The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-01

4AcSIAlTtoSsII
series Of meetings which haye been held a
st. James church closed last evening
After the usual devotional services the sub:
ject of ofssAnnivergaries ss and Devotional Exer.
cises was called up as the first in order
Mr.. Albert u West compared the inter.
change of views at anniversaries to o
merchant taking yearly account of his
stock. He considered the amount OF
labor with which some Of the children
were taxed ii committing to memory such
large numbers of verses, dialogues, etc., to
be repeated as positively injurious to them.
DR.. Moore considered it impossible to dis
cuss this subject in the abstract. Persons
differed in their estimate Of what an ami
yersary was. ,..-s .,..4..
Colonel Thomas j Evans said that, to his
mind, the idea which they were to discuss
tonight was whether, at these anniversaries
we should have pic-nics. In his school the
question was settled the children ,could
haze the trip to the country once year.
To them it was rendered day of enjoy
ment-there were no verses to say or dia-
logues to recite. 81. !. ssi,,.c
Mr.. ]. F. Keesee was not in favor Of pic
MICS. He had never seen any good accom-
p1ished by them.
Mr.. West stated that the subject Of pic
MICS had not been considered by him. He
only alluded to the kind of anniversaries
which had usually taken place in the city,
where the recital of verses, &C., had been
the chief feature.
Mr.. E. B. Spence thought the use Of the
Sunday school was to make the children &C
quainted with the Bible, and, if our object
was to please the children, then let them
take the place of the teachers. Pic-nics nc
did not originate in the New Testament
and it is from that book We derive our ideas
Of Christianity.
Mr.. E. M. Peterson considered these fes-
tival seasons q great encouragement to the
children, and therefore good in themselves
Remarks on " Re,oards % we're then
called for.
Captain Dimmock read an interesting
paper which he had prepared, strongly
urging the system of giving rewards Of
merit whenever they were won by good con-
duct or recitation.
DIR. J. Peterkin thought superintendent
and teachers should keep the children
well reined up, and did not agree altogether
with the igentleman's views who had pre-
ceded him, that we must give large num-
Der Of rewards to keep the children in the
school, but rather to teach them that it was
a privilege to allow them to come to the
Sunday school. A system which is proper
in one community may not answer as well
in another, and each school should act for
itself in the matter. '.ss
Mr.. William L. Hill concurred in the
main with DIR. Peterkin. He thought the
system of rewards in use in our schools was
demoralizing. Teachers have no right to
let their good nature get the better OF their
Judgment, and give the children tickets,
unless they are fairly and fully earned.
Children should be won by kindness and
love; not by rewards for doing their duty.
DR.. j. Hall Moore did not think that the
abuse of any system should be used as on
against the system itself. Our
whole religious system is one of rewards
Some inducement should be held out to the
scholar, not only for punctuality in attend
ance, but for good behavior while in school
Every inducement within our power should
be held out to children to attend the Sab.
bath schools. s
Rev. DR.. Moore partially conceded with
the remarks of the last speaker, and, in
addition, would soy that if the children
were what they oaggt to be, there would be
no need Of rewards, or, indeed, OF Sunday
schools; but we must take human nature as
we find it, and, being what it is, we must
use the best means in our power to get the
children as near what they should be as
possible. 1t is, however, quite Us wrong to
reward too much as not to reward at all. AS
regards pic-nics, he could see no harm III
them. 1t was merely question OF expe.
diency with each particular school, and he
was not aware that it involved any principle
Bible Closses.-Reference to their con
duct was the next subject in order. Mr.. J
B. Watkins considered that they were one
of the very best agencies which the Church
brought under its control. Deep and earn
est piety should mark the leader OF eact
class. he should also be an educated per
son. and have his heart fully engaged IL
the work which he had undertaken. The
lessons should be judiciously selected, ano
all the, facts which bear upon the sublec
should be brought out. aa o7,sa 81
Pfayer Meetings for Teachers and Scho
lars.-Mr. William L. Hill made few re
marks about the system in use in his school
Mr.. E. NJ. Peterson knew of one schoo
where the teachers and children were, onc'
a month, brought together, and prayer
meeting of two hours in length was held
and it was working very disastrously. Ill
said prayers in these meetings should b.
short. st - =.
DR.. T. v. Moore thought if every Sunday
school would spend fifteen minutes il
prayer meetings before going into sehoo
great good would be accomplished by it.
Mr.. w. Ct. Gary conceded cordially witt
Dr.. Moore. 7tI ic9 ~
Mr.sN. II. Forbes said the teachers in th'
Sabbath school to which he belonged held {
half-hour prayer meeting before going int
the school, and much of the efficiency of. tha
school was no doubt due to the effects Of thi
plan.
Ho,u to. Study and Hoao to :Inpart In
stratction was the next subject.
DR.. 7. v. Moore thought Sunday-schoc
papers valuable auxiliary to ever.
teacher.
Colonel 7. j. Evans said no system woul
apply:to every case. He would, however
mention one or two things which had oc
Cured to him: One was as to the size of
Biblesclass. He thought that it ought not
contain more than thirteen or fourteen. i
regard to instruction, he considered com
mentaries and question books indispensa
BILE to an effective teacher. II we are onl
in earnest in the matter, we will find ou
the way to prepare ourselves for the dutie
of q teacher. Don't depend entirely upoo,
the question book. Study the lesson vel!
and questions will suggest themselves. LIE
| the scholars feel that you are interested L