The Press., 1897-02-04
Continued from last weekly HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF STAF- FORD SPRINGS.
BY REV. J. |. BARTHOLOMEW.

BY REV. J. I. BARTHOLOMEW. l
 SUNDAY SCHOOL. l
 A history of this church would be in- complete without some account of the va- rious organizations auxiliary to it. Among these the first in importance is the Sunday school
 The exact date of the beginning of the Sunday school cannot be given. Mrs. Mary Wakefield (nee Carpenter), who was converted during the great revival in sidered by her mother too young to join the church, says that previous to this, in about 1926, two young ladies who had just graduated from Monson Academy, Almira Gay and Lomira Peck, organized a Sunday school in the southwest part of Stafford. The first meeting was held in the house of Moses Slater, and for some time the school was maintained fin private houses. She also remembers that Sunday school was held in the red school house after the revival. Miss Almira Gay, her former Sunday school teacher, taught the class of which she was a member at the latter place. Harry Gay, the teacher in the public school, also taught a class in the Sunday school. Mrs. Lydia (Alden) Wilson, who was converted in the same revival, was also member of the Sunday school in the red school-house, and re- members the same teachers. It is certain, therefore, that Methodist Sunday school was held before the meeting house was built As the Sunday school was held at first only in the summer, and the church was dedicated in January, 1883, we must fix the date as early as 1882. It is proba- ble, however, that the date was two years earlier. The religious interest aroused by the''revival of 1929 and 80 would naturally school, and with devoted Sunday school worker like Miss Gay at hand, it is highly probable that beginning was then made This is partially confirmed by the recollec- tions, albeit somewhat indefinite, which these ladies have of their exact ages at the time of first attending the Methodist Sun day school.
 | In the absence of early records much uncertainty hangs over the early Sunday school work. It is highly probable, how ever, that school was always maintained during the summer months. Of course there were no question books or other Sunday school helps. The office of super intendent does not seem to have been st important one as at present; for, while the teachers are remembered very distinct the name of any superintendent during those early days. Several of the older members, however, think that the preach CTS usually acted in that capacity.
 While the pastors reports to the quarter ly conference frequently refer to the Sun day school during the summer and autumn as in ''fiourishing condition" or ''wel attended" we find no statistics until Oc tober 2, 1943. The minutes of the ''quar terly meeting conference" of that dats have the following entries: Brother Emerson reported for Stafford, one Sabbath school, one superintendent, IS teachers whole number of scholars unknown, aver age attendance 85. The school has beer in more prosperous state than formerly.
 October 21, 184S, the pastor, Rev. Frank lin Fisk, reported, "Our Sunday schoo continues in a prosperous condition, st much so that it is thought best to continu' it through the winter. To encourage thi attempt and general attendance of tn, scholars, l last Sabbath promised the chil dren each New Testament who should continue to attend the school on an aver age three Sabbaths out of every fiv, through the winter.' On January 2d
 1849, he reports: 'Our Sabbath schoo
 is more prosperous than it was expected would be. It is the first attempt to con tinue the school through the winter" etc From that time, apparently, the schoo has always been held through the entir year.
 In common with other schools, ou
 school gradually introduced concerts
 Christmas trees, lesson helps, and the'va
 rious attractions of modern Sunday schools q When the first Christmas tree was put in
 to the church, 38 or 40 years ago, the ir } novation met with opposition; but, evi dently, to use the English of the street, 3 had come to stay. The real work of tn school, the study of the Scriptures, ha always been conscientioulsy conducted Pastors reports frequently refer to COT versions in the Sunday school, and, as i, matter of fact, large proportion of tn 3 present working membership of the churc were formerly our Sunday school childrer 8 {Cont1nued.)