Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-08

Interesting Exercises at the I"de-
pendent Presbyterian Church-A
Beautiful Sight.

dav school of the Independent Presbyterian
Church took place last evening at the
church. The spacious edifce was filed to
its capacity, there being, it is estimated,
over two thousand persons present.
At eight O'Clock the organ pealed forth
the opening notes of the professional hymn,
and the children of the school, accompanied
by their teachers, entered the church, and
proceeding up the main aisle occupied the
seats in front on either side reserved for
them. The hymn "Allelulia, thanks and
glory, high adoring praise we bring" was
then sung.
Rev. Dr. s. K. Axou, senior pastor Of
the church, then extended the welcome In
appropriate remarks. He stated that the
decorations and designs which character
ICED the anniversary gathering were not
gotten up merely to entertain and to excite
admiration by their elaOorateness and
artistic arrangements, but had deeper
significance. Every design meant some
thing, and its object was to i'm
part an interesting and instructive
lesson. The subject for this evening
was suggestive and told sweet and inter
esting story Of God and Gods goodness.
He closed his remarks by extending hearty
welcome to the children, and assuring them
that the pastors and teachers were deeply
interested in all that concerns them. He
read few verses from the psalms and then
offered up fervent PRAYER.
The anniversary anthem, "Ofer Unto
God Thanksgiving, was sung In excellent
style.
Four of the girl scholars here approached
the chancel, bearing magnificent floral
wreaths. and Superintendent Baker turning
TO Rev. DR.. Arson and Rev. Mr.. Kerr, adj
dres. ed them, stating that they were the
offerings of the Sunday schools to their
beloved pastors. Dr.. Arson, in accepting
'hese beautiful tokens, expressed the deep
appreciation and thanks OF himself and
Junior at this evidence of the sffectionate
remembrance Of the school children. Ac-
companylng these floral tokens were the
offerings of the school for the year. amount
III to $500.
Mr.. Baker read his report for the year as
follows:
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
It would be Inappropriate to interrupt the
interesting exercises of this anniversary oc-
cssiOn by entering into the details Of school
work, or by the discussion of any question
bearing upon the general cause in which we
are engaged. The Importance of the Sun
n
in the evangeliZation of the world, and its
great usefulness in promoting the spiritual
interests of any particular church or9aniza-
ZION, are now recognized facts.
The objects of our anniversaries are to
stimulate the zeal OF the teachers, to In
crease the attachment of the pupils for their
school, and tolarouse in the hearts and minds
OF parents and church members a deeper
interest in an institution which exerts so i'm
pOrtant an influence In shaping the charac-
tiers of our children. 1t would seem
TO be quite unnecessary to use any
extraordinary means and appliances for the
accomplishment of this last end. But. IN
fortunately, such is not the case. There is
reason to fear that there exists in the
minds Of our people great apathy in regard
to the church Sunday school. 1t is not
enough to send the children to the school
on Sunday, but the additional and equally
Important duty rests of assisting in the pre-
pOTatiOn of the lesson.
The various schemes devised by the
teachers to cultivate in their pupils habit
and spirit of liberality should meet with
active sympathy and encouragement from
the congregation. The presence of parents
aud friends at the occasional festival, and
their hearty cooperation in everything that
contributes to innocent enjoyment, are not
only privileges, but should be deemed g
duty. The furnishing Of papers, text books,
religious literature and the requisite appur-
tenances Of the school without any draft on
the children's money, intended only for be-
niicent purposes, is properly the province
of the church. Occasional, If not frequent
visitation of the school to evidence interest
in the spiritual improvement of the pupils
would seem to be the result of natural affec-
ton. To these things the teachers claim
they have a right. These things they do
not always receive.
There has been earnest and faithful work
done in the school during the v-4r, and the
Good Shepherd has given tb,- seal of his
approval by constraining no il considerable
a number publicly to confirm the vows
assumed for them in their infancy.
Our number has averaged about three
hundred for the year. We record with
gratitude the fact that no teacher nor
scholar has died since our last anniversary.
With trustful hearts we leave the consciously
imperfect labors of the past year with Him
in whose name and for whose sake they
were undertaken, and with renewed hope
and confidence we enter upon another year,
RELYING upon and holding fast to those "ex-
ceeding great and precious promises" which
It is the design of this evenings service to
illustrate.
The subject was "The Promises" and the
design illustrating them was on truly mag
ni6cept and elaborate scale. In front of
the large pulpit an immense arch, repre-
senting 8 rainbow. spanned the chancel,
one corner the word "Alpha," on the other
"Omega," and bearing the inscription, "All
the 2. omises of God" In the centre. from 8
block covered with white, bearing the word
formulation" was large column, the top
of which was surmounted with alovely floral
cross. On the frame which formed the back
ground numerous wreaths and emblems
were placed during the exercises, and the
words in floral letters, "Jesus Christ" were
suspended in front at the top. At the base
we're a large cross and crown, harp,
anchor and other emblems, con-
s,ructed of the choicest flowers
and very beautifully and artistically
arranged. 1t would be difficult to give any
satisfactory description of this design,
which was remarkably beautiful and elabo-
rate. It was appreciated and admired
greatly by the hundreds gathered within
the church building. The announcement Of
the promises we're given as follows:
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega.
All the promises of God, in Him are yea,
and in Him. amen.
Superintendent-I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending, saith the
Lord. which is, and which was, and which
is to come-The Almighty.
School-In the beginning was the Word /,
and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
Then was chanted by the school;
GLORIA
GLORY be to the Father and to the Son
Ard to the Holy Ghost.
as it was in the beginning, is now. and ever
shall be
World without end. Amen-AmeR.
suBerintendent-God hath according to
His promise raised unto Israel Saviour,
Jesus.
School-That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to
the glory of God the Father.
Notwithstanding that believeth In the
Son hath everlasting life.
The Apostles Greed was then repeated,
and the hymn, 'tJesus, Our Saviour" was
sung. The origin of ''The Bow of Promise"
as given In the Scriptures, was then an
nounced by the Superintendent, as follows:
SupeFintendent-I do set my bow in the
cloud, and IT shall be for token of a cove
naut between me and the earth.
School, replying-Know therefore that
the Lord thy God, He is a faithful God,
which keepeth covenant and mercy with
them that love Him and keep His command
meuts to thousand generations.
Observation-Disclosures and peace be null
tiplied unto you through the knowledge Of
God and of Jesus Christ our Lord, whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises.
School-Ror the promise is unto you and
unto your children, and to all that are afar
.-F-eyen as many as the Lord our God snail
call.
was sung, after which the superintendent
cited the passages Of Scripture referring 10