Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-07-27
Rm;kes Centennial Celebration.

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
urpEkyILLE. Va July &c, lSS0.-WiII you
allow me space 10 the cyluups Of your excs.
lent pager to write stmethiug about the Robert
Raikes .nteotia cee bration OF Sabt a!h schools,
which camo fl 90 Saturday last, 10 the First
B'piist Chuich here. Tho Gay was bright end
5a M, and at N eslly hour very miny were
seen Winding th,it Way where lhes, exercises
were to be, ard a more hsppy, joycu, crowd
could cot be fouat, more particularly the echol-
ars Of tho Sabbath schools who wero repre-
s,nted ty 3 large number, as their bright and
smiling faces WI, sn dedication tf this fact.
The irynt seals Of the church were filled by
them. y ls the ioar portion was coupled by
their psr.ns an frierds. The raised portion
of tho ,ulpt had fac steel engraving of
Rob,rt R,ikes. iha original founder of Sabbath
schools, il 40 elegant frame, trimmed tsstetuy
With exquisite tl,wers, the work Of the ladies',
with handsome TOGO lets on either side. The
exercises OF the moruiog were announced by the
supe.i i ut Ct the school. MIR. George FL.
Ayrs, b. sek OF programme. beginning with
pic, It vocal music by the school. oiled DO
something for Jesus TO day." Al earn, s..
pr.ycr was tfcn tlFered by Professor Shute, of
Columbian College. WashiDptoa ci y. Tn,
school then sang another s,eo i'm.
Inc superintendent then sta CT az hc was
down 90 The programme for speech be would
cDd"avor t. say something Of iotelcst to the
chidfcn aui their friends, which he di ! 10 his
usual happy style, besides Vins warm aud
hearty Welcome to those present to this festive
0ccNlJp.
Several pretty SELECTIONS was next sung by
tho infant elias, led by w. Richardson, csQ ,
and Mrs. Like, lie pss:or' wits, tho beog lne
teacher OF the litll tn"s They aCq ii t i tht N.
selves very Dlc-ly.
An address was .heI made By the pastor Rev.
l. Is. Like. who gave "a interesting history of
theSabb'lh school as first started by its tnuuder,
rcpleIe with interest 10 all assembled. His talk
to The children was quite leasing. IL, had tho
undivided attention II all. Tho chor then s1pg
another seize iop.
The superintendent then Introduced Mr.. AZ.
V. Bro:ks, jr., Of Warrcutou, his lbema b,iog
MANS responsibility to his Maker" which
WAS we'll treated with impassiooed tlcqu,oc,
and clothed il tho NEST beautiful aod cbase
lau&u'ga. Tho gentleman named is pleasant
speaker, thereby rive ing the attention of The
audience. Ilil adv C, 10 Sabta.h school teach
ers. if faithfully o1rred on: and observed
will be productive of coed results aud bring
forth an abundant harvest. The choir then
s,ng selection called Bring in the Mthes,"
alter which followed The handing 10 by tho
scholars oil their mite boxes, tho copteots OF the
same to be devoted TO the missionary caus'.
The Superintendent ANNOUNCED that II those
having tho large $. amoult In thu N handsome
prescott would 10 awarded as pez s. The
names and amounts were then read as follows:
No. !, Miss Molia Dunbar, s. 81 No. .. Miss
Mando kerfIot, 50 -; No. 5, Miss Mamie
L,nd. So Of; tho total amount from tho whole
school beiog within fraction oil $50 Tho c
scholars il tic plaot class having over 81 10
Il cir mite b, ks, wcro also awarded present.
The sulieboo was then u ,st ni'y Invited 10
partako OF refreshments 10 the shape OF a mcst
elegant and substantial JlpDcr-he scholars OF
the schools to be served first. Six oog tables
had been spread 10 the yard CT the church, they
Indeed Rayipg under their weight, which had
hccn sv;s1ly provided ty the members and
friends of tho Sabbath school, tic SUI i ,ct mat.
TER of the sane. beicg ctosed with relish By
al Tho X rclses OF tho evening were resumed
at go o'cock, and bogan ty the schools sing
ing Follow Me" led by W. Richardson.
The inf-n: class then sang very nicely another
S4IcCilOn. 1loI. SuulC WaS lnen lnlrOCuCOH,
who is remarkably pleasant speaker. His re.
marks on tho first Organization Of Sabbath
Schools wero particularly Interesting, and the
chsnges that have been wrought since That time.
Tho number that are now enrolled in that
grand army are twelve millions Of scholars
aud one and half of teschors. Great praise i.
therefore due TO Robert Kaikes, who had made
his name 60 famous in Sabbath schools. This
address, being concluded, the choir then sang
simply Trusting" The exercises of the Day
wero then closed By singing Nearer. My Gcd
to Thee"
Some disappointment was occssioned that tho
Rev. Nj. Green. of The Methodist Church, was
not present who had been invited 10 deliver an
address. l mus. not odmt to state that the
tenor voices of Mrs. Hsioes, alto by Misses
kerfto. al Herrold and bass by W. Richard
con, o:q., were very fine indeed, and mad mes!
pleasing eil,c' These pIr IS compose part OF
The chcir in the church. The benodcton was
then pronopnced by Prof. Shute. altar which
the large assemblage separated for their homes,
having spent days enjoy ueat that will long
DO remembered with plea:u % by those who wore
fort uQas9 enough TO 10 present.
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