St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-10-11

heart and not simply machine. He
shsuld be magnetic. The school, to be
successful must be more attractive than
the schools of vice. Several other gen.
tlemen spoke upon this topic briefly,
when Secretary Butler discussed some
what at length the "Methods and i'm
portance of review lessons" after which
the convention adjourned until eve
ming.
Tuesday Evening convention
was late in assembling. Mr.. Butler had
charge of the social meeting which &C.
cupied a half hour. Then came the
service of song, which for several rea-
sons was total failure. The annual adj
dress was then given by Rev. j. FL.
Hincks of Montpelier. 1t was written
address of thirty minutes, in which the
writer talked in somewhat familiar
way upon "what he knew about Sun
day School work." including both his
experience and observation. Among
other things, he recommended that the
Sunday School be conducted and gov
erned by the church to which it belongs.
The proper end of all Sunday School
teaching should be kept constantly in
view, which in his mind was to bring
the word of God to bear directly upon
the heart. He laid great stress upon the
value of teachers meetings; and while
he would make use of all the helps
afforded, he would rely mainly upon the
bible as the foundation and source of all
help. He would try and interest the
school in Domestic and Foreign mis-
sions, by forming missionary bands, and
keeping the school Informed of mis-
sionary operations. He would have some
sort of catechism prepared and taught
the children which should embody the
cardinal doctrines of our faith. The adj
dress was we'll delivered and full of
meat, and was listened to by a very
large audience.
Wednesday lMOrning-The topic, ''How
shall we make our Sunday Schools more
effective ?" was discussed by Rev. j. D.
Emerson of Underhill, in the bearings
of bible meetings upon them. The effect
of mission work was treated in an essay
by Rev. M. A. Wicker of Williston. He
made several points. Caste cannot be
tolerated in mission work. 1t will not
do to say, eyes, should be glad to have
those children brought into the Sunday
School, but you must not put them in
the class with ma children" Over
much dress and jewelry on teachers is
to be discouraged. He heard of a girl in
New York who committed theft that
she might be able to adOrn her person
like her Sunday School teacher! The
mission school worker is the substitute
God has appointed for his little neglect
ed ones, whom the parents have for
saken.
Sunday School Concerts. This arm of
the school in making its work more
effective, vas first spoken upon by j.
L. Barker of Brandon. He thought too
many concerts were held without due
preparation. 1t should neither be per-
Torrance nor a musical entertainment,
nor all bible recitatiOns but variety,
| with frequent change. A concert should
never be over 20 minutes, and 60 min
utes is better. No address should ex-
coed ten minutes. Black board exercises
are good. Few can make a concert
success as often as once month. A
temperance service occasionally is de-
sirable. Rev. Elliott thought no concert
should be attempted for amusement,
but to enforce gospel truth. A chill
dren's sermon was recommended Occa
sionally, even with a pause in the middle
long enough for the children to sing, or
to answer questions. Under the head of
SCHOLARS Work." Rev. Chaplin of AL
bany made a few brief and pointed re-
marks to the effect that Sunday School
work was nearly barren of good results
if the scholars did not have preparation
as well as the teachers. 1t was next to
useless to attempt to lodge good thought
in the minds of scholars who made no
preparation for the school.
The afternoon exercises on Wednes-
day were among the most interesting
and instructive of the convention, we
learn, but we have no report of them.
At little after four o'clock the conven-
ton was adjourned in the only hard
shower which has visited us this fall.
The meeting next fall is to be held in
Burlington.
Immediately on the adjournment of
the Sunday School Convention, the
State Convention of the Y. M. G. A.
organized by the choice of Rev. H. A.
Spencer of st. Adams, chairman. The
evening was nearly all taken up with
routine business and the lengthy re-
port of the Executive Committee, read
by Rev. Henry Fairbanks. The conven-
ton continues through this day and
evening, we suppose, although no pro-
gram had been issued up to last eve
ming.
Barnet.
Freeman Hoyt has hired the Gilman
place, and moved on this week.
Mrs. Davis, our well known and tasty
dress maker, has returned to Boston to