American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-07-03
For The UItIzen.
NORTH HoPE, BUTLER County,, Pa.
.u. June 24th 1867

"'ho ipOIs
Ma. EDlroR :-If it is not tresspassing
upon your columns, allow me, through your
pager, to give your numerous readers
brief sketch Of visit another Brother and
myself had on last Sabbath The usual
custom of Sabbath Schools in this country
connected with certain denominations, is to
select visitors from their Sister Schools in
order to have their progress noted This
pleasant duty fell upon Brother g., and my
self We received letter of invitation to
visit the Sunbury NJ. Il. Sabbath School; ani
of course, persons having this duty to per-
form generally are expected, by the officers
and scholars belonging to the School which
they are to visit, to say something regard
ing the benefit of such institutions, and the
object that all such organizations are aim>
ing at.
1t was rather minor Office for me to per.
form, but not for Brother G. But my de-
termination from the time we got the letter
of invitation, was to prepare myself to say
something, in case | was called upon. /,
however, procured some books, &C., which
treated ON teaching and conductinga School.
| studied some points which thought would
be very appropriate for the occasion. | had
them committed very perfect in my own
opinion. When | had everything finished
as thought, took my ease from Friday
till Sabbath morning. When Sabbath came
| arose little earlier than usual | fed my
stock and then came 70 the house, and my
better>half had breakfast prepared; | sat
down and partook very heartily. By the
time had finished my breakfast, it was
half>past seven o'clock. The time for start.
lug to Sunbury had almost arrived. Broth.
er Smith had agreed with me on the prece-
ding day to put his horse in the buggy and
take me to the aforesaid place. In about
twenty minutes later Brother S.. came up to
my house with his two hundred dollar horse
hitched in a splendid buggy with silver
mounted harness. | sprang into tie buggy
with all the dignity of divine, and away
we went to Sunbury. Brother G., caught
up with us about half way between North
Washington and Sanbury; as he resides in
Concord township, rather in the direction Of
the latter place. 1t was very short time
till we were in front of the NJ. E.. Church.
our place of destination. As soon as we
stepped from the buggy, brother Rhodes,
the Superintendent, was there to receive us.
which he did in his good open style, and
escorted us into the school,room, also, gave
Brother g., and myself, a seat on the stand.
While Brother Rhodes was arranging his
classes, &C., gazed on The pleasant cOun,
tenances that were present to hear some els
oquent addresses from Brother G., and my
self As soon as Brother Rhodes had every
thing in order, he introduced the Scho,
to us, as their visitors whom they
had selected And then he called
upon me to open the school, which | did
the best knew how After the school
was opened, the teachers proceeded with
their usual instructions. When they
got in full operation, l looked upon the
school with the utmost delight, and cou-
cluded that brother b. and myself had
better take up our residence in Sunbury
this coming season, and take course of
Lectures from Bro. Rhodes, the worthy
superintendent, on teaching and con.
Quoting Sabbath school. Also, of in
stilliug principle based upon the teach>
ing of Jesus Christ, which they will long
remember. Well, while setting there,
as | remarked before, just thought my
prospect for experimenting, or rather
practising speaking to any unenlig ghtened
school was blasted. | concluded
| could not speak, and knew nothing
about conducting Sabbath School, al
though have had control of several
Sabbath Schools. After the officers and
teachers got through with their duty,
which was shortened by our presence,
the Superintendent called upon me to
talk to the school awhile. Of course |
had to say something.
| got up and excused myself, made
great many apologies, and told them |
was no public speaker, but dare not say
anything about the points | had COM
mitted for the very reason thought they
were perfect in every respect as to teachs
ing and being taught. After making the
apologies as above stated, / tcld them
that brother G.. would address them, as
he was good speaker (Which he thinks
he is, as your readers know, and | sat
down. Brother G.. was called upon. The
first thing in order was to present them
with card containing the rules of Sab
bath Schools printed thereon. They ac-
cepted it as matter Of courtesy, Gas I