The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-11
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, January 9, 1866.

PETERSBURG, January 2, 1866.
The Rev. John Miller will deliver series OF
weekly lectures at his church, on Washington
street, beginning on Friday evening next IN
behalf Of Sunday Schools Surely there new,
was time when the momentous suoJee' v
education demanded so much atteheoH q
now Ina great many instances, the ''ss
have naoome "a demoralized during the ias'
four wears as 10 be impatient of parentai re-
straint, and are growing up with niue he''' VI
things human or divine Unless 'heif course
can be arrested the result Wall DE appth'ng'
Rut nj their impossible age, 1t Is stiH very
possible 10 sow seeds which, IN after life, will
produce many fold. II can hardly be thought,
however, that Sunday Schools will, by any
means, meet the eXigencies of the case. Being
open but once \ week, and then only for an
hour or two, it may we'll be feared that what
Is gained on the Sabbath will be utterly lost
during the rollicking and frivolity Of the
week. Those who really wish TO learn may
acquire something useful, while IL will
be difficult at such intervals 10 force instruc-
ton on such rs are indifferent or averse to 1t
The fact is, there never was time when the
whole subject of the education of the young
and destitute-and those, too, of larger growth,
who have grown up in ignorance during the
war-made such a forcible appeal to a Chris
iian community rs now 1t is lamentable to
think of the gross ignorance and rowdyism
which characterize large proportion of our
junior population. There are hundreds of
girls and boys in this city who will never learn
their letters unless some associated influence
is brought 10 bear upon them. Even the negro
children will run ahead of them for hume
rous schools have been provided for their in
struction by strangers, and mostly without
charge. Something more comprehensive than
Sunday Schools is therefore all absolute neces-
sity. 1t is not known how Mr. Miller intends
10 treat the subject, but he will doubtless dis
cuss il, as he is competent to do on broad
principles, and suggest some practical measure,
10 which not only his own congregation, but
the community 1T large, will lend ashelping
hand The free schools have been but poorly
attended this session. Some systema tiZed
effort should be made TO induce parents to send
their children TO them, for they are under
good management, and will effect a great
amount of good if properly supported. And
then again, ii is worthy of inquiring, how
would night schools do at the several churches !?
Could not interest enough in their behalf be
enlisted among the young men of the city
On Bank street, yesterday, several persons
dog, following a wagon, one of whom was
bitten quite badly. This was Mr.. William
Parham, clerk at the Southsde Depot, and
formerly member of McIntosh's battalion.
The dogs actions We're SO unaccountable that
hewould have been pronounced mad at once if
hydrophobia ever prevailed at this season.
Evening before last there was large fire
west of the city, Illuminating the heavens.
The fire companies went to the corporation
line, but the light was apparently as far off as
ever. No information has been received as to
the lC cality.
1t has been so long since the explosion of a
shell was heard here that none could have
supposed such sound would ever smite our
ears again. There are, however, very few of
these uneXploded missiles lying about, and
day or two ago a cunning darkey undertook to
explore the mysteries of one of them. 1t
became ignited in the handling, and the poor
fellow was badly mangled by the fragments.
There was a meeting to-day of the stock
holders of the First National Bank of Peters
burg, when the old officers We're all re- elected
Reuben Ragland, Esq, President The capital
stock was increased from $4,000 to 500, 900,
and the amount Immediately taken.
T. I. Brooks, Esq, was elected President
of the Merchants National Bank. In both of
the old boards few or no changes have been
made.
ing condition. The first mentioned has
declared dividend of five per centum on its
earnings since July last. SSowDES.