The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-12

The AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION
A vast throng filed the Grace-Street Pres
bvterian church last night in the interests
of this great and beneficent organization.
The platform was occupied by Rev. DrS.
John Hall, of New York, NJ. ID. EOge. and
Charles II. Read, while in the audience
were to be seen the pastors OF nearly all the
churches in the city, and large represents
tiOns from every denomination. The SER
vices were opened with the " Long-Metre
DoxolOgy," sung by the entire congrega-
tion standing, followed by the Lords
Prayer, led by DIR. Hoge.
Afier singing the hymn L" Praise to Thee,
Thou Great Creator" ,"Rev. John McCullagh,
OF Kentucky, veteran and successfulwork-
er i'm the Sunday-school cause, was intro
duced, who in bright and happy manner
dwelt upon the magnitude and the results
Of the work as prosecuted by the American
Sunday-School Union throughout the whole
land. He also announced himself as an
accredited agent of the Union to receive
contributions. all of which are to be eX-
pended within the bounds of this Common
wealth.
Rev. John Hall, ID. d., was the next
speaker. who on taking the floor expressed
his great qualification in being permitted
TO address so large an audience in the old
historic city OF Richmond. I'm pleasing
and impressive manner this distinguished
divine held the undivided and rapt atten-
ton Of the audience for more than an hour.
He exalted the work of the Sunday school,
but deprecated the idea that il was ever to
take the place of the Church, OF that chill
dren who attended the schools were eX
cusable for nOn-attendance upon the SER
vices Of the Church. lie also urged that
the deliverances from the pulpits should be
so simplified as TO interest the young. He
commended most heartily the work ofthe In
ternatiOnal Committee on the Sunday-SchoOl
Lessons, and affirmed that its plans had been
the means Of bringing into notice and study
the books OF the Old Testament, rs never
before known.
He next detailed the vast and far-reach-
ing efforts Of the Union 10 found new
schools i'm destitute fields and to foster and
uphold the weak and feeble ones. This
society does not organize churches, but
goes into the dark and waste places, where
its work is inaugurated, drawing to 1t all
planting Union schools,
and scattering the good seed, until by ana
BY, as natural sequence, churches are
The speaker then dwelt upon the results
of the work Of this organization, ana gave
many striking and interesting facts from
his own personal experience in the far-oii
fields Of the West showing the needs OF
the people and the ayidity with which the
Gospel is received.
During the fifty-seven years OF the eX-
istence Of this Society il has organized
10000 Sunday schools, has gathered in
100000 children and youths, has aided
100000 other feeble schools, and has eX-
pended S2,6O0,000 in prosecuting Its mis-
sionary work.
At the close Of this address Rev. DR..
Hoge declined occupying the attention of
the audience, owing TO the lateness OF the
hour.
DIR. Hall then offered prayer; and with |
singing and the benediction by Rev. DR..
Iioge, this memorable and interesting |
meeting closed.