The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-05-21
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sunday school Convention
The Sunday schools of the Rock River Con.
ference met in delegate convention At n. .y.,ho-
dist church building, in this city, on Tuesday
last, - . o'clock r. NJ
Rev. WI Gray, presiding Elder. took the
chair and called the convention to order.
After prayer and singing q committee On NO.,
manent organization was appointed.
Hon. p. X. Leland delivered An eloouen.
address Of welcome.
The committee on organization reported a.
follows: For President, Rev. W. P. Gr.v. Vic
Presidents, Revs. P. X. Bibbins, Norris: W. e.
Dandy, Chicago; o. f. Burch, Nanteho w r.
Willing, Rockford; s. A. W. Jewett. G.lsn..
tor Secretary, W. H. Haight, Of Arlington.
A committee on resolutions was selected. con.
sisting of one from each district, Rev. Hoope,
Crews, Of Chicago chairman.
Rev. G. II. Strowbridge, Of Waukegan, read
q scholarly and original essay on Teaching be.
nevolenoe to children"
Rev. VIM. H. Tibbals, of Mt. Carroll, gave his
views on 1.-THE best method Of raising money for
Sunday schools. This question was debated at
some length, some favoring fairs a.d festivals;
others opposing them.
The children's class was called, and methods
Of teaching practically illustrated BY Rev. J. H..
Vincent, Of the Sunday School Union, followed
by addresses to them by Revs. Haight, Foster
Crews and Mr.. Dale.
In the evening Rev. n. II. Axtell, Of Mendoza
delivered . we'll prepared address on tho duties
OF the church as to Chinese emigration" He
thinks our country is the great entreot Of nations
Gods home for the wanderer, whore there ia
room for every foreigner Of every tongue and
cline
Rev. c. G. Truesdale, Of Chicago, who 10 wi.hsl
sensational and radical in religion and politics
for he is . good worker OF political wires-fol.
lowed in, "How TO NEE: the assaults OF Roman
ism upon our bible" This topic gave the
Reverend gentleman abundant room to denounce
Catholics and other heatten; as he seemed 10
view all alike who opposed his theories of
religion.
The I'd days session was largely attended.
Rev. D. j. Holmes, of Ottawa, moved to admi.
vention His motion prevailed
Rev +. A. Hardin, OF Freeport, spoke ION the
relation OF pastors to Sunday schools, subject
which he handled in an able manner.
Rev. n. II. Axtell, of Mendots, made some re.
marks on the same subject. He believed with
the old deacon. who always prayed, 40 Lord,
move US to keep up and doing"
Mr.. Buck, of Polo said THE ministers are a
lazy se.-do do their Observation-Disclosures
are obliged to do all the Sunday school wook"
Rev J. II Vincent explained some Of the e1.
excell-ncies and deficits Of the Sunday school
system.
Re-" J. Wardle spoke on the deficits of school
music. His remarks were humorous.
Rev J. A. Vincen. answered great number
of questions, written aud deposited in question
drawer" in this case y hat
Rev. W. Gloss. OF Elgin, ex planned his ideas
a. to 'what shall we teach in Sunday schools"
Some Of the presiding Elders being present,
reported as 10 the condition of their respective
districts.
Elder Harrington. of the Mendoza district, said
during the. pas: year his Sabbath schools had
increased 80 per cent; officers los per cent;
books $50 per cent. ; and schools 800 per cent"
Elder Moore, OF the Dixon district, had no
special figures, still spoke sssuredly, when he
said his district too had made rapid progress,
and the cause is receiving great strength.
Elder Gray, of the Joliet distric t, was proud
of his schools. The membership in his chu-che,
had rapidly multiplied in numbers, and the
schools had not fallen behind in progress.
Rev. Baylss, of Chicago, in the absence Of the
Elder, would say that the Sabbath schools of
Chicago are growing very fast.
Rev. J. H. Vincent again examined bis "draw.
err" and responded to numerous queries.
He favors compulsory attendance OF children
at Sabbath schools deplores the prize system;
favors congregational singing, and thinks pastors
should not teach at Sunday schools.
John Dale, of Kankskee, advocated the early
conversion Of children to religion.
Rev. s. N. Griffith Of Geneva, delivered very
lively addres. upon the subject Of "every man
wearing his own shoes" He took occasion TO de-
nouncs sheep stealing and lamb stealing Baptists
wearing Methodists' shoes. Row. Bayliss objected
TO the expression, as being too strong, and hoped
the reporters present would not send it to the
papers. Rev. Griffith softened it some, and the
subject died.
A lively debate occurred as to when and where
to hold the next convention; also whether 70
have one at all, or not At length, after not
debate. the thermometer in the room just then
Indicating 30 deg, vote for convention was