The Portland daily press., 1868-10-27


The Convention assembled at 9 o'clock at
the rooms OF the Y. NJ. g. Association. Devo-
tionai exercises, conducted by Rev. Mr.. True,
occupied the first half hour.
Rev. Mr.. True was then chosen chairman,
and Rev. Mr.. Tewksbury secretary.
The following subject was then introduced
by Mr.. Pardee OF New York, under whose
general supervision and instruction these
meetings are held: "The objects and wants OF
Sabbath Schools
Persons present were requested to give their
ideas upon this subject in writing. Various
answers were given, all centering in the main
IN this as the leading object-the conversion
OF tne pupils. Some of the wants expressed
were: presence of the Holy Spirit; good sup
erintendents; moro and better teachers: piety
and ability to teach.
Mr.. Pardee suggested this as one want:
good record of the school. He continued the
subject by interesting and Instructive remarks,
Remarks were also made by Rev. Messrs.
Small, Fem, Bro. Deeripg and others.
Adjourned to IL p M
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Devotional exercises commencing at 21.2
o'clock, conducted by Bro Tewksbury. oocu-
pied the first fifteen minutes, after which the
following subject was introduced:
Teachers Meetings-how best conducted :"
Superlntenden;s and pastors present were re-
quested to give their experience on this point
after which Mr. Pardee gave in detail the
method which had proved the most successful
in his own experience, in which the social eIe-
ment came largely in. The method of con-
Quoting them as bible classes, or lectures, or
commentary studying, was not favored. The
general principle was that they must be made
to pay, and teachers must meet for the ex.
press purpose of keeping each other for the
next Sabbath.
The distribution of Sabbath School libraries
was also discussed by Mr.. Pardee The sys-
teen OF distribution by a printed catalogue
given to every scholar, with library card on
which should be written by him the number
of the book desired was recommended.
The general discussion of these topics was
freely participated in BY others, and was of
much interest rl.
Several persons were present from other
parts Of the country.
EVENING.
The meeting in the evening was held in the
Chestnut Street M. E. Church. Rev. Mr. Reyes
presiding, who also conducted the devotional
| exercises. The subjects to be considered were
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and closing exercises
and conversion of children.
The discussion was opened upon the subject
| OF opening and closing exercises of the school
| by Mr.. FL. 81. Burgess. He was followed by
MIR. Brown Thurston, who hored the day
| would soon come when the lessons should be
uniform, Rev. MIR. Reyes, who conceded with
Mr.. Thurston, G. +. Emery, Esq, Mr.. VIM.
| M. Marks and others, principally Superinten-
| dents of schools.
After singing hymn Mr.. Pardee addressed
the meetiDg-frst upon Superintendents.-
After stating that the Superintendent of the
Sabbath School was. to it, what the Superin.
tendent of railroad or factory was to such
an institution, he gave his views OF what the
| Superintendent should be. He advised the
| teachers to always select the best man, and to
keep him until they could get better one
but having an election for one every year
He spoke OF the duties of the Superintendent
in maintaining order in the school, and con.
| Quoting the services Alright.
| WI. druet oDSeEVeU tnat IL Is very 1mp0r-
tant to teach childen how to pray, and that
prayer should be made in their language. He
He related pleasant incident of chI'dren's
prayer meeting in New York. and the excel.
lent method which the teachers had employed
to teach Christ in simple and interesting
manner to the youthful minds. He remarked
that parents should learn to- pray with thei,
children, and said that a blessed result would
come from it. Es--
| The gentleman from N. York then passed to
speak of the conversion of children, and drew
a comparison between two Sunday Schools
one which showed only two conversions and
| the other great number. The reason of this
was that in the former they did not aim a,
conversion as the first thirg. but taught the
children good moral principles and scrip.
tural truths. III the latter they sought first to
convert the children, and that is what ali
/ should do.
After Mr.. Pardee had closed his remarks the
doxology was sung, and the meeting closed
with benediction by Rev. Mr.. Reyes.
| Meetings will be continued to-day at the
rooms of the Y. NJ G. A., commencing at A.
M. and PIP P. NJ. This evening at Free St
Church at Z 1 o'clock.