The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-13
HAD ITS ANNUAL CELEBRATION.
Interesting Exercises of the First
Presbyterian Sunday school.

Presbyterian sunday school.
The anniversary of the First Presbyte-
rian Sunday school was celebrated last
night. An interesting programme had
been carefully arranged and the exercises
were enjoyed by the parents. relatives and
friends Of the children who attended.
The meetings of the Sunday school are
usually held in the lecture room. but ow-
ing to the numbers it was desired to ac>
eommodate with seats, it was decided to
have the anniversary exercises in the
church. The pews along the middle aisle
were reserved for the school, though the
infant class had a place all TO itself on a
dais.
The programme embraced hymns that
were sung by the school and by the choir
Loyalty to Christ" was the professional
to the strains Of which the children entered
the church.
An analogy in character building was
presented picturesque.y in the building OF
q monument on the platform. Many OF
the pupils took part in its construction.
and the process was interesting. THE
Rock of Ages was the inscription borne
by the platform upon which the monu-
ment rested, and the first block
was inscribed: Christ died for
me-" Two boys or two girls
took their stations on either side OF
the monument as each successive block
was put in place and recited suitable lines.
Repentance" was the inscription on the
second block. obedience" that of the
third, and charity that of the fourth.
The last block was surmounted by a
cross.
On the completion of the monument it
was wreathed with garlands and hung
with handsome floral designs. In his adj
dress the pastor. Rev. Arthur j. Smith,
noted the analogy and named thoughts,
words and deeds as three sorts of stones
the children of the school should use in
fashioning their own characters.
During the past year four members of
the school passed away. A pretty design
in flowers for each showed that their
memory is not dead and at the rear of
the monument the memorials were hung.
The report of the superintendent of the
school, Mr.. Mant Hood, was found of in
terest 1t was as follows:
Your superintendent is glad to report
that our school, during the past year. has
done good work. Our average attendance
has been 127. This is not as good as for
the year previous, but when we consider
the unusual prevalence of sickness among
the children this is easily accounted for.
Our average attendance for the past two
months has been over 100. As rewards
for the faithful and earnest efforts of our
teachers five have been added to the
church from our ranks on profession of
their faith in Christ
Four Of our number have fallen asleep
10 be with Jesus, viz: Sidney Buckner.
Joseph Price Coney, Henry Merritt and
Dora Sheftall. They have joined Ehe
choir above and are now enjoying sweCAer
music-grander far than we have EAR
heard.
cannot help but call to mind that whee
we last met for our annual celebration the
strains of martial music were upon our
| ears and our soldier boys were leaving to
| do battle for their country. Our coun-
| try's achievements since that time are too
well known to call for comment. We all
know with what bravery and with what
courage our men of the army and navy
! fought and the great victories they won.
May l not say that this Sunday school
| is a part of the great army enlisted under
! Christ's banner and pledged with Christ
| to fight against every sin that would mar
| the soul or make it unlovely in God S
sight. What have been our achievements
during the year that has passed? How
many victories have we gained? Have we
| as a Sunday school been fighting so that
one of us "Well done?'
| We have just been singing, we Are
| Soldiers of the King" Have we been loyal
soldiers? If We have, there are some
! Things that should be true of us. We have
! been present, as often as possible on divine
| service. We have been regular and prompt
| in our attendance at Sunday school. We
| have tried TO bring others, who do not at
tend any Sunday school We have been
reading in Bibles and studying the week
! ly appointed lesson.
| If we have been loyal in these ways we
will at last be rewarded. Gods word says:
| Be thou faithful etc. Yes. you will at last
hear the loving voice of Jesus say: well
| done"
In conclusion. 1 wish to thank by brother
officers and teachers for the help and en-
couragement they have given me, and ]
| pray that in the coming year Gods richest
| Blessing may rest upon their labors.