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THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL According to Joshua Clark, "during the latter part of the ministrations of Rev. William A. Clark among us" (ca. 1817) "the children of the parish were usually, after service, called around the chancel for catechetical instruction. These seasons were, it is said, peculiarly interesting. A Sunday-school was organized under the superintendence of Mr. Clark; but not so much interest was at this time manifested in this noble auxiliary to the Church, as might have been expected, though the attendance of a few was very regular and punctual. After the Rev. Amos Pardee took charge of the parish, an increased regard for this nursery of youth was apparent, and was productive of good fruits and much holy and lasting instruction. Miss Lydia Babcock (now Mrs. Sprague) and Mr. J. O. Wattles, were among the teachers." James O. Wattles was a noted attorney in Manlius Village. Lydia Babcock was a sister of Deodatus Babcock. She accompanied him to Manlius in 1815. Deodatus Babcock was a teacher at the Franklin School on Pleasant St. and also served as clerk to the vestry for two years. He was ordained in 1820. He also was the father of Rev. Theodore Babcock, D. D., rector at Christ Church from 1883 to 1900. Lydia Babcock was a talented seamstress who owned her own business at the west end of the present Masonic building annex. She owned the Roberts' home at 306 Seneca St. and married Col. John Sprague there in 1836. Her wedding is well-described in Henry C. Van Schaack's "History of Manlius Village." Clark continues, "A large Bible-class of Sunday-school teachers and others was formed, under the teachings of Mr. Pardee, and numbers of adult persons there received strong and lasting impressions, of which they speak with unmingled satisfaction even at this late day. Mr. S. D. Wattles was the first person baptized in the new Episcopal Church edifice, by the Rev. W. A. Clark. Perhaps there are few parishes in western New York, with the same numbers, and of the same age, and under like circumstances, which has sent abroad so many Churchmen 'thoroughly furnished' as this; and it may be traced to the sound doctrine which has been taught at these Sunday-schools and Bible-classes, under good teachers, able superintendents, and devoted pastors. Upon the Rev. William J. Bulkeley's leaving the parish" in 1827 "as it was unknown to him who would succeed to the rectorship, or when the vacancy occasioned by his leaving would be filled, he felt anxious that this institution should be placed under the direction of the vestry, which was done. N. P. Randall, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Smith, were chosen a committee to draft a constitution and rules for the government of the school. It has flourished and drooped with varying success from time to time, as engagedness or languishment seemed to predominate. " When Clark wrote his Christ Church history in 1842, there were 12 teachers and 60 pupils in the Sunday School. |
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