New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30
HOW THE DAY STARTED.
A. D. MATTHEWS RECALLS THE FIRST
sUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.
WHEN BROOKLYN WAS YOUNG ONLY FOUR
CHURCHES WE'RE INTERESTED, AND ROB-
ERr SNOW STARTED THE IDEA-THE
AGED MERCHANT IMPROv-

ING IN HEALTH.
A. D. Matthews senior partner Of the firm OF A.
D. Matthews & Sons, is gradually recovering from
his Illness He has been suffering for seven weeks
and soon after he was taken III he was so low that
the doctors despaired Of his life and the members
OF his family were called to his bedside. For the
last five days however, he has been able to take
short walks and is now said to be out Of danger.
Mr. Matthews was unable on Friday TO fulfil his
custom of many years and march with the Lafay-
cite Avenue Presbyterian Church Sunday-schooi IN
the Anniversary Day parade. He is now e'gh'y-
eight years old and since the first parade In June.
1929 had not hitherto missed parade. except When
he was unavoidably detained out OF the CITY
Mr. Matthews came to tho village OF Brooklyn
IN Apr,I 1923 a wear before the first Anniversary
DAY. He was then employed In drygoods store
at No. Front-st clerk In giving tribune
reporter some "reminiscences OF the origin OF ANN
versary Day yesterday. he said:
Il think there only four Sunday-schoois III
BROOKLYN when / came here. They were the Sands
Street Methodist the St. Anne Episcopal then at
the corner o. Washington and Prospect SITS, now
the approach TO the Bridge; the Reformed DUTCH
then at the rear Of the City Hail. and the First Pres
byterian in Cranberry-st.. where Plymouth Church
lecture room now stands. My first experience rs
teacher was In the latter church In ls2s
The Sands Street Methodist School was organized
in 1916 by that pioneer In the work. Robert snow
who was Familiarity known as Father Snow. well
recall his personal appearance He OF irish de-
scent small I'm stature dressed In quaint style with
knee and shoe buckles. He carried green UNI
brela rain or shine. He had been blessed with Il
family Of six children. all of whom died young lie
was passionately fond OF children and was most
excellent gentleman and an earnest io'ihs N''i'
tian.
Father Snow originated the idea of having an
anniversary day. when the children OF various de-
nominations could meet and march together u'iuer
the banner of Christ f9rgettpg tier ntv
"The first anniversary OF the Sunday schools was
he'd in the Sands stree Methodist Church Father
SNOW presided. After the four hundred chiidren
had been seated the parents and friends ai!ed the
The 5aa aer Wick s
dismissed, 10 march along the contisnou.Sd ams,st
The parade passed the building at NO. ors bame
the Sands street School. ,. l..
ran,znr mis- snoM first nag brooklyn The
first which may surprise many OF the SUNDAY -scho0
wGrksrs OF tine ea S@ar Iy approved and OF
not supported by many otherwise earnest ana vel
that a School of this kind was not invited to OCCUPY
any part OF a church structure Nj kirk the yiaSe
Father Snow to use part of the frame building at
No Adams-st. The building. believe is SIN IN
aafo Of the organizaton Of this school March 3
1870 from the late John Dlkcman, VINO win MS
Father Snow attended no more than me hrst
he WAS III at his home few rods from the church
In connection with this anniversary a touching III,
cident occurred. The schools marched and formed
I'm one body before his DOOR and an appropriate
HYMN was sung The good old man was deeply
moved by this tribute. and raising his hands In the
window near which he seated exclaimed
God bless the dear children.
I'VE saw his face no more In few months nc
| passed away 10 his reward.
'Of the early workers In the sunday -school cause
| In BROOKLYN only two are now alive besides myself
| They are Andrew 4. Smith and George A. BELL.
| .'yVc raise monuments In memory OF heroes
statesmen and poets. Why not honor IN Ike manner
| the founder of our Sunday schools. Father snow
Such memorial erected In appropriate scctcn or
| our city would remain for generations to come
constant reminder OF an organization 10 Thich the
peoplc of Brooklyn are indebted for goodly share
| Of The moral and religious influences prevailing In
| our city The Brooklyn Sunday School Union was
| an outgrowth of Anniversary Day.
| "A word TO the other Sunday schools That
| OF St AIMS Church had its beginning In 1918 Mrs
| Ann Sands took an active interest In its conduct
| THE Reformed Dutch School was organized In 1873
| nv Nehemiah Denton starting with many OF his
| in New-York State AT that time. The school OF the
| First Presbyterian Church was started about the
| 'aThe first Sunday-schoo room 20 be built In Brook
| lvn was that adjoining 81. AIMS Church In lScs
| There was a strong objection 10 this site, mem
| church and cannot consent for when sit in my
| pew near the window must look out and see
| Old Orange Mountain in New-Jersey.
| sThe answer was, We will dis deep. much deeper
than the church foundation ana build only one
story In height y -
| sullivan County. He found himself In district
| that had no church or Sunday school With a
| friend he established several Sunday schools. from
| three OF which have sprung strong churches.