The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-12
40 Orleans street.
Sabbath School of Old.

Editor of The Virgnan
sir-More than six years ago l learned my
81 c's in the Sabbath school at Cattail church.
There at that time only three Sabbath
schools in King William county, Baptist
school at Old Beulah meeting house Methodist
school at old Powells chapel and Union school
I at Cattsil, an-eId colonial brick building in
King William county.
Two Sahbaths in the month Mr. Archie Brown
a Baptist deacon living ten miles east Of the
church, was the superintendent aud stwo Sab
Baths Mr.. Boothe Dabney. a Methodist class
leader" living far west. in charge
both excellent earnest Christian gentlemen;
there every Sabbath on time and worked to-
gether in love and harmony. Mr.. Dabney had
strong lungs and powerful voice and the
recognized leader of the singing. The school
well attended with girls and boys from
ten miles around Some so ANXIOUS to attend
would walk three four miles and be there
on time Nearly all boys under twelve years
old would go barefooted those who could az
ford to give their boys shoes would not do so,
for fear boys of poor parents, who could not
give their boys shoes, would be ashamed to
go barefocted and boys Of more fortunate
parents in shoes.
Wen do / remember how sweet and pretty
the girls looked in their neat-Gtting- bright
new calcoes. brght-colored homespun frocks
Just out of the loom. and made TO fit their grace
full forms by their industrious mothers, Every
boy had two pockets in his sunday jacket.
biscuit in and a cake of mothers make in
the other. The girls carried their snack in
little white-oak baskets. We would eat in re-
cess--the half hour allowed between school
and preaching or prayer meeting All carried
had the primer with c's and simple spelling;
larger had the catechism the first question
in which was, Little child, who made your"
Larger ones still had the child's Scripture ques-
ton book questions asked and answers given.
Grown girls and boys had the union question
book, questions asked and answers had to be
found by searching the Scriptures" There
were four grades suitable for all, from the
infant to the grown-up ones The school was
opened with singing by ALL then the superin-
tendent would read and comment upon a pas
sage OF Scripture then lead in prayer All
would kneel. then we'd go TO our classes Every
child ola enough would repeat from
the Bible. not the Golden Text" Wo were
taught believe every text golden" We were
required to say our lessons did in the
day school--wth our books shut. Tho school
would close with singing by the children led
by u cody Such songs as Little drop
Of water and THE Sabbath school in the
place we love- etc. How sweetly the music
sounded, how those old walls seemed to echo
with earnest childish voices. not. drowned by
a musical instrument / shall never forget
The school lasted only six months, May to Oc-
toier There we're many girls. and boys OF that
day who grew up to he useful Christian women
and men who never had any other education.
I've been in Sunday school and associated
with Sunday school people since | could
iemember yet I've never seen heard of any
one who regretted the part they have taken
in Sunday school work,
Much more could be told, but this letter
already too long, must close, else 1t may DO
put in the great uaste-basket.
wa. H. TuRpIN.
No. 1913 West Main. city.