Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-06
COUNTY NEWS.
Worcester District sunday school Com
VcntIOM.

VcntIOm.
Sunday school convention for the special
benefit of the schools in the vicinity was held
in the Methodist church in Gardner, yesterday.
The attendance was very large, considering the
inclcmency of the weather, the church being
nearly filled throughout the session. An extra
train was run over the Boston, Barre and Gard
ncr railroad for the accommodation Of persons
living along the line of the road. The cOnven-
ton was organized by the choice of Hon. Geo.
NJ Buttrick of Worcester as chairman, aud DR..
S. W. Cook of Worcester as secretary. After IL
prayer by Rev. J. Peterson Of Athol, the
first subject taken up for discussion was
our mistakes, which includes mistakes in
preparation of the lesson, in teaching the
the lesson, and in not knowing the scholars,
which excited quite a spirited discussion. The
general feeling Of the speakers was that the first
and greatest of these three mistakes was in the
preparation of the lesson, as 1t is Il well known
fact that some teachers and great many of the
scholars go into their classes without having SO
much as looked into the lesson. The second
mistake is made in teaching the classes, the
greatest evil in the teaching arising from neg
lccting to make the preparation necessary to be-
come faithful instructors, and by the teachers
not being familiar with the lesson, failing to
command the attention of their classes. The
third mistake, in not knowing the scholars,
arises from the lack of interest taken by the
teachers in their pupils. 1t was claimed that
the pastor, superintendent and teachers should
be well acquainted with the children, which
would have Il tendency to awake an interest in
the scholars, making the Sunday attrac-
tive and the study of the lessons interesting.
The importance Of intoxicating Bible facts
especially those historical and biographical, was
the next question taken up, and was considered
as one of great Importance among the children
in the different societies. BY examples and
illustrations children are more easily taught
the meaning of facts in Bible his
tory. The facts that are illustrated
are of great value and all available
means should he used to express them, so that
they will be understood and impressed upon the
minds of all. The convention here took a re-
cess of one hour, and proceeded to the basement
to partake of Il collation., furnished by the ladies
of the town.
At the afternoon session, the exercises began
superintendent, teachers and scholars of the
Sunday school, and the study of the Bible, by
Rev. j. Peterson Of Athol The next subject
considered was ''inlant school instruction and
government" the subject being well and
thoroughly canvassed in an essay by one
of the lady teachers which recon.
mended that the lessons for the children
be in relation to the age and power of intellect
in the child, beginning with the very simplest
lessons, which should be thoroughly learned he
fore they arc dropped, and then the more diff
cult exercises taken up. More can be done at
their homes by their parents in a little time,
than by the teachers in the Sunday school. The
next subject for consideration was "a live Sun
day school," 1t is matter only accomplished
by great deal Of hard work, and can only be
attained by constant application. A live school
is complete one, and one that is perfect in
everything. Three things are necessa-
ny to form such a Sunday school:
First, material, which includes teachers
and the Bible; second, incidentaS, which are
always secondary and never essential to accom-
plish the desired result third, qualities, by
which the teachers are able to control and com
pand the children who are in the school; knOwl-
edge is also one of the qualities which a teacher
must possess. "Ilow can our Sabbath school
conventions be made of greatest permanent
goodp next took the attention of the meeting.
The first thing to be done is to keep up the in
terest in these meetings; their object is TO per-
feet these school organizations, and by getting
larger attendance we can increase the interest,
To stop growing is to die, and the only way
by which to keep growing is to keep at the
work continually, and by asking the aid of God
in all our endeay0rs to promote the work. The
topic was then taken up and discussed in gen
era way BY q large number of the delegates in
the convention. The conversion of children was
the last subject brought before the meeting, the
subject being considered by Rev, j. o. Knowles
OF Worcester as one that should he attended to
in the Sunday schools, The children have Just
as clear a religious experience in their own
minds as they do when they have become grown
up The great end to be considered and to be
worked for is the salvation Of the children. The
way TO accomplish the work is to 80 into the
work with the intention Of carrying it through. |
After further discussion of this subject by Rev.
X. u. Parsons, and general discussion Of all the
topics, the convention adjourned.