St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-01-21
The Sabbath School Convention at
Peacham.

Tour hundred w ednesuay afternoon. IL
was pleasant sight to behold one hun
bred and twenty-five children advance
in order to attend the ''Children's Meet
ing" at the last session. Over two hun
dred persons dined Wednesday noon in
the Cong. vestry. Very few from out
of town were present. 1t seems as if
the county should have been been bet
ter represented at a union S. S. csnven-
ton. The address of welcome, as
matter of course, devolved upon Rev.
A. w. Wild, pastor of the Cong. church,
where the convention was held. We
give it at length:
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Rev. Mr.. Wild spoke as follows
Brethren, co-workeIs in Sabbath
school work. 1t is pleasant duty which
falls upon me to speak words of well
come to other workers in this common
cause. There can be nothing more
pleasant than to welcome others. In
time of war, when the soldiers are hard
pressed and discouraged, as recruits are
sent forward we can partially conceive
the welcome given them, fresh from
home, who have come to help bear the
burdens and share the glory. so We,
here in Peacham, although having our
local sympathies, are glad to welcome
others who labor in the same direction.
No words of mine are needed to set
forth the Importance of Sabbath school
work. 1t is the Sabbath school that
leads the minds of the young. 1t aims
to impart moral and religious instruc
ton, and is second in Importance to the
family only. How much depends upon
a sensitive conscience How much de-
pends upon Il clear discrimination be-
tween right and wrong How much de-
ponds upon Sabbath observance Most
of us were taught to regard the Sabbath,
and hence may not appreciate the ad-
vantages which a nOn-observer might
discern, In the consideration of Sab
bath school work, have often thought
of the condition of some European
countries as compared with our own.
If Spain was filed with Sabbath schools
as our country is, how much higher
would be the tone of popular sentiment.
But this important foundation is lack
anu btllOlb lHC lCoulI w StiC 81
constituted that we cannot perceive the
processes which are every day taking
place but afterwards, when we behold
the complete results of our labOrs, we
find ample chance for appreciation. In
autumn, when we are enjoying the
sweet fruits which the summer pro-
cesses have brought out, we can then
appreciate the workings of nature. So
| have thought it is in regard to Sab
bath school instruction. 1t is in this
way God works and inspires us. 1t is
in this way God works and inspires us.
1t is for this inspiration we have met.
There are many dangers before the
Christian. As the power of Christian
love grows, there is also developing the
influence of the opposed. As Gods
kingdom advances, Satan's also iucreas-
es. The church is to meet this obstacle I;
and the safeguard of the church is the
Sabbath school. So, my friends, it is a
pleasure to say, ave welcome you" |
speak in behalf of the two churches and
Sabbath schools of Peacham. We hope
for good, both for you and ourselves.
Again | say "Welcome" as we have
met to mingle consultation and prayer.
Since brief report of the proceed
ings of Tuesday appeared in the Gale
DOMAIN of last week, we now pass on
| to
Wednesday MOrning.-The meeting
was called to order by Deacon BlOdgett
at $50 a. M. The first hour was devot-
ed to prayer and song. At 1890, Rev.
Mr.. Sanford took the chair and an
nounced that Rev. b. A. Sherwood of
Sutton, who had charge of the next
subject, namely: The Attractions and
Distractions in the Sunday School, was
unable to be present. He then pro-
posed to hear from several on this sub
ject and called upon Pearl ID. BlOdgett,
who spoke as follows: My experience
has been the experience of every super
intendent and teacher. There is moth
ing so discouraging as the fact that
many church members stand aloOf from
the Sabbath school work. 1t has been
said that there are emergencies when it
is absolutely necessary to seek persons
for teachers who are not prOfessed
Christians. Why is this so 2 1t is be-
cause the church members will not per
form their duties. On the first day OF
September, 1862, one thousand men
stood on the parade ground and swOre
most impressive scene 1 ever beheld
Here re stand and call the angels to
witness that we will sustain the ordi-
nances of God and the church. Does not
that include our duty in regard to the
Sunday school , My dear friends, not
one-half the population of Caledonia
county are under the influence of the
Sabbath school because Gods people
do not perform their rightful labor. II
Christians would come up and lrOrk we
should not be talking of distractions,
but would want to sing praises to God
all the time. l say again, it is God:
people who are holding the light from
the world in a negligent way. Now
friends, will we not say, "God helping
me will do all CAM"
After Dea. Blodgett had finished hi'
remarks the audience was addressed
upon the same subject by Rev. Henry
Fairbanks, Rev. w. C. Robinson and
Col. Franklin Fairbanks. The choil
then sang, Fresh from the throne o.
glery."
The next topic was an address OF
FOREIGN Missions with reference to Sun.