Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-11

4
church is prospering spiritually in the Dis
trict. The people have suffered during the
past summer by having their crops cut off by
drought and gaasshoppers, and therefore
there was less pecuniary ability to support
the institutions of the church than there
otherwise would have been, but the people
were doing what they could in that direction
The eldersi in his District were all reported
as sustaining an unblemished Christian and
ministerial character.
Rev. Francis G. Aver and Rev. Benjamin
Lufkin were granted superannuated relation
| to the conference.
| Standing Committees were appointed upon
Public Worship-Tract Cause Temperance
Freedmen Aid Society-On the Use Of To-
bacco-On Family Worship-Bible Cause
On Episcopacy, and on Presiding Eldership.
A large number of the leading members Of
the conference were appointed Oh these COM
mittees.
The conference closed the morning session
at II o'clock
AFTERNOON.
There was very interesting Sunday
school anniversary. large congregation
assembled TO hear DIR. Vincent, who was an
nounced to be present, but failed to put in an
appearance. There were present delegations
from the several Sunday schools in the city,
furnishing beautiful music, under the leader
ship of Mr.. johnson, Superintendent of the
Methodist Sunday school in Gardiner.
Rev. Mr.. Munger of Alfred, was the first
speaker, who occupied half an hour in an
able argument in favor of the use of the
blackboard in Sunday school exercises.
Z. r. Drummond, Esq, of Watervile, was
opposed to speech making in the Sunday
school. If anybody has anything to say, let
it be put on the blackboard. He commended
the use of the blackboard in the exercises,
especially in reviews. Facts could be re-
tanned in the memory longer by being en-
forced from the board. Didn't give much at
tention to concerts. Thought they took up
the time that should be given to lessons.
Make the lessons so interesting that the chill
dreD won't care about concerts.
Rev. Mr.. Collins of Gorham, thought if
teachers should introduce Bible Geography
in their lessons the scholars would be de-
lighted. They would travel with great joy
the country that Jesus traveled-would weep
with him in the garden, climb the mountain
sides in his company-any place mentioned
would have deep interest to them.
Rev. Mr.. IIannaburg, pastor OF the Pine
street church, Portland; said that the Sunday
School is not the nursery of the church, but
a part Of the church. 1t is place where all
should be-old and young. The great ques-
ton is how shall we retain the young lads and
misses, who graduate from the school at the
age of 10, or alereabouts? One way is to
keep all the parents and members of the
church in the school. Let none go out be-
cause they are old and know enough about
the Bible. In his own school he has Bible
class and breaches every Sunday afternoon
on the subject of the lesson--brnging out the
practical part of the lesson. leaving the theory
for the teachers. One half the day Sunday
should be given up entirely to Sunday School
work. There were twenty-six conversions in
his school the last year. The conversion of
souls should be kept constantly in mind as the
chief object of all Sunday school effort.
After few remarks from Rev. Messrs
Lufkin of Leeds, Jones Of Bath, and jacques
of Skowhegan, the conference adjourned.