Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-04
NEARLY A CENTURY OLD.
THE INDEPENDENT PREsBY-
TEEiIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

anniversary Of the sunday schOOI OF the
independent Presbyterian church last
night was memorable event in the his
tory of Savannah Sabbath schools.
Possessing as it did every element OF
success-an excellent programme that
was well executed by the large school,
beautiful nlral decorations, and a large
audience that was deeply interested from
first to last--.the pleasure exhibited by
the friends OF the school was not surpris-
ing.
The front of the high and quaint old
Dutch pulpit was almost hidden by the
decorations The design represented the
"COvenants of Works and Grace" which
phrase in large letters Of green, was
seen above the pulpit, on white back
ground hingcd with green. The design
was concealed by white coverings, but rs
the exercises proceeded it was revealed.
Every pew and every seat in the gall
leries was filled before he pupils and
teachers entered, led by the infant classes.
Each girl carried a wreath or cluster Of
flowers. Nearly every one was dressed
in spOtless white.
When all had entered they sang the
anniversary hymn:
joyful, Joyful, joyful be our numbers,
Come ami sing on this our fesJal day.
Come with merry greetings IN our lag,
Hail. Oh, hail ibis happy day.
Often as our festal d ~ rolls round,
We hail 1t ever with harmon Gus sOunds.
J0ylu, joyful, joyful be our numbers,
Come ami sing on thI- our festal day,
Come with merry greetings Ia our lay,
Hail, Oh, haI this happy day.
After the hymn the school bowed in
prayer.
The superintendent, Mr. w. H. Baker,
then read his annual report, in which he
said:
"Our numbers have fluctuated with the
changing seasons, the sunday school
room being crowded in the winter, while
summer, with its heat and other discom-
forts, caused large dimiaution IN the
general attendance. The average weekly
attendance was 172. The general condi-
ton OF the school has been quite satisfac-
tory.
sit a cause for gratitude that only one
member of the school has been removed
by death since our last anniversary. We
thankfully record the fact that fourteen
ofOur number have had their names en-
rolled among the membership OF our
church.
at is proper to say a word in common.
dalton OF the Aid Society, an organization
auxiliary TO our school, which, under the
efficient direction Of the lady teachers,
has rendered very material aid in sup
porting our church's missionary in China.
The offering, amounting in the aggregate
to S340. will attest the value Of the ser
vice oil these indefatigable little workers.
"Our new Sunday school building which
was in course OF erection at the time Of
our last anniversary, was dedicated " th
solemn and interesting ceremonies on the
evening of N0Y. is last, ana since that
time has been inunterruptedly occupied
on sunday afternoons. The building
itself, unique in its architecture and
tasteful Ia It's proportions, furnishes in its
comfortable rooms and its convenient ap-
purtenances all that could be desired. 1t
only remains for all. whether as teachers,
immediately charged with the Office Of
giving instruction, or as parents RESPONSE
bic for the character and quality Of the
instruction Impaired 10 their children, to
realize the full import Of our high duties"
The hymn Light After Darkness" was
sweetly sung by tn schOO after which
they recited alternately WITH the Suuerin-
. tendent a lesson on Gov nanfs Of Works
and Grace" AS tn lesson proceeded
the coverings were removed from the de-
sign. First was seen step on which
was the word "on," and repre-
senting the transgressIon Of our
first parents. Then second step "Wick-
ecness" was uncovered. The third repre-
scented the flood. On its face was the
word NOAH and auoYe il was a snow
white dove. Above these steps WAS pile
Of dull bare rocks. The first bore
the word abraham with whom
the cOvenent OF works was made.
Next the rock "Mo~es" was revealed.
and then the rock Law" The comman l.
ments were recited at the point, at the
conclusion of which this following rocks,
symbolical of the Law, were uncovered:
"PunIshment," "Nengeance," '.B God -
Death" "oin" and suffering" Then
the rock "PrOphetsv was uncovered, and
next John" just as the school finished
singing:
Christ is coming, let creation
From her grOans aud travails cease,
lie thr glorious proclamation
Hope restore and fat Oh increase,
the superinten lent announced the ap-
pearancc of the star OF Bethlehem and a
large Illuminated star, mounted on a
pillar Of flowers, was placed on the top of
the pulpit, just over the word ''Jonn.'
The last rock, "Sscrihce," was then re-
vealed. Upon it rested "a magnificent
floral cross of white roses with red
centre.
A broken shaft Of white roses, ia memo
ry Of Miss Mary Raul, was placed at the
base of the pulpit and the memorial hymn
was sung:
Ear, fir away in the regions immortal
Jesus, our saviour, waits us there;
waits 10 receive u at the peArly portal,
With the shining angels in the air.
The hymn Ascension" completed the
first part of the exercises, and the second
part, "Covenant Of Grace" was taken up.
This was typical Of Christianity, founded
on the law, as satisfied by our substitute.
Jesus Christ. a pretty feature Of this
pnr' on Of the exercises was the hymn
"We Gomez which was rendered by The
infant class. After the hymn II BE.
Meye" the remaining portion of the de-
was revealed. Ii proved to be a
pyramid, the base Of which was Repent
ance," and above it were the terraces
'Faith.v "Trials," "Eope" and "Obe.
dienc :" the whole surmpunted bv 4
capstOne of white roses, with parti
colored crown. As the CLASSES brought
forward their offerings of flowers the
wreaths were massed against the face o
the pyramid until IL Was almost hidd n
"Faith" WAS represented by f1ral am
Choir and Hope" by a floral heart. Re
spOnses and the hymns A wake A wake
''Tru-t In God" and "Let us praise III
followed. The programme CONCLUDED
with an address by the pastor, Rev. Or
Arson, and the hymn $40 the Lord JesuI
Christ be the Glory"
The design which was planned by Mr.
John Stoddird was unique and wei
executed, the whole being symefricAl an,
the d 20 striking. The lNdies Of th