The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-09-13
Local Church Bible Institute 10 Civ
en- High Mention in Contest for
Rally Day Last
Year.
STORY PUBLISHED ALSO
How the School Went About to Earn
Its LaureIs 10 Told in
Magazine Conducting
Contest.

Z
The SUNDAY school of the First
Westminster church, with schools OF
many other denominations throughout
the country entered into rally day
contest last September prizes for
which were offered by the Sunday
School Times published in Philadel.
phia. The prizes are announced in
the current issue Of the paper, and
the Westminster school is first on
the roll OF honor.
One of the conditions Of the contest
was the writing of an article telling
of the new features introduced on
rally day; five articles were printed
by the Sunday School Times, one OF
them being the story of the day as
observed in the Keokuk Sunday
school. A cash payment was made
for the article which was published
under the caption, How Lawn Par
ty Helped" as follows:
Sunday, October 5, was not only
Rally day at the First Westminster
Presbyterian Sabbath school OF Keo-
kus, Iowa, but it was red-letter day
in point of attendance. enthusiasm.
and determination to make this the
best year OF our history.
The two weeks preceding Rally day
were weeks OF preparation under the
leadership Of THE man behind the
gum" who was-a woman.
Lawn Party Held.
On the afternoon Of September 26
Rally day lawn party was held, TO
which all the members Of the Sunday
school were invited. A tent was
pitched on the lawn, and swings, slid
ing boards and trolley slide, with
refreshments, made the hours pass all
too swiftly. On every guest was. pin
ned a small orange and black pennant
bearing the words, Count on me for
our Rally day service s9S
On Friday morning preceding Rally
day the Young Peoples society held
social meeting in the chapel in or
der to get into the spirit Of the day.
The daily newspapers. In several
isues, announced the coming Rally
day with attractive items. and the
Wilson post cards invited the MEM
bers OF the school and the church.
When Rally day Sunday dawned,
a perfect autumn day. the Presbyter-
fans young and old were ready for
the service. The chapel was beauti-
fully decorated with American hags
and conquest flags, with autumn
leaves, ferns. and cut flowers. The
room was filled to its capacity, and
oyerf1owed into the primary rooms,
the ladies' parlor, and class rooms.
Out of the enrolment OF 1875 there
were III present.
Service 10 Enthusiastic.
The program began promptly, and
every minute Of the hour and quar-
ter's service was full of enthusiasm.
The Sunday school orchestra of ten
pieces gave a number of selections as
the school gathered, and played the
professional for the Junior and pri-
mary departments as they marched
in. bearing the conquest and Ameri-
can flags. and singing. Onward.
Christian Soldiers" After short
PRAYER and scripture reading the pri-
mary children gave number of exer-
cises, after which four short talks
were given. One of these talks was
given by a banker. who makes prac-
tical application Of his christianity
every day, and who for many years
has been teacher in our school; an
other by a man who is at the head
of one Of our largest factories. and
who for thirty years was superinten-
dent Of our Sunday school. This was
followed by short talk by our pas
tor who comes in every Sunday
through the year to speak word OF
helpfulness to the children. The last
short talk was by one of our most
devoted missionary women who
spoke just before the Offering was
taken for the foreigners in our coun-
try. The school sang number OF
selections from Spreading the
I light" the accompaniment being play
ed by the orchestra.
Bv the use of two star attendance
charts. one in the primary depart
ment and one in the main room of
the school, 1t is planned to keep up
throughout the year the Rally day en-
thusiasm for a good attendance.
After Prize This Year.
The school plans to contest again
this year in hope of receiving the first
cash prize instead of the first on the
roll Of honor. The rally day this year
will, be observed on Oct. 4th.