Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-10-10
EF PRESS, FRIDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 10. 1879.

FIRST DAY.

State sabhath-school Convention.
/ FIRST DAY.
The eleventh annual convention of the
State Sabbath-school Association of Y ermont.
opened at the Winooski Avenue Congrera-
tional Church, Tuesday, Oct eth, at Ii a. IN.
The attendance was large for the opening
session and comprised many pastors and
earnest Sunday school workers from various
parts of the State.
The Convention opened with II devotional
meeting led by Rev j. W. Bennett.
Rev. l.. A. Dibhle of Bristol was ap-
pointed Assistant Recording Secretary.
AT 11:30, the President of the Association,
Mr.. John l.. Barber of Brandon, briefly ad-
dressed the Convention. The Association,
he said need make no excuse for its exist
encc, or for this meeting. Its past history
and its high mission are its sufficient sane
ton. He recalled some of the previous Con
ventions, from the opening one at Burlington,
eleven years ago, to that of last year at st.
Johnsbury. Some of these annual meetings
had enjoyed the presence of such men as
Moody, Bliss, Douglas, and others. This year,
the condition of the Treasury did not per
nit the employment of any conductor from
the outside but the Association has within
it material for successful meeting The
first hundred years of Sabbath school work
is now nearing its close The enterprise is
moving forward He trusted each heart pres
ent had an inspiration for the work.
Rev. T. A. Griffin, in behalf of the churches
and Sunday schools of Burlington, extended
Il cordial welcome to the delegates, which
was briefly seconded by Mr.. f. p Shaw of
this city.
Brief remarks were made by Rev Z. b.
Chamberln, Col. Franklin Fairbanks of ST.
Johnsbury, and Rev. Mr.. Hazard of Ferris
burgh
II. o. Wheeler, Esq, from the Executive
Committee, announced the appointment of
the following committees, leaving several
vacancies to be filled by subsequent appoint
mcnts:
Committee on Nominations f Fairbanks,
Rev. c. II. Dunton, S Bigwood, d. p
Celley
On Place Of Neat lHceting-Rev e. 5
Pratt, c. p. Harris, Rev. A. L. Cooper.
On Resolutions-R j. w Bennett, d.
NJ Camp, Prof v G. Barbour Rev. G.. L.
Story.
The secretary announced the receipt of
communications in reference to the share
which this Association should take in bear
ing the expenses of the Secretary of the Ma
tional Association, and in reference to a
centenary worlds convention of Sabbath
schools, to be held in London in $780, and on
motion they were referred to a committee of
five to be appointed by the Executive Com
mittee.
The convention then adjourned for dinner.
AFTERNOON.
The session opened with PRAYER, by Rev.
II. w. Jones of st. Johnsbury.
The discussion of the allotted topic, The
Object and Aim OF Sabbath school Work, was
then opened by Rev. George S. Pratt pastor
of the Baptist church of St. Adams. He
said
Every work must have its object Many
persons have drifted into the Sabbath-school
work without any very distinct aim. Such
cannot accomplish much. The Sunday
school is not an end in itself. 1t is simply
an instrument. Its officers and teachers and
| appliances are all means TO one great end.
Before each teacher begins the lesson he
should ask himself what he wants to accom-
plsh. The school should be attractive Its
influences should not be repellant to any
but that is not its object Its object is to
teach the Word of God There is skepticsm
abroad which is to be met This work
brings the teacher into close contact with his
class. He can know the object of his teach
ing on each scholar. He can and should
practically apply all the truth he presents to
the one aim of securing the salvation of all
his scholars.
The discussion was continued by Rev. G.
IL. Dunton, of Poultney, in q written essay.
His main points were as follows:
The first object of Sabbath-school work is
to give instruction, Destroyed for lack of
knowledge is the epitaph of many man
and many nation Christianity has no
such foe as ignorance. What the world, the
church, the man wants is knowledge The
| Sunday-school must be- not n nominal, but u
real school. 1t must have thorough dicipline.
Its single textbook is the Bible.
Driven from the public school,
and inadequately taught in any sec
ular school, the Bible must be taught
in the Sabbath school. 1t is Il book of ex-
plcit information-a message from God. Its
statements are ultimate truths. There can
be no abatement from its standards. If we
can find what the Bible teaches, the question
is settled. The teacher who ventures to
suggest that one iota can be abated, of the
demands of God, opens the switch which
NAV lead the train of which he IS conductor
to destruction.
The subject being thrown open for general
discussion a delegate, who said that he had
been over so years connected with Sabbath
schools, said the great object of the Sunday
school is to lead souls to Christ The effect
should be to bring every member of it into
the kingdom of heaven.
Mr.. G. W. Kennedy, of Waterbury said
the object should be, first TO stimulate Bible
study; and, second, to show the scholars how
to study. A half hour 5 study of the Bible a
week is not going TO answer the purpose.
More Bible study is greatly needed more
needed, perhaps, in our country than in
some other parts of Christendom There
must be daily study of the Scriptures They
are the bread of life, and it must be our daily
| bread
| Mr.. Chas Harris of Rutland said that a
convict in the State Prison once said to him,
"Oh that my parents had kept me in the
Sabbath-school. The Sabbath school is keep
ing boys and men from ruin. Its grand oh
ject is 10 develop Christian character
The discussion of this topic here closed,
and the President introduced Col Franklin
Fairbanks of St Johnsbury who read care
fully prepared essay on the
QUALIFICATIONS OF sUNDAY-sCHoOL TEACHERS.
As results of his observations rs supcrin-
tendent of II Sunday school for 10 years, he
presented seven requisites to success, which
he said he would call the seven Ps These
were:
First, Preparation Of the LeisoH-Be
thoroughly prepared and permeated with the
subject. Every scholar knows at once
whether or not the teacher has studied the
lesson. Ask Gods help and Use all other
helps at your command The teacher must
Second, Pr0mptness-Th want of pune
tuality is Il serious hindrance. Some people
are Systematically late. Teachers should be
on hand punctually.
- Third. PersegerdIlGs-'rhi. ~ .i.a s--.--i ..f
every success, in every task. The teacher
can he successful one, only by constant
effort. When we have done one good thing
let us not stop but proceed TO do another
Go on is grand motto in this work.
Fourth, Pdtiehce Patience is power. 1t
is the ballast of the soul A little Scotch
girl defined it 10 be 'wat wee and dinna
weare,' Let us wait and not weary in well
doing.
Fifth, Paastdkiag- make perfec-
ton; but perfection is no trifle. Seek out |
the members of your class know them when |
you meet them, Take pains to gain their re |
spect and affection
Sixth, Prayer for preparation, for
patience, for your scholars.
Seventh -Porer from A5oce. - Sunday
school teachers need baptism from on high |
e.. al.