The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-01

ANNIVERSARY OF PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY
SCHOOL USIoN.-The anniversary Of the
Presbyterian Sunday. School Union was held
on Sunday afternoon in the Second church,
and this beautiful edifce was thronged with
the gathered hosts OF children, teachers.
and friends whose united voices filed
the place with sweetest melody as they
joined from time TO time in glad songs of
praise.
The services were conducted by the Pre-
sdent, j. ID. X. Sleight, Esq, and opened
with singing the hymn,
"wbat hast thou done for me?'
followed by prayer and reading the Scrip
lures by Rev. DR.. Preston.
Addresses Of unusual excellence were de-
livered by Rev. j. Z. Smith, OF Fredericks-
burg, and Rev. James Campbell, OF Canada !;
both Of them filed with plain, practical
truths, and with illustrations and facts so
tender and so iorcible as to hold the atten-
tion OF every bearer, and to make impress
sioDs for good upon the youngest heart.
Following these addresses, President
Sleight then presented the following annual
report, showing the condition OF the nine
schools connected with the Union and the
work accomplished during the past year
"Then Samuel took stone and set it up
between Migpeh and Shen, and called the
name OF it EbeneZer. saying, Hitherto hath
the Lord helped us"; and with this glad
song OF the prophet we once more gather at
our anniversary TO recount the mercieS OF a
covenant.keepiDg God. It has been with
many year OF patient labor, earnest teach
ing, and watching thereunto with prayer"
while some who have gone forth weeping,
bearing precious seed, have doubtless come
again to-day "reioicing, bringing their
sheaves with them."
In looking over the records OF the past
we find that the roll-strength and the aver
age attendance has largely increased, and
that the aggressive" feature of our work
is greatly encouraging. In the matter OF
| contributions also our schools show
pleasing liberality. Manchester school is
the "banner school" Of our Union both as
to average attendance and contributions,
the latter amounting to S1.33 per member
| The mission work in the First, Second,
Third, and colored schools has been vigor-
opsly prosecuted and very much blessed.
The number Of conversions reported is not
so large as usual; but we record with graft
tude the fact that even now there is tender
spirit OF inquiry among some OF the schools,
and that since the close OF our Sunday
school year april 30th) quite number OF
hopeful conversions have occurred.
There are some sad memories that gather
about us as we meet to-day, for we notice
| that here and there are vacant places. Some
| loved teachers and scholars whose voices a
year ago blended with ours in grateful
| hymus OF praise have "entered into rest"
aud Joined in that "new song" around the
throne. None perhaps will be more sadly
missed than our cherished brother William
+. Taylor, who had been jealous and ac-
tive lcoworker together with us from the
earliest days OF this Sunday-Scbool Union.
ReechoiDg, am sure, the sentiment OF this
entire congregation, desire to express our
| appreciation OF this dear brother, with bis
multiplied eXcellences OF character, snd to
bear testimony that during all these long
years OF service be ever manifested his ten
| der love and devotion to this cause as part
| OF the Masters work, and that while we
mourn over our great loss, we rejoice In the
goodness OF God in sparing to US 50 long
this faithful labOrer, and though we shall
| see his face no more, we are assured that
"our brother is not dead, but sleepelh."
The regular monthly meetings of the
Union have been held without omission
during the year, but the attendance upon
these services has not been as full as would
seem desirable. Steps will be taken, IL pos
sibe, to render these monthly gatherings
more attractive in the future.
Commenting these dear schools, with al
their precious interests, TO the God OF all
grace, and craving His abundant blessing
upon them during the coming year, viii
close this brief report with q CONDENSED
statistical table showing our work and con-
ditlOn during the past year