186 6 -189 J Srom t^e feiBrarp of (pxofmox nrifftam (gtiffer (pajton, ®.®., fe&.®. to f 3e fet6rarg of (J>rinceton C^eofogiccif ^eminarjj BV 1521 .E34 1892 Elizabeth (N.J.). Westminster Presbyterian Westminster Sabbath-School, Elizabeth, New Jersey i r Westminster ^af)t)atf);^ct)ool APR 20 1912 Westminster ^abbat|)#e|)ool. ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. TWENTY- FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, June 7, 1891. 1866-1891. Neijj gorft: ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY. Copyright, 1892, By Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, (incorporated). SEnifatrBitg ^Pwsa: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. y^(9 Mr. A. W. Dimock the thanks of the Superintendefit are due, for his beautifid and artistic work in preparing the photographs of the Sabbath-school. ►5" ^ ^ >i» Acknowledgments are made to Messrs. Pierson Brothers, for permissio7i to copy their photograph of the church on Anniversary night. CONTENTS. Pack Order of Exercises 6 Report of John Davidson 15 The Fishermen's Jug 38 Church Attendance 44 ORDER OF EXERCISES. ORDER OF EXERCISES. ^rocc^iefional I^pmit. FORWARD BE OUR WATCHWORD. Music by J. C. Knox. Forward be our watchword, Steps and voices joined ; Seek the things before us, Not a look behind. Burns the fiery pillar, At our army's head ; Who shall dream of shrinking By our Captain led ? Forward thro' the desert. Thro' the toil and fight, Jordan flows before us, Zion beams with light. Into God's high temple. Onward as we press. Beauty spreads around us. Born of holiness. Arch and vault and carving, Lights of varied tone ; Softened words and holy. Prayer and praise alone. Every thought upraising To our city bright, Where the tribes assemble Round the throne of light. Glories upon glories Hath our God prepared; By the souls that love him. One day to be shared. Eye hath not beheld them, Ear hath never heard ; Nor of these hath uttered Tho't or speech a word. Forward, marching eastward. Where the heav'n is bright. Till the veil be lifted, Till our faith be sight. To the Eternal Father Loudest anthems raise ; To the Son and Spirit Echo songs of praise. To the Lord of glory. Blessed Three in One, Be by men and angels Endless honors done. Weak are earthly praises. Dull the songs of night ; Forward into triumph, Forward into light ! Amen. 6 meaning tfte J>cripture^. REV. JOHN F. PINGRY, PH. D. ANGEL VOICES. Words by Rev. Francis Pott. Music by Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Angel voices, ever singing Round Thy throne of light; Angel harps, forever ringing, Rest not day nor night ; Thousands only live to bless Thee, And confess Thee, Lord of might! Thou, who art beyond the farthest Mental eye can scan. Can it be that thou regardest Songs of sinful man? Can we feel that Thou art near us, And wilt hear us ? Yea, we can. Here, great God, to-day we offer Of Thine own to Thee ; And for Thine acceptance proffer, All unworthily, Hearts and minds, and hands and voices, In our choicest melody. Amen. draper. By our Pastor, Rev. JOHN W. TEAL, D.D. 7 HARK! HARK! MY SOUL. Words by Rev. Frederick W. Faber. Music by W. C. Williams. Hark ! hark ! my soul ! Angelic songs are swelling O'er earth's green fields and ocean's wave-beat shore : How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling Of that new life when sin shall be no more ! Chorus. Angels of Jesus, angels of light, Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night, Angels of Jesus, angels of light. Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night. Onward we go, for still we hear them singing, " Come, weary souls, for Jesus bids you come," And through the dark its echoes sweetly ringing, The music of the Gospel leads us home. CJio) us. Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, The voice of Jesus sounds o'er land and sea, And laden souls by thousands meekly stealing, Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps to Thee. Cho7-7ts. Rest comes at length, though life be long and drear};-, The day must dawn, and darksome night be past ; Faith's journey ends in welcome to the weary. And heaven, the heart's true home, will come at last. Chorus. Angels, sing on ! your faithful watches keeping ; Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above ; The morning's joy shall end the night of weeping, And life's long shadow break in cloudless love. Chorus. 8 ^iqjcnntentimt*^ ticpott. NO SHADOWS YONDER. From Gaul's "Holy City." Ckonis. No shadows yonder ! All light and song ! Each day I wonder, And say, " How long Shall time me sunder From that dear throng ? " III. Quartet. No partings yonder! Time and space never Again shall sunder, Hearts cannot sever; Dearer and fonder, Hands clasp forever. Solo {Tenor). No weeping yonder ! All fled away ! While here I wander Each weary day; And sigh as I ponder My long, long stay. IV. Chorus. None wanting yonder ! Bought by the Lamb ! All gathered under The ever-green palm ; Loud as night's thunder Ascends the glad psalm. Rev. a. F. SCHAUFFLER, D. D. THOU CROWNEST THE YEAR WITH THY GOODNESS. Words by May R. Smith. Music by W. C. Williams. Dear Lord ! Thou crownest all the year With goodness bountiful and rare ; And looking backward there appear Bright mercies glowing everywhere. Chorus. Dear Lord ! Thou crownest all the year With goodness bountiful and rare ; And looking backward there appear Bright mercies glowing everywhere. Each day we live hath in its hold Enough to make our faces shine With full content and grace untold, If we but catch the mystic sign. We know we have not said or done The best that we could do or say ; And many a duty one by one Has dropped unfinished by the way. Chorus. We know we have not said or done The best that we could do or say ; And many a duty one by one Has dropped unfinished by the way ; And yet each little good we wrought Sent back an answer fresh and sweet, And to our life more fragrance brought, Than violets blooming at our feet. lO And yet, in every year there are Some days more hallowed than the rest; Some hours that seem so bright and fair, We cannot choose but love them best. Chorus. And yet, in every year there are Some days more hallowed than the rest; Some hours that look so bright and fair, We cannot choose but love them best. And so, from out the blessed days. That make the happy golden year, We give to this our loving praise, And bring our grateful tribute here. Dear Lord ! we thank Thee for the year, The gracious year that now is past; Thy patient kindness we revere. Thy goodness crowned it to the last. Chorits. Dear Lord ! we thank Thee for the year, The gracious year that now is past ; Thy patient kindness we revere. Thy goodness crowned it to the last. Be nearer still in days to come. Forgive us when we go astray. For we shall never reach our Home, Unless Thou keep'st us in the way. Rev. JOHN W. TEAL, D. D. Announcement of Jamesf on tlje Holl of l^onor. II TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND. Words by Rev. Henry Alford. Music by Rev. John Bacchus Dykes. Ten thousand times ten thousand In sparkling raiment bright, The armies of the ransomed saints Throng up the steeps of light. 'T is finished, all is finished. Their fight with death and sin : Fling open wide the golden gates, And let the victors in. What rush of Hallelujahs Fills all the earth and sky ; What ringing of a thousand harps Bespeaks the triumph nigh ! Oh day for which creation And all its tribes were made ! Oh joy for all its former woes, A thousand fold repaid ! Oh then what raptured greetings On Canaan's happy shore ! What knitting severed friendships up, Where partings are no more ! Then eyes with joy shall sparkle That brimmed with tears of late; Orphans no longer fatherless, Nor widows desolate. Amen. 25enetiiction. 12 ">.rl ORGANIZATION. Rev. JOHN W. TEAL, D. D. JOHN DAVIDSON . . . Mr. FREDERICK K. DAY > Mrs. a. p. RANNEY \ Mrs. JOSEPH CROSS . . Mr. henry a. HAINES . Mr. CLAUDE DEUTSCH. Mr. FREDERICK H. PIERSON Mr. LEWIS THOMPSON ^ Mr. CHARLES ROLLINSON j FRANCIS JORDAN, Esq.. . . Pastor. Superintendent. Ass't Superintendents. Suft of Infant Dep't. Secretary and Treasurer. Assistant Secretary. Librarian. Assistant Librarians. Treas. of Mission Fund. TEACHERS. Mrs. Archibald Barklie. Mr. Archibald Barklie. Mrs. E. M. Brown. Mr. S. J. Berry, Jr. Mr. Clarence Berry. Miss Christine Baker. Mrs. Joseph Cross. Mrs. R. B. CissEL. Joseph Cross, Esq. Mr. J. Harvey Cory. Mr. Chas. F. Coaney. Mr. C. H. Clark. J. H. CORWIN, Esq. Mrs. James Davidson. Miss Frances E. Deane. Robert Davidson, Esq. Mr. Frederick K. Day. Mr. Wm. M. Deutsch. Mr. Benjamin Darby. Mrs. H. C. FOLGER, Jr. Mrs. John Gillespie. Miss M. W. Kellogg. Miss Harriet B. Kellogg. Mrs. Thomas King. Miss Elizabeth Mulford. Miss Mary Mulford. Mrs. F. H. PiERSON. Miss M. H. PiERSON. Rev. J. F. Pingry, Ph. D. Mr. Robert R. Pierce. Mr. Henry S. Prentiss. Miss Johanna Robinson. Mr. Joseph Ranney. Miss C. M. Smith. Miss E. Smith. Mrs. E. P. Thompson. Mr. Wm. P. Toler. Miss Sarah Whitehead. Mr. W. W. Howarth, Musical Director. Miss Charlotte M. King, Accompanist. Mr. Frederic C. Baumann, Organist. 13 REPORT OF JOHN DAVIDSON, SUPERINTENDENT. June 7, 1891. 14 REPORT OF JOHN DAVIDSON. SUPERINTENDENT. June 7, I891. HE Sabbath-school of Westminster Presbyterian Church, of Elizabeth, to-night celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. It is but simple justice to the men and women who founded this Sabbath-school, and to those who now labor therein, that on this quarter-centennial occasion we should look over the past, see the path wherein the Lord has led us, and from this retrospective glance gather strength and resolution to add to our courage for the future. Nothing is set down here in self-glorification ; the facts are told. The work, the honor, the victory, the glory, all belong to Him. Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be the glory, praise, and thanksgiving for ever and ever. Amen. 15 When the one hundred members of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city re- solved to estabHsh the Westminster Presbyte- rian Church, a few of the faithful ones, eighteen in number, met to organize a Sabbath-school, — a church among the children. This meeting was held five days before the first meeting as a church and congregation. It took place at the residence of Dr. A. W. Kingsley, on Tues- day evening, Feb. 27, 1866. William F. Day, Esq., was chosen chairman, and Mr. Henry Seymour, secretary. Rev. John F. Pingry was elected superin- tendent; Mr. Henry Seymour, assistant super- intendent; and Mr. Henry M. Baker, librarian. The first session of the school was held on the following Sabbath, March 4, 1866, in Library Hall. Eighteen officers and teachers and eighty- six scholars were present. A missionary spirit was early infused into this school ; for on that first day of meeting, a missionary society was organized. From that day to this, Westminster Sabbath-school has kept up and urged forward the good work of sending the glad tidings to others. Dr. Pingry continued to act as superintend- ent, with great acceptance to the teachers and scholars, until his resignation on the third day 16 1 ^-^TKi^ Txhhi WiLLiAM r. DAY, ©aa.<» of its C"!»-jAi:«st r!e1-ot4^d. texcii-ci^, ^-Ixo /i) J ZtiJtf tatifi ft tin'! of October, 1866, when Mr. George T. Mulford was elected superintendent for the unexpired term. At the next annual meeting, held in June, 1877, Mr. Mulford was re-elected. In November, 1867, a teachers' Bible-class was organized, with William F. Day, Esq., as teacher. At the annual meeting, held June 17, 1868, Mr. George T. Mulford was again re-elected. During Mr. Mulford's term of office the school increased in numbers and interest. The singing was of a high order; and under his direction, ably sup- ported by Mr. R. S. Lewis and Mr. Wm. C. Williams, it became a special feature in our services. In June, 1869, William F. Day, Esq., was elected superintendent, and resigned September 10, the same year; but finding none who could so well supply his place, he was re-elected, and served this school with great ability and fidelity until his death, on the sixth day of April, 1870. As a tribute to his faithful work for the school, and as a testimonial of the love and apprecia- tion of the school for him, a becoming marble tablet was placed, and is now to be seen, on one of the walls of our Sabbath-school room. As a further mark of love and regard, it was unanimously resolved that the office of superin- tendent should remain vacant until the next 17 annual meeting. His loss was deeply felt. He was a loving, kind, sympathetic friend; a just, honorable, and high-minded Christian gentleman. Mr. R. S. Lewis, the assistant superintendent, acted as such until the election in June, 1870, when, by the unanimous vote of the teachers, he succeeded Mr. Day as superintendent. He was again elected at the annual meeting in 1 87 1. Mr. Lewis rendered very faithful and valuable services to the school ; under his ad- ministration the interest was maintained in every department of Sabbath-school work. He devoted his time and whole soul to the duties of his office. At the yearly meeting, held June 3, 1872, he was elected for the third time. Ill health, however, compelled his declination of the office; and Mr. Benjamin Darby was elected, and continued to serve this school with fidelity until June, 1876. He gave time, care, patience, and experience to the important interests com- mitted to his guidance. Mr. Cornelius H. Clark succeeded Mr. Darby as superintendent in June, 1876. The work of the school continued to go forward under Mr. Clark's direction. He brought to the discharge of his duties a painstaking and consistent fidel- ity to all that appertained to his office. What- ever work Mr. Clark has undertaken for this 18 church and school, — and it has been both great and laborious, — has been faithfully performed. In June, 1877, William H. Corbin, Esq., was elected superintendent, and continued as such until his resignation, March 17, 1879. Under Mr. Corbin's leadership, and by his introduc- tion of new and important features in Sabbath- school work, a great advance was made in numbers, attendance, and interest. The present superintendent was elected March 17, 1879. By the faithful labors of those who had preceded him, he found the school in per- fect working order, fully furnished and equipped in every detail and department. He had but to continue the work. The more than kind co- operation of every officer and teacher has ren- dered that work for the last thirteen years easy and delightful. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Mr. Louis E. A. De Goll, John Howard Corwin, Esq., Mr. Lewis Thompson, William H. Corbin, Esq., and Mr. Frederick K. Day, for their valu- able services as assistant superintendents during the term of their respective occupancy of that office. The work of the superintendent has been materially lightened by the cordial and efficient assistance of Mrs. Anna P. Ranney, lady super- 19 intendent ; Mr. Henry A. Haines, Mr. David H. Pierson, and Mr. Murray Howe, secretaries ; and Mr. Peter K. Brown, Francis Jordan, Esq., and Mr. Charles F. Coaney, treasurers. We cheerfully record the valuable services rendered to the school in the matter of floral decorations on Easter, Christmas, and anniver- sary days by Mr. Robert R. Pierce and Mr. Clarence Berry. We are under especial obli- gations to Mr. Henry A. Haines ; during his term of office he has been the right hand of the superintendent. The pastors of Westmin- ster Church have always and at all times aided the school, and exhibited a high devotion to its best interests. Dr. William C. Roberts, the first pastor, Dr. John Gillespie, the second pastor, and Dr. John W. Teal, the third and present pastor, have all helped forward the grand work. They have been in full and active sympathy with the important work of the teachers, and have strengthened the hands and encouraged the hearts of the superintendents. It is but a just recognition of important services rendered, that the school gratefully tenders to them its sincere gratitude and thanks. We have been in perfect harmony with them all. Their wish has been our wish, and our desires their de- sires. It has not been simply a union in name, 20 and official respect from one officer to another, but it has been a perfect union ; and we be- lieve a deep reciprocative respect, one for the other, has been felt on the part of pastor and superintendent. The library book, as used in the Sabbath- school, has of recent years been an efficient agent — owned by God and recognized by the Church — in planting, maintaining, and protect- ing the truth. It has made and left impressions on thousands of hearts where the human voice, in preaching and teaching, has failed to pene- trate and find a lodgment. It has nobly sec- onded the work of pastor and teachers. The silent yet potent work of the printed page is recognized now, in every Sabbath-school in this broad land, as second only to the teaching of the Word. The founders of Westminster School early appreciated and applied these truths to the task before them. On the evening of Feb. 27, 1866, — the first meeting for the organization of the School, — it was resolved to begin and maintain a library. Mr. Henry M. Baker was unani- mously chosen librarian, and clothed with full and discretionary power to select and purchase books. A wiser and better choice could not have been made. He was pre-eminently the man 21 S^^^^T^fe^^ for the place, and it was pre-eminently the place for the man. The first session of the school was held just five days after Mr. Baker's election ; and on that first Sabbath — when other depart- ments were in a more or less incomplete work- ing order — he had the library fully supplied with books, and all its machinery of catalogues, cards, records, and requisitions in complete work- ing order. No one supervised Mr. Baker's work in the library, either in its arrangement or selec- tion ; it was his own, and to this he gave all his experienced and cultured taste. Mr. Henry M. Baker was our first librarian, and continued to serve this school in such a faithful manner as few men ever served any Sabbath-school, until his death on the twenty- ninth day of March, 1882. Mr. Frederick H. Pierson, who had been for several years the assistant librarian, was elected as Mr. Baker's successor at the next annual meeting, and has continued to serve this school with great acceptance to this date. Mr. Henry M. Baker was a great deal more to this school than simply its librarian ; he was its steadfast friend, he was one of its counsellors and pilots. When in need of Bibles and cate- chisms, he supplied them; and of cards, requi- sitions, and catalogues, he furnished them, — and 22 all at his own cost. Our very complete Sabbath- school catalogue, which we think the most per- fect in use in any school, was the work of Mr. Baker. At the centennial celebration of the founding of Sabbath-schools held in London, England, in July, 1880, your superintendent called the attention of the convention to this catalogue. Nearly every land under the sun was represented at this convention by delegates. The catalogue received the unanimous commendation of them all. And, we may add, we have received letters since then from the four quarters of the globe, asking for copies that they may model their catalogues after Mr. Baker's. At the time of Mr. Baker's death we had nine hundred volumes in our library ; all these, with very few exceptions, were freely given by Mr. Baker to our school. This loyalty to West- minster School, this love for this branch of the dear Redeemer's work, this self-denial for the good of others, in short, Mr. Baker's complete devotion to this school was so great, and mani- fested on so many occasions, that by almost spontaneous action the teachers resolved to pre- sent a testimonial to him who had labored and given so much for them and the school ; and so, at the Christmas entertainment in 1879, Dr. Pingry, on behalf of the officers and teachers, 23 h-^ ■s\ ({^■■'■■'- 5 ' \y: % ran '^wsr.f.w rr-f-rs^ 3 presented to Mr. Baker a beautiful tribute of their love, respect, and appreciation. The ceiling and walls of our schoolroom were beautifully and artistically frescoed in the sum- mer of 1880 by the liberality of our librarian. Our library now numbers one thousand one hundred and seventy-seven volumes. All the increase since Mr. Baker's death has been given by the family of our deceased librarian. Thus the good and blessed work which he inaugurated twenty-five years ago has been carried on to this day. A better and more consistent friend West- minster Sabbath-school never had. A marble tablet has been set by us in the wall of the schoolroom in memory of our friend. But this tablet is not his monument. His truest monument is whiter than marble, more lasting than granite, and more enduring than bronze. It is in the heart and work and lives of thou- sands. The influence of his work will continue here, and to and throughout eternity. God be thanked for giving to this school such a friend as Henry M. Baker. In the early days of our school we needed friends, not only those who taught therein, but those who by patient labor, mature judgment, and material assistance urged, guided, and aided us. 24 are the names: Mrs. Henry M. Baker, Mrs. Martha B. Kellogg, Mrs. William J. Magie, Mrs. George T. Mulford, Mrs. E. M. Brown, Miss Annie Crane, Miss J. K. Little, Miss J. Kittle, Miss Mary W. Kellogg, Miss Julia Baker, Miss Mary P. Whiting, Miss Elizabeth Mulford, and Miss Mary J. Peck. In the beginning of this enterprise we had men, also, whose names we gladly recall to your remembrance to-night, and who by faithful ser- vice are entitled to a high place on the roll of honor of this school : Rev. David H. Pierson, whose fervent prayers so often ascended to the throne of grace at the opening services of the school, and who for many months during our pastor's absence in Europe was the acting pas- tor of the church ; Ebenezer Piatt, faithful as teacher, ready and willing to do anything for the cause, and always present ; Charles L. Doe, active, full of untiring energy, industry, and en- thusiasm for the school, and whose voice in leading the singing those who have heard will never forget; William J. Magie, Esq., who taught the Bible-class ; Henry Seymour, secretary and assistant superintendent ; Dr. A. W. Kingsley, William P. Thompson, Joseph Cross, Esq., and Frederick K. Day, as teachers. Nor should we forget to mention and call to 26 mind the kindly help and generosity of Hon. Amos Clark, Jr., in aiding us financially when we required aid; and we gratefully remember the days when Mr. and Mrs. Clark had, year after year, the entire school at their delightful home and grounds, when and where everything to make the scholars happy was furnished with lavish hand. With gratitude we recall the material help we received from Dr. Lewis W. Oakley, Mr. Alan W. Lukins, Mr. Jacob Davis, and Mr. James E. Hedges. Many of these have gone to their reward ; having right to the tree of life, they have passed through the gates into that city which hath foundations. Let us be faithful to our trusts, that we may meet with them at that great gathering of the Church of the first-born in heaven. " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Of those who engaged in this work in our school twenty-five years ago, we have but seven with us now, — Miss Mary W. Kellogg, Miss Elizabeth Mulford, Mrs. Joseph Cross, Mrs. E. M. Brown, Dr. Pingry, Joseph Cross, Esq., and Mr. Frederick K. Day. What a long, use- ful, and honorable record! We can measure the years of their self-denying service ; but eter- nity alone can measure the blessed results of 27 these years of faithful labor. May these labor- ers in this harvest field long be with us, and add more and more to their sheaves of ripened grain which they will one day, amid songs of rejoicing, lay at the feet of the Lord of the Harvest. The singing in our school from the very be- ginning has been one of its most instructive, delightful, and attractive features. The first musical director was Mr. R. S. Lewis ; under his able leadership, aided by Mr. William C. Williams, the organist of the church, the school soon assumed a high position in the beautiful and effective rendering of the hymns on ordi- nary and anniversary occasions. As a leader, Mr. Lewis was indefatigable ; always in earnest, he infused his enthusiasm into the hearts of the scholars. His musical taste was of the finest, and his ability unquestioned. In 1882 the entire control of the music was given into the hands of Mr. William C. Williams, and continued under his direction until June i, 1889. Mr. Williams was not only a musical director, but a composer also ; the most beautiful pieces ever rendered by this school at its ordi- nary service, and on Easter, Christmas, and anni- versary occasions, were his compositions. Two of the finest on the programme to-night are his. 28 We miss him and his valuable work in this school ; and for all that he has done for us we to-night render to him our grateful thanks. While recording the good and effective work of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Williams, we must not forget Mr. George T. Mulford, Mr. Charles L. Doe, Mr. Lewis Thompson, Mr. Edward Big- low, the assistance rendered to us on every an- niversary by the late John G. Hulin and the members of our Sabbath-school choir. We bear testimony to those who served the school at the piano : Miss Mary W. Kellogg, Miss Henrietta B. Brown, Miss Charlotte M. King, William T. Day, Esq., and Mr. Alfred H. Clark. We trust this all-important part of Sab- bath-school work will never have a less con- spicuous place in our school in the future than it has had in the past. The attendance has ranged from one hundred to three hundred and sixty. The time when we had the largest number of scholars and the best average attendance was from 1886 to 1889. We have at this date ten officers, thirty-eight teachers, and two hundred and seventy-eight scholars, making a total of three hundred and twenty-six on our Sabbath-school roll. We have had for many years a roll of honor, whereon are recorded the names of those who 29 for punctual attendance and for keeping the texts of sermons have earned the distinguish- ing right of having their names printed thereon. This roll contains more than six hundred names. But there is a still higher roll of honor than this, — the roll whereon is engraved the names of our scholars who have entered the sacred min- istry, and as the ambassadors of our King are telling the glad tidings of the Prince of Peace. These are the names : W. D. Thomas, Francis S. Haines, Chalmers Martin, Ivan D. Meschoff, Paul Martin, George P. Pierson, and George E. Gillespie. This Sabbath-school was the first to suggest and introduce the sermon text-books as an in- ducement to the scholars to attend the church services. At the Sabbath-school centennial cele- bration in London, in 1880, the attention of that great gathering was called to our sermon text- books. Many of the delegates took copies home with them. We have received numerous letters from nearly all parts of the world asking for information about their working, adoption, and success. A publishing house in New York three years ago informed us that nearly a quarter of a million copies are now used every year. This Sabbath-school was also the first to suggest and 30 introduce the earthenware missionary jugs. The now celebrated " Fishermen's Jug," which be- longs to this school, has been copied in thou- sands of schools in our land, and in lands beyond the sea. Many thousands of dollars have been collected in these little jugs for the cause of foreign missions. Our school, from the time of its first session in 1866 to its last in 1891, has taken an active and practical interest in missionary work at home and abroad. Its first effort was to aid in building a place of worship and supporting a missionary among the pines, at Hammonton, New Jersey. It has aided young men to pre- pare for and enter the ministry, — Americans, Germans, Indians, and colored men. It has aided the districts smitten with yellow fever and devastated by the floods. It has stretched out a helping hand whenever the cry came, " Come and help us." It has taken part in building churches and Sabbath-schools. It has cheerfully and liberally contributed to all the Boards of the Presbyterian Church, 'and for two years gave more to the cause of foreign missions than any other Presbyterian Sabbath- school in North America. In this general dis- tribution of its benefactions it has not forgotten the poor of this city nor its worthy charities, — 31 the Orphan Asylum, the Home for Aged Women, and the Hospital. The contributions from this school for these purposes since its organization amount to seventeen thousand one hundred and thirty-seven dollars. The contributions from the school toward our church and schoolroom, and the extra expenses incident to our school-work, amount to seven thousand one hundred and thirty-five dollars, making a total of twenty-four thousand two hundred and seventy-two dollars. The contributions from any of the mission bands, or any organization other than the Sab- bath-school, are not included herein. These are not recalled at this time in a spirit of self-lauda- tion, but as a remembrancer of the past, and a reminder of what is expected of this school in the future. The infant department of our school has been under the charge of Miss J. K. Little, Miss Louise K. Day, and for the last fifteen years under Mrs. Joseph Cross. The present super- intendent of it has labored with our youngest scholars with an earnestness of purpose, con- tinual presence, unabated interest, and a degree of enthusiasm and magnetism which have drawn the hearts of all our scholars to her, and which call from us our warmest words of commendation. One of the most important organizations con- nected with our school, and which ably supple- ments the work of pastor and teachers, is the boy's prayer-meeting. This was organized by Mr. Frederick K. Day several years ago, and has continued hitherto. He has given to it thought- ful care, diligent research of the Word, a very large amount of time, and no inconsiderable amount of money. He has for several years past gathered the boys of our school, from ten to eighteen years of age, every Saturday night in the church parlor, for prayer and the study of some biblical theme. The subjects and ref- erences are neatly printed on cards, and distrib- uted or sent to every member the week previous to the meeting. The attendance has been good ; the interest has never failed ; and the advance made has been noticeable to all. Mr. Day is especially qualified for this all-important work; and this school is fortunate in finding in one willing to do this work a person so thoroughly devoted to it, and who has brought such conse- cration of talents and time to this branch of the Master's service. It is impossible to carry on the work of the Sabbath-school without a strong, well-equipped band of faithful and efficient teachers. This school has been singularly blessed in this re- spect. From the date of its organization to 33 this time we have had faithful, efficient, self- denying teachers, — not simply those profess- ing faith in Christ, which we admit is the great and paramount requirement, but those fitted by education, experience, tact, judgment, and patience for the leading and guiding of the young to the green pastures and still waters of God's word and kingdom. Nor is this all ; the daily life has so harmonized with the great truths taught that the young have learned by example and not simply by precept. And yet who is able for these things ? Not by or in ourselves, but by the manifestation and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and by the indwelling of that light which cometh from Him who is the light of the world, are we enabled to labor in this blessed work. That the great Head of the Church has owned and blessed the work of pastor and teachers is sufKciently manifest in the success of the school for the last twenty-five years, and especially in the gracious ingathering of three hundred and sixty-four precious souls who have not been ashamed to stand up for Jesus and publicly confess Him before men and angels. This is the touchstone by which we measure and gauge the success of our school. However increased it may be in numbers, however punctual in at- 34 tendance, however large its missionary and great its benevolent contributions, however proficient in its singing and inspiring in its services, these will amount to nothing and be less than ashes under our feet unless the children are brought to Christ, the children's Friend. May you not weary in this ennobling work of planting pre- cious seed; you are sowing it for Him, and in His name; the reaping is His also, and in His time you will sing the harvest home. And now, with my last words, let me thank you, my ever faithful officers and teachers, from a full and overflowing heart, for all the aid, sym- pathy, and enthusiastic support given to me for these thirteen years. It has been, and is, a pleasure to labor with you. No superintend- ent could desire a more faithful and personally devoted band of colaborers than I have ever found in you. Officers and teachers, your work for Christ in this school will never, never die. We will all pass away and be forgotten. Marble shaft and granite slab will crumble and one day mingle with the dust from whence they came; the crowns of mighty conquerors and crafty poli- ticians will fade; bat the ever-increasing years, as eternity garners up the precious souls, will make your crowns to bud with a freshness and 35 bloom with a glory and grandeur that will be immortal. " The arrow is flown, Our work it is done, And the year of the Lord rushes rapidly on. Oh, that each in the day Of His coming may say, ' I have fought my way through ; I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do ! ' Oh, that each from the Lord May receive the glad word, ' Well and faithfully done ! Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne.' " 36 THE FISHERMEN'S JUG. By the Rev. John Gillespie, D.D., Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions. 37 THE FISHERMEN'S JUG.^ By the Rev. John Gillespie, D. D., Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions. EAUTIFUL, is it not? But it is useful as well as beautiful. Within the past two years it has poured into the treasury of the Board of Foreign Mis- sions more than many of our large churches have done. A wonderful jug, surely! and it has a wonderful history. Let me tell it. Do you see that beautiful speckled trout jumping to catch the fisherman's fly? It is supposed to be a Salmon River trout. Salmon River is a silvery mountain stream that flows down the western slope of the Adirondacks and empties into Lake Ontario. Some twenty-five or thirty miles from the mouth of the stream there is a charmino^ o enclosure called Edrington Park. Through this park the river flows in many a graceful curve. Little gems of islands dot it here and there, i From "Children's Work for Children," April, 1887. 38 while one or two larger islands, heavily wooded, form delightful resting-places for the weary fish- ermen. That park is what is called a " trout preserve." It is a most delightful place for trout-fishing, and by means of fences and watch- ful friends it is preserved against all comers for the use of its owner and his guests. Now it so happens that the owner of that mountain park is the superintendent of one of our large and wide-awake Sabbath-schools. He is one of those superintendents, moreover, who believe that children ought to be trained to give to various mission objects through the Boards of our own Church. He thinks also that the amounts given should bear some proportion to the importance of the causes presented. Be- cause of this he insists that more should be given to foreign missions than to any other one object, as the field is larger and the need greater. To secure this end, in addition to the usual col- lection for foreign missions made in the school during the months of March and April, some two years ago he gave to each teacher and scholar a missionary jug. It was distinctly an- nounced that these jugs were to be regarded as thanksgiving JMgs. The money dropped into them was to be an expression of thanks for blessings received. 39 Many of these jugs were beautifully decorated, most of them by the hands of the teachers or scholars themselves. The superintendent, how- ever, had his jug decorated by a well-known artist, and in accordance with the instincts and taste of a fisherman. Who will say it was not well done ? When the season for trout-fishing rolled around, and the little company of invited guests — comprising ministers, lawyers, and merchants — set their faces once more toward Edrington Park, the decorated jug was carefully packed and taken along. By common consent it was put in a conspicuous place, so that the fishermen as they returned from the day's sport might be re- minded of the blessings they had enjoyed, and make a grateful acknowledgment by dropping something into the jug. If that little trout could speak it could tell you many an amusing story of how the blessino^s were measured and their value determined when the day's work was done. When the season was over the jug remained in the hands of the superintendent — who still kept dropping in the silver as the days went by — until the jubilee for the jug-breaking was held. When the fishermen's jug was reached, and the concave bottom gently tapped, how much do you suppose it was found to contain ? Fifty- 40 eight dollars ! In addition to this, when, with the other decorated jugs, it was put up at auc- tion, one of the fishermen, determined not to lose it, kept bidding on it till he finally secured it for ten dollars and twenty-five cents. " Well done for the fishermen's jug!" you say. Yes, well done. But more and better remains to be told. Such a jug was not to be regarded as a mere piece of bric-a-brac to adorn some parlor. It was too valuable to foreign missions. So when new jugs were distributed to the school for an- other year, the fishermen's jug was neatly re- paired, and it went forth once more to remind the anglers of their blessings, and to collect the thank-offerings for the year. A few weeks ago it again appeared in the Sabbath-school, for teachers and scholars had once more assembled with their hundreds of little consecrated treasu- ries to present them before the Lord. What a beautiful sight it was! The jugs were taste- fully arranged in tiers on a neat frame-work made for the purpose, — something like the ar- rangement your mothers have for plants in the family sitting-room. Imagine the surprise and delight of all when the fisherman who had bought the jug last year stepped forward with it in his hand, and announced that the silver 41 had turned to gold this year, and that the jug contained one hundred dollars in gold ! When the appointed exercises connected with the jug- breaking had been concluded, and a season of social fellowship enjoyed while the contents of the jugs were being counted, the decorated jugs were offered for sale. To the astonishment of all, the fishermen's jug was started at twenty- five dollars ! The bids rose at once to thirty dollars, forty dollars, fifty dollars, till finally the jug was knocked down to one of the gentlemen at two hundred dollars. Should you chance to step into the well-appointed Sabbath-school room of the Westminster Church of Elizabeth, N. J., you will see that historic jug neatly enclosed in a glass case. There it is to remain, except when loaned to the fishermen during their an- nual visit to Edrington Park. Thus, at the urgent request of your editor, I have told you the story of the "Fishermen's Jug," which, in less than two years, has given to the cause of foreign missions three hundred and sixty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents. It may interest you to know that the outcome of the recent jug-breaking in the entire school amounted to the handsome sum of seven hundred and thirty dollars. 42 CHURCH ATTENDANCE. 43 CHURCH ATTENDANCE.^ HE Westminster Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N. J., does several things which show a godly ingenuity on the part of somebody. Among others is one re- ported in the " Sunday-school Times." A little book is provided for every scholar in the Sunday- school who desires it, in which he can enter the pastor's text for each Sunday's sermon. The page recording the text is to be signed by the scholar, and on the following Sunday it is to receive the teacher's signature, if the scholar's entry has been correctly made. At the close of the year these books are handed in to the superintendent, and those scholars who have attended church throughout the year, and have kept a record of texts accordingly, are to be duly recognized at the Christmas service. " The 1 From " Westminster Teacher," May, 1880. 44 text-book will then be given back to the scholar " for permanent preservation. The form of the blank for this record is as follows: — Sabbath, 188 Sermon by Text : Chapter of Verse J The above is correct. ■■■ Teacher. ^ Scholar. Such a plan, in this or some other form, will certainly tend to keep up a steady church at- tendance and attention on the part of the young people who have not Christian parents to lead them regularly to the house of God. 45 :on Theological Semmary-Spt 1 1012 01035 3185