Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-06-07
Children's Day.

Inc BOARD OF education OF the Methodist
Episcopal church send out their circulars
of suggestion and explanation concerning
this anniversary occasion, from which we
make the following extracts for the inform
alton of all who may be interested in the
work in view. The idea of such an annual
observance, combining an especial effort
to interest and instruct tho children, and
to attend it with practical and tangible
result, is worthy of the most cordial On
dorsement and generous support:
ogIGIN AND DESIGN on CuILDREN's DAY
''During the year 1866 the Methodist
Episcopal church commemorated, by q
series OF public services and efforts. the In
PRODUCTION Of Methodism into America one
hundred years before, One of the objects
of its cooperative action during that CEN
tennial year was the raising OF a general
education fund. 1t was foreseen that the
future prosperity aud usefulness of the
church would depend largely upon tho
higher Christian education of its children
and youth. Hence it was desired to have
permanent fund.- the proceeds of which
could be used in aiding and encouraging
young persons of promise among us to
avail themselves of all the advantages of
our institutions of learning AS the design
specially pointed to the youth of our Sun
day schools, it was thought proper to give
the children and friends Of those schools
the privilege Of co operation. They were
accordingly invited to aid in establishing
branch of the educational fund to be
known as the Children's Fund So hearty
was the response that $5G,G74 were con.
tributed as the Children Centennial
Offering for Education"
1.-The combined fund, having been held
n few years for increase, reached in 1878
the sum of 100000. But as the proceeds
of that amount were not sufficient for the
design contemplated, it was resolved to
increase them by annual collections in all
the Sunday schools Of the church. Hence
a day was set apart-the second Sunday
in June-to be everywhere observed as
! Childrens day, and on which, wherever
practicable, a collection should be taken
in aid of the Sunday school fund of the
board of education. While the appoint
ment of Children's day primarily contem-
plated the cooperative action of the Sum-
day schools Of the church for objects in
which all connected with them would be
interested in tho years following, it was
also designed to make the day Intrinsic
ally interesting and profitable to all who
should take part in its exercises. In order
to that result, the exercises of the day
should be adapted TO please and interest
the young, and also specially to impress
upon children the great importance of high
aims in life, and of attaining those aims by
means of spiritual and mental culture.
While the exercises of Children's day
should be devotional as we'll as interest
ing, they should also be instructive.
1.-The day affords an impressive oppor-
tunity Of noting the rapid flight of time,
and of reminding children of the import
ance of at once devoting themselves to
God and bis highest service. In such a
connection they should be reminded of the
evils Of ignorance, and of the hope the
church cherishes that they will become
wise, both in reference to their best inter
ests in this world and that which is to
come. Never in the history of Christian.
ity was there more beautiful plan for the
promoting Of childhood to the highest and
noblest efforts, coupled with an opportu.
nifty of mutual and benefit.
Let it be borne in mind that Children's
day comes but once year, and that il
brings the only opportunity which our
children have for united action in their
own behalf They are appealed to many
times year in behalf Of other causes.
They are asked to help evangeliEe the
heather, to found Sunday schools, to buy
tracts. to build churches and to do MANY
other good things, but in this one case
only they are allowed by church authority
TO cooperate for their own advantage.
even In view of such results. The Child.
ren's day effort Is the one means appoint.
cd for the increase of the Chldren's fund.
"That fund Is held sacred for the aid ol
those who have been Sunday school sohol
ars when they need help In striving to
obtain an advanced Christian education
1t is not expected that all Sunday school
scholars will need to avail themselves ol
the aid provided. but it Is not easy to tell
who may not. Human circumstances are
very liable 10 change, aud many who arc
now able to give may ere long need to
receive, as large numbers of worthy you'll
among US now do.
What Is more. the very fact that pro.
vision 10 made to encourage the poorest
end most unfortunate of our grown ur
Sunday school scholars in whom desire
tor knowledge is aroused. Is Of itself an
appeal to others not to be outstripped il
the pursuit of knowledge. Thus the
Children's day celebration and collection