Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-19
Sabbath-school Convention.

January llth and 18th. On account OF the snow
storm, 1t was feared there would be small at
tendance, but by two o'clock, the hour set to COM
mence, about two hundred people had gathered
at the church
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
Rev E. T. Sanford Of st. Johnsbury was chosen
chairman, and the meeting opened by the choir
singing, Come thou fount OF every blessing
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.. Robinson Of
Peacham An address Of welcome by Rev. A.
W. Wild Of Peacham was then listened TO, In
which he spoke Of the T" seeds sown now will by
and-by ripcn in harvest" 1.-THE dangers that are
before the church as the work Is put forward. !"
short season Of Bible reading, conducted by
Rev. Henry Fairbanks Of St. Johnsbury, was the
next in order, the topic being "what Is the
Word of God, and what are our Relations to it?"
Part Of Psalm cxix was read with alternate verses
and responses. Then few remarks were made
upon How Jesus is revealed by the Word Of
God" The choir then sang More love to thee,
o Christ" after which reports from different
Sunday-schools were made, as follows: Colonel
FRANKLIN Fairbanks from North church, st. Johns
bury; Rev. Henry Fairbanks from the South
church, st. Johnsbury; Mr.. J. E. Woodbury. from
the Congregational church, Peacham Mr.. w. II,
Ash from the Methodist Episcopal church,
Peacham; Rev. Mr.. Thompson from the Congre-
gational church Of Danville; Mr.. Morrison from
the Methodist Episcopal church Of St. Johnsbury,
and Rev. Mr.. Sanford from the Baptist church Of
st. Johnsbury. All reported their schools on the
gain. discourse on the subject "what shall
we do?' by Rev. Z. S. Locke OF st. Johnsbury,
was then expected, but the gentleman not being
prpapnt tho hOur waa taL an k,, tIou G,.a.
esting subjects A prayer was then offered by
franklin Fairbanks, after which the meeting was
closed for the afternoon.
TUESDAY EVENING.
In spite Of the rather bad travelling at half-past
six there were about two hundred gathered at the
church. The first hour was devoted to prayer
and song, conducted by Mr. Thompson Of Dan
vile, after which the subject, "what shall we do
therefore" was dwelt upon. The question drawer
was then passed around, and questions were pro-
pounded and answered. some in very able and
witty manner. The meeting was then closed by
the benediction.
WEDNESDAY FORENOON.
The day was very beautiful although it was
quite cold, and at halfpast nine the church was
well filled. Mr.. SANFORD, the chairman, called
sHN poopiO W thcit scdts, duu t0b morning SER
vice was opened by prayer by Rev. John Bole
OF West Barnet, followed by singing, and then
the subject, 1.-THE attractions and distractions of
the Sunday-school," was dwelt upon by Deacon
Blodgett Of st. Johnsbury, and others from home
and abroad. Mr.. Blodgett said he thought II the
workers in the churches try harder, and make
more exertions the Sunday schools would greatly
increase. Colonel Franklin Fairbanks then took
up the subject and made few brief remarks,
followed by Mr.. Morrison OF St. Johnsbury, Rev
Mr.. Robinson Of Peacham and others, who dwelt
upon this topic, also OF the excuse some have for
not attending the Sundayschool, and upon the
duties OF pastors, superintendent, teachers and
parents to make the school attractive so the
children will desire to go. Mr.. Fairbanks also
spoke OF the responsibility resting upon the work.
ers OF the church, and many other very interest
ing points, which were instructive as we'll. The
choir than sang Fresh from the throne of
glory" after which the subject Foreign Mis-
sons," was opened by Mr.. Laird of St. Johns
bury, who brought out many interesting points
Kew. MIR. Wild also spoke on this subject and
upon the need of cutivating desire in the child
rem while young to attend Sunday-schoo; that
they will soon become workers in the church
their minds are easily moulded while young, and
they soon become strong and useful To illus
trate this thought he spoke of singular rock that
when first taken from the ground, in its quartz
state, is soft and easily moulded into any shane
to make 1t useful and as 1t is exposed to the air
it becomes hard and strong, and il 1t has been
rightly moulded. 1t of course becomes very use
full. After singing 60 Jesus shall reign Rev. Mr.
Sanford took up the foreign subject, and as he
had spent six ycars In fUreign land, he had a
good idea Of the progress of the missionary work
He earnestly urged that more efforts be put forth
to encourage and sustain the missionary work
After few more brief remarks the choir again
sang I" From Greenland's ley Mountain after
which Mr. Fairbanks and Mr.. Sanford dwelt for
a few moments on " Liberal contributions" to
be expended for the foreign mission which was
followed by singing, "A long time wandered in
darkness and sim" The meeting for the fore
noon was then closed by the benediction by Rev.
A. W. Wild. 1t was then announced that all
should pass below to the vestry and hall to par
take OF refreshments in the shape OF free din
ner, prepared by the ladies of both churches
Dinner was served to about four hundred and
there was plenty left.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
at two o'clock, the hour appointed for the after
noon service to begin, the church was filled On
account Of Mr.. Sanford being unable to attend
the afternoon service, Mr.. Morrison was appointed
the meeting was opened by singing,
" Come We that love the Lord" which was fol-
lowed by fervent prayer by Rev. Henry Fair
banks, after which service OF song by the choir
was sung. The following pieces were selected:
' He will hide me, Let us gather up the sun
beams" "Close to thee" &" Memories OF EARTH"
" Come, come to me-" By request, Sweet by
and by" was then sung by the whole congrega-
ton. Mr.. Monteith Of Mcndoes then made
prayer, after which 1t was suggested that the
children should sing number ffty-seven OF Pri-
mary Songs, which they did splendidly. They also
sang " Little rain drops" Mr.. Franklin Fair
banks then addressed the children in e very able
and pleasing manner. He told them of the fable
Of the farmer planting the corn; how for long
time there was no rain the corn began to wither
and dry up for the want Of rain, and how the
little raindrops up the clouds the poor farmer
and ptied him, so they talked with each other
and finally agreed to go down and do what they
could to water the corn and make it grow So
one day as the farmer was walking to and fro In
the cornfeld he saw dark cloud overhead, and
as he was looking up to see II there was any sign
Of rain, down came little raindrop right into his
face, pretty soon another, and another came
down. soon others began to fall and in a little
while there was a large shower and the corn be-
gan to grow again, and when the harvest came
the farmer had good harvest and it was all
brought about by the little raindrops doing what
they could. So 1t is with you, little children, do
what you can, and although you are small and
cannot do much alone, by uniting together as the
raindrops did you can do lots OF good, only do
what is right Something to do" was then
sang by the children, when Mr.. Fairbanks ad-
dressed them on obedience to parents" in
which he drew many illustrat ons; he has very
pleasing way in keeping the children's attention
It Pilgrim land " was sung by the children. Mr..
then told them of a ship at sea, OF its
drawing near to very dangerous whirlpool but
still ii kept right on to death and destruction
As much as to say, don't care. 1t was afterward
found that there was wine on the ship and the
crew were under its influence and 'didnt care"
Those words have carried many to death and de-
struction. At three p. NJ. Deacon Blodgett of St.
addressed them upon the subject OF
doing right. Mr.. Morrison also added in regard
10 obedience" The children then sang, ''This
is the Sweetest Story" Rev. Henry Fairbanks
impressed upon their minds that Christ loves
those very dearly who try to be good, and wanted
them to take the thought home with them, and