The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-12-09
The Sunday School Teachers, Normal

| were brought to town to attend the SEES
sions, which lasted two days-Monday and
Tuesday, closing on Tuesday evening, at a
late hour. The sessions were Of unusual
interest, and could not fail of producing
much good. Rev. J. S. Ostrander, Of New
York, General Agent OF the Sunday School
Union of the NJ. E. Church, is thorough
investing the whole proceedings with the
deepest interest, The programme of exer-
cises, which we published las. week, was
composed of 4 great variety of subjects
and extended over the whole field, broad
rs it is, of Sunday School labors, and it
was the business of the Institute to famil-
iarize the Sunday School teachers and
scholars, and the public, with every sub
ject, near and remote, bearing on the Sun
day School. That this object was done in
very impressive and effective manner, is
conceded by all who witnessed the exer-
cises. DR. OstraLder is certainly a very
remarkable teacher in his particular line,
and has a knack of pressing home his in
struction so that it is not likely to be soon
forgotten. His manner Of illustrating
Sunday School lessons on the blackboard,
will rank among the highest and most
approved arts of impressing the subject
upon the minds of the children, so that
they are likely to have lasting and vivid
remembrance of what has been received
through the double medium of eye and ear.
This system might be extended in the pub
lie schools, to the infinite advantage of the
pupils. Brevity and variety are the funda-
mental principles of Mr.. Ostrander's sys-
tenn of teaching, and the pleasure and
interest which every one manifested who
attended the sessions of the Institute, fully
confirm the system as superior to all
others.
/ Professor John G. Robinson, of Balti-
more, had charge Of the singing, while
Prof. Harry Sanders, of the same city, was
the organist of the occasion. Prof. Robin
son has soft, charming voice, and it would
be difficult to find a better leader of a
Sunday school choir than he. The music
by Prof. Sanders, was indeed hard to excel,
the vocal and instrumental music COM
bined, being one Of the most pleasant fea-
lures of the Institute.
Where the exercises were all 80 replete
with interest, and so highly deserving Of
special mention, it seems like injustice to
particularize any one; but not having space
for a review of all in detail, we venture to
particularize the remarks of Rev. G. D..
Watson, on the "The Relation of the Sun
day School to the Great Benevolent and
Reform Questions of the Day" This sub
ject was set down for ]. II. Lightbourn, in
the programme, but he divided it, and
engaged Mr.. Watson to discuss the first
part. The remarks of the latter gentlemen
on the policy of holding church fairs and
getting up spirit of rivalry among Sab
bath School classes to procure banners,
bibles, etc., for presents to some distin-
guished person or class, were particularly
commendable. The fruits of such enter
prises were characterized as the fruits of
pride, vanity, ambition and selfishness, and
as such, were all barren and unacceptable
as means of grace. His words on this
point were particularly forcible, leaving no
middle ground between free benevolent
offering and tho barren product Of a sinful
tree.
The basement rooms of the church were
converted into temporary dining-rooms and
kitchens for the occasion, and the ministers
and visitors from abroad in attendance,
we're bountifully fed there by their Elkton
friends, while the Institute lasted.
If our public schools had similar Insti-
tutes, it would be the means of awakening
a spirit of enterprise in public education
that is sadly wanting.
The enterprising publishers of the Della
ware Tribune sent especial reporter to note
the proceeding of the Institute, and the
following is the substance of his report:
YIRsr sRssIoN-NoSDAr AFTERNOON.
The first session opened at two and ahalf P ", on
Monday, Rev. j. s. Osrander having notified the Inst
tute Of his detention by sickness. Rev. H. 8. Thomp
D. Watson conducted The opening exercises.
Rev J. Dare of McClellandsvile, then read able
and instructive essay 1.-The relations of the Pulpit
to the SUNDAY School,
VIM. j. Jones, ESQ., of Elkton read a very able essay
to show How can we retain onr older .cholars'" He
gcsed separate classes of adult scholars connected
with the School, bnt in IL separate room.
The Importance Of the Sunday School to the safety
and prosperity of the country" tho subject of An
able essay by Rev. 7. s. Williams of Bethel, Nd.
SECOND sfssioS-EVESISG
Raw : o.tr,nd.r b,vi,c, .rr;,, tool, ,,. ~
tho INSTITUTE ~ -
al. ,Iu,.,
n h. n y p,,e VI Was In, 'iie su,'ect Oh an
.rn,iy cnmmanjed and ,nnra;t, ''A''' i'' ""' was
nnv a,mhhs thon d,i;irprsJ a.. III, ~.
war To i,xe,on in scb"lars Io". Wv, pnIa sti,
lie .n,@es,.d Illustrations and s;m,i;ncati"ns
Az '"ee '' '"1 ''''' ''''' ''''''
THIRD sEssIoS-ruRspAY MORNING
au, rot III, ;r.,rn. -, .; , - ::
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;.ct Us tro,tsd in nm .s.ay Inv y rIi; - Nv Iii
ION IL .rgund in s,vnr ~ ~. fsti i VI y, -, IN
omn.,nn mi tbnmcht that p,.nv t th ,e I y, .,e
;n;mr;nm, "n, Tho Tim. ~ th u $3.50; ts re
W NC supper ,eu ne ~ouu nave them gwen
;nt,rfare Wifi, tn. a1 arc,.s Of tho ..boI " nv '
An Infant C,y, wa. tb.n c,,j.d m III ,.u;., L.,
Rev J. n CJymcr of SMYRNA ON the sm,,retin Of :. ~,
To tbc ant tbou ,Ipgpard consider Isr -. an, ~
,riso" III, ;IIustr,tni Nv III. Ill nr ,i ny ~;
I'D of t,.chinn Irf,nt f,I.ss In ,,h;t -, ~. va "a
m ~ . r,od.i - ;mdm.trv ;r ,n,; .;.; . was NJ y, :"
ny ~, .h W 's"y III ''h''ui"tihcuoh 10 the
Ihe ihsutnte was instructed ny Kew H. s. Ostran!er