The Portland daily press., 1898-05-16
GOSPEL MISSION.
Fifteenth Anniversary of the Sunday
Sunday School.

Last evening the twentieth anniversary
of the Gospel Mission Sunday school was
observed The services opened with q
service Of song and praise, after which
appropriate selections of scripture were
read, and an earnest prayer of thanks
giving offered for the blessings OF the
year. 1.-THE Best Friend to Have Is
jesus was sung by the large audience
with hearty good will In the absance
OF Mrs. Pearson who was detained at her
home on account of illness the treasurer s
report was read by Rev. S. E. Pearson as
follows: Total receipts for the year, S63. AZ.
expenditures: W. A. Wilde g. Co., Sun
day school supplies, $12, 80; A. A. Lane
g Son. boots, shoes and rubbers, s2963;
L. D. Austin and Ira F. Clark, clothing,
$685.; Christmas trees and supplies,
S2i.60. Total, $71. 4s, leaving deficit of
$50
MIR. N. G. McAloney, superintendent of
the Sunday school, gave the following re-
port of the work for tho year: The past
year has been the most trying one in the
experience of the school, on account of
the depression in business, and the
ep1demics among the children. The at
tendance has been very materially de.
creased, one hundred and six visits have
been made upon the parents and scholars
OF the school. The total attendance for
the year has been two thousand nine
hundred and ninety-two, an average of
sixty-one scholars at each session. During
the year one hundred and forty five
articles OF clothing have been furnished,
and forty-four pairs of boots, shoes and
rubbers provided. The articles of cloth
ing SO thoughtfully donated to our work
has done much good. and have been very
highly appreciated by the recipients,
during the past hard and trying winter
months. On the asnd of July by the
Kindness and generosity of Mr.. l.. A.
Cloudy about five hundred of the mission
school and friends were enabled to enjoy
an outing and annual picnic at Long
Island, where different amusements
were provided for all And good supply
of refreshments was furnished, and not
withstanding the inclemency of the
weather the day was enjoyed by all
present. Never in the experience of the
work of the Gospel Mission had the an
nual festival of Christmas trees been
looked forward to with more hopeful an
ticipations by the children of the Sunday
school, thanDlast year. The hard times
were most severely felt. and death had re-
moved many Of the contributors from us,
and it was feared many would have to be
neglected. But God never forgets his
own elect, and by benevolent hearts and
willing hands every need was amply pro-
vided for. Two very large trees were
erected at the altar, and they were heavi-
iy loaded with useful and ornamental
articles, consisting Of wearing apparel,
householdIgoods, groceries, toys, books and
confectionery. At eight O'Clock the hall
was filed with an expectant company,
and after Christmas praise service, the
distribution was began and for two hours
the committees were kept busy. and at
the close none had been overlooked or for
gotten. At the close Of the reports the
children of the school gave very inter-
esting programme as follows:
The Christmas Flag, By Twenty Children
Dialogue, Angel Of the Sunday School
Creeping Into Bed With Mother
Recitation, Children's Prayer
and many other Rotations and songs by
members of the school.