Page 58
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 58
This praiseworthy and really charitable institution was formed in 1816. At this date (1823) it had been in operation eleven years, and the results partially seen by parents and beneficially experienced by the children. To show its influence and general bearing, we select the proceedings of one anniversary to lay before the reader, that he may judge of the nature of the institution and its benign influences upon the infant minds of the rising generation. This charity certainly, in all its seen and unseen effects, which the lapse of time and the records of the world to come can only fully develope, stands directly beside the teachings of the sanctuary, and second alone to them. Let these teachings be continued from year to year, and from century to century, and the happy consequences will fill heaven with praise, and rob the grave of its victories. True, the work is arduous and continual, the seed sown from Sabbath to Sabbath small and long in vegetating; some may be scattered by the wayside and the cares of the world may choke the growth of others, still, the great end—the salvation of souls, the conversion of the world—are not to be despaired of. The promise is, teach, “and I will be with you to the end of the world.”
On Wednesday, July 9th, 1823, the Newburgh Sabbath School Society held their annual meeting in the session room of the First Presbyterian Church in this place. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. John Johnston. The annual report being read a motion to accept and accept it was made by Moses D. Burnet, Esq., accompanied by a most excellent and appropriate address. After a few remarks by Mr. Johnston, on the encouragement to perseverance on the part of the friends of Sabbath School instruction, arising from the present state and future prospects of this institution, the Society made choice of the following officers for the ensuing year:
Superintendents.—Mrs. Agnes Van Kleeck, Mrs. Mary G. Belknap, Mrs. Harriet M. Bate, Miss Joanna Schultz.
Treasurer.—Miss Jane Carpenter. Secretary.—Miss Louisa M. Lewis.
Report of the Newburgh Sabbath School Society.
It is with feelings of lively pleasure and unfeigned gratitude to God, that the directors of the Newburgh Sabbath School make their seventh report on this anniversary occasion.
The more we contemplate the usefulness of Sabbath Schools, to the temporal and eternal interests of those of our fallen race, who have been deprived of the ordinary means of education, the more our hearts expand with thankfulness to our heavenly Father for his goodness in disposing the hearts of so many of his professing people to adopt this mode of instruction to the ignorant, and spreading the knowledge of divine truth to those who otherwise would remain in gross darkness.
It is generally true that the most ignorant in the community are the most vicious, but from the establishment of Sabbath Schools, this degraded class of the people, instead of spending holy time in rioting and dissipation, to the ruin of soul and body, are treasuring up knowledge, and laying a solid foundation to become useful citizens and exemplary Christians. Sabbath School, in which children and adults are instructed in the rudiments of learning and religion, must be considered as powerful auxiliaries to the exertions which are making, throughout the Christian world, for the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom.
How pleasing to the benevolent mind to contemplate not only the young, but those far advanced in life, learning, (by this method) to read, and thus obtaining the inestimable privilege of searching the Scriptures, and discovering their duty to God, their fellow men and themselves.
By viewing some of those who have attended this school, and comparing their present acquirements, with the condition in which they would have been without this advantage, it must at least be allowed that they have received essential, and we hope, lasting benefit, and stand as promising candidates for spiritual blessings, as their rich and inure fortunate neighbors.
The school is at this time in a more flourishing condition than it has ever been before. It consists at present of more than 300 scholars. The average number of late is 200, they are divided into 32 classes and instructed by 46 teachers and assistants. In a few weeks past there has been a secession to the school of 85 scholars who have never attended before. The whole number that have been admitted since the commencement of the school is 890. During the past year the pupils have been punctually in their places at the time appointed; they have generally manifested a laudable spirit of emulation; an anxious desire of learning, and readily repeating the lessons given to them. The number of verses from the Scriptures, that have been committed amount to 21,440—of divine songs, 8,684—answers in different catechisms amount to 11,638.
Our limits will not permit us to enlarge on the improvement of individual scholars; it must suffice to say, that the progress which has been made has been equal to the expectation of the instructors; and in a few instances have far exceeded our most sanguine expectations: and we presume to say, have seldom been surpassed by any school, calculating the pittance of time devoted to the purpose and the extreme ignorance of the scholars.
LOUISA M. LEWIS, Secretary.
Gazette of July 12, 1823.
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY of this county met in the village of Newburgh in October, 1823, and invited the members of the Newburgh Lyceum to attend. In the forenoon Dr. John M. Gough read a medical essay, which elicited from the members a large portion of merited praise. In the afternoon Dr. Francis L. Beattie read another essay which met with similar approbation, and the remainder of the day was spent by the faculty in discussing scientific and literary subjects to the no small mental gratification and entertainment of their guests.
In the evening the Lyceum held a meeting, and invited the members of the medical faculty to be their guests. A full attendance of the members brought together a large amount of talent and information and a rich display was made. Mr. George W. Benedict, Dr. Beattie, Rev. James R. Wilson and Dr. Arnell each read a literary and scientific essay, the merits of each underwent an able discussion. All retired well satisfied, expressing great gratification at the literary feast enjoyed. Why cannot such proceedings be had again?