Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-06-26
FIFTY YEARS AGO.

UHueT 10, 10 CenIH. SONCeTt 10 commence
at o'clock, sharp.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
burg N. Il. SHbbnsh schooI, by
MRS. M. M. Ellis.
Everything about us once had begin.
ming. Some Of the mighty forces at work
in our world had very small beginnings.
When we look back to the days Of the
Apostles we can scarcely realize that from
the twelve that Jesus sent forth to preach
the Gospel, such mighty force as the
church now is would be the result. Yet
the stone cut out of the mountain without
hands continue to roll and accumulate un.
til it shall fill the whole earth. To-day
instead of twelve men multiplied thous-
ands OF men, women and children are
marching under the banner Of the cross.
One hundred aud FIVE years ago a small
number of children gathered abou: Robert
Raikes and few other godly men and
women, on the Sabbath, and were taught
TO read the Bible and other books This
small beginning resulted in the founding
of one OF the greatest institutions of our
times, the Sunday School. No estimate
can he put upon the great good It has done,
bringing the children to a more. perfect
know ledge OF the truth.
"Along the tracks of vanished years,
Thro' storm and sunshine, cold and heat
Gently our fancy wakes and hears
The happy tread of little feet"
II we turn to our church records OF ffty
years ago we there find that previous to
1885 Perrysburg was in the Monroe cir.
cult, but that year Pcrrysburg circuit was
formed, including Maumee CITY and Wat
erville. Soon after Sunday School was
organized in tins church and Mr.. Henry
Darling was the first Superintendent. Rev.
Cyrus Brooks, pastor. Nothing il said of
the enrolment Of the School until 1888,
when Mr.. Darling reported 10 teachers
and officers and 55 scholars, and library
| of 90 vulunes. The next IL years were
years of successes and depressions, the at.
tendance running as low IS 80. In the
year 1858 the report shows officers and
teachers and ITO scholars, Mr., d. NJ. Mef
ford, Supt. From 1859 down to the pre-
sent time our records are full and com
plele. From 1859 to 1864, the following
persons served US as Superlntendents
Rev. j. Fegtly, Pastor; Rev. P. s. Slevin
Pastor; Rev. j. A. Shannon, Pastor; Rev
S. II. Alderman. Pastor; Geo. w. Kreps
During this time the school numbered
| IL 4n = and toact,ar,
an average attendance from 80 TO 80.
In 1868 we adopted tie Constitution a,
prepared by tie one General Conference
From 1864 until 1867 our Pastor, Rev. T.
N. Barkdull, WIS Superintendent with IL
officers and teachers and an average Mt
tendance of 100 10 l40. During the mex
ten years our Superintcndents were AS fol-
low:
j. A. Shannon, l year; John Barton. l,
years; WI. Dennison, 6 month; j. A
Shsnnon, i year; Rev. j. H. Wills ~, Pas.
tor. year; W. J. Dennison, 81 years
David Donaid-on, 6 months, A. G, Smith
l year; w. j. Dennison, year; Rev. l.. I
Clark, our lamen,ed pastor, 2 months.
Some OF these pilgrims, feet no NOR
tread the rough paths OF earthly care
They wander on that radiant shore
where sin shall never spread its snare
Up to the year 1871 the school held 1t
sessions in this room, but thanks to III,
unliring energy of COL j. A. Shannon tn
pleasant and conn,odious rooms in ih
basement that we have occupied for th
past IA years, were fitted uP, he doinl
most Of the work with his own hand..
Our school has three departments
Seniors. intermediate and Primary.
, Our Superintendent. Mr.. William Bar
, ton, is now serving his I'll, year.
. Rev. w. ii Scol-s- lat Assistant.
Mrs ]. s. Eilis-2d Assistant.
Miss Alice Crook-Secretary.
Miss Mamie Wlzler- Treasurer.
Miss F,nnie Veilch-orgnnist.
The Teachers are as follows:
J. S. .EIlis-Senior Bil le class.
W. ii. Scoles-J unor Bible class.
Miss Mamie Witzer-Primsry.
Mrs. L. Z Barton.
Miss Eva Ceas.
Miss Ada Fleming.
Miss Anna johnson.
Miss Liva Boyce.
Mrs. Secor
Mr.. A. G. Williams,
V Mrs. j S. Ellis.
We enrnli Isl members, with an aver
$ age attendance ,ie past 6 Sabbaihs OF los
n The oldest member of our school is Rev
Henry Warner, aged 72 years. The young
: est. Miss Jessie Barton, 4 years old. Nj
d Geo. w. Crops has been member OF Il,
school "a years. More than fifty of ou
school are members of the church.
Thus we zee by this sketch Of our his
v tory Tor the last SO years, although sma
' In beginning, We have increased in number
4 aud influence; and IA we owe much OF on
i, success in former faithful Paators Supe,