The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-15

MONTHLY MEETING OF THE METHODIST
SUNDAY-SCHooL S0CIETY.-The regular
monthly meeting of this Society was held
ut Park Place Methodist church Sunday at
1ernoon at o'cock-A. L. West president
in the chair; e. p. Rady and j. L. Sims
secretaries.
The meeting was opened with singing by
the scholars OF Park-Place school, led by
Mr.. Michaels, and prayer by Rev. Dr.
Finley.
Mr.. j. Thompson Brown, superintendent
OF Park-Plaee Sunday school, made YER
bal report OF the condition OF the school.
He explained the method OF teaching adopt
ed in this school. with which great good is
being done in the dissemination Of gospel
truth. There is a large infant class con.
nected with the school, which is in good
condition. The teachers and officers OF the
school, assisted by the pastor, are hard at
work and doing well. The school has been
much encouraged by the evidences OF Di-
vine blessing, shown in the conversion OF
many OF the scholars. They have an ele-
CANT library OF about 700 new volumes, do
mated by Mr.. James e. Pace, who is warm
friend Of the school.
Mr. IL. D. WaIford, of Trinity church,
addressed the meeting-subiect, "The Sum
-day-School Work." He considered it the
privilege as we'll as the duty Of Sunday
school workers to. reflect the truth as it is
In Jesus, SO that its influence may be felt in
the hearts OF the children. BE gave several
striking illustrations OF the power OF perse-
yerins kindness in teaching andin reclaim.
ing the wanderers.
Rev. DR.. Finley, of Monumental church,
Portsmouth, also addressed the meeting
subject, &c How to Make the Sunday School
Success He urged the teachers TO strive
to reach the hearts of the children and Sc
cure their salvation by the ali-powerful
spirit Of love. Make the Sunday school the
most attractive place on earth; let them feel
that it is little heaven on earth. Teach
them to sing the praise OF God, but avoid
light and frivolous music. Let 1t be the
right kind, and properly timed, not crowd
ing out the more important work Of teach
ing. Let high and noble motives be placed
before the children to induce them to at.
tend, and then let everything be done to
bring about the conversion OF the children,
which is the paramount object OF Sunday
school work.
Rev. A. G. Brown, OF Clay-Street church,
read communication from Mr.. William
Allen, an cid and bighly-esteemed resident
OF this city, prepared at the request OF the
Society, containing bis recollecti0ns OF the
first Sunday school organized in this city.
The first Sunday school held 10 this city, or
in the State OF Virginia, except that held
by Bishop Asbury in Hanover in 1892, was
organized in the year 1917 by Rev.. Henry
Hardy, pastor OF the Methodist church then
located on the corner OF Nineteenth and
Franklin streets. The first officers and
teachers were John Ormand, Richard Whit
field, Philip Courtney, William Allison,
James DuVal, James Parkinson, George
Ferguson, Rueben Freeman, John Gentry,
William Street, Mrs. Clara Diddep, Miss
Mary BoWles, Mrs. James Duval, Mrs.
James Coulling, and others. The school
soon increased in numbers. and had to be
transferred to the county courthouse,
thence twas moved to Mir. John Wickham's
residence, on Cary near Seventeenth street,
aud thence to the residence OF DR.. John
Dove, corner Main and Twentieth streets,
where it remained until Trinity church was
built, on Franklin street near the Exchange
Hotel. In 1918 Rey. John Allen and Mr..
D'Arcy Paul, came from England, settled
in this city, and Joined the Methodist
church. Mr.. John Allen was soon appoint
ed superintendent OF the school. lie ap-
pointed Mr. William Allen Rtbe writer Of
this history secretary, which position he
held until 1922, when he was elected super
intendent, which, position he held for many
years. During the term OF Mr.. John Allen
the several denominations OF this,eity had
organized Sunday schools, and through his
influence Snnday-School Union was
Horned, which continued for many years.
ST On motion OF Mr.. Asa Snyder, thethsnks
OF the Society were rendered to Mr. Will
liam Allen for the valuable communieatson
furnished by him.
The following is summary OF the super