Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-03

oricin in Europe back, at least, century
and a half. The Nc ravians, especially in
Germany, we are assured by authority
too trustworthy to b. questioned, have
set apart and observed with appropriate
service day in August for the eXclu-
sive benefit and pleasure OF the youth OF
their Sunday schools for the last 100
years. The Church Of England has for
many years made a special feature of
Children's day. This occurs on Sun
day during one of the summer months,
fixed by the bishop and celebrated stimuli
taneously by all the Sunday schools and
in a SIM" manner, Throughout Switz-
erland ar Woman Catholics observe
childre' Ne = under the significant name
of '.WAfte Sunday" which always comes
the first Sunday after Easter
The exact time that the first Children's
day was celebrated in this country cannot
be definitely told. More than one de-
nomination claim the honor Of having in
troduced it; and dates OF its origin, as
given by those highest in authority, are
somewhat conflicting. That the idea of a
Children's day was borrowed from the old
country appears to have been proven, and
it is well known fact that its general
observance began with rs about the year
1866, though previous to that period sew
eral denominations had included in their
church services a children's Sunday.
The Methodist church, pioneer of our
country in many good works, was an
early promoter of Children's day. Pre-
vious to the centenary of Methodism III
1866 committee of six men was appointed
by the authorities Of that denomination
TO investigate and report upon the various
existing Institutions of their church.
This committee, during its Investigations,
were so forcibly impressed by the absence
of any special day or service set apart for
the benefit OF the children that they lost
no time in devising plan that would
supply what they considered an important
necessity. This plan included the adop-
ton of Sunday in June, TO be each year
observed in all their churches with a SER
vice especially appropriate for the young
people Of their congregations. Their plan
met with high favor, and was formally
81
the centenary already mentioned.
1t is a fact worthy of record, and one in
which the jealous committee of six must
have felt an honest pride, that the collec-
tons taken up on Children's day through
out the Methodist churches in the cen
tenary year amounted to the considerable
sum of 100000. Surely there was needed
no more substantial proof that they had
struck a responsive chord in the hearts of
Che youth of the church when they for
mally recognized them as workers in D.
common cause, and gave them one Sab
bath out of the ffty-four for their very
own.
Mr.. c. c. North. at present a resident
of New York city, and one of the commit
tee referred TO, has by his earnest work
and unfailing interest during the past
twenty-one years in the interests of Sun
day schools, and especially by his endeav-
DIS to bring Childrens day into general
notice, gained the name Of the Father of
Childrens Day" While this gentleman
modestly, but firmly denies any right to
this title, he probably deserves it as much
Or more than any other one person who
has labored in the cause.
Numbered with pioneers in the estab-
lishmcnt of children's day is the Univor-
saiist denomination. AT their general
convention in September, 1867, special
act provided for the annual observance of
Children's day. Thirty-s churches cele-
brated the dag previous to the convention
in that year. In 1869 fifty eight churches
claimed its observance, and in 1872 tho
number had increased to 100 churches 1t
is claimed by this denomination that
Children's day in their church really dates