The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-07-10 00:00:00

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CENTENARY.

.
1

ROYAL INSPECTION AT LAMBETH PALACE.

The numerous meetings held during last week in
commemoration of the centenary of the establishment
of Sunday schools in England was brought to a fitting
close on Saturday, when an unprecedented gathering
of children, representing considerably over 250
Church Sunday schools in and around the metropolis,
took place, on the invitation of the Archbishop of
Canterbury, in the grounds of Lambeth Palace.

The morning with its intermittent showers and sun-
shine was much more what one would have expected
in April than in July. It was expected that 20,000
children would have availed themselves of the Arch-
bishop's invitation, but 2000 young children took ad-
vantage of the permission to stay away on account of
the weather, so that the total number on the ground
amounted to 18,400.

Shortly before two o'clock, when the children were
being arranged in their places, there came on a heavy
downfall of rain, that lasted until within ten minutes of
the arrival of the Royal party, and whish re-commenced
with renewed violence about ten minutes after the de-
parture of their Royal Highnesses. The invited com-
pany sought shelter under the trees in the garden
park, where they remained until the hour arrived for
them to take up their places in the nine-acre field
beyond, where the events of the day were to be
enacted. Here a scarlet-covered dais had been erected
for the Royal family and those other distinguished
personages who before their Royal Highnesses' arrival
were courteously and cordially received by the Arch-
bishop and his daughters, Mrs. Davidson, Miss Tait,
and Miss Agnes Tait.

A few minutes after half-past three the Lord Mayor
of London, who was accompanied by the Lady
Mayoress—and the sheriffs, under-sheriffs, and Civic
functionaries, in their official robes, alighted at the
Royal platform, where they were welcomed by the
Primate. Just then a pretty transformation scene
took place, for, the hiavy rain ceasing almost as sud-
denly as it had commenced, the sun shone out brightly,
and the forest of umbrellas, which had hitherto pre-
sented the appearance of a black pall spread over the
field, suddenly disappeared, and gave place to a dis-
play of bright colours and beaming faces. Under
the direction of Mr. Dan Godfrey, the band of the
Grenadier Guards did splendid service during the
day, performing suitable selections from the standard
works of some of the most popular composers.

Amongst the earliest to be received by the Primate,
after the Lord Mayor had taken his place on the
platform, Oas the Chinese Ambassador, and among
the other distinguished personages present were the
Duke of Abercorn, Lord Nelson, Lord Radstock, the
Baroness Burdett Coutts, Lord Ha.therley, the
Bishop of London, the Bishop of Meath, the
Bishop of Rochester, the Dean of Westminster, the
Bishop of Antigua, and the Bishop of the
Mauritius. The ceremony opened by the singing
of the hymn, "All people that on earth do
dwell," in which all present appeared to join,
and which was accompanied by the band of
the Grenadier Guards. After prayers had been
offered by the Archbishop's chaplain, and another
hymn sung, the Rev. J. F. Kitto, rector of White.
chapel, and chairman of the Committee of the Church
of England Sunday School Institute, presented an
address to the Archbishop, in which the history of
the movement was referred to, and its influence for
good upon the children of the working classes traced.
It gave expression of gratitude to his Grace for the in-
terest he had always shown in the work. Accompany-
ing the address was a large medal, struck in honour
of the occasion.

In acknowledgment the Archbishop said—
"l beg to express my heartfelt thanks for the kindness of
this address and for the present, which I shall preserve as a
memorial of this day and of this week's proceedings. I see
that the medal on its face bears the impress of the counten-
ance of her Majesty the Queen, and it is a satisfactory thing
to know that her Majesty has willingly given her name as
patroness of this centenary, thereby showing that she fully
appreciates that great work which her august grandfather
inaugurated when he received Mr. Raikes one hundred years
ago. We are here in the presence of the chief civic authorities
of the City of London, who thus express their appreciation of
the work which has been done by these Sunday schools, and we
expect to be honoured with the presence of the Heir Apparent
and his much-loved Princess—(cheers)—also by the presence
of her family and other members of the Royal family.
May we not gather from this that this great nation, like
one Christian family, represented here by the children
of our Queen, represented also by the chief civic autho-
rities of this great City, which is the heart of the Empire,
desire to testify to Almighty God our appreciation of this
work which has been so long doing, and which God has so
abundantly blessed. We have here represented different
parts of the world, for the flags which are around us speak
of almost every nation in the civilised world. May we not
believe that the influence of this institution extends far
beyond the limits of our islands, and that the whole world
has in some degree received benefits from the efforts the
commencement of which we this day commemorate. I beg
again to thank the Committee for their labours in the
organisation of this centenary, and to express my hearty
trust that the work to which they are devoted will be
blessed."

titer the delivery of this reply the Archbishop,
accompanied by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs, and
the Chairman, Secretary, and members of the Com-
mittee, made an inspection of the Schools, the band of
the Grenadiers playing meanwhile Mendelssohn's
March from Athalie, and afterwards returned to the
dais. A number of children were then marched to
the front and drawn up abreast four deep, framed in,
as it were, by the banners of the various schools.
Here the Archbishop presented to six of the Sunday-
school teachers a memorial edition of the Oxford
Bible for Teachers, prepared for that special occasion
by the Oxford University Press-320 copies of which
have been placed at the disposal of his Grace for pre-
sentation to all Church Sunday-school teachers—with
the intention of their being preserved in the schools
as a permanent memorial of Saturday's proceed-
ings.
At a quarter to five o'clock a peal of bells told of
the arrival of the Royal party, and immediately the
Royal ensign was run up on the. flagstaff opposite the
dais. With one accord the voices of the children,
accompanied by the military bands, filled the air with
the National Anthem, and in the midst of this most
effective performance the carriages drew up hi front
of the draped platform, and the illustrious party
were received by the Archbishop of Canterbury
and his daughters. In the first carriage were
seated the Prince and Princess of Wales, the
King of the Hellenes, and Prince Albert Victor ;
and in the second were the Princesses Louise,
Victoria, and Maude, and Prince George. Later
on came the Duke of Cambridge on foot, attended by
General Macdonald ; and later still the Princess
Mary, Duchess of Teck, with her three children.
Their Royal Highnesses graciously recognised many
persons present, the Prince and Princess of Wales
shaking hands with Dean Stanley, who had also
the honour of being presented by his Royal Fligh-
ness to the King of the Hellenes. Immediately on
taking her seat upon the dais the Princess of Wales
was presented with a handsome bouquet, and the
young Princes and Princesses with neatly - bound
Bibles and Prayer-books, by children representing
some of the leading schools, who had purchase
the pretty presents out of the proceed,'
- of
a
f th
permy subscription got up amongst them or e
purpose. Preparations were then made for the grand
event of the day—the march past by the whole body
of the children; and probably no such arduous task
of a kindred nature was ever undertaken before, and
carried out with such unquestionable success. Whilst
these preparations were going on, and whilst the bands
were tilling the air with music, several presentations
tobk place, amongst others these of the Rev. J. F.
ICitt'd, Chairman ; Mr. John Palmer, Sicretary of the


Institute; Mr. E. R. Pennefather, Captain M'Hardy,
R.E., and the Rev. R. T. Davidson. Just then the
Duchess of Marlborough arrived, and was conducted to
a seat in the Royal circle by the Prince of Wales. And
now the march past, which was watched with evident
interest, and which lasted about three-quarters of an
hour, commenced. In wonderful order, and without the
slightest apparent hitch., the schools moved out of the
places allotted to them m the grounds, and in double
columns four deep filed past the Royal flag-staff—
boys and girls, under the orders of their teachers and
superintendents. All the schools bore banners, and
those that cowld boast of bands had them playing at
their head. One of the earliest schools to pass was
accomplished by a lady dressed in black, who was
passing on when she was recognised by the Prince of
Wales, at a gesture from whom she came for a few
moments upon the platform, where she was warmly
shaken hands with by the Royal personages and the
Archbishop. The lady was Mrs. Gladstone the wife
of the Premier. As the march past was proceeded
with, very frequently the Prince of Wales raised his
hat, and the Princess as frequently bowed in acknow-
ment of the salutations bestowed upon them by the
children and their instructors.

At the close of the march past the Royal party took
their departure, but before doing so the Prince of
Wales congratulated the Archbishop of Canterbury
on the perfect success of the gathering, and expressed
the great pleasure both he and the Princess of Wales
had derived from their visit. Their Royal Highnesses
were loudly cheered as they drove out of the grounds,
the bands playing the National Anthem and the
church bells ringing a merry peal.