Smyrna times., 1869-01-27
For the Smyrna Times.
Origin nssl Progress Ofti.n Sr:...7ay
MiSS-Om School ia &ImArl,n

The necessity for such school had long bcon
seen and felt and talked of, and vet no stems
were taken for its commencement until Proyi.
dencG opened door in the very section OF all
others In the town where it was most needed
In that spot 50 celebrated for incbricty and dc.
bauchcry, known as . Pctcrsville. p" Within
our corporate limits lived man whose consti.
tuition was ruined by his excesses, and whose
paltry living was derived from selling whisky.
IN ms most tOrIOrn condition two pious ladies
| (members OF the NJ. Fl. Church), visited him,
ana read the Scriptures, and gave hlm spirit
ual instruction and directed his mind to Christ
as the Saviour of sinners. He appeared thank-
tul and Interested, and prOfessed faith in Christ
lie died, and the ladies attended his funeral
services
Ihe great interest manifested in the neigh
borhood by some, where death had lust tak ken
one from their midst, to hear the Holy Scrip-
lures read, induced those ladies to commence a
Mission School at once. They opened ON Nav
lst' 1861, with ten scholars, in an old dilapida-
TED building III this section, where vice was
rampant,
The school increased each Sabbath until
thirty five were entered on its roll. Adults as
well as children, appeared desirous of improve
mcnt, ana took seats as scholars After n
month mad elapsed Mr.. Chatham kindly gave
them the use OF room in his Seminary. where
they continued until July 5th, 1868, when il
was thought best to suspend the school until
another place could be obtained. They were
allowed the use of one of the class-rooms of
the NJ. r. Church, where they reopened. with
twenty scholars, on the 9th Of Sept, 1868.
At the present time they have sixty scholars:
thirteen female officers and teachers
Of the children that compose this school
| there are only few whose parents are allie to
clothe them genteely. The ladies not beng
willing, that their school should be called the
ragged school, supplied the children from their
own WardrobeS, and those of others who favor
the cause. The consequence is, thev do nor
suffer from the want OF anything needful nor
much IN appearance when compared with the
children that compose other schools, who are
blessed with more opulent parents.
Inc school that meets in the Lecture Room
oi the same church assigned them their appor.
tionment OF the funds derived from the Levy
court, which was expended i'm books for tha
use OF the school, and used in part 70 redeem
the tickets given out previously. The haIancn
was distributed In Christmas presents.
THE REPAsT
The officers and teachers being desirious to
make Their scholars happy during the Christ
mas holidays, determined to get 1p \ bonnt;.
tul repast for them.
They contributed literally, and, with the as.
slstance of several ladies, who made them
handsome presents for the table, they succeed
ed ed IN having splendid and bountiful feast
They all met in the NJ +. Church and from
thence moved in procession to the honse Of an.
tertainment, where there was large table Of
refreshments beautifully adorned with iced
CAKE candies, and fruits of various kinds.
4, II was heart-thrilling spectacle to behold
.h .he sparkIlhg eyes the clapping of hands, and
the agile movements OF the little urchins when
they looked upon the repast; it was such as
they had never seen, nor ever partaken of dur
!, The gratitude of the children evinced bv
their kind utterances with regard to their
teachers, brings to mind the truthfulnes. Of
the words OF the poet when he says,
1t Is no unSubstantia good 10 dwell
= In chiihOud's heart,
IN childhood : guIeleSs tongue:
10 he the chosen favurtp oracle
Consulted by the innocent and youn0.
q ue remember Il as he iilh fb.t f,,o
us hrst fresh luStre on the unwrinkIe brow"
Smyrna. JAN 26, '69 SLOW.