St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-04
Sabbath School Convention.

The thirteenth annual convention OF
the State Sabbath School Association
of Vermont opened its sessions at
Bellows Falls on Tuesday evening,
Mr. John l.. Barker of Brandon, presi-
dent of the association i'll the chair.
The devotional services were conduct
ed by Col. Fairbanks of st. JOhnsbury,
during which he made a few remarks,
first suggesting self-examinatiOn of
those having charge of Sabbath
schools, for unless the daily life and
example of Sabbath school teachers
were in accordance with Christianity
and the full love of Christ in their
souls, they would fail in their work.
Mr.. Fairbanks spoke with much feel
ing and earnestness. This was follow
ed by praise service and the address
of Rev. j. L. Hurlbut of New Jersey,
who is the general conductor of the
much force, first as to self-preparation
of teachers in Sabbath school work.
They must not think it an easy work,
but must put into it the full force of
Christian duty, study and intelligence.
He also cOmbated the idea which he
said had been expressed elsewhere by
fossils, that there was to-day more I'M
belief and less study of the Bible in the
present generation than twenty five
gave as proof the increased sales of
Bibles, and while it might be true that
there was more intidelity, it was also
true that there was an increased and
stronger faith i'll God and religion. Mr.
Hurlbut was briefly followed by Mr.
Ralph Wells of New York. He is a
layman, but he spoke with very deep
earnestness and with good effect. The
proceedings of the evening were deep
ly religious, and the speakers were
grave and earnest, with an occasional
humorous or spicy illustration.
Wednesday morning meeting was
opened with a devotional service, fol
lowed by teachers meeting conduct
ed by Rev. j. l.. Hurlbut. This was
an especially interesting exercise from
which many useful hints could be
drawn. Mr.. Wells closed this exercise
with ten minutes address upon what
constitutes "a true Sunday school teach.
er, the tests by which they are known
special points to be aimed at in teach,
plicity-interest, living Out
of the principles, the teaching a medi-
um to carry the taught to Christ, the
key note of all, being, "Has you
teaching a point ~ The S. S. Work
shop was aptly defined by Rev. j. H
Babbitt of Swanton, place, time, sys
TEN, practical tools, materials, that ar,
requisite to good work and by which
the character of the work may be de
termined. Rev. J. X. Bartlett of Barre
commenced by saying that recreation
and entertainments of all kinds con
nected with Sunday schools were anC
should be subordinate. The work il
co-extensive with that of the pulpit
the points enlarged upon were TIN
magnitude of the work, power of re
suits and recOmpense. Rev. ID. Z
Miller of Montpelier, in his address
upon 5. S. Workers, took the COnnec
tIcut with its tributaries for type O
Sunday schools, with their teachers
and workers, giving some useful hint
upon sending children regularly
punctually and prepared. He dwell
somewhat upon the character and quail
iticatiOns of superintendent and teach
ers. Rev. A. b. Dascomb in his ad
dress of welcome gave the Bible "A
the true key note of all instruction
and its well taught precepts the great
est impulse to piety, closing with
pertinent welcome to the convention
? In the afternoon Rev. n. F. PER-,
gave a very graphic and interesting re
port on the International Sunda
School Convention at Toronto, whic
= was one of the most entertaining fea
lures of the afternoon session. TIL
half hour which followed was protita
bly, occupied by Mr.. Hurlbut in con
= Quoting the discussion of the follOwin
J., questions How to reorganize Sun
b., day school, How to get teachers to at
tend teachers meetings, How to dea
with Indifferent superintendent, Ho'
to obtain spare teachers, How to oh
tain qualified teachers, How to Obtai
: a normal class, Should the Office of 81
= perintendent rotate Who shoul
5 elect superintendent 7 The answt
t drawer was very ably managed by NJ
: Wells, who related some very effectiV
personal experiences as a teacher an