being seated on a series of temporary steps reaching almost to the ceiling, the boys on one side of the platform, the girls on the other. Songs appropriate to the occasion was rendered, a generous supply of candy and refreshments distributed, and a general "good time" indulged in.

James Wright was chosen Superintendent Whitmonday, 1863, his second term in that office; his annual report in 1864 refers to the acquisition of "A musical instrument called the Harmonium, well adapted to assist the scholars in their musical exercises." Mr. Wright who was well advanced in years, requested release from further services on account of poor health, and on Whitmonday, 1864, William Cariss was elected Superintendent.

Mr. Cariss was continued in the position until 1876, he had previously served for three years in that capacity, 1857-1860, and was in thorough and sincere accord with the requirements and duties of the position. Of a cheerful, congenial disposition, always greatly interested in the services and celebrations of the Sunday School, their summer excursions to the "banks of the Wissahickon" and other rural sections, their Christmas exercises and entertainments, etc., he was a general favorite with the scholars and teachers. The annual reports indicate that in the number of scholars the School probably reached its maximum during this period, the number enrolled being stated as one hundred and thirty in 1870. Mr. Cariss resided

for many years on Third Street opposite to the church building and had a large and friendly acquaintance among the residents of that neighborhood, which furnished the greater proportion of those attending the School. Many who were scholars there during their youth, have in later life expressed their appreciation of "those happy days" and sympathy with the humane and kindly principles always taught at the Bible-Christian Sunday School.

The records do not furnish the number or names of the teachers in office Whitmonday June 5, 1876, but on that date Mr. Charles F. Koenig, who had for several years been a teacher was elected Superintendent.

The centre of population in Philadelphia had been gradually moving westward, and this change, accelerated somewhat by the great Centenial Exposition which occurred this year at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, resulted in the removal of numerous families from the neighborhood of the church to newer sections of the city and a slow but rather continuous decline in the number attending both the Church and the Sunday School.

The number of scholars enrolled Whitmonday, May 17, 1880, is stated as eighty-five and of teachers eleven, and the number of books in the Library as six hundred. In 1885 the number of scholars temporarily increased to one hundred and twenty-eight and increased activity and interest is indicated. Considerable relief and charitable work is mentioned and numerous occasions of

entertainments, etc. In 1887 the number of enrolled scholars had fallen to seventy-six. The death of Wm. C. Brooks, long a vocal leader and librarian in the school is referred to in the Superintendent's Annual report of the year. The Deacons' Annual report on Whitmonday, June 10, 1889, strongly urged the necessity of removing to a more desirable neighborhood, referring to the discouraging condition of affairs and stating "The best evidence for the removal is the condition of the Sabbath School. In former years we had the pick of the children of the neighborhood but of late neither love or money has afforded us means to obtain scholars."

In 1890 the church property on Third Street was sold, and pending the securing of a new building the Sundayschool activities were practically suspended. At the Whitmonday meeting, June 6, 1892, the superintendent, Charles F. Koenig reported "The services in our own new Sabbath-school building (Park Avenue below Berks Street) were commenced October 4, 1891." No statement is given of the number of scholars, but in the report of 1893, the average attendance of teachers and scholars is given as twenty-five.

Mr. Koenig always took special interest in the musical features and vocal exercises of the school and his annual reports make frequent reference to the joyous Christmas Carols, the beautiful Easter music, etc. Regular relief and charitable work was performed by the School and considerable amounts were also collected