The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-03-14

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should be avoided Ambition to exec
and love of reward should be encouraged
Books he thought the greatest of all stimu
lants-a good library the most necessary
adjunct of a school-and even picnic!
should be sacrificed to books.
The essay gave rise to quite an excited
debate, and many of its propositions were
freely criticized. ....
Rev. n. G. Ryland pronounced it most
excellent and well-timed paper. In regard
to getting up celebrations and festivities
early in the session, the brother was right
It had bad effect, and did great injury to
the schools. They ought to be postponed
till the close of the year. In respect tt
rewards, he was in favor of the distribu.
ton of good newspapers instead of tickets
He would give one to every child in the
school, not simply to every family. 1t ought
to be a "live" paper but he did not know
where to get such paper. He would like
to see one established in this State, as also
one for teachers. The Herald had done
much for them, but it was not possible for
it to supply the wants of the children.
DR.. W. R. Vaughan agreed with Mr..
Ryland in regard to the propriety of having
celebrations in the fall Of the year: but in
his school he found it highly beneficial to
have them in all seasons. he intended to
have festivals in the spring also, and
oftener, too. His system was to interest
the children at all times, even in their
amusements, in the religion of Jesus; and
to this, more than anything else, he at
tributed his success. He let no opportu-
nifty pass of impressing upon their young
hearts the truths of religion. The objec-
tion to the superintendent speaking too
often did not meet his concurrence. He
was in the habit of preaching Christ and
Him .crucifed to his children frequently,
and interesting them in the Gospel.
Mr.. ". H. Williams, of the Leigh-street
school, was opposed entirely to pic-nics as
stimulants for the children, and he was
glad that the essayist had recommended q
better method for stimulating and interest
ing the children. He had found pic-nics
the greatest sources of heart -burnings and
social disagreements that could possibly be
invented. Church Hill will not associate
with Rockets, and Shockoe Hill disdains
the Valley. Each keeps to its own set,
and eats its own snack separately. He did
not believe in giving way to every Whim OF
the scholars. We must elevate them to
our standard, and not lower ourselves to
their standard. Pic-nics, in his opinion,
were the greatest denominations in the
schools.
The remarks of Mr.. Williams against
this species of amusement and recreation
brought the whole house against him, and
he had to fight regular pitched battle.
There was great unanimity among the
members for pic-nics, and quite number
spoke in support Of them; but Mr.. Will
liams would not listen to any argument.
In his opinion, they were most I'M urious to
the interests of the Church.
Mr.. Ryland asked him if he did not have
an annual celebration at his school.
Ho explained that it was one of DR..
Dickenson's inventions; but it was not of
the nature of picnic. They met; had
religious exercises sung the melodies OF
the school distributed some confections
and presents; and then separated. His
monthly concerts he considered greater
stimulants than all the pic-nics that could
be gotten up. The latter he opposed,
whether in the woods, in the school, or at
his own house.
The picnic question continued to be
discussed by Messrs. Childs, Vaughan,
Willis, Sands, Keesec, DR.. Burrows, and
Mr.. James Jones, all Of whom seemed to
favor the idea of letting the schools de-
eide for themselves whether they would
have pic-nics or not. On the other hand,
Mr.. Williams persisted in his opposition.
The time for adjournment having ar
rived, the discussion closed, and Captain
J. Hardy Hendren offered the following
resolution; which was adopted:
ReSolued, That the thanks of this Con-
vention be returned to the good people: of
Richmond and Manchester for their kind
hospitalities, to the lines Of travel enter
ing the city for return tickets, and to the
reporters of the papers which have pub
lished our proceedings for their faithful
reports"
On motion of DR.. Burrows, Rev. G. Il.
Ryland was relieved from acting as chair
man Of the Committee on Publication at
his own earnest solicitation.
Mr.. James Jones proposed the follow
ing; which, after brief discussion, was
adopted:
4" Resolved, That we commend to our
brethren to support by their sympathies,
contributions, and prayers, the Sunday
School Board of the Southern Baptist Con-
vention."
Rev. J. R. Garlick offered the follow
ing:
RESOLVED, That, in the opinion of this
Convention, the plan Of operations at pre-
sent pursued by the Sunday School and
Bible Board of the Baptist General Asso-
citation of Virginia, under the supervision
of Rev. G.. II. Ryland, in providing Sunday
schools with suitable books, and in advan-
cling the interests of Sunday schools gene
rally, is most efficient, and in all respects
entitled to the appreciation and confidence
of the brethren"
1t was unanimously adopted.
A resolution of thanks to the President
for the able manner in which he had pre-
sided, and to the Secretary for the faith
full discharge of his laborious duties, and
to the officers generally, was then adopted.
It,was announced that the Convention
was ready to adjourn.
Rev. George F. Adams, of Hampton,
made a few very affecting remarks. He
came here with the hope of being instructed
and stimulated, and he had not been dis
appointed. He had seldom enjoyed SO
pleasant season. Nothing had disturbed
the perfect harmony Of their deliberations,
Notwithstanding the freedom with which
the several topics had been discussed.
There had been just sufficient division IN
sentiment to give zest and spice to the pro-
ceedings; but nothing ill-natured had been
said or done, and he hoped when they re-
turned to their homes they would all enter
with renewed zeal and energy upon the