The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1888-05-31

origin in Europe back. at least, century
and half. The Moravians, especially in
Germany, we are assured by authority
too Trustworthy to be 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 special feature of
Childrens day This occurs on a Sun
day during one of the summer months,
fixed by the bishop and celebrated stimuli
taneously by all the Sunday schools, and
In similar manner. Throughout Swift
erland the Roman Catholics observe a
childrens day under the significant name
of white 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 a well known fact that its general
observance began with us about the year
1865, though previous to that period sew
eral denominations had included in their
church services 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 in
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 a 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 SER
vice especially appropriate for the young
people of their congregations. Their plan
met with high favor, and was formally
adopted as regular church institution at
the centenary already mentioned.
1t is fact worthy of record, and one in
which the Jealous committee of six must
have felt an honest pride that the collec
tions taken up on Childrens day through
out the Methodist churches in the cen
tenary year amounted to the considerable
sum of $50 900 Surely there was needed
no more substantial proof that they had
struck responsive chord in the hearts of
the youth of the church when they for
mally recognized them as workers in a
common cause, and gave them one Sab
bath out of the fifty four for their very
own
Mr.. G. c. North, at present resident
of New York city, and one of the commit
tee referred to, has by his earnest work
and unfaiing interest during the past
twenty one years in the interests of Sun
day schools, and especially by his endeav
ors to bring Children's day into general
notice, gained the name of the Father of
Children's 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-
lshment of children's day is the Univer-
salist denomination At their general
convention in September, 1867 special
act provided for the annual observance Of
Children's day Thirty six churches cele-
brated the day previous to the convention
in that year. In 1869 fifty eight churches
claimed its observance. and in 1872 the
number had increased to $50 churches It
is claimed by this denomination that
Children's day in their church really dates