The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-10-26
sabbath sehe.i (seayention.

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schools, belonging to what are known as the
Evangelical churches of this county, The
opening session was, held at the rooms of the
Y. M. G. Association, beginning at 10 a. M
Geo. E. Emery, Esq, in the chair, and Chas
Small Secretary pro tenapore. The committee
on credentials reported As delegates, from 9;
churches. The President briefly aud felicit
ously opened the exercises by an address on the
present state and the encouraging prospects Of
the cause, and called on Rev. A. A. Smith Of
Casco ST. Church to offer PRAYER
The first topic was then taken IN: The best
Time for holding the school and the length OF
the service.
Mr. Seth Scammon of Scarboro would not
insist on uniformity, but thought it should
never follow the preaching service, but before
the morning service, if possible. All hour is
usually long enough
DR.. Amasa Loring of Yarmouth stated OBJ
| iections to this plan, at least in rural commn-
mites, and preferred to have the school at noon.
Better punctuality andMa larger number of
| adults would be secured.
Mr.. Prentss Loring endorsed this view of
the matter. There is a better spiritual atmos.
phere after sermon. Care, however should
be had to have pure physical atmosphere
Ventilation is necessary for intellectual sbarn-
ness, and the morning is better for study.
Rev. X. Atkinson Of Cape Elizabeth adyo.
Gated the substitution of the school for the
morning sermon, and Dea. o. M. Brooks of the
SECOND Parish agreed with him in the zone
sermon" plan, as beneficial alike to pastor and
school.
Rev. A. Lorins maintained that "the good
ola way that the fathers walked in was the
wiser way. Many schools after trying to fill
the place of the pulpit had abandoned the at.
tempt.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Convention resumed exercises at 2 D. M. at
High Street Church. After prayers, Mr.. Ru-
fus Deering opened discussion on the Duties
and qualifications Of Superintendents. He
presented high ideal, man of eminent
plety, self.sacrifice and business ability.
promptness and TACT. He should take time TO
study, and to visit teachers and pupils,
Rev. Mr. Harrison suggested the need of n
saaried officer to do so vast work: Mr. Deer
ing explained. Messrs. Atkinson and Bean
suggested the need of division of work; pastors
and teachers should aid. Rev. Mr.. Chase
urged the need of hopefulness, and Rev. A, x.
T. Small that of absorption OF SOUL "holy in
sanity in this voluntary work. i.
Hon. s. B. Benson of Brunswick, shove
the value of female corporations; mutual &C.
qnalntance, deep piety, etc. The Preside mt
suggested the qualifications OF versatility in
geuuity and musical taste. Judge Waterman
OF Gorham then took up the method of learn
ing and teaching the lesson All should study
the lesson. The pastor may probably allnde
10 IL IN the pulpit. Parents should see that
the children commit the text. Some children
are taught to recite one verse before each
morning meal during the week and so the les.
son Is learned. Teachers should also commit
the text doing what they ask their pupils to
do; be familiar with Scripture idioms and H.
iustratlons, encourage questions from the chill
dren and with sympathy keep them on in the
way OF knowledge. Rev. A. Loring thought
question books an evil, tending to mechani-
cal way of teaching. At this point Mr.. Brown
Ihurston, Secretay, gave his report. OF the
100 schools SO report 6947 members, with 5 $40
average attendance one-third of whom are
adults and 1000 church me mbers; 10S CONVEX
sions, 81 have uniform lessons, IS have
teachers meetings, 80 report none held Al have |
concerts, several use blackboard exercises every
Sabbath and one in this city uses cards, punch
ed each Sabbath presented, like mileage
ticket on railroad, and reward of attep.
dance is given at the close of the year. The
next question taken up was "the aim of the
teacher and how to attain it," But a few per-
sons were then present-not over sixty at anv
time forenoon or afternoon, and the discussion
was postponed.
EVENING EXERCISES.
Hon. S. P. Benson first spoke on the object |
Of teachers meetings and the method of con.
Quoting them and showed the need of blending
the devotional element as familiar converse |
lion in reference to achool work and success as |
we'll as the discussion of the lesson itself.
Rev. f. Southworth Of this city spoke briefly |
on the pastors ability, physically, and his priv
ilege as an ally of the school,
Rev. E. G. Porter of Lexington, Mass. then
gave an hours address on "the Land aud the
BOOK, narrating in an easy colloquial manner
mis- "reminiscences of travel in the Holy Land,
Illustrating them by an exhibition of large pic
lures, maps and curiosities from Palestine like
the shepherds reed, the ancient MS the ink
horn, the phylactery, the tares, &c. His lee
ture was intensely interesting and listened to
by fair sized audience. We have full notes
Of the address but the crowded state of our col
umns forbid using them.
To-day g. f. Emery, Esq, gives an address
Oh Music in the Sabbath School at $50 A. NJ,
followed by an illustrative exercise by Mr..
IL Gkl~ ~
by Mr.. Locke; $50 p M, Model lesson by
DR.. Carruthers; "Use and abuse of the S. S. |
Concert" by Mr.. Watson, of Gorham; the
legitimate attractions of the S. S. by Mr.. |
o Brion of this city.