Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-21


The semi-annua meeting of the Worcester
Baptist Sabbath school convention was held in
the FIRST Baptist church in this city yesterday,
the object of the meeting being for general
conference in relation to matters connected with
| Sabbath schools. The meeting was opened by
devotional exercises, conducted by Rev. H. K
| Pervear, followed by an address of welcome by
| Hon. Isaac Davis who was the first president of
| the convention, and one of the sixteen who
| tfty.six years ago, formed the first Sabbath
| school organization in the church. Mr.. Davis
| gave a brief account of his long experience in
Sabbath school matters, and extended hearty
welcome to the members of the convention.
In the course Of his remarks Mr.. Davis al
| luded to Deacon Daniel Goddard, who was also
one of the sixteen members of the first school
organized, and in response TO an invitation from
the president, Mr.. Goddard spoke briefly of his
| experience in the work.
The first question brought up for discussion
was, "What relation should the pastor hold to
the Sabbath school% Rev. C. NJ. Lamson was
announced to open the discussion, but as he was
not present Mr.. C. Is. Knight was the first to
speak upon the subject. Mr.. Knights remarks
were followed by discussions upon the question
by Rev. II. X. Pervear Rev. Mr.. Tilton of Tx
bridge, Rev Mr.. Rowe of Greenville and Mr..
AXtell of Grafton, the prevailing opinion being
that the pastor of a society is in duty bound TO
hold, if not direct official connection with the
Sunday school connected with the society, at
least Il close and interested relation with it.
The second question was: ''Who among the
adult members Of our churches and congrega-
tions can properly be excused from attendance
upon the Sabbath schools?' This was dis
cussed by Rev. Messrs. Chick of Aver, Bronson
Of Millbury, and Cow Of this city, and Messrs
Charles james Of Woodville, J. B. Blanchard of
UXbridge, Seth AXte of Grafton, c. B. Knight
of this city, and Seth Axtell, Jr., of Grafton.
All of the speakers were of the opinion that
those who are unable to attend should be ex-
cused
The remaining half hour of the morning
session was assigned to an address on the use of |
the blackboard in the Sabbath schools, with il
Illustrations by Ehen Shute, Esq of Boston, |
after which the meeting adjourned and partook |
of a collation. furnished by the ladies of the |
society in the yestry.
Upon the reassembling fthe convention after |
dinner Mr.. Shute resumed his address upon the |
uses ofthe blackboard, illustrating his remarks |
by interesting exercises.
Rev Dr. Gardner Of Boston delivered an adj |
dress upon the Holy Land, which he visited two |
years ago. A large number of children of the
Sunday school were present, and, taking their
places in front of the pulpit, listened attentively
to the address, or familiar talk. Dr. Gardner |
prefaced his remarks by an announcement of the
proposed enlargement of The Macedonian,
Il missionary paper published by the Bap-
lists and urged upon his hearers the importance
of cooperating heartily with the publishers
to make the paper what it should be. The argu.
ment Of the address was that while the doctrines
of the Bible appeal to the faith Of the believer,
the knowledge Of the location where the incl
dents narrated in the Bible occurred tend to
impress the senses, and strengthen the faith. He
described at some length the scenery about Je-
rusalem, and the customs of the people, and
exhibited relics of various kinds obtained by
him while abroad. Among these were Il piece
of an olive tree root, taken from the garden of
Gethsemane, cross made from an olive tree,
lamp and oil vessel of the kind spoken of
in the parable Of the virgins, tear
jug, the philacteries and other articles. The
articles exhibited were all described with their
uses, very fully, and in a most interesting and
instructive manner. At the close of the address
the convention passed vote of thanks to the
speaker.
Rev. Mr.. Sargent president of the convention,
announced the following question for discussion
in the present system of education, what is the
work the Sabbath school is called to do7" Rev.
George B. Cow opened the discussion. He said
the system Of education is divided into five
PARASITIC professional school, the college, the
academy, the church and the family. The fam
lily is at the base Of the educational system.
Public schools are merely an instrument en-
ployed to aid in the work of the family, and as
such are merely auxiliary. The Sunday school
bears precisely this relation TO the church, and