Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-01-19
CENTRAL SABBATH SCHOOL ANNI-
VERSARY.

The tenth anniversary OF inc GaDDhtn
Schools connected with the Central Presby-
terian Church was held on Sunday afternoon
the 7th inst. Although the weather was
quite unpropitious there was an unusually
large gathering of children and spectators
nresrnt on the occasion. The church was
handsomely feslooned with evergreens, and
the scene was interesting and animated An
address suitable 10 the occasion was made to
The children by Rev. Mr.. Wiswell, and the
classes as their names were called, sent up
their offerings of money, many of which
were quite liberal in amount. The usual
distribution of books-the generous donation
of Mrs John X. Latimer, took place among
the scholars who had committed the Shorter
Cntcchism and portions of the Scriptures to
memory during the year. The schools are
in II fourishng condition, as the report of
Mr.. Il. r. Taylor, the valued and efficient
Superintendent, will show We publish it
entire:-
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
The following statistics will givethe history
of our school for the past year. Forty-four
scholars have been added to our member
ship; about the same number Gncluding
three who have become tcachers) have been
dismissed.
The whole number belonging 10 the school,
including the infant class, is 325 scholars,
with 10 female, and 13 male teachers. These
represent 80 classes, II female and 12 male,
leaving six forms in the school unoccupied,
AN evidence OF dcclension we have never be-
tore been obliged to record.
The average attendance of scholars has
been 1870, showing slight decrease from
former years
said that 40 scholars had been dismissed
from ihe school during the year These have
been voluntary Withdrawals. Besides these,
tour have been inYoluntarily removed from
among lis, and through the orderings of
Divine wisdom, their places here have been
vacated forever. Two Of these, Juliet Jour
dan, aged about IA years, and Lcwey Tatnall,
ared years, died about the same time, i'll
tile month OF May; the former after a linger-
ing Illness which she bore with degree of
foriitude and patience that betokened the
underlying of the everlasting arms, and
which seemed to mature her for that Heaven
ly rest for which she so much longed; the
latter suddenly, but as we believe, surely
called to brighter and safer state OF exist
ence
More recently, the good Shepherd Jesus
reached downward, and with scarcely a
warming of his coming, took TO his arms two
sweet little lambs, Mary kirknan and Oracle
Wooley. To tile sorrowing schoolmates,
and TO Tie sad dwelleYs in those darkened
homes, Il voice comes back from the heavenly
heights, Weep not for these, but Tor your
selves prepare 10 come TO them, Tor they
cannot return to you' =" OF such is the king
dom of heaven"
The contributions for the year exhibit an
undiminished liberalty, the collections
amounting TO three hundred and ninety dol
lars and eighty cents.
Our library is still in existence, though
precarious, and lahoring under serious diff
culiies. Two years ago il was like a sturdy
garrison, amply supplied for seige; but
since that time the weekly raids of an unap-
pcased, devouring crowd, have reduced 1t TO
condition when, if not materially aided, it
will be compelled to II speedy captnlation.
Partial provision has been made, by recent
collection in the Church. to render such need
ed support, and prevent, if possible, the
modification of un unconditional surrender.
We have the strongest faith in the success of
this movement from the significant fact that
the raiders themselves have generously de-
termined to contribute to-day, to sustain,
what they have innocently brought to so
feeble u condition.
We commemorate to-day our tenth ami
versary During the few weeks past our
thoughts have been directed particularly to
the contemplation OF the past history of this
Church organization; the way in which God
has led us; his rich mercy toward us, and
the repeated manifestation of his saving
presence in our midst,
May we not safely presume that the Sab
bath Schools, connected so vitality with the
Church, md bearing such an important re-
lation especially to the children of the
Church, in this hour Of retrospection, will
claim our thoughtful and thankful attention,
and our thoughts naturally revert TO the time
and circumstances of our origin On the
23d day of December, 1860, the school was
organized. 1t was composed of 56 scholars:
2s girls and % boys, and Is teachers; ~
female and male.
This original number of scholars, so far as
known TO us, are all living. Three female
and three male scholars are still i'll the school,
and believe with us here to-day. Ten have
since that time made public profession OF
iaith in Christ. Fiveofthc eighteen teachers
are still engaged with us in the work to which
they devoted themselves ten years ago.
Two have fallen by the way; ceased from
their earthly labors, and gone TO receive the
crown of reward for the faithful in heaven
Geo. f. Peterson, who died several yearsago,
and whose decease was referred to on Il for
mer occasion, and Mary Layton, known
while in the school as Mary III. Bush. She
entered upon the work of Sabbath Schoo
teaching quite carly in life, with Il zeal and
earncstness which never tagged or diminish
cd. Strictly conscientousin in the performance
of every christian duty, she seemed to recog
nize the labor in the sabbath School as pc
Gultfly lltT nClt. llCHNt, WIN u
heart, happy because engaged in the Masters
service, and not prompted to cwork simply
from sense of duty, hers was truly u labol
of love
Her naturally gentle and amiable dispo
sition, aided by the influences of dviA(
grace, completed in her II most lovely char
acer, adapted so well TO the varied duties o
Sabbath School teacher, that she Away
possessed the confidence and love OF thost
HDp tnuwht II,.r pnunr 1ifn thnutrl, chnrt
was beautiful and symmetrical, as exhibited
in all the relations of life. Though sudden
ly and unexpectedly removed from earth an,
its lahors, her works do follow her, an,
many we doubt not, will at the last rise u
and call her blessed.
II
EARLY in the commencement of our history
through the beneyolence and liberality of
single individual, Il promise was made tina
any scholar who should commit to memory
and recite the whole of the shorter catechisn
should receive copy Of the Bible, and som
other appropriate book for the Gommital c
portions of the Scriptures. This system ha
resulted, up to the present time, in the di.
tribution of eight or nine hundred volumes
This fact brings TO our grateful remem
brance the generous-hCartcd dOn6r of thes
books. She is not here to-day as has bee
her custom in years gone by. The shado'
OF a great grief has fallen upon her heart
We would remember her to-day, in her 81
cluded widowhood, and untedly pray tbs
she might be comiorted with heavenl
comfort; that while instrumental in blessin
others, she might herself be blessed; that ID
richest ofall gifts, the grace ofthe Lord jest
Christ the love OF God and the commune
ot the Holy Ghost, might abide with III
Gyurmore
-About 1900 scholars have come under I'll
nc II