Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-10
With Historical and Other Addresses In Congre'
gationa| Church Opens Exercises Of Old Home
Week-..The Town Is Full Of Visitors,

Winthrop, Me. Aug 9.-(SpeciaD.-'
The centennial of the establishment of
the first Sunday school in Maine, and
perhaps In New England, was Observ-
ed here today at the congregational
church, at which a large audience
gathered to listen to the program. The
day was typical of summer and with
the decorations with which the bus
mess men and residents have adorned
their respective places, it added to the
official opening of Wnthrops first Old
Home week.
The addresses of former superinten-
dents of the Sunday school were of a
historical interest and while short,
were well received by the audience.
Among those who spoke this after
neon were Dea. Henry Woodward, Dea
Geo. 0. Packard, VIM II. Morton OF
Portland and others.
AS a guest OF honor, Samuel Thurs
ton of Portland was present. Mr..
Thur&ton is son of the honored pas
The following is the historical sketch
given by Rev. G. F.. Sargent at the
exercises this forenoon:
Sunday School Centennial Historical
Address.
Thlrty-two years ago, next month,
this church had the privilege of OBJ
serving its Tooth anniversary Tho
same year that our forefathers declar-
ed their independence from England,
few pioneer settlers organized them
selves into a Congregational church,
for purposes of worship and religious
instruction. These worthy people real
lied that with the political and ma
terial growth there must be also re-
ligious expansion. which alone con-
stitutes the real wealth of the nation.
We have met today to commemorate
the next most important event in the
history of our church, the organization
of it's Sunday school. Rev. David
Thurston, who was pastor at the or
ganiZation of the school, tells us in
his history of Winthrop that, THE
first Sabbath school in town and
probably in the state was established
by his church, Aug Z, 1908. 1t has
been continued in different forms anu
with various success, until the present
time This was written in 1855
Closely associated with this centennial
of our Sunday school, is the celcbra-
ton of Rev. David Thurstons settle
ment 100 years ago last February, one
year ago He began his pastorate
Feb. IS. 1907. We combine the two
ObservanceS today, because our Sun
day school anniversary ccntcrs around
this worthy man.
The origin of the first Sunday
school in America has long been
disputed question That there were
several prior to the date OF our own
is no longer questioned. There are,
however, few if any Sunday schools
that have had longer continuous Ak
istence. Furthermore it is one of the
first, If not the very first that was
associated with the church in it's Or
ganization and regular work. The
early Sunday schools prior to our own
were secular in character and under
the direction OF paid teachers. In the
centennial address of the First Ban
fist Sunday school in Pawtucket. X.
l., Oct. "a, 1897 it is said, ACCORDING
to the light which | have been able
to gain. the secular feature OF the
work was not abandoned earlier than
1921" so secular was the character
of the work expected in the early
years. that he CDR. Bencdict and
others, students in Brown University,
had scruples about engaging in it
In our own school it was purely re-
ligious instruction.
Prior to the organization or our
school in 1908 the teachers were paid
a regular salary. it was so with the
schools of the Robert RaikeS order III
England and all of the isolated ana
short lived schools in our own coun-
try Our school was taught by volun-
teer teachers who gave their services
rs a labor of love. 1t was not until
Las that the first Sunday school IN
Pawtucket became a part OF the reSu-
lar church work DR.. Benedict. VINO
was pastor at the time. says 1t was
transferred to my congregation and
was nodded into the shape it has since
borne" "'rhe transference occurred ac-
cording to his dates, in 1916 or 1917,
and the "Molding" consisted in the in
increase of the religious element in
the instruction"
The beginning of Sunday school
work by Father Thurston was watch
ed with interest and in some cases
viewed with alarm. DR.. Tappan. pas
ter IF tn" 'church in Augusta spoke
Of It as being dangerous innova-
tion." 1t required courage to go