Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-08

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Total conversions. AZ: total deaths, =.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
This was followed by the presidents re-
port, which reads:
In brief review OF the work oi onr
Sunday schools for the past year we find
much TO encourage our faithful workers.
Activity and earuestness have characterized
the abOrs OF the year, while some hopeful
aggressive work has been accomplished.
The two mission schools connected with
our Union have been greatly prospered, and
have proved valuable field OF labor for the
youpg and active members OF our churches.
Good seed has been sOwn which will
spring up into everlasting life, while the
reflex influence will tell upon the hearts
and lives Of the workers.
Regular teachers meetings are beld In
connection with the First. Third, ana
Fourth schools with good results. The
Manchester school keeps up regular
young-men's prayer-meeting.
The contributions Of the schools have
been liberal and steady, though the dispo-
stion Of the fund varies considerably. This
l. a question Of vital importance and pract-
cal interest to every one OF our schools.
According TO the rulings OF the Prcsbytc-
rian Church the Sunday school is part OF
the church, directly under the control OF
the session, each member OF winch Il sup
posed to be personally interested IN It's con-
duet and welfare. But this. alas Is not
verified i'm all our schools. In fact, with
many the officers and teachers are expected
TO do the work and bear all the eXpen 'e..
while the good people Of the church look
on approyingly and say "lt is grand
work."
surely here is vast field for improve
mcnt, and when the church shall rally 10
the lull support Of the school and allow the
contributions OF the children TO be used ia
purely benevolent work. we shall have
made step forward that will tell upon
the future welfare Of our beloved Church.
In the First school the money contributed
by the scholars Is devoted 20 some benev0-
lent purpose. aud on the days set apart by
the Church for It's seven great schemes Oi
missions, publication, education, @c., the
collection i set apart for the purpose indl-
Gated. and which has been explained the pre-
yiOus sabbath. The children are thus edu-
Gated I'm The work OF our Church at large.
and will become intelligent and interested
gvers.
In the second school the collections are
divided between the support OF the school
and outside benevolence. This school sup
ports boy in China, who is preparing Tor
a life ~ future usefulness.
Ir the I hIrd school about one fourth o'
the contributions are devoted to benevolent
work and the remainder to the support OF
the school.
TIE Manchester school deyotes most o.
IFS income 10 home Use, but is always ready
TO aid good cause.
The collections in The Fourth school are
mainly used to meet it, own needs, though
4 norton is given 10 outside objects.
Tie Gracc-street school has always been
noted for its liberal contributions, aud du-
rlng the past year has well sustained its re-
cord. The larger part oi the collections /"
this school is devoted to its own sustenance,
though something has been done in aid OF
benevolent objects. CdtechitIcil in'truc-
ton il generally and regularly observed in
all our schoos. and in some OF them c>pe'
cial attention is given 10 this important
branch Of study.
The number admitted 10 the communion
Of the Church, as given IN The statistical
report Of the secl et,ry, Is very gratifying
and must greatly rejoice the hearts OF those
who are earnestly laboring for the early
conversion Of the children. To this great
end let us give our labors and our prayers
IN the year 10 come in hopes OF the rich
and abundant blessings Of a coyenant-keep-
Ing God.
INTERESTING ADDRESS.
Rev. G. Ii. Read, ID. D., addressed the
meeting upon the subject Of Memory
illustrating his remarks with many striking
facts. some Of which were taken from the
incidents OF his own childhood.
The second address was made by Rev.
DIR. UOge upon the "Rise and Progress OF
Sunday.school Work in the World. and
the Advantages of the International Lesson
system" by which the whole world to-day
are strdying the wonderful lesson in Johns
Gospel on "Jesus the Bread OF Life"
| The speakers points were all happily sus.
tained with his well-known ability and
ieryor. and his closing words. "a he dwelt
upon the importance and value OF this
| great work, evidently made lasting I'M
| preston upon his hearers.
six appropriate hymns were sung during
| the meeting. led by the church organ ana
united in by the entire audience. They
were grandiy sung and heartily enjoyed by
| all. while az the head 0i each bymn was
printed a corresponding text Of Scripture,
| which was read aloud by the whole con-
grcgation before the singing OF the hymn.
Before the benediction DR.. HOge arose
| and said "he knew that he but voiced the
sentiment Of all the teachers, scholars, and
| friends in the vast audience in thanking
| Nr. Sleight for the mastery and delightful
manner in which he had conducted the ex-
ercses and the singing on this occasion,
| for be had rarely known in all his expe-
rienee so much Of interest and profit cam
pressed INTO the space Of one hour and fif-
| teen minutes"