The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-24
FIFTY YEARS SERVICE
OF the First UniversaIist Sunday School.

l
both morning and evening. The church was
appropriately decor ated for the occasion and
presented an appearance in wide contrast to
the out door appearance Instead of lowering
skies and muddy streets there were sweet
voiced canaries, fragrant flowers and handsome
children beautifully atsired. Over the pulpit
arch was "First Unversalist Sunday School,
the letters being in evergreen. Over the tablet
to the right was the passage "Blessed are the
Pure in Heart" and over the tablet to the left,
"Of Such is the Kingdom of God" On the
wall in the rear of the pulpit recess were the
| hg0res 1898 and 1873 with a cross in the
center formed of evergreen sprinked with
oxeye daisies. The figures 1925 were in old
style while 1878 was more modern, giving a
very apt illustration oil the change which fifty
years has wrought even ia the style of making
the numerals. The pulpit was entwned with
wreaths of beautiful flowers. while two
bouquets adorned the top. Ga tina front of the
| pulpit platform were memorial baskets to j.
Il. Daley, G. Fred Trefethen an officer, and
Charles Barber who have died while members
of the school, There were also large vases of
| peonies and pinks. To the right aud left of
the platform were large baskets of ferns while
hanging baskets of choice exotics hung from
above. Large roses of cut flowers and three
beautiful wreaths adorned the front of the
organ loft. The decorating was done 10 good
| taste by committee appointe for that pur-
pose composed of G. 81. Kimball, j. Yeaton,
Jr., Frank Woodman, Mrs. John Williamson,
| Miss j. Rounds and Miss Lizzie Roberts.
The morning service opened with an organ
nv Mr. Ira hrd
scripture reading AMI prayer by the pastor,
Rev. w. E. Gibbs and singing by the school
the christening service occurred. The
ordinance was then administered to six chill
dren by the pastor.
Rev. Mr.. Gibbs made few Introductory re-
marks as to the event being observed and
introduced Mr. Chas. S. Fobes to give history
of the school the past fifty years.
THE HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Mr. Fobes said as the day was devoted to the
children he should endeavor as far as possible
to make the history interesting to them and
disregard the presence of older persons. 1t is
only justice to Mr.. Fobes to say that he made
the history of interest to all, both old and
young, and considering its brevity, it was re-
markedly full of information and interesting
10th of May, 1925, Rev. Mr.. Bisbee, who had
accepted the pastorate of the church with the
express understanding that there should be a
Sunday schoo' established, invited several
young men to meet at his house and organize a
school. The school was organized and held
afternoon sessions. The clerk of that meeting
and of the first Universalist Sunday school in
Maine was Mr.. c. j. Barbour, who is still a
resident of Portland, and he and Mr. S. 81.
Colesworthy alone remain as the first teachers
of this school. Mr. Bisbee was the first super:
intendent, aud it is estimated that the number
of scholars was 100. In the year following the
school met with great loss in the death of
Mr. Bisbee. Mr.. James c. Churchill better
known as "Father Churchill" was the next
superintendent, and he continued to oficiate
until Rev. MIR. Reese was settled as pastor,
when, he assumed charge of the school. He
introduced the first lesson book. Mr. Reese
left the society in 1880, and with his departure
there was loss of interest in the school and
for nearly three years there were no sessions
held 1t was then customary to have no ses.
slons In the winter, and in the latter part of
1884 the school was dismissed and long vaca-
ton followed, for the school was not reOpenel
until June 10, 1864 few days more than 40
years ago, when about 100 children attended.
In 1888 the first exhibition of the school was
held. From the beginning up to 1889 the pas
tors were the superintendents except the few
months that Mr.. Churchill officiated In this
year change was made and Mr.. S. FL. Coles
worthy was elected superintendent and contin-
ued in that office eight years. The school had
their first picnic to Dote's woods at Stroud water
just sc years ago. The school was taken to the |
place in canal boats which left the foot of
Bracket street, where is now Commercial
street. In 1847 Mr. Colesworthy resigned and |
Mr.. Hussey was chosen his successor In 1S49 |
as MIR. Hussey was about to leave the state Mr.. |
Butterfield was elected Superintenden place |
he filled for five years. In 1856 Mr.. Alfred
Woodman succeeded Mr.. But ierfed The |
school Nath OH
succeeded Mr.. WOodman after two years. In |
1860 Mr.. Webb resigned and Mr.. Woodman
was reelected. In 1861 Mr.. Butler took charge |
of the society and the Sabbath School as we'll.
After three years Mr.. Woodman was again
pressed into service for one year. At the close
OF 1866 the old house was left and the present
vestry occupied. The school had now increas-
ed to 1877 pupils. In one year the numbe in
lntendent this year, and the following year Mr..
George Trefethen was chosen. When he re-
signed the school numbered $50. He was sue
ceeded by Mr.. j. Ell. Crockett ia May, 1857
Mr. Crockett labored five years, the school in
creasing each year. In 1870 the school raised
$500 with membership OF BOO MIR. Trefet-
hen was reelected to succeed Mr.. Crockett and
at the close of one year Mr.. E. Nash the pres
ent efficient Superintendent, was chosen. There
are now 462 connected with the school aud the
receipts last year We're $46l.
At the close of the address Mr.. Gibbs stated
dents of the school and five Of them were pres
ent. He called upon Mr.. S. Ell. Coeswortby
as one OF the first teachers and ouperinten.
dent of the school. Mr.. Coleswor:hy gave
very interesting account of his connection with
the school, and read list of scholars who he
had in his class. Many of the ma mes were
recognized as well-kuown business men here
today.
Rev. Samuel Butterfeld, formerly Super
lntendent and since clergyman, spoke of mi
versalism 10 this city aud state fifty years ago
Mr.. p e. Tarner, the Assistant Saperinten-
dent, read very pleasant letter from Rev. E.
G. Bolles, regretting his absence.
Remarks were made by Messrs j. e. Crock
cit and George Trefetneo, the latter remark.
ing that he would reserve his bsst address for
the centennial of the school.
EVENING SERVICE.
In the evening there was a concert given by
the children. After singing by the school the
Superintendent, Mr.. f Nash, read his report
from which we CLEAN the following Interesting
figures: There are 420 scholars, 36 teachers
and 6 officers making total Of 462 connected
with the school. The average number regis
tered was 1862. the average number present 217
the average attendance being 60 per cent. The
largest attendance was ZIG, the smallest 81.
There was on hand at the beginning of the year
$2.5 The school has contributed $293.26, re.
ceived from entertainments $16623, ma king
total of $461.93. The sum of $453 has been
paid out for various objects, leaving So SO in
the treasury, The school has lost Walter E.
Gould and Addie L. Dodge from its scholars
and G. Fred Trefethen from the officers the
past year.
The remainder of the concert was as follows:
Introductory Address ........... George L. Knight
| Singing.
wv WV aver EVd CuStlS
| For Ger the Stars is Rest.
| NOW haPpy J. be- .,...,............S Sadie Davis
measuring Daoy .,...., ........."..,A1ce Kilgore
l
| Trio.
Inc singers ........,.."..,.. Mary Mackn
nrI oaupa.h .Aurella J0St
Welcome Beyond. Carrie Kilborn
100 deep or too muddy. ...".....,,,,C. T., Walker
Song
i Curfew shall not ling o-night ........P T. Turner
Anna . Tho Cnl,o 1T