these lectures
were seen in the observance of the sacred duties of the Sabbath-day; our
congregations at Newland increased, and the aisles of the church became
occupied, in which the Foresters were now seen. Year after year passed
away, the Thursday evening lectures continued to be well attended, the
moral habits of the people improved, and a knowledge of the Scriptures
obtained. Religion had evidently taken root; much was effected, but
infinitely more remained to be done. The means only were wanting--the
opportunity was present. _Could we raise a building to contain about 200
people_? Such were our limited views at that time."

In 1807 a memorial was drawn up and signed by some hundreds of miners and
colliers, praying the officers of the Crown to grant a portion of land on
which to erect a lecture-room, and also timber for building it. Dr.
Huntingford, the Bishop of Gloucester, presented the petition to
Government; but the law officers of the Crown, Sir S. Romilly and Sir A.
Piggott, found that it could not be carried into effect without an Act of
the Legislature. Under Mr. Perceval's administration, Mr. Procter
renewed the attempt by a personal interview with that minister, who,
whilst expressing his deep regret that he could not officially assist,
suggested an appeal to the public, to which he would give his name and
support, as well as an application to the National Society about to be
formed. To him, in fact, is due the insertion at this juncture of the
clause in the Act of 52nd George III., chap. 161, sec. 27, to enable the
Commissioners of the Treasury to appropriate small portions of land, not
exceeding five acres, for ecclesiastical purposes, and which has
facilitated the erection of the Forest churches.

Closely resembling the above efforts were those made on the north-east
side of the Forest by the Rev. H. Berkin, which he commenced about the
year 1809, when curate of Mitcheldean. He writes--"Finding the miners
and colliers of the Forest, adjoining that parish, too generally living
in the neglect of moral and religious duties, I considered it a duty to
attempt their improvement." In January, 1812, he opened a school-room in
Mitcheldean, which he had built mainly at his own expense, although he
was afterwards assisted by his private friends, and in particular by a
liberal donation from the Duke of Beaufort, and eventually by a grant of
50 pounds from the National Society, 100 pounds being given at th