Daily Republican., 1884-06-07
CblIdren'S Day.

Next sunday Will Dc observed as
Children's Day in the Methodist Epis.
copal churches in almost every part of
the world
1t was not until the year 1881 that
Children, Day AZ an institution Of the
Methodist church was fully inaugura-
ted, but each year since then 1t has been
growing more important, aud will prob
ably be more generally observed this
year than ever before.
The raising of general educational
fund, and also of a Sunday school
children's fund, was first proposed
IN 1865. and in 1866, during the
Centenary celci ration of the Metho.
dist Episcopal church, collections
for both these objects were taken up.
In 1868 the Central Centenary Commit
tee suggested 10 the General Conference
the propriety Of taking, in all the Sum
day schools, IA collection in aid of the
Child7en's Fund once year on given
day.
The same year the Board OF Educa-
ton was ino,itu ed by the General Con-
ference, and 1t was reported ihat the
Children's Offering for Education" !"
during the Centenary celebration of
1866, amounted to S56, ,674.4O and that
to the General Educational Fund.-"
s., 1876 -, making total for that year
OF S65, S29.12.
In 1869 the Board Of Education was
chartered by the Legislature Of the
State of New YorB, and in 1870 it was
proposed 10 the annual conferences that
the second Sunday in June of each
year be celebrated rs Children's Day,
th" collection 10 be given to the Chill
dren's Fund
At the next session of the General
Conference in 1872. the same PROPOSE
tion was made, and after due consider.
alton, the following disciplinary rule
WAS enacted:
" 1t is recommended that the second
Sunday In June be everywhere Observ-
ed as Children's Day, aud that wher-
ever practicable, a collection be taken
i'll the Sunday schools In aid Of the
School Fund of the Board of
Education.
In 1881 the Ecumenical Council of
London, on the representation of dele
gates from the Methodist Episcopal
church, sanctioned the conception of
the objects and Importance of an an
nual Children's Day, and embodied in
its address to the twenty-five millions
Of Methodists in the various parts OF
the world, the following precept:
"Let one day in every year be faith
fully observed az CLildrcn's Day."
The money collected on that day is
used for the purpose of assisting anu
worthy young men, who de-
sire to enter the ministry y,and since 1919
he Board Of Education has disbursed
in aid of students not less than SS6, 600. |
Especial pains will be taken this year |
TO celebrate the day in an appropriate
manner, as 1854 marks an important
epoch in the history OF American !
one hundred years ago, |
when the independence OF the United
States was an established tact, Metho-
lism in this country was also permitted
by Mr.. Wesley to sever its connection
with the parent church in Eng land.
Bv universal consent, and by the
lrti N OF the General Conference, 1t IS
to celebrate tie Centenary OF
American Mrthodism by special rell-
tIuus exercises and benevolent contrl-
Buttons Az this Is an event OF great I'M.
purraurr, il has been deemed iitTlng 10
'udtr an extraordinary effort to enlist
iU he sunday schO"ls OF the dehoini'
rrINOn, and AS tar AZ priClicaDle Inc
churches with which they are con-
ur"ted, TO unite in celebrating the uay.
For the purpose of creating greater
interest, and III RESPONSE to Wluesy
seuliment, the Board OF Ehu.
cation has issued historic Cen1enial
media designed to he ejoin'iy commemo
rativn OF the organizations of the chnrch
"a 1884, and of the celebration OF lis
first entenary in 1884. This medal IN
size aud appearance reSembI es doub'e
nagl, gold piece. On one side 1t bears
the head Of Bishop Asbury, as repre-
scnting the Epi,copacy Of the church al
the period of iia organization, ana on
the other tlar OF Bishop Simpson as
'epresuntiug, lS reuioritA, the present
h ard Of Bishops OF The Cuurch. IL
This medal will be furnished to all
persons, young or old, who VIII con
tribute one dollar to the Children'S
Fnud.
Extensive preparations have been
made by the Charch i'll this city for
, proper observance of the day, and the
CT the objects for which IL
VAS instituted. A program has been
arranged, consisting Of three parts
The Past, The Present and The Future
If the church, each consisting OF re,
'ponsive readings, recita'ions and
!ymns. The churches will be bedecorated
with flowers, and the event no douot
" j be one of the most interesting in