Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-08
And LET that PARK inyiolate refuge be
Sunday school Centennial.


INTERESTING COMMEMORATIVE SERvICES-ORIGIN
AND HISTORY OF SABBATH SCHOOLS.
On Sunday, May 3Oth, the Sunday schools
OF the country VIII generally hold centennial
services in commemoration OF the memory OF
Robert Raikes. who is looked upon as the origi-
nator OF Sunday schools which have proved
such powerful auxiliary OF the churches.
THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Although RaikeS Is looked On as the 0rfgna-
tor OF these schools, the fact Is that Carlo Borro-
meO In Milan, about 1870, established school
In the cathedral on Sundays, for the instruction
OF poor children by the priests in the art Of
reading and in the doctrines OF the Roman
Catholic church. BOrrOmeo was nephew Of
Plus ". and died In 1884, and In 1910 he was
sainted. His school exists TO this day, and is
partly religious and partly secular, but, unlike
the school established by RaikeS, 1t was not
germinal- 1t is known that Luther, In 1921 Or
gained schools on the Sabbath for the instruc-
ton OF children and youth who could not attend
day schools; that in the seventeenth century
on SabbathS in a few English parish churches
that Sunday schools existed in Paris, Rome
Vienna, and other European cities, and that In
America several Sunday schools existed years
before those established by Raikes. But all such
schools were temporary and local. The schools
established by Raikes seem to be entitled TO the
honor OF being the foundation OF the present
system OF Sunday schools.
SKETCH OF THE FOUNDER OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM
OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
o very ntie Is known OF The personal history OF
He was born In Gloucester, England, September
IA, 1886, his father being the publisher of the
S a Jo,n1.M. He i. was In the prime OF
the services OF his church (the EpiScopaD, In the
habit OF attending early prayers at his church
daily, and was distinguished for his benevolent
support OF every scheme which tended to amel-
iorate or advance the interests OF society. In
1io0, visiting the neighborhood Of pin
factory, he was shocked by the filth and
depravity OF the children he saw In the
streets, and speaking to lady she told him
that when the factory was closed the streets
swarmed with little watches, whose speech
and actions suggested the idea OF hell rather
than any other place" Her remarks moved
RaikeS greatly, and, after some thought, he sud-
denly determined TO hire four women accuS-
toned TO teach day schools, for the purpose of
teaching as many children as ne could persuade
TO come together to read and learn the cate
chfsm. He paid these women one shilling per
sabbath. AT first but few children would attend.
Yet these few attracted more. After time,
their numbers increased rapidly. Their improve
ment, in mind. morals and manners, was soon
manifest, not only to the people In their neigh
which other schools We're started or similar char
acter and with like results. Nevertheless, these
schools, like those mentioned above would have
probably led TO nothing general1 II Robert Ratkes
had not thought OF calling public attention to
them In the columns of bis own Journal. This
he did In November, 1Is3 A single modest par
papers copied the article. 1t impressed
many of the best minds in England.
Letters OF inquiry poured In on Mr.. RaikeS,
and one OF his replies was published In
the Gestenedn's Magazine for 1884 This spread
the idea over the country. In 1875 William
Fox, London merchant, and his friends Or
gained society In London for the - establish
ment and support OF sunday schools through
out the kingdom OF Great Britain" RalkeS.
though Invited. was not able TO attend this
meeting. but was subsequently elected an hon.
orary member OF the society and did much TO
promote its interests by correspondence with
philanthrOpistS and divineS. During nearly
thirty years ne reloieed over the increasingly
Then, after two years or declining health, he died
In Gloucester, and was buried In the crypt OF the
ancient church OF St Mary, where the visitor
may read, under the name OF his parents, this
Inscription: 90 Also OF Robert, their eldest son,
by whom Sabbath-SchoolS were first instituted
In this place, and were also by his successful
exertion and asSidu1ty recommended TO others.
He died on the NTH day OF April, in the year OF
salvation 1911; OF his age Is"
THE CENTENNIAL SERVICES IN THIS COUNTRY
AND IN ENGLAND.
In London the event will be commemorated
by series OF meetings, commencing with the
reception OF foreign delegates on Saturday, the
Goth; meeting OF the international convention;
gatherings OF teachers and scholars, concerts,
concluding meetings at Gloucester, and meet
fngS In the provinces
The general order OF exercises which will be
observed In this country (and we may remark
that In the District OF Columbia the day Will be
observed by nearly all the schools, especially by
those OF the evangelical denOm1natlons) Is as
fOllOWS: Rid g1ng OF tne church Dell at O'Clock
a. NJ, In honor of Robert RaikeS; teachers and
officers service OF prayer and praise at 9:l5;
public service at 1oI o'clock; centennial Sun
day school celebration at 2:30 p. ~; ve5per SER
vice at $50; public service O'Clock. For the
services at 10Y O'Clock interesting programs
have been prepared, embracing recitation OF the
Apostles Greed, 1nterspersed with hymns
sung responsibility; sermon appropriate to the
day. closing with the coronation, hymn and
recitation OF appropriate sentiments from the
Scripture. The centennial celebration. at %
O'Clock, opens with responsive readings by the
pastor and schools followed by the Gloria Patria;
prayer by the pastor; a song service;
the creed; responsive readings by the
superintendent and school on the Book OF
Books, tnterSpersed with hymns; responsive
reading, - The Child" by officers OF the school,
pastor and adult classes: sunday school war
cry; recitation, True Wisdom" By five voices:
address on Robert RaikeS, by the pastor or other
person; hymn, Glory TO God In the Highest"
fnterlude; - Decoration Day" with responsive
readings. IN which wreaths OF flowers are laid on
the pulpltS, interSpersed with appropriate
hymns; responsive service, 1.-THE Lord OF the
Land, followed ~ the centennial song .Open
Your Gates Sc; recitation, ''Our Sunday
school Cnion,' by Lee voices; and closing ser
vice AFTER the collection, IN which is responsive
reading by pastor, superintendent and congre-
CATION, singing by the choir, school and congre-
CATION. The evening service will commence
with yeSpers; and conclude with Night Song
and the general excellence OF the program is
fully up TO the other exercises.
ROCK Creek Region for a National