Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-16
Sunday School Convention.

Sunday School Convention.
HARRIsoNBURG-REsoL ADOPTED, Of
FIcERS ELECTED, &C., DC.
We publish on the outside this week the pro-
ceedings of the 8. S. Convention during the first
three days. On Wednesday night there was
children's mass meeting during which there
was some very fine singing. The exercises
were very interesting and short, pointed ad-
dresses were delivered by Drs. Biting, Rogers
and Harper. with occasional happy remarks by
President Magruder
THURSDAY EVENING.
The session this day was the largest during
the convention It is estimated that the excur-
sion train from Harrisonburg brought at least
q thousand persons. The great attraction Of
this days proceedings was the singing of the
.'Rustics" of Harrisonburg under the leadership
OF Prof. H. T. Wartman. The singing was truly
excellent and received the highest praise from
all who heard it. The Baltimore delegates,
especially. were delighted.
AFTER the usual opening exercises the special
committee to which was referred the topic Are
ourschools conducted properly and are the study
of the Scriptures and conversion Of the scholars
the sole object of our Sunday school system?"
reported preamble and resolution setting forth
that the schools are conducted properly as far
as they go. The address ofRev. DR.. Alpheus W,
Wilson on the topic was endorsed and the fol-
lowing resolution was reported:
Resolved, That the pastors, superintendent
and delegates to this convention be, and are
and explain, whenever and wherever occasion
will permit, the economy of our church That
the Discipline be used as textbook In our adj
vanced classes, and that the members OF our
Sunday schools and churches be not only urged
to acquaint and familiarize themselves with
the doctrines Of our beloved Methodist Episco-
pal Church South, but that every effort be used
and put forth to convince and lead them to be-
Heve and understand that it is nearest to the
Church Of Christ and therefore the first and
most worthy of our love; and further, that if
success is desired or expected, the study of the
Scriptures the converting to and keeping in
Christ Of the scholars must be the sole object
of the Sunday school system"
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The committee on business reported the fol-
lowing resolution:
"ResolUed, That we fully appreciate the i'm
portance of making our church literature the
literature of our Sunday schools, as recommend
ed in the presidents report, and as the maya
zine lesson papers and Sunday school papers
issued by our publishing house SO fully meet
the requirements OF such q literature for our
Sunday schools, we urge upon the members of
this convention the necessity OF using the most
earnest efforts to have our schools use our own
magazine and lesson papers, and circulate our
own papers to the exclusion Of all others of a
similar character
The resolution was adopted.
A resolution was adopted endorsing the effort
to establish mission school in Mexico, and re-
commencing a collection in aid of this object
to be taken up in the schools, provided such col
lection does not interfere with the regular mis-
sion work of the schools.
/ Lexington was chosen as the next place of
meeting.
Resolutions of regret at the death OF Thos. NJ.
Eddy, of Wildwood, Clarke county, Va, were
adopted. Mr.. Eddy was elected a member OF
this convention, but died before 1t met.
A resolution was adopted inviting Rev. Geo.
B. Eager, ofLexington, and Rev. c. c. Biting
of Baltimore, both ministers Of the Baptist
church, to attend the next convention.
The topic for the day. 1.-THE Preparation OF
| Teachers and Teachers Bible Classes was
taken up, Rev. DR.. Samuel Rodgers leading Oft
| He took the ground that there could be no cast
iron system by which all teachers could be
taught, but the individual peculiarities of each
must be considered. Still there was general
preparation under which all could be taught
This general preparation consisted of convic-
ton of the magnitude of the work, realization
of its difficulties and also of its encouragements
general reading and study on subjects bearing
the young by associating with them and activ-
ity in the prayer meetings. Then there was
special preparation, such as the study OF the
lesson and use Of the Imagination in presenting
the details ofscenes in the Bible, and thus make
| it vivid and seize upon the attention of the
scholar.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened by Rev. DR.
]. N. Spangler. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: President, T. j
| Magruder; vice-presidents, Rev. SamI Rogers
of Baltimore district; Chas. B. Bayley, of East
Baltimore district; Rev. j. w. BOteler Of Wash
ington district Rev. Geo. G. Brooke, of Win
chester district E. M. Cushing, Of Rockingham
district; VIM. NJ. Barnitz, of Roanoke district
John G. Cox, of Lewisburg district; Hon. Pat
rick Hamell, of Mooredeld district E. B. Tuck
er, recording secretary Geo. A. Thomas, assis-
tant recording secretary; J. B. Bond, cores
ponding secretary Ezekiel Jones, treasurer. and
| the following executive committee II. II. Gar
rigues, Edwin w. King, F. A. sitter, F. q. Max
well, John d. Lipscomb.
THURSDAY NIGHT.
missionary meeting was held which was
| addressed in a very interesting manner by Rev.
| Thos. E. Carson and by Rev. DR.. A. w. Wilson.
| After then addresses it was
Resolved, That we will seek to stimulate our
] children and the churches with which we are
connected to renewed effort in this matter; that
whore they are not already established we will
do what we can to form missionary societies.
The following resolution was also adopted:
"Resolved, That the Sabbath schools within
the bounds of Baltimore Conference be earnest
| ty requested to hold special prayer and praise
meetings at least Semi-mOnthly in our stations,
and monthly in our circuits, with special re-
ference to the conversion of the children"
FRJDAy NoRNTNc
| The servicesswere conducted by Rev. T. FL.
Graybill, after which Rev. G. G. Brooke offered
a resolution which was adopted looking to the
holding of district conventions in view of the
rapidly increasing size of the annual conven-
| ton. The subject iG to be reported on at the
next convention.
| Resolutions of thanks to the people CT StaEn-
I ton for their generous hospitality and to the
various railroads and the press were adopted.
A most interesting and feeling farewell meet
ting was then held and earnest speeches were
made by 7. J. Magruder, of Baltimore Mrs. ].
N. Spangler of Washington; Miss Sallie Fuller,
of staunton; Rev. G. G. Brooke. Rev. Jacob
| Hopkins. Judge King. of Baltimore, and Rev.
VIM. A. Harris, of Staunton. After benediction
by Rev. Mr.. Brooke the convention adjourned.
The lowest price Coffee has reached since the
war is 16 cts. For sale at the Yea Store