“Rally Day” was a festive event that celebrated the beginning of the Sunday School year – teachers were introduced, classes were formed, students began interacting in a spirit of celebration.
In the Protestant churches that organized an annual “Rally Day”, the events were usually scheduled for late September or October.
We have seen Rally Day postcards that referenced fellowship meals, musical performances, and noted speakers.
“An Inspiring Rally Day”, “Trinity Will Bring the Band”, “Sabbath School in the New Chapel”.
Mr. Jacob Zeger resided in Mercersburg, a borough in Franklin County of south-central Pennsylvania.
Located near the Mason-Dixon line, Mercersburg was home to a large population of self-emancipated African Americans in the early 19th century.
This population dispersed as aggressive “slave-capture” raids intensified in the years leading to the Civil War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercersburg,_Pennsylvania
Today, several historic structures, and the famed Mercersburg Academy, are landmarked in the borough.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercersburg_Academy
In September of 1920, Jacob received a brightly-printed invitation by postcard.
The postcard was sent by C. H. Brown, presumably a Sunday School Superintendent or a Church Secretary.
The postcard was mailed in Mercersburg, but the parish or congregation is not identified.
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The face of the postcard is a dramatic drawing of a rainbow spanning a mountain valley.
The scene is framed by trees in a riot of autumnal colors.
A path winds toward a village church in the valley, beyond a lake or stream.
Within a classical fame, a verse expresses the “gold” of the Sunday School:
“RALLY DAY NEXT SUNDAY”
“There’s a pot of gold at the rainbow’s end.”
And gold on the way to the church, dear friend,
The gold of truth, and the gold of peace,
And the gold of joy that shall never cease!
A rainbow shines on the gladsome way,
So come to the Sunday School Rally Day.”
The name, “Corley” or “Curley” is visible at the lower right, but I have not discovered if this identifies a postcard artist.
Published by the firm of “Goodenough and Woglom Company” of New York, the postcard appears to be part of a series of Rally Day invitations.
I interpret “R. D. No. 60” as evidence of a series.
This publishing company provided a wide range of books, stationery, posters, board games, and other products appealing to religious organizations.
https://www.abebooks.com/Goodenough-Woglom-Company%C2%92s-Annual-Catalogue-1913/32199814506/bd
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Jacob seems to have appreciated the charming invitation; the postcard was preserved in very good condition.
One hopes that he enjoyed the happy observance of Rally Day.
(In 1920, there were several historic congregations in Mercersburg – representing the German Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions.
Any or all of these congregations may have celebrated “Rally Day”)
