The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-04-02
Addison County Sunday-SchOol Conven
lion.


the Congregational church in Wey-
bridge, VI, March 81, 1880. Opening
service of prayer at ~ O'Clock, COLI
Quoted by M. II. Williamson, the pres
ident, +. A. Bond, conducting the con-
vention. AT an early hour the. people
came from the adjoining towns in num-
bers qnite to our surprise, considering
the extreme rough travel, These
gatherings, which have been power
for good among us in the past, were
never more beneficial and never en-
gagged in with more zeal and spirit.
The following are some of the sayings
caught by your reporter from the many
speakers. The discussions were open
ed by the Rev. w. N. Bacon OF Shore
ham, on the subject, "What should be
the qualifications of q s. S. Teacher"
l. The first prime qualification of a
teacher is TO know and love the mind
of God.
|, as revealed in his word.
2, as expressed in Jesus Christ.
3, as manifested by tho Holy Spirit.
ii, To know and love tho mind of
those we teach.
1, as suggested by what ii cost to save
them.
9, as possessed of the germs of i'm
mortality.
3, as having the possibility of angels.
The good teacher should labor not
for the present but for future good.
Tho best prospective teachers of the
future arc the best scholars of to-day.
The achievements of the ages TO come
arc the possibilities of to-day. Dea. l..
G. Barrows of Middlebury gave as the
necessary elements of good teacher
the following: Conservation, which fur.
nishes u connecting link between him
and God, and between him and the
scholar; tact, which is necessary to in.
tcrest; Hopefulness, patience, perso-
veranco and prayer.
One other clement was added by w.
c. Langworthy, earnestncss. Chris
tians are not professors only but ear
nest and watchful. A misplaced switch
may expose train with its freight of
lives to the terrible abyss. So also a
bad teacher may give directions to the
thoughts of his scholars that may result
in moral disaster. Other volunteer
discussions followed which gave equal
interest to the occasion, after which was
presented by Rev. S. Knowlton, of New
Haven, the topic "What ought to be
done with the teacher who has more
of the letter than the spiritY He
would avoid such teachers. If Won
have such encourage i'm them careful
study. 1t is wonderful what amount
of spiritual benefit may be derived from
such study. The latter should be con-
sidered as scaflolding to the higher
work. Our demand for normal schools
are as great ms arc the churches of
Talmadge or Surgeons. l would sug-
gest bible readings and expositions by
the pastor, also centralizing the
thoughts of lessons by superintendents
with a view to develop the higher ex.
perience. Our demand for normal
study may be supplied by bible classes.
The afternoon session was opened at
AS with a short prayer service, after
which the discussion was continued.
"Wbat method will advance bible
study in the coun.y?" opened by
Samuel Brooks of Middlebury, was a
subject of great interest and much
thought; the first speaker presenting
his plan of bible study and its effect on
him. We noticed the effect of these re-
marks by the occasional responses and
moist eyes, which betokened q deep
sym pathy in his presentation. No
special method as a method seemed to
be pointed out.
The next subject was that of the COLI
troll at Sunday-Schools "By whom
should the S. S. be controlled?" First
speaker, Rev. WV. Winchester, follow
ed by Rev. &. Is. Hubert, held that the
school should control its elections,
which view seemed to prevail with a
little variation. Others would guard
against allowing an element of infideli-
ty which might come from outside in
tluencc to control the school. 1t should
be made christian in all its purposes.
These last conclusions arose in answe r
to question raised by Dea. A. j. Dene-
dict, " What shall we do when our
school is made up by union organiza-
tion?"
Evening session commenced at G: 80
with half hour prayer service, after
which Miss A. Bell Carr recited y" The
Prayer of Faith very acceptably.
caro- S. S. concerts beneficial ?
lar lessons?" was opened by Rev. w.
W. Winchester in his impressive man
ner, who said, am assured that they
are good thing, would not speak
of our schools, but the
standard is too low. BY these the
people are enabled to SEQ what ia being
done, by them the children are encour-
aged to higher attainmcnts. They do
what sermons fail TO do, but they should
BIO prayerlul and instructive, should
not foster vanity. f. A. Bond thought
them among tho best exercises of the
They are to the church as a
recruiting Office to the army. 1t was
decided by all that they should not dis
place the regular lessons except when
it could not be avoided.
The last subject of the convention
was "Contlnuous accessions to the
church from the 5. S., result to be
aimed Mt and earnestly Ia
bored for by officers and teachers.u
Rev. e. Il. Hooker, of Middlebury was
The first speaker. There are two Ger.
tain persons that should be objects of
and effort in connection with
this subject-the children and adults
outside of the school. Children can be
Some prominent illustra-
tons of the conversion OF children were
The aim of the Sunday School should
be to aid christian parents and TO sup
plement their work in leading the chill
drcn TO Christ and into the church.
Abraham's command to his household,
the promise of the decalogue, the conse.
Grafton of Samuel, and the faith of Timo-
thy, were mentioned as examples of