Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-07-19
SUNDAY SCHOOLS s.SS'"'cNrA0.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS
RICHMOND, July 9Th. 1888.
On Monday evening pursuant TO public notice, large
and respectable meeting held in the LIST Presby
Church. to consider the resolution of,he American Sunday
School Unio in relation to the establishment Of Sunday
Schools throughout the Southern States snd to adop,
measures TO aid in its accomplishment.
Gen. wm. II. BroJnax, President of the Virginia Sun
day School Union, called TO the Chair, aud Jas L.
Crane, appointed S. cretary.
Rev. James ID. Taylor opened the meeting with prayer.
The Rev. James r. Peich Agent OF the American Sun
day School Union, then addressed the meeting fol-
lows:
Mr. Chairman: Permit me- sir, to state the objects for
which we have called this meeting together. II IL. in
Short 10 consult and act upon connected with the
best interests OF the rising generaon and there is
thing noble in the sentiment which feels for the young
Indeed OF the greatest men with which the world
has been blessed devoted their energies and much
OF their time in promoting the welfare OF the rising ge
neration. Under the influence OF this sentiment, was
formed about nine years ago in Phladep hia the Ameri
can Sunday School Union. whose sole object il TO oga
nze Sabbath School in every destitute place where it
practicable throughout these U. States aud to furnish
those Schools with such books children love to read
When we were boys, what books there written in
simple, persuasive style, such children love TO read!
can remember only two three such childrens books,
whose names too trilling mention. This Society
has published two three hundred volumes OF these lit
tie books, all having direct bearing upon the important
subject OF religion aud their by the blessing
oil God, to raise up reading generation.
These books are all published under the control of
Committee OF eight men-two OF them Bap,is's;
are Me,hodists; Presbyerias; and two of Them
are Epscopaians; aud no book, sentence Of book
issue from the of the Society which any one
member OF this Committee shall offer the least objection
And yet sir, there not wanting who pretend
believe that these are still sectaran books. would ad
wise such 10 go home aud study the A, b. c. of
human nature; for, who believe that the Methodists
ana Bapss, and Presbyterans will join heart and
hand, and counsels and means, publish books to favor
exclusively the Epscopaian denomination, or so OF any
other?
When this Society commenced its operations abont
years ago. there about 75 thousand Sunday School
scholars in these U. States. Their las, report says:
During the nine years which this day Completed
there have been established in connection with our socie
y or by its direct agency, less than ii schools
IN which 100000 teachers have laboured grsutosy and
In many AT the sacrifice OF health and even e in
the instruction OF 100, 900 scholars.
O these schools 2399, embracing teachers and
6SS scholars have been formed during the last year
""e have in this view steady annual ncre the
nine years OF 1000 schools 900 teachers and 81
pupils.
here have been added TO the church ofour Lord Jesus
Christ, from schools connected with less probably
than 10000 teachers and 30, 900 scholars"
The number reported the present year. by about half
the schools, is 26OT teachers and 612l SCHOLARS"
am aware sir that there other Sunday School So
cietes besides the American Sunday School Union-
There is the Methodist Sunday School Union having in
It's connection about 200 900 chdren-an Episcopal Sun
day School Union, having about $4,000 scholars connect
ed with it, With these Societies. sir, we need have no
collision There is enough in this world OF sin and sim
ners or us all do without leaving any time conten
on We wish them "(iod speed;" for the more thew do
the less is left for do
Three years ago last May, the American Sunday School
mon resolved, that in reliance upon Divine aid would
establish Sunday School in every destitute place
throughout what is called the Valley of the Mississippi
BY ihia, all that country whose waters flow into
that "father OF waters"
They say in their last Report "Three years have
since the resolution to supply Ike Mississippi Valley with
Sunday Schools adopted by accIamation Durnp that
period four thousand hundred and forty five Schools
have been reported formed, aud 2S99 visited and re-
eved OF these, 1878 have been formed ITS visit
ed within the last The number OF books put in cir
than hall million"
BY this effort in the West, about 5000 children are
now enjoying religious instruction by about
ers, who not before engaged in this delightful sci
vice. At the time and before resolution passed MANY
good men in the South and among others that of the
John Holt Rlcc, whose name stands engraven on your
WALL urged the Society 10 embrace in their plan the
South as well as the West. Believing that it would not
be safe 10 undertake much once, the friends O; the
Society assured them that soon they had accomplish
ed their desg in the West they would with pleasure
undertake the work in the South.
Reminded OF this by many letters from brebren in ,b.
Southern STATES during the last winter and Inv
the opening indications OF Divine Providence a, their an
niversary in May last motion of the Rev William S.
runner OF virginia. seconded by Rev. S. X Talmage Of
Georgia, the following resolution adopted:
ut being understood that the Board has received from
various sources loud and pressing calls increased
III We southern part oil our country, and that plan tor
vigorous and perseverng operation in that portion of the
CmIeu STATES has been originated aud approved in the
South and the society being assured that such
action Is regarded only desirable but bv
many good men resident lhere-thereiore
"Resofred, unanimously, That the American Sunday
and
blessing OF Almighty God, to plant and five wears ss
tain sabbath schools in every ighboood, (wlere such
schools may be desired by the people, where i'm other
respects II may be praciicabe) within the bounds of The
States OF Maryland, Virginia. North Carolina, South Ca.
roina, Georgia, Alabama, the District of Columbia and
the Territory Of Florida"
There in these Southern States abont $50 COO white
children, OF suitable TO be in Sunday Schools or
these only about 10000 actually go leaving 900 vet
10 be collected ill., This sir, is the work the Society pro-
poses TO do in the South The effort in the West cost the
Society about $4,000, and perhaps this Southern effort
VIII cost as much aud in behalf of the church OF God
have only TO say, let ii cost To buil one seventy four
gun ship would cost the nation perhaps million of dol
iarDut what would ten in the defence
oil our liberties compared with the intelligence and moral
cultivation OF $4,000 youth of country? These sir
are soon 10 be The Legislators,
.nS hauoh Here rest strongest hopes that thai IL
perry Tor which our fathers commended unto de ah i'm the
Revolutionary strugglets last hope of liberty ON ear-
VIII not follow the fate OF all other Republics the world
has ever known Let elevate the moral character of
the rising generation. and all is safe.
The Rev Nm s. Pluner of Petersburg then
the meeting III his peculiarly impressive manner and as
signed various reasons why the South should
~ IN the work;-such the Influence the South has
er'e nd VIII continue TO exert the extensive
OF Ue west because That country principally settled
by ehigrans from the Southern Sates-the influence tis
country Is destined TO exert the West Indies and be
niged AlrIcahe great desiituon of the South and the
inience these States deservedly have in the councils OF
Tie naton-the deep interest felt in the Northern States in
Tue success oil The enterprise. Boston had pledged moro
than thousand dollsrs-Provilence r. has maid about
S5OO-tiarliord Sl200-New Haven near $1,000 &r & =
As proof, said Mr. P of the interest el, on this IN
The Nor', permit me, sir 10 relate You Circumstance
that occur ed while was in Boston:-AfterI returned from
the public meeting, at which this Southern enteprze was
presented TO the house where was STAYING and while w.
ing Oh s0ia little servant girl about II years old came