Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-07
THE INDEPENDENT RESBYTERIAN
CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The Anniversary Celebration Last Even
ing-Interesting Exereises-A MaSlliii-
cent Display of Flowers.

ne dnulk cESdIN CtlcuA dtAoA u 49,
dependent Presbyterian Church sunda!
school took place last evening, ana Wa
attended BY an immense audience Inc
spacious edifice was crowded TO rs
caDacitv. and the galleries were nllec
almost to overlooking. The seats in the
BODY of the church. opening from The
centre aisle. were reserved for the mem
bers Of the school.
At eight O'Clock the notes of the process
sionaI Dealed forth from the organ. ano
the children. led BY the Superintendent
and accompanied by the teachers, march
I'd in from the lecture room. singing the
hymn Christ. the Lord. is risen to-day,
and occupied the reserved pews.
The venerable pastor, Rev. DR.. Arson
read from the sacred scriptures selections
appropriate for the occasion and offered
a fervent prayer invoking the divine
blessing upon the assembled cOngrega.
ton. and beseeching the continuance OF
favor upon the great Sunday school
cause.
The hvmn. "HOsannah TO Jesus Oul
Savior and King" was admirably sung.
Four little girls then approached the
chancel hearing beautiful floral wreaths
and emblems. and. accompanying these.
the offerings of the school for missions
The Superintendent. Mr.. Baker. called
upon DR.. Arson 10 receive the Offering
which he did. stating that il was for the
support of a mission in China. and lnYOk'
ing q blessing upon the givers 10 the great
work. assuring them Of the divine promise
that He that giveth 10 the poor lendeth
TO the Lord"
Mr.. Baker then read his report as fol.
lows:
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
The annual statement of the Superin.
tendent, submitted 10 the session, and
published with its report and that OF the
trustees, renders ii unnecessary 10
fatigue the audience with a detailed his
tory Of our sunday school during the year
Ii is sufficient tO-state that cur condition
has been one Of constantly encouraging
progress. Our numbers have varied very
little from that given in the last report.
The largest number present on any one
Sabbath was PIG. with an average attend
ance Of about I15 for the year. There has
perhaps, not been sufficient efforts put
forth 10 gain accessiOns from that class OF
children who do not attend any sunday
school. but the circumscribed limits OF
our room would render any considerable
gain from that source almost impossible,
Ii is earnestly hoped. yea. confidently eX-
pected by those who labor in this lmpOr-
tant department Of the Church's work
that a more cOmmOdiOus building. and
one more comfortable and better adapted
10 sunday school purposes, may be
speedily erected. This is a matter Of urgent
necessity. and appeals strongly to the
hearts of our people. It's an accepted
fact that the growth Of 4 church Is de-
pendent largely upon the condition Of its
SUNDAY school. and that neglect of the
lot cs
the spiritual prosperity Of the former.
This thought needs no expansion. The
officers and teachers earnestly ask for aid
in this matter from members whose love
for their grand old church grows stronger
with increasing years. We want addl-
tiOnal accommodation: we want bet
ter appurtenances. more comfort
and increased facilities. that we may the
better teach your children the mOmentous
truths Of Gods word. / am sure we shall
not ask in vain. During the year twelve
of our pupils, after careful examination,
were received into full communion with
the church-a gOOdly little company, but
not so large as our hearts desired to see.
Death invaded our ranks and bore away
one dear little one. He is missed, but
not lost. One devoted teacher, too, hay-
Ing finished her work upon earth, entered
into everlasting rest.
Il cannot close this brief abstract Of our
years history without adverting to the
work OF the school in the field of benef-
cence.
Filled with a burning zeal 10 cooperate
with the church in her efforts to evan
gelize the world. it has, through societies
organized from its own members, and
under the wise management, chiefly OF the
lady teachers. labOred in season and out
Of season, and as the result Of these labOrs
has handed over to the session the sum OF
S5S2. making up a sufficient amount with
that already in hand TO support a man in
China. who will hencefOrth be the mis-
siOnary Of our own beloved church.
These earnest workers for Christ have
this evening put in the hands Of the pas
tor an additional sum Of 5000 as the first
fruits Of another years work, which,
with the weekly collections from the
school $3.50 5S) used in defraying cur
rent expenses. make an aggregate Of ST.
047 5S, raised by thechildren Of the church
during the past year. / mention these
facts not in a spirit Of self lauda-
ton. We have done only whae it is
our duty to do, and when we
have done all, we must acknowledge
ourself to be improbable servants
Ny object is to advertise 10 the church
that our children desire and intend to take
Great Head.
I'VE present our anniversary exercises
this evening with the twO-fOld object OF
stimulating the children to renewed inter
est in their work, and of presenting the
school in its entirety before the church.
We ask that you will accompany us as
we strive TO picture the pilgrim on his
Journey TO the celestial city. May the re-
suit Of all that is said and done be that
. h.
prosecution Of this journey, the end OF
which will be peace and joy and eternal
felicity"
The Superintendent then announced
the subject of the exercises: The Gates
Of Life or Stepping Heayenward,' The
Law of God as expressed in the Ten Com
mandments." The illustration was upon
a magnificent scale. In front and over
the pulpit was an immense floral and en-
blematic structure representing the
gate TO heaven. At the base was the
platform surrounded by a floral railing,
and entered BY gates wound with ivy.
Within the railing the font was surmount-
ed by beautiful memorial, supporting
a crown wrought in choicest flowers.
At the left of the platform was a cross
wound with moss. and bearing upon the
horizontal piece the inscription, The Son.
At its base the Christian graces were
represented in emblematic designs. Two
hands bearing lilies beautifully typitied
Virtue. By the side Of the cross stood a
floral pedestal hung with wreaths and
supporting a memorial crown. Above
the platform was built the structure rep
resenting the foundation work Of the
gateway. On the sides were
inscribed the ten commandments,
while directly underneath the golden
gate the steps leading upward
bore the separate inscriptions, Tempe
rance" 'sMeekness.r 'Faith." Good
ness 'Gentleness.'' 'LOng Suffering
Above this was a golden wicket set in an
arch, the keystone Of which was large
emblem representing heart. and bearing
the word Love in bright letters; at the
sides of the gate were the inscriptions.
The Lord thy God and ''Thy NeighbOr
as Thyself." Inside and beyond the gate
was a beautiful representation of a harp
in flowers. The entire decoration was
artisucally arranged, and was admired
BY the vast audience that gathered in
the church edifice. Hundreds remained
at the close of the exercises to
gain a closer view. 1t is difficult 10 give
a satisfactory description Of the design. so
remarkably was il arranged. The entire
work was conceived by the Superinten-
dent Of the primary school, Mrs. Mary f..
Wilbur.
In announcing the exercises the Su-
perintendent repeated the ten command
ments and the school chanted the re-
sponses.
The school aud congregation then sung
"Happy are they that keep this Com
mandment.
The first presentation Of floral offerings
by classes was then made. The wreaths
were received by the superintendent and
placed upon the design. while the beauti-
ful HYMN, ''My Faith Looks up to Thee"
was sung.
rT5,oy, fSIfou-aI tho avercisas hv the nri