Smyrna times., 1877-07-25
No. l.
/. For the Smyrna Times
Sabbath School History.

"The first permanent Sunday School
Organization in the United States, of which
we have any authentic record, was The FIRST.
day or Sunday School Society. 1t was estab-
lished in Philadelphia, January IL, 1871.
Those who united in the enterprise were
of different denominations of Christians.
Among them were several members of the
Society of Friends, and the late Right Rec.
Bishop White, ot'he Protestant Episcopal Church
of the United States was its first president,
and held the Office till his decease. The
teachers were paid for their services"
"The New York Sunday School Union
was instituted February Goth, 1876"
"The Philadelphia Sunday and Adult
School Union was formed May Goth, 1917.
After useful career of seven years, it was
merged in the American Sunday School
Union on the 25th of May, 1924"
"REMINISCENCES.
1t seemed to be the custom in those days
for members of different denominations of
christians to unite whenever they wanted
to organize Sunday School. We followed
their example.
In 1919 a Sunday School was organized
in Wilmington, Del, at Asbury NJ. f.
Church, it being the only Methodist Church
in the borough.
In 1920 a Union Sunday School was or
ganized in the village of Smyrna, Del.
This was the work of oight young ladies,
and was taught by females only, for some
time. With this we are moro Immediately
concerned, having been present at its open.
ing ceremonies on tho 10th of September,
1920, and continued either as pupil
teacher or superintendent in its service
until it was disbanded in the Summer ot
1927. The good seed was sown, and il
sprang up with denominational proclivities
and bore fruit to the honor of tho Metho
dist, Protestant Episcopal and Presbyterian
| Schools.
To witness the institution on its present
basis, sustained by the influence of bishops
elders, deacons and talented laymen; tho
hours of instruction proclaimed by The
sexton in ringing the massive bells; thc
loud pcals of the organ, mellowed down By
the harmony of well trained voices, reach
ing high up in the scale, and then descend
ing low down, contrasts wonderfully will
the experience Of 81 years ago. The beau
tiful churches and chapels which adorn tn
streets upon which they stand, in whicl
the Sabbath Schools are taught, are no
only comfortable in every way, but taste
fully attractive to the eye. Our memor,
reverts to the little onestory frame hous
and school room which stood in a bleal
lot at the end of a narrow alley, where th
ladies met in Summer and Winter to in,
part religious instruction to the children
Neither carpet, cushioned seats, nor curtain
had added any thing to comfort. We ha,
} no library, nor leaflct lessons, such as ar
now used to facilitate the pupil in hi
scriptural researches. What had we the
to attract the children may be asked b
the modern school teacher? We reply W
had the Bible, the Catechsms of the di
ferent denominations, and the Sunda
School Hymn Book. The pupil was pal
for his recitations by blue and red card
bearing Scriptural texts. Their recitation
were wonderful The teachers were ell
: crossed with the thought of advancing tn
spiritual interests of the children, who's
solemn countenances and fearful eyes boz
witness to the success of the appeals mad
5 to them. S. P. MASON.