"Sunday Schools." from the April 19, 1862 Door County Advocate
Sunday Schools.
In the Philadelphia Sunday School Times a long narrative of a Missionary tour lately made from Manitowoc, to Door county, by Mr. Mead Holmes, Miss. A. S. S. U. The entire narrative is very interesting, but we have only room for the following extract:
"While at Ahnapee, it continued to snow and blow, but I sent an appointment to Forestville, seven, miles up the Wolf river, in Door county, where I learned there was not a minister or Sunday school. I soon found myself floundering in the drifts, and finally hurrying a little, my sleigh went over, throwing me out, and my horse, quite fretted already, took one spring which cleared him from my charge. A kind German coming to my aid, we followed on, picking up buffalo, whip, umbrella &c., and winding our way among the trees, found horse and sleigh about eighty rods distant, one runner in three pieces, one fender broken, two beams, one thill, and the box well racked in every joint, with the big trunk hanging to the wreck.— My friend, though living near, could tell me nothing of the settlement which I wished to reach. Night was approaching, what should I do? As my sleigh must be repaired, I concluded to return to Ahnapee. This proved quite a feat, distance four miles. But all is well that ends well. Exhausted with toil and care, I regained my quiet lodgings at Mr. Y's, and soon sank to sleep; but next morning, quite refreshed, borrowed an old saddle, a relic of antiquity, and went through on horseback, my saddle, by the way, soon falling to pieces and having to be carried instead of carrying me. Immediately calling at the school house, a frame building, neat and inviting, a credit to the settlement, I explained the disappointment and catastrophe. The teacher proved to be an excellent lady from Calumet county, and familiar with my Sunday school operations. After a brief address to the school on their several studies, they earnestly desired a Sunday school meeting in the evening.
I then called on a quandam neighbor, Maj. McCormick, now in his 70th year, but quite rejuvenated, and a savan in the country. Pleasantly situated on the banks of the river at the head of small boat navigation, with his children and grand children near; I found him very social and ready as ever to welcome his friends. The old lady, once a parishioner, was very sick, but rejoiced to see me, and specially to learn that after a moral night of five years the morning dawned. One had come seeking the welfare of their souls, and a Sunday school was in prospect. The evening before she had sent all' her large family to the school house, and would do so again if I could stay. Duly was now clear.
At candle-lighting the old farm horse and sleigh, used for drawing heavy loads of ties, was at the door, ready to carry a merry company of eight, to join the novel gathering of parents and children. Imploring the divine blessing, without which we can do nothing aright, we first had an exercise in music, our Sunday school songs exciting great interest.—
Then I delivered a lecture, showing the design of the Sunday school and its special adaptation to meet the wants of our new and destitute settlements. Of course all were heartily agreed in the organization of the "Forestville Union Sunday school." and the Major was chosen Superintendent, with a pledge of five teachers and twenty-five scholars. Money was almost out of the question, but by the aid of Messrs. Lockheart and Stonehouse, and making various turns, nearly $10 were raised, which with a donation from the American Sunday School Union, would furnish a good library, papers, &c., and the superintendent fortunately possessed that invaluable work, the Comprehensive Commentary, a mine of religious knowledge, to which the settlement will have access. Such zeal and resolution and gratitude I have seldom witnessed.
Next morning the Major must go to "the Mouth," (Ahnapee,) the school madam also, and a little girl. "Prince," could be tied and travel by the side of the old "Farmer." The major would show me how to travel in a new country—how to drive in the snow and woods, over roots and pitch holes—no need of any trouble. It was very cold, but the old gentleman was so happy, relating incidents of pioneer life, I could but enjoy it, especially as now, on hurrying up a little, we were all pitched headlong into the snow, and the sleigh came near sharing the fate of my own. I just caught the reins in time to save the craft, while the Major, madam, and the little girl scrambled out of the drift exclaiming, "I never saw the like," or to this effect. I only replied, "Major, we are even—no one is hurt—now let us shake hands and travel as equals." At the "Mouth" we soon narrated our feats.
My stock of books being exhausted, fearing a blockade, I resolved to brave another storm then rising. I had intended to reach Sturgeon Bay, but this missionary work requires judgment as well as energy. To go twenty miles through the deep snow, eight miles without an inhabitant and empty handed, would hardly pay. So I turned southward.
[from the April 26, 1862 Door County Advocate]
For the Door Co. Advocate.
Egg Harbor,
April, 1862.
Mr. Editor—
DEAR SIR:
Permit me, through the Advocate, to make a few simple statements in relation to the Sunday School cause in our place, by way of encouragement, possibly, to some of your readers whose condition may be somewhat analogous to our own, to engage in a similar cause. Over a year ago, our school was organized, which now numbers five teachers, twenty scholars, and there is a prospect of an addition of five or six more the ensuing season. Last summer we received gratuitously, a small library from the M. E. S. S. of Green Bay, which we intend soon to replenish, the Misses of the school, having recently—in the capacity of a sewing society—raised a small fund for that purpose. We have taken ten copies of the S. S. Advocate the past year, and subscribed for the same, and five copies of the Teacher's Journal, the coming year. I think, all concur in the opinion that our school is no discredit to the place, but rather an ornament. And we are ardently hope e're long, all the youth of our promising county, will be brought under the influence of a Sabbath School, which is one of the noblest institutions in our land. We noticed recently an extract of a letter from Mr. Mead Holmes of the A. S. S. U., published in the Kewaunee Enterprize, giving an account of a visit thro' Kewaunee county, in behalf of the cause, and are sure the people of Door Co. would cordially welcome him if he would extend his next trip along the peninsula. Very resp'y. yours,
A TEACHER.
Our friends at Egg Harbor will see by the extract from Mr. Holmes letter in our last week's paper, that it was his intention to continue his journey into Door county at that time, but was prevented doing so for reasons he therein states.
Both are courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
Articles about missionaries
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/missionaries