The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-10-01

to church the van of the Sunday School
army-a ragged train, well jeered by the
gazing crowd, but vision dear to over
looking angels Robert and Sophia did
their work modestly. They little knew
that they were introducing the. gospel
agency, the most effective next to the pull
pit, of our modern times. Late IN 1888
Raikes spoke of the school in his journal,
and in 1884 gave his plan in full. Wesley
saw it and republished it with approval IN
his Arminian Magazine. His hard work.
inc men and women took his advice.
Soon Fletcher, at Madebey, had three hun
dred children in school and was planning
for six hundred. Rowland Hill opened
the first one at London in lIS6. Within
two or three years Wesley found schools
of 700 or 800 children and wrote from
what he saw of their influence: This Is
one of the best institutions which has been
seen in Europe for some centuries. In
1894 Sunday Schools were introduced
among the Methodists of ireland. In
1890 the first Sunday School in America
was formed. This was nine years after
Mrs. Bradburn had suggested one to MIR.
Raikes. The conference now first took
interest in the matter, though really the
first Sunday School in this country was
started by Asbury, in Virginia, four years
earlier. Thus this is historically a Meth
odist idea in both worlds, the old and the
new, and it is one so satisfying want that
now hardly church organization IN the
land is without it. We may fairly name 1t
as part of the good which Methodism de-
veloped for mankind. In the church that
originated it the growth of the Sunday
School has kept pace with the general
growth and is today gigantic. 1t is lmpos-
sible To estimate the amount Of good done
by Sunday Schools. The number of poor
children they have educated, whose educa-
ton was dependent upon them, and the
number of souls they have saved, which
otherwise might have been eternally lost,
is beyond estimation.
Here in 1880 the germ which had SO
long existed bloomcd forth into glorious
Sunday School, the brightest flower Patap-
SEQ ever saw. The church was the parent
of the primitive Sunday School, but it
seems that the Patapsco Sunday School
was the parent of our church. Neverthe-
less, We now enjoy the glorious opportunity
of attending both. The originators of our
Sunday School must have been blessed
with divine inspiration and determination,
else it could not have existed at all.
Friends, brethren and schoolmates, we owe
more to the parents of our Sunday School
than we are able to pay. We young mem
bcrs and older members are celebrating this
the 18th anniversary Of our schools exist
cncc. Let Us praise and give thanks unto
those whose names should be embalmed in
our memory.
The good brother, Mr.. John Uhler, was
the superintendent of our Sunday School
during its infancy. Under his just and
good administration it progressed amid I'M
told hardships. We never felt the neces-
sity of Il Sunday School with the in
tensity that we did after its adoption.
Ever since our good brethren have been
toiling and bearing the burden, with the
hope of doing good unto the children;
pointing necessarily to the Lamb OF
| God, and TO that haven of rest, where
myriads of angels, singing glad hosan-
mas accompany our redeemed spirits
from this world along the pleasant and
beautiful streets of heaven, up to the
throne of God, to be the recipient Of
golden crown. a> reward of our labor on
earth. What great coronation that will
| be Consider that it will be celestial, and
one of such glory no terrestrial being ever
witnessed Let us, my dear schoolmates,
travel the road pointed us by teachers
older and far wiser than We The other
superintendents of our Sunday School have
been Mr. George Rooms, Mr. Watson
| Taylor, who is noted for his great success
in the classroom, and now we have Mr.. \.
+. OurSler. We must not forget to honor
them. Friends, we kindly thank you for
your service You discharged your duty
with honor to your school and with honor
to yourselves. During your administration
our star, which had made its appearance
| lust above the horizon, Travelled with great
velocity, and under the present admins
tration it is fast approaching the zenith of
its glory. Before the organization Of
Patapsco Sunday School her children, in
order to attend Sunday School, had to
travel two or three miles. The children
which it now has in its embrace possess a
blessing which thousands do not. How
we would love To share this blessing with
the thousands of poor children in Africa
and Asia and even with those of our own
dear country who are without the infiu-
encc of the church, for they as well as we
have hearts susceptible of the tenderest
emotions, and need the instruction of all
! Christian men and women.