Were the group I have named once more together, (which cannot be in this world, for some have gone higher,) we would as one, freighted with rich and tender memories, arise and call GEORGE S. WILSON blessed. Another notable feature at the fountain head of your noble school was TRUMAN PARMELE,-its first, and ever honored Superintendent. He was aided, as Assistant having charge of the girls, by Mrs. CLARKE-the mother of HOVEY CLARKE. Some years later I was highly privileged in being in the class of FREDERIC S. WINSTON to whom you refer. His grand career as a Sabbath School laborer was most faithfully opened. I remember one Sabbath morning, in his class, in the old Lancasterian school building, on Catharine street, long since displaced I think by the canal basin connected with Mr. PLATT's warehouse, (for your school was then held there,) the tender and loving influence of Mr. WINSTON melted me to tears for my sins, and led me, I have thought, then, perhaps first of all, to Jesus as my Saviour. Have I not reason to bless the influence of your Sabbath School?

It may be of interest to some to state that perhaps the earliest place of meeting of your school was in the second story of an old wooden building on the corner of Broad street, (north side,) and Genesee. I remember being taken by my eldest sister, (afterwards Mrs. HUMPHREY, of Albany,) whose influence upon me was beyond expression valuable, up into that room. We were seated on a plain wooden bench running around the room, with our backs to the wall. That was the day of small things. I believe that was the first Sabbath School gathered west of Albany, and now what a great and glorious army in our populous and mighty Northwest!

But I must not detain you. I would love to say much more of Mr. PARMELE, and others I have named; but your time will be limited, and there will be fresher memories, (though none more hallowed,) within the reach of most of those who will be with you at your Jubilee. I am not an old man; but my tale outruns the time of the present gen.

eration. May the blessed Master be with you; and amid hallowed memories, Christian labors, and heavenly hopes, may time bear onward with ever increasing volume the First Presbyterian Sabbath School of Utica.

Truly yours,

MY DEAR SIR:

JAMES M. HOYT.

From T. P. Handy, Esq.

CLEVELAND, October 18, 1866.

I have hoped, until this late day, to be present with you on the interesting occasion of your Fiftieth Sunday School Anniversary. My engagements at home will compel me to forego this pleasure. I could only say, were I with you, that more than 40 years ago, I attended the First Presbyterian Church Sunday School, at the request of an esteemed uncle, TRUMAN PARMELE, then the efficient Superintendent of the school, but soon after, on removing to New Hartford, I had an acquaintance with but few of its teachers and scholars. The names of GEORGE S. WILSON, TRUMAN PARMELE, and Mrs. OSTROM, with others then actively engaged in it, will ever be remembered by me with peculiar interest.

My Sunday school life, as well as my business life, were each shaped in Utica, and if I have accomplished any thing during these 40 years as superintendent and teacher, I owe ・it, under God, to the impressions made on my mind by these noble teachers. My location in Cleveland arose from committing to memory, when quite young, some portions of the Bible, and repeating them to Rev. HENRY DWIGHT, then Pastor of the First Church. By means of a little tract he gave me, I was afterwards placed under his employ in the Bank of Geneva, and so guided here, where I was enabled to invite Rev. S. C. AIKEN, and others, from Utica, to remove to this city. I mention these incidents, to show how a kind Providence, by these apparent slight agencies, shapes the course of our lives. I owe much of my worldly success to the Sunday School, and to the kindly influences

received in Utica; but more than all, am I indebted to it, for the maturing of a Christian experience, and an increased love for the study of God's word, during these past years.

I must not extend my remarks, for you will have other and richer experiences before you. I should love to tell you of the precious influence of MAYNARD, who came from your school, who lived long enough to sing and die in Cleveland. I could point to the dying bed of this and that Sunday school child, from among our Mission schools, who have passed away, singing some of his beautiful hymns in their last moments, and hoping to see "dear Mr. MayNARD in heaven."

Oh! What precious memories! What untold influences may we exert in this delightful work! Who can know in this life their extent and power for good! Fifty years of Sunday School labor! Eternity only can reveal the results, and enable us to know what has been accomplished.

Say to the dear teachers and friends of your Sunday School, that I deem it an honor to be still a fellow laborer with them, and that I intend to remain so, while life lasts.

I remain also, dear brother,

Yours, with Christian esteem,

T. P. HANDY.

From Samuel Wright, Esq.

LOCKPORT, N. Y., October 17, 1866.

R. S. WILLIAMS, Esq., Chairman of Committee:

I fear that the press of other duties will not allow me to respond in person to your invitation. I have no reminiscences of any value to give. Under such teachers as WALTER KING and WILLIAM J. BACON, my Bible Class exercises could not be otherwise than profitable. Not doubting that your reunion will prove a pleasant one, I remain

Truly your obliged,

SAMUEL WRIGHT.

From S. Wells Williams.

PEKING, CHINA, May 31, 1866.

To the Superintendents, Teachers and Scholars of the Sunday School of the First Presbyterian Church, Utica.

DEAR FRIENDS:

The heading of this letter suggests a great variety of thoughts connected with your school;-its teachers and scholars of former years; the half-dozen houses where it was gathered, and my classmates and fellow-teachers, all recur to me; but the leading emotion in my mind, is one of gratitude to God for the great privilege of having been in the school at all. No doubt this emotion is strengthened by the contrast I daily see around me of the condition of thousands, who not only have no school to go to, but no Sabbath either; and who grow up to learn and do evil only; their condition when compared with yours and mine, adds new light to the declaration, "Of those to whom much is given, much will be required."

My first remembrance of the Sunday School was standing up in a row, with many other children, to say our catechism, and sing one of WATTS' children's hymns. The school was then held in a room called the Minerva Hall, at the north corner of Genesee and Broad streets, in the third story of the building. Not long after, it was removed to a room in Catharine street, where it remained a few years, and where it began to be one of the most attractive places to every scholar, under the care of TRUMAN PARMELE, who soon drew towards him the affection of the boys. This excellent man became the Superintendent while I was a young scholar, and remained in the post during all my connection with the school, as such. His influence over the boys was of the purest and strongest kind; and his memory, I have no doubt, remains in each of their minds as one of its best inheritances. It was his aim to make the scholars love their lessons, and regard the Sunday School as a pleasant place for all who came to it. The morning school opened at 8 o'clock, and the afternoon session immediately

after church was out; the two sessions comprising about four hours. In the morning, the lessons were recited to, and explained by the teachers in each class; and in the afternoon, the Superintendent questioned the school at large. It was a point of emulation to answer each question instantly, and to repeat the verses of the lesson perfectly. Some boys learned much more than they otherwise would, in order that they might be able to answer at the afternoon examination; and the exercise made all more familiar with the words and meaning of Scripture. Occasionally the school was collected in the church on Sabbath evening for a general examination, when some of the boys spoke suitable pieces, and others received rewards for diligence and good conduct. I remember myself receiving a book on one of these occasions, with some surprise, for having learned the New Testament through.

One of the teachers, named JAMES GARRETT, went as a missionary printer to Ceylon and Bombay, from whence he afterwards sent a small copper idol, and a pair of charms of some sort, with descriptions of heathen ceremonies, which Mr. PARMELE explained. One of the Assistant Superintendents was CHARLES STUART, who had been an officer in India, and frequently told the school about the rites of the Hindoos, so that, altogether, we were made acquainted with the sad condition of those who know not God in pagan lands, and willingly contributed our cents to send them His word.

After a while, the school was removed to the session room in Hotel street. A system of lessons, adopted on the plan of a harmony of the gospels, was introduced in connection with the Bible class, taught between the morning and afternoon services, which gave a clearer idea of the life of Christ than any other way, and made us familiar with the history and geography of Judea. Mr. CHARLES BARTLETT was Assistant Superintendent for a good part of the time in Hotel street, and possessed a happy faculty of explaining the lesson. I well remember the solemnity with which he told us one afternoon, that one of the boys, JOHN RICE, had