Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-06-04
State Sabbath School Convention.

StSte SabDatn SchG0l convention.
The fifteenth annual session Of thi.
Convention met in the Cong. Church
at Ripon, May Is, 1874. and contin-
ued three days ending on the 18th.
About four hundred delegates were
present
The convention is said to have rank
ed among the best ever held in the
state. Surely it could not fail TO be
other than success when such men as
Rev j. II. Vincent. Of \. Y, Pres !
Merriman, Reverend L. J. White, f.
B. Doe, &c, took prominent part IN
the distribution of good things, intel
lectual and spiritual aud citizens of
that beautiful city, Ripon, did SO omuch
for our physical entertainment. Many
thanks to them.
The first session opened at 1:30 P.
VI. Convention was called to order by
Mr.. kingsbury, Chairman, of the ex-
utive committee. Prof c. A. Kenas-
ton was chosen Secretary, pro tenn,
the State Sec. being absent After
the preliminary exercises Mrs. Harris
of Ripon was introduced; she spoke to
the effect that if we would get safe
home to HEAVIER we must open our
hearts to the blessed influence of Gods
love.
She was followed by Mrs. Brown Of
Milwaukee who thought that children
might be safe before reaching heaven,
they have only to work for Christ, and
the result will be secured, for it is in
possible to work for him and forget his
love and teaching. These addresses
were protessedly for the children, but
their elders appreciated and appropriate
ed them.
Rev.J II. Vincent then related beau
tiful dream illustrative of a truth which
he wished to inculcate. That the Bi-
bic must occupy the first place in the
Sabbath School. Order, Literature
Music and Art, must take their appro-
pirate places, combining to glorify the
Word of Go d. He thought We were
forgetful of this sometimes and the
I Word was made to occupy only a sec
ondary place.
At the close of this address the Con
vention adjourned till evening.
After the opening of the evening
session with prayer, Rev. L. j.
White delivered an address Of welcome
to the delegates, to which Mr., 4. z.
Bentley, of La Crosse, Pres't Of Con
vention, appropriately responded.
Rev. J. II. Vincent then addressed the
audience, subject THAT Boy" As the
main points Of this lecture are given
! in this issue Of the REPORTER we re-
frain from attempting to describe II
here, suffice it to say the audien ce were
highly pleased and let US hope many
profted. On this evening, and the
evening following during the conven-
ton the church was crowded to over
flowing, many were obliged to return
home being unable to secure even
standing room.
Wednesday $50 A. No A. NJ.
was given to a Devotional meeting, 8
o'clock regular session commenced.
After opening exercise, appointments
of Committee on Resolution, Finance,
&c., reports Of the Executive Commit
tee, the State Statiscian and Treasurer,
the reports f1om delegates on the con-
dition Of the work in their respective
schools and yicinities were called for,
these we're limited to three minutes
each. On the whole the reports were
encouraging showing an advance in the
work of former years.
Next in order came addresses on the
needs of the s. S. by Rev s. T. B. Doe
and T. C. Wilson.
Mr.. Doe opened the discussion-He
said as a general thing Sunday School
work was well done. We had good
superintendehts, good teachers, good
instructions, good order, had made en-
couraging progress &c. But thought
We needed more downright earnestness.
Another need was home missionary
work not only in the destitute and
sparsely settled counties but every
where right in our own locality.
Multitudes Of children in the vicinity
of almost every S. S. were not members
of it.
There were many outlying districts
destitute of every religious advantage,
it was the real work of every church,
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