INFANT, AND CENTRAL NORMAL SCHOOLS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 1, 1 March 1845, Page 2

INFANT, AND CENTRAL NORMAL SCHOOLS.

A few day« after my appointment to Saluafata, in 1844, I took charge of the school at that station. The small native chapel in which it was held was crowded with children and adults for some days. When the novelty had subsided, I found I had about 140 pupils. The average attendance has since been about 90. The number in the Sabbath School, except in wet weather, is seldom less than 110.

The general behaviour of the children while in school is improving, but there is still much quarrelling and fighting when dismissed from school, which is a source of great grief to us; the only means we have of correcting such conduct being, the expression of our disapprobation, which is but little regarded by the offenders. The want of suitable premises, and of cooperation on the part of the parents, are the principal impediments to the moral improvement of my pupils, but these we trust will ere long be removed. The progress made by the children in the acquisition of religious and useful knowledge, during the five months they have been under my care, is highly satisfactory to myself. A class of about forty, can read any lesson from the lesson board, and are now reading in the first catechism. They can also copy from the black board, any word or sentence pretty accurately in a distinct round hand. Some few of them have commenced writing on paper, the only obstacle to their all doing so, is the want of stationary for their use. The junior class has also advanced in readngand writing. A verse from the Gospel of Mark is daily taught

by dictation to the children, which many of them repeat to their parents. The senior class has made a commencement in arithmetic and geography, and the principal uses of the animals pourtrayed on the lesson cards are familiar to most in the school.

Two of the elder boys have been expelled the school for obstinately persisting in disobedience. Mrs. Buchanan selected about 30 girls, to whom she gave lessons in sewing, knitting, plaiting and making bonnets. Some having obtained all the assistance necessary, and many of the materials requisite to accomplish tbeir wishes, have since absented themselves, aud refuse any longer to attend her class.

Our Sabbath day instructions have consisted principally of Scripture Biography and History, illustrative of the Ten commandments, with the Miracles of Christ. It is cheering to see with what avidity the children receive this kind of knowledge, and to find how tenaciously their memories retain it. Many adults attend the Sabbath school as visitors, whose countenances may often be seen beaming with satisfaction at the replies of the children. The young man formerly teacher in the school here, I retain as Assistant. He has made considerable progress in knowledge, and will go through a more regular course of instruction in the Native Teachers’ Class, which, d. v. I shall commence here next month. That our Heavenly Father may water the seed thus sown in the hearts of our pupils, and that it may bring forth an hundredfold to his honor and glory, is the Teachers’ daily fervent prayer. Saluafata, Feb, 1815. E. BUCHANAN.