Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-08-13
THE cHAIAuouA GATHERING.
There has assembled on the shor

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of Chatauqua lake, an immense
gathering of persons, for the pur-
pose Of holding what may be term
ed camp meeting, in the interest
of Sunday school training and in
struction. The leading idea is to
impart to teachers more thorough
knowledge of the theory and prac-
tice of teaching sort of Normal
Institute. with camp meeting sur
rounding. The affair is unsectarain,
all denominations being invited,
and the leading ministers of all
orthodox faiths being represented
in the list of speakers. Tents and
cottages have been erected, sufficient
to accommodate the many thousands
of attendants, and ample provision
has been made for food supply, and
all the comforts of living. The en-
campment is to continue for ten
days, during which time some of
the most distinguished ministers in
the country are to deliver addresses.
Added to this, there will be practical
illustrations given of all the best
modern Improvements of Sunday
School Management, and in the
methods of communicating instruc-
ton. A unique feature ofthe affair
is reproduction on small scale,
of the physical features of the coun-
try round about Jerusalem. This
Includes all the most noted points,
mentioned in sacred history, and it
is said to be very accurate and Won
derfully interesting.
The fact that this movement is al
ready an assured success illustrates
the great interest felt in this coun-
TRY, at the present, in Sunday school
instruction. The day has come
when the Sunday School is regarded
as the chief agency of the Church
in accomplishing good, and on it the
greatest skill and energy of the re-
ligious world is being expended.
just why this is so, it is hard to
tell. The theory on which these
efforts are supposed to rest, is only
what has been entertained for q
half century. This Is, that by cul-
tivating the minds and consciences of
children, when they are young and
susceptible, they are saved against
the vicious temptations of life, and
are brought permanently within the
sphere of religious influence and
habit. But the modern Sunday
School is of very recent growth.
Within ten years, methods, almost
entirely new, and some of which are
yet novel, were developed, and the
Sunday School invested with an at
Effectiveness and interest that proves
potent in securing the presence of
vast numbers of children every Sab
bath day. The study of the Scrip
lures has been simplitied and sympa-
thIzed. Order and chronology are
regarded as means provided for con-
secutive instruction in the Scrip
lures. This series of lessons has
become international, SO that on a
particular Sunday the same lesson
is being taught, in the Sunday
Schools of all orthodox denomina-
tions, througout the world. The
charm of music is added and the
entire service is varied, attractive
and interesting.
Without assuming that the results
are in all particulars equal to the eff
forts put forth, there are evidently
some fruits attending this move
meut that are exceedingly impor-
tant. Among these may be mention
ed the unity of feeling between the
denominations, SO characteristic of
the present. This is one of the out
growths. in large measure, of uni
ty in the Sabbath School effort.
While it is true that there is some
thing in the genius of our people
and country, and in our free institu-
tions, that seems TO break down
bisotry, and compel fraternity ofre-
ligious as well as of national feeling,
it is also true that the association
and fellowship born of this united
Sunday School effort, works in the
same direction,-the obliteratlon of
bigotry, and the cultivation of fra
ternitv. With this rs an important
element attending Sunday School
labor, we see in it a value that is
distinct from the personal good that
may be accOmslished. 1t has in it
the development of an area of fra
ternity and good will, between the
several branches of the religious
world, which has in it the promise
of long continued, substantial peace.
Differences on religious points have
been the primary cause of wars with
out number. Could wars, thus or
iginated, have been prevented, and
the general tenor Of the worlds
experience would have been that of
peace and happiness. And if the
tendency of present day efforts in
Sunday School instruction shall be
to soothe away the spirit of antag
onism and bitterness, and TO culti-
vate that of fraternity and peace,
every statesman and patriot may
well wish them success.
1t is in the light ofthese thoughts
that We have regarded the Chatau-
qua gathering with interest 1t will
more largely inspire, and certainly |
speed forward a good work. What
ever there shall be of personal good
accomplished will be so much ad-
ded to what We have been consider
ing. That the philosophy Of early
religious training is correct, none
can doubt. The mind is then open,
and eager for knowledge; the heart
is susceptible TO good as well as bad
Impressions; the habits of thought
and life are in a formative state. In
brief, the man or woman is develop
ing. five believe that personal good,
right citizenship, and all the ele-
ments of happiness depend, in large
measure, on virtue of thought and
life, We accept in this the theory
upon which Sunday School instruc- ,
lion is based.
And so far as this Chatauqua
gathering will contribute to the re-
suit mentioned, or will deepen and ,,
intensity interest in Sunday School
instruction, it deserves the encOur-
lgemest= of kind word But it has /,
achieved for itself the eclat of ma
,erial success.-Pttsburgh Gazette, :