Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-13
SUNDAY SCHOOLS CENTENNIAL
Celebrated at Second Congregational Church Sketch by Miss Sarah L. Tyler Recalled Most Important Incidents of the 100 Years Former Superintend ents Were Present-Dr. Winchester of Yale Was Speak CT at Evening Service

was used for political meetings, also as a polling place, until 1t was for bidden because they were so careless about splitting tobacco on the floor. AS a precaution against fire the sex ton was ordered to collect a fine of one shilling from any who left a foot stove in the building after the meetings were ended. The great fire of 1795 caused the first fire insurance company to be organized here.
 The church now began to be known as Second Church.. It may be in- teresting to some to know when our church was officially named "SSond Church" At meeting of the Eccle- siastical Society held January 6, 1846. in accordance with a warning" it was voted:
 That the Ecclesiastical Society in Norwich City, under the pastoral care of Rev. Alvan Bond, be now and here after known on the records of said Society by the name of the Second Congregational Society in Norwich"
 First Session of the Sunday School.
 In October 1874 Mr. Alfred Mitchell became pastor of the church. He was a man of lovely character, and the church was greatly prospered under his pastorate. July 1915, one hundred years ago, the first Sunday school af- filiated with our church was started in a house on Franklin street, where a few colored boys had been gathered together. The school commenced with five scholars. which was later in creased to forty-one, of ages from six to fifty-s1x; the attendance averaging from twenty to thirty. In the sum- mer of 1916 school for white boys was commenced, and the school for colored boys was soon merged into this. They report the "A. B. c. class have learned their letters, and there has been manifest improvement in the manners and department of sever al.' The same summer, 1916. a girls school was established by few young ladies. The school was held in the porch of the meeting house until the removed to the schoolhouse where the boys school was held. The two, however, occupied different rooms, and were under the charge of different su- perintendcnts. The school numbered forty seven between the ages of class, one of the girls. twelve years old, Can repeat the Assembly's catechism, and has committed to memory the first four chapters of John, four short sermons addressed to children, and about forty hymns; an three chapters of John, the catechism and nearly the same number of hymns" This report we signed by the superintendent and teachers. The DOOh III use was pTODaDiy l ne Ne" England Primer: an easy and pleasant guide to the art of reading, and adorned with cuts;" also contained the assembly of Divines' catechism. It was published by Russell Huzzard Norwich, 1872. One of the cuts was John Rogers burned at the stake; his wife standing near with nine small children and one at the breast: a most sorrowful figure. There was also a dialogue between Christ, youth, and the devil; concluding with
 Many don't live out half their days, For cleaving unto sinful ways"
 a solemn warning to small children. April 9th. 1919, was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. In the evening a Sabbath school prayer l meeting was held at the schoolroom, | where the teachers had assembled to l implore the divine blessing on the institution" These prayer meetings were frequently used. and very "sol- | emnly and impressively conducted" | There were two Sunday schools; one of boys and one of girls. They were