The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-01-13
Aunsehula aTurds.
From the Missionary.
What Children Can Do.

what novel, but not altogether untried meth
cd, of interesting the children; we give it in
his own words, only remarking that there are
very few of our congregations in which the
same good results might not be attained, If
the energies of the children were directed
by like intelligent and pains. taking interest.
FRIENDSHIP CHURCH,
PIKE COUNTY, GA, Nov. 9, 1874.
l wrote you last winter, that our Sabbath
School would try to do something for the
cause of Missions, and now would like,
for your encouragement, briefly to state the
result:
Early last spring, We made an effort in
our Sabbath School to awaken an interest on
the part of the little folks, in the Missionary
cause, and at the same time endeavored to
get them to try to do something themselves,
without depending on their parents for their
contributions. After setting forth the wants
of the cause, and showing in how many ways
every one could do something, provided only
they wished to-we proposed plan by which
all the children who desired to, could make
or raise something with their Own hands dur
ing the year, and toward the close of the year
we would have " Harvest FAIR" for the
sale of whatever should be brought, and de-
vote the proceeds 60 the Missionary cause,
The proposition "tOok" with the little
ones, and nearly all who could, entered upon
the enterprise with considerable enthusiasm,
but some of the older heads were not very
sanguine-"d doubted it's success, did not
think it would amount to much, &C., &c.
AT the proper time, corn and "pindars P"
were distributed out to the children in small
uantities-Missionary hens set apsrt-and
various little schemes set on foot for making
money for the Lords cause. o. last Fri
day (6th) we held the Harvest Fair" Due
notice had been given to have everything
ready at the church at the proper time-and
on repairing to the place ourselves at the
appointed hour, we found quite a happy
group assembled, with their various little
contributions and products of the years la
bors.
After an hour or two spent in devotional
and catechetieal exercises, and listening to
two short missionary addresses, one of them
by the Rev. James Wilson, once seventeen
years a missionary in India, the Sabbath
School adjourned to the school house near
by, when the sale began. Quite a respecta
bic crowd had now assembled.
Little bags of corn, fodder, pindars in con-
siderable quantities, both parched and raw j;
apples, aprons, bonnets, needle-wOrk, and
fancy work of various kinds, pincushiOns,
cake, etc., ETC., were produced one after an.
other and knocked off to the highest bidder.
The auction itself afforded great deal Of
mirth and merriment, as we were fortunate
enough to have capital auctioneer in the
person of one Of our deacOns.
Our Sabbath School was quite small to
begin with, and money exceedingly scarce,
so that we did not realize as much from the
fair as we otherwise would have done, still it
is quite success, considering all the circum-
stances, netting US about $27 as the proceeds,
which herewith send you.
A few articles sold we're contributed by
members of the church and friends of the
cause, who wished to encourage the enter
prise, but most of them were the results
of the childrens efforts themselves. After
the Fair, an elegant and sumptuOus basket
dinner was spread, to which all were invited.
The remainder of the day was then de-
voted to the young folks to enjoy themselves
as best they could.
The day was bright and beautiful, every
thing passed off most delightfully."-, and, as
far as we could learn, all were well pleased
while we ourselves felt thankful that our
little Sabbath School had been able to do
even that much for the blessed cause.
This experiment, the first thing of the
kind ever attempted in this country, demon
strated hoac easily, and in what numberless
ways, money may be made for the Lords
cause when there is the r0illing spirit.
May the Lord accept this Offering on the
part of his little workers, and impart to them
that blessing +" that maketh rich and sddeth
no sorrow with it. L, H. w.