The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-11-17
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, D. D.
In Richmond l9l2-l923.
Sabbath Schools.

In reply to the courteous inquiry OF
your correspondent Antiquarian, in
the Central of September LIST, give such
information as l have been able to find
on the subject of Sabbath Schools 1t
will be found to be very deficient as to
the names of the early superintendent,
teachers, etc., of the school in Richmond.
The organization of this Sabbath School
was in the year 1916, as is shown in the
sketch published November Sd. 1t was
one OF the first, if not the first, establish
ed in the State. Some of your older
readers, in Richmond, may possibly be
able to recognize the Misses--not
Messrs." as printed" H. M. and E.
B." who, at the suggestion of Samuel l.
Mills, began this school, first at the school
room of Miss Polly Bowles, Methodist
lady. This Sabbath School, soon after
wards removed to Masons Hall, was the
Sabbath School of the First Presbyterian
church.
Looking through the earlier numbers
of the magazine published by Mr.. Rice,
find in the years 1918, 1919, and 1920,
the following illusions to Sabbath Schools
in Richmond and other places in the
State Some of the communications de-
scribing these schools are very long and
very particular, as to the methods of
teaching and other matters. These COM
munications show that there was much
zeal In this cause, that the instruction
was probably more solid and thorough
than it is at this present day, and that,
in proportion to the population, the mum.
Of holo Of . L l.
larger than it is now.
The following statements are found in
the magazine Of February, 1918. They
are interesting in their references to Sab
bath Schools, and also to other works of
Christian benevolence, about which there
was degree of activity which may be
found to exceed that at present displayed
in regard to some, at least, of the objects
mentioned.
In the city of Richmond we are hap.
Ply to observe increasing zeal and activ-
ity in the works of Christian charity. A
Female Bible Society, auxiliary to the
Bible Society of Virginia, has lately been
formed; and has recently contributed
upwards OF two hundred dollars to the
funds of the parent institution
A missionary society, denominated
the Auxiliary Missionary Society of the
Presbytery of Hanover, in aid of the
Board of Missions of the General Assem-
bly, has been recently organized, and To-
Gated in this place; and female asso-
citation has been formed for increasing
the funds of this institution.
a cent society for the education of
poor and pious youth for the ministry Of
the gospel, also exists among US, and pur.
sues the object of its institution with lau-
dable zeal. 1t is called the Female Cent
Society of Richmond and Hanover. 1t
may be added that an association en-
bracing the objects stated in the two last
articles exists In-the town OF Manchester
"There is also among us society for
the aid Of the Baptist Domestic and For
eign Missionary Society.
The Methodists, Baptists, Episco-
palians, and Presbyterians all have Sun
day Schools under their direction, which
are attended by considerable numbers Of
children.
1T is known that Sunday Schools are
established in all Of our large towns"
Communications from Lynchburg, in
the magazine for March, 1918, report
Aourishing Bible Society, q Missionary
Association of the Presbyterians and two
others, and the building of churches by
the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyte.
rians, and that we contemplate the i'm.
mediate establishment Of Sabbath
School"
In the Synod Of Virginia in 1918 it