed the regular attention
of a noble corps of some eighteen or twenty teachers from the
city. Their self-denying labors we have reason to believe have
not been without even their present reward. How many hereaf-
ter may rise up and bless them, the future history of these chil-
dren's lives alone may tell. The Board feel that their services are
invaluable and they have our sincerest acknowledgments of their
labor of love.

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