Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-28
vERMlLLloN.
The Clost"g Ceremonies OF the sunday
school Convention.

vERMllll0h
The Closing Ceremonies OF the sunday
school Convention.
Il VERMlLLloN, d. T., June 81, 1878.
Editors Press and Ddkotaian:
Il With the close of our notes yesterday tie
Sunday school convention was In full work
and well attended. BY that train We lost
the excellent tact. judgment and experience
Of our presiding officer Rev. Joseph Ward
who, was under legal necessity of returning
to Yankton to attend the session 0f tht
school board. His prompt methods had
greatly aided the good start made. He wa.
succeeded at once bv Vice President Rev
j. p. Coffman under whose direction w
moved right on. The same train also brough
Mr.. Henry Plant of Minneapolis, MINI.
whose absence had been so much regretted
at the opening. The evening meeting fount
the church filed with children and adults
and singing, bright talks and most interest
ing lessons were interspersed for two hours
1t was closed by an expository scripture
reading by Henry Flant, and. as any one
knows. good work of that kind has surpass
ing interest to Bible readers.
This mornings session opened promptly
with music and prayer meeting for thirty
minutes in which many participated. THIS
was followed BY some business reports and
then by the international lesson for July IA
given to the convention as class by Mrs
II. A. Jones, tho wife of the NJ. E
pastor at this place. Officers were then
elected as follows: President, Rev. Joseph
Ward of Yankton, vice-presidents, Rev. W.
Gleason, Rev. E. II. Hrrlbutt and Rev. Cal,
vim Selden; corresponding secretary w. s.
Bell; recording secretary w. P. Pike, M,
D; Treasurer, Andrew Pickett; executive
committee, F. f. Dobson, E. A. Sherman
and C. W. Mcdonald. all of Sioux Falls.
Upon the next place Of meeting the con-
vention hcsitated. The churches, homes
and hearts Of Yankton were opened to them
and most of the members wished to adopt
that place for convenience and accommoda-
ton But the convention felt it to be q du-
ty to go about the territory and not make
the work SO metropolitan in character as
one member kindly termed it 10 allusion to
Yankton Besides. the Sioux valley is do.
ing fine work and the immense immiGra-
tion justfies full organization there. Lin
coin Is the banner county Of Dakota in
numbers of Sunday schools; at least it ap
pears so from the reports, and doubtless is.
So Sioux Falls was named for the next an
nual meeting. There was no contest upon
the subject at all but only a weighing ofdu-
ty and the following of broad missionary
spirit. The date was rot fixed, but will
doubtless be in June. 1879.
1t would hardly be possible with the lit
tie time at hand to review the work and
lessons of the session. The subjects were
practical as rule and were generally ably
handled. Without improper comparison it
may be confidently stated that there is
abundant home talent in Dakota to carry on
this work. After the lessons Of this luset-
ing each county represented can hold as in.
teresting and valuable q convention. This
was fully shown at Vermillion. While the
professional workers give much help and
add interest by new thoughts and late ex.
periences, they at the same time do not 80
we'll know the local wants. So 1t must Of
ten occur that part of their work as to ma.
chinery and methods is not practical. Also
It occurs that they do not all agree as to
certain advanced theories, and but rarely
can man or woman be found who can ad
use these plans The home
workers know the field, the disadvantages
md the successful plans for work on the
border. When these get At work in earnest
great good results. All that is needed is
that the standard be lifted up and thorough
lse be made of the best means at hand. In
his practical sense lies the success of this
1t was in many features the
oest religious assembly ever held in Dsko.
a. 1t was full Of labor, faith and praise.
1t was inspiring in tone and deeply religi-
ous In all its aspects. 1t was in the spirit
Of unity and bond of peace. The good of
such blessings is never lost.
Vermillion honored itself by its social
hospitality. Their reception of all was
most cordial, and their treatment of US all
was throughout the very best. 1t was mem.
'rably enjoyable. The Yankton represen.
atives were vital in usefulness; Rev. Jos.
'ph Ward in promptness, alertnos and
Mrs. Major Elderkin in music
Ind cheerful help, and Rev. Seccombe Of
Green Island Neb, was full of spiritual
work. 1t was great meeting and we are
about it. B.
the RIVER
The river continues to fall slowly at this
'oint. The coming rise will probably reach
II o.