The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-02-17

future increase were carefully laid. MIR.
Jefferson and number of wealthy citizens
of Albemarle, and the Piedmont country,
planned literary institution for the educa-
ton of the youth of Virginia in the most I'M
proved manner; to be called Centre College,
ndlocated near Charlottesville. The scheme
was carried on with great zeal, and with the
prospect of success but on scale too limi-
ted to satisfy the desires of the author; and
the project was merged in the University OF
Virginia, the arranging of which occupied
the last days of Mr.. Jefferson. Sooner or
later every statesman turns his attention to
the education of the children of the commu-
nifty John Randolph, of Roanoke, when
the politics of the country seemed to him to
be degenerated to party strife, seriously
contemplated giving his last days to the in
struction of youth; and if his health had not
so entirely failed, we might have seen on the
Roanoke his ideal of gymnasium for the
youth of these constituents" for whom he
entertained the highest devotion.
Mr.. Kelly's attention was turned to the
subject of Sunday schools in 1916. Mr..
Kingsbury, the Missionary of the A. B. G.
F. NJ, on his way to the Cherokees stopped
in Charlottesville aud passed few days in
the family of Mr.. Kelly. The visit was Pc
culiarly delightful; the sober plans of the
one, and earnest spirit of the other, were
mutually delightful. Sunday schools were
then engaging the attention of the Northern
cities. Mr.. Kelly listened attentively as
Mr.. Kingsbury enlarged upon the design
and operation of those schools; that they
embraced that part of the community Of
children whose early education, especially in
morals and religion, had been neglected.
His heart became warm in the subject, both
as a matter of thought and appreciation, and
then as a matter of practice, cheering Mr..
Kingsbury in his contemplated work of teach
ing the Cherokees the truth of the Gospel,
and the practice of civilization; he and his
family became convinced they must be doing
for the Lord in their immediate neighbor-
hood. Their family religion, as to its form
and spirit, had been arranged; their private
personal religion was a subject of daily
thought and attention; and then, the carry
ing the blessings of the Gospel to other
families was resolved upon; and the begin
ming of this work was to be in Sunday
school. 1t was novelty; but as novelty
it had no special charm for Mr.. Kelly. 1t
was an opportunity just at hand of doing
good, and one in which he could not have
any competitOsn The family associated
with them Miss Godfrey, member of the
Episcopal Church, residing temporarily in
Charlottesville, obtained the use of room
in fitting place, gathered fifteen children
who had no opportunity of instruction from
their parents and relations, and began to
carry into effect the work of love by teach
ing them to read and commit to memory
hymns and verses of Scripture, and to listen
to instruction on the precious truths of
Christ and his Gospel. In a little time they
found there were fellow-laborers in the same
cause in Fredericksburg, Falmouth, Rich
mond, and all the larger towns in Virginia,
rising up by the spontaneous promptings of
an enlightened conscience and a tender heart
Some circumstances of great interest occurred
to cheer the teachers. A little boy who at
tended school was taken with the lockjaw in
consequence of severe hurt. While able
to talk, and sensible of his condition, that he
could not live, he said-"O how glad am
went to Sunday school, for there l found
my Saviour" and departed in peace. Soon
after little girl, who was pupil, was
seized with sickness, and died rejoicing in
the Saviour whom she had been taught to
love at the Sunday school. Thus encouraged,
these pioneer teachers pressed on in their
work, for abou. two years, confning their
attention to the poor outcasts.
In the year 1918, the Rev. William Ches-
ter, afterwards so well known in the educa-
ton cause, visited Virginia and spent some
time in Charlottesville and its vicinity. By
his persuasion and assistance, the plan of
the school was changed so far as to embrace
all children that cOuld6e persuaded to attend.
The number in attendance soon increased to
seventy, with a proper addition of teachers.
A spiritual blessing soon followed; young
man, one of the teachers, hearing the ques-
ton, "Who is the Saviour of lost men -
put to little child, and the answer, "Jesus
Christ, the Son of God" his attention was
arrested, and he began to consider it prac-
tical question to himself. The more he con-
sidered the question, the greater the impor-
tance seemed to him. He made Mr.. Kelly
his confidential adviser, and from that time
onward Mr.. Kelly became the confident of
all the young people that were in earnest on
the subject of religion. The serious impress
sions never left this young man.
The Sunday school first gathered in Char
lottesville was unexceptionable; it was a
work of mercy to those growing up without
any proper care. The second one, embrac-
ing all the children of the different families
that had come into Charlottesville for the