The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-06-03
County Sunday School Convention.

vened in the NJ. E. Church, in Traer,
Tuesday, May 25th, at 2 o'clock P. NJ.
Rev. o. A. Holmes, President, in the chair.
Devotional exercises were conducted by
the President, Brother Ingham, Brown,
Kephart, Catlin and Holmes leading in
prayer. On motion, T. More of Traer,
was elected secretary pro TEN. A motion
prevailed to defer the election of officers
for tie ensuing year until Wednesday
morning, and ON motion the president APP
pointed as a nominating committee, the
following brethren Brown, 1ngham,
Seamans and More.
The first question presented for dis
cussion was the History and Mission of
the Sunday School," The Rev. S. A. Lee
of Marion, presented some remarks of a
general character, admitting the honest
difference of opinions in reference to the
origin of Sunday Schools, but, individually
inclined to; reverence, "Robcrt Raikes'
as the father of modern Sunday Schools
and so earnest and faithful that sir Robert
hired teachers to instruct the poor and
needy children that were gathered into
his schools. Mr.. Lee took the position
that the mission of Sunday Schools was
the incubation of the pure word of God,
and a united effort to lead the children
into paths of peace and usefulness; that
officers and teachers should ever keep in
view the salvation of the rising generation.
Rev. Mr.. Brown, of Toledo, followed
with few interesting remarks referring
to the ancient system of teaching the
scriptures, and in the impressive illustra-
ton of the law of God by authorized
teachers, he discovered characteristics of
Sunday School work more ancient than
Robert Raikes. The mission of the Sun
day School was to educate and train
childhood for this life and the life to come.
The second question presented for dis
cussion was the 'Memorizing of Scrip
ture Should it have place in our Sunday
Schools"
The Rev. 0. II. Derry, of Toledo,
led the discussion in candid and i'm
pressive manner, advocating the at1irma-
tive of the question, claiming the treasu-
rers of childhood, the impressions made
upon the mind of youth. The lessons
memorizcd when young are the most abid-
ing all through life. Old people may for
get scenes and lessons of recent date, but
childhood's memories are ever fresh and
vigorous. Mr.. Derry's essay called forth
remarks pro and con from Revs. lngham,
Fulcomer, Holmes and Catlin. Next in
order was an essay from Rev. Mr.. Roberts,
of Tracr, on SUNDAY School Literature.'
The essay was strong and interesting, and
by permission of the editor we will furn-
sh for publication, a more extended
synopsis than we dare give in this brief
digest of the convention.
As the hour for closing the first session
of the convention had already passed. The
President made Il few general remarks,
and on motion we adjourned until the
ringing of the bell for evening services,
Rev. Mr.. Derry leading in prayer.
EVENING SESSION.
So'clock P M.-Preside nt in the chair,
services conducted by Rev Mr. G: tin, of
Tama City. The first question was the
Unconscious Influence of the Teacher"
This subject had been assigned to the
Rev Mr.. Fulcomcr, of Badger Hill. The
speaker 'handled" his subject with the
freedom of Robespierre, and evidently
became so engaged that he became uncon-
scious that time was fragment of entern:-
ty broken off at both ends.
9 O'Clock P M-The Rev. Mr. Kephart,
of Toledo, presented an essay on the CUES
ton: "What can be done to increase the
efficiency Of our Sunday School Teachers
The speaker presented his subjectwithcare
and thought, and notwithstanding the late
ness of the hour the essay was listened to
with interest Mr. Kephart argued the ne
ccssity of earnest piety to increase the eff
cheney of the teacher and Il proper use of
the appliances furnished by the best minds
and for sale in all the repositories of our
Sunday School departments. To increase
the usefulness of teachers, the head hae"t
must be balanced by an increase Of love to
lead and inspire childhood. Interesting
remarks were made by Messrs. Catlin,
Roberts, Brown, Derry and Bissel. Mr..
Bissel assumed that an increase Of personal
magnetism and love for the child would
increase the efficiency of teachers.
1t was moved and carried that Town
ship secretaries report Wednesday morn
ing, Immediately after the annual election.
After singing by the ch"ir convention
adjourned until Wednesday morning,
8 o'clock Bcnediction by DR.. Roberts.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
9o'clock. assembled, o. \.
Holmes in the chair, devotional exercises
conducted by Rev. Mr.. Fulcomer.
On motion the report of the committee
on nomination of officers for the ensuing
year accepted. tSee report }
1t was moved and carried that the semi
annual meeting be held at Wa'tham and
the annual meeting be held at Montour.
The next question for discussion was
GLOW can Sabbath School scholars best
be induced to study the lesson?" led by
T. More, of Traer. The speaker said
there are very few children that have a
love for the Bible and Bible lessons and
this love for the Bible does not appear
until the heart is changed, and to induce
children to study the lesson, the teacher
must study child nature, and as they are
restless, take advantage of this fact, and
give them something to do. 1t is often
forgotten that children are children.
They require different treatment from
adult minds. We need not use baby talk,
but we must use their language, if we
would be understood. To lead the child
mind to study and think, deal in illustra-
tions. We are to study childhood for its
reflex action. If we would raise up child
hood, we must first go down to childhood
Let there be love for children, then
there will be fulfillment of the COM
mand, Feed my Lambs" and the Lambs
will be fed.
Rev. Mr.. Brown presented some inter
esting rtmarks on the subject SHOULD
children attend more than one Sabbath
SCHOOL," Mr. Brown thought it advis-
able that children were furnished with a
greater variety of reading, and the ex-