By Eudora Ratcliffe
THE first
organized Sunday School in Olney, Illinois, was the Methodist in the winter of
1842-1843, the time when the little log church was built. In the earliest days
Jonas Notestine was superintendent. James Urie, Thomas and Catherine Ratcliffe
were prominent workers, the last named having been primary teacher before her
marriage. No records of how long that school continued are available, nor any
until a much later date.
In 1860 G. D. Morrison was superintendent.
Before and after that date J. H. Gunn filled that office. Robert Marney was
secretary in early years, but the exact date is unknown. In 1863 we find from
Secretary J. M. Price's minutes, there was a well-organized Sunday School with a
corps of four officers and sixteen teachers, and an average attendance of one
hundred and sixty nine for that year.
March 1st, 1863, the School was
resolved into an auxiliary to the Missionary Society and called the Sunday
School Missionary Society, with J. H. Gunn, president; Rev. G. D. Morrison,
vice-president; J. M. Price, secretary; Rev. C. Babbitt, treasurer. The names of
Wm. Bower and Aden Knoph are mentioned several times as secretaries pro tem. An
account of books loaned and returned shows the School owned a library.
Memorizing Scripture was a specialty, more than two thousand verses having been
recited some Sabbaths.
The number of women who attended then was far in
excess of the men. We might attribute that to the unsettled state of the
country, because of the Civil War, if conditions had not remained much the same
until now that the adult bible class movement has become popular. There are no
records from September 24th, 1876 (but the School was never disorganized), when
officers, teacher and scholars names are given to the number of three hundred
and fifty. May 22nd, 1882, the name was changed to Olney Methodist Episcopal
Sunday School, and a constitution was adopted. From that time more complete
records have been kept.
If we were to undertake to pay tribute to all
faithful officers and teachers of our School during all the years of its
existence it would make a volume too bulky for our purpose. Their names are in
the histories deposited in the corner stone of our new Methodist Episcopal
Church, and their deeds no human can record. Let it suffice to give names of
superintendents: Jonas Notestine, 1842 ___; G. D. Morrison, 1860 ___; J. H.
Gunn, 1863 ___, 1876-1884; H. J. B. Wright, 1885-1886; D. F. Houser, 1887-1888;
G. D. Slanker, 1888-1893; John Howe, 1894-1895; C. N. Edmiston, 1895-1896; N. L.
Crout, 1896-1909.
Previous to February 17th, 1895, records show the
School convened in the afternoon. At that time it was changed to 9:30 A. M.
Since its organization there has never been a time when we need feel anything
but pride in our Sunday School. It has been good, now we are enjoying one of the
better times and hoping and striving for the best. There was never a better
showing than now, with a men's class numbering eighty-five; a women's class
numbering seventy-six; a primary department of seventy; officers and teachers,
forty; and total membership of about five hundred.
The use of the Loyal
Army system of keeping records, introduced under Mr. Crout's superintendency,
has inspired prompt and faithful attendance. Every year numbers have earned
diplomas, to which a seal has been affixed each successive year, if earned. In
addition, for five consecutive years of faithfulness, bibles were given, many
receiving them. Nineteen scholars continued to receive seals regularly up to ten
years, which we consider a wonderful record, for it means they have been regular
in attendance; have studied the lessons, and given an offering, thus receiving
the required number of credits. The tenth year each of those nineteen persons
were given a beautiful gold pin made for such a purpose, similar to college
class pins. That system is still in use and records indicate a number will be
entitled to bibles and some to pins at the close of this year.
A feeling
of sadness prevailed last summer when our superintendent, N. L. Crout, moved to
the northwest after fifteen years of faithful and successful Sunday School work.
To him belongs the honor, largely, of the best School up to the present time.
The earnest zeal shown by our assistant superintendent, Dr. J. S. Wright, in
coming to our rescue, indicates who will be the natural choice of the Sunday
School board for superintendent at the time of the annual election.
The
following yell adopted by our School reveals our hopeful outlook for the future:
Illinois, Illinois,
My! My! My!
Illinois, Illinois,
Dry! Dry! Dry!
Illinois, Illinois, When? When? When?
Illinois, Illinois,
Nine-teen Ten!!
Beside the other
departments, there is the one for the shut-ins, those who for any reason cannot
attend the main School. This was organized in connection with our School,
January, 1897, with twenty-seven members, and C. N. Edmiston, superintendent.
From that it grew under different officers to a membership of one hundred and
seventeen. Many of the members have entered the main School and new ones gained,
leaving a membership of eighty-four. One of the best workers in the Home
Department for a number of years was Mrs. Henry Alley, as secretary. The
officers at this time are: President, Mrs. O. M. Conklin; Secretary, Mrs. E. F.
Shipp.
By Mrs. Hattie Kitchell
WE have not been able to find accurate record and date of the
first organization of the Primary Department, but think it was some months after
the dedication of the church. As memory serves Miss Lizzie Carrothers, now Mrs.
Humes Baker; then Miss Mary Spring, now Mrs. Thomas Scott, taught the little
ones. As the class grew larger Mrs. Hattie Kitchell and Mrs. Calvin Scott were
appointed. Afterwards by changes in classes and teachers the record states that
in 1874 Mrs. Littel and Miss Mary Jones taught the class. After a time, date not
found, Mrs. Hattie Kitchell with Miss Ella Nall as assistant, were placed in
charge of the class. We find no record of the changes or appointments until we
come to the year 1885, when, at the annual meeting of the Sunday School board,
Mrs. Hattie Kitchell was elected Primary Superintendent with Miss Lula Cliffe,
now Mrs. M. D. Foster, as assistant, and at this date are still together in this
blessed work.
In the summer of 1900 we organized our "Cradle-Roll" class
in which we keep our babies until they are three years old, when we promote them
to the Primary proper; this baby class is a great pleasure to us. They have
their regular certificates of membership endorsed by teacher, superintendent and
pastor. From ten to twelve years of age the children are promoted to the
intermediate department of the school. We use the blackboard and picture roll
illustrations observe the birthday offering and the children feel it quite an
honor to sit in the birthday chair. They are delighted with their "Loyal S. S.
Army" certificates of merit, by which a number have earned Bibles. The special
days in our course are observed by the children, and each Sabbath, lesion papers
are distributed. All through the years, pastors, superintendents and officers of
the school kindly and generously furnished the needed supplies, and have been
helpful in every possible way. As the years have passed our dear Heavenly Father
has taken some of our little ones to be at home with Him, but the greater number
have passed into the Sunday School proper, and very many into Church membership,
and have gone out in different avenues of life to fill useful and honorable
positions, and we as teachers feel it a great privilege and blessing to be
connected with this department of our Church. Jesus said, "Suffer little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of
heaven."
Number of scholars in Primary class . . . . 70
Number of
scholars in Cradle roll . . . . . . 23
By Mrs. James F.
Phillips
THE first historical reference to Methodist singing is, that in
1850, at a meeting held at the home of Brother Richard Phillips, "The woods
fairly rang with Hymns of Praise."
In 1853 some of the Church people
desired to improve the singing and introduce the use of notes. This caused great
dissatisfaction, and was the beginning of a "Musical War," which lasted several
years. Those favoring the introduction of note books were Jonas Notestine, E. W.
Ridgway, G. D. Morrison, G. W. Carrothers, J. T. Shaw and John H. Gunn. In 1856
the ill-feeling had subsided and a Choir was organized with Wm. Robinson as
leader. He was followed by Mr. Bonticue, then J. H. Gunn.
In 1875, D. L.
Edmiston became leader. The death of this dearly beloved leader in 1887 was a
severe blow, and sad loss to the Choir. Mr. J. H. Gunn took up the work laid
down by "Brother Dan" and acted as leader until we had recovered enough to
select a new one.
After much persuasion Mr. Ed B. Shaw consented to
assume the responsibility. He was unanimously elected and for fourteen years was
a most efficient choir leader. Unselfish, a personal friend of each member of
his choir, and untiring in his devotion to all choir interests, he won the
sincere love of all. At his death, in 1901, we felt we could hardly sustain such
a loss and still exist as a choir, but his oft repeated remark. "Don't disband.
Fourteen of the best years of my life are in that choir, and it is the best
monument I shall ever have," held us together. During his illness, Mr. Shaw
conferred with Mr. August Busefink in regard to choir matters, and Mr. Busefink
acted as leader for him.
When the time came to select a new leader,
after Mr. Shaw's death, Mr. Busefink was the natural choice of the choir. He was
selected without a dissenting voice, and served well and faithfully for three
years. At the expiration of that time he felt his business cares were too great
for him to give the necessary time to choir work and he resigned the leadership.
After a few months our choice fell upon our present leader, Mrs. E. B. Shaw.
What more fitting and more beautiful than for her to carry on the work so dearly
loved by her husband.
Her objections were overcome, and she was finally
prevailed upon to accept the office. In January, 1905, she was unanimously
elected leader, and since that time has filled the position so exceptionally
well, that she has proved herself inspired by a desire to please more than mere
mortals. Perfect harmony exists among pastor, leader and choir.
It is
impossible to give a full list of persons belonging to the Choir, during all
these years, for the membership was constantly changing, always some one
dropping out and others joining us. Old Choir members are scattered far and
wide, and some have attained distinction as evangelistic and concert singers. In
the course of the years the Choir has been truly blessed by the assistance of
good organists. Those filling this position have been Miss Lizzie Hofman. Miss
Mary Spring, Mrs. Wm. Cobbs, Mrs. W. A. Thompson, the Misses Ida Cliffe, Alice
Nall, Adah Knoph, Ethel Spring, Elizabeth Logan, Effie Hum, Christmas Gould,
Martha Gould, Bess Wharf, Lula White and Francis Phillips.
In the last
year of his leadership, or about 1900, Mr. Shaw organized a chorus of young
voices. This organization has held together, and under the direction of various
leaders, has developed into our efficient night chorus. In the fifty-two years
of its existence, the Olney Methodist Episcopal Choir has never been
disorganized. The church has always had a Choir ready to meet all requirements,
and to fulfill all demands. Neither have they ever called on the Official Board
for pecuniary help, furnishing their own music; and their work being purely
voluntary their service has been truly a service of love.
Extracted 21 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from Historical Sketch of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Olney, Illinois, 1841-1909.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
