The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-04
DNIVE RSALHST STATE sARRATu
SCHOOL CONVENTION.
Second Day.
SKOWHEGAN, Nov. 9,

Although dull and stormy the sessions of the
convention to-day have been fully attended
They opened at s O'Clock with devotional
exercises and were followed by the answers to
difficulties of teachers, the speakers being
Rev. DR.. Patterson, Rev G. S. Demarest Rev.
j. c. Snow, and others.
At 8 O'Clock the first essay. Family and
Neighborhood Sabbath Schools, by Rev. G
Parinton. Fairfield, was presented and the dis
cussion participated in by several speakers.
Rev. G. S. Demarest, Manchester N e.,
editor of the Sunday School Helper, read a
most able and interesting essay, "What I
have learned from Sabbath school workers %
Mr.. Demarest from his position was able to
help those present by practical suggestions.
"How may Sunday schools be made to foster
allegiance to our own church, was the subiect
of an essay presented by Rev. j. G. Snow of
Auburn, and which was followed by very
general discussion.
The afternoon session opened with an essay
by Dr. G. NJ. Twitchell, Fairfield; subject,
Special means of awakening an interest in
the Sabbath school,
Rev. W. r. French, Turner, presented an
essay on "The Sunday school in session." and
the discussion was opened by Mrs. A. Merrill,
Dexter
THE pastors relation to the Sunday SCHOOL,
was the subject of the essay of Rev. c. P.
Nash, ffRockland, Mrs. G. Y. Newman of Lew
iston opening the discussion.
We have not attempted any report of the
essays and remarks, as to do them justice
they must be reported in full. 1t has never
been our pleasure to attend convention where
all the addresse, and remarks were so intensely
practical as at this. Every one in attendance has
shown an interest deep and abiding. The
spirit of the convention has been devotional,
and the result is good. This denomination is
taking firm hold of the work before it, and by
seeking practical channels in which to labor,
is paving the way for growth i'll the future far
exceeding that of the past. The leaders feel
that the time has come for decided action, for a
general advance in all Christian graces. This
is manifest in the remarks of both clergymen
and laymen. The state is to be divided into
districts and Institutes held in each during the
winter to further the Sunday school work.
A Sunday has been set apart on which all the
clergymen of this denomination are to preach
sermon in the interest of the Sunday School
Teachers meetings and normal classes will be
established, that advantage may be taken of
the work thus far accomplished, and so attain
the growth that is within the reach of the
earnest worker.
The exercises Thursday evening opened with
an essay by Alden Sprague Esq, of Augusta,
on the subject of the closing essay of the
afternoon, 1.-The relation of the pastor to the
Sunday school," Following this was genuine
praise meeting, in which large number par
ticipated.
An hour was then SCIENTIFICALLY, in getting
acquainted, and then the convention adjourned
for one year.
Copies of all the essaysswill be published in
the Banner, and as they have been full of
practical truths. I have not thought best to
make any extracts, as could not in this way
do the speakers justice.
The entertainment.has been ample, and the
people of tSkowhegan have done all in their
power to make the convention success.