Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-12-27
SABBATH SCHOOL ANNTvrusAwx


The twelfth anniversary of the Central
Church Sabbath School, took place ON last
Sunday morning aud afternoon. The &C.
CASTOR was one oi more than usual interest.
being nm anniversary day In reality, and moi
merely for few hours In The afternoon.
The bright faces OF the children were elo-
quenl OF pleasant anticipalions, and every
class seemed 10 vie with every other class III
making the festival ons OF unmatched in.
terest The singing by the scholars was
very preltily done, and showed "A proficiency
which must have been gratifying 10 the
teachers who have spent much valuable
Time in perieciipg the musical efforts Of the
children for the occasion.
The infant classes are especially worthy
of note in this place. Under the kind
and familiar care Of Mr. Joseph w, Dsv.
whom these little ones have long since
learned to lore because OF his pleasant mnn-
her OF dealing with them-a quality peculiar
10 Mr.. Day, bY.the-by, and ono which makes
him so successful asa teacher vt youth-the
infant schools oi this church have grown
rapidly in numbers, and are NOW among
the most important and interesting features
OF the Sabbath School. Mr.. Day and his
attentive and laboriOus assistant, Miss Carrie
Jefferson, must have looked with pleasure
Indeed, upon the successful efforts OF the
Infant School on last Sunday.
inc eAeIcihts were opened With prayer
By ltey. Mr.. Shaw Music and reading OF
the Scriptures followed. A most admirable
sermon was delivered to the children by the
Pastor, which enchanted their attention and
held them as interested listeners to the end.
Mr. Shaw certainly understands how TO talk
to children. The silence and attention they
gave him while speaking TO them was mark
ed and unusual, and doubtless was as graft.
lying TO their new Pastor as the sermon
was instructive and interesting TO them.
The presentation OF books to the scholars
who had previous committed the catechism
or certain portions Of Scripture 10 memory.
was also an interesting sight. As the chill
dren came up TO get their prisee, one by
one, MIR. Shaw who presented them,-in the
name OF the benevolent donor, Mrs John
II. Latimer-had pleasant and appropriate
word or two to say 10 each, and SO added
to the pleasure and appropriateness Of the
scene.
In the afternoon, songs and prayer open.
ed the exercises, after which Mr. e. L. Tay.
lor read his report. We have not room for
It entire, and so must he content with but a
few extracts from tho
suPERIETRHDRNr's REPORT.
Numerically we are about the same as re.
ported one year ago, 1926 scholars, including
the Infant School, with 81 teachers.
These are divided into SO classes, 10 fe.
male and 10 male.
Two teachers have withdrawn from the
school, Gone OF them leaving the city) but
three have been added 10 our number and
two OF these forming new classes, gives US
that much OF permanent addition
Grateful thanks are due 10 God for his
great sparing merey-not one teacher has
been taken from his or her labor BY the
hand oil death, and not one scholar from the
larger school, so far as we know, during the
past year. Would that we could saw the
same OF the number of our dear lamb fiockS!
But, while we rejoice and return thanks that
so many are spared, we have 10 record the sor-
rowiul fact that one sweet lamb has left ia
at the call of the good Shepherd, 10 be for
ever safely sheltered in his upper fold.
Alice Driscoll Bush, member of the In
FAINT class, aged about five years, in the early
| spring-iime, when the first flowers were un-
| folding, like tired child, weary with limo.
cent pastime, lay down and slept
|
The contributions OF the school 10 mis-.
sionary and benevolent purposes during the
year, exhibitsa satisfactory increase; amount
ing in the aggregate to $925,74.
A plan was adopted at the commence.
ment OF the year, designed to stimulate the
classes, and encourage them to give more
literally. At each monthly collection the
TWO classes Gone male and one fcmale) con.
| trlbuting the largest amount were entitled
TO the honor of being called the Excelsior
class, and the missionary name oil the Class
was placed for month in a consptcuous
place over tho Superintendent desk SeY.
eral of the classics held this position two or
three months.
the Library OF the School as was renort.
ed at the last anniversary is in good condi-
hon, but as almost two years have elapsed.
| without any repleniShment, feel very sure
that the many little readers who draw 40
constantly from this lount of knowledge,
would mol object TO the addition OF q lew
more volumes.
Hence We have made this the object of
our thank offering to-day and the funds
collected this morning, together with the
contributions presented TIL, afternoon, will
be devoted 10 this purpose
The Infant School is still happily under
the direction Of the same efficient oficers.
MIR, j. W Day assisted by Miss Carrie Jeff
lerson Much time and study are expend.
ed, aud various appliances introduced, 10
make the instruction thus orally conlmuni-
Gated, interesting and permanent. | al
ways feel that the importance of this pri-
mary department, and its claims upon the
prayers and sympathy of the church can.
not be 10 urgently pressed.
10 lay the foundation well, in order 10
secure the structure, is an essential princi.
pal in ethics as well as in mechanics. Build
up the young mind, upon tho bright and
beautiful polished stones OF truth and RICH.
teousness, and the assaults OF sin and error
shall never overthrow 1t.
The school numbers about 1870 scholars
with an average attendance of about so.
With pleasure we recognize among us 10.
\ day, number OF the scholars of our chanel
schools. In their earlier years, and weaker
condition, these schools were accustomed TO
meet with us and our annual gatherings vera
celebrated conformity. But having acquired
strength aud an independent position. thew
now regularly observe their own anniyeT.
saries. We gladly welcome those who ara
here, TO share Of our pleasures and priyl-
leges with something of the feeling of
parent, when contemplating the successful
career OF a child. We rejoice In your pros-
perlty, and bud you God speed, praying that
you may not only grow In numbers. but
greatly increase in faith and good works.
1t is gratifying to know, as shown by the
closing exercises this morning, that the
scholars have not wholly disregarded the
kind and generous offer of Mrs. Latlmer
which has been standing ever since we were
a school; namely, to give a book, a edluable
book, to every scholar who during the year
would commit to memory the shorter cate
chism, or prescribed portion of the Hely
scriptures.
Time has not diminished her love for the
scholars OF her interest IN the school nor
has her lOng continued absence, as might
reasonably be the case, caused her 10 with.
draw her very valuable aid liberal PROPOSE
ton. SeYenty-oue scholars have to-day
been the happy recipients of these long 10
btt Al