The national Republican., 1867-05-14


offered up BY the Rev. Mr.. Lent. The fayorit
Of the children, "Besutiful River" was the
rendered BY all Of the scholars, the ouphoniou
sounds resounding finely throughout the wall. I
the sacred edi6ce The reading Of the twent,
fifth annual report Of the Sabbath schools b
Mr.. Jas O. Dulln, as given above, followed th
singing, and was listened 10 with much attention
After the reading Of the following report tb
childron's battle. song was yocaliEed by them:
rwENrr.FIFrH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WASH
ISGToN CRY sABBArH.scHooL UNION
| FELLow.LABoRERs: Another year has passe
since last We gathered together to cslsbate with
Joy and gladness the way that the Lord had let
us through the year, and one quarter Of a cen
tury has passed Into that vast sea Of ages which
has preceded IL since this Sabbath. School Unior
| was formed. II would be q pleasing and In
structiye exercise to trace out the many change
that have taken place In the various bodies tha,
participated In the first gathering Of the Sab
bath. Schools Of the metropolis. There were thsr
eleven schools connected with the Union. an(
but eighteen In the city; now there are thirty
seven schools in connection with tho Union, and
hfty In the city irrespective Of the numerous
missions and schools recently established for and
BY the colored race. or those who then partici.
pated 10 the good work, many have gone to their
reward, while still more are with US yet, with
hearts still young, and willing as ever TO flll
their place In the great work OF Sabbath school
instruction.
The progress of the cause In our midst during
the year just closed, has not been marked by AMI
very prominent incidents. The work has gone
on steadily and surely, accomplishing much,
truly, bat without excitement, tumult, or con.
iusioni its effects arc felt and seem like the dew
from heaven, In Its refreshing influences on all
who come within Its range, and even by It's re-
mex influence doing good TO Gil who come In
contact with those who, Sabbath after Sabbath.
partske Of the Bread Of Life within the sacred
walls OF the Sabbath school, The statistics Of
the year show that our labors have not gone un
rewarded Wo have not labored In vain, nor
spent our strength for naught. The seed sown
has not all fallen by tho wayside, or been choked
by the weeds Of sin; some has sprung up and
brought fruit first the blade, in the earnest in.
quiries after more perfect knowledge Of things
heavenly then the ear, In those who have pro.
fossed themselves on tho Lords side; then the
full corn In the ear tho fruit, in those who, hay
ing put on the armor Of Christ, 20 out with those
VINO were their teachers, and labor with them to
endeavor to bring others to walk In the paths OF
righteousness. Thus the good work has gone on,
year after year, until the "little seed - that q
quarter OF a century ago commenced its growth,
mas become noble tree, its branches spreading
through every street and avenue Of our city, and
To-Day Milling seven of our largest churches with
It's lruit. Long may 1t thus continue to flourish.
centuries may roll on, but His eye, who never
sumbers nor sleeps, will continue to keep witch
and ward over 1t, that IL may accomplish tho
thing whereto He sent 1t. Servant alter servant
may pass away. and, looking back, we may say,
- The fathers where are they ~ Truly they
have gone, but their places are not vacant: the
Lord OF the harvest withholds not His blessings
from US and when he calls tho faithful Iaborer
home, lie prepares another to assume his toll
Ior the great work can never stop until " all the
earth shall know the Lo:d from the least unto the
greatest"
The usefulness Of our Union Is not so apparent
As the usefulness Of the schools that compose it.
Their work Is manifest TO tho most superficial
observer they bring forth fruits Of righteousness
In abundaneej and even were there no CONVEX
sions recorded, 1t cannot but bo that great good
is accomplished, for we have the promise, my
word shall moi return unto me void" Then,
having this promise, teacher. weary not; but
through summers heat or winters cold press on
relying on His word.
"'Sov In the morn thy seed,
At eve hold not thy hand,
To doubt and fear give thou no heed,
Broadcast It o'sr the land"
In tho numbers attending the schools thore has
beon steady increase, and the system of in
'truction has In many Of tho schools been greatly
improved; but there is still room for improve
nent. Especially is this the case in the attend
.nce. glance at tho figures appended will
how that every third scholar and teacher Is ab. |
ont every Sabbath in the year. 1t would be
profitable did time permit, to discuss tho best
'emedy for this evil; but 1t must be left with its
with the hope that 1t needs only
10 be known to be oradicated. Absent Sabbath
Ichool children grow up to be absent church
MEMBERS and absent church members turn to
worldly minded men and women; and the teach
'rs of to-day must be faithful in their duties to
prevent so deplorable a result Of their labors.
Death, whose arrows strike not only the aged
.ho are ripe for eternity. but the youth and the
'hild as we'll, has dealt lightly with u.s. No pos.
ilenee has Stalked through our city, bearing of
ull sheaves. Only twenty-five Of our number
iave been called away to join the song of the
edeemed nboyei three teachers have laid of
heir armor, and twenty-five of tho lambs Of tho
lock have gone to the Good Shepherd who gave
lis life for the sheep. Surely, de hath not dealt
10 with any people.
The reports received from the schools give the
ollowing results:
Number Of schools In connection with the
:. Union. 'ss..................... ~
Number Of male teacher. hers...,,.............. 42j
Number OF female teAehsr.,..........,,,,,, 4A
Number Of male scholars. s.Sl2
Number Of female scholars. 3,7is
Number OF conventions Observation-Disclosures, 262
lumber OF deaths, ..,,,,,,,,,.,.,, rs
average attendance each sabbath. .......... o, l3o
Volumes In the libraries. Is, 7sO
Number OF Bile classes. s................. %
umbor OF infant tela.ses..........,...... ella. 40
lumber Of teachers " ho profess religion. 72i
amber OF scholars who profess reliRion.... 675
Showing total of Si7 teachers, and I, 900 |
chOlaTA now enrolIed in thia norHon Of fhc |