The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-04
SABBATH SCHOOL INSTITUTE.

the Presbyterian Churches IN the coun
ties'bf Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull ant
part of Columbiana, Delegates were pres
ent from Warren, Youngstown, New Lis
bon, Leetouia, Salem, Garfield, Ellsworth
Hanover, Alliance, Waynesburg, Massil
lon and other churches. Rev. ID. II
Evans, of Youngstown, was chosen Chair
man, and j. W. Gibson, of Garfield, Sec
retary,
The ministers and Sabbath Schoo
workers of other denominations were cor
daily invited to take part in the lnsti'
tute.
After singing and prayer, the first topic
"The object of the Sabbath School, con
version and culture" was opened by IL
Z. Fry, D. D., of Salem. He started out
by saying that he had heard u man once
declare that every good and great man
for the last two or three hundred years
has come out of the Sabbath School,
This is false, for the school has not ex-
listed more than one hundred years, and
is also false in spirit. We have many
monuments of what the church has done
for the instruction and salvation of the
young before tie institution of Sabbath
Schools. The Sabbath School was begun
with the idea of reaching the children of
irreligious parents, but has now assumed
u much wider scope, and is designed to
supplement the instructions of parentsa as
well. There are over 4 100000 Of children
receiving instruction in the Sabbath
Schools of our country.
There is something presumed in the
topic, and it is that the school may fail of
its great object. 1t is often forgotten that
schools exist for Christ's sake and for the
sake of immortal souls Some have too
much machinery; often this is all Of the
school. But there is the ulterior purpose
training for Christ, conversion and cul-
ture. These are the legitimate objects Of
the Sabbath School, and should be kept
distinctly in view. Many fail for want Of
a definite aim. We should ever be seek
ing souls for Christ. We are to be earnest
and use art and adroitness in the better
sense of these terms. Under God the
chief instrumentaity oftne conversion Of
a child of mine was patient prayerful
teacher.
DR.. Grimes said, If we could fix our
hearts upon the one great end, the con-
version of children, it seems to me that
is half the battle, If you want to batter
down fort the gunner drives at one
point. Let your object be the conversion
Nf souls.
Rev. j. p. Irwin thought the teacher
must instruct the child so that instruction
will be means to the conversion of the
child For this purpose he must study
thoroughly, and seek to bring all the
truths Of the lesson to bear on this one
point.
DIR. Bailey stated that every teacher
will draw from each lesson what applies
to the class. While he makes
Il general application of this to the whole
class, he does not rest there, but will press
the truth upon thepupil separately. We
are to apply the truth 30 as to adapt it to
each individual.
After singing, "Come Holy Spirit Heav-
emily Dove" and prayer by DR.. Bucking-
ham, the second toE ic, sour Dependence
on the Holy Spirit" was opened by DR.,
who said: The conversion of
children falls within the compass of Gods
promise, and isa proper object for prayer,
That work belongs 10 the church, and yet
"who is sufficient for these things ?"
Our sutticiency is Of God God has fur
nished the church with every necessary
for the conversion of souls.
God has honored his children to become
coworkers with him in the salvation of
the world. Men are nothing without
God. paul may plant, and Appollos wa
ter, but God alone can give the increase"
Work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling, for it is God that worketh
in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure" All efficiency is in Divine
strength. 80, am with you always"
The Holy Spirit was the power
with the Disciples in their work.
So in the church the Spirit is
that efficient strength by which she can
effect her work on earth. Who can
know the depravity and deceit of the
human soul until he is taught of God ?
The Holy Ghost applies the truth de-
vised by God the Father, and executed
by God the Son. If the troubled con-
science be quieted, it is because the
Spirit of God has done it. There is no
possible machine of man that can open
blind eyes. No man can know Christ
unless the Spirit reveal him in us. When
Gods Spirit comes upon us, wherever it
may be, our tongues are loOsed and
every word spoken is with power. A
teacher so endowed cannot tail in leading
his scholars to Christ.
Rev. Johr son said: 1t is possible for
the teacher to be filled with the spirit
and not his class, but not often. The
great question is am under the inhu-
ence OF the Holy Spirit as | should be?
Our power depends n the Spirit of God.
Our help is from God. Then was sung,
A charge to keep have
God to glorify
"What ought the pastor to do for the
hev. A. b. Maxwell, of Lee
tonia, said This subject occupies much
on the part oil every pastor. 1t
is often difficult for the pastor to do what
he desires to do for the school. The
great burden of his work is to preach the
Gospel. The first thing is for him in his
study to think carefully owe rthe inte 'ests
of the school. After having thus thought,
he will carry the school, with all it's inter-
ests, to the Throne of Grace, and plead
for wisdom and strength that he may do
his duty towards it. Without this he
will fail. Then it is his duty to give the
school its proper part of the devotional
exercises, TO show that he is interested
in it's welfare. Next he should, ihe can,
gather the teachers together and 60 over
the lesson or the interests of the school.
He should enter the school, see it, and
keep it we'll in hand, understand its
wants. and when in it press the truths
home TO the hearts of the children. He
should also stir up the hearts of the chill