The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-11-26


schools, taking the average attendance as ba-
sis.
Brown Thurston, Esq, as chairman to report
officers, reported as follows:
President-Geo. F. Emery, Portland.
Vice Presidents-Hon. S. P. Benson, Bruins
wick; Judge J. A. Waterman, Gorham; w.
q. Vinton, Gray.
Secretary-J. A. Locke, Portland. rs
Assistant Secretary-H. HI. Burgess
Treasurer-S. B. Haskell, Portland.
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention re-assembled at 9 o'clock.
and three-quarters of an hour was occupied in
devotional exercises, led by Rev. Walter Chase
The first topic assigned for the afternoon was
then taken up, viz The Importance of con-
tinuing the Sunday School through the winter.
In the absence of Rev. Mr.. Sanderson, the ap-
pointed speaker, Rev. Mr.. Eaton, of Gorham,
presented sound and practical reasons in sup
port of the question, the chief of which was
that intermittent labor in any good cause can
not bring lasting results.
A verse of hymn was sung and the Presi-
dent called ON j. E. Haseltine of this city to
open the next subject: Efforts for the CONVEX
sion of Sunday School scholars. This topic is
Intimately connected with that of the qualifi-
cation of teachers, discussed last night, he said
We must come to the children in the earnest
spirit of Christi take them personally and en-
deavor to impress it upon their hearts to seek
their Creator in youth; remember them in our
secret devotions; and assign portion of one
Sunday in each month to prayer for an out
pouring of the spirit of God on the labors of
the teachers. The discussion was continued
by Rev. j. f. Locke of Wolfboro, N. H.,
Messrs. Chase, Halves, Bowen, Bean, Gates,
Sanborn and Thwing. The debate brought
out these suggestions: Our children have been
neglected too much in the work of the church;
the teacher must be in sympathy with his
scholars, acquaint himself with their minds
and hearts, and be familiar with the way he is
leading them. Music was also proposed as a
means of conversion, and careful selection of
Superintendent. The last speaker urged that
our teaching should be colloquial rather than
didactc-soncrete rather than abstract, and
We should expect immediate fruitfulness.-
These are the elements of success.
A portion of hymn was sung by the con-
gregation, and the convention proceeded to
the discussion of the last topic on the afternoon
programme: The duty OF church members to
Join the Sunday School. Dr. Smaller pre-
sented the following points with great deal
of earnestness and power: LIST, as a means of
adding strength to the church; I'd, to benefit
themselves by a systematic study of the bible;
Sd, the power of example; and finally, if you
would have good preaching you must show
your minister that you have a knowledge of
Bible truth. An active, working minister will
keep in advance of the pews in this r. spect.-
Mr.. Rnfus Deering closed the question by the
remark that the success of the Sunday School
of the Casco Street Church in Portland was
due in great measure to the general attend
ance of the church members.
Mr. Vinton, for the Business Committee, re-
ported the names of Brown Thurston and w
Fl. Hobbs as Secretary and Assistant Secreta-
~ of the County Association, in place of thu
nominees in the morning report who had de.
clined to serve. The report was accepted.
The Committee on Credentials finally re-
ported that there were A Sunday Schools rep.
resented in the convention by 118 pastors nd
lay delegates.
1t was voted that the evening session of the
Convention be merged in the session of the
County Association.
A hymn was sung, and the benediction was
pronounced by Rev. DR.. Smaller.
EVENING SESSION.
The even ing session commenced at o clock.
There was a very fair attendance, large mum =
Der of whom were ladies. The first half hour
was sp ent in devotional exercises.
Sunday School Concerts-how best con-
ducted," was taken up. Mr.. Colcord of the
First Baptist Church thou ght Sunday School
Concerts of the highest Importance, since it
was only ON such an occasion that the pastor
| and superintendent got hold of all the work.
| ing people in the church. In these concerts
| all are interested old and young. He thought
| the concerts should be held in the afternoon
so the little folks could be present. No con-
cert should exceed an hour and half in
length, SO that none should be wearied; the
good of the greatest number was to be consid-
cred. As to the exercises, he thought there
should be short prayer, short bible reading,
singing by the children, land let tine children
by all means take hold) He considered sing
| ing the great feature. Then should come the
| repeating CT verses, bible verses, bible lam
guage. Let the children do the talking in re-
gard to the commentaries on the verses. Let
the speeches never exceed five minutes in
length, and make all speak, if only five words.
Drive the timid ones into speaking. As to
dialogues, he hoped that no one would intro
| duce anything OF theatrical character like a
| dialogue into the Church of God. In conclu
sion, he thought Sabbath School Concerts more
| important than sermons or anything connected
| with the church.
Rev. Mr.. Chase thought the concerts drew
out class Of people who did not usually at
tend church. The live men, and the young
turn out, and then there is chance to get int
their minds some wholesome truths.
Mr.. Brown Thurston thought there should
be great variety in these concerts, so thai
the children should not weary He gave sew.
eral examples of the variety pursu ed in hi
| school.
Mr.. Melcher of New Gloucester had bad
| charge of a school for sixteen years. L. aaf
come to the conclusion that coloques and dis
| mas were too theatrical. He had above
,hem Init some time ago he became convince
they were the first steps to countenanclng TN
atr;cals. In exchange for dialogues he wou'
rive q child or class a word and let them VINE
called upon in the concert give verse
scrinture referring to the word. He thoug
there should be good deal of prayer
7 Mr.. Earle of the Chestnut st. Church
e. lieved in dialogues. He thought we ousn'
ne have them, ought to draw the children 'ru
or the wicked drama into the sacred drama
ey are apt to make religion too dark and gioo1
lie for children. He believed that at the conce
n there should be variety and brevity, and at t
same time never forget it is the work of G
We We are engaged in.
ills Rev. Dr. Smaller said the first question "
what do we want to accomplish? the seco
ve hou can we best accomplish it? Ten We
oft ago the children had nothing to do with
nd concert. The idea of the concert was to ID
lis. for the spirit of the Lord to visit the teach,
so as to instruct them how best to convert
children. He understood that to be the