Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-21
Local InteIligence""City Affairs. &c

met pursuant to adjournment at the Grace street
Baptist Church. at o'clock.,o Thursday evening
Professor Nell, President, in the Chair The
exercises were opened by singing. Prayer by
Rev. Mr. Prchard, of Lynchbarg.
The President delivered a short and pertinent
| address, in which he dwet with much feeling
upon the pious influences Of mothers upon their
children. His own case furnished happy il
lustration. In early life he was guided by a
pious mother; who laboured to impress his mind
with religious truth. She succeeded-for, do
what he might, believe what he might, wander
where he might deny the existence of God as he
might, and actually did-that still small voice of
his departed mothers pious example followed
him. He could not escape it.. And though he
had drunk deep of the cup of infdelity, and done
despite to the Spirit Of God, he now thanked
God that he realized what that pious mothers
example and prayers had aimed to secure for
him in early youth. He considered Sabbath
Schools the nursery Of the Church. aud enlarged
on their advantages to both teachers and scholars
He concluded by calling those more imme-
diatey interested in Sabbath school abours, to
address the meeting.
Mr. James Thomas, Superintendent of the
First Baptist Church Sunday School, responded
He had been connected with the Sunday School
for long time, and felt deep interest 10 its
welfare He had been pupil most of the time.
He had found the true secret of success in con.
Quoting it to be in making it interesting. The
children should be induced to love the school. -
This the teachers and superintendent could ac-
| y, hyxtl oe
should strive to enlist the feelings and attention of
the scholars. He thought it inexpedient to read
long chapters in the Bible, or to make long ad-
dresses at the opening of the school. Let all be
done with spirit. He had seen recently Sunday
schools in Baltimore and elsewhere, hut he had
seen no such schools that Mt the First Baptist
Church. No where was there large an at
tendance such manifestations of interest
He attributed it to the fact that all were deeply
interested. The teachers should exert them.
selves to win the hearts fthe children, and keep
up the interest by example and precept. The
ticket system had done much for the school. The
children were stimulated to put forth effort This
secured them priz es in books-and they brought
in new scholars. Besides, singing had be n in-
troduced in the school; and all appreciated the in.
suence of music. He hopsd the good york would
60 on.
President Ryland, Col. Fleet. Thos j. Evans,
and Elder NJ L. Bickford made interesting re-
marks. The fact, that the promptness of the
teachers and scholars of Grace Street Baptist
Church. together with their ticket system, had
! Infused new life into that school, and given an
impulse to its progress, was dwelt upon with
wnrmth and the example commended to others.
| Elder G. Tyree thought Sunday schools all i'm
portanr-vital to the church, From them she
gathered in most other members They should
receive the constant care of the churches In
deed, he would not be pastor of a church without
a Sunday school. He would start one, if possi-
BILE. If not, he would seek field where he
could have one. Sunday schools must exist. or
churches would ever remain feeble and life
less.
Mr.. Tyler, of AIbemnre, very feelingly ad-
dressed the meeting. He esteemed the Sabbath
school above all price. He agreed with other
brethren that, next to the blessing of God upon
their labors. the means now in use in some of the
schools, were calculated to promote the welfare
of the schools. He loved to hear children sing
the praises of God He knew music would do
much to soften the heart, and interest it in rei-
gion. He was glad the ticket system had been
introduced. 1t would work we'll. He thought
it highly desirable that superin.endents should
have the heart and the means to i've books to the
young. 1t would win their love, and enlist them
| 10 the good cause
Elder M. T. Sumner, Mr.. R. Dabney, Dr.
Howell, Dr.. Jcter, and Elder Prichard, made
| pertinent addresses. The latter gentleman urged
the importance ofooking after the poor children
who need most the fostering of the Sunday
school. He spoke of the influence of kindness
and urged gentleness and carefulness upon teach
ers. He spoke of a little boy who was brought
to his school by scholar. At first the wild little
fellow could not be induce to enter. He could
not go in. Oh, no! He used persuasion-inyi-
ted him Just to look in. He became interested,
and took seat just within the door. He had never
seen such scene before. The little fellow Seem
| ed uneasy, and looked as if he would run away
but, said Mr.. P, requested him to 90 into my IL
brary and see my pretty pictures. treated him
kindly; he entered the Sunday school, and now he
is one OF the most promising youths in the
school,,
Itbeing late, on motion, the meeting adjourned
to 10 o'clock on Friday at the First Baptist
| Church.
! The session on Frduy, were harmonious and
interesting. The abors Of the Convention Inv
! ing been concluded 10 the afternoon, that BODY
| adjourned sine die. Some of the Ministers will |
remain ind preach on Sunday in the Baptist
| churches in this city.
E=s The Millennium is surely close at hand -
There cannot be any mistake about it, In a city
comprising population of 80, 900 souls, large
proportion of whom too, are negroes--a class |
not famous for either morality or honesty-not |