Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-30
coMMUNIcATED.
ALEXANDRIA SUNDAY-SCHOOL MEET.
ING

COMMUNICATED.
ALEXANDRIA SUNDAY-SCHOOL MEET
ING.
According to notice, the Sunday Schools Of
the town were assembled on the afternoon Of the
18th inst in the Methodist Episcopal Church, on
Washington street. The day was unusually fine.
The early part Of the afternoon, the children
were seen in groups. hurryins to their respective
Schools. A stranger might have Judged, from
the number Of children in the streets-the eager.
ness with which they fastened along-their con-
tinued prattle-the cheerfulDess of their counte.
nances and the lishtness of their hearts, that
something more than usual was about to take
place. At half past o'clock, the Schools be.
gan to form and move TO the appointed place OF
meeting. The Scholars walked in regular pro-
cession, with decorum, accompanied by the Su-
perintendents and Teachers. In little while,
the whole Of the street in the neighborhood OF the
Church was thronged with these little ones, wait
ing for their turn TO enter the building. The
procession of the Schools presented an imposing
and cheering scene. At quarter past o'clock
they were all seated, and the lower door OF that
SPACIOUS Church was filled to overhowing, With
Children and Teachers. II is supposed there
was not less than 1000 children present. The
galleries were appropriated to visitors, which
we're also crowded. The pulpit was occupied
by the Ministers Of the several churches ia town,
and the altar was filled by the Directors Of the
Schools.
The exercises were commenced by singing
hymn, and during the course OF the afternoon Sc
veral other hymns were sung with correctness.
melody and effect. In hearing so many youth
full voices Join in this delightful and devotional
exercise, was truly touching to the feelings and
gratifying to the heart. The opening prayer was
r., ~ s. aha MAJ A,skT h.
the address to the children was by Mr.. Russell,
of the Episcopal Theological Seminary; the clos
ing prayer was by the Rev. Mr. Hutchinson,
Pastor Of the Second Presbyterian Church; and
the dismissal Of the meeting was by the Rev.
Mr.. Harrison, Pastor Of the First Presbyterian
Church. The address occupied about forty mi
nutes, and was listened to by this large company
with deep attention aud interest: it was PLAIN,
simple. and appropriate. II afforded much plea
sure to look around on this juvenile audience and
notice the silence that prevailed, the attention
given to the speaker, and the ptnmptness and
correctness Of the answers given by the children
10 the questions propounded.
The order Of the exercises lasted one hour and
quarter. and were of the highest interest
What individual wa there in that assembly that
did not bless God for what his eyes had that day
seen, and Tor what his ears had heards Who
ing to rest upon the meeting and on these blessed
institutions? The impressireness Of the scene
was indicated by the feelings of those advanced
in life:-the heaying sigh, the falling tear, and
the involuntary prayer, which escaped from the
father the mother, and the friend of youth, spoke
a language irresistible and not to be misunder-
stood. There was one striking characteristic of
this meeting which we cannot fail to notice, and
that was, to witness so successful an union Of
Christians of several denominations: this alone
was enough to commend the meeting to every in
dividual. Alexandria may well pride herself on
her Sunda, Schools. 1t is true there is much vet
Id be accomplished-there is not yet that number
Of children under instruction that there ought to
be; but we may rejoice at what there is doing,
and we hope All impulse will now be given to in
crease the number Of Scholars in the several
Schools. Here is simple machinery at work;
though it operates siiently, yet it is effective
These institutions are doing much for the rising
generation and for the well-belng Of society
They are exerting a wholesome influence, and
purifying the morals Of our youth. Independent
of their spiritual advantages, the temporal bene.
fits which they confer should recommend them
to the countenance and patronage of every lever
of morals and virtue. So beneficial have been
the results Of Sunday School instruction. IN ma
ny places, on the habits and morals Of Young men
who were once nurtured in these schools, thai
we find this method Of instruction has been sire
nuously advocated by the philanthrop'st and BY
influential men in society. A noble testimony
has been borne to the exceIlency Of the system
by several Of our must eminent Juris,s, as Thu
instruction impaired is a corrective Of intemper
ance, pauperism and crime, and is doing mucl
to exalt the moral character Of this people anc
nation, in making them intelligent, ivirtuous ant
happy. The writer Of this article adds his hear
~ Communications to their excelency, and hi
fervent prayer shall; ever be for their prosperity
APRIL q, 1883. &.