Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-05-12
SABBATH SCHOOL CONVENTION
Annual Meeting at Morristown.
A Large DelegatiOn-Iutercs ENer-
cises and Doubtless Good
Results.
FIRST Dny-Tnesdny, May 4th,

Convention met at the Baptist Church
in Morristown yesterday, rs previous
ly announced:
The House was called to order by
the retiring President, Prof II. Pres
nell, after which the hymn, All hail
the power OF Jesus name" was sung
by the choir, and prayer was offered
by Rev. John Bowen.
The President then appointed the
following gentlemen n Committee on
Nominations for officers for the en-
suing year: w. p. Washburn, w.
ID. Cannon, Il. A. H. O'Brien, Z. II.
Russell, II. H. Reeves, who after an
absence of some twenty minutes re-
ported the following list of
OFFICERS OF THE CONVENTION
,President-T. r. Russell, of Athens.
Secretary-Felix L. McWhirier, OF
Athens.
Statistical Secretary-W. A. McTeer,
of Maryville.
Treasurer-D. p. Rowe, of Norris
town.
The address of welcome was deliv-
cred by Rev. Geo. d. French.
The report of the Recording Secre-
tary was not read, he being absent,
also the report of the Treasurer had to
be postponed.
Under the head of reports from Vice
Presidents, seven Vice Presidents re-
ported the work in their respective
counties in a lourishing condition,
and delegates from the counties not
represented by Vice Presidents report
ed the Sabbath School work in these
counties also in a flourishing condi-
ton. Altogether from the reports of
hn Nnl hn3l ~,
school work of East Tennessee is in a
flourishing condition.
Up to the close of the morning ses.
sion ninety-siX delegates reported and
registered their names on the Register.
The reading of the Report of the
Statistical Secretary was postponed
until Wednesday afternoon.
On motion it was resolved that all
present be allowed to participate in
the discussions whether delegates or
not.
Under the head What has been
done within the bounds of the conven-
ton for the past year to improve the
condition and increase the number of
schools?' some interesting reports were
made by number of delegates.
Pending the discussion of this ques-
ton, the convention adjourned for
dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon exercises were opened
by Rev. J. f. Goldman reading the
18th chapter of Romans, and by song
and prayer.
The question, "How can we secure
more efficient cooperation with homes,
and especially homes of Church mem.
bers?n was discussed next.
Mr.. w. p. Washburn says that
schools were taking the place of the
homes. He was of the opinion that
there was a lamentable lack of work
at home. The parents are not taking
the interest in the work they should.
The Sabbath School is not to take the
place of parents. He believed that
nothing could connect the homes with
the Sabbath School, except by the
faithful work of the pastor. He APP
pealed to the ministers to preach to
the parents the fact that the Sunday
School is not to take their place, but
that they must work at home.
Mr., Murphy, of Sewer, would add
another duty to the PASTORS work. He
wanted the pastor to visit his members.
Go from house to house, and press this
matter upon each member-to urge
parents to teach their children at
home.
Mr.. Willoughby was of the opinion
that the responsibility did not rest
alone with pastors, the superintendent
and teachers have an important work
to perform they should fully qualify
themselves for the work. If the teach
er does not work in his own family by
qualifying him or herself how can
they expect other parents to do so.
Mr.. Balls thought that preaching
would only reach such as visited the
church, but many parents do not visit
the church. He believed it the duty
of the teachers and ministers to visit
the parents OF the children who visit
the Sabbath school. Let the parents
know that you are anxious about their
souls salvation, and the parents can
not help but be awakened in the work.
Mr. Simmonds, of Knoxville, said a
remedy to the evils spoken of would
be to correct the error so many fall in
the idea that Sabbath schools are
only intended for children. He
thought to remedy the whole evil
would be to urge the attendance of the
membership of the churches at the
Sabbath schools.
Hon. David Richards spoke on the
subject and said that in their Sabbath
school they had members from two
months of age to the Oldest member OF
that church, and they all worked to-
gether and it proved success.
Mr.. J. A. Lyons, of Knoxville, said
that there were many persons who
never give word of encouragement to
the Superintendent, looking upon the
Sabbath school as an outside institu-
ton. The Church should pray for the
Superintendent. He had seen Sunday
schools in which not ten members OF
the church had visited during the year,
outside of the regular workers. He
asked whether it was more the duty
of "a teacher to teach the child every
Sabbath than it is the duty of the par
ent to visit the school and see that the
child is taught.
Rev. Geo. ID, French felt that all the
members of this convention did not
doubt the duty of every one attending
the Sabbath school. God never con-
verts man simply to save him from
torment, or to land him in heaven,
IV.N L. - IL