The Portland daily press., 1888-05-11
SUNDAY SCHOOL REUNION.
A Memorable Gathering at the Con-
gress Square vestry.

The reunion of all past and present officers,
teachers and older scholars of the First Uni
versalist Sunday School took place in the
vestry of Congress Square Church last eve
hing. The exercises began by picnic sup
per served at little after o'clock There
were about sixty present.
After supper Mr.. Blanchard spoke briefly
of the purpose for which they were met to-
gether. His first thought was on the wonder
fulness OF the continuity of an organization.
de alluded touchingly to those who were
passed away, but he said we here tonight are
the same organization that they formed 60
years ago. Mr.. Blanchard then spoke of
hey. Mr.. Bisbe who organized their Sunday
school in 1928, picture eff whom was on an
easel behind him. He quoted Gov. Wash
burn as saying that Mr. Bisbe was the st.
John of that church. Mr.. Blanchard then
introduced Mr.. Colesworthy. 70 years of age,
who was present and took part in the organ
ization of the school in 1928.
Mr.. Coesworthy gave an account of the
early Sunday schools in the town of Port
land. There were three, the North, Center
and South They were held in large room.
All the teachers were stationed in one end
of the room carrying on the services. The
boys were in the further end of the room and
they were carrying on too.
Mr.. Colesworthy then continued with an
account of the early Sunday school organ
lied in connection with that church, and
gave some very interesting "reminiscences.
There were sixteen present at the first meet
ing to organize Sunday school. Mr.. Coles
worthy spoke at some length and was list
ened to with close attention.
Mr.. Alfred Woodman was next called up
On and gave an interesting account of the
Sunday school after the early days were
passed. He became associated with it IN
1S41 and was elected superintendent in 1854.
Mr.. Woodman gave an account of an early
picnic upon the canal on two canal boats, at
So per boat, on which about 200 persons
went.
At the close of Mr.. Woodman's remarbs
there was singing by Mrs. Hawes.
Mr.. Merritt ID. Coolidge, who was super
intendent after Mr.. Woodman, told of his
troubles aud tribulations as small boy in
the Sunday school in the early days.
Mrs: George S. Hunt, being called upon by
MIR. blanchard, gave an interesting account
of some of the happenings in the Sunday
school in her time
Mr.. Charles S. Fobes spoke of the early Ii
brary and the old vestry in the cellar. 1t
was so damp ana cold tnat IL would nave
killed all the children If it had not been for
the good sound doctrine that they got there.
Mr.. F0bes read declaration of faith,
written by Mr.. Bisbe sixty years ago, when
he was thirty years of age, and said that it
was a wonderful production, and was not
far from the accepted faith at the present
day.
Mr.. Charles Custs said that he became
connected with the school "a years ago. The
closing exercise at that time in dismissing
the school was for all to rise and maintain
perfect silence till they could hear the clock
tick. Mr. Blanchard commented on this as
a ticket of leave. Mr.. Custis continued,
speaking of the progress of the school from
that time till this.
MIR. Philip +. Turner gave some interest
ing facts IN regard to the Sunday School,
drawn from the early records of the church.
A committee. appointed to consider the
question of building new vestry, reported
May 9TH, 1929, that che whole cost would be
$1S2S4. This report was accepted. Oct 20
1910, it was voted to buy two lights and
cylinder stove, in case they could find man
who would sell them and wait till next year
for his pay.
Following Mr.. Turner, Mr.. Hamilton, the
present superintendent of the school, spoke
for the young men and of the present needs
of the school. The whole evening was most
enjoyable, and was closed by benediction
by the pastor.