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ST. ASAPH DIOCESAN SOCIETIES.

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ST. ASAPH DIOCESAN SOCIETIES. ANNUAL MEETINGS. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS. THE BISHOP AND THE CHURCH SCHOOLS. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH PEOPLE. (From Our Reporter.) The annual mectingi of the St. Asaph Dio- resiln Societies '.vere held yesterday in the Diocesan Library, St. Asaph. The Bishop pre- sided, and there were also S I r W at Ion Williams-Wynm, Bart., Lord t,; n, Hon. Laurence Broderiek, Colonel V, lil.tuns-W ynn, Mr P. P. Pennant, Mr Stanley Weyman, Mr Jones Mortimer, Archdeacons Thomas, LlQYd. Wynne Jones, a.nd Fletcher; Canons C. F. Roberts, Thos Jones, T. Ll. Wiiiiajns, and H. Roberts; Rev;. R. Evans, LLanLlwchaiarn; T. Silas Evans Llanrhaiadr; J. W. Thomas, liftiy- well; W. Hughes. Llanuwehtiyn; D. Jones, Cor-(-,dd; R. Jennings, Gyfy!Lc.g; W. Lloyd Prothercx* Liarjasa; W. Vaughan Jones, Mcstyn; David Lewis, Liysiaen; D. Lester Jones, St. Asaph; E. J. Davies, (Jonnah's Quay; D. G. Pritchaj-di, Cap-el Garmon; J. Davies, Whiti«?d; J. W. Thomas, lihosessmor: D. R. Gnfnt Abargiele; T. Redfern, Denbigh; W. D. Owen. Gwernaffieid W. Williams, Treinant; W. L. Martin, Berriew; J. Jones, Ltangwyfan; D. Fetx, Llaaddewi; R. Evans. Trofo.rth; J. Griffiths, Colwyn; W. 1..1. Nicholas, Flint; J. Fisher. Cern; L. Pryce, Rutiuii W. Davies, Liang ws ten in S. D. Jones, Llannefydd; W. D. Owen, Ltannefydd; J. R. Jones., Gwytherin; D. W. Davies, Liaaigerniew; M Davjes, Broughton; A. E. H. 11}slop, Caerwys; J. Davies, Penyoae; H. Humphreys, HenLLan; M. J. Hug Prestatyn; E. Evans, Lianfair; J. Richards, Prion; J. George, Lianyohan; J. George, Liansarman; W. J. Davies, St. Asaph; R. Eliis, Lianaaranain; D. C. Owen, St. Asaph; W. T. Williams, Llandwrog; Mr J. P. Lewis, Denbigh; Mr H. A- Tiiby, Rhyl; Mr H. A. Cleaver, etc. CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY. The BISHOP referred to the loss which tho Church Extension Sbciieiy uid the dioceso geaierally had sustained by the deaths oi earion Drew, of Ha warden, and Captain Mytton. He Enoved a resolution recording their sense of the loss oi' these two exceedingly useful mmbers. This was agreed to. The following retiring members of the Executive Committee were re-elected :—Canon Ll. Wynne Jones, Sir Pryce Jones. Hon. L. A. Brodrick, Mr W. J. P. Storey, and Co!. Wilfred1 Heaton. The Rev. Dan Davies, vicar of Wrexham, was elected in the piac-e of the 1e.te Caaion Drew, and Mr Arthur Williams-Wyon was elected in. the place, of the Hte Caotain Myttosi. Mr P. P. PENNANT in submitting the annual report, said tha.t the Society had a deficit of £38, notwitihstanding the drastic manner in whicS-t the finances of the Society were dealt with a few years ago. The subscriptions for 1908 dropped by £ 36, and last year there was. a further de- crease of £ 60. If it had not been for the fact that they had received one or two handsome bequests they would have been in as bad a position at present as they were a few years ago. One reason for this was extreme activitv. and the successful results that had accrued from that activity on the part of their sister (Society, the Clergy Su stent at ion Fund. Taking all the circumstances into ccns&aeration, he I' proposed that the Executive Committee bo re- quested to agurn go through ail the grants that ro being made, and also deal with the two new applications w:hich h.ad come forward Guilsfield and Brcughton. Last year there 123 offer tones in aid of the Society aeainst 155 for the previous year.. It was extremely desirable that there should be offertories from every parish in the diocese. ARCHDEACON THOMAS seconded the motion, which was carried. The BISHOP hav;ng pointed out that the total income last year of nearly £1000 did not repre- geJDIt a decrease, but tha.t the lesponajbilitiea of the Society had increased. Tho following grants in operation were passed subject to revision by the Executive Commit- roe :-BagiHt, £50*; Bala, £ 50; Berriew, £ 40; Berse Drelincourt, £50; Bistre, £ 50; Brvmbo, £39; Brioughwn, St. Paul's, £ 26; Chirk, £ 50; Denbigh, £ 50; Flint, L60 Gwersyllt, £30; Holywell, £ 50; Llanasa^ 1;261 LJanfairtalhaiarn, £ 45; Llangollen, £ 50; Llanigwstenin, £ 50; Llanllwohaiarn, £ 50; Meifod, £ 15; Maruea-a, £ 50; Mold, £ 50; Mostyn, £ 30; Penivcae, £45; Pomt- bh-ddyn, Pontfadog, £ 15;" Rhosddu, JE50, ol £70. ug,o. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS. DIOCESAN INSPECTOR'S REPORT. In his annual report the REV. HAMER LEWIS Diocesan Inspector of Schools, stated that there were 241 Church day schools in the diocese, all of which were open to diocesan inspection, and of this number 242 were examined. There WHO 236 certificated teachers employed, and eleven un- certificated. Of the 576 assistant teachers, 77 were certificated, 50 were pupil teachers, and 13 candidates and monitors were also engaged. Of the principal teachers, 139 held the Archbishop's certificate, and 30 held the Bishop's certificate, 78 holding no certificates for religious knowledge. There were 26,779 scholars on the books, as against 27,459 last year. The average attendance was 23,910, and 23,795 scholars were present at the examination. There were 115 children with- drawn from all religious instruction, as against 123 last year; and 161 as against 388 were with- drawn from past instruction. It was a note- worthy fact that the number ot scholars with- drawn from religious instruction was less in both sections. There was no diminution of zeal, no slackening of interest, nor lessening of efficiency in connection with religious instruction (applause) Considering all the circumstances this must be a source of great gratification to all concerned, and to the Church at large throughout the diocese. It should be pointed out that sickness was IIe cause of certain schools not being examined. Regarding the pupil teachers' examination, ti.e Inspector stated that only nine candidates pre- sented themselves, and the papers were very good. Bisnop Hughes' Memorial Prize was taken by Lucy Moore, Wrexham Girls' School, for the second time in succession (applause). Dealing with the teaching profession, the In- spector said that the overcrowding of the teach- ing profession was a marked feature of the pre- sent situation, and the ever-increasing number of those who had never received any special training m religious knowledge. The inflow from the County Schools was an inflow of teachers badly equipped for their work in theory and in practice as far as relitrious instruction was con- cerned. THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND SROTIU8 SCHOOL. The Inspector stated that he had recently visited the Shotton School, and found that the Church School was fuller than it was before the new Council Schocis were opened. As the letter had been placed just behind tho former, within a few yards, it was rather singular that it should be so, for it was very difficult to find any solid reasons for this unfriendly act on the part of the Flint County Council, other than a desire to; take away the children from the Church Schci • Acts of this kind probably had something to do with the gratifying change in the constitution of the Council (appbuse). The Inspector added that recently he examined the Council Schools at Oswestry at the request of the local managers, and with the sanction of the Salop County Council as ho had done on several previous occasions. He was pleased tc say that he was able to forward a very favour- able report of the work dene during the year. It was worthy of note that the Brymbo School 'difficulty had ended in a gratifying victory, and all who had a share in bringing about the satis- factory result were to be warmly congratulated (applause). When they contemplated the extra- ordinary administrative pressure brought to bear upon their schools, a pressure which seemed at any rate intended to drive the Church Schools out of existence, one could not help feeling and I regretting the fact that they were looked upon as enemies of educational progress. In building 'I and maintaining their schools Churchmen had the welfare of the nation at heart (applause). NORTH WALES TRAINING COLLEGE. I CANON FAIRCHILD, Principal of the North Wales Training College, presented the report of Prebendary Reynolds, which was as follows:— "The changes you have made do not call for comment, but the changes contemplated are im- portant, and will make your college most attrac- tive. I hope with regard to your library you will put within the students' reach books that will help them to give religious lessons of the high- est value. Tho answering of the juniors v.as quite excellent in knowledge spirit, and attrac- tiveness. Their keenness was inspiring. The seniors were also excellent. I have nothing but praise for them. I notice that all the ótu- dents are confirmed. The college is quite excel- lent, and deserves all the support that can be given to it." Continuing, Canon Fairchild said he had lot yet received the Board of Education Inspector's report, but he understood it would be satisfac- tory. Four years ago he thought he had fin- ished building, and could rest, but since then the County Councils had tidccn to building training colleges, and as three-fourths of the cost came from the Government subsidy and the other one- fourth from the rates, one could imagine what kind of buildings were being put up. It was, therefore, necessary that they should keep pace with other training colleges. It was necessary Lhat the Church should not be behind hand, and they wero determined that it should not be be- hind (applause). They were spending E4000 on extensions. He also wished it to be known—as it was stated to be otherwise—that they had no subsidy from the Government, and not a penny from the rates. In conncction with the religious instruction given at the college, he said he had received the Training College Regulations for the year. He found that Chapter X. of the previous year was omitted. It was an ominous chapter, and it dealt with Mr Runcimari's attempt to have teach- ers in training colleges taught enough of the Bible to be able to teach its truths to the child- ren. When he made his surrender in the Ho ise of Commons, Mr Ranciman said: "The attention given to this small matter.-for it is really a minor matter compared with the very wide, ex- pansive and valuable reforms of the last few years -is an example of the case with which a religious row can swallow up every other sub- r e. ject." He (the speaker) could only say that Churchmen did not look on it as a small mat- ter (hear, hear). Teachers came to their col- leges far inferior in Biblical knowledge than in previous years, when they were connected with the clergyman and the schoolmaster. They nad many teachers in the training colleges who had never given or been asked to give a religious lesson ii, their Iivea. Time, money, and skill appeared to be all devoted to secular subjects, and the ruligiouc side of the teachers' education soerned to be entirely neglected. The result was that a great fieal of extra work was thrown or the staff of the Church training colleges, but they were dcing their best (applause). The reports were adopted. The BISHOP, speaking of the general work before the various societies, remarked at the cut- set that the probable date of his Visitation would be about the beginning of November. Referring to the work of the Church Extension Society, ne desired to emphasise the fact that it was not because there had been an actual falling off in total subscriptions and offertories, but because there had been an increase of responsibility, that the Society's funds stood as they did. He would have been quite prepared to find a very con- siderable drop in the support given to that Society. After all, the available amount of mone; from each of them for the purpose of subscriptions was very limited, and the starting of a new society meant not always an increase in voluntary contributions, but a displacement of those contributions. The establishment of two new societies in the diocese—the Clergy Susten- tation Fund and the Clerical Education Society- involved two further appeals to the laity and clergy, and ho was thankful to say that the very generous support given to both these societies had not lessened the contributions to the other societies to the- extent which he had feared. The Sustentation Fund had done excellent work, and had now taken on what might be called the very important subject of clergy pen- sions. The Rural Deans. the previous day had the benefit of hearing from Mr Black, represent- ing the Central Institute, a most clear and luoid statement of that complicated question. Mr Black had been kind enough to offer to come and address a meeting in the diocese on the subject. The Clergy Sustentation Fund had, of course, been very considerably relieved by the augmenta- tions of various benefices during the last two years by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. As to the Clerical Education Society, the Rural Deans the previous day had the pleasure of welcoming and the privilege of hearing the new Warden of the Church Hostel, Bangor, Mr Brown, who entered upon his work with tl e very highest possible credentials. All who Iftid met him would feel that ho had that human touch which would elicit the best enthusiasm of the clerg-v of the diocese in support of the most important subject before them at the present day (applause). One great factor in the work of a parish was the personal factor, and by supporting the work of the Clerical Education Society they were laying firmly, he hoped, and truly, and deeply, the foundation for tho work of the Church in tho diocese for years to come. I THE CHURCH SCHOOLS. Coming1 to the question of the schools of the diocese, his Lordship said he had listened 'with much admiration and gratitude to the admirable report presented by the Rev. J. Hamer Lewis--(applausei,-and to the very encouraging report of Canon Fairchild—(ap- plause) whose work as principal of the North Wales Training College could not very well be over-stated (applause). It was difficult to make any reference to the education problem, which was not more or less a controversial reference, and it was not with any desire for controversy that he spoke on the point. They must be very careful not to exaggerate the hardships which the administration of the Board of Education inflicted upon the voluntary schools. He thought it was just and fair to remember that though the Board's point of view was not quite their point of view, men like Mr Runciman were devotedly attached to what they believed to be the best interests of education, and that very often in the administration of th-eir great trust they were acting just as much in ac- cordance with principle as those of them who were complaining of their requirements. It might seem a rather worn-out theme, but he would like to state what the real problem, in his humble opinion, w.as as far as i,t con- cerned Churchmen, both the clergy and the laity alike. As Churchmen they had to se- cure the just recognition of their Church Schools. He thought they would all agree with that point (hear, hear). The second point which they had as Churchmen, and especially as clergy, to bear in mind was that they, had to do all in their power to secure the religious education of their children, whether they were being educated in provided schools or in non-provided schools. He could not help thinking if there were two classes of schools at St. Asaph, one a provided school and one r .on-provided school, and he were the Vicar 0, the parish, that he would not have discharged his duty fully to the chil- dren of his liock if he cared only for the children of the non-provided school, and did not see what he could do for the religious instruction of those in the provided school (hear, hear). The third side of the problem, he was afraid, elicited rather inadequate enthusiasm on the part of such a body as the Representative Council of the Church of England. They claimed to be a National Church, and he could not think that there was at the present moment a greater responsibility cast upon them, as people and priests, than that of seeing that they did what they could to assure that the future rulers of this country were brought up in the Christian faith. They had, therefore, a duty not mere- ly to the children of their own Church Schools, -but the supreme duty of seeing that they did what they could for the religious welfare of the nation as a whole (applause). There was again much food for reflection in the figures which the Diocesan Inspector had just submitted to them. In the last five years the numbers in their schools had dropped by 2600—a figure that should make all of them reflect. This grinding-out process was foretold some years ago by many of them, and it was going on steadily, the de- crease last year, they were told, being 680. He viewed that decrease in the numbers in their schools certainly with sorrow, and he feared with alarm. He had felt all along that while they had their schools they had —as the Archbishop of Canterbury,—whose profound interest in this matter could not be put too high, had said—something to "truck" with. But, as those schools lessened in number, so, when the final bargain came, they would, as the result of the continuance of this grinding-out process, have very much j less to "truck" with, and therefore the less, probability of securing a general settlement which would be in their opinion fair to the Church and fair to the nation as a whole, I -S I He had said that he was very anxious, if possible, not to touch upon a controversial subject. He had taken a very deep inte- rest ill this matter, and he had never for one moment receded from the opinion which he had always held as to the character of the settlement which they as Churchmen might labour for, and which he ventured to hope for. THE EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM. Continuing, his Lordship said: You have no doubt many of you seen what was call-ed a proposal for an educational settlement by the Education Committee, of which Professor Michael Sadler, one of the greatest educa- tional experts in the country was secretary. I only want to mate one remark—one critic- ism—upon that proposal, and before making that criticism I should like in a very humble way to express my great admiration for the infinite trouble and for the thought and at- tention which has bc-en given by that Settle- ment Committee, and their effort to offer and to formulate for the nation a settlement of this very vexed problem. But, if any one r.e.ads that proposal with anything like an expert eye, he will see that the commit- tee never faced the real dixhcultv inasmuch as they did not state ivllat they mean by a single £ «hool area. And I say »t with the authority of certainly who occupies one of the highest positions in the edu- cational world to-day. The whole of the settle- ment which the oemmitteio planned depends upon a definiticsri whi.ch lha4y have not themselves ventured to offer. What is jn.g to happen in the future I do not. veriiure to propheyy. I can. only say tliat the figarc as far as. this dioeose is concemod, are not figures. 1 think, to make us altogether satisfied with the condition of our schools at the prewent time. The z6hcols we have, as Mr Ijewis said, are niosi excellent. I believe I am correct in saying there is scarcely a diiocese in the provjnoe of Canterbury where fewer schools have had to 00 given up taan in this dJicccse (app-laivse). But" it SB folly to close our eyes tc facte. I was in a parish the other day—I will not. mention the name—and I saw in close jiiir( position the old voluntary school? among tho very best in the d'ioceee, and the 1WV provided school hard by, and you could ha.rdly help feel- ing that with the wealth of equipment and the abundant resources which the management of tha.t provded school coimnasided at the cost of the. ratepayers, it was a very uneven contest upon which we are compelled to embark. Turning to the question of the Tr-ai-iing Col- lege, the Bishop said that a pari of the groat settlement wfnicth the Archbishop proposed—and he wanted justice to be done to the part His Grace took in the matter—was roilly to secure religious instruction for the teachers in the training colleges. It is always very pleasant, the Rshop proceoded-peth-ips I might venture to say this is an audiemco so little open to ordlIDary enthusiasm as this audito talk of things tihat represent a sorli of victory. Reference was made to Brymbo, and I am giad to say that in regard to Brymba school we did secure-but here again I wish to bo perfectly just—we did &coure, by the act, an the first instance', of the Board of Edtuoataon amd by the action of a friend at court whose name need not be mentioned, an op.portuna.ty of stating our case and of securing what we believe to be justice to that school (applause). It must not be forgotten where tho real debt of that victory is due. HOWELL'S SCHOOL, DENBIGH. I am just going to refer only for a moment to another educatiorial question which I regard of great importance to education in North Wales. I refer to the Howell's School, Denbigh. I am sorry to say that there again 'the maintenance of the school in its present position involved a controversy in Parliament,, which ended1 happily I think in the school being' Left to pursue its present course. I do not make the allusion to that incident from any desire at all to dwell upon what would seem a successful struggle, but I wamt to make one point very clear alike to Churchmen and, to those who are not Church- rti-m in this northern. Principality. Those who have contended for t'ho maintenance of Howell's School as it is at present have done so, I think I may say without a single exception, purely and conscientiously on educational grounds (hoar, hear). I have had the honour of being chairman of the Governing Body of Howell's School for more than 21 years, and I have never seen during the whole of that time a trace of anything like sectarian bias in the manage- ment of that school or in the dstribution of the privileges which it offers. The real contention. —which I hope will go forth to our country- rr.ei1-in this: I have seen a good deal, as you all know, of the working of the Wefeh Inter- mediate Education Act-, and especially of the secondary schools in Wales. I cannot say it has been altogether an ulimlxectl success

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