come to the settled conviction that the true place is to reach the children of the neglected and degraded classes by Sabbath School instruction, connected with efforts to improve their temporal condition. Let this plan be carried out affectionately, earnestly, and perseveringly, and with the blessing of God, in one generation we shall see wonderful results. Yours respectfully,

WILLIAM WALKER.

From Spencer Kellogg, Esq.

UTICA, October 18, 1866.

R. S. WILLIAMS, ESQ., Superintendent, &c.:

DEAR SIR,

Since the first announcement of the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Sabbath School connected with our Society, I have felt inclined to relate some incidents that transpired during the forty years that I was associated with that institution as a teacher in the Sabbath School or Bible Class, but many difficulties came before my mind, which it seemed hard to overcome; the most trying of these were my advanced age, and the absence of memory to recall many interesting events that transpired during my connection with that association, and not until Col. WILLIAMS (your father,) was brought before my mind, could I be induced to undertake a task so arduous. There are certain things that change the current of events; I feel that it is not only a pleasure, but a duty, to bear testimony to his Christian devotion to the children and youth connected with that institution; and not alone with the Sabbath School, but with the sick and afflicted throughout this community. In confirmation of his self-sacrificing devotion to the sick and afflicted, I trust it will not be considered irrelevant or out of place to refer to a few incidents (with which I was perfectly familiar,) connected with his history. During the cholera, in 1832, in this city, Col. WILLIAMS, E. S. COZIER, Esq., and myself, were appointed a committee,

by the Board of Health, to look after the sick. In less than forty-eight hours, one of the committee, Mr. COZIER, was attacked with the disease, and lived but a few hours. The epidemic rapidly increased, and the people became alarmed, and were fleeing from the city, and it became utterly impossible to get help to take care of the sick and dying. We had just left the death-bed of Mr. BURCHARD, and were standing on the side walk in Whitesboro street, consulting what course to pursue, and what to do. Brother WILLIAMS made this expression, we must devote all our energies, our strength, and if need be our lives to aid the sick and the distressed, and look to Divine Providence for relief. Many were entreating us for help, but we did not know how nor where to obtain it. At this moment of anguish and almost of despair, we were greeted by a committee appointed by about forty young men who had met and passed resolutions tendering their services to aid the sick and distressed, and the names of the young men were attached to the resolutions presented. While memory

feelings of Brother WILLIAMS

lasts, I shall never forget the on receiving that document. Sighs and tears were the only expression he could give. If my recollection is correct, Judge BACON was Chairman of that committee, and most of those young men who offered their services were faithful in fulfilling their resolutions. I could relate many interesting incidents connected with the former teachers in our Sabbath School, but my remarks have already been too much extended. Most of these teachers have finished their labors on earth, and I trust have entered into that rest which is the inheritance of those who love and serve God. With a sincere desire and an earnest prayer that the blessing of God may be with you, and the institution over which you preside,

I remain, as ever, yours truly.

SPENCER KELLOGG.

From Frederic S. Winston, Esq.

NEW YORK, October 8, 1866.

HON. JOHN F. SEYMOUR, Utica, N. Y.

MY DEAR SIR:

I thank you heartily for your kind invitation to the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Sunday School of the First Presbyterian Church of your city, to be held during the present month.

You say "your scholars call for you." What memories this call awakens! Forty years have passed since these scholars clustered around a youthful teacher only a little older than themselves, to listen to the simple instructions he was able to give. Since then they have separated, some faithfully to preach the gospel, which they then began to learn, some in our own country and some among the heathen, while some adorn the bench and bar, and others in business pursuits, and all I trust and believe illustrating the pure principles they then received from the written word of God.

I well remember my first introduction to the school, and to my scholars. While a youth of seventeen, a clerk in the mercantile house of DoOLITTLE & GOLD, I lodged in their store, as was then the custom in your city. On one Sunday morning as I passed into Genesee street, I was met by Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, who took me by the arm inviting me to go with him, and saying that he had something for me to do. He was then in the vigor of his manhood, an officer in the church, at the head of the military organization of the city; and often called upon to direct the Fire Department, and in other emergencies requiring unusual self-possession, energy, and intelligence. Such was the magnetism and attractiveness of his manner, and my veneration for his character, that I cheerfully gave myself up to his guidance and direction. He led me to the Sunday School, then in 1823 held in the public school room near the canal, of which he was Superintendent, and Mr. TRUMAN PARMELE the Assistant. They immediately collected

for me a class of little boys, whose bright and intelligent countenances, and nervous susceptibilities are as freshly pictured upon my memory as if the scene was of yesterday. That they interested me far more than I could them, you will readily believe when I tell you that among these chil dren were ALEXANDER S. JOHNSON, JOHN H. EDMONDS, JAMES M. HOYT, ALEXANDER SEWARD, ERASTUS CLARK, EDWARD BRIGHT, HENRY S. LANSING, W. FREDERIC WILLIAMS, and many others whose names are familiar to the public at home and abroad, and honored wherever known. Some may have fallen asleep but most yet survive to be for many years, I trust, both blest and a blessing.

This school early took rank as one of the best conducted, most efficient and intelligent in the country. I believe the first book of Scripture Questions for Sunday Schools, was compiled by Mr. PARMELE about this time, and used in the school. The school attracted much attention, and many visitors from abroad, and did much towards the rapid advance of the cause in usefulness and in public estimation. I well remember the first public exhibition of the Sunday School, from the necessity thrown upon me of preparing the address which was spoken by JAMES M. HOYT, of my class. He has delivered many of his own since, and all abler than this, at the bar, in public assemblies, and in the pulpit, and with more mature and finished eloquence; but few or none where eye and heart sympathized as they then did with the youthful speaker. All the exercises were most appropriate and successful, and inaugurated a system of public Sunday School exhibitions in this country which is now nearly universal.

Soon afterwards I left your city to reside in New York, and immediately took a class of colored adults and children in a Sunday School attached to St. George's Church, then under the charge of the Rev. Dr. MILNOR.

It has been my privilege since, on each Sunday, either as a teacher of a Bible class, or as a Superintendent, or of late years as a visitor of the inmates of our Orphan and other Asylums and public institutions of this city, to

use the knowledge and experience I obtained in the Sunday School in Utica and elsewhere, in imparting to children and others that knowledge from the word of God which is profitable for this life and that which is to come.

That I have been able to endure the unremmitting pressure of mental and physical labor, without relaxation, which has fallen to my lot for so many years, has been a matter of surprise to those who do not know by experience how heart and brain are refreshed and renovated in passing from earthly pursuits to higher and sacred aims and efforts on the Sabbath. Let no man in health excuse himself from the duty of teaching on the Sabbath because he needs mental rest. If he has a heart for the work and a real sympathy for the persons for whom he is working, the labor will be rest. He will need no other.

Greatly regretting that my other duties will not admit of my attending this most interesting anniversary, or allow me time for anything beyond this hasty letter,

I am, yours, very truly,

F. S. WINSTON.

DEAR SIR:

From James M. Hoyt, Esq.

CLEVELAND, October 18, 1866.

In looking back over nearly half a century, I seem to be seated, a tender child, in a group around GEORGE S. WILSON, (long since in heaven,) as our teacher. There were WELLS WILLIAMS, GEORGE WALKER, JOHN H. EDMONDS, GURDON BURCHARD, HOVEY CLARKE, THOMAS ALLEN CLARKE, JAMES DANA, and others, who were associated under Mr. WILSON as the "Juvenile Society."

The fragrance of prayers,-affectionate counsels,—readings in our meetings of books selected by our teacher,—and a magical but indescribable personal influence which attached us to Mr. WILSON,-still envelops my heart. It has been to me as the dew and the sunlight through many years of labor.