Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-10-23
Reported for the Free Press and Tines.
Sunday School Convention.


assembled promptly at nine O'Clock, ant
was opened by half hour prayer and pro
mise meeting, led by II A. Howe, O
Montpelier. Town reports followed, which
: indicate increased interest in the Sunday
School work in different parts of the State
Following these was the somewhat novel ex'
ercise of ''hand shaking which was ex-
, cecdingly interesting to all
A. N. Butler, Secretary of the workers
then gave his report, to which the audience
{ listened with intense interest.
From the report make the following ex-
tracts in regard to the early history of Sun
day Schools in Vermont:
In 1903, Rev. David Sutherland, Scotch
minister. came to this country and soon
after settled in Bath, n II. In January,
IsC6, he organized school in his own par
ish. This was soon followed with two OF
three Others in adjoining towns.
In all probability this was the first Sab
bath School in New England. if not in the
United States The interest in Bible in
sTaction soon spread to towns in this State.
In 1911 4 school was organized in Con-
cord. This was probably the first school in
Vermont. The first school in Orleans
county was organized in Greensboro in the
year ISL by Col Asahel Washburn, in his
own house. Another was organized in
Craitsbury tie same year. The first school
in Caledonia county was in Ilarvi in ISL
The first in Orange county was in a school
house in Newbury, in 1915.
The first one in Windham county, was in
Westminster IN 1913 or II
The first in Chittenden county were in
Westiosd and Essex in 1918. under the dir
Tecjion OF Bro. Simeon Parmalee and Rev
, 4. Morgan Marty; at the same time schools
were organized IN Jerichoand NIlliston.
In Rutland county school was organiz-
ell in 1915.
In other cguntiea school, we're early
formed The principal exercise IN all +
I the early schools was repeating passages of
scripture followed by appropriate remarks.
From the report ! obtain the following
statistics in regard to schools at the present
time: Number Of schools reported, 1876;
number of scholars reported, 50 $50; number
under 20 years OF age, p ,jl9, or twenty
/ eight per cent of the whole number of that
aye in the State. number Of church men,
/ bcrS in the Sunday school i ,4i2. or forty
/ eight per cent. OF the entire number.
The reported average congregation Is
/ -, li3. or twenty-eight per cent Of the cn-
/ tire population.
About oue-fth of the schools report
teachers meetings and somewhat larger
/ number monthly concerts
Between six and seven hundred conver-
/ Sims were reported in connection with
( these schools during the year.
soon after the opening Of the afternoon
/ Session, the convention, numbering three
/ hundred OF more. was resolved into a sun
Gay eaool with Col Fairbanks for Superin-
teudant. Eighteen teachers were selected
from the audience, ana after the ordinary
/ opening exercises they devoted halt an hour
a. the instruction of their several classes.
/ The exercise was heartily participated in By
all present.
The lesson selected was the one for the
! following Sabbath " The mind of Christ.
/ Mark tx 33-i2" After the class study.
/ Lhcu slute, Of Boston. gave black board
/ exercise upon the lesson, showing several
ways hY which the truth could be illus
tratcI and enforced
upon Sunday School music, and illustrated
tie way By which it could be used for the
instruction Of the young
y free discussion followed upon the best
methods of giving instruction IN the Sab
/ bath School.
\ large audience gathered in the even
ns for the chiliren's meeting.
Addresses were given by Col. Fairbanks,
Of ;. John,5lry; Mes-7-. Cooke of Ind
l,w, Cushing OF Burke. Green of Newport.
T BATES Of lra-b1rg, Liych of Melndoe-, and
/ B.gwood OF Burlington. Appropriate music
/ was inter~g-r--i. f.
BRADFORD, Oct. Is.
Tie Sabbath School Convention opened
IL, morning session NTH prayer and
promise meeting. lei by Rev \. Hyatt.
The following resolutions were introduced
and unanimously adopted
Z R.ot,i That in view OF the large nu.a1er o.
/ children and youth cur state st.l outs DE ot the
sabbath School. a- appears hy Gus Sccretary's re-
port we urge upon our sabbath School Workers the
Importance ot -'rm.n schools IN places wherever
! they cil be sustained.
~. That we he.eye il IS the duty Of every
| church member 60 attend the Sabbath School -
Sd. Thar While we highly PRIZE tie sabbathsclool
helps o.. the present &c. We deeply fee. that 20 Irs
Importance ought TO be attached 90 comm ting
l passages e. scripture memory.
ita. Tlat the eut on recommend that eYcry
church make arrangements 10 give more pruu.-
ueut place t9 tie Sabbath schools. giving uq 1
need ur. the afternoon preaching service
Another resolution extends thank, t. the
railroads and to the citizens Of Bradford,
for coartosies and hospitality
The following officers were elected for next
year
/ Pies 5ou;-Re,.A L. Cooper. ST. AlDaus.
Vice Pres dents Hon John b. Page. Kutlani
4 iiou. O.. " orandey- NerSennes.
! State Secretary and Treasurer - A. u Butler
sesrs,ar.s--w.E Hazen, Woodstock; Rev. J. D.
Fx.eat ge comm ttce-Rov. 4. L. Cooper. 4. "
/ Butler ). I. Barker o. L. Babcock. \. J. Howe,
/ Rev. J. ". Hyatt
/ \ vote was taken TO publu h the report of
the secretary aud the minutes Of this con-
yent.3a
At ten O'Clock. Rev. II. F. Cushing, Of
East Burke, addressed the convention
upon the subject Of temperance in its rela-
ton to Sabbath schools. lie spoke for an
/ hour in a very effective manner, giving Us
many startling facts 10 regard to the ex-
pon-s and the fearful destruction Of strong
drink Many eyes were moistened, and, |
doubt not, many resolves made to fight this
enemy through life. a they listened to his
earnest words. lie concluded his address
by giving as encouraging words in regard
10 the decrease Of this evil in this land.
In the afternoon Rev. :. 5 Donaldson
gsve as p clear and Stimulating essay on
the teachers reward.
Tender parting words were then spoken
b,- various members and by Col. Fairbanks,
the retiring president, and feryent prayer
was offered for greater success the coming
year in this work for Christ throughout the
State. 1t , O'Clock tae convention ad-
journ. vi % meet at Barre the second We'd
neslay in Oct 1873
Tbro. 'shout the sessions the audiences
were la, ze AMI sometimes filed the aislcs OF
the churo b.
Altoee, her it was thought to be the most
successful meeting of the workers ever held
In the ev 7ning Prof Loyde, the leader Of
the luein,- during the convention, held
service or song, which WAS well attended
and richly enjoyed.
So much was tho meeting enjoyed by the
citizen that they say they wish it could he
cont aue,l for week. aad he held here every
year
The survey of Lake Champlain. which
has be p, progressing for three or four Years