Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-10-10

.evon other new schools, besides those
Organized. Some OF them before / cam
-, TO the county. Others aftcrward but be
fore | arrived in neighborhoods wher
they were needed. Quite a number O
these new schools are in neighborhood
where no preaching has been sustained, o
any other public religious worship.
In closing up my work, have tried tC
ascertain what proportion of the children
and youth of The county are attendants O
Sunday Schools. | find that much les
than one half the number between the age
of six wears and twenly-One are reported
The number In the county between th st
ages. according To the report of the Super
intendent of Public Instruction Of the Stale
last year, is 6, ia, while the whole numbe
of Sunday School scholars is only 2,616.
This Stale OF things is attributable tt
various causes. among whica ar,
the lack of schools, and the in
efficiency OF those already in op
Grafton. / have already given a suilicien
reason for the lack OF schools, namely, Tia;
want of proper persons TO take charge oI
them. OF the incfliciency Of SCHOOLS mucl
might be said, but as the nature of this re
port precludcs any lengthy remarks. will
simply mention what seemed to me the
immediate causes Of il. These are. the ru
inous practice OF closing the schools during
| tho winter season the lack of interest in.
the work on the part OF teachers, and the
carelessness OF parents in sending the chill
dreu to school, aud often, what is worse
their positive opposition To the whole sun
day School system. believe there were
but two schools IN the county kept open
last mintcr outside of Plymouth and Bour-
bon. These schools gave more sncoura-
ging report than any other old schools in
the county. One OF them reported five
conversions among its attendants during the
! ,asi wear. Both reported more thoTou. h
course of ins;r lction than other schools
In visiting the old schools while in session.
whenever Other duties would permit. /
gained good ,quain;anbe with the meth
ods or ins ructiUn. and the interest mani
! Tested by teachers in their work. As the
result OF my observations | am fully con-
yinccd lint very much needs 10 be done to
stimulate teachers and other officers 10
greater diligence in their work. On the
accomplishment of this hangs in a very
( great measure, the future success OF the
I SUNDAY School cause in this county. The
/ iheachers must be encouraged and taught
/ in some way. or they will not lake that in
| tercst in the work which is necessary tO
/ render il sucCe sstul. If some means could
I he devised 10y which the work of teaching
could be rendered more pleasant and the
result more apparent, it would be bat a
very short time until the places now dcsti-
tutc woulc besuppiied with schools. Those
schools already In op2ration would be more
generally attended, and The opposition
which now exists would cease forever.
/ This fact Is apparent wherever q strong
school can ne found. In such places the
opposition either dies out immediately o.
hides itself and is not seen or felt and if a
new school is necessary within knowing
distance OF such schools, the work of set
ting one in operation is not TO he compared
with that of starting one near those schools
which arc weak and inefficient. Hence
the great anxiety Of Sunday School friends
! in the county should be TO render more ef-
ficient the schools already in operation. Ii
gives me pleasure To know that many have
felt this, and are doing all they can to ac-
complishtt. Many Of the officers of schools
are waking up to greater zeal In their
work, aud are beginning To- enquire what
means can bs devised tn render their laborS
more SUI cessful. Although there are many
difficulties To lie overcome AMI much work
To be dunc, there is great reason 10 take
+ courage. Nolhing was more manifest To
me while laboring among the schools than
( that the a irii of God was OvcrshadowinC
them. | had the extreme pleasure to e.rn
/ but short time before | left the county.
that at least one soul was brought 10 seek
and find Jesus precious, in one OF the
schools had the honor 10 0r-anlZs during
my labors. May God a I'll many more.
, But ] cannot cl0Sa this report without
returning my heartfelt thanks TO the friends
Of sunday Schools for their ready cooper
alton and assistance rendered me in my Is
bors, and for the kind and gercrons hospi-
tally with which WAS received wherever
/ was thrown during my term of service
among you rs n wandering homeless mis-
sionary. The recollection of these kind
nesScs cherish among the most pleasant
remembrsnC e. of my life No one, but one
who has been through like experience
can fully appreciate their prcciousncss.
From YOU dcpar, with Il deep sense ot
Indebtedness to YOU for the encourage
ments | eceived from You and with a
heart more fully consecrled To God Tor
my experience among You.
JAMES HARPER.
Sunday School Missionary.
]
i Singing by choir.
Amendments to the Constitution ofihe association
were then presented 10y tho Committee on permanent
organization.
/ On moti.n the report Of Mr.. Harper. and the
amendment. to tho Constitution were adopted.
Collection taken to help defray expenses ofthe con-
vcntion.
The meeting was then addressed by elder Wool, Of
Michigan City Encouragement given g. all engaged
in thu sunday School work. {, go ON with it, In the
selection of libraries for Ssniay Schools not to
ne themselves To one denomination, but select from
all choosing good books.
Singing by choir.
Resolssd l. That the Sunday School work is in
inafely connected with the advance ofCbrists king
1 ,lom ~. ~ vi ere.
] 2 That the wants Of our county call for
united and vigorous efforts the part Of all chris
/ iians.
b That we will Civ. to this association our hearty
support. and will make use Of the opportunities It
of,rs for the advance of the work in our county.
4 That commend he SHsd,rg Schpol lsicier,
published al Chi,Hgo. re one of the most valuable
helms to teachers and suIcrinteIrcnts.
/ 3. That VIC extend our hearty thanks 20 Rev. y.
d. Williamson. Rov. q. Adams. Rev. J. B. Truax, Of
Chicago, aud Rev Aaron Wood. Of MI'h. gan City,
nr r presence and able assistance at this convcn-
iion.
6, That the thanks Of ihi. conven; ion be exteud-
cd 10 the Ma-sEun Comfy RepnJlicda and the Tiys-
oufh Ienor,t for gratuitously publishing the no;icss
Of the convention
I =.
to these citizens who have kindly eutertaincd the
delegates and visitors 20 the - invention.
s. That the county lapers lie requested to publish
| the proceedings Of this con ysntinn.
! ON motion H. G.. Thnyer and Major Kendall were
air,Uiutel an Executive COMMITTEE Of Association.
/ Rev. Mr.. Trnax wished Il copy Of the Constitution
6opted BY the convention for tire association, TO be
sent each Vice President in the county.
Singing.
Bcnediction hy Elder Wood.
4 Adjourned. .r
CONSTITUTION.
| I. The name Of This organization shall he. Tho
MARSHALL County Sunday School Assocationi il shall
| he auxiliary Ia the Sunday School Union.
2 The object Of this Association shall be: To et
vate the standard Of Sunday School instruction. ~
organize Sunday Schools wherever they needed
10 gather all the children of MARSHALL County into
| Sunday Schools to bring all the Sunday School
scholars Christ and train them up for usefulness
and glory. .--
| s. The meeting of this Association shall bs held
annually beginning the third Tuesday In Septen
her, If such place shall he appointed at the prsvi-
Gus meeting And semi AM nual or quarterly meet
ngs may DO held in differ n. parts Of the county, at
| the leasure of the association.
r.. ~ De-