Year: 1869

Grace chapel, In Fourteenth street, between Third
and Fourth avenues, though not entirely nlled last
evening, at the first regular meeting OF the Sunday
School Association OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church, was the scene Of earnest and interested
gathering Of the promoters of the cause OF Christian
instruction, and the meeting was addressed by emf
nent cergymen The exercises began by singing
the 102d hymn, and continued with the reading OF
the evening lesson. An address was then delivered
by the Rev. WALTER DELAFIELD, President Of the
association. The speaker began by alluding to the
importance OF children in the body polite. The
children OF this generation were leaving
their impression upon the century. He was
glad see that they attracting the importance
they deserved. The Episcopal Church did not favor
spasmodic religion, but rather sought to build up by
gradual progress the faith OF the Church and de-
velop by precept upon precept the latent pety In the
youthful heart. This Sunday school movement was
not dogmatc IN any sense; but God forbid. said he
that this association should enter upon the parocha
grounds of any rector without his permission He
would have the business men OF the community
those money kings OF Wall street and the eminent
iurists who adorned the bench and bar. come into
the Sunday school and devote the same talents used
In secular matters 10 the instruction Of the children


The Rev. DR.. f. A. WAsHBURNR, OF Calvary church.
was desirable in the Sunday school In some Sun
day schools with which he had been connected there
had been no system in the plan Of s',ssse-. - mad





using & Inherent text book, and the result was often
bad. and frequently vicious. Every Clergyman
should, therefore, assemble the teachers, male and
female, once week, and should, from his fine
library lay down the lesson for the week. and thus
the Normal school idea would be carried out. This
system would engender q fine and almost perfect
system Of Scripture exposition Few books were Of
any value but let the rector become teacher OF the
teachers The very day that boys need religious in
structlon that day they left the sunday school, and
this was an evil found in our whole American sys-
turely men, and the only way to fix their minds
upon the Bible was to make Christian instruction
interesting and mentally improving.


The Rev. G.. j. GREER, ID. D., followed, saying
that on account Of the funerals and baptisms
that occur on Sunday, added 10 other onerous
duties no rector could give the attention
demanded to his Sunday school. He advocated
short sessions OF the schools He thought
IL exceedingly stupid that children should be
wearied by long hours. Singing also needed some
changes and music In the Sunday school was much
more necessary than In the church. He closed
by commencing and bespeaking for the movement
the support OF all the parishes.


The Rev. DR.. Ii. @. POTTER rector OF Grace church,
then made few brief remarks. In response to an
inquiry he said that he in favor lay speaking
in their Sunday school gatherings, and especially
SO with the women--Ilaughter)-a right which
he would affirm, and at the proper time
advocate. (Applause). He believed that all defects
in their Sunday school system were remedial and
OF very grave character and were vital to the sue
cess Of their project.


After recommending questions for their practical
discussion the reverend gentleman concluded by
asking their serious consideration OF the great work.
and the meeting adjourned.