and devoted to furnishing and improving the school room and the church building. The Whitmonday report for 1898 mentions the pleasure derived from the presence of Rev. James Clark and his daughter Bertha, of the English Bible-Christian Church, at a number of sessions during the year. While the removal of the Sunday School from Third Street to Park Avenue had a somewhat stimulating or reviving effect, it proved to be only temporary, the new neighborhood, from Twelfth Street west and from Girard Avenue north to York Street was plentifully supplied with churches of all denominations, and connected with them were large and flourishing Sabbath Schools with big memberships. These offered attractions and inducements for the attendance of young people, that were beyond the facilities of our modest little institution, and the natural inevitable result was a gradual decline in the number of scholars. This continued to such an extent that even the optimistic spirit of superintendent Koenig was unable to find sufficient encouragement for further efforts to prolong its existence and on Whitmonday, June 11, 1905, the last session was held. While acknowledging the thanks and appreciation due to Mr. Koenig for his unselfish and faithful services, the Annual Meeting of Whitmonday June 12, 1905, reluctantly agreed to the disbanding of the Sunday School. In its sixty-seven years of existence there were seven Superintendents, namely: James Wright, Edward Lyons, Joseph Metcalfe, William Horrocks, Emanuel Hey, William Cariss and Charles F. Koenig. These men devoted their best efforts to instil the Christian principles of kindness, gentleness and humanity into the hearts and lives of the young people, and to encourage in the scholars an interest in, and a proper understanding of, the importance of the truths and precepts contained in the Sacred Scriptures. That they received the cordial and sincere support of the teachers and other officers of the School is demonstrated in the annual reports rendered to the Church and though it was a matter of sincere regret that circumstances beyond control seemed to make the disbandment of the School a necessary or desirable course, there is no doubt that it had a good and worthy influence on many young lives, an influence that was beneficial physically, mentally and spiritually, and an experience on which they could look back in later years with pleasure and appreciation. CHAPTER VIII THE INSTITUTE THE following Resolution appears in the Minutes of the eleventh annual meeting of the Church Whitmonday May 26, 1828. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Jonathan Wright, and: Resolved, That a Sick Club be formed of members of the Bible-Christian Church alone, male and female, and that Mr. Metcalfe, Mr. Horrocks, Mr. Nuttall, Mr. Wright and Mr. Taylor be appointed a Committee to draw up a Constitution, and otherwise provide for the same as may be deemed necessary, and that the said Committee report on the subject to a special meeting to be held one month from the date hereof. The Members of the Bible-Christian Church Male and Female Institution, Organized Whitsuntide, June, 1828. The object of this Institution was to take care of the sick. Entrance fee $.50; Dues $.75 quarterly; Sick Benefits $3.00 weekly; Death Benefits $20.00. It was discontinued at the beginning of the Civil War 1861. The Officers consisted of a President, Secretary, |