Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-10
srNpAy scRooL ANN1vEnsAnY.


The Seventh Anniversary of the New
Houston Street school celebrated Yes
terday with Interesting Exercises.
The seventh anniversary Of the New |
Houston Street Methodist Church sunday |
school was celebrated yesterday afternoon |
with interesting exercises.
The little church was crowded with the
members Of the school and congregation
and those who gathered 10 participate in
the services, and many were unable TO
obtain seats or scarcely standing room,
the aisles were so completely filed. The
pulpit and altar and the whole
end of the church in which they
are located was beautifully decorated. A
floral arch spanned the altar, and on each
side arches extended to the walls Inc
pulpit itself was artistically decorated
The front seats were reserved for Inc
children, and their bright little faces
showed their interest in the sunday
school and its wOrK.
The exercises were opened with an ap-
pr0priate scripture lesson by the PASTOR
Rev. g. W. Mathews, after which the
opening song was sung;
In God have found a retreat
Where 1 can securely abide;
No refuge nor rest 50 complete;
And here l intend to reside.
oh. what comfort it brines,
rs nv soul sWeetly sings;
! am safe from all danger
While under his wings.
The pastor offered fervent and devOut
prayer when the recitation Il wonder
Why - was very prettilv given by Master
George Stafneli.
This was followed by the song, "WOn-
deTfdl Grace by the school.
Miss Leila Beville then recited Goods
Book" after which floral representation,
called The Twelve Months" was pre-
scented by group OF twelve little girls,
( bearing baskets and bouquets Of flowers
and reciting appropriate selections. The
4 exercise concluded with singing, Lord,
| am Coming" and was one of the inter-
/ esting features OF the occasion.
The anniversary address, delivered by
I 1Ir. \. Fl. Olmstead, was an interesting
/ review OF the history Of the school and
I Sunday schools from their first OrganiZa-
/ ton. Mr.. Olmstead disputed the honor
! accorded 10 Robert Raikes as the founder
/ of Sunday schools, and claimed the great
/ founder OF MethOdism, John Wesley. as
+ the author of that branch of Christian
/ work.
The pastor, Rev. G.. W. Mathews, then
| read the superintendent report as fol-
/ lows.
"Again we stand at the end Of a year,
/ and meet to celebrate the fact and to make
/ an estimate of the years progress.
/ We feel called upon TO thank God that
/ the wear has been an harmonious one. and
/ that a union of aim has marked the efforts
OF the teachers in the Sunday school.
/ Each Sabbath has brought its pleasure in
l the opportunity of meeting in the work of
I the Lord. The presence of the Spirit mas
/ often been felt in our hearts, and cOnstl-
of ON
/ labOrs.
/ In numbers we have made some pro-
| gress; one hundred and forty scholars were
| reported at our last annual Conference,
/ and twelve children have been brought
/ into the church. May we not hail this as
/ a sign that the day is coming when our
| teachers win recognize this as the great
| aim of Sunday school work. Our library
/ is in such a condition as to call for atten-
/ ton Although supplied with books in
] a measure. il is in need of additions. This
/ is an important factor IN our sunday
\ school work; for. although the soul must
/ first be converted, it must also
/ be strengthened aud established
/ in the Lord. As superintendent L call
uoon the parents for their help in our
| difficult though pleasant work OF training
/ their children. This work to be a success
/ must bring them to Christ 1t is the
! work Of all works. How much then do
/ we need assistance. and how great is the
/ necessity Of you being with US with your
1 presence, prayers and personal help.
] Others NAV lovingly and earnestly try TO
/ do this work. but they Will always feel
/ the need of the cooperation that you only
I can give. and l fear that in many IN
/ stances the children feel the need Of ii
/ TO such an extent that great efforts are
required TO accomplish Christ's aim.
I Some of the parents are engaged with US
] aT-- IA rsr.H
I by duties at home as sacred as that which
/ calls them here: but those who are classed
with neither Of these, and who have tai
/ ents, could here be occupied. How viii
| they answer the call now made upon
/ Them"
/ The officers of the school are:
Experimentation P. Harrison.
Secretary and Treasurer-Lee Burns.
Musical DirectOr-Ely Otto.
Librarian-W. J. MIngeldOrf.
/ Organist-Miss Lille Greenlaw.
I The Secretary and Treasurer's report
/ showed the expenditures for the shool to
I have been as follows:
/ sunday school supplies $50 30
I Conference Secretary ...-.-. .--......... %
Missions. --...--.- ..-.. 81 90
The greatest amount raised by any one
| class during the year was $50 20.
After tue reading of the reports the
song. WORTHY Of the Lamb was sung,
/ after which Miss Belle Pacetti recited in
a very pleasing manner, Never say Fail"
The school then sang:
To the heavenly Jerusalem
They are singing rs they 90;
And the King thereof shall welcome them.
For He loves, He loves them so.
Through the open. pearly portals
Sounds the WOndr0us new made song.
And the anthems OF immOrtals
Greet the happy pilgrim throng-
At the conclusion Of the singing, Miss
Irene Miscally very prettily Tecited a
selection entitled Never Mind"
Mr.. R. B. Reppard, the veteran Sunday
school worker, was present, and, called
upon by the pastor, gave an interest
| ing talk TO the school and the cOngrega-
ton, and awakened their minds to the
| necessity for action in the great vineyard
Of Christian work. At the conclusion of
his remarks a collection, amounting to
nearly $50, was taken up for the school
library fund.
\ memorial was then read by Miss
| Belle Theus upon the death Of two little
members of the school, Willie hellum
and Gussie Francis, who died during the
year. A beautiful floral monument in
the shape Of a cross upon a foundation of
rocks was erected underneath one of the
arches and was inscribed TO their men,
DRY. With this the exercises were con-
cluded, and after the doXOlOgy had been
sung the congregation was dismissed
with the benedictiOn by the pastor.