Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-15
Sunday school Convention.

the purpose of spending the day in listening
to addresses and consulting together for the
good OF their respective Sunday schools.
The meeting was called to order by James
Hunt of Pittston, on whose nomination Alden
Baker of Pittston, was chosen President,
and j. M. Carpenter, Secretary. 2
There was singing by the choir. passage Of
scripture was read and prayer offered by Rev.
E. Martin of Augusta. An address Of well
come was made by Rev. Mr.. Cushman, pas
tor of the Congregational church in Pittston,
and the remainder of the forenoon session
was spent in declarations, recitations and
singing BY the children Of the several schools.
These were of superior order, and showed
good training and in many cases a just con-
ception Of the spirit of the piece recited The
little children did themselves credit.
In the afternoon, after singing and brief de-
votional exercises, the topic seThe benefit Of
Sabbath Schools to those engaged in the work, .
was opened by Rev. Z. Martin of Augusta
The first point, brought out in clear and
forcible manner, was that the teacher in pre-
pairing for his duties benefits himself, and re-
ceives a blessing into his own soul by labor
ing to impart instruction to others. There
should be intellectual training, the develop
ment of the thinking, reasoning powers, as
well as the moral and religious faculties.
Secondly-Study the pupils, their tempera.
ments and characteristics, their likes and dis
likes; approach them on familiar subjects,
get them interested; in this way they can be
made to receive the Word. God will add his
faithful teacher will receive his reward.
Rev. Mr.. Cousens of Hailowell, said that
the religious experience of children is free from
hypocrisy. The special blessing of the Mas
ter rests upon them. Teachers that love
children and have their hearts in the work,
will meet with success.
! The subject was further discussed by
Messrs. Owen of Augusta, Baker of Gardiner,
Besse and Cushman of Pittsten.
| The next topic, "The benefit of Sabbath
schools to the congregation and community"
was opened by Howard Owen of Augusta.
He said that to speak intelligently upon the
subject one ought to have lived in the past
ages when there were no Sabbath schools to
bless community A church without Sab
bath School is like family without children.
| There's q lonesome, melancholy look-no
bright eyes, no merry laugh, no warm pulsa-
ton of youthful christian experience, to give
life to the congregation. The childless pair
In Eden could not long Withstand the tempta-
ton, not having the sympathy Of young hearts
to keep them from falling; and after their
Punishment from Paradise, their Heavenly
Father came to them in their deep sorrow
with the blessing of children. The points
brought out were these: First-The Sunday
school benefits the congregation by stirring up
their minister to preach better sermens-to
get out of the ruts, to wake up, and adapt
himself to the wants of the young. In the
solitude of his study and in the preparation
of his sermons, bright eyes will be looking
up into his, and the vision of their sweetness
will give new inspiration and buoyancy to
thought. BY simplicity of preaching he will
adapt himself to them, obeying the injunction
| Feed my Lambs, scattering in the mean time a
bountiful supply of crumbs for the old sheep.
Secondly-The children will draw their pa
rents into the congregation. Many who have
been strangers in the house of God, to-day
rejoice that in their case little child has led
them into paths Of pleasantness hitherto I'M
trodden by their feet. Thirdly-The Sunday
school is the well-spring of hope to the con-
gregation, the great reservoir out of which
its life must be drawn. The men upon the
stage of life must pass away, these workmen
in Zion must ere long pass to the silent con-
gregation of the dead, and the educated,
| intelligent members of the future congrega-
ton and church must come from the Sunday
school. A man ought to have Sunday school
experience before ne can appreciate the
preaching of the Gospel or become useful
member of the church. Bright and golden
with ripe fruit is the highway from the A, B.,
| C of the infant class to the best and highest
instruction of the most advanced teacher.
The benefits of the Sunday School were con-
sidered in its work to educate the people, in
in its aggressive operations, in furnishing relg-
ious reading, and surrounding community
with an atmosphere of christian love and
benevolence.
The topic was further discussed by Rev.
Messrs. Besse and Cousens. The question
box was then opened, and the various ques-
tions propounded answered in an interesting
manner by several brethren.
The topic of music in the Sunday school
was deliberately opened by Rev. Mr.. Besse
and discussed in detail by Rev. Messrs. Mar
tin, Cousens and Cushman.
On the last topic, Experience in all parts
of Sunday school work." suggestions and
practical hints were thrown out by Rev. Mr..
Martin, Messrs. Baker, Hunt, Carpenter, and
Owen, and after some closing exercises, the
Association adjourned to hold the next meet
ing in Whitefeld.