The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-11
ON Other Side OF Channel
Passing Events of the Day on the
West Side of the City Noted.
OPENING THE SCHOOL ROOMS
Interesting Exercises at the Washburn
street Presbyterian Church - Those
Who Took Part in the services.
Personal Mention and Notes.

The opening exercises of the Bible
class school connected with the Wash
burn Street Presbyterian church, took
place yesterday at - o'clock in the new
Sabbath school room of the church.
The room where the servicese were held
is arranged half circular, containing
library, and nine class rooms in the
gallery. The library is fitted up In the
latest improved appliances for the re-
ception of books. Six handsome mot
toes, procured from Boston by d. l..
Morgan, adorn the walls.
The meeting was called to order at
12.15 O'Clock by Joseph \. Mears super
intendent of the Sabbath school. y di-
vine blessing on the work was then
asked by Rev. A. j. Wesley, of Avoca.
The members sang a selection from the
new hymn books, under the leadership
of Professor Reese Watkins, with Miss
Belle Harris as accompanist Assist
ant superintendent Robert j. Williams
read Scripture with the members.
Superintendent Mears made some
very appropriate remarks. preparatory
to introducing the eX-superintendents
who were to speak. He touchingly re-
who is III at his home. and who is an
active leader in Sunday school work.
He also extended a special invitation
for any who wishes to attend school
to come.
D. L. Morgan, who was one of Pro-
fessc" Phillips working committee.
then took charge of the exercises and
announced DR.. Charles Robinson, of the
Second Presbyterian church. DR.. Rob
inson read a portion of Acts II, fol-
lowed with prayer. Singing followed.
DR.. Robinson was again called upon.
and delivered a short address, in which
It was stated that he had been APP
pointed moderator by the Presbytery
of q meeting to call a pastor here. y.
W. Luce q former superintendent, ad-
dressed the members briefly. He said:
II was officially connected for sixteen
years with the old church, and have
had many pleasant hours there, You
will be proud of your school. but I
guess no prouder than we older MEM
bers were, before you. 1t is easier
to get along now, than then. The les
son papers are more complete and cas-
Ter to Study. A good effect is made on
the class when lessons are well pre-
pared"
The next speaker was s. NJ. Foster
Professor d. a. Stone followed with
an address made especially to teach.
ers and pupils. i
Joseph a. Mears gave the history Of
the Bible school from its earliest period
as closely as possible, although about
twenty of it's record has been lost
He said:
There are eight in the audience that
7 now see who attended the Washburn
Street Presbyterian Bible school thirty
eight years ago. They are: Mrs. L. B.
Potter. Thomas i. Welles, Sarah Slo-
cum, Charles Wheeler, Hattie Slocum
Mrs Il. r. Parker, Joseph A. Mears
and James \. Mears. The Presbyterian
church was organized in 1851. and in
August Of the same year a Sabbath
school of nineteen children and several
adults was obtained. Among the first
officers We're: William II. Freeman, l.
A. Finch, and C. II Coleman. Tho first
librarian was Captain NJ. l.. Blair
At the request of Mr.. Mears, the first
case which held books in the first
church was brought forward, to be
viewed by the members. 1t was a
sort of walnut box. dimensions 3xi
feet, and contained three shelves. The
relic is about forty years old and was
regarded with interest.
Attorney Thomas f. Welles a former
worker in the Washburn Street church,
gave short address containing many
hints for the promotion of church work,
as we'll as "reminiscences of the past.
A large amount was collected at the
thanks Offering, and after benedictlon
the exercises closed.