Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-10-10
5rlluIuus saisnllang.
Swnday schools.


Among the latest evidences Of ii is tho
recent formation of a State Associa-
ton. The conviction has been grow
ing for several years in the minds Of
Sabbath. school workers, that such an
organization was needed. 1t was be-
lieved that organization would pro
duce greater vigor and thoroughness,
and especially that it would lead TO a
more thorough supply of the waste
places. The successful example of 9th
er States, both east and west, strength
ened this convictio and led to the
holding of several important conven
tions, and finally to matured organ
ization. The first State Convention
was held in Philadelphia, in May,
1862. The second was held at Pitts
burg in May, 1868, and adjourned to
meet at Harrisburg the following
year Lees invasion, however, and
the confusion following that event,
prevented the meeting. Matters con-
tinued in this condition until May Of
the present year, when third con-
vention was held in Philadelphia
which was largely attended from all
parts of the State, and resulted in the
formation of permanent society,
with board of Managers and a sal
aried Secretary, who is to give his
whole time to the work This last
feature we regard as a vital one, aud
the general acquiescence which it OBJ
tanned, and the promptness with
which the money needed was made
up, showed that the delegates were in
earnest in the work, and appreciated
rightly its character.
The new Association numbers in
its Board of Managers some of the
best known and most active Sabbath
school men in the State. Its Presi-
dent, Matthew Newkirk, Esq, is q
veteran in the cause. Hon. James
Pollock, Chairman of the Business
Committee, is too well known to need
introduction to any Pennsylvania
readers. Rev. Alfred Taylor, State
Secretary, is a live man, and thorough
ly acquainted with the Sabbath school
work. The board has appointed its
committees, and is alreadyin working
order.
The work to be done by such an
organization is large and various,
and practically without limit 1t
will be finished only when every
child in the State is in the Sabbath
school, and every childin the Sabbath
school is converted and brought into
the church. There are, however, two
points ofimmediate practical impor-
tance to which the Managers should
give attention One ig the formation
OF county associations the other is
the holding Of Normal Institutes.
A STATE society is to accomplish its
work mainly by awakening and or
ganizing the efficiency of others. 1t
does not expect to form schools, or 10
do the work Of teaching. Its aim as
a central organization, is to put it.
self into kindly contact and sympathy
with local Influences all over the
State. There is no county in the
State in which there are not to be
found warm-hearted, earnest Chris
tians, men and women, ready to co.
operate actively and wisely. The
first business of the State Association
is to find out these earnest workers.
If half dozen men ofthe right stamp
can be got together in any county,
they can easily devise measures for
penecting a county organization, and
can secure some one competent and
willing TO undertake the duties Of
county secretary. These county or
ganizations are the very life Of the
system, coming directly into contact
with the schools aud actual work
The measure of the success achieved
by the State Association will be the
number and character of the county
associations it can cali into existence.
These county associations ought TO
have much Of Il missionary character
and spirit. They ought to aim, in
the first place, to make a complete
Sabbath-school census, finding out ex-
actly how many children are in the
Sabbath school aud how many are out
Of it. In the second place they ought
TO aim to bring every neglected child
under the influence of religious in
struction, and to see that school is
established wherever there is a popu-
laii0n sufficient TO sustain one.
We have spoken Of Normal Insti.
tutes. The State Association has
great and immediate work to do in
regard to them. These Institutes do
not train teachers. 1t is grave mis-
take to hope for any such result from
them. But they are of the utmost
Importance in diflusing right ideas
among teachers There are great
truths in teaching, which are never
rightly apprehended until we see
them practically illustrated. From a
good Model Lesson, live teacher
will gather ideas hat come to him in
no other way. And then what noble
thoughts are brought out by some of
the lecturers on these occasions, and
how many practical hints are elected
in the free and iraternal Interchange
of fviews that takes place These spo.
eial Institutes in large and influential
centres are most important means of
periecting our educational machinery
The State Association should aim TO
hold at least fifteen or twenty such
during the current year-,Smday.
School Times.
will enjoy all things in God. and
God in all things nothing in itself
SO shall my joys neither change nor