Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-01-11

Time with fleet and noiseless tread
hath swept onward with never ceas-
ing steps, bearing a thoughtless world
nearly to the threshold of another dy-
ing year, and to us here convened it
brings the change, for we come to-
night for the last time in the waning
year, to honor, in this delightful way,
the name of Him whose precious, holy
words reach us how to live and how
to die. Memories sweet and pure
arise and fill our minds with Joy as
we review the circling weeks in which,
as Sabbath School band of inquir-
ing minds and truth-loving hearts, we
have striven with united effort to gar
ner up that wisdom which lis better
than merchandise of silver and gold"
that hath length of days in her right
hand. and in her left hand riches and
honOr"-whose ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace"
The name which is generally held
in memory by the Christian world as
the founder of Sabbath Schools is
that of Robert Raikes. But there is
another fact in Sabbath School histo-
ry which may not be extensively
known, and which it may be we'll to
notice. The year Of 1869 witnessed
in the quiet town Of High Wycombe,
the establishment by a young, unaid-
ed lady, Of the first Sabbath School
ever founded in England. That lady
was Hannah Ball, a true primitive
Methodist. and friend and CORES
pondent of John Wesley. This school
was founded nearly fourteen years
previously to that of Mr.. Raikes,
and was continued for many years.
Thus when this noble, Christian lady
first gathered her youthful charge
around her,and rehearsed to them the
wondrouS story Of the Gross. and the
dying love of Jesus, there was opened
a way through which the teachings of
eternal truth might reach the infant
mind, and the lind of maturer years,
until the labOrs of time shall give
place to the full fruition of eternity
the glorious results of such teaching
shall outlive the heeting, changeful
glory of earth, and shall help to swell
the number Of those who Join in the
psaImody of the white-robed throng
on high. And at the present moment
the mission of the Sunday School is
no less great, no less important, nc
! less holy than in the dim twilight oi
its existence. 1t is an important aux
iliary to the Christian church, an Iii
valuable instrumentality for the con
version Of immortal souls. 1t con
meets time with eternity-unites eartl
with heaven. Its exalted trophies
and illustrious victories over the pha
lanx of sin, error and temptation
over the power Of darkness and death
fill the shining courts of heaven witt
shouts Of praise unknown to morta
ear.
In the ''morning of life when th
mind is best fitted to receive truth
when the heart is free from SorrOy
and care, and when the character i
forming which shall exert an intfuenc
for good or i'll during all subsequen
Ilife-then is the benign influence c
Sunday school teaching most poten
and effective, as it sheds an irradiar
ing CLEAN Of beauty over the unfolC
ing germs of character, and gentl
distills those exalting truths maxim
" wise unto salvation. Frol
these hallowed institutions the churc
receives her best missionaries, mini
listers, and laborers in the vinegar
of the Lord. And to the same sOur(
society owes the gift of her most j
lustrious and reliable men. And
we look over the would to-day, b
hold we a numerous company VIII
through the labors and influence
the Sabbath School, have been take
y from the lowest depths of vice al
who, "Snatched as brands fro
the burning" are more ready to raj
their voices in triumphant testimOl
that the eternal God places His Sc
of approval upon Sabbath School
bors. Nor are these institutions y
fully developed-their power is n
yet fully tested. They possess t
n elements to christianize the world.
rs And in connection with this gre
II and glorious institution which is
= dained by Heaven, approved by ;
o. gels, and loved and honored by
IN, earth's greatest, noblest minds, ha
IT. we, during the months which hs
u, flown, together as pastor, superint
=. dent, teachers and scholars earnes
labored on with united prayers q
efforts to promote the Sabbath Sch
ost interest here, and so impart and