Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-17
lie hymn was then sung ::
Must Jesus bear the cross alone =

E. NJ. Haynes, c. W. Goddard.
The hynn was then sung:
Must Jesus bear the cross alone:
Rev. Mr.. Allen Of Bangor, suggested that
the direct object of the convention was not
so much to impart knowledge as to the meth
DDS, as to stir up the hearts of the brethren
to the great need. We need more zeal and
energy. 1t did not matter much how beauti-
full the basket is in which you carry corn to
feed chickens. The teacher cannot do much
without the love of God in his heart.
Mr.. Lord thought if the heart is full the
| teacher will make himself understood in some
way.
| Rev. S. II. Burrage of Waterville, referred
| to the good seed sown in children bearing
fruit in mature life. He recently wrote to an
aged gentlemen, formerly resident of Water
Vile to obtain Sabbath School statistics but the
gentleman could not remember the name of
the school or the teachers but the lessons he
had been taught were fast in his memory.
| Rev. c. +. Allen of Bangor, then intro
| duced the subject Religious Experience of
| u
Importance. That the religion of the Lord
Jesus Christ is adapted to children-that
youth is the best time to enter into that ex-
perience-that children are more likely to be.
come christians than older persons-are all
trusms that all understand and acknowledge
But there exists good deal of infidelity in
the church on the subject of the real vital
christian experience of children. When the
case comes directly before US we are afraid
| to trust the little child, we hold the children
off at arms length, admitting at the same time
| that religion is good at all times of life. The
| child's experience comes nearer to the model
| type of true religious experience. The lesson
| of the Master is an instructive one. When
his disciples are wranglng for position he
takes little child and stands him in their
midst their type. The speaker had not
much faith in the ''namby PANTY" ETHEREAL
characters presented in literature. Such
creatures are rarely found, and do not live
long. Those are not good models, either,
who have been trained to circumspect de-
meanor, to correct department, at the loss of
all the gush and freshness of childhood We
don't want them to become little old men or
little old women. Oh, that the days of
childhood might contnue The world is
forming the children in her own mould,
crushing out the child life and experience.
How full is the trust of children the simple
and confiding trust that should be cherished.
| They have none of the drawbacks and the
dark days that older christians feel There
is much originality in the experience of chill
dren. They are ready to initiate, but have
a way peculiarly their own in expressing
facts which they may learn. How wonderful,
also, the dissimilarity of their experience I.
How the same thought will stir different emo
tons. This diversity is observable in the
peculiar renderings they will give to some
truths that run in a well beaten channel in
the minds of grown-up persons. They have
a growing experience. The little seed of
faith planted in their hearts turns itself to
God, and although exceedingly small it
grows. The child's main temptation is to
mirthfulness This makes many suspicious.
A child with its wild, hayward nature will be
subjected to this temptation, but the compen-
sation is that the heart can turn again easily,
like the sorrows that can be speedily turned
to joy. The chids religious experience is
the surest experience. Trace the religious
experience of aged christians back, and you
will find that the experience of youth was
more sure and reliable than that of mature
life. Those who are the most eminent and
efficient christians commenced their spiritual
life early in youth.
Remarks on the subject under discussion
were made by Rev. Mr.. Chase of Bangor,
and Rev. Mr.. Fish of China. The afternoon
session closed by singing the hymn,
'Majistc sweetness sits enthroned."
In the evening an address was given by
Rev. DIR. Gardiner of Charlestown, Mass, a
report Of which we shall give in tomorrow $
paper.
Tho fnllowinU il tho nrouran,pa Cor 20 Ia ~