The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-18
The Sunday School Convention.

Convention for Garrett county was
held at Oakland last week, common
cling on Friday afternoon at q O'Clock
and adjourning on Sunday night.
The sessions of Friday and Saturday
were held in the M. E. Church, and
the Sunday services in the Memorial
Church. Although the weather du-
ring the entire week was unfavora-
BILE, being rainy, dark and gloomy,
and prevented the attendance OF
many who had a great desire to be
present and fully intended to be, the
Convention was great success, more
so than any heretofore held in the
county, and fully met the anticipa-
tions of those interested. Words of
pleasure and satisfaction were uttered
and heard on all sides and by every
one; and not only was it evident
from this and from the general reli-
gious feeling prevailing and the
Christian fellowship exhibited, but
also by the number of schools repre-
sented and reported, the number of
delegates present and the number of
| persons from every portion of the
county in attendance during its ses-
sions, any or all of which exceeded
those of any former and similar occa-
sion in this county. The interest
manifested was also very great, as
the facts just referred to show, and
when compared with the other years
show very conclusively that the
holding of Sunday School Conven-
tions has been great benefit to the
county, spiritually, has aroused the
interest of all its people, created a
new era in the religious work, given
an impetus and has been very bene-
fetal TO the Sunday School cause, to
morality and Christianity. In 1878,
at the convention held at Oakland,
there were but 81 schools and 1878
officers, teachers aud scholars report
ed; in 1879, at Accident, 80 schools,
and 2423 officers, teachers and schol-
ars reported In 1880, at Grantsville,
81 schools and 25l7 officers, teachers
and scholars were reported, and at
the Convention just held AZ schools
and 2707 officers, teachers and schol-
ars were reported, and Sc veral schools
heard from since not herein reported.
The attendance of delegates was also
greater: At Accident, in 1879, the
number was 90, at Grantsvile, il
1880, about so, and at Oakland in
1881, 70 were present. while 100 were
elected, neatly all of whom would
have attended had the weather and
roads been favorable. Not only is
the beneficial effects thus seen, but
also in the meetings and services of
the Convention, the spirit with which
the services were engaged in, the at
tention paid to and the interest dis
played in the same, the harmony
and Christian feeling manifested, and
in the interchange of religious ideas
and expressions of religious expert
ence, are seen the results of the
efforts thus put forth for the advance
ment of the cause of Christ.
After the exercises were concluded
the people here gathered together
separated; departed tor their respec-
tive homes gratified and benefited
beyond expectation, their souls re-
kindled with fire from on high, their
energies invigorated, their zeal re-
newed, their hearts encouraged and
filed with Christian loye, and each
one expressing the best wishes for
the future welfare, spiritual and tenn
peral, of all here assembled, and
with the prayer that all may in the
future be gathered home" and there
engage in Singing and Praising
Forever"
Rev. VIM. A. Baker, Secretary of
the Maryland Sunday School Union,
was present and untlring in his eff
forts to make the Convention sue
cess, and to extend the Sunday School
work in the county, and by his eff
cient aid as usual elected the praise
and obtained the prayers and good
wishes of the people, and deseryedly
received the hearty thanks of the
Convention.
Rev. j. M. Davis, Vice President
of the Maryland Sunday School
Union for Garrett county, was also
ACTIVELY engaged. did noble work,
and was, as he always is, unceasing
in his endeavOrs to promote the Sum
day School cause.
The caring and providing homes
for the delegates devolved upon Mr..
John Shatzer, who did it in such a
manner and so satisfactorily as to
entitle him to the thanks of all,
Prof. r. G.. Richardson presided at
the organ and lead the singing, and,
AS usual when he is thus occupied.
the music was grand, and called