The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-25
Maine s. S. Convention at Dover.
Reported for the Press.]

hdluC OUuVCMeAVA ~ DVvOAs
Reported for the Press.I
The fourth annual convention of the Sabbath
schools connected with five denominations
Congregationalist, Methodist, Baptist, Free
Baptist and the Friends assembled Wednesday
morning in the Methodist church. The officers
of the Convention have been previously pub
lished. The remainder of the forenoon was oc-
cupied with an earnest address by Rev. Smith
Baker of Lowell, recently of Orono. He re-
marked at the outset that he had made only
mere hotch potch preparation, but disproved
the remark in presenting thoughtful essay
with not few forcible and extravagant extern
poraneous interpretations. The Sabbath-school
he remarked, is abreast of all interests ahead
of all missionary enterprises and all reforms.
1t is an established institution. 1t no longer
bows to us as beggar, but we must bow to it
as coming power. Why? what are the rea-
sons for this pretentiousness? s
% /. 1t is fact that religious instruction is
now generally transferred from the family to
the Sabbath School This is wholly wrong,
but there is the fact. 2. All direct and nearly
all indirect religious influences are gone from
our Common Schools another reason for new in
terest in this work 3. The superficial yet seduc-
tive character of much of modern scientific re-
searches. Gods word and works are in har-
mony, yet the young are influenced by the
filings OF the scientist. The S. s. should be o
breakwater against modern skepticism. A.
The vast gain to the Christian church by the
conversion of the young. They form the best
material who have grown up christians. There
are 100000 in Maine old enough to attend Sab
bath-school, of whom more than 10000 are
outside of3evangelical influence. There is, then,
need of this ally. t ...s. So ... f.r,,
Now we want to initiate Christ (1) in his
confidence in children. He did not overlook
them, as we too often do. ~ In his manage
ment. He did not respect red tape; did not
use ecclesiastical dignitaries, but fishermen
who were in sympathy with the people (3)
In what we teach. He taught neither abstrac-
lions nor morality alone, but pure heart and
holy life; not SO much truths as experimental
facts. az In his style, which was direct plain
and pictorial. ''The Kingdom of God is like"
small pieces, little at time and give it ,oarna
Don't use, however, diluted but rather con-
densed milk 1s Fl
(5) Initiate the Master in our lives. He work.
ed with ungloved hands. AT the same time
avoid a patronizing air. Unbend. Souls are
stumbling into hell over our dignity. f6) Imi-
tate his progressivness. He shocked peoples
ideas of propriety. The conse rvatism of good
people is harder to get along with than the op-
position of bad people. These ''Slowups''-
school. There is no hope till the Lord takes
them out of the way and sends them to heaven.
The Executive Committee reported statistics.
Congregational church members 1867 and o.
1872 s. s. scholars. Methodist, 24,645 members
20,927 scholars. Baptist ,593 and Is, 231. Free
Baptist, 10, 306 and IL, 478. Episcopal 1874 and
1858. Universalist, 1901 members and 4712
scholars There are about $4,000 children in our
Evangelical schools County organizations and
Institutes were recommended. .tt LII.
Rufus Deering, Treasurer reported $316S9 re
ceipts, expenditures s$2539 8 and balance $62 81.
A collection of 1886 was then taken. Committee
on Resolutions was appointed, Messrs. Wood
bury, Randall, Burrage, Eaton and Bailey.
Eat,pr ,n1n,
discouraging, few hopeful; most of the dele
gates reported organizations and one from Pts
cataquis, revivals. In Monson schools so con-
versions, % in Blanchard and several at Green
vile.
6 Rev. a. L. Gerrish spoke on the appropriate
time for holding Sunday school" Not when
the members are weary and hungry, but in the
morning when fresh. Take, the whole forenoon
Rev. ID B. Randall pursued the same method
The Wednesday evening meeting overhowed
the little Methodist sanctuary, although settees
filled the crowded aisles. Mr.. Asa Hull, with
his Sparkling Rubies" and Pilgrim Harp
conducted the congregational singing. Rev.
W. Woodbury. of Skowhegan, gave an instruc-
tive address on illustrations, verbal and visible
the first embracing those from History, as Heb.
18th, analogy, "the kingdom of God is like
from the natural world and daily events. Ma
terial objects, pictures of them and maps form
ed the other class. He exhibited the beautiful
Bible RolP' by S. w. Clark, 25 large pictures
of oriental life, the Temple and other attrac-
tive objects for home and school instruction
and also used a black board. Rev. Mr.. Bryant
spoke at considerable length on the Teachers
meeting az promoting mental attriton and
mutual understanding of what is taught. 1t
should be social and prayerful and be taught by
the pastor Mr.. Baker opposed the idea and
said that he would answer no questions at all,
but simply draw out facts and make applica-
tons, using blackboard.
Capt Sturdivant closed with plea for the
Allen Mission and secured collection for it of
$31. SO. Adjourned.
The Executive Committee for the year is as
follows: Q. M Bailey and T. B. Nichols,
Free Baptists; Revs. H. A. Burrage and A.
Bryant, Baptist; Rev. w. Woodbury. and G.
n. Palmer, Cong. Rev. o. NJ. Cousens rnd j.
z. Higgins, Methodist; Rev. E. III. Haynes, r.
Deering, Cyrus Sturdivant and Alden Baker, at
large. -.s......... ~
The second day, Thursday, was occupied by
addresses on the 'Duty of church members to
attend the Sabbath School," treated in thor
ough manner by President Allen of Bangor, on
object Teaching, by Rev. o. M. Cousens, a
Bible Lesson by Rev. H. Toothaker, and talk
on Music by Mr.. Asa Hull, the well-known
publisher OF Philadelphia. Rev. E. NJ. HAYNES
and others spoke briefly The first resolution
suggested the need of wider representation of
pastors and schools in these gatherings. Rev.
MIR. Baker took occasion to speak in severe
terms in reference to the clergy and was ably
answered by Rev. b. p Snow, editor of the
Echo. The second resolution recommended n
half day for the Sabbath school; the third, re-
ferred to the admitted usefulness of county and
State conventions; the fourth, in reference to a
State missionary was referred to the execu
tive committee; and the fifth commended the
Temperance Pledge, and the last expressed
thanks for courtesies and Inequalities render
ed.
The sessions were marked with spirit, and
the discussions, although not without crudities
and extravagances ELECTED not little valuable
thought. The cordial reception of the delegates
was creditable to the people of Dexter, town
not large, but model in thrift, enterprise and
good order. rrE.