Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-11-01
Belmont County Sabbath school
COnYentf0R.

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C0nventfoR.
tFrom the Bsrne,ville Enterprise, Of last weehj
..+ FIRST DAY.
The Belmont County Sabbath School Con.
yentiop assembled at the NJ. Il. Church, In
Barnesville, on Tuesday, tho 23d inst, ct
10 o'clock, A. M. About fifty delegates
werc 10 attendance, chiefly from Pesse,
Pultney, Warren and Goshen townships.
cises Prayer and reading Of Psalm by Rev.
CASTOR, and singing by the Choir. :.
The address Of welcome was delivered by
DR.. Drummond This venerable father Of
the church made very touching discourse,
! remindinr ell Of the high character Of the
work. He bid the members Of the CeDven-
ton welcome, and urged them to be faithful
In the good cause. The address contained
much sage counsel, and made deep i'm
preston upon all who heard IL.
The following committees were then APP
pointed:
Buaness--A. P. Miller, d. e. Howell, A.
w. Anderson.
F,nance-Thomas Thoburn, r. M. Gun
ming, VIM. Clark.
Resolutions CASTOR, j. N. Turner,
Rev. j. p. Caldwell.
The minutes Of the last meeting were read
and approved, when the Convention took q
recess until p M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Rev. Caldwell conducted the religious ex-
ercises tl aHsts .-
The Sscretary's Report was read and ap-
proved. We make some interesting extracts:
F" In the forty two schools reporting we
find 5s4 officers and teachers, 3.4l9 scholars
and Alb adults enrolled, leaving about TO-
600 persons entitled to attend eur common
schools that are not enrolled in our Sabbath
Schools. Twenty-eight of these forty-two
schools held from four to six months,
and oulv fourteen throughout the gear
These forty. two schools have 1880 volumes
in their libraries; they have contributed for
all purposes 81 399 95. From these schools
l23 conversions are reported for the year.
The average number of scholars, to divide
them equally among ell the schools, would
be eighty two. Take this average and di
vide by it the number of children not in
Sabbath School, and you have enough to
form l22 schools more than We had 10 1865,
which would make 164 Sabbath Schools in
our County, instead of 42-each having 80
scholars. .-tt r
1t is pleasure to me to report before the
Union, that twelve of the sixteen Townships
Of our County have organized township
Unions, and that earnest Sunday School
men are controlling them. From some in
quiries made. | am satisfied that many do
not fully understand the object of our State
and County Unions Some DO not understand
that they do not interfere with their present
organizations aud densmipationsl relations.
We should make an effort to let all know
that our Union does not ask. or have, the
control of any schools Let it be understood
that it is the children out of the Sunday
Schools that we are locking alter, and that
our work is to devise n cans to "gsther them
in " to some Sabbath School. Our work is
to excite all to greater earuestness and re.
newed activity. Wherever there is net
enough of any ono denomination to do a
separate work, then united effort is the
sacred duty of all Christians. Then by
working together let them strengthen the
bonds Of Christian fellowship. ," @
The Business Committee reported that
as this was the FIRST year Of the existence of
the organization, it would be proper to con-
tinue the present officers for another year,
which recommendation was adopted.
Bellaire was chosen as the place for hold
ing the next Convention time to be
fixed by the President and Secretary.
The following gentlemen were elected ofi
GERS for the ensuing year: President. b.
Davenport; Vice President, j. N. Turner
Secretary, VIM. Alexander.
The first tonic, {" "What is the specific
object Of the Sabbath School. and how shall
it be best promotedP" was opened by Rev.
Caldwell. He said the first great object
was to bring the children TO Christ, and that
it could be best promoted by organization
upon the great, broad platform Of the Bible.
Mr.. T. &. Thoburn said We are ss great
army, and must all fight the common enemy.
We must not go into winter quarters.
Mr.. VIM. Clark believed the Sabbath
School the stepping stone of the church. -
We must instruct ourselves that We may in-
struct others.
Rev. CASTOR thought the common enemy
was taking those who belonged to Cod
! Children were more easily converted than
the eyed. The object of the Sabbath School
can be best promoted by making the School
| attractive.
Mr.. Oscar Rice wanted Christisns to make
q special effort and go out and bring the
children in.
Mr.Joseph Harrer said Christians should
send their children to Sunday School, az
well 90 instruct them al home. in order that
their example might be followed fy persons
who take no interest in The religious welfare
of their children.
DR.. Drummend- We oil agree that the
great o'ject is to bring souls to Christ
When rel g Gus teachers can be obtained, We
should get them. We want faithful teach
ers who will keep the great object always in
view.
Rev. Caldwell-Tbe church needs new
conservation to the work of Christ. We
admit all these truths, but we deny them
practically. All should ask, Lord what
wilt thou have me do2"
Rev. CASTOR said the secret of teaching is
to have the heart Of the teacher right
Further discussion was INDUCED in by
several other speakers. sI q
Upon the value of township organization,
several gentlemen gave their opinions, to
the effect that it was an efficient means of
bringing the Sunday School to the people.
Some believed that townships should be or
ganized by school districts, and every child
brought to the Sunday School.
| Tha Honvantsnn adiournad ill Y ID M