The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-15
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES.

The Baptist Minister'S Conference met yesterday IN
Oliver street church. The number present WAS com
paratively small but the discussion important and
interesting. The topic considered by Messrs Rhodes,
Simonson, Sampson, Smith, Stevenson, Hopper and
others was the relation OF Sunday schools TO the
Church the relation OF the children TO the Church
Mr. Rhodes opened the discussion in some very
thoughtful remarks, from which 1t appeared that no
had trouble interest children when he got them
to church. but his chief difficulty get them there
In congregation Of one thousand twenty five or fifty
children are all who usually attend church He has no
morning session. and it to be taken for granted
that If children attend school Sabbath afternoons
that is all that required Of them. They consider the
Sabbath school the children's church The Secretary
ofthe meeting Mr. Hopper, thought the brethren were
all the wrong track. They ought TO make dstnc-
ton between children. He would not have children
under twelve years OF age in adult congregation
There should be some place where children could be
gathered together and instructed We make a mistake
when we try initiate the Lord Jesus Christ in many
things. don't SEQ many Jesus Chrlss in my walks,
said tho speaker. We may catch His spirit, but we
can't do His work as He did 1t. We can't interest
children as Ho interested them. Brother Rhodes
speech that the secretary would per-
children under twelve years Of attend church
he would not have many Of them after that age The
other speakers took the ground some that children
should be compelled to go TO church and some that
there should be compusion, that the services
should be made interesting enough induce children
so and to rivet their attention when they there
Dr. Newton, OF Philadelphia, Epscopalan, has an
afternoon service for children every Sunday, and one
that is largely attended also by adults, who are inter-
estcd equally with the children Simplicity Of style
and matter of preaching would do much to interest
Children but too many sermons are of such sort that
few adults, much less children, can comprehend them.
One cause OF Mr. Rhodes success is his constant SIM
plclty in all his pulpit instruction But though chill
dren may not appear to be interested Of the
presence Of q personal God often comes them in
the church, and they receive impressions there which
never wear OIL But pastors should not indulge IN
mere talk and twadde TO children They should speak
words Of good common sense which the children can
comprehend, and make special object OF IL and work
Tor It's success Next Monday Brother Kennard Is TO
read paper on the Baptsts' debt to the Jews.
The Methodist ministers met yesterday also at NO.
sos Broadway The gathering was comparatively
small but Brother Bryan was in his place as usual.
Professor Strong of Drew Seminary 10 have read
a paper his recent visit 10 the Holy Land, but he
failed TO appear Tho meeting decided TO discuss next
Monday what they do to advance the present re-
ligous movement and awakening in this city provided
Dr. Strong should not be present But If he comes 10
time the meeting is TO give him audience The
brethren then adjourned for the purpose of attending
the noon meeting at the Hippodrome, for which some
OF them came from the country. little time was
gwen TO singing and prayer.