Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-18
Maine sunday School Convention.

o'clock, and prayer was offered by Mr.. u. II.
Palmer of Gardiner The congreg CATION sung
Nearer, my God to Thee"
Rev. w. S. Stockbridge of Gardiner, gave
an address to the delegates and visitors
whom he cordially welcomed to the homes
and families and hearts of the people of Gar
diner. lie said that the great battle between
unbelief and faith in Christ, is to be fought in
the Sabbath School. The world is ignorant
of the great truths of the bible, which are SO
important to every living soul. We cannot
understand why infdels would take away any
of the props which support the christian I'M
which man can be placed but W hat the bible
will supply all needed spiritual helps. We
have not to devise means whereby we may
draw water out of the wells of salvation"
and the speaker hoped that the friends had
come up to the convention with hearts full of
enthusiasm and zeal.
The hymn was then sung beginning
"IIow sweet the name of Jesus sounds"
The President then introduced Rev. George
w. Gardiner, ID. d., of CharlestOwn, Mass,
who addressed the convention for an hour up
on "The Landmarks of the Bible" The ge-
ography of the bible, he said, is important to
an intelligent study of it. He would not have
it understood that geography, chronology or
geology are the chief objects to be taught in
the Sabbath Schools. Our bible is not
wrangling speculation, nor theoretical
treatise it is not abstract but eminently con-
crete. 1t has a history and geography; it
treats of men and of nations; it rests on
rocky groundwork of historic facts. We are
called upon to exercise faith in the teachings
of Christ, but not in the places where he
taught. The sea of Galilee, the mount of
Beatitudes, and the garden of Gethsenane,
are not things of faith they are facts. The
speaker referred to his recent visit to the Ho-
ly Land, and presented many historical and
geographical incidents to illustrate the points
me ntioncd above.
We need to teach these things to verify the
statements Of the scripture. The truth the
bible has been proved by the facts of its histo-
ry. Children and young people have an idea
that the bible is a vague and indefinite book
that, somehow, it came down from Heaven and
has now or ever had little to do with earth.
We ought to understand it, to give vividness
to the word pictures of the bible, which are
some of the finest ever written We should
study bible geography, to understand Its allu-
sions. "a city that is set on hill cannot be
hid" All the cities of Palestine are crowned
with hills, and most of them were in the days
of Christ when he spoke those words to his
disciples. 1t is conducive to our faith in the
prophecies of the bible, for what the prophet
declared in relation to the city of Samara
and of Tyrus has been literally fulfilled.
1t was an excellent address, full of instruc-
ton, and was listened to with marked atten-
ton to the end. Sung
ooh could speak the maichess worth"
The chairman of the business committee
announced the exercises of the morrow, near
ly the same as the printed programme. An
adjournment was then moved, and the con-
venton closed with the benedicton by DIR.
Kicker of Augusta.
SECOND DAY.
Wednesday Norntng-The devotional meet
ing in the vestry from to o clock. was lead
by Capt. Cyrus Sturtevant of Portland 1t
was an exceedingly interesting meeting, full
of spirit to the end.
The Convention assembled at O'Clock
Rev. ID. B. Randall offered prayer. Conven-
ton sung
The morning light is breaking"
Rev. A. l.. Gerrish Of Pittsfeld, introduced
the topic of Teachers Meetings. There is
one great object in this work OF teaching to
be obtained but many ways of accomplishing
teachers meetings Unity of action in Sun
day school work is one of the desirable things
that may be accomplished by these meetings.
Uniform lessons will best accomplish unity of
method in teachers meetings.
The Superintendent should be at the head
OF the class, but not arbitrary. The ideas of
the teachers should be called out and the best
plan of presenting the lessons agreed upon
and then carried out in the Sabbath School
If in prayer meeting each has text of his
own, no great end is attained, but where there
is unity of thought great good may be accom-
phshed
The trials and burdens of each, are some
what similar, and the bond of sympathy should
be strengthened. Increased spirituality is
demanded. If the teacher comes to his work
not depending upon himself, but feeling that
he receives his strength and support from the
Master, he will receive all needed strength.
Have no stiffness; come warm hearted earn
est and sincere, having the freedom of grace
in the heart, without formality. A Sabbath
school without teachers meeting is without
a rallying point
Rev. Mr.. Chase said that complaints have
been made that the teachers meetings are too
much like bible class This may do for the
older classes, but not for the younger.
Further remarks on the subject were made
by Messrs. Goddard, Baker of Topsham, and
Rev. Mr.. CoGsens.
Rev. Mr.. Chase of Bangor, opened the
topic, cart of Illustrative Teaching" He
said the subject explained itself. The first
thing is to have the light, and the next is to
throw that light upon the pathway of others.
When the soul is full of truth the light will
shine out somehow. The blackboard and
other apparatus for interesting classes are
sometimes thought to be Innovations Some