Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-02
WASHINGTON.

UAo11lN01ON. On Christmas Eve, the Sabbath School had their long expected Christmas Tree. The tree was a large hemlock. On every branch was a lighted taper, and it was heavily loaded with appropriate fruit, books, furs presented to teachers, pictures, toys of every size and description, candies, pop corn, and boxes full of everything satisfy ing to the youthful taste. The exercises opened with brilliant Voluntary on the organ, by Henry s. Mygatt of New Mil ford; then Singing by the School, followed by the distribution of the presents. One Miss was remembered by scion of a beach, another by sugar-plumb A doll danced off into the tender embraces of a bachelor, who did not Treat the School to a speech. A Christmas Turkey flew at the parson. leaving it's nests of green backs for Mrs. c. Two large volumes dropped into the hands of the Superintendent Then came splendidly dressed doll, for MT. and Mrs. Deacon Frisbie About three hundred gifts were distributed in all The Rev. T. D. Murphy. of Granby, made some excellent remarks, and all went home happy over the Christmas Tree.
 Having been censured for some TO- marks on Sunday Schools in these columns, last summer, beg permission to enclose the following minutes, published by the last " New England Christian Convention" :" to keep attention fastened on the subject, until we make the |" Church of the Chil- dren" a real power, something beside a good social time with singing like an even- ing recreation or a holiday pastime. It should be thorough educational institu- tion in which the evidences of Christiani- ty are explained, and, in short, i'll which g complete system of Christian education shall be taught. Said Q successful literary teacher to mo lately, Sunday Schools as an educational system, arc humbug." Now, I say, let us have a solid intellectual basis upon which to build the moral and spiritual structure.
 Whereas, Protestant Sunday schools are the only public means now instituted whereby children can obtain direct religious education; and,
 Whereas, Sunday schools are the most inefficient institutions of learning known among us therefore
 Resotoed That this ineficiency rises largely from the following causes.
 Ist. The want of proper arrangements for quail flying persons for teaching in the Sunday-school.
 2d. 3The want of interest on the part of parents and chui ch-nembers in the religious education of the children, preferring tho lcense of the paror, the street and the ed to the labors of the school and so tempting the youth as they grow up to fol- low the example of their older friends.
 Sd. Tho unworthy character of our Sunday school literature, which is designed rather to please the fancy than to educate the mind and heart.
 1st. Now will any parent please tell mo what his or her standard of qualifications Is for q Sabbath School teacher; or have they any at all? How are teachers appoint ed?
 2d. Will parents tell mo who is responsi- ble for whatever of religious education the children may happen to get?
 3d. Is it right to appeal so necessarily to the fancy and imagination-as Sunday School literature usually does-of children, to the expense of the more sofid faculties of the mind? F Children know the difference between good rich milk and an insipid watery fluid, as quickly as any grown person. They can ask questions, too, that will stagger the boldest philosophy Who is intelligent and honest enough to teach them?
 Tine Congregational Church voted to observe the week of prayer, by series of meetings every day in the week.
 T omitted to mention, in the account of the Christmas Tree, that the Superintend- ent offered a prize to that class which should contribute most during the season. The prize, silver-plated fruit knife to each member, was won by Mrs. F. w. Gunn's class of boys.