The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-18
THE CHURCHES.
Convention of the New Jerusalem Sab
bath School Association.

The New Jerusalem Sabbath School Associa
ton under the auspices of the general conven
ton OF the New Church convened in the New
Jerusalem church, High reet,yesterday morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
Rev. Mr.. Ager of Brooklyn New York, pre-
sided.
Inc following clergymen were present:
Revs. George F. Stearns of East Rockport
Secretary; Edwin Gould Of Montreal, Canada
". q: Hinckley, Indianapolis; s. 3. Seward
New York; G. q. Main, Orange, N. j.; A. f
FRO Frost, cleveland O.; W. Goddard, Jr;, Brook
Giles. Philadelphia; Abel Silver, Boston High
lands; 81. E. Goddard, Brockton Mass; Rich
ard Ward, Lancaster, Mass. Joseph Pettee
Abingdon, Mass; 8. f. Dixie, Bath; w. b
Hayden, Salem, Mass; John Worcester, New
Charles Harden, PROVIDENCE j. E. Warren
Abingdon; F. A. Dewson, Boston; Albert
Setback, New York; Joseph S. David, Boston
J. r. Smyth, Portland; A. P. Walton, New
York; John Westall, Fall River.
The Rev. A. F. Frost and Rev. Henry f.
Goddard were appointed committee to make
up the roll.
The report of the chairman of the commit
tee on Sunday School libraries was read and
accepted.
Rev. Mr.. Westall moved that the subject of
the Sunday School libraries be discussed.
Remarks we're made upon the topic by Revs.
Mr.. Boston, Mr. Hayden, Mrs. Ager, Mr.. Dew
son, Mr.. Westall, Mr.. Reed, Mr.. Hinkley,
Mr.. Setback, Mr.. Knight and Mr.. Ager.
The following resolutions were passed on the
motion of Rev. MI. Dewson:
ResolUed, That it is the sense of this meeting
that the important work of providing suitable
reading matter for New Church children de-
mands full cooperation and careful attention
upon the part of all bodies connected with the
association.
Resolved, That the best method of obtaining
such cooperation be referred to the standing
committee with full power to publish list.
1t was adopted.
The report of Sunday schools in America of
the New Church Association was as follows:
No. of schools A. of officers and teachers
440, scholars in adult classes COZ, other schol-
ars 210S.
Total number of officers, teachers and schol-
ars 3411.
Average attendance exclusive of adult
class 1863.
Increase of scholars during the year 49,
Increase of attendance Sc.
At IL noon the Rev. Mr. Frost of Cleveland
Ohio, delivered the Sabbath school address
The theme discussed was, "What shall we do
for our children" based upon Luke XII, 49,
"And the child grew and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of
God was upon him."
The source of our Lords development was
more rapid and perfect than any mere man.
He grew in wisdom as he fulfilled the divine
truth of the scriptures. Hence we ought to
teach our children the principles from the
word Of God and encourage them by our ear
nestness and example to live spiritual life.
The principle that there is God should be
clearly taught. The great error of the day is
made by teaching children elaborate ideas of
truth instead of the essentials which ought to
be kept before their minds.
From the report of the treasurer, Rev. Mr..
Stevens, it appears that the expenditures dur
ing the year were 1875. Amount in the hands
of the treasurer, $112.40.
Rev. Messrs. Smyth, Frost and Mayhem
were appointed committee on nominations.
At 1890 p. m. the Rev. A. F. Frost of Cleve-
land delivered very interesting and earnest
address on "The Religious Training of Child
rem"
A collation. was served at 1 p. M, after which
the session was resumed.
The following are the officers for the coming
year:
President--Rev. J. C. Ager of Brooklyn.
Vice.Presdent- VIM McGeorge of Philadelphia
Secretary and rreasurer-Rev George F. Stearns
of East RockpOrt, Ohio.
Standing Committee President, Vice-Presi-
dent, Secretary, and Rev. j. X. Smyth of Maine
Rev. Jno. Westall and Rev. W. Goddard, Jr of
Mass. Rev. s. S. Seward and F. j. Worcester of
New York, Messrs. w. N. Hobart and Geo. Merrill
of Ohio Rev. L. H. lapel of Penn, and Rev. L. P.
Mercer of Ill.
In the evening conference was held and
the subject "The importance of the doctrine of
Remains in our Sabbath School instruction
was discussed.
Rev. w. Goddard, Jr., read paper on the
subject.
The term remains is peculiar to the New
Church and may be defined as the early states
of goodness, innocence and truth, which are
stored up in the child mind and treasured
there by the Divine Providence, making re-
formation and regeneration possible in future
years.
To draw forth these remains truth must be
taught in adaptation to the states and needs of
the child, and above all, must be filled with
the Christian love of children. Love of child
rem is not genuine unless it comes from the
Lord. Love of children, coniugal love, and
love of the Lord were shown to be one. If the
love of children is destroyed, conjugal love is
in ruins and the image of the Lord fades into
obscurity.
Our remains are vivified when we come into
the life of the truths we teach.
We are thus wisely innocent and fully I'M
derstand the child's innocence of ignorance
and can successfully minister to its needs. Be-
ing sensitive to the tender spots in the child's
heart, knowing his parents, surroundings and
peculiar enioyments, help us to know the
quality of the remains The fact that they
are the beginning and essence of regeneration
shows their Importance in Sunday School in
Struction.
After the reading of Mr.. Goddard's paper,
the subject was thrown open for general dis
cussion and addresses were made by Rev.
Messrs. Mann, Seward, Hinkley, Giles and
Worcester.
Today the General Convention commences
its session.
The Rev. Chauncey Giles, its president, will
deliver his annual address at - m.
La the evening the New Church Society in
Portland tenders the General Convention a re-
ception at Gilbert's Hall.