The New York herald., 1876-10-23
FOREIGN SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND Drscounsxs OF

TIE ANNUAL MEETING AND DIscoURsxs OF
DRs sToaRs, MAELISG AxD BACON.
Last night the annual meeting Of the Foreign Sunday
School Association held in the Church OF the Pill
rrms large gathering attended. and considerable
interest manifested in tho work IL hand Reports
OF the Associations progress during tho past
year were distributed, containing accounts OF
the plans OF angelization employed by tho society
together with communications from correspondents
in Europe testfying to their availability Tho associa
tion, appears, has sought by the establishment Of
Sunday schools the old nations or Europe especially
In such have been accessible the attacks OF
raonalism and unbelier to mould the opinions OF
the children TO make thcm mindful OF religious
truths and encourage them spread about devotion
Tor as they grow up. TO effect Its end It has applied
for donations 10 fund which is employed In the pur
chase and circulation In these schools OF papers,
and books calculated instruct young read
In Scrptural and religious history. while
at tho same time, serving to entertain
them. II suggested last night that tho
dcsitution OF religious literature for children
OF the older countries Europe is possibly the
OF SO much progress being made by doubt and indder
cutsn, and strong effort urged 10 circulate in
such places appropriate Sunday school papers and
books. The cooperation OF pastors and the Sunday
schools OF this country was earnestly solicited the
organization making tho following appeal all pres
ent.-"rhis association. which has TOR object the
cvangeization Of the nations through the children
ought 10 bo Supported aud carried on by the
children OF all the Sunday schools land
II To- 900 schools would give us an average OF $40
each yearly. we might by an agency whose simplicity
and economy are acknowledged To be unrvalled rcvo
luuonize Europe and the East"
The hrst speaker introduced last night WAS Rev.
Charles r. Bacon, OF the Church OF the Messiah. He
said thai at the close OF the last torpor
camo over Christianity. Religion became, matter Of
fashion, ana the ritual aud religious practice OF the
churches all parook OF the supercaty OF the times.
mons tircsome twadde about virtue or
10 exhaust patience by dreary controversial
ror and d,ssected every doctrine from .tle in
ccpiion OF Christianity to their own day These dis
also very tame and were listened to as matter OF
auty. There was no lie, none OF the energy which
gains souls to God IN them; and so they were barren
came revival II regular uphcavai OF tho
practices and beliefs OF tho day. and IL manifested itself
IN many ways 1t appeared IN the desire 10 have less
theology and more OF the spirit OF God and dis
position TO introduces into worship greater warmth
and feeling and TO invest II with stronger capabilities Of
appealing the eye and ear, and through them the
heart. IL was this that substituted the more devo-
tionai Gothic architecture for the bare walls and
homely furniture OF tho old time meeting houses; and
tins II was that produced the Sunday schools Peopls
! tiuns from their childhood inclined 70 believe
them o! remote date perhaps 10 fancy them us old
Christianity itself But they really are only in their
incipsncy, Tor that matter is Christianity; for
now, at the end OF l,soo years, we are
oay beginning TS. to appreciate rs immense
institution, but s influence is bounded by only
| the widest probabilities IL requires, however the
experience OF 10 perfect and regulate Its sys
TEN; and first, the sunday school should be graded
just secular educational establishments Chill
dren OF tender years should be taught the simpler and
striking Scrpura stories not only by the tongue
OF the teacher but by pictures and prints such as
used IN the sindergar.en Thsn the Histories Of the
should be explained and the current Of Divine
Providence running through them and working
out with such singular precision The ends of the
Almighty should be pointed out Such OF
instruction would embrace much that IS entertaining
and much that Is calculated to impress the mind with
profound religious convictions and TO impart facility
for supporting them by Intelligent rcasoning''
DR.. Maring OF New York, said that he had not had
opportunity OF seeing the workings OF the asso
catlon Europe with his own eyes, many present
great end; he had the most satisfactory proof Of
its success, and he iud0rsed IL frCm bottom
OF his heart He said that the means they employed
were extremely simple, and that more than anything
else WAS an augury of glorious results. Sometimes
there IS too much machinery IN these movements and
II spring Is clogged the whole engine stopped
But In this there only the simplest Of instru-
nents-the hitlc chidwho Is TO be inducted into
the lessons been taught Ii only the grain Of
mustard seed agsin which is 10 be planted
foliage the beuighted people OF the Old
World may find shelter and repoee Such
IN instrument did Christ mako use Of in His mission,
such instrument has the Almighty always en-
ploycd 10 effect bis great and mysterious purposes
Dr. Marlng then went on 70 acscroe now the work OF
cvangelization could best be done by seeking out
earnest, energetic men and women living among tho
people whose good the sunday schools estab-
lished and enable them 10 labor among their neigh
bors and bring the schools not only the to Ones
but, II possible their parents.
DR. Storrs said that tho great Geld for Chris
tan labor was IN tho nations lying IN tho heart
OF Europe. where scepticsm and error are
sown broadcast America, said he, received
from Europe her civilization and her religion, but
here the last has grown strong and robust while be-
yoni the Il has waxed weaker ear by year.
We must ondcavor TO repay Europe Tor what she
has gwen us, aud through her will DO able rcach
all The nations of the worli for II indeed tho
OF the civilization OF planet However there
American deas do not gain ground very RAPIDLY ovcr
thore and II will require strong. earnest work, reso-
luton TO succeed ana the operation OF all Christians
TO achieve the work VIC have in hand But when sue
comes, Is must II will have tho effect OF revou
toniZing the other continent The children taught In
these schools Will 60 home to their indifferent or
nhdel parents, and II they fail to bring them
over they VIII, at al events, grow up TO take
their places and will people tho nations
with Christians oil strong religious convictions and
broad humane views Had these sunday schools ex
listed In Europe nifty or even twenty-five years ago,
what noble population for these shores would be the
train OF cmmigrants who ccasclcssly seek them. As It
Is wo have work before US which opens wide and
glorious prospects Let II DO prosecuted earnestly
actively and with sincere confidence In the power OF
the Almighty to aid us tic has promised and to pour
His bcnedicton upon those who unite to labor IN HIS
service and Tor their brothers. good
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