Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-02-01

midst OF many obstacles, with some in
termissions, till the present time. This
school has exceeded any other in the two
states, as may be seen from the abstract
of its report.
The Methodist Sunday School Society
for children of all denominations, has
been in operation in ST. Louis, for two
seasons, with some progress.
The writer of this article, laments that
he has not data, from which he may de-
termine when and where Sunday school
labors first commenced in Illinois. Ii is
probable that exertions were made ia
Edwardsville, and in the Marine Settle
ment, in Madison county, perhaps as
early as 1870. These labors were sus-
pended after some trial. In Lebanon,
and perhaps other places, Sunday
school existed part OF The season of 1921.
A school was taught with good effect in
Vandalia in the summer of 1922 and
{ 1928. During the latter season, several
schools existed in other settlements for a
few weeks, the most conspicuous and i'm
portant Of which was at Jersey Prairie in
Morgan county. This school made very
catering progress in scriptural recita-
tions, and in serious department.
The difficulties under which the sys-
TEN Of Sunday school instruction, in
these states, has heretofore labored, were
many. To most parents the institution
! itself was novelty, and but little direct
encouragement TO attend, was given to
the child at home. Parents were not
readily convinced of any peculiar adyan-
tages to be gained from this mode OF ins
struction. Competent and faithful teach
| ers were not easily obtained, or when en-
| gagged, circumstances trivial and unim-
portant often induced them to relinquish
task, for the performance OF which they
received no pecuniary reward, and very
| often few expressions OF grateful encour-
agement. The state OF society was fluc-
tuating, removals were frequent, and
some who had borne the burden and heat
!, OF the day, were compelled to cease their
labors before any Aattering prospects Of
harvest appeared. And even where
schools were located, and spirit OF emu
la,ion excited among the scholars, the
sickly season would approach and blast
all the fair prospects by dispersion OF
the school. The entire want of the me-
cessary furniture for sabbath schools, as
class papers, tickets, premiums, and
books, to promote system, excite induss
try, promote emulation, and induce the
children to habilual attendance, were in
most cases difficulty, under which the
schools labored, and which no means
within reach could afford aremedy. Up
on the op ming Of the spring OF 1924,
some more direct and systematic at
,empls were made TO awaken public spi-
rt, to concentrate the energies of its
friends, to provide funds for its necessary
expense, and 10 bring about complete
system Of Sunday school operations in
Illinois and Missouri. For this purpose,
and to convey intelligence to the public
on tbs subject, brief outline Of the ORR
| gin, nature, and progress Of these ins,i-
buttons, was published AMI circulated
through the country. This, with public
tiscourses on the subject and other
means, has aroused the public mind, and
brought about the establishment OF
schools to considerable extent, as the
following
| REPORT
will show. Societies have been formed
for the purpose of establishing and en-
couraging schools in the counties of San
gamo, Morgan, Greene, Madison, and
ST. Clair, in Illinois.
|. The Sunday School Society in
Greene, originated un the second sabbath
in April, and has had three schools con-
nected with it. School No. LIST, in Car
rollton, of 90 scholars, and ccntinued
three months and half. 5000 verses.
from the testament, and 500 verses of
hymns wore memorlzed and recised.
Two young ladies recied each "a chap
lers in Matthew, including 957 verses.
School No, Cd, at Mrs. Persons, =
teachers and IS scholars. Verses reci,eti
from scripture, 1896. Do. Of hymns,
lo8. One scholar recited 224, and ano--
Their 1875 verses and s3 hymns. School
No. Sd, at Mount Pleasant. Scholars,
%, verses of scripture, 1881. Do. Of
hymns, l2o2-Questions in the cate
chism, 2l5 This school made good pro,-
gress until sickness compelled the su.-
perintendent to reIinquish the labor.
ii. Madison County Society was or
ganized the second sabbath in May.
School No. LIST, at Alton. % scholars
continued l6 weeks, four sabbaths os