Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-10-23
ANNIVERSARY OF ST. PAUL's SAB
BATH SCHOOLS.

The Sabbath Schools of st. Paul's M. E.
Church, held their anniversary celebration
i on Tuesday evening last. The church was
fllled with the schools and their friends, and
the occasion was one of great interest to all
who were present. The singing of the
scholars was excellent and elected the high
est praise. Addresses were delivered by
hev: 5. w. Thomas Of Philadelphia, and
the Pastor Rev. A. Rittenhouse. Their re-
marks were highly instructive and entertain
ing, containing sound and wholesome advice
A very pretty feature of the affair was the
singing of hymn entitled the 1.-THE Angels
are waiting" by the Infant School. 1t was
suggested by the death of Mr.. VIM. H.
Ialley, one of the teachers in the school,
The hymn is perfect gem and was render
ed In creditablo manner. The following
was the order of EXERCISES
l. Opening hymn, Anniversary Anthem.
g Prayer by the Rev. ]. Cunningham.
D. Singing by the Infant School, "Group of
Happy Children"
4. Singing by the Morning and Afternoon
Schools, "Young Pilgrims"
b. The Secretary then read the following
report, which shows the condition of the
schools -
REPORT.
The Sunday Schools connected with St.
Paul's M. E. Church numbered in March
last schools, 112 officers and teachers, 760
scholars, 1900 volumes in the libraries5 bible
classes, 200 infant scholars, and reported
80 conversions during the conference year.
These conversions were the fruits of gra-
cious revival last winter; the first revival that
ever occurred in st. Paul's Sabbath Schools
It commenced in the morning school, with
few earnest seekers, and the interest soon
increased to such degree that the regular
lessons were omitted and the whole hour in
both schools devoted to singing and prayer.
The children came forward in such numbers
that they could not all be accommodated at
the altar. Itwas time long to be remem-
bered; may our schools often witness sea-
sons of even greater interest and power.
The new church which was organized last
conference by members from st. Pauls took
from us large number of teachers and
scholars including all of the officers and
teachers of the infant school, officers and
"a teachers from the afternoon school, and
officers and 19 teachers from the morning
school. The female superintendent and six
teachers were all that remained in the after
noon school. 1t may well be supposed that
a large number of the scholars went with
their teachers. In not few instances they
went by entire classes, many lett the school
who did not leave the church. The infant
school on the Sabbath after the separation
numbered barely so scholars. The mission
school in east Seventh street was transferred
to Grace Church by the teachers association
before the separation. Thus our aggregate |
loss was one school besides 60 officers and |
teachers and q large number of scholars. |
The state of things after the separation SEEM |
ed gloomy to some of us; our hearts trem-
bled; but we went to work in right earnest, |
trusting in God. New officers were elected |
to fill the vacancies and teachers were soon
found to take the places of those who had left. |
Efforts were also made to bring in new |
scholars, dup to the present about 40 have |
been added to the morning school, rs to the |
a total of $50 additions since conference. |
The following will exhibit our statistics in |
detail.