Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-17

obscure, and We venture that many Sab
bath-school scholar knows nothing of him.
But good men in this country and Europe
have in the observance of "The Robert
Raikes Centenary" forcibly reminded the
millions of Raikes' benefciares of his
work and their obligations. Bellefonte,
however, did not afford her boys and girls
any opportunity of paying tribute TO the
dead Sunday y-school founder, and the an
niversary of his birth passed unobserved.
On Sunday, though, our good Methodist
brethren, partly supplemented this ne
glect by setting apart Chldren's Day.
Going to the morning service, we found
the church prettily decorated. Ivy green
horseshoes, crosses, hearts and wreaths
gracefully hung, one between every two
windows on whose sills stood baskets of
flowers all breathing sweet perfume over
the sacred room. Handsomely festooned
with dark green was the gallery front. In
front of, and gracefully resting against the
pulpit, was a harp of laurel and leaves,
supported on either side by large and
handsome bouquets.
The sharp bell having rung its second
ringing, sweeter, holier harmony stole
over the hearts of the audience in the rich
tones of "He shall feed his flock" rendered
by full choir with Miss Clara Lyon pre-
siding at the organ. The usual morning
service followed, Mr.. Donahue preaching
good truths from the text "Train up child
in the way he should go, etc" In the
afternoon the exercises were quite varied
and interesting and additions had been
made to the floral work. To the right Of
the chance stood white wooden cross
sparsely trimmed with green and at inter-
walls perforated while white and green
pyramid swung in pretty symmetry from
the centre Of the pulpit-arch. A heavy
storm came at two and denied the little
ones large audience but goodly number
enjoyed it all.
Mr.. Gray, the quiet, modest superintend-
ent led the service with ease. Very beau
;iful was the ceremony after the opening
hymn, as in answer to Mr.. Gray : call one
happy child after another walked TO the
chancel with bouquet in hand and there re-
cited each a scriptural verse painting in
sorne way to the Redeemer, after which each
bouquet was set in a hole of the cross until
the whole stood beautiful floral cross sur
mounted by pretty crown setting forth
| the Nictor's reward. 4 responsive read
ing followed, now by pastor and school,
now by superintendent and scholars, the
one from the Scriptures, the other the
poet flower thoughts. This was indeed
entertaining.
Speeches were next, Mr.. Love leading
and good words he said. That day he
truly pronounced a Anew Departure" in
the history of Bellefonte Sabbath-schools.
Mr.. David Lieb gave appropriately a short
sketch Of Robert Raikes, when the pastor
taking the cross as his basis made some
! good remarks. Singing, good and fitting,
ran all through these exercises helping 10
relieve any fatigue. After a collection
during whose taking Miss Lyon played,
the meeting closed. The evening session
was n Sabbath school conference the details
Of which we cannot give.
so closed the Childrens Day. AS we
sat enjoying the Joy Of the children the
query would come, "Why are such occa-
sions so rare in Bellefonte7" Surely the
thus identifying of the young with the
church is the pastors main work, and he
that establisheth not the little ones. will
find it harder TO bring them into the fold
later. Let Lutherans, Baptists, Reformed,
Epscopslians and Presbyterisns all take
the Methodist suggestion and all have a
children's service and Children's Day.
| L.. -. I'd h.. Al T.