Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-05-13
Anniversary Exercises.
AN INTEREsTINe sonNn,


JOURNAL, we now present to our readers full
account Of the Anniversary celebration Of the
aaohaih Schools connected with the Second
Baptist church Of this city, under the pastoral
care Of Rev. james s. Dickersou.
Sunday last, as our readers will remember,
was an exceedingly warm day, and therefore not
at Gil inviting TO pedestrians, especially during
the sunny hours. But Notwithstanding this, al
no early hour 10 the afternoon the commodious
church building was thronged with visitors,
anxious 10 encourage by their presence and in-
huenos the Sabbath School cause aud it's noble
army et little pilgrims who have enlisted under
tue banner VI christian love and knowledge.
AT the appointed hour the several classes were
led into the. church, by their teachers and
brighteyed, rosy checked array of infant love-
illness and beauty presented itself to the audience
especially on the pert of the girls. As class
after class took their seats, in order aud without
noise or confusion. the anticipaions of pleasure
were discernabe in the smiles that lit up their
youthful faces aud seemed to say to parents
and friends, "lt 10 good for us to be here"
THE OPENING ExgRcIsRs
Shortly after O'Clock, the exercises were
opened by the Superintendent Washington
Jones. Esq, who announced the beautiful hymn
"Lst every heart Teaice," which was sung by the
scholars Of the large school with pleasing effect.
This was followed by Rev. Mr.. Dickerson, in a
Prayer full OF christian patriotism, tender emo
ton and inspirlting sympathy with the Sabbath
School cause. In his supplioatioD, MIR Dicker
son did not forget our dear, bleeding country,
and while asking Gods blessing ou the children
Of the Schools, he earnestly invoked the divine
lnstrumentality in rearing them up TO be loyal
men and women, halers of oppression and trea-
son, and lovers OF their country. it's freedom and
its Institutions Of civil aud religious liberty
During the delivery OF the prayer, many warm
aud true heart within the church beat in earnest
unison with the spirit Of the invocation This
was followed by song by the Infant School
The dear little children sung with oil the earnest
ness aud ardor their infante bearts were capa-
be Of, and under the instructions Of Miss Isabella
Hunter, did well, indeed Next came the Re-
port OF the Superintendent, Washington Jones,
Esq This report is 80 terse, concise and apt,
that we give ii entire, as follows;-
suPERINTESDENrs REPORT
Time in its rapid flight has brought to us the
return Of this beautiful season of the year, the
time of the singing of the birds and blooming Of
flowers, and last, but not least 10 our estimation,
our Sabbath School Anniversary.
We come to greet you with songs of praise and
thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, for his
great goodness to US during the past year and
all the lnnumerable blessings he has streEn along
our pathway.
When we look back over the year, and csntem-
plate the great changes that have taken place,
and the sufferings, sorrow, and deep-fet anguish
brought to many families in our once happy bu.
nov distracted, and partly desolated country,
how thankful we should feel that we have been
spared from these trials, and are permitted to
meet under such favorable circumstances.
We have been pursuing the even tenor Of our
way from Sabbath TO Sabbath, eudeayoring TO
draw in and instruct as many of the children of
this community, as we could persuade to come
in with us, and have found it both interesting
and profitable to be thus engaged in this work Of
christian labor. We cannot claim large gain
in our number since our last anniversary, re-
porting but ten more than we had at that time,
although we have had ifty-three additions
during the year; part of the loss is owing to
removals, but about nehalf of the loss was
sustained for the want Of male teachers, SONIC
Glasses entirely broken up and lost to the school
we hope however that they have been gathered
into some other school, and placed under good
and faithful teachers.
Humiliating as is this confession feel that
the necessity Of the case requires the truth to be
told plainly there is grave responsibility rest
ing somewhere, but it is not for me to make the
application.
We have some tried and as faithful teachers
es can be found in any school, and we believe
that God will bless them in their work Of love,
and make them instrumental in the conversion
OF their scholars. The oth'r department is much
better supplied, we have a band OF faithful
female teachers, and their labors and devotion
have been blessed of God in the conversion Of
many OF their scholars, they are always ready
for every good work as those OF old 'last at the
cross and first at the tomb of our Saviour" &c
now, they are frat in every good cause and last
to give it up. During the year we have had
eleven additions to the church from the school
one teacher and ten scholars from the female
department and one scholar from the male de-
partment, proving that God will own and blesl
faithful efforts.
We have lost but one by death, "Joshus
Could" who. although not sick long, vet Ions
enough to seek and find the Saviour, and ready
to tell to all who saw him, of the blessed hop,
he had OF glorious home beyond the grave ;
he wished all TO pray and sing with him, aud
thus he spent his time until God took him home
We have four Of our number in the army
nghung for our country, who we doubt not will
ever be found where duty calls; our prayer i.
that God will keep them, guard them aud re-
turn them to us again 10 health, and uncontami.
Dated by the vices that are too often indulged in
by our brave aud patriotic soldiers. We have
one also who has enlisted as standard bearer
in the army Of the Lord of hosts, our young
brother Gardner, who is pursuing his studies al
the Lewisburg University, that he may be the
better qualified to 60 forth to preach the glad
tidlngs OF the gospel for his success in this
blessed work through the blessing OF God let us
ever pray, and also that He may raise up many
more from our school to 60 and do likewise.
Our slatistics are as follows One male
Superintendent with one female Assistant in th G
large school; one female Superintendent and
one Assistant in the Infant School; one Ii.
brarlan aud two Assistants ten male aud
twenty-five female teachers two hundred and
sixty scholars in the large school, and one hun
dred in the Infant School, making in all three
hundred and sixty. We have six hundred volumes
in the Library, and are now making an effort 10
procure new one, those that we have, having
been pretty thoroughly read by the scholars.
Our contributions for missionary purposes
during the year have been seventy-fve dollars,
but we hope to do better next year.
W. JoEEs, Superintendent.
Wilmington, May 8, 1864.
THE SPEECHES.
As Mr.. Jones concluded the reading Of his
report, beautiful bouquet was sent up to him
from the School, as a slight testimony of the
esteem and love in which he is held by the
scholars. He gracefully acknowledged the com
pliment 10 few remarks. After another song
by the large School, Col. L. Wilmer Provost
Marshal Of the State was introduced, and made
few instructive remarks to the children, with
which they appeared to be well pleased. A
second song by the Infant class followed, after
which, John F. Zebley, Esq, of New York, was
invited by the Pastor to say few words. He
cheerfully responded to the invitation. and said
d few pleasant things to the children Fourteen
years ago, Mr.. zebley resigned his charge as
Superintendent Of those Schools and removed to
his present location, New York. During this
long period, the children and the prosperity of
the School had frequently occupied his thoughts
and were remembered in his prayers, and he ex-
nNaa hfWaaa knsu III. & i