Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-06-04
Juniata County Sabbath<Schoo
Association.

Tbs Thirteenth Annual Convention of
this Association met in the Lutheran church
at Thompsontown, on Wednesday snd
Thursday Of last week. 1t was one Of the
isrgest, most interesting and enthusiastic
Conventions ever held in the county. About
one hundred Pastors, Superintendents and
Delegates were In attendance, who were
most Hospitality entertained by the warm
hearted people of Thompsontown, under
efficient management of L. A. Tennis, chair
man of the Committee on Entertainment
| The sessions were opened with devotion
al services. The subjects were taken up in
their order on the programme, and discuss
ed. There was no lsgging-no lack of
speakers, SO that when the time allotted for
any subject was up, there were still many
ready and anxious to speak.
Following are some of the proceedings
more in detail, but all more or less imper-
feet, but they will serve to give some idea
of the character of the Convention:
The Convention assembled promptly at
the hour appointed, Rev. X. F. Wilson,
President, in the chair. A. J. Patterson,
S. l.. McAlister, and James Mclaughlin
were appointed nominating committee.
Before taking their departure the Secretary,
DIR. Thomas A. Elder, who had served for
eleven years, protfered his resignation,
which was accepted only as personal favor,
and then by the casting vote of the Presi-
dent. The Constitution WAS amended so
that the Executive Committee should con-
sist of one member from each borough and
township. The nominating committee re-
ported the following officers, who were
elected:
President, Rev. f. Z. Berry; Vice Presi-
dent, Rev. G. A. Singer; Permanent Sec
retary, Jacob Beidler; Treasurer. Elihu Ben
ner; Executive Committee, Fl. II. North,
/ Patterson, chairman d. +. Robson, Tur-
bett; Mrs. David Wilson, Port Royal; Dan
iel Conn, Spruce Hill; Rev. A. Copenhaver,
| Fayette; ]. Nevin Pomeroy, Besle; Miss
Jennie Robson, Milford; John T. Dimm,
Greenwood; Mrs. Salfe Patterson. Tusca-
rora; Thomas Kelly, Lack; Miss Mollie
Funk, Walker; b. F. Oliver, Delaware;
S. K. Ulsh, Susquehanna; W. B. Horn
ing, Fermanagh; DR.. T. A. Elder, Mfiiin-
town; George Muterling, Monroe; E. A.
Tennis, Thompsontown.
The Topic " How to prepare a lessOn,"
was introduced by DR.. o. II. McAlister,
who would devote great attention TO the de-
velopment of the spiritual truths. DIR.
Stone would study the lesson under two
heads: l. Preparation of the heart; ..
Preparation of tn. mind. James McLaugh
lin thought the great trouble was TO get
competent teachers. J. Nevin Pomeroy
would devote great attention to: I. The
study of the .'Daily Readings" =. thor
ough understanding of the ssGolden Text"
and s.Ceutral Truth"
The Topic, "iIow to teach a lesson" was
opened by II. II. \ orth, who thought thor
Ough preparation should &c made, and then
each teacher teach according TO his own
plan-not be imlts'Ors of others. James
Mclaughlin thought this a difficult work
very often poorly done. a. j. Patterson
didn't believe in lecturi1g TO class, nor IN
asking questions in order around the class.
He believed in a combination of the Piaton
ic and Socratic methods: |. Give; ,. Get
from the class what has been given. DR..
Stone thought that: l. The teacher should
be earnest; .. Must have the attention and
consideration of pupils; 8. Sometimes well
TO lecture, sometimes, to question; 4. Must
adapt teaching TO capacity of pupils. Rev.
A. Van Fosscn gave the experience OF an
uLconverted young lady who was appointed
to teach a class, who not only was convert
ed herself, but her class and family as w-il.
Must teach in such manner 10 interest,
instruct, and lead to the Savior. DR.. ii. J.
Hunt pursued the lecture plan in part, with
good esults. J. C. Cullen thought it very
important, l. To have the scholars commit
the lesson TO memory; .. TO search the
Scriptures, SO rs to De full of the lesson,
for one cannot teach what he does not know
To teaeh-l. Attention, =. Then teach, 3.
Apply to each one; 4. Pray for the class
every day, and tell them so; 8. Cannot do
, anything without; the Holy Spirit.
The evening was taken Up with preach
7 ing service. A very good sermon, by Rev.
T. J. Sherrard, on the importance and re-
5 sponsipility upon parents, Sabbath-schooi'
and church, in the proper training of chill
/ dren, especially spiritually aud morally.
r The text was, Judges Is :l2, How shall
5 We order the child, and how shall we dc
. unto him" Rev. Mr.. Sherrard was assist
, ed in these services By Revs. r. F. Wilson,
4 G. A. Singer, and E. E. Berry.
s The first Topic on Thursday morning was
T 4" I he organization and management OF tht
r Sabbath school, The discussion was
+ opened by S. D. Batesholtz, who confined
$ his remarks to the Superintendent, and
made the follow ing fourteen points: l. A
Superintendent should be thoroughly il
earnest; Must pray for the success o.
II his school; 3. Must not allow himself Il
be unduly influenced by unwise or Gntimely
suggestions; but, 4. On the other hanu
} should not be arbitrary and unreasonable
5. Be prompt; 6. Enforce good order;
; Select only converted persons to teach 8
e Endeavor to ascertain whether teachers ar
III teaching the truths contained in God
II Word, or whether they are imparting thel
= own views merely, and urge all to teaci
l. such truths as may lead the pupil to Christ
u 9. Urge weekly teachers meetings for tn
&c study of the lesson; ~. Endeavor TO pre-
II vent trashy books from getting into tn
re- library; IL. Must himself lead consisten
a. christian life; Must interest himself 10 in
is crease and improve his school; lS. Shou'
look after absentees; IA. Should be partic
ular to notice and speak kindly 10 teacher
y, and pupils whenever he may meet them.-
~ F.. A. Tennis followed, and spoke OF th
- ordinary duties of the Assistant Superir
40 Tra,surar and ihrs