The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-05-11
MARTEL SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC


Saturday was an unqualified success.
There were over one hundred persons
Present, including a dozen candidates.
In the morning about IL o'clock the
most Of those present having assem-
bied. Supt. J. NJ. Bryan matHhalled the
pupils, led them to a beautifully shad-
ed spot, halted them, when the Hon.
III. w. Long. the faithful sunday school
superintendent Of st. Johns school,
end which he has been for forty years,
a record not surpassed by any person
in Marion and We do not believe in
tile state of Florida, in his usual force
full and pleasant manner extended to
all hearty welcome, welcome for
which the people of this section are
poted. He referred TO the beauties of
the season, the spring time Of YOUTH
al occasion to forget the vexatiOns
end cares Of life and any Of the re-
vengeful and .unfriendly feelings that
might rankle in any ones bosom, to all
6, which c. l.. Bittinger responded. af-
tel thanking Mr. Long for the kind
and friendly words Of welcome.
Mr.. Bittinger touched on the life Of
the man who really instituted the
Sunday school work and to whose
Inemory every worker in the cause
bows reverently as they reflect what
d mighty wave Of thought for the bet
terment of the world this mans ideas
created, and how this pebble of pur-
lose striking the sea Of children, went
to- the uttermost parts of the earth,
bringing light and liberty, gladness
and joy and spiritual truths to the
re hn
was none other than Robert v. Raikes,
a Manchester newspaper man, the pro-
prietor and editor of the Journal of
that place. Seeing the condition of
the poor people of his day, 1871, wan
dering aimlessly about on the Sabbath
day, indulging In all kinds of ques-
tionable amusements. he felt his heart
prlsate for the moral and spiritual
welfare of these dirty, ragged, un-
Exempt ones and suggested to several
or his lady friends that he would give
them shilling for every Sunday they
gathered together these wanderers
from home and wholesome restraint
and teach them the Bible, and from
which school the work has extended
ever the world numbering in this coun-
Try alone over fifteen millions Of pu-
pills and 10000 teachers.
Sunday schools were the nurseries
al the church and as the churches
stood for all the virtues that make
mankind and nations great and pow
( erful, they constituted the great force
i'm the advancement of the civilization
or the world. The speaker said other
things, which seemed to deeply in
terest the children and the older peO-
Z s.ie and a more respectful and atten-
4 tive audience he never addressed. He
was heartily applauded and paid the
highest compliment he ever received,
by being called upon by committee
of three ladies who requested that
the address be published in the Star,
but as he spoke entirely without notes
and could not produce the address as
delivered he had to deny the fiattering
request.
Then followed an hour of social in
tercourse. The boys played the "tus
of war" and chasing the fox" while
the young ladies and young men or
ganized the circle and delighted In
tag. The older people recalled remi-
niscences and other neighborhood in
cidents.
Then came the dinner and as sight
ly and toothsome as ever intelligent
cuisine prepared for the gastronomiC
feats of the eater. The table was
- beautifully spread and the way the
crowd did the concealing act spoke
we'll of good appetites.
i AS we cannot give the names of al
the ladies who comprised the commit
} tee on dinner, we will pass on to say
ice water, ice cream and lemonade
was there in abundance. A number OF
the voters present said they had at.
tended none of the politicaF gathering
and would like to take look at the
candidates. Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Lone
thought 1t justice that so modest a re.
quest should be granted, and the can
didates were called on and they linet
up and made their plea.
1t was agreed between DR.. Griffith
and C.. L. Bittinger that they would
simply bow their acknowledgment
in justice and fairness to the absen
ones. Mr.. Carney said few words
as did candidates Ben Freyermouth
Dow Beck, Bob Ferguson, candidate
for county commissioner from the sec
Nond district. Mr.. Freyermouth coult
rot resist the temptation to tell OF hi
long years of residence in Marion ant
bis devotion and fidelity to the peopl
of the same and how he understood
the wants and needs of the people AM
as Ben is wont to do, interested thos
who heard him.
The candidates for sheriff, Messrs
Edwards, Galloway and Smoak. had
word, when Mr.. Smoak said that NJ,
Long, who ably presided. being a can
didate for county judge, should speal