THE ADULT-SCHOOL MOVEMENT.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE 'SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As the reference in your issue of August 24th to the adult schools is the first time in my recollection that the movement has been mentioned in the Spectator, may I be allowed to add. a few words to the short description of the movement contained in Mr. Barker's letter ? The schools were started by the Friends some fifty years ago. During the last few years a great increase of numbers has taken place, and at the present time there are some thirteen hundred schools in Great Britain. They are essentially religious societies, and strictly undenominational and non-political. Each school is governed solely by its own members, and as far as possible every member is given a share in its actual working. The schools, however, form together a united movement, the necessary organisation being furnished locally by unions of federated schools, and at the centre by a national council, to which the various unions send delegates. The schools aim at helping their members in their actual lives, not spreading or teaching special theories. The basis of each school is expressed to be " the practical teaching of Jesus Christ." There is no test of membership. Any one desiring to join a school is welcome. The idea behind the movement is that a man's religion should in a real and practical way be the driving force behind his life. A school consists of either men or women,—there are no mixed schools. Men's schools meet on Sunday mornings at an early Lour, varying in different places from 7.30 to 9 o'clock; women's schools geneially on Sunday afternoons. The school lasts about an hour and a half. In early days, as mentioned in Mr. Barker's letter, reading, writing, and arithmetic were taught, together with a Bible lesson, on Sunday mornings; but thOmed foi instruction in the three " R's " has now for the most part ceased. In many schools the first half-hour on Sun- days is devoted to ordinary educational work of various kinds, largely carried on by means of short lectures, but in all cases the centre of the school's work on Sundays is the Bible lesson. Everything else is subordinate to this, and in many schools the whole time on Sundays is devoted to it, other subjects being dealt with, when possible, by lectures or classes during the week. The Bible lessons always conclude with an open discussion in which all are encouraged to join. The prime aim of our educational work is to draw out the latent faculties of our members and arouse their interests. The amount of direct educational work done varies greatly, of course, in different schools ; but there is an excellent opportunity for extensive development in this direction as men.come forward who are able and willing to assist. With the social side of the schools I cannot now deal, although it plays a most important part in our work. Several others besides myself who are University or public-school men are members of our school, and the help of such men is much needed and eagerly welcomed everywhere. —I am, Sir, &c.,
ERNEST H. C. WETHERED, LL.B.
(President Durdham Down Men's Adult School, Bristol).
• Ullswater Hotel, Patterdale.
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