Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-09
ventiO8.
SECOND DAY.

and hymn was sung composed by Rev. L. Case
of Canaan.
Then Rev. |. j. Mead from committee on Gre
dentials said he understood there were some COM
mit'ees that had not reported
Rev. Mr.. Snow thought they had be tier hold
their meetings the seconl week in September.
Laid over to be considered.
An essay was given by Rev. w r. Gibbs sub
ject, The best mode of communicating relg-
ions instruction to children" What we know by
personal experience readily communicate
We are free TO exam inc the scriptures and take
from them Whatever will be of use. No better
guide can be furnished than what is comprised in
the teachings and deed, OF Christ. The best
school for instruction is the Bible, ard we should
draw from it virtue and goodness. We as teach
of children in religious topics, hold an i'm
portant place in the world. But where shall we
ind the instruction that is going TO he of impor-
lance to us? We should put up with no guess
work, but look to the Bible. We may search
through literature and find many interesting and
important things, but in the scriptures find
what we cannot elsewhere. In all that pertains
to religion, the Bible gives. Make the children
FAM liar it'll the scriptures
lie would make the Bible his only text book.
Religion relates 10 conduct as well as to doctrine.
Children should not be taught solely in respect to
doctrine. Religion touches the heart. The
world is suffering daily because so much has been
made of dogmas and little of conduct. We
must make our teaching practical and employ il
Illustrations. Oral instruction from the Bible il the
best means OF teaching. To properly teach chill
dren, the teacher himself should be relig ous. IL
YOU would teach truth. be truthful. Moth ing is
more important than a right example.
Rev. A. Bosse,ma then addressed the meeting.
We all have different methods of Imparting in
struc,ion. One may use one method-one another.
For religious instruction we should 20 to the
Bible. We should have, too, the children under
stand that what comes from the Bible comes with
ito i - k.tt 80 ,..,
what unexplainable things in the Bible before
children. We should be very simple, so the child
may understand.
Mrs. q. W. Quinby spoke upon the same sub.
iect. She had had twenty years experience as a
teacher, and thought 1t was best not to use the
same methods for all scholars. Her class WAS not
couiined to the "Helper." The different me mbers
asked questions.
After singing, Rev. l. J. Mead gave an adj
dress upon what kind of religious work childrens
minds could become enlisted in. lie told the differ
ent ways in which children could be made i'm
portant in the church. BY assisting 10 all reforms
by becoming missionaries, by doing general
work.
Rev. Z. w Preble then spoke. lie believed in
int Ii, ctusl relig ion. 1t is because men have been
working Intellectually that we enjoy the pleasures
of to-day. He did not believe IN sending chill.
dren outside of the parish to save souls. He be-
heyeda great religious work could come from
ch ildren. His remarks were very forcIbie.
Rev. Mr.. Purnton thought fathers and moth.
should spread around children the right in
fne nee, then there is no danger for them. A
child in most cases cons iders what its parents do
tight. We don't expect child to act like an
old person. and he should not.
Then quite warm discussion ensued upon
whether int lectua culture had not been under
estimated by some speaking in the convention.
After which the convention adjourned to 100
in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
devotional exercisas on assay una ALI,
cred by Mr.. Richard Dresser of Auburn entitled
the Substance and Scope of Sunday school insruc-
ton" lie thought that there no doubt but
that all would think his subject an important one
That the Sunday school should teach christian
knowledge is true. We should start from the
outset with a clear conception of what the Sun
dsy school is. Our business is not in SUNDAY
schools of the imsg nation. The real sphere of
the school instruction cannot cover much ground,
or thoroughly cultivate what it covers. Ii must
content itself 10 cultivate moderate field. Our
Sunday schools cannot be divinity schools, ami
such should not be expected If training in the
family was really what IL ought TO be 10 children,
there would be no prime necessity for training in
the Saba tn scho Is. To be able to determ e W sey
we should have clear conception of what the
Sunday school should be. The Sabbath school
should make children familiar with the bible and
It's doct ines, some thought. But this was not all
The Office of the school is not to educate chidre
iutell, cusly, but to educate their heart. The
school is for making the boys and girls christian
men ard women. The Sunday school is the help
Ell of the family. Its office is to lead the young
into the paths of christian faith and obedience
What shall we teach What we term theology
Is out of place in Sunday school; it belongs to
a broader field. Still we should not have our
schools without doctrine. But the great object
OF the school is 10 make the young christians.
We should teach that men of whatsoever nation
are our brothers. We cannot spend too much
time in unfolding the character of Jesus and no
one can study that noble character without being
in some degree uplifted and made better.
We should teach that virtue Is sure to find its
reward. For God more forgets virtue ban lie
forgets vice. He remembers both. And we must
never forget to teach that wckedness is misery
and death. Virtue not only leads to life, but is
lite itself Universalism is the essence OF the
gospel of Christ, and we should never be ashamed
of IL its teachings.
Rev. c. A. Hayden addressed the convention
on the same subject. lie thought all had in mind
AN ideal sunday school, and believed it well. |
Ideals are of Importance in life. He thought that
there thuuld lie teachers who under stand the
manner of instructing the poor and unfortuna lie
rs well as the rich d more fortunate ones. lie
did not believe in teaching anything which he did
not believe himself. The life and teachings Of
Jesus are the central points TO he advanced to the
Sunday school scholars Boys and girls get the
idea that Sabbath schools are all well enough,
but that hey have nothing to do with home. We
should teach the child that God makes all thing
beautiful, the Hover, the trees, all lovely things
"The world is saturated with God" and let our
scholars learn it, Impress children With the fact
that honesty is a part of religion. That truth is
also. The speaker thought that there was often a
difference as regards religion between boys and
girls. And he gave an illustration which was
quite amusing, in his own little boy and girl.
hymn was sung.
At this point in the proceedings it was neces-
sars that the chairman Of the convention shou Id
depart, and Rev. DIR. Quinby was appointed to
take MS place.
Several reports of committees were then read
The time OF the meeting Of the convention was
changed from November to the second week in
September.
An expression of thanks was offered in behalf
of the visitors, to the Augusta society, for hosp
tality rendered.
Rev. W. A. Drew spoke q few parting words to
the convention. "Aiy time for departure from
this life is at hand, if not already here. All
my life have been firm Unversslist. l am
ready to 20. Peace be with you all! FAREWELL"
A beautiful hymn WAS then sung. Bencdiction
was psonounced by Rev. Mr.. Purinton, aud the
convention finally adjourned.