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prodube . There is another subject ; , which , perhaps , I ought to have mentioned first . I know that our esteemed friend , at a time when the matter first began to attract attention , was an active forwarder in this place of every suggestion that tended to effect , and which ended in , the destruction of that
abominable traffic—the slave trade ; and that he has been , and continues to be , the indefatigable supporter of the total abolition of slavery , consistent with the safety of the countries where it prevails , and with the future welfare of the slaves themselves . Another token of his usefulness—for really there is no end to them—was the establishment of Jubilee Schools .
I well remember , though I am aware the corporation nobly assisted in the good work , that the original formation of these schools was mainly owing to his exertions . And now they contain between 700 and 800 children , whose education is there so directed , and whose minds are there so trained , that ^ heji . are fitted to become useful
jaiembers of society . The next sub * ject to which I shall call your attention , is that of the Mechanics' Institute of this town , to which you all know our revered friend has cheerfully given his advice , assistance , and time , and many lectures gratis ; and I do say , that there are no societies better calculated to i aise industrious persons from an humble sphere to rank and
consideration in society , and to the enjoyment of the respect and consciousness of independence annexed to such a station . They have been of essential benefit to "the country ; and for the one which we have amongst us , we are greatly obliged to our friend , as we are for everything else . I have now to notice a subject . which is to me peculiarly interesting—that of Infant Schools . I confess that at
first I entertained doubts of their being made useful ; but my venerable friend was more covifident and anxious than
myself , and it is likewise chiefl yj ^" his exertions that those most valuable preparatory schools have been esta ^
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blished . : In my opinion , derived from the results of practice and experience , no better plan has been adopted for laying a true foundation for morality and religion" in any institutions either of ancient or modern times . ( Applause . ) They begin at a time when the mind is capable of being easily
turned in a right direction ; and they prepare the children to go to other schools , and lay a foundation which ; if well built upon , must produce the best effects , and be of the greatest importance to the advancement and
improvement of society . There is yet another thing which I ought to mention : though not of so public a nature , it is of the utmost moment * and I know , in point of fact , that its establishment is owing chiefly to . him . I allude to the institution for
the-maintenance and taking care of the widows and orphans of schoolmasters , who , though a most useful and valuable class of men , are often unfortunate , and unable to make anything like a decent provisiorrifor their families . To the excellent way in which this society is managed , and for which , J believe ,
it also is indebted to our mend , is to be attributed the fact , that it has contrived to make itself almost independent of any other assistance . Gentlemen , I know that I could easily extend this detail of usefulnessf much further- —for there are many vrays in which Qtur venerable visitor ' s active benevolence has been manifested—bufc
it is unnecessary- ; and I shall only say here , that , / rixmgh I certainly do not mean to affirm that he alone has been the institutor of all the great and charitable undertakings which I have mentioned , yet I do think it is from
his guidance and prudence—from the turn he has from time to time given to public feeling , and from the way in which he has directed it to the most valuable purposes—that we ^ arespnn cipally indebted for the honourable station in which Newcastle stands with
"" respect to other towns—a station second to none in the points of moral conduct and general information }
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4 UNITARIAN CHRONICLE .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 1, 1832, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1805/page/4/
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