The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-23

last week We find condensed report in the
Stau'stOn Spectator, prepared by the Rev. c. S. M.
See, one of the Secretaries and which contains so
many suggestions the various points presented to
the attention of the body that it is believed they will
be instructive and interesting to our readers. The
remarks of Major Stiles have, at our request, been
prepared by himself with more fulness and will be
given next week. 1t is very gratifying to know that
this Convention so well attended, and that such
fine spirit animated all its proceedings May it be
blessed as the Of great good to the churches.
Ed. Cen. Pres.
REPORT.
This Convention, composed of the Pastors,
Elders, Sabbath School Superintendents,
and Teachers of the Lexington Presbytery,
with some distinguished Sabbath School
workers from other parts of the Synod Of
Virginia, met in the Presbyterian church in
Staunton, on Tuesday, March Sth, at IL
o'clock, A. M.
Rev. 7. D. Bell was appointed chairman,
Mr.. Henry Walker enrolling, and Rev. R.
G. Walker recording clerk, and the Conven-
ton proceeded at once to business.
Rev. VIM. E. Baker, said: 'eThis Con-
vention is a new thing among us-an exper-
iment-and it must start Alright to be sue
cessful. If God smile upon us we shall
prosper" And the convention spent short
time in worship.
"The Aim Of the Sabbath School," which
was the subject for the morning session, was
discussed with much animation. The true
Aim of the Sabbath School is to preach the
Gospel to the children-to strive in every
lesson, and always to bring them now to
Christ.
The Sabbath school is not human insti-
tuition, something of mans devising, that
is independent of the Church and that may
even be hostile to the Church. But, when
rightly organized and conducted, the Sab
bath School is the Church preaching Christ
and Him crucifed, to the children. 1t is not
voluntary society, but the church doing
church work, and therefore, like all other
parts of the church work, under control of
the authorities of the church.
Should the Sabbath school ever teach
children to read? Here some difference of
opinion was manifested Some-We may
teach those who have no other means of in
struction to read the Bible. Others-No.
We have not time for that. The souls al
ready dead in sins may pass into the Death
Eternal while we are teaching them to read.
Use the whole Sabbath school hour teaching
the Gospel. And, if it is left for the church
to teach the rudiments of knowledge, let it
be done in charity schools on the week days.
In this sentiment the convention was well
nigh, if not entirely, unanimous.
The harvest is great-it is nodding to
beckon on the sickle. The precious seed is
falling and perishing. Within the bounds
of this Presbytery are ten thousand neglected
children. Christians, to the field.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
SUBJEcT-"The Relations Of the Sabbath
School to Family Instruction. THE dis.
cussion was opened by the men appointed /
Rev. D. B. Ewing and R. P. Kennedy-af-
ter whom others took part.
Has the Sabbath school, in fact, relieved
parents from a sense of their responsibility
and made them more remiss in home instruc-
ton !? Some thought there was decline in
family instruction; and that the Sabbath
school was somewhat to blame for this.
Others thought, if there was anywhere a
decline in the thoroughness of family train
ing that it was only in few favored families;
that if you go beyond this little circle and
take the community at large you would find,
on the general average, that family instruc.
tions in Bible truth had advanced, step by
step, with the Sabbath school work, and that
there was most family training where the
Sabbath school work was most thorough
Such, Chalmers thought was the effect in
Scotland; and DR.. j. W. Alexander thought
the same of the Sabbath schools in this
country.
There is one point in which the family and
the Sabbath school both are injured by a
vice of the times: The food of light liter
ature is crowding out the substantial books
that are food for thought. Fight this giant
evil bravely.
The Sabbath school and the home instruc
tor should, and may work together and each
may be a help for the other.
AS parents who would be competent teach
ers, employ, and find it best to employ those
who make teaching business to help them in
teaching their children secular knowledge;
so and for the same reason, and with the
same advantage, may they call in the help
of the Sabbath school.
NIGHT SESSION.
"The Teacher Never employ uncon-
verted teachers except in the rare cases in
which you can donothing else.
They do not understand and love the
"Cross.
If you ever employ them, pray for them,
and seek constantly, earnestly their saliva
ton. In such cases, often the first fruit Of
such teachers work has been their own con-
verson.
1. A first requisite in teacher is piety.
2. Not only piety; but more, and far
more, warm, active, growing piety, that
longs for the glory of God; hungers for the
salvation of the children's souls.
3. knowledge of the Scriptures and a
sound theology.
4. The teacher ought to be willing to take
VOWS Of fidelity upon him:
(a) will always be in my place.
(b) Or 1 will procure good substitute
(c) promise to study diligently for my
work.
(1 When any of my scholars are absent
I will visit them before the next Sabbath ant
find out why they are absent.
(e) will visit my scholars regularly an(
t often.
(f) l will aim to secure them all for Christ
s. In teaching, hold to these rules: 1
Never tell child anything that, by appro
pirate questions, you can make child tel