The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-31
THE VIRGINIA BAPTIST SUNDAY
SCHOOL CONVENTION.
ORGANIZATION.
Address OF Welcome.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

Address OF welcome.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS,
At an early hour last nightothe Secont
Baptist church was crowded With delegate
and visitors in attendance upon the meeting
of the Virginia Baptist Sunday School Con
yentiou.
1t had been feared that the busy season.
in the country would cause the delegation te
be small, but every train brought its cirgo,
until 1t was found that the clans were gath.
ering in full force.
The pulpit of the church was beautifully
decked with natural flowers. and on the arch
wreathed with evergreens, the notices
"EvERY CHILD FOR JESUS" AND "wELcoaE .
were interviewer.
After Sunday. school song beautifully
rendered by aSelected choir led by Profes
sor George A. Minor, Rev. c. 81. Ryland
president of the Sunday School Board, called
the Convention to order. After feryeDt
and very appropriate prayer by Rev. DIR.
Basil Manly (president Of Georgetown Col.
lege, Kentucky, Mr.. Ryland said that the
Board preferred TO have the address of vel
come delivered by one of the superintepd.
euts Ct Richmond Sunday school. He
therefore called out
Fl. K. Ellyson, Esq, who made brief adj
dress of welcome. 1t was to him a pleasant
duty to welcome the delegates TO the city, to
the homes of the brotherhood, and TO the
Convention. They already had q warm place
in the hearts of their brethren here, who re-
cognized them as earnest workers for Jesus.
He rejoiced to greet his brethren here TO-
night as beloved for their works sake and
for the Masters sake. He hailed the fact
that so large a number had torn Themselves
from their secular work at this busy sea son
and come TO this Convention for higher no.
bier labor as most suspicious omen and
he earnestly prayed that this zeal might be
rightly directed by the Holy Spirit. With
his whole heart he would say welcome
thrice welcome, brethren, and God smile on
and speed the work before US.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.
On motion Of Rev. C. II. Rylaud, Rev. j
A. Haynes, of Loudouu, was made temporary
chairman, and Rev. j. William Jones secrc
tary pro tenn.
After the choir had led in singing "Glad
Tidings" the President introduced Professor
A. h. Davis, of the University of Virginia
Professor Davis announced as his theme
" The Sunday School = Its Sphere and Falut
as Religious Force"
Professor Davis said that he supposed the
object of this gathering was to dltfuse in
formation and to get up such enthusiasm as
will do to carry back to the work al
home. He regretted that he had hu
little information 10 lmpart and bn
little enthusiasm to infusc. After some
facetious comparisons, he said tha
he would eliminate all about its "spherc,'
and announce as his text "The Sunday
Scbool-Its Value as Religious Force" A nc
if he should imnitate some preachers o
whom he had heard, and take leave at once
of his text. he trusted that these metropoi
tan bishops and intelligent brethren (who o
course never pursue such course) would
excuse him. The world moves not simply
the material interests of the world, as any
one can see who will contrast the few luxu
ricsaud couveniences which even Queen Bess
had with those of the modern belle, but also
its moral interests.
Men live longer now than in the olden
time, and the modern school-boy knows
more and really lives longer than MethuSe-
lab. This world is now very small affair,
so bound and compressed together is it by
wires and iron rods, and men even begin to
talk of cooniZing some OF the stars. But,
he insisted, there has been even greater
moral progress. This progress may net seem
so clear when we think Of the great crimes
and the appalling decentralization which
so frequently disgrace our age and
country; but in the general current there
has been steady and unmistakabie progress.
Gambling, profanity, and drunkenness have
been made to skulk into secret dens and
darkness. The day has passed away when
men NAV ply the bowie-knife, carry the con-
cesled weapon, or shoot down his man in the
name of Honor" He believed that on the
whole there has been real and unmistakabIe
moral progress. He insisted that there has
also been steady Christian progress. One of
the best evidences Of this progress is found
in the fact that our people now read and
know more of the Word Of God than ever
before.
He cave vivid sketch Of the various forms
Of infidclity that had assaied the Word OF
God, and OF how the pure gold had come out
of the fires refined and purified. Christian
work is not now confined to the clergy, but
the private Christian begins to recognize that
he, too, is bought with price. lie IN
sisted that the present days are better
tnan "thc good old times" for which
some sigh. He proceeded to show ho'r
this progress is made, and ably argued that
the work must begin with the children. He
spoke yividly of the reflex influence of th'
Sunday school on the homes OF the people
of the value Of young converts compared
with the old-and of how the Sunday school
antagonizes selfishness.
He closed With an eloquent sketch Of The
hopes of the future as the golden gates are
opened by bands of singing children.
The above is very imperfect sketch o
this able, scholarly, and eloquent address.
The Convention appointed committee te
nominate permanent officers, and ADJOURNED
with prayer by Rev. I. 5. Dunaway.
1t was announced that the sessions OF th'
Convention would. be held in the Secont
church in the day, and at the First churcl
at night.
Rev. Dr.. Curry will speak tonight o.
"Elbow.Toucbing in Our Work."
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS YESTERDAY.
james NJ. Dawson as notary public for Car
roll county; Walter Il. Payne as notary put