Lynchburg Virginian

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

No more pleasing and interesting scene is not often witnessed than was exhibited on the 4th inst. It was the procession of the pupils of the several Sunday Schools in Lynchburg. About 485 marched in files, two deep, from the 1st Presbyterian Church, up Main, and down Bridge streets, to the Methodist Episcopal church. They were arranged in five divisions, corresponding with the number of schools, each class headed by the principal teachers, bearing a banner, or ensign, decorated with paintings in exquisite taste, and appropriate mottos, consisting of the most beautiful passages of scripture. This was headed by several of the Rev. Clergy, and the readers; the materials were the teachers and patrons of the School. After entering the church with the most regular and orderly manner the ceremonies were commenced with an impressive prayer to the Throne of Grace by the Rev. Wm. S. Reid. This was followed by the performance of vocal music, with hymns selected for the occasion. An able, appropriate, and elegant Address was then delivered by the Rev. A. B. Smith, and the exercises closed with music and prayer.

The pupils were of both sexes, and apparently of all ages, between 5 and 15 years. It was the 4th day of July—the Sabbath of our Independence—the birth day of Freedom. The whole ceremony was infinitely imposing. The procession—the banners, with their mottos—the music—the prayers, and the address, each, in turn, gave the most lively interest to a vast number of spectators, and reflected lasting, and well merited honors on the actors.

During the procession an intelligent friend exclaimed, in the hearing of the writer, "What a mass of mind to operate upon."—There was, truly, a mass of intellect, most of which in all probability had been brought out of chaos by the faithful and gratuitous exertions of the teachers and managers of the Sunday Schools, and is now budding and springing into order and beauty.

These valuable institutions are of but recent origin; and the vast and increasing benefits which they have produced, and are producing, are beyond calculation. To Mr. Raikes the world is indebted for the scheme of the Sunday School. He was the editor of the "Gloucester Journal," in England. and, on seeing a large number of children in the suburb of the city, regularly assemble on the Sabbaths, indulging in the most idle and vicious habits, the afflicting sight suggested to the mind of this philanthropist the idea of sending them to Schools. He engaged several women in the neighborhood, who kept schools, to receive and teach such children as he should send on Sundays, paying each a shilling for their day's work. He soon collected a considerable number, distributed them among them, settled their quarrels, and gave them advice. The effect of these exertions was so striking, that his example was followed by other charitable persons in various parts of the city, and in a few years Sunday Schools were established throughout London. The fact became known in 1783, and in the year—he had the satisfaction seeing that 200,000 children were instructed in Sunday Schools. Great alterations instruction was introduced, and began gradually about 1800. It was a great improvement, and added much to the efficiency of the system. The first Sunday School Union was formed in London, in 1809; since which these schools have spread, and are common through England, Ireland and Scotland.

In the United States, the first Sunday School was established in Philadelphia in 1791, and in New York in 1800. The American Sunday School Union was formed in Philadelphia in 1817 as a combination of several local societies. Its object as to the "To concentrate the efforts of Sabbath School Societies throughout every section of the country, to strengthen the hands of the friends of the institution on God's day; to collect useful information; and to circulate it all over, to aid Sunday schools wherever there is a population." The association is composed of members belonging to every denomination of Christians: Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, Dutch Reformed, German Reformed, Lutherans, Moravians, and others. Each member pays a fee, and is to give the benefit of membership to life. The receipts of this Society during the year ending in May, 1830, were $5,551. These funds are appropriated to two objects: the support of Sunday Schools in destitute places and secondly, the publishing and distribution of books, tracts, etc., gratuitously, "wherever aid can be found. By the Reports of the Board of this institution, up to May 1830, we learn that there have been and are connected with it, upwards of 15,000 teachers, and 500,000 pupils. The same Reports also show, that at least 500,000 teachers and pupils have become professors of religion during the 13 years which the Society has been in existence. In the short period of fifty-five years, Sunday Schools have become greatly spread, on both sides of the Atlantic; and it appears, from documents entitled to credit, that, at this time, nearly three millions of souls are receiving instruction from these Schools, and many millions more are cheered and melted by tears then numerous and truly delightful public attentions circulated through the world. The above hasty remarks are submitted under the hope that the importance of this mode of instruction may become generally known, and the zealous and faithful labors of its patrons properly appreciated. The labors of the faithful teachers of our youth are not regarded in proportion to their value. We are attracted by the trappings of parade and fashion. We view with high interest the political movements in our country, and throughout the world. We are charmed with the eloquence of the orator and the statesman. We are dazzled with the splendor of military achievements—these, with other objects of a like character, almost engross our attention, and too often exclude from our minds the consideration of other things equally essential to the institutions of our country, and to the moral character and the well being of the human race. We should remember that the proud trophies of the victories of Alexander and Caesar have crumbled to dust; but the names of Raikes, and others, his faithful co-laborers in his charitable cause, will be cherished in an ever-during monument. STRANGER.