Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-06-11
State S. s. Convention.
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION.
CONTINUED PROM LAST ISSUE.
Wednesday Z. II.

After the usual opening ezer-
eises Of the session, it was an
nonnced that Rev. J. II. Vincent
would address the congregation
on The Duties and Difficulties of the
Sunday School Superintendent As
he had not personally understood that
he was to discuss this topic, he with
permission Of his audience conducted
it in conversational manner. Having
seated the superintendent and their
assistants together he requested them
to state the 1ifculties with which thew
as superintendent, had to contend.
In the meantime the remainder of the
audience were TO state on slips of pa
per, provided for the occasion, the.
principal deficiencies they had observed
in S. s. Sup'ts. A score of Difficult
ties were presented by the Sup'ts such
as the refusal of Church members to
become 5. S. teachers Difficulties
in securing teachers Failure of teach
srs to secure the interest of7boys between
twelve and twenty. Want Of home
sympathy and co operation. Want of
money. Want Of harmony between
officers and teachers, &c
The deficiencies of Sup'ts were then
read by Dir. Vincent from the slips of
papers few only Of which we mention
here Some Supts do not look after
scholars at their homes. Don't prepare
their lessons. Attempt to explain the
lesson when they know little or moth
ing about it. Do not consult with the
pastor or anybody else before appoint
ing teachers. Do not hold teachers
meetings. Want life, energy, tact
Deficient in Bible knowledge Fail to
notice disturbances. Do not welcome
strangers, &c. What wonderful man
the perfect Superintendent must be!
After briefly answering these, Dr.
Vincent spent few minutes in exam
inlng and answering the contents Of
the Question Drawer
The report of the Executive Com
mittee was then taken up, discussed
and adopted with one amendment.
We can give but a brief notice Of the
report which on the whole was very
encouraging 1t stared that the work
was daily coming to be more 1avorabiy
regarded throughout the world, and as
a consequence an increasing number Of
good men and women rallied to its
support. In many states Of the Re
public, Conventions similar to this one
are annually held, attended not by .
few advanced reiormers but b large
number Of earnest aggressive aud prac-
teal men and women, representing all
parts OF the country. entirely prospect
i've Of denomination in the prosecution
Of the blessed word
Some states, notably Illinois, had
become 50 interested in the work that
they had been enabled to effect more
thorough and efficient organization
than elsewhere existed. The state had
been divided into districts embracing
each several counties having more or
less thorough and complete local or
ganization with its own officers and
methods of procedure.
\ number of states have state 5. S.
Superintendents who have greatly pro-
noted the work by visiting all parts
of the state aud awakening an interest
in its success. The most intelligent
and learned men Of the country are
doing more than ever before iii the
preparation Of commentaries and les
son helps, Sunday School literature and
mnsic is receiving more attention and
advancing in quality. The whole
country is becoming aroused, old and
young are coming up to the study of
the Book of books, and as never be-
fore from the Sunday School side
Finally since it is impossible for the
Executive Committee to ascertain the
condition of the work in the various
localities in the state they after due
dehberaton and conference with others
agreed upon the plan of dividing the
state into districts, each district to
have its own local organization under
the general supervision of a district
superintendent appointed BY this asso-
citation. It is proposed to divide the
settled portion of the state into eight
districts.
After report of Finance Committee,
Convention adjourned until evening
when the audience were entertained
and instructed by DR.. Eineent's lecture