The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-03-14
LOCAL MATTERS.
BAPTIST STATE SUNDAY SCHOOL
CONVENTION.
THE CL OSING Scene.
FOURTH DAY.

AllcT lHc USUAL QeVOllOHdl eNCTClSeS,
President Abel took the chair, and the
business of the Convention was resumed.
The Secretary read the minutes of the
previous evenings proceedings; which
were approved.
Mr.. A. II. Sands offered resolution for
the appointment of committee to super
intend the publication Of the proceedings
and revise and edit the same.
After desultory discussion upon the
necessity of revising and abridging some
of the essays and perfecting others, and
also to see that the matter published was
homogeneous, the Secretary said resolu-
ton had already been adopted appointing
Rev. II. C. Ryland and the Treasurer to
edit and publish the proceedings and
papers.
Several Of the members expressed the
opinion that although none of the papers
had been adopted by the Convention,
still, as their publication would be under
its sanction, they ought to be revised and
abbreviated, or enlarged, as the case might
require.
Mr.. A. H. Sands said that, notwithstand-
ing he had been affected to tears, as had
other brethren, by the pathos Of Brother
Watkins's admirable essay, still he could
not help saying-and he thought the others
would agree with him-that there was
much matter in the paper not pertinent to
the subject. Indeed, a great deal Of 1t
was quite mpertincnt-and that the most
pathetic and affecting portion. 1t read very
pleasantly and very prettily, and would be
all very proper in its place but it had no
connection with the subje of Bible classes.
He would expunge all superhuities from
the essays. He thought all the papers were
open to criticism, and, if the authors would
stand it, he would like to subject them to
the ordeal. Some were too short, and
ought to be enlarged; while others were
too long, and ought to be curtailed. He
desired that perfect, first class publica-
ton should go forth from this Convention
to the people, and he thought, after a re-
vision of the papers, that object could be
attained. He could not close without COM
plimenting Brother Ryland on the sagacity
aud good Judgment he had displayed in
the selection of his essayists, each of whom
seemed to be exactly suited to the task
allotted to him.
Professor Cooke thought the whole idea
had been comprehended by the speaker in
that one point, of first-class publication,
and he hoped no pains would be spared to
make it every way worthy Of the body.
Professor John Hart held that nothing
should 60 forth from the body er cathedra,
and therefore the papers should be pub
lished just as they are, without any altera-
tion or endorsement by the Convention.
Mr.. Hiden was opposed to making the
essays homogeneous. Unity in the ideas
was not necessary. he was not in favor OF
similarity. He had no objection to the
Baptist community criticising what he did
say, but he would not be held responsible
for what he did not say. He did not be-
lieve in putting the papers in sort OF
coming machine, where they would all
come out as much alike as three cent pieces,
aud just about as valuable. His paper he
desired to stand just as he had written it
and while he vas willing to bear all the
cenSure, he desired to receive all the
credit. He neither wanted it abridged,
amended, nor supplemented. He had de-
voted much time to its perfection, and
could not make it any better.
Mr.. Sands replied that he liked to see
young men have confidence in themselves,
but he thought the brother had taken a
wrong view of the subject when he re-
fused to allow his paper to be revised.
1.-TWO heads were better than one"; and in
the revision, other members might be able
to make very salutary suggestions, which
would, perhaps, add much to the useful
ness of the essays. 1t was not right in SO
Young man as Brother Hiden to say that
he aoould not alter his production.
Mr.. James Jones was opposed to making
them homogeneous; but he thought some
of them oug hit to be abridged, as the ex.
pense of printing would thereby be les
sened; which was an important item.
Mr.. Henry Hatcher thought the style OF
some of the papers entirely too dittuse, and
he would recommend the advice of an old
literary critic, "to mark out every other
word" and then they would be about right
lie proposed the following as substitute
to Mr.. Sands's resolution /; which was
adopted:
Resolved, That Brothers DR.. j. B
Jeter, A. H. Sands, and G. Fl. Winston
be appointed committee to assist Brother
C. ii. Ryland to prepare the essays for the
press, and that they be requested to ab
breviate them so far as they can without
impairing their value"
SABBATH SCHOOL REWARDS AND sP1AuLANis
An essay on this interesting subject was
read by DR.. L. R. Childs, of Manchester
who had been appointed to that duty DI
the Committee on Exercises. he recon-
mends good Libraries, excursions, strolis IL
tba century nic-nics. and all sorts of stimu