The Sunday-School Department. A Page of Sunday-school History. located. It occupied nearly the same place, fronted Church Alley, and had three doors; the main entrance was from the alley. It was a stone_building, and after serving its day and generation, it was taken down in 1837 to make room for the erection of the building in which we are now assembled. On the 25th of November the Sunday-school of Zion's Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa., held its semi-centennial festival, or fiftieth anniversary. It was an occasion of great interest, to which nearly a whole day was devoted. We cull the facts of the following arti"In that stone building, then already cle from the instructive report of Rev. fifty-two years old, this Sunday-school N. S. Strassburger, pastor of the Con- was commenced. Inasmuch as basegregation. When this school began there ments in the churches were at that time were but two congregations in Allen- as yet unknown, not only in the borough town-the Reformed and the Lutheran. of Northampton, but also in many other The organization of a Sunday-school is boroughs, and perhaps also in many innow comparatively easy. We have the land towns, the school met in the auexperience of fifty years, the aid of Sun-dience chamber. It is a fact worthy of day-school books and papers, and the sympathy and approval of public opinion to assist and cheer us on in the good work. Fifty years ago Sunday-school workers had none of these helps to sustain their efforts. Without books, papers, or experience in the work, and frequently with public opinion against them, they had often to encounter prejudice, ridicule, and persecution. From the following abstracts of Mr. Strassburger's able report the readers of the Guardian can learn instructive and useful lessons. It shows how the pioneers in this good work had to battle their way manfully through the many obstacles of those less favored times: "Inasmuch as no records of the school of that early time have come down to us, we are unable to give either the day or the month of its organization. It is enough, however, for us to know that it was instituted in the year 1825. As far as known, there is only one of its founders still living, viz, Michael D. Eberhard, who is with us to-day, and enjoys the great privilege of uniting with us in commemorating its organization fifty years ago. "In the year 1773 our Reformed fathers erected a house of worship on the lot of ground, on which our church is special notice that our school was organized not in the Court House, nor yet in a public hall, but in the Reformed Church of this place. However greatly some of its members may have been opposed to the school, they yet felt that it would be wrong to exclude their children from the church, in which the most of them had already been consecrated to God by the sacrament of baptism. Its founders were persuaded that since it was a religious institution, and proposed to train the young in the way they should go, the regular place of public worship was also the proper place for the Sunday-school. In due time a small group of members consulted about a plan, among whom was Mr. M. D. Eberhard. They secured the consent of the authorities of the congregation, and fixed upon a day to open the school. "The appointed day arrived, the church was opened, the teachers and scholars entered and united in their humble way, to begin a Sunday-school. Only a very small number of children appeared, about twelve, and the number of persons, who were willing to become teachers, was still smaller, about four, and a few spectators. But however small the number of scholars and teachers may have been, the friends of the of the place was then very small. The place was called, not, Allentown, but Northampton; it was not a city as it now is with 17,000 or 18,000 inhabitants, but only a borough with a few hundred inhabitants. Consequently the entire number of children in the place may have amounted only to a few score. Again, a large majority of the congregation took no interest in the Sundayschool; some looked upon it with sus being ultimately an injury to the congregation. And in addition to all, the school met with not a little opposition in various quarters and for various reasons. It is a matter of surprise that on account of its unfavorable surroundings, it could be kept alive. "A number of our German forefa new enterprise were not disposed to abandon the work, which they had been instrumental in inaugurating. They accordingly proceeded to open the school by singing several stanzas of a hymn. Having as yet no Sunday-school Hymn Book, they used the German Hymn Book, which the congregation used in public worship. After a portion of Scripture had been read and a prayer offered, the scholars were divided into several classes and furnished with teach-picion, and others again regarded it as ers. Our friend and old Sunday-school worker, Michael D. Eberhard, officiated as Superintendent, though he could not claim the honor of having been elected to fill that responsible office. There had not as yet been an election held for any officer, either President, Vice President, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, or Librarian. If an attempt had been made at that early day to fill all these offices, there would scarcely have been candidates enough. Suffice it to say that then a formal and regular organization was not undertaken. They did not as yet either elect officers or adopt a Constitution and By-Laws. The friends of the school assisted one another cheerfully and kindly. A spirit of love, co-operation and forbearance seems to have reigned among them. Under these circumstances they did not need an outward law, a definite rule to regulate them in performing their duties in the school. In this condition it remained for a number of years. It may be a matter of surprise to us how they could succeed-conducting it without a regular organization. in the form of a Constitution and By-Laws and elected officers. "Every child brought its own book. One had a copy of the New Testament, another a copy of the Psalms of David, and another a primer-all the books used at that time were German. The school had then as yet no question 'books, no hymn-books, no note-books, and no library books. Even the red and the blue tickets, which afterwards became so popular in many Sundayschools, were as yet unknown to this school. "The school remained small for some years. This was owing to various causes. For, on the one hand the population thers opposed Sunday-schools in the be- they had brought from the fatherland. Their parochial schools were also religious schools. They stood in much closer connection with the congregation, and were more directly under the control of the pastor, than many Sunday schools are at present. "Though our school was formally opened in the old stone church, the Reformed place of public worship, yet since a few members of the Lutheran congregation had united, it was for several years kept alternately every two weeks in the Reformed and Lutheran churches. At that time public services were held only every four weeks in two and only two churches in the borough of Northampton. Whenever services had been held in either church in the forenoon and the church was warm, the school met in it in the afternoon. It thus occupied these two churches alternately, till finally the old stone church became too cold and therefore uncomfortable, especially for its smaller scholars." During the past ten years of its existence it had to be discontinued several times, on account of the strenuous opposition by some, and want of sympathy by others. After meeting for a short time in the German Lutheran Church, the members ordered them to stop, because the scholars soiled the pews. In 1834, however, this congregation gave the school the use of their school-house. Michael D. Eberhard, Christian Pretz, Charles Massey, and Mrs. Wagner, revived and started the enterprise. After this it received more sympathy and support, and increased in numbers and efficiency. Stem, Treasurer, and William H. Blumer, Secretary. This is the first written record that has come down to us, of the school. Rev. Joshua Yaeger, pastor of the German Lutheran congregation, had already identified himself with the school. He took an active part in promoting its welfare and attended the meetings, which were held at first every two weeks, and afterwards every week. Already, at the above-named meeting, Rev. Joshua Yaeger and Mr. Solomon Keck were appointed a committee to ask the Consistory of the German Lutheran congregation for permission to hold the school in their church. Joshua Yaeger was requested to supervise the school; in his absence the President, M. D. Eberhard, was to take his place. In case the numerous pastoral duties permitted, the Rev. J. S. Dubbs was to take the place of the President of the school. From this time on the school was conducted in both the English and German languages. "At a meeting held December 5, 1836, the pastors of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, Revs. Becker, Dubbs and Yaeger, were respectfully requested to take public collections in their respective congregations for the benefit of the school. Several weeks later, C. Pretz, who had been authorized to purchase the necessary books, reported that he had attended to the duty assigned, and presented several bills, to the amount of $32.58. Mr. D. Stem reported that he had bought coal for $2 50 for the use of the school. Messrs. S Keck and W. H. Plumer reported that they had bought books for $2.65, which were presented to the scholars. This indi in behalf of the school. Though nothing is said in the minutes of the numerical strength of the school at this time, yet it must have become quite large, too large indeed, as it is said in its minutes, for one person to supervise it properly. Hence already at a meeting held December 22, 1836, only four weeks after its organization under the constitution, an additional office was created, and Mr. Christian Pretz had the honor of being the first Assistant Superintendent. "Its teachers and scholars soon be-cates considerable interest and activity came so numerous that a constitution became necessary for its proper govern ment. For eleven years it had existed without an organization, without officers, and without a constitution and by-laws. Now, however, in view of its numerical strength and its unorganized condition, the necessity of a constitution was felt and admitted. A constitution, consisting of twenty articles, was accordingly prepared and adopted. The first teachers' meeting under the new constitution, was held on Monday evening, November 21, 1836, and organized by electing Michael D. Eberhard, President, David "The want of proper books for Sunday-schools especially, those in which the German language was used, can be inferred from the fact that this school on January 17, 1837, appointed a committee to superintend the republication of a small work, entitled 'A Short Biblical Instruction in Questions and Answers,' for its use. "On New Year's day, 1838, a celebration was held in the Lutheran Church, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Two short addresses were delivered on the occasion, one in the German, and one in the English language. A written report was read, giving an account of the condition of the school, its attendance, its wants, and its prospects." Until March 6, 1838, the Superintendent performed the duties of Librarian. Now, however, Mr. Christian Pretz was elected to that office. In 1837 the old Reformed Stone Church was taken down, and the present building erected. As the basement, however, was not completed when the church was dedicated in 1840, ten liberal friends advanced the money to put the former in proper order for the use of the school. Since 1841 the school has held its meetings here. Among its furniture are still found some of the chairs originally used in the old school, marked with the letters R. & L. S. S., which mean, Reformed and Lutheran Sunday-school. After an absence of sixteen years, the school now returned to the place where it was started. In the churches of Eastern Pennsylvania church-discipline is not generally and strictly enforced. In most communities public sentiment is very lax on this subject. And in many the discipline of a transgressing church member is rarely heard of. The more remarkable and praiseworthy is it, therefore, that this venerable Sunday-school of Allentown, already fifty years old, at a time when it could poorly afford to lose teachers, fearlessly disciplined and suspended those among its teachers, who were guilty of improper conduct. "The Constitution and By-Laws which had been revised in 1845, plainly define the duties of the teacher whilst in the school, and also of the Christian life he should lead when out of it. The school all felt that such a rule was necessary to maintain its good reputation, and punish the guilty. In the following year, charges were brought against six teachers of the school for violating the Constitution by attending a ball and dancing. Upon examination, it was found that three had been merely spectators, but that the others had danced. The latter were suspended for four weeks; and in case they would return at the expiration of their term of punishment and promise an amendment of life, they should be reinstated and enjoy again all the rights and privileges of the school. At the meeting in four weeks, two of the suspended members appeared, made a confession, and promised to reform. They were accordingly received again, and admitted to full membership. One of the suspended teachers did, however, not return. The former three, who had been merely spectators, were reprimanded by the President for their misconduct. At the following meeting two other teachers of the school were charged with a similar offence. Having admitted their guilt, they were indefinitely suspended. One of the three teachers, who had been suspended for four weeks, but returned and promised amendment of life, was in three months found guilty again of a similar offence. That member was now formally expelled as unworthy of future fellowship." We commend the above example to the Sunday-schools represented among the readers of the GUARDIAN. These good people knew very well that the scholars learn from and follow the example of the teachers; that an inconsistent teacher, however intelligent and high in social position, whose life contradicts the plain and pure teachings of God's Word, may ruin the scholars under his or her care. Like the Gospel ministry, so Sunday-school teachers must be held strictly accountable for their conduct. The union school was continued until 1856. At this time the children and teachers of the Lutheran congregation peaceably withdrew, and organized a school in their own church. In 1858 the Sunday-school of the English St. John's Lutheran Church was formed out of this. The mother school, after having become purely Reformed, grew rapidly. Until 1863 only half the basement had been used. Now, however, the whole was remodeled, and fitted up for Sunday school purposes. In 1865 the Sunday-school of St. John's Reformed Church was organized, mainly of scholars and teachers of the old school. The mother school, however, soon more than regained its former numbers. To accommodate these a onestory building was added to the rear of the church in 1872. This mother Sunday-school of Allentown has been fruitful in good works. Already before 1850 a missionary box was put up, into which the members were invited to place their offerings once a month. It has bestowed many liberal gifts upon the cause of Missions, Beneficiary Education, and upon our Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf, Pa. To the latter as much as one hundred dollars were given at one time. "Donations to private individuals, and also to congregations, were not wanting. At one time it presented a beautiful private communion set, and afterwards also a solid walnut writingdesk to its Superintendent, the present pastor of the congregation; at another time it surprised its present Assistant Superintendent with a truly beautiful walnut book-case. The present teacher of the male Bible-class was also honored with a present in the form of a solid walnut writing-desk. In 1872 it presented an altar to the Reformed Mission Congregation of South Bethlehem, Pa. During the past summer the Infant department bought for itself with its own funds, an excellent cabinet organ, which is used every Sabbath in the school. And last, though not least, the Sundayschool presented to the congregation this pulpit, altar, reading-desk, baptismal font and chancel-railing, made of solid walnut and beautifully finished. By erecting this memorial pulpit and altar,' it performed a great and good work. For generations to come they will be a standing monument of the liberality of the Sunday-school, and of the active interest it took in making the church an inviting place of public worship. They together with the church to which they now belong, and of which they form an important and central part, were dedicated on the day of their presentation, October 24, 1875. Though not the oldest Sundayschool of this city-however only by about four years-yet it compares favorably with any other school in point of numbers, influence, and liberality. It started fifty years ago as a unionschool, with about twelve scholars. It grew gradually until it numbered several hundred. Its number was diminished by the withdrawal of those who belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church; soon its remaining number was again diminished by the withdrawal of those who belonged to the German Church. After it had become a Reformed school, its number was again diminished by the withdrawal of those who belonged to the St. John's Reformed Church. And yet notwithstanding all these deductions, to say nothing of removals, deaths, backsliders, apostates, &c., it numbered at different times from four to five and six hundred members. largest attendance was in 1873 and 1874. On January 11, 1874, there were present 638, the largest number on record. Before and after that time there were present 607, 600, 560, 612, &c." The CRAFTY men contemn studies; simple men admire them; and wise men use them, for they teach not their own use; but what is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read, not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he need have a great memory; if he confer little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning, to seem to know that which he doth not.-Bacon. PROCRASTINATION.-It is with our good intentions as with our wishes-tomorrow is but too often the hash of to-day. |