Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-20
WEDNESDAY EVENING SESSION.

From 7:3O to S:l5 was spent in
prayer, song and scripture reading.
Secretary Gilmore, read the parable
of the Prodigal Son, and each section
of the subject was illustrated by ap-
propriate songs; songs by the choir
and congregation, led by Prof. Bum.
Among the songs, "Yield not to temp
tation," "Just as l am, without one
plea," and "Ninety and Nine," were
sung in very excellent and spirited
manner.
After these exercises j. W. Dean,
of Cedar Rapids, offered prayer.
The whole congregation then unit
cd in singing 81 am so glad thatJesus
loves me-
Rev. j. Monro Gibson, of Chica-
go, then addressed the convention,
subject: "Study of the Word" In
the language Of the Psalmist, "Thy
statutes are my song in the hour of
my pilgrimage" We can find new
meanings in the old words, and how
thankful we ought TO be that we can
sing the stories contained in the
scriptures, and that they display to
us continually some new beauty.
The speaker said he now enjoyed
what he had long desired-a visit to
the noble state of Iowa. What rich
future was in store for Iowa, and
what future here for the Kingdom
of Christ. He compared Iowa with
Canada. Iowa had made more prog
ress in decade than Canada had in
a century. 1t was not because of a
difference in soil or races, but it was
because of the religion Of the people.
In Canada, to a great degree, the BIZ
BILE was kept from the people, and es-
pecially in the province of Quebec, it
was almost entirely shut out. In
Iowa, and in fact in the whole north
west, the corner stone was the bible.
and hence its progress was irresisti-
BILE. Here we use every improve
ment in science, agriculture and arts
there they practice the same plan
in everything as used by their fathers
a hundred years ago, and hence they
make little progress.
We want to make use of every i'm.
provement we can in studying the
word, and in imparting instruction
IN the Sabbath Schools, and if all the
Sabbath School teachers in Iowa
could witness the workings of this
convention, he was satisfied that they
would be imbued with new zeal in
the cause. The whole power OF
Niagara will never be of any use un.
less it can be directed into canals and
applied to propelling machinery tor
the manufacture of fabrics useful to
mankind Just so in regard to the
study of the bible and the methods
of getting it into our heads, and the
right method Of imparting it to 9th.
erS.
He very forcibly illustrated the
power of kindness and perseverance
on obdurate Sabbath School scholars
by describing the process of reduc.
ing iron ore by the use of carbon
Those who are most unlikely in the
beginning frequently become shining
lights through the perseverance OF
the Sabbath School worker who i;
devoted to his work. Too many peo.
pie think the bible is different from
other books, requiring key to un'
lock it, and peculiar method o1
study. This was a mistake. W.
should study the bible just as WI
would any other book. Every sen
tence had meaning, but too many
people read the bible while thinking
all the time they were doing so, O
something else. We should leai
carefully and prayerfully. He sale
there were great many passages il
the bible, that read singly seemed
senseless, for illustration, Job SO: 33
But let the reader read it with tn,
context and it was one of the mos
sublime passages in the bible. Nu
merous other passages were quoted
illustrating this point, showing tina
the scriptures must be read with .
view of understanding them and no
with intent of fault finding,
Let us make up our minds that tn,
sacred writers mean what they say
II am the way" ~ am the truth :
and 81 am the lifc," is perfect ency
clopoedia of instruction. if read will
understanding. Figures in the bibl'
must be interpreted the same as fig
ures out of the bible. The bibl,
ought to be read and studied consec
utively, the same as any other book
not by beginning at Genesis and read
ing through to the last chapter o
Revelations, but by reading the mos
important books and fully studyin.
each one. We should study them a
we do history, Geometry or any 9th
er study; beginning at the com
mencement and going clear through
not by skipping here and there. Tn
speaker rejoiced that this was an oc
casion when all denominations coult
meet OH common ground, in com
mon cause. The address was yer,
able and eloquent, and we only do in
justice to it in trying to give brie
synopsis.
The President announced a socis
prayer meeting at 6 A. NJ, Thursda
morning, to be led by Rev. Fulcomel
Regular session at 8 A. NJ.
The enrolling committee reporte
I'll delegates present.
/ The following additional delegate
reported:
i Rev. j. e. w. Coke, Burlington.
II. Crops, Robt A Russell, NJ. But
; ter field, TT. Madison.
Chas l. Custer, w A Work, j n
Strong, Keosauqua.
Il Mrs Reed Wilkinson, Mrs &c,
Steever, Mrs Norman Averill, Mrs n
N Woodward, Rev A S Wells, Re
w N Sparr, Henry Swain, Jno 1
Spielman, Fairfield.
Rev N f Cory, Rev s S Murph
Rev w + Cowles and wife, Mt. Pleas
ant.
J b Wilson, Wapello; &c Chaplin
Davenport; A + Townsend, Water
loo; j w Dean and Mrs M A Aid
rich, Cedar Rapids; IL l. nasset
Blairstown L. G Ensign and John
Miller, Chicago; N Messer, Penn