Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-01

the Beaver Dam Sabbath School, by the
Secretary, at a celebration held on the
29th of August
ADDRESS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN Il am not
often reluctant in the performance of any
duty enjoined upon me by my friends that
l feel competent to perform, and in this
instance / could have wished the task had
been assigned by you to an older head and
an abler pen; but as have been selected
to make the report, | have done the best
[ could in the short space of time allowed
NE, and | shall proceed without further
apology.
Our school was organized for the pres
ent summer session, on Sunday, the lZth
day of April, being some three or four
weeks later than in some former years, on
account of the long continued cold wealth
er in the spring The officers chosen to
serve during the year, were Mr.. Elias Pene-
packer and Maj. VIM. Wilson for Superin-
tendents Mr. Leonard Melcher and Sam
uel Stine, esq assistant uperintcndents;
Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Hinds chosen
Female Snperintendents; David Withcrow,
Librarian and A. J. North, Secretary
The school on commencement-day (as Is
usually the case) was comparatively ly small,
numbering but % male and 80 female
scholars, with quite deficient supply Of
teachers An increased interest, however,
soon manifested itself in the rapid ad-
dition made to the school from Sabbath
to Sabbath, until now we number 81 male
and II female scholars with Il male and
II female teachers, and including officers
and all in connection as actually belonging
to the school, there are l56 in number
We are gratified in having the services of
so many young ladies and gentlemen in
aid of the enterprise,
Our library in the spring was somewhat
reduced in numbers, and having been hand
led and used all the preceding summer
was very much worn and defaeed, and as
the school increased in numbers the sup
ply of testaments and hymn books for the
use Of classes fell short. 1t was deemed
advisable to add to our stock of books, and
replenish the library with such kinds as
the pressing wants of the school seemed
to require. Our wants were made known
to the parents and people through the
the medium Of subscription papers, and
the manner in which such generous re-
sponses to the call were given, is worthy of
note here, and We take occasion to express
TO them our sincere thanks. An addi-
ton was then secured Of 100 vols. to
the library and 4 full supply Of tesla
ments, hymn books, spoilers and primmers.
1t has been gratifying at all times to OBJ
serve prompt and regular attendance,
Notwithstanding the weather of the season
has been so variable and wet. Good order
and a seeming interest in study on the
part of the school was quite manifest
Our school is based upon the principle of
Union. We meet upon common ground,
and for one common object Our supplies
are from the American S. s. Union. but
the Bible alone is our text book. We
condescend even 10 teach the A, B, C's,
and here the most illiterate may learn to
read, and the mind, that innate immortal
in man, directed the way to happiness and
glory. We regret that the practice of
committing verses of scripture has not been
as general among the children as could
have been desired. This may be owing
partly to the oversight Of the Teacher. and
partly perhaps to the carelessness of the
scholar, and it may slightly be owing to
the want Of attention from the parents at
home.
Although as have said the practice of
task learning has not been as general
among the scholars as desired, yet many
have done their duty in that respect nobly.
and stand today honorcd by the approba-
ton Of this respectable audience lie,
others who heretofore remained Indifferent
learn lesson to-day that will stimulate
them to greater exertions in the future
that they may stand in the front ranks al
the next celebration, if spared to attend
another.
To you who are spectators we have a
word of welcome, and exhortation. We
are glad to see you here it gives US much
encouragement; we need your countenance
and support; and although you do not
meet with us, yet half the work rests upon
you at home, in seeing your children
studious and attentive to the lessons az
signed them, and without your aid our ex-
ertions here will be almost in vain. viii
you then continue to aid us-will Won
come up to the help of the Lord-Will YOU
let such cause languish, in view of the
TACT that soon those children will have to
I'LL our places, and must meet these re-
spon"bilities for themselves, and if right
course Is Is pursued what may they not ac-
comiphsh! Look at oar nation now, 80
millions in number, in high condition Of
universal health, able to feed the world
with bread, clothe them With cotton and
enrich them with gold A peonle send nd
ing forth Liberty and Religion ali over
the earth, and without an enemy 70 ro ,1i
tard our progress a neonle- nnn,rn,;.s-