A CHARITABLE DESIGN Recommended for Erecting FREE-SCHOOLS Of Pious Education, For Training up POOR CHILDREN IN THE Principles of Christianity.

WHEREAS some well disposed Persons, laying to Heart the miserable Ig­norance of the poorer sort of People, whereby is occasioned that Dissolution of Manners which generally prevails among them, have of late endeavoured to pro­mote a Charitable design of setting up Free-Schools of pious Education, in several Parishes of London and Westminster, for the Benefit only of poor Children; FOR the encouragement and satisfaction of all that are or may be concerned in so good a Work, It is thought fit to give here a short Account; Of the Manner of the Foundation; The nature of the Schools, and the Methods taken for the effectual management of the Schools, and Contributions to the ends proposed.

The Foundation that is laid for the Maintenance of the Master and Charge of the School, is by the voluntary Subscription of Charitable Persons, who oblige themselves thereby to pay during pleasure, a certain Sum Yearly, by Quarterly Payments towards it. For this purpose there is a Roll with a preamble, specifying the intention of the Subscribers which is offered to any one that is disposed to subscribe.

The Schools are designed chiefly for training up the Children in the fear of God, and the Knowledge of the principles of Christianity, and at the same time for teaching them to read well in the Bible, to Write and cast Accompt as far as each one is capable, or need requires to fit them for Apprenticeship.

As to the management of them, there is generally about Seven of the Subscribers (whereof one is the Minister of the Parish) faithful and discreet Persons, who are entrusted by the Ap­probation of the rest, to choose the Master, to Oversee and direct the School, to receive and col­lect all Money given or subscribed upon that Account, in their several Parishes, and thereout from time to time to defray the necessary Charge of the School; &c. reserving the Over-plus in Bank to be employed to the best advantage of the poor Children, either for Cloathing or putting them out Apprentice; a fair Account of all which they are obliged to keep to be viewed by any other of the Subscribers upon occasion.

In order to the choosing a good Master, such an one as may be most likely to answer the ends proposed, the Trustees require in him these following Qualifications.

• I. That he be a Member of the Church of England, of a Sober Life and Conver­sation.
• II. One that frequents the Communion at least once a Month.
• III. One that keeps good Orders in his Family (if he have one).
• IV. One that has the Government of himself and his Passions.
• V. One of a solid Judgment, and good Genius for Teaching.
• VI. One that's well grounded in the true Principles of Christianity, so as to give a good Account of himself to the Minister of the Parish upon Examination.
• VII. That he be sufficiently provided with a good Writing-Hand, and the Grounds of Arithmetick.

The Trustees do also represent to the Master, that the chief end of the School being to instruct young Children in the Grounds of the Christian Religion; he is required to take particular Care and Pains as to that matter for the good of their Souls, by frequent Cate­chizing, Exhortation, Reproof, &c.

As to the manner of choosing the poor Children into the School, that there be no Con­fusion nor Dislike taken at any Proceedings therein; any one of the Subscribers may have the liberty of recommending a poor Boy in the Parish against a day appointed by the Trustees, at which time, if there be more than the Number mentioned to be taken (that upon Examination are found to be equally [...]eal Objects) there shall be as many Billets pre­pared as Objects proposed; upon Fifty of which there shall be written the word CHARITY, or some such Motto, after which being all rouled up and shaken together, the Boys shall e [...]ch of them take out a Billet, and those Fifty Boys who draw the Charity Bills are to be admitted into the School.

There are several Schools already erected upon this Foundation for Boys, and others fol­lowing the good Examples set before them, are also endeavouring to promote a School of the same Nature for the Education of poor [...] in the Parish of [...] And 'tis hoped that there will he a general Encouragement given to this Noble design, so as [...]o improve it to the universal Benefit of this Nation, which cannot sure be wanting from all who consider that as Charity is the best of Works, so this sort of Charity that is employed about the Religious Education of Youth, is the best of Charity's.

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

THE ORDERS OF A SCHOOL For Poor BOYS.

IT being evident enough, that when Children are left by themselves, they are apt to learn of one another naughty Tricks; The Master is required to be constant­ly in the School at the Hours appointed to keep them in order, and from tune to time to observe and correct their Behaviour.

The Scholars shall come to School at Eight in the Morning in Winter time, and at Seven in Summer, and to continue there till Eleven; in the Afternoon they shall be there at One and not be dismiss'd till Four in Winter, and at Five in the Summer, at which times the Master shall strictly require their Attendance, so that if any of them without Leave or just cause shall absent themselves they shall first be corrected, and afterwards if they still neglect to come, they shall be then dismist the School.

The Master shall teach the Boys to Spell and Read well in the Bible, and afterwards to Write and cast Accompt, as they are capable, in order to qualifie them for service or apprenticeship.

And to the end the design of the School (which is chiefly for promoting Christian Knowledge and Discipline) be fully answered as far as may be; let the Master fre­quently consider the Charge that lyes upon him, and by what means he may improve the Children under his Care; let him therefore set apart two days in the Week to teach them their Catechism perfectly and distinctly, and for variety, some part of the Reading or Singing Psalms, or of a Practical Chapter in the Old or New Testament, taking a little Pains at such times to make things plain to their Understandings, and applying it also according to each ones particular Condition. Let him diligently study their Inclinations, and from time to time to reform what he finds amiss in them by Admonition and Report, and sometimes by severe Correction where the Faults require it, such as those of Lying, Stealing, &c. wherein if they remain incorrigible they shall be dismist the School.

The Master shall use Prayers, such as shall be appointed him by the Trustees, every Morning and Evening publickly in the School, the Children being all present; he shall also teach them their private Prayers to be us'd constantly at home, when they Rise and when they go Bed. The Master shall also bring the Boys to Church once a day at least, if there be opportunity.

Those that are to be admitted into this School, are to be only such as are real Ob­jects or Charity in the Parish, not exceeding the number of Fifty Boys.

That poor Children only, whose Parents are not able to afford them any Learning, may receive the full Benefit of the School. It is required of the Master, that he teach no other Scholla [...]s than those appointed him, under the penalty of forfeiting his Place.

The Parents are to keep their Children clean, wash'd and comb'd; least they prove offen­sive by Vermine or Noysome Smells.

These or any other Orders to be made by the Trustees, shall be Written in a Fair Legi­ble Hand, and read over publickly in the School Four Times a Year.