Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-31
Robert Rafkes' Anniversary.

Exercises in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the modern Sunday school by Robert Raikes were held in several of the churches yesterday. At the St John street M church exercises were held throughout the day. Two beautiful harps of flowers and evergreens, arranged by the la dies of the church, adorned either side of the pulpit A fine engraving of Robert Raikes was also to be seen, procured for the occa- sion. It will be placed in the Sunday school room permanently. The church bell was rung at o'clock Sabbath morning in honor of Robert Raikes. The usual morning ser vice at 10:30 was devoted to the memory of Raikes and the Sunday school work A large part of the scholars of the school, despite drowning weather, were present, giving an unusual interest to the morning service The choir was in full force and gave some extra vocal music. A considerable part of the days service was praise service, and another con- siderable part was responsive recitations be- tween the pastor, Rev Mir Barnhart, and the schools, and at times the entire congregation. @rhe choir sang with spirit, and the exercises were of great general interest. The pastor alSO OeHVGT6u u edQOI0SS, III Nl1Ch DO referred to the life and services of Robert Raikes, and spoke of the light which history shed upon Sunday school work or work of that nature in the early ages of the Church. He spoke of the mighty agency of the Sunday school in forming and instructing youthful minds, and it's value as an aid to the rearing of the young fin the fear and admonition of the Lord"
 Immediately after the close of this general public service came the Sunday school ser- vice, as usual. This was special service also of an anniversary character. Previous to proceeding with the ordinary exercises of the day there was service consisting mainly of song and praise. The service was held in the main place of worship instead of the Sunday school room, and although it had been raining just previous to the hour of opening, there was large attendance.
 The evening services at the church were numerously attended for rainy evening, as 1t turned out. There was quite gathering of the children under the charge of the super intendent of the school, MT Camp. The exercises were largely in the character of a praise service, with responsive services be- tween the choir and the audience. The male choir of the church assisted with excellent effect. Prof Jepson was in charge of the musical exercises throughout the day with his accustomed skill and success. The pastor, MT Barnhart, gave very interest ing and able sketch in detail of the life and services of Robert Raikes with special ref erence to the crowning glory of his life, the founding of the modern Sunday school They were equally interesting to both the adult and the young members of the congre- gation. He wildly portrayed some of the leading vital points in the life of this Sunday school chieftain, and paid a beautiful tribute to the weaker sex in his narration of the fact that woman suggested to Mir. Raikes the idea of giving instruction to 8 lot of poor children in the town, which suggestion MT Raikes, in the ardor of his heart for the spiritual welware of the children, immediate .ly seized upon and put into practical opera tion. The speaker feeingly referred to the memorial stone which marked the last resting place of Mr. a simple brief inscription recording the fact that here lay Robert Raikes, the founder of the Sunday school The exercises through out the day were of much interest and made a notable memorial occasion. Under the head of Decorative Service Gin honor of Deco choir gave the 'fRoll Call on High" very im- pressively.
 The choir maintained their well known reputation for fine singing, Misses Caldwell and Chambers taking the solo parts. One of the finest features of the occasion was the re- sponsive singing by the choir and Sabbath school Miss Kitty Mason accompanied the school on cabinet organ and the effect was charming. The Rev Noble spoke at the afternoon or Sunday school service in his usual attractive and magnetic manner.
 At the West Chapel Street M. E. Church.
 The centennial exercises at the West Chapel street M E church were held last evening and were in charge of W c Goodwin, super intendent of the Sunday school. The Choral orchestra, with Frank Potter as leader of the singing, was in attendance and added much to the interest of the occasion. The pulpit was handsomely decorated with beautiful spring flowers, and bouquets were placed at intervals within the altar rail. Notwith- standing the rain the church was filled, and all present appeared to take deep interest in the proceedings.
 The services commenced with vesper ser vice. in which there were Scripture readings and responses, interspersed with occasional singing by the congregation, MT Potter lead ing and the orchestra accompanying After the responses and singing prayer was offered by Rev Mir Eggleston, pastor of the church. Then followed other re- SpOuS6S dnQ duQlIlOndI OH the COnClu- sion of which Professor Cyrus Northrop was introduced. In his opening remarks the speaker said he was sorry to say that he knew but little of Robert Raikes. He knew, how ever, that he was a good man, and it matters but little who he was or when he lived. He was an intelligent man, and in the little city in England where he lived, which was not one-third as large as New Haven, he saw rag ged children going about the streets on Sun day, growing up in ignorance and vice. There had been Sunday schools before the time of Robert Raikes, but they were within the church. He took those from the street who had no knowledge of the word of life, and taught them the most simple clements of Gods word. From this act of Robert Raikes' Sunday schools spread out over England America, and finally the whole world and now more than six million of scholars are gathered in the Sunday schools. ssI believe, said the speaker, in Sunday schools as the great recruiting service for the church and for the Lord Jesus Christ. I think the Sun- day schools should not only be continued the nurseries of the church as they are, but they should be made to increase in interest. The best teachers to be found should be selected and those whose hearts are in the work. Good and grand as be- Heve the Sunday school to be, I do not be- ieve in making it substitute for the church, as 1t IS made in many cases. There should be no voice of sympathy that should reach the heart so quickly as that of the pastor. The speaker urged the necessity of children being taught to attend church and not be allowed to let the Sunday school supplant church services. In closing the professor urged the point that the six million children being instructed in the truths of the Bible would be able to hold the fort'' of Christianity against the advance of infdeli- ty and Antichrist.
 Rev MT Eggleston, pastor of the church, followed Professor Northrop in brief but spirited address. His remarks related to the educational interest connected with Bible teaching, which he thought was important and should not be lost sight of. The world was the school house and God had put the Bible into it, which we were compelled to study, and the book was for the general enlightenment of the people. He stated that 75, ,OO0 children had been gathered into the Methodist church during the past year from the Sunday schools He urged the older members of the church to connect themselves with the Sunday schools for their own benefit
 The interesting exercises closed with sing ing ''All hail the power of Jesus name'' and the benedietion by the pastor.
 The Operatives Savings Bank. :