The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-29
RICHMOND IS A
RELIGIOUS CITY
A Talk With DR.. Edward |. Pell on
Sunday School Work.
GODDESS PLACE IN THE PAST
The Influences That Have Wrought
the Great Change-Something
About the Present School
System.
GODDESS PLACE IN THE PAST

In a talk with DIR. Edward Leigh Pei,
he makes some most interesting remarks
I'm regard TO the Sunday-school, its adj
vancement and work in the city OF Rich-
mond. Or. Pen is said to be the most
prolidc writer on religious subjects in
America. He is editor Of the sunday
Magazine" "PeIs Notes" and the Idea
series OF periodicals DR. Peh conducts
a Saturday afternoon Bible class at tho
Young Mems Christian Association when
has grown greatly in membership and
interest in the last few years. It Is
fact that this class OF Dr. PENS Is lAe
only one of the kind IN the South. 1heI9
are such classes IN New lorh' boa,oN,
Philadelphia. and Washington. The class
In washington is taught by Associate
Justice Brewer. The work OF the Sa1ur-
dav afternoon class IS 10 prepare the
teachers of all denominations for their
classes on the Sabbath morning.
MANY ATTEND.
These meetings are attended IN Rich
mond more largely in proportion 20 lhe
population than in any city In America
DR.. Pell says Richmond "a the most reA-
gious city on this continent, with the eN-
ceptlon of Toronto. Canada, which Is re-
cognzed by the Christian world as the
most religious city in America. Dr. Pen
saws Richmond is not an up-to-date sun
day-schoOl town. He considers II In mat
work FAR behind Lyncbburg, which heads
the list in that branch of Christian WORK
for the State of Virginia. Court Street
Methodist, in Lynchburg, has the largest
and most thoroughly equipped scnOOl, III
all probability, in the South. He says a
little over one hundred years ago Rlcn-
mond was one Of the most goddess towns
in all this country. The only visible sign
OF Christianity at that time In this CITY
was services held twice or four times a
month at ST. Johns but before the ReVo-
luton 81. Johns had a regular pastor. In
the early part of the century lady by
the name of Miss Polly Bowles taught a
day school, and also conducted Sunday
school on east Main street. Or. Pell says
this good and great wOmans influence IS
felt TO this day in the religious circle OK
Richmond DR.. Pell says tho great
changes which have come about In Sun
day-school work in the State are due 10
the missionary efforts by the Sunday
school Society Of Virginia. headquarters
of which organization has been recently
established in this city. The membership
OF this society is composed Of teachers
and workers from all denominations.
Judge r. T. w. Duke. Of Charlottesville
Is president Of this society Mr.. w r.
Jones chairman. and A. J. Gary secretary
both of Richmond.
SOCIETY'S OBJECT.
The object OF the society Is 70 search
out dark and unworked fields in the state
and I'm such place establish Sunday-school
missions. A large number OF ines
schools grow into churches. and IN thlS
way a great Christian work IS kept Wig
orous and active.
A remarkable change, says Or. Pen ha'
taken place in the work OF the Suhuay
schools Of Richmond in the last year 81
so. The work was until quite recehuy
OF the simplest kind, and without system,
but now the schools are conduc'el ni ~.
on the order Of the day schools -"
classes are now graded and srauNa'0N
from one grade to another. 80
Within the last five weeks many VI ~"
sunday-schoo's have held their annual
rallies. On these occasions many q .l,e
pupils have been awarded hannsonle s'-
crossed diplomas, showing their proilci-
ency in certain grades. This system Pas
proven to be practical in It's results as inc
pupils have taken new interest IN tne,r
work, knowing such honors ana oisuns'
tiOns are offered.