situation supportable at least, Mr. Raikes employed both his pen, his influence, and his property, to procure them the necessaries of life; and, finding that ignorance was generally the principal cause of those enrimities which brought them to become objects of his notice, he determined, if possible, to procure them some moral and religious instruction.
To every want and every woe.
To guilt itself, when in distress.
The balm of pity will impart,
And all relief that bounty can bestow.
In this he succeeded, by means of bounties and encouragement, given to such of the prisoners as were able to read: and these, by being directed to proper books, improved both themselves and their fellow-prisoners, and afforded him great encouragement to persevere in the benevolent design. He then procured for them a supply of work, to preclude every excuse and temptation to idleness. Successful in this effort, he formed a more extensive plan of usefulness to society, which will transmit his name to posterity with those honours which are due to the great benefactors of mankind. This was the institution of Sunday schools, a plan which has been attended with the happiest effects.
Like a lone husbandman, forlorn,
The man of Glo'ster went,
Bearing the seed of precious corn,
And God the blessing sent—Mrs. Gilbert
The thought was suggested by accident. "Some business," says Mr. Raikes, "leading me one morning into the suburbs of the city, where the lowest of the people (who are principally employed in the pin manufactory) chiefly reside, I was struck with concern on seeing a group of children, wretchedly ragged, at play in the street. An inquiry of a neighbour produced an account of the miserable state and deplorable profligacy of these infants, more especially on a Sunday, when left to their own direction." This information suggested an idea, "that it would be at least a harmless attempt, if it should be productive of no good, should some little plan be formed to check this deplorable profanation of the sabbath. An agreement was soon after made with proper persons, to receive as many children on Sundays as should be sent, who were to be instructed in reading and in the church catechism, at a certain rate. The clergyman, who was curate of the parish at the time, undertook to superintend the schools, and examine the progress made.[1] This happened about 1781, and the good consequences evidently appeared in the reformation and orderly behaviour of those, who before were in every respect the opposite of decency or regularity. The effects were so apparent, that other parishes in Gloucester, and in various parts of the kingdom, adopted the scheme, which has by degrees become general, to the great advantage and comfort of the poor, and still more to the security and repose of the rich. Since the first institution, many thousands of children have been employed, to their own satisfaction, in acquiring such a portion of knowledge as will render them useful to society, without encouraging any disposition unfavourable to themselves or the world. Where riot and disorder were formerly to be seen, decency and decorum are now to be found; industry has taken the place of idleness, and profaneness has been obliged to give way to devotion. The outlines of a character so distinguished in the annals of his country as that of Robert Raikes, cannot fail to engage the reader. In proportion as he feels himself interested in the welfare of mankind, he will interest himself in every particular which concerns this bright example of unbended philanthropy.[2] Mr. Raikes was for some years a member of the court of assistants of the stationers' company.
His brother, Mr. Thomas Raikes, a very considerable Russian merchant, and long a director of the bank of England, established a rich and spreading family, very respectably connected, in the city of London.
Professor Austin remarks, on the education of the people, that it is not less incumbent on governments to forward the diffusion of knowledge, than to protect their subjects from one another by a due administration of justice, or to defend them by military force from the attacks of external enemies. A small fraction of the sums which are squandered in needless war would provide complete instruction for the working people—would give this important class that portion in the knowledge of the age which consists in the nature of their callings, and with the necessity of toiling for a livelihood.[3] And, further, bishop Tillotson, in one of his sermons, says, that education is the most effectual mode in reforming mankind, and that the most likely and hopeful reformation of the world must begin with children. Wholesome laws and good sermons are but slow ways, the most compendious way is a good education, this may be an effectual prevention of evil, whereas all after ways are but remedies.
- ↑ This worthy and benevolent clergyman was the rev Mr. Stock, who had himself founded charity schools in two parishes of which he had before been curate. He took upon himself the inspection of the schools which Mr Raikes had instituted. Mr. Raikes agreed to bear two-thirds of the expenditure necessary for their support and Mr. Stock the other third; thereby it appears that this distinguished clergyman was an equal sharer with Mr. Raikes in the foundation of these useful institutions.
The Sunday-school Jubilee was held Sept 14, 1831 the birthday of Robert Raikes. - ↑ Eulogium on Robert Raikes.—Gentleman's Magazine, vol lviii. pp. 11,15. Nichols's Anecdotes, vol. ix. 549
- ↑ The first school, avowedly established in Great Britain, for the purpose of instructing adults, was formed in 1811, through the exertions of the rev. T. Charles, in Merionethshire. About the same time, and without any concert or connexion with the schools in Wales, an adult school was established at Bristol through the instrumentality of Mr. William Smith.
