Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-05

1 IuOIudS NOWtu3 I1uSu u Suhtu3 e.
Thomas Jacobs, James Douglass,
Thomas Sanford, Charles Murray,
Mr.. Fitzhugh, John Muncaster,
Robert Wilson, James X. Riddle.
On motion Of the Rev. Mr.. Cornell
us, it was
Resolred, That the proceedings of this meet
ing, with the Report of the Board of Mana
gers, be published in the prints of this city
REPORT
Ofhe Board of Managers of the Sunday Schoo
Union Of .Alerand,ia.
The Board of Managers of the Sunday
School Union would, in the commencement Of
their report congratulate their patrons and
friends on the arrival of the first anniversary
oftheir institution. When entering upon the
duties assigned them, about sixteen months a.
go, they could not help feeling that the expe-
riment which they were about to make, was
one, upon the issue (which, were depending
consequences of the deepest interest and of
the highest import The subject of Sunday
Schools, tho long familiar to many, and to
most generally recognised as important
was, nevertheless, neither sufficiently under
stood i'll its principles, nor in its practical re-
suits sufficiently appreciated. For want of
more general information, interest was mani
testify slumbering-thc efforts of those, who, for
several years had been disinterestedy engag-
ed in this work ofpeace, thro' the difficulty of
procuring suitable books and premiums, were
becoming feeble and inefficient: while the
want of proper understanding between the
teachers of the different Schools was obvious
ly producing evils, which, sooner OF later, must
have terminated in the most unwelcome con-
sequences. To obviate these evils--to arouse
more thoroughly, and more permanently to
keep up the public attention--to insure, if
possible. greater unity in action, and more visi-
bic efficiency in effort. were among the con-
templated objects Of this institution. The
Board &C uld not, therefore, but feel that they
were placed in a situation difficult as It was
honorable:--a situation which, while it insur.
ed to them the high satisfaction of more ex-
tensive field Of usefulness, could, neverthe.
less, hardly be entered upon but with feelings
of diffidence and hesitation. That the cause
was good, they did not question.--Its par
tial influence they had witnessed already; and
and under the full conviction that however
small might be their immediate success, they
should neither "labor in vain, nor spend their
strength for naught," they almost unanimous
ly determined to enter with cheerfulness and
zeal upon the objects of their appointment.
Of this determination, they have since seen
no cause for repentance. The great head of
the church, to whose divine efficiency and
care they have committed both themselves,
and the cause in which they were engaged,
has most manifestly been with them and
smiled upon their incipient labors. Those
difficulties, which appeared so formidable in
being approached with 6rmness
and resolution, were overcome almost without
an effort. To secure the patronage of the
r bic, little was needed beyond simple ex-
| nation of the object on whose behalf they
were solicited. This fact the Board would
desire to record with feelings of devout graft
tude. Ofthe funds, requisite to form depo-
STORY, well supplied with the various books
needed in the Schools, they were totally des-
titute And however unpropitious the cir
cumstances ofthe times seemed to be, for an
appeal to the generous and benevolent feel
ings of the public, yet on the results of such
an appeal, were suspended, under God, their
every hope of fulfilling the important pur-
poses of their appointment. Their hopes
were not disappointed. The application was,
in most instance, met with cheerfulness, and
crowned with the most gratifying success
But little time had elapsed, when, under the
smiles of heaven, the Board was in situation
to prosecute with efficiency and pleasure, eve
ry object contemplated by the institution
The establishment of a depository having
been determined on, and ample funds trans
mitted to the Parent Union, for the purpose
ofprocuring an immediate and well selected
supply of books, the four schools, which had
been in operation for several years. were in.
duced. without delay, to put themselves un.
derth general superintendent Of this soci-
ETY.. Since then, six new schools have been
formed, which, connecting themselves with
this Union, have at once recognised its inn
portance, and participated in its benefits
From one or two Of these, information, As full
and definite as could have been wished, has
notreeently beenreceived. Enough, howey.
er, is known. toinduce the hope, and TO justi-
fy the belief that no relaxation either Of zeal
or effort exists. in any one Of them: that all
are IN state Of successful and progressive
operations and that sooner or later their re-
suits viii be such (as in some, they have al