The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-13


youth in family ofignorant parents, brothers and
sisters, could not be over estimated and II this
intelligence could be impaired In the Sunday.
school, let 1t be done as auxiliary to the great
er effort made In behalf Of the souls education.
Or. Shuler, Of Colleton, contended that, while
the salvation OF the soul was unquestlonaby the
object Of the Sunday. school, It was equally the
purpose OF the institution toprepare the child for
the duties OF lfe-for the obligations due first to
his God and then to his fellow man. One was
comprehcnded In the other. The education Of
the mind, properly conducted by q iudiclous
teacher, would effect this result.
Mr.. v. DIbble, OF Charleston, said he thought
teachers were losing sight OF the proposition that
the chief object OF the Sunday-school was the con-
version Of the scholar. In one sense the Sabbath.
school was not an educational institution. Mel
ther mental nor moral education, strictly speak.
Ing was designed, since the fact that child was
taught good sense or good morals did not neces
sarIy imply the employment Of those means ne
cessary to save his soul. Too many religious
teachers were content to impart knowledge which
had no direct bearing on the subject, and which
In after years, Notwithstanding all their efforts
brought the man no nearer the foot OF the Cross
than when he was child.
The time allotted to the debate now being ex-
hausted, hymn was sung and the convention
proceeded to discuss the second subject on the
programme, namely:
TUE RELATION THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BEARS TO THE
CHURCH.
Rev. ]. T. Wightman, OF this city, being ap.
pointed to open the discussion, read an elegant
essay briefly reviewing the subject, and showing
how church and Sunday school were designed,
by their Divine founder, 10 have common origin
and structure. The crowded condition Of our
columns, this morning, alone prevents It's publ
cation in full. Mr.. Wightman concluded by
offering the following resolutions:
RESOLVED That 1t is the sense OF this convention
that the commands OF the Great Head OF the
Church makes 1t imperative upon the church to
establish and sustain Sabbath-schools, which
carry out the Injunction Of Christ Feed my
lambs.n
mend to pastors and people heartily TO engage In
this work as the Divine place OF laying the foun.
daton OF lasting plety and enduring strength IN
the Church OF Christ.
The Rev. ". P. Jacobs OF Laurens, sustained
the Views above advanced In an eloquent speech,
and, on his motion, the resolutions offered by Mr..
wlghtman were adopted.
The third subject Of discussion was
THE DUTY OF PASTORS, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF
THE CHURCH TO THEIR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Rev. W. T. Capers of Darlington. on opening
the debate, laid down the general proposition
that since the hope OF the Christian world was In
the education OF the children, 1t behooved pastors
especially to be In constant communication With
the Sunday school; to visit it as the head OF the
church, to confer frequently with the teachers,
and above all. to break down the restraints that
might exist between the pupils and the preacher.
In short, he must become one Of them In sympa-
thy and affection. A similar duty was tncum.
bent on the parent and members Their presence
would be an encouragement, and, If they but pos
sessed the will, they might stimulate the little
ones to exertions that would rebound to their
own eternal welfare.
Rev. Mr.. Hicks remarked that 1t was lament
able fact that In many places the pastor was re-
garded as sort Of stranger In his own Sunday.
school. he appeared ~ be controlled by sort
of delIcacy which forbade him to stop, as he walk
ed up the aisle, and exchange kindly greetings
with the teachers and children. he seemed to
imagine that his proper place was in the chancel
alone, and his only duty that OF addressing his
audience Of little ones from that point by special
invitation OF the superintendent. There was ap-
parently between the officers the pupils and the
pastor o wall OF lce which not even the breath Of
charity, prayer or holy love could melt. 1t was
oil wrong. The pastor should feel at liberty'at
any time to touch the bell, and call the attention
OF the children to whatever great truth might, IN
his Judgment, be connected with the lesson Of the
day. The utmost intimacy, unity and cordiallty
should exist IN all the departments Of the school,
Rev. W. A. Clarke agreed with all that had been
said, but explained the difficulties under which
many clergymeu labored who were engaged In
our sparsely settled country. 1t was impossible
for them to be In frequent communication with
Sabbath schools in which they were the most
vltally interested.
Rev. Mr.. Adams thought there was but one OBJ
lection to the present system of Sabbath.school
education, and that was the tendency in the en-
thusiasm OF pastors anu teachers to eNat 1t above
the family altar It's great aim sheuld be to CO.
operate with family instruction. and to
strengthen the religious influences OF home.
DR.. Alexander said that the citizen was made
at the tlres!dc. Tile records OF eternity would
doubtless show that a majority OF Christians
were made there also. 1t was all important that
the two should work larmoniously together.
Further remarks on the subject were made by
Messrs Barnes, Wightman and Tyler, when tlle
hour arrived for opening
THE QUESTION BOX.
Tie first slip OF paper contained the following
| "ought persons who are not Christians 10 he
appointed to acs rs Sunday schoo' teachers OF
superlntendents :"
Rev. Mr.. Shuck being called upon By the presi
dent, answered the question in the negative, on
the ground that man who had not himself
found the way to salvation was not competent to
lead child to Jesus.
Question No. 2: siSloud parents who are
members OF tho church permit their children to
attend the dance.r
Rev. Mr.. Hawkins thought they might in the
city. but not In the country. lLaughter.l
Mr. Hicks said he presumed his brother spoke
from practical experience. (Laughter.l
Other questions interesting and provocative Of
discussion were read and announced, and, after
prayer by Rev. Mr.. yedder, the convention took o
recess until P. N.
Evening Session.
A large audience OF ladies and gentlemen as.
sembled.
Reports were heard from the Sabbath schools
OF the Interior after which addresses were deliy-
cred by Rev. Mr.. Norris, OF Edgefeld and Rev. W.
B. Jacobs, OF Laurens. Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hicks.
and hymn and the benedlction followed.