The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-09
Portage County Sunday School Union
ANNUAL CONVENTION.

assembled to hear the warm welcome ,
to the Convention by Rev. J.
II. Merchant. After a respose by Pres.
the time remaining till noon
was spent in prayer for the blessing of
God on the Convention.
AT half past one good audience as
for the afternoon session. A
devotional meeting was led by Rev. o.
G. Atwater, after which the subject of.
Sunday School Libraries was discuss
ed by S. J. Baldwin, Judge Seymour,
n. A. Curtiss, J. H. Merchant. All
agreed on the utility of library, and
the character and variety of books
were dWe!t upon. They should be
religious in tone, not merely moral,
and the selection such as to lead the
pupil to taste for solid, substantial
reading. Care should be taken to keep
the library fresh by the addition of new
books every year or oftener.
Mr. H. o. Reed presented normal
lesson on illustrations" which he
defined as "lighting up" an appeal
to the pupils delight in seeing, imagi-
ming, comparing, and knowing. The
lesson was very interesting and in
structive.
Spirituality in the Sunday School"
was the subject of remarks by Messrs.
Curtiss, Merchant, Reed, Bickford and
| AtWater. who considered this the great
need of Sunday Schools. The teach
er's work should begin by asking Gods
blessing on his work. He should try
to apply each lesson to his pupils, try
ing to secure their conversion. He
should saelive as to cause no reproach
on his Masters cause.
After answering the great variety of
questions in the Drawer, the Conven-
ton adjourned.
BY seven in the evening the house
was well filled, and a prayer and praise
meeting, led by Revs. Hayden and
Moore, continued till half past seven,
when Mr.. Baldwin presented Normal
Glass lesson on the Art of Question
ing" He explained the object of ques-
tioning to measure the pupils knowl-
edge and to stimulate desire to obtain
knowledge. The teacher should have
the lesson well prepared and plan
arranged. Questions should be direct
definite, plain, tell but little, and be sc
formed as to enable the pupil to tell as
much as possible in his answer.
! The Sunday School and the Confiict
between Science and Christianity was
President Bickfords theme in an ex
ceedingly interesting address. He re
o garded the conflict as more in name
than in reality. Astronomy, Geology
, and Science have only shown more
O plainly the truths of the Bible. The
q Sunday School should have, need have
nothing to do with the conflict. Sci
a ence cannot overthrow the great fact
a of Sin, and Redemption and Saliva
O ton, and the teacher may and shoult
go forward in his work in peace, teach
n ing his pupils of better world and
a the President pronounced the benedic
O ton and the Convention adjourned.
~ At nine o'clock Thursday mornin
:, devotional exercises were led by Eide
a S. Burt and the subject of Th
Teachers Work - was then spokeI
# upon by Messrs. Burt, Curtiss an
4 Merchant. The preparation consist
=, of work and grace. Heart work is NOR
ii necessary than head work, yet there
10 no need of lack of head work {
% knowledge, for helps are within th
10 reach of all, even the poorest, an
p. study is imperatively necessary. Th
:. teacher must be prepared. His all
y, should be the conversion of his pupil
u and this is a sign Of success.
:, "The Influence of the Home Upo
the Sabbath School" was the title
~ the excellent essay by Mrs. G. F. Caml
which was listened to with great inte
~ est by all.
~ Committee Oh Program-Judpe Sc.
~ mour, S. J. Baldwin, Mary E. Dicl
inson, Mrs. C, r. Harmon, Rev. 0.
Atwater.
"Teachers' Meetings was asubje
on which Mrs. Roswell Chaplin. Rev
H. Atwater, Merchant and Burt spok
ed On the necessity of feteachers' meetin!
Iy all were agreed. Previous preparatiC
n on the lesson is needed. Leadersh
ir should generally rotate, but if left
10 one person, that person should be OF
= III 20
I'd ought to be present, with one accor
or and for the study of the lesson, not fl
es social intercourse. Let all come WI
ly will, not merely the teachers.
ly At twelve o'clock the CoEventio
III adjourned.
Ks Convention met at one O'Clock, ar
ds report of Nominating Committee cal
Is ed for and adopted, as follows:
X. President-Rev. J. H. Merchant.
- 1st Vice President-N. A. Curtiss.
le End Z" Sc Rev. o. G. A
o. water.
a Secretary-S. j. Baldwin.
" Normal Glass Leader-Rev. r. \
to Freshwater.
to Committee on Place reported in Fl
ts vor of Windham.
Treasurer's report showed the r
" ceipts for the year, $l2,1 Expense
u $l5.68. Deficiency, $3.50, which WI
. met by collection, amounting to 81 y
m The topic, Conversion of Children
,y was discussed by Mr.. Atwater. III
w possibility of the conversion of Chi
ILL., dren was admitted, if we admit tn
ry those who can know they are guilty
sin, and can wish for something bett
he can be converted. The conscience
of the child by its tenderness shows Il
i'd capability of its soul for spiritual teac
e, ings, it can choose the right or wron
to and know the sinfulness of sin al
ne the goodness of God, no matter VIII
Ii is the age. When this occurs the Chi
Oh is capable of conversion.
M Permanent Results of the Sund;
Ix, Daxy 7 IL Mo-,