The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-09


TIoH.-The feature OF special interest at
Centenary (Methodi>D church on Sunday
was the anniversary celebration Of the Sun
day school. held in the audieuce-room of the
church on Sunday afternoon. 4 large crowd
assembled TO witness this annual feStivity.
The church was elsborately decorated with
eycrgreeAs and flowers. Pulpit and chancel
and recess in the rear Of the pulpit were all
adorned in 4 most tasteful style. Inside of
the chance there were piles OF boxes, look
ing for all the world like granite, each sepa-
rate box bearing some Scriptural motto, the
design of which could not easily be OWNED
by the spectators. The exercises were opened
by the responsive reading of the 136th
Psalm. DR.. Edwards, the pastor, conducting
the service. Or. Granbery offered the open
ing PRAYER. After which there was singing,
conducted ty Mr.. John Morton. which was
| admirably done in time. expression, and pro-
nunciation. Then followed the annual re-
port. read by Mr.. Asa Snyder, the super
iAtenGent, which embraced the following
particulars
Shockoe church organized its Sunday
school in 1922, with William Evans as super
intendent. In 1889 Centenary church was
commenced by that congregation, and the
church dedicated on the 4th of June, 1S43,
hence this was the tifty-second anniversary ,
dating from the organization Of Shockoe
Methodist Episcopal church, or the thirty
first from the dedication Of Centenary.
There have been eleven superntendents in
the tiftv-two years, five Of whom are dead.
The membership of the school consists of
8 officers, Al teachers. and 213 scholars-326;
being IN increase OF 20 over last report. The
average attendance, IS per cent. OF average
| roll. Lessons perfectly memorized, 1896,
containing An average Of / Bible verses
| 1884 verses first and second male and first
| female Bible CLASSES non-competing also the
infant class OF about 20 scholars. Probably
as many more verses were imperfectlv
learned, making grand aggregate Of 10000
verses rccted.
There have been seven conversions of
scholars and two deaths. Sixty-four chill
dren have been regularly clothed at direct
cash outlay of about $780, The library con-
tains 600 volumes 700 Sunday-schoo papers
| are taken monthly. The international Les
sons" are studied. School opens promptly
at 0 O'Clock A. VI. the year round. The
prompt attendance averages fre.sixths oil
each sessions attendance. There has been
no failure to hold session of the school on
account of incement weather for seVeH
wears. The highest Donors of the school
for perfect lessons and prompt attendance
were awarded to A. Kirkwood Snyder, Lena
Ganzert, Charles P. Lee, G. Julian Snyder,
Charles l.. Bransford, Nancy Forbes, Annie
Lee Snyder, Wesley MCGEE Winston, Louisa
Hebriny, Willie Sue WoodSon, Sallie Evans,
Kate Evans. ..... ...... ..... -
Very MANY Of the best students of the
school lost their places in the honor class
because of sickness and absence from the
eity during portion of the year.
After the report the superintendent, haV-
ing received in sealed envelopes contrlbu-
ton from the different classes for foreign
missions, asked the question of the school,
I. What would the scholars, above all other
things. bestow upon the heather worldS "
There was silence, when the pastor arose
and said: 81 hear no response; but can you
not erfbody and express your answer 10 q
SYMBOL that will furnish your response =.
Then the mystery as to the boxes, Large ana
small. was solved The scholars, IN pairs OF
two girls on one side and two boys on the
other OF 4 large and massive pedestal
coming up quietly from the front seats,
by alienation proceeded to lay on piece Dy
oiece. with very sweet and appropriate mu-
Sic between each pair OF boxes laid down by
the little workers. till there grew up what
.t.rned out to be very large, Well-propor-
tened cross, with transverse beam and top
,nest part on which was laid an elao-
orstely wrought, massive to1al crown,
the whole rising tWeke or fifteen feet
trs1s the .fiSor of the cbancel, in front OF the
pulpit. AS the workers would Lay down
their blocks one would repeat the motto
and the otheran appropriate teXt'af Scrip
ture, then wos.ld follow the a2usc in the in
tereM before the next pair OF chill
dren eealne forward. Step ladders were
Employed as the imposing pile grew
higher and higher. When completed,
there stood The cross, with is impressive
mottoes AID Inscriptions, as the answer
TO the questions Of the superintendent. The
n,stor made an appropriate short address,
,,fer which prizes were awarded to the
scholars for prompt attendance ana FOR pee-
feet rectatiuns. Two or three received dou'
bic prizes for both perfect recitation ana ior
Dromnt attendance. These prizes were IN
books. and in u group st photographed ike
oesses gotten up in elegant style, on azfge
card. embracing a3; the officers Of the seaooi
md the pastor of the church Little Charhe |
Lee was rewarded for prompt attendance
or sixty.seycn Sundays in succession.
The whole Of the exercises were replete
yjth interest and instruction. Everybody
VAS pleased ard the children delighted, ale.
;nyder has no superior as Suuday.schooit
The exercises closed with
he benediction by Bishop Doggett: Being
M Lite in the evening TO take down the cross
rom the front of the pulpit, DR.. Edwards
ond,,cfed The night service in the chaDcel,
tandipg by the cross, and using for histeXt
God forbid that should glory save IN tne
ross of our Lord Jesus Christ" turning the
era,;on of the anniversary celebration, Wlth !,
s impressive symbol, to good account I'VE
le instruction Of the congregation,