The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-25
SWEET FIG Was AND SONGS.
The First Baptiss Sunday School 65th
AuufV er7arv


The 65th anniversary services OF the First
BaptistfSundsy school drew large number
of the parents and friends Of the scholars
to the church last night.
The floral decorations were extensive and
exquisite. Suspended from each OF the twelve
/ chandeliers was basket Of roses entWined
among Ivy and moss. About the pulpit
| railing ropes OF flowers and moss had been
twisted and at the corners were large
wreaths Of superb roses; on the platform
! were baskets of cut flowers and numerous
towering plants, tile pots being artistically
decorated with greens.
In the center Of the platform was a large
and unique memorial to theiate Rev. DR..
Holmes. 1t was an immense mound of
moss, surmounted by a crown OF white
roses, from the center OF which rose the
graceful stalk Of q Gala lily In blossom,
Below, on bed of white flowers, was the
purple inscription, "Our Pastor" Still
further down was a large pillow Of white
rose buds. At the base Of the mound was a
| cross. The design was at once massive and
beautiful. A Photograph Of the memorial
will be taken this morning and sent to Mrs.
| Holmes
Singing was the main feature OF the anui-
versary celebration. The school entered
singing the professional, "Be Ye Strong in
the Lord" This was followed by Carried
| " EAO AAASctSt buO A6d0lAlR VI tue
! ures, and another song, "Cling TO the
Bible" After prayer by Rev. S. A. Good
| win, ID. D., the temporary pastor of the
church, the infant class sang prettily, and
was followed by the entire school with "Be
| Ye Also Ready
Mr.. Charles w. West, superintendent of
the school, then read the annual report. In
his Introduction he paid beautiful tribut
TO the memory Of DR.. Holmes. "These cell
ebrations," said he, 'are usually occasions
| OF joy; the happy faces, the cheerful songs,
the beautiful flowers all combine In caus-
| ing us to rejoice together. But tonight
| feeling OF sadness comes over us like cloud
to dim the brightness. We miss the genial
| face, the cheerful voice of him who, for 80
many years, had been our leader--th faithful
| preacher, the devoted pastor, the warm
| hearted friend. What he was to us collect
| lively each OF us feel he was to US personally.
| He came among us like the sunbeam, with
| brightness aud warmth that dlssipated all
| cloudiness, and drew 20 him our love, in
! bestowing which we were but reciprocatinR
that which In so large measure we had
already received from him, He counselled
| us in all our SORROWS and made our Joys
| greater by the heartiness with which he
contributed so much to increase them.
! Whether met in the church, the school, the
nome or the place Of business. the same
| kindly greeting was extended to ALL"
On Jan. l the hour of meeting for the
Sunday school was changed from afternoon
to morning, AS a result the primary GLASS
has somewhat decreased. The present roll
| of membership shows a total of $40, as fol-
lows: Officers and teachers, 80; scholars,
IT'S; primary, DO. Eleven members OF the
| school united with the church during the
| year. The collections amounted to 1923, of
which STA was paid out for Sunday school
expenses and $97 for missions aud benevo-
lent purposes. The primary class sent its
annual contribution of $40 to China.
In closing Mr. West directed attention to
the tendency 20 accept the teachings of in
| fidelity In some form, and impressed on
parents the necessity of seeing that their
children receive proper instruction in the
| truths of the scriptures.
The school sang The Love That Gave
Jesus to Die" and Rev. S. A. Good win ad-
dressed the teachers on the rewards Of
their work in the Sunday school. The
faithful teacher, said he, is rewarded by an
increase OF his own intelligence, Of his
spirituality and Of his happiness. In
imparting information he Increases his
own store. Aside from its spiritual benefit
no other book is so we'll calculated to de-
velop the intellect as the Bible. The mind
by coming in contact with great truths
and sublime ideals is elevated, purified and
standing of the Bible, so necessary
to the teacher, brings him in
touch with the great intellects
of oil ages aud all peoples and makes them
aoqua inted with the history and geography
OF the past. the modes of life and the social
ideas that prevailed. The teacher is forced
to become acquainted with wide scope Of
facts. Never before, in the history OF
Christendom, have so many strong minds
and sancdfled intellects been devo-
ted TO the education of the
| scriptures as at present. A vast fund of in
formation has been opened up and placed
| within easy reach of the teacher, who is
thereby both intellectually and spiritually
| benefited. In imparting this information
he not only assists in saving souls, but en-
riches the minds and develops the charac.
tiers of his scholars. In doing this
the truth comes home to himself with
| more force and vividness than ever before
| He becomes impressed more and more with
the awfulness of rebellion against God and
of the necessity of moral reformation. His
spirituality ia stimulated and his happiness
augmented by the consciousness of duty
we'll performed. There can be no reward
comparable to the Joy that wells up in the
teachers soul at the realization that he has
been instrumental In the shaping of souls
for immortality. Then at the end comes
the most glorious reward Of hearing God
pronounce the words: Well done. thou
good and faithful servant"
The reward of the church from the Sum
day school, he continued, lies in the num-
Der and character of It's converts recruited
from 1t prepared to carry on the work.
No church can prosper which neglects re-
lfgious instruction of children. Before thu
Christian can become a great factor for
good he must have thorough knowledge
Of Gods word, of the principles Of the
Bible, and especially with regard to active
benevolence and conservation to the service.
The Sunday school is the great agent In in-
culoating these.
The service the Sunday school Is to the
and characters of those who are to become
its rulers hereafter were alluded to III DR..
Goodwin's closing remarks
After the school had sung "I Am the
Way" and Savior, Again." the benedio-
ton was pronounced.
Improving the Inland Water ways.