Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-06-28

The annual Windham County Baptist
Sabbath School Convention was held with
the school in Pondville, Wednesday, June
10, 1872. The convention was organized at
IL o'clock a. M, with Judge Stoddard of
Townshend as President; Vice Presidents,
Geo. L. Higley of Brattleboro, S. ii. Sher-
mon of East Dover; Secretary and Treas
urer, C. l.. Brown of Brattleboro Direct
ors, Edwin II. Jones of Dover, Nelson
Morse of Pondville, Abijah Muzzey, ia
maica.
The reports of the different schools were
read, showing not only an increase Of num-
bers to the rank and file, but large in
crease of active workers, in consequence of
which more activity and healthy progress
is being shown from year to year.
AT this point the convention adjourned
for one hour, to partake of an excellent
collation., provided by the ladies of Pond
vile.
Coming together again at / o'clock, the
Convention listened to an essay from l..
w. Hawley of Brattleboro, on the "Import-
ance of Singing in Sunday Schools" in
which he contende d that all slow and SOL
emn music should be done away with, and
quick, lively, inspiring tunes be substitut-
that the chlden's eyes might sparkle and
their hearts be enkindled and interested.
Rev. A. Goodnow of Wilmington took a
| little different view, but agreed in the
| main. Rev. Mr.. Willard of Brockline,
urged the importance of making the chill
dren do large part of the singing.
| III nf tntr
ed the question-"Is the Conversion of
Youth and Children of Greater Importance
than that of Adults9" and in a five min
utes' speech he ably brought forward the
claims of the children upon the convention,
seconded by Goodnow of Wilmington.
Major Holton of Jamaica, brought forward
the claims of destitute and neglected chill
dren, and how TO reach them. This sub
ject was further discussed by Messrs Hig-
| ley and Fuller of Brattleboro, the latter
gentleman giving an essay upon the de-
sign of Sabbath School Concerts, and how
they should be conducted, saying that we
ought to accept the "new departure" and
call them Bible concerts; that we ought TO
throw away the moral dramas now so
much in fashion, and come right down to
the Bible for material for all our concerts
that there is an abundance there to not on
ly interest, but spiritually benefit the hearts
of our children.
Voted that we accept the invitation Of
the West Wardsboro school, to meet with
them next year. That l.. X. Fuller o.
Brattleboro, Major Holton of Jamaica, anC
S. ii. Sherman of Dover, be our represen
tatives to the next State Convention. Tha
a vote of thanks be presented to the schoo
in Pondville, and TO the choir, for theil
generous entertainment.
A little variation from the usual cOursC
of conventions occurred here. 1t seems
that the church in Pondville have been re-
pairing and greatly identifying the interio
of their house of worship, by frescoing the
walls, new cushiOning and carpeting tn,
house, making new pulpit and new furn
ishing it, involving large expense for tina
people-a debt upon them of one hundred
and fifty dollars, which being found out b,
some BrattlebOro men, created quite a sur
prise in the convention by one of then
taking five dollar bill and offering II T.
the church as part payment of the debt Of
condition that the church should pay an e
quail sum. A member responded with
V, an outsider with another, a membe
with another-and so the contest went o.
until one hundred and fifly dollars la
piled up before the astonished congrega
ton. The debt was paid. Thanks TO Go
for this result were returned by the Re,
C. p. Frenyear of Jamaica. And, as faith
full chronicler of facts, lot me say that thir
ty dollars of this was given by the Bfaltle
boro delegation, who felt so good over