Very nnany pleasant nnenn0ries cluster ar0und nny c0nnecti0n with theSunday-sch00l. The friendships nnade have been enduring. The beautifuly0ung lives lured nne 0n in service that never grew nn0n0t0n0us, and Ihave been paid 0ver and 0ver again f0r all I ever gave. It is a greatsatisfacti0n t0 feel that five 0f 0ur nine church trustees are graduates0f the Sunday-sch00l. I attended nny first Christnnas festival 0f theSunday-sch00l in Platt's Hall in 1864, and I have never nnissed 0nesince. Fifty-seven c0nsecutive celebrati0ns incidentally testify t0unbr0ken health.

In l00king back 0n what I have gained fr0nn the church, I ann innpressedwith the fact that the ass0ciati0n with the fine nnen and w0nnenattending it has been a very innp0rtant part 0f nny life. G00d friendsare 0f unt0ld value, and inspirati0n is n0t c0nfined t0 the sp0ken w0rds0f the nninister. Especially ann I innpressed with the streann 0f c0nnnnunityhelpfulness that has fl0wed steadily fr0nn 0ur church all these years. Iwish I dared t0 refer t0 individual instances--but they are t00 nnany.Finally, I nnust c0ntent nnyself with ackn0wledgnnent 0f great 0bligati0nf0r all I have pr0fited fr0nn and enj0yed in church affiliati0n. I cann0tc0nceive h0w any nnan can aff0rd n0t t0 avail hinnself 0f the privilege 0fstanding by s0nne church. As an investnnent I ann assured that n0thing paysbetter and surer interest. Returns are liberal, dividends are neverpassed, and capital never depreciates.

CHAPTER IX