On the afternoon of the 24th ultimo, the first stone of the new Protestant School, was laid in this township, upon which occasion the children of the Sunday School, about 100 in number, were assembled, as also their teachers, and many members of the congregation.

After an introductory prayer, the 522d Hymn, from the collection used throughout the Diocese, was sung very sweetly by the children. The Resident Clergyman, Dr. Thomas Henry Braim, then delivered a simple address, and at its conclusion, the 528th Hymn was sung. After this, 46 prizes were distributed to such boys and girls, as had deserved them by their regular attendance, and diligence in the preparation of their lessons. The children were all regaled with cake, oranges, &c. and then had a merry game on the green.

In the course of his address, Dr. Braim spoke of the value of Sunday Schools, and of the responsible, but at the same time blessed calling of a Teacher. In connexion with this subject, he gave an interesting account of the happy death of a girl of 12 years of age, who had formerly attended the Sunday School in Belfast.

The following extract will serve to show the lamentable ignorance of children living in the Bush, and of the cogent necessity of providing for them, by the establishment of cheap Boarding Schools, the inestimable blessings of a Scriptural education: -

"You ought to be very thankful to God, for having placed the means of Religious instruction within your reach. Many and many a child is growing up around you in practical Heathenism, knowing nothing of God - nothing of Christ - nothing of Salvation through his blood. A short time ago, a minister was travelling in this very district, and on his journey met a girl of 11 or 12 years of age, tending a flock of sheep near her father's hut. Desirous of ascertaining what religious knowledge she possessed, he spoke with her, and asked "if she knew where God was?" Oh yes, replied the poor benighted child, come with me. He followed her, as with quickened step and anxious eye she entered her dwelling, and what think you she did, in order to prove to her inquirer, that she knew where God was? - She pointed to a miserable daub of a picture, representing Christ, and there, said she, is God! This was all she knew of God.

At times a feeling of sadness came over me, when I thought of the vast numbers of children thus growing up in the bush, literally 'perishing for lack of knowledge.' And yet what could I do? They are so dispersed, that you cannot reach them with schools, and their parents are not in circumstances to bear the heavy expense of private tuition. At length, God in His Providence, appeared to open a door to us; and hence you will shortly see, a large and handsome stone building erected in the rear of the church, wherein we hope to receive any number of boys and girls from the country, and to educate and board them for a fee so small, (certainly not more than £2 10s. a quarter,) that almost the poorest of our people may, it is hoped, be enabled to secure some portion of instruction for their offspring. May these schools, by the blessing of God, be the means of rescuing many a child from its benighted ignorance, and leading it to the knowledge of Him 'whom to know is life eternal.' The best thanks of this community are justly due to those parties, four in number ( the Lord Bishop, the Diocesan Society, Messrs. Atkinson and Rutledge ) who, by donations of £50 each, have thus strengthened my hands, and enabled me to carry out a project, which I had much at heart, but deemed almost impracticable."