Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-26
AFTER FIFTY-NINE YEARS.
The Baptist Sunday Schools Anniver-
sary Last Night.

The Baptist Sunday Schools Anniver-
sary Last Night.
The Baptist church last evening was
beautifully decorated. In the centre of
the rostrum was a beautiful floral pyra-
mia surmounted by an anchor OF roses,
and on the front was displayed a large
cross. Flowers in bouquets, baskets, and
wreaths, on stands and in many elegant
designs, were tastetully arranged, the pull
pit having been removed, and baskets
filled with flowers hung from chandeliers
and gas brackets in every part OF the
church.
The occasion was the fifty-ninth ami
versary or the Baptist Sunday school.
Every pew was filed TO overlooking ex-
cept those reserved Tor the school.
The exercises began with a voluntary,
ssChrist is Risen," BY Mrs. Wade, which
was very effectively rendered. Tne school
OF over 300 pupils marched in singing
1.-The Mansions OF Love-" A lesson from
Psalms was read by Rev. DR.. Lathrop, OF
Stamford Conn, who was many years
ago a resident Of this city. The infant
class then formed in front Of the rOstrum,
Wiz a banner on which the Good Shep-
herd" was represented, and sang sweety
Lead Ne, on Shepherd" Little Misses
Ida Wade and Lila Rabun Tecited some
verses very nicely indeed, after which
Jesus is our King" was sung by Miss
Carrie Bessallieu, Miss Gentry and Misses
Lula and Mamie Proctor, with responses
by the school.
After prayer by Or. Lathrop and song.
AT the Door OF Mercy signing" Rev.
J. r. l.. Holmes delivered q brief but in-
terestng address comparing the sunday
schools OF thirty years ago VITA the sa-
yannah Baptist sunday school 81 to-day.
Rev. DR.. LathrOp spoke Of Sunday
school literature, dwelling on the special
importance Of the study OF the Word Of
God. He SAID many OF the ablest and
best men OF the age are devOting all their
time and talents 20 the development Of
sunday school literature. A touching
incident OF the occasion was the presenta-
ton Ola bouquet % DR.. Latnrop, the Oldest
member OF the school present, by two
little girls, the youngest members OF the
infant class.
Superintendent West made his annual
report. and rendered a warm greeting 10
the school and audience. He said
"We welcome you all as you meet with us
TO celebrate our filty-ninth anniversary.
/ May the happy songs Of the evening
( cause your hearts TO JOIN with OHrs in
praise TO God, who gave TO the sunday
I school it's being, who has enlarged Its
field OF usefulness. until not only the
/ young, but the middle-aged and the old,
/ alike share in its privileges and Join In its
! duties. IL is customary on such Occa-
sions to give brief outline Of school
statistics. Our record shows the follow
ing:
! Officers aud teachers OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. %
sch0lars-intermedia .............. l63
| hlole clh55en ......'' '.''ss''+s'.'.. ~
Total.................... ..-.,............, 82l
Last year the report showed total Of
3Ol. Tbs year there is a gain OF 20.
"Whtle raising money systematically
for benevolent purposes should be prac-
ticed in the school and taught as much
preferable 10 spasmodic efforts; yet nei-
ther accommodating means or gathering
the largest number together, should be our
chief desire, but rather thorough Bible
study and effective teaching OF It's great
truths.
SUNDAY school teachers occupy re-
sponsible positions. Many children re-
ceiye their only religious instruction
through them, therefore the necessity OF
laithtulness on their part. For success
in this high calling one must practice
self-denial both In taking the time neces-
sary for proper preparation and ia regu-
lar, punetual attendance. II is n pleasure
TO render the well-merited tribute OF
praise 10 the officers aud teach
era Of this scnool for the
regularity with which they have attended