tup: south church. 130 



love for children, her tender sympathy with the poor and neglected, her 

 abundant ministries to their physical as well as spiritual necessities, 

 large numbers were drawn under an influence of refinement and spir- 

 itual culture, and the results can never be measured, save in the light 

 of eternity." Our distinguished townsman, Elihu Burritt, in recogni- 

 tion of Mrs. North's w^ork for the young, dedicates to her his little book, 

 " The Children of the Bible." in these words : " To Mrs. Frederick IT. 

 North, who first suggested its character and object, this little book, 

 the first published in New Britain, is inscribed by the compiler, in the 

 most sincere appreciation of her generous devotion to the religious in- 

 struction of the young as the principal of the largest infant Sunday- 

 school in the town." By reason of impaired health Mrs. North was 

 compelled, though with great reluctance, to relinquish her trust in 

 1872, leaving about 200 little ones to the care of her successor. Mrs. 

 North was ably assisted by her sister, Miss Cordelia B. North, and at 

 Christmas time both Mr. and Mrs. Pillard always lent a helping hand. 



In 1873, Mrs. A. P. Meylert, with Mrs. Hendrick as assistant, was 

 chosen superintendent of this department, which position she filled 

 with great acceptance till her removal from the city in 187o. Mrs. 

 Josiah Shepard was appointed her successor, with Mrs. Hattie But- 

 ler-Do wd and Mrs. Edward L. Prior as her assistants. 



In the autumn of 1877 Mrs. Shepard, much to the regret of her pu- 

 pils, was obliged to give up her charge, and Mrs. Charles Peck was 

 appointed to fill her place, and continues superintendent of this de- 

 partment. During these fifteen years valuable assistance has been ren- 

 dered by several young ladies of the church, till each in turn received 

 a louder call to another sphere of actibn. 



After removing to the new church the sessions of this class were held 

 many years in the west room of the chapel till it outgrew its quarters. 

 On pleasant Sabbaths in the spring and autumn it was a discouraging 

 task to find seats for the waiting children. Not only was every availa- 

 ble chair and settee filled, but the platform was so crowded with the 

 little ones that much care had to be exercised not to tread upon them. 

 Two hundred and seventy were several times thus packed into these 

 close quarters. The lack of proper ventilation was another serious ob- 

 jection to this room. It was, therefore, a cause of great rejoicing 

 to the friends of the school when our new parish chapel was finished, 

 with a large sunny room on the ground floor for the use of this de- 

 partment. The first session in the new quarters was held the last 

 Sabbath in June, 1889. Then a long-desired change was made and the 

 school was divided into classes, each with its own teacher, thus per- 

 mitting a better acquaintance with the little ones and a closer sympa- 

 thy between teacher and pupils. 



The church has generously continued the Christmas festival which 



