The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-21

prlslng ali the Sabbath schools of the
Methodist Episcopal churches of the city, |
held their regular meeting at the Foundry |
church, corner Of q and Fourteenth streets, |
and was opened with devotional exercises.
The following churches were represented
Dunbarton-street, Georgetown, East Wash
ington, Foundry, Wesley, McKendree,
Waugh, Hamlinc, Chain Bridge Mission,
Metropolitan, Providence, Wesley Chapel |
Mission and Gorsuch.
The following report was read by the Sec |
rotary, Mr.. Warren Choate,
wAsHiseros, Sept. 20, 1859.
In accordance with motion adopted at |
the last meeting, requesting the secretary to |
obtain Conformation from the schools as TO |
their workings" that officer has obtained |
the following facts In answer 10 questions |
sent TO each school, the reports being fur |
nishod generally promptly and explicitly. |
He finds that there are Is Sabbath schools
and Q mission Sabbath schools working I'M
der the charge of the Methodist Episcopal |
churches Of the Washington district. The
Oldest Of these Is the "Dunbarton street,"
Georgetown, established in 1910. In these
schools there are enrolled 100 officers, 3G7
teachers, 3I7 Bible class scholars, S7l infant
class scholars, and 2,l34 scholars In what
may be called, for distinction, the main
school, and $50 officers, teachers and schol-
ara In the mission schools, making total OF
1853 officers and scholars enrolled on our
Sunday school books. The average attend
auce since the first Sunday In January last
has been 2.50s, or threc-hfths Of the whole
number.
The school reporting the largest average
attendance is the East Washington, Its re-
port showing the average attendance to be
225. This school Is followed closely by the
Foundry and Wesley Chapels, and the other
schools in due proportion. On inquirlng In
regard to female officers, It Is found that
there arc Il; in two schools lady assistant
superintendent; In one a lady assistant
librarian; the others being infant class teach
ers In those schools where that position Is
elective. The time for the election Of off,
GERS Is different with every school, nearly
| every month In the year being used. Five
| of the schools elect their officers on the Sab
bath. In all but three Of the schools the
officers are elected by the teachers and by
ballot. In these three the report Is that the
| election Is by the. Teachers Association"or
society; whether these embrace other per-
sons than the teachers and officers of the
school the secretary Is not informed. The
total number OF conversions Of scholars dur
| ing the past year Is 145, the largest number
being In Dunbarton street, Georgetown, viz.
50; McKendree reports %; Hamllnc, 20;
Ryland, 20; East Washington, ~; Wesley
Mission, IL; Wesley, Q; Providence, 9, and
rsrtsd scholars In our schools is gu, Dunbar
ton street, Georgetown, again leading, and
reporting o.. For these Ell converted
| scholars we find that three schools make no
special provisions for holding them for
Christ, and nine schools have regular class
or prayer meetings for their especial benefit.
We have to record the gratifying fact that
eleven Of the schools hold weekly meetings
| for the study and preparation OF the lesson
for the ensuing Sabbath, and every school
uses a uniform lesson system, and the sup
| position being correct one, that the lessons
| published by our book concern are the ones
used, VIC have the peculiar pleasure Of know
ing that every Sabbath more than two thou
sand Of our scholars are studying the same
inspired words, and are carrying into the
midst of thousands more the influence OF
this united effort to spread scrlptural truth.
In eight of our schools morning and after
noon sessions are held. Twelve schools
have missionary societies under their charge,
and four have temperance societies. One
school has a scholars aid society. These
missionary societies have DISTURBED during
the past year, s2,5i9.27 for the cause OF
missions at home and abroad, and the total
amount OF money raised by the schools and
these societies was 81, 1864. Three Of the
schools stand In need Of financial aid; these
are Providence chapel, In this city, needing
money for general purposes Ryan chapel,
unlontown, needing 800 for the payment OF
q debt; and the Chain-bridgc mission, just
above Georgetown, under the charge Of the
Dunbarton-street church, needing building
in which to worship. OF the six mission
schools four are under the charge Of East
Washington church, and arc located In the
extreme eastern section OF the district; one Is
under the charge of Wesley chapel, and Is
located In the northern section Of the city, at
the corner of Ninth and streets, and one Is
under the charge of Dunbarton-strcct church,
Georgetown, and is located near the Chain
bridge, on the Potomac. These all have
regular church services, are In good condl-
ton, and are likely to prove successful and
permanent. There are 1906 books in our
libraries, and about 500 illustrated Sunday
school papers, besides the more than 1000
"le5son leaves circulate weekly In our
schools. In the ncighborhood of only five
, of our schools is there regular and sys.
tcmatlc canyassing for new scholars carried
on. Nearly all tho schools report q good
condition in regard to spirituality, members
and attention. -Four of our schools report
that the rooms they occupy are not at all
well adapted 10 Sabbath-school purposes,
/ and three report that their rooms arc only
tolerably well adapted to the purpose. The
others possess rooms that are, perhaps, with
out their equals anywhere for comfort and
convenience.
! you in an abridged but as clear form as
, possible the state and condition of each one
! of our schools, and the general condition OF
the schools connected with our denomination
, in the Washington distrct.' It is hoped
; the Information derived may be of service to
, us as Sabbath-school people, and to our SO
. clety In the work II has undertaken. ALLOW
. me to present the different points Of the re
. port, believing they may make proper themes
. for discussion and appropriate action at som'
I of our meetings;
! Female officers In our schools.
, The proportion Of the names on our rolls
TO the average attendance.
Would 1t be advantageous 10 have the cleo
tlon Of officers take place In all our schools a
5 one season OF tho Year,
c The number Of scholars converted In FRO
c portion to the attendance.
= What means should be used to hold these
b.. converted scholars to Christ.
= Teachers mcetings-thclr advantages.
The uniform lesson system-its advan
i tngc.
4 Afternoon sessions.
c What can be done to aid those schools II
y need Of financial assistance
= The canvasslng of ncighborhoods for new
5 scholars, and the visiting Of old scholars
It's I'm portance.
Without further remarks or suggestions
= the secretary bcgS leave to submit the abov
. report.
!, The following named gentlemen were re
ported rs comprising the board of manag
: ers: Rev. DR.. A. Gibson, president Davi,
! A. Burr, vice president Warren Choatc
c secretary; W. j. Murtagh, treasurer; J. II
Il Mcdowell, Dunbarton street church; Il. NJ
: Titon, Foundry; W. A. Furlcc, Wesley; y
y A. Latham, McKondrcc A. J. Williams
= Rylandi W. II. Wonnsley, Union; +. W. W
Letournnn, Waugh; VI. Il. Woodward, Prov
ldCncoi Geo. +. simms, Fletcher Isaac
/, Thornborg, Ryan chapel, Uniontown Rev
J. Wm. s. Fort, Ilamlne; Julius soper, Chail
+ Bridge Misslon VIM. W. S. Dycc, Metropol
& itan; John W. Stahl, Gorsuch.
u The following important resolution wa
l. offered by Mr.. A. w. Eastlack, and laid Owe
y for discussion at the next meeting;
10 R6Solpcd, That the organization and fact Q
aunion Of the Sunday schools OF the M.
church In the Washington district 10 no res
v son why the Methodist Episcopal Sunda
~ schools should withdraw from tho Washing
y ton Sunday School Unionj on the contrary,
q Is. the duty of the Sunday schools composln
% this diAtriet denominational union, as far \
n practicable, to unite with the Sunday school
IL of other evangelical churches In any unto
.. that has been or may be formed.