Appendix. Rules proposed for the government of Adult School Societies, which may hereafter be established in other parts of the country; and for the regulation of the schools themselves, taken from those of the original society in Bristol; in which, some alterations are made, and a few regulations added, resulting from experience subsequently to the formation of that Society. 1. THAT the great object of this society be to teach persons to read the holy Scriptures; and that all poor persons, of both sexes, and of any religious persuasion, of sixteen years of age or upwards, be considered eligible for admission into the schools as learners; and shall be admitted by the conductors according to their discretion, and dismissed by them as they may think proper. 2. That this society consist of subscribers, conductors, and teachers. 3. That a committee* be chosen from the subscribers; one of whom shall fill the office of president, another that of treasurer, and twof that of secretaries. That the committee shall meet once every month,‡ * The number of committee-men according to the extent of the society. + One or two, as circumstances may require. The times of meeting to be fixed by the society. with full powers to adopt any regulations that may ap pear to them beneficial to the society; that shall form a quorum; and that all clergymen and dissenting ministers, being subscribers, be considered members of the committee ex officio. 4. That any three members of the committee shall, with the concurrence of the president, treasurer, and secretaries for the time being, be empowered at any time to call a meeting of the committee, or of the society. 5. That all annual subscribers of five shillings or upwards, shall be considered members of this society during one year from each time of paying such subscription; and donors of five pounds and upwards, be members for life. 6. That proper places be obtained in this † and within - miles of the same, for the establishment of schools; and that suitable conductors and teachers be provided by the secretaries, with the assistance of other members of the society. 7. That each shool shall have at least one conductor, and a proper number of teachers; that each teacher shall have a class, consisting of not more than six learners; and that both conductors and teachers shall be punctual in their attendance at the time and place appointed for holding the schools. 8. That the schools shall be opened on the first day of the week (Sunday,) at 2 o'clock, and closed at four, unless otherwise fixed by the conductors, with the approbation of the committee; and that the learners be admonished to be at their schools ten minutes before the time appointed, to allow for the variation of clocks, that the teachers may not be kept waiting after the time for commencing the business of the schools. * The number forming a quorum to be determined by the extent of the society. + City, town, &c. Fix the number of miles. 9. That personal cleanliness, in the learners, be par ticularly attended to, as far as their circumstances in life will enable them. 10. That no learner be permitted to remove from one of the schools to another, without first obtaining appro bation, in writing, from the conductor of the school he belonged to; which notice of approbation shall be presented to the conductor of the school such learner wishes to enter into; subject to the acceptance or rejection of the last mentioned conductor. 11. That a portion of the scriptures shall be read, at the commencement and close of the school, by the conductor or a visiter; and that silence be strictly kept, not only during the reading, but also for a short time before and after the scriptures are read. 12. That to encourage the conductors and teachers, as well as to stimulate the learners to diligence in their attendance, and attention to the discharge of their duties, two or more suitable persons shall be selected by the secretaries, every six months, as visiters; whose office it shall be to visit the schools every fortnight, and endeavour to find out proper objects for instruction, and call on absentees when necessary. 13. That the learners be considered as having obtained the object of this society, when they can read distinctly and readily in the Bible; and shall then be dismissed. 14. That there be a meeting of the conductors and teachers on the * day in every month; and a general meeting of the society on the - day in every year, of which, due notice shall be given; at which meeting the secretaries shall produce and read a written report of the progress of the institution, the number of * Time of meeting to be settled by the committee. + The week-day of the week, and month, to be fixed by the society, or committee. May be yearly, or half yearly. schools opened since the last general meeting, the total number under the society's jurisdiction, the number of learners in each school, the average attendance of the learners, the number of conductors and teachers; likewise a statement of the finances of the society, with any other information they may judge expedient and satisfactory to the subscribers. Which meeting shall be open to the attendance of strangers of both sexes, who may feel interested in this undertaking, and who shall be at liberty to offer such observations as they may judge likely to promote the object of the society, or be encouraging to those already engaged in this labour of love to our indigent fellow-creatures. At every such yearly meeting, the names of suitable persons for filling the several offices of president, treasurer, secretary, committee-men, and collector, shall be brought forward to be ballotted for, who shall undertake the management of the affairs of the society for the ensuing year; and those who have served in these offices to the satisfaction of the society, shall be eligible for re-election. 15. That the collecter shall call upon the several subscribers for their annual subscriptions, who shall pay the same into the hands of the treasurer, who is to report the amount thereof to the committee. 16. That the several offices of this Institution be held, and their duties fulfilled, without any pecuniary reward whatever. * 17. That in order to prevent any prejudice or jealousy, on account of little differences in religious opinions, and to favour the uniting of well disposed persons of all christian societies in this laudable work of christian charity, no controversy on doctrinal subjects, or religious points of any description, shall be allowed in any of the meetings of the society, or the schools belonging * A collector may not in all cases be obtained without pay; societies must, therefore, act according to circumstances in this case thereto; but all parties are recommended to cultivate a spirit of reciprocal love and harmony. THERE is one circumstance of no small importance to the properly conducting of the schools, for the observance of which, it is to be hoped, it will not be requisite to have a binding rule; but the teachers may be admonished to avoid entering into conversations with visiters who may occasionally come into the schools, from motives of curiosity or otherwise; for when this is the case, the duties of their office must unavoidably be neglected. Two hours in the week is a small portion of time to devote to so important an object; every minute lost will, therefore, be a source of regret. If the visiters should be observed to call off the attention of the teachers, they should be respectfully informed by the conductor present of the impropriety, and requested to defer any inquiries they may wish to make, till the business of the school be ended. Rules to be fairly written, pasted on a Board, and hung in a conspicuous part of the School-room, which should be audibly read to the school once in every month. 1. THAT the time of meeting be ten minutes before 2 o'clock, every first day (Sunday) afternoon; and that precisely at two, the business of the school shall com mence. 2. That a portion of the holy Scriptures shall be read, at the commencement and close of the school, by a con |