The Portland daily press., 1875-06-21
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES.
FIRST BAPTIST,

FIRST BAPTIST.
The Sabbath school connected with the First
Baptist church celebrated their fifty.eighth
anniversary yesterday afternoon and evening.
The floral decorations were very elaborate and
tasteful. at the entrance of the pulpit recess
were erected three evergreen arches, bearing
the text, The Way, the Truth and the Life"
while within the recess was profusion of
hot-house plants in full bloom, and rising from
their midst a cross twined with vines. The
galleries were hung with festoons of evergreen,
and within each semi-circle were emblems,
such as crosses, anchors and stars. In the
centre of the rear gallery was the figure of a
dove, ana on either side the figures 1917 and
1875, wrought in evergreen, indicating the year
of the founding of the school and of the pres
ent anniversary Against each gallery pillar
was hung basket of flowers
The exercises in the afternoon opened with
an organ voluntary, after which the church chcir,
consisting of Mrs. Wetherbee, Miss Beckett,
Messrs. Will Stockbridge and w. S. Beckett,
sang Te Deum in fat Prayer was offered
by the Rev. Dr. Shaer. Scripture responses
followed, and Miss Mabel Stevens sang a
hymn, "God of Eternity" the school joining
in the chorus. Then followed reports of officers,
the Secretary reporting the whole number of
scholars connected with the school as 1888;
teachers %; making total of 355 The aver
age attendance has been 1856. During the year
there has been collected $286.59, $l95.49 of
which was devoted to foreign missions, and
the remainder to the expenses of the school.
During the year but one member of the school
has died. The Superintendent stated that
there were now in Burmah, Rev. Mr.. Eveleth
and wife, Mr.. Haskell and Mr.. Gurney, all of
whom had been connected with the church, and
were now laboring as missionaries. Another
former member of the school, Capt. Chas. b.
Hall, was at present resident of the city OF
Rangoon, though not engaged in missionary
work, and the Superintendent exhibited two
Burmese pictures-one of building in which
Burmese children were taught by the mission
aries, and the other of class of these chill
dren-which Capt Hall had sent as a present
to the First Baptist school.
The Superintendents remarks were followed
by song. "Chldren May Come to the
Saviour" by the younger children of the
school, after which the pastor, Rev. DR..
Shailer, delivered an address especially adapted
to the children, founded upon Luke ii chap, 50
verse :-"And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature. and in favorwith God and man." The
exercises closed with singing Coronation"
and the benediction.
The exercises in the evening opened with an
organ voluntary. The Scripture responses by
the thirty-two classes were very promptly
given. The anthem, 'From heaven the loud
angelic song began" was suug with fine effect.
% The Superintendent, d. B. Kicker, then read
his report, which he stated was supposed to
cover that not covered by the reports of the
other officers. The report spoke first of the
propriety of celebrating the organization of
such power for good as this Sabbath school.
The good influence the school has had in the
last 5S years is unknown, and ever will be, but
enough is known to encourage the members to
work harder the coming year than ever before.
During the year past new adult class has
been formed and at present the school numbers
1854 members. A Sabbath school concert has
been held each month. During the year nine
members of the school have made profession
of religion, and it is expected that others will
follow their example soon.
Ab buc CiUSc VI Iu6 IcduiuS VI Iuo ICpULt tuO
school sang "This Year for Jesus"
Rev. Mr.. McWhinnie of Free street church
was then introduced to the school and made a
few excellent remarks upon the benefit Of
Sunday school instruction to the young.
A little Miss Tarbox sang a solo in a sur
prisngly fine manner for a child of her age.
The oratoro, Triumph of the Cross was
rendered in very acceptable manner. Misses
Cummings and Beckett sang with fine effect
as did Messrs. Pratt, Chamberlain and Hall.
Mr.. Halls sweet tenor voice was particularly
fine in "He Who Smiles Rejecting Light
At the close of the oratorio Rev. DIR. Shailer
made few remarks appropriate to the occa-
sion.
STATE STREET.
The twenty third anniversary of State street
Sabbath school was held at the church last
evening. The floral decorations were mag
nifcent Among them we noticed an elegant
memorial cross for Mrs. DR.. Carleton Kimball,
and beautiful basket for Miss Helen Loring
The music for the occasion was furnished by a
select choir, mostly from the school under the
direction of w. M. Richardson. Among the
pieces rendered was song of praise, gotten up
words by Miss Bella T. Clark, and music by
W. nj. Richardson
From the Secretary and Treasurer's report
we learn the whole number connected with the
school is 1903; additions during the year, 14'
largest number present during the year at one
session, 229; smallest. 46. Receipts for the
year $5S7 63; disbursements, 227.6O; balance on
hand, 36O03.
From the report OF the Superintendent we
find that the school is in most prosperous
condition, and during the year eleven have
united with the church and Is more are ex-
pected to the first Sunday in July.
Addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. Hincks,
and Johnston of the Pine street Methodist
church. During the collection fine solo was
sung by Mr. F. B Leach