Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-21

Tho sixteenth annual session of the Wachusett
Baptist Sabbath school convention, compris.
ing delegates from the various schools con-
nected with the Baptist churches in eighteen
northern towns of the county was held at the
Baptist church-Rev. c. II. Hickoks-in Sterling,
yesterday The convention was called to order at
half past nine, a. m, by Rev. Dr. Grant, of Fitch
burg. In the absence OF the president and deacon,
L. H. Bradford of Fichburg, was chosen presi-
dent pro tenn, and B. F. Jacobs, of Leominster,
secretary pro TEN. Prayer was offered by Rev
VIM. Reed of Gardner
The president, Hon. Joel Merriam, and secretary
D. c. Miles, of Westminster, soon arriving, took
their places. Hon Fl. C. Greeley of Clinton, Rev.
II. e. Cleaves of Fitchburg, and Dea. NJ A. Gates
of South Gardner were appointed committee TO
nominate officers for the year ensuing, which they
did as follows the report being unanimously
adopted; president D. Is. Ingalls, of Clinton; vice.
president, j. w White of Fitchburg; secretary and
treasurer d. +. Jacobs of Leominster. The new
president, taking the chair, made some brief re-
marks, congratuatory of the auspices under which
they had assembled.
letter was then read from the Sterling Sabbath
school, }. q. SanbOrn, superintendent extending
cordial welcome to the friends from abroad. Among
the statistics reported were seventy scholars with
eight teachers, $50 volumes in the Sunday school
library, and three baptisms during the past year
This was followed by reports from the other schools
in the districts, by their superintendent secre
taries, in general showing prosperous and grow
ing condition in numbers and religious interest," es-
peciay in the larger places. Barre, Sc scholars and
Z teachers, and 1877 volumes in Sunday school
library; Bolton largest attendance during the past
year IS, and added 60 volumes to library; Clinton
22S scholars, % teachers, 5S4 volumes in library
Rev. David Weston, of Worcester temporarily sup
plying the pulpit Fitchburg, 345 scholars GIG VOL
umes in library; Gardner, $50 scholars, 10 teachers
800 volumes in library, baptisms; Harvard, so
scholars, teachers, S3S expended for additions to
library; Holden, 100 scholars, 8 teachers 22O vol.
umes in library; Hudson, III scholars, IL teachers
59S volumes; Leominster, $50 scholars II teachers,
AGO volumes; West BOylstOn So scholars s teach
ers, 400 Volumes deaths; Westminster, 122 schol-
ars 10 teachers, 900 volumes, 10 baptisms; Win
chendOn, 125 scholars, 16 teachers, IS baptisms,
deaths, TIA volumes.
The various committees were then appointed by
the chair, as follows: On delegates, j. NJ. Bronson
of LeOminster, A. A. Burdett of Clinton and George
Dadmun of Harvard, NJ. A. Gates of Gardner, and
ID. G. Miles of Westminster. On essayist and
speaker, Rev. VIM. Reed of Gardner Rev. d. q.
ColeswOrthy of West BOylstOn and Dea. l.. H.
Bradford OF Fitchburg. On resolutions, Rev. T. c,
Russell of Leominster, and Brothers Aver of Grotou
and F. Z. Cleaves of Fitchburg.
The annual essay was then read by Rev. T. c. Rus
sell of LeOminster, on the advantages and necessity
of early religious culture. He spoke of the duty of
the church and Sabbath school as the supplement
OF religious instruction at home, in the family
household. This he said should be done in every
house where there are children to be reared. Early
religious instruction was the only safeguard of the
state from the consequences of error.
The mOnstrOus evil of intemperance was to be
permanently remedied only in this way, by the in
culcaOn of correct habits and the horror of strong
drink in the minds of the young. The tremendous
evils resulting from an unsanctifed press in
the shape of novels, romances, and other fictitious
literature like the New York Ledger New York
Mercury, and papers of that kind, as well as the
writings of Charles Reade, and similar perni-
cious publications with which the community
tG dnh tod
the worst features of the times. Also the gambling
propensiies which the inoTdinate desire for rapid
wealth generates among leading business men call
ing themselves Christians in our large cities. All
these unchrstian and anti-republican practices
could and should be done away with by the right
moral and religious education of the next genera
ton to come after us. The errors of Romanism, so
portending at this time, were put in the same cate
CORY of evils to be rooted out in this way.
After the address, there was an adjournment for
one hour at noon, to partake of the generous COLA
ton provided by the ladies of the church.
The afternoon session was opened with prayer by
Bro. Aver of Groton, after which there was an adj
dress to the children by Bro Ceaves of Fitchburg.
The committee on resolutions, through Rev. T.
G. Russell of Leominster, reported the following:
Resolved, that members of our Sabbath schools
be pledged to total abstinence from all intoxicating
drinks.
Resolved, that the absence of a needful supply of
high toned and sanctifed literature is one of the
glar1ng evils pertaining to the Sabbath schools of
Resolved that Baptist Sabbath schools should
supply their libraries from the books of our Baptist
publication societies, as far as practicable.
Resolved that the conversion of children is too
little sought after by Sabbath school teachers and
too little believed in by Christians generally.
Resolved, that the duty of pastors to preach to
their children is too much neglected.
Resolved, that at the next annual meeting the
address to children be omitted and papers be pre-
scented on practical Sabbath school topics, giving to
their meetings more of the form Of Sabbath
school institute
After general discussion, the resolutions were
unanimously adopted.
There We're 1856 delegates reported present from
After vote of thanks to the friends in Sterling
for their hospitality the convention adjourned 10
meet at South Gardner, one year from that time,
j.. z. Sanborn, Of Sterling, TO deliver the essay,
with Rev. q. NJ. Bowen, of Clinton, as alternate