THE SOUTH CHURCH. 135 



for the whole fifty years, but for the last twenty-four years tliey have 

 been as follows: 



For benevolence, $9,058.25 



For supplies, quarterlies, etc., since 1882, .... 881.04 

 For new chapel expenses since 1888, 883.20 



Total. $10,772.49 



I wish I could tell you, in conclusion, just how many of the 1,068 

 persons who have been added by confession of faith to the original 120 

 members of our church during the fifty years were received from 

 this institution. It certainly is a very large proportion. I can say, 

 however, that since my appointment as superintendent in 1868, nearly 

 twenty-five years ago, not a year has passed but that some from the 

 school have publicly confessed Christ. The number thus received to 

 the church was in 1869, 48; in 1872, 43; in 1876, 38; in 1877, 75; in 

 1886, 93; in 189^, 58. And altogether during the last twenty-five years 

 more than 600 have been received, making an average of twenty-four 

 for each year. For which, and for the many other evidences of the 

 divine approval manifested in all our history, let us be devoutly grate- 

 ful as we review the past to-day. 



OLD DAYS AND FORMER LEADERS. 

 Deacon Charles Peck, Siqierintendent of Senior Department. 



I am asked to speak of the " Old Days and the Former Leaders," I 

 suppose, because T am a young man; or, to put it in another form, 

 because those who made up the active working element of the Church 

 and Sunday-school in those early days are not here to speak for them- 

 selves. Out of the original one hundred and twenty, not one of the 

 male members is here to-day. 



Our Sunday-school sessions were in those days held in the basement 

 of the old church, at the close of the morning worship. The old cliurch 

 stood a little east of the present edifice. An inner stairway led from 

 the front vestibule to the hall below. At the easterly end of this hall 

 there was a door from the outside, so that persons could enter direct, 

 and it was the practice of the small boys to make a rush at the close of 

 service, going down the front steps and entering by this side door. 

 From the hall we passed through a central doorway upon a platform, 

 and then down a few steps to the level of the well-sanded floor of the 

 Sunday-school room. The walls being partially below ground, made 

 the room damp and chilly in summer, and in winter it was smoky, 

 owing to a defective draught; while for seats, we had hard uncomfort- 

 able settees. But in spite of these discomforts there was good cheer 



