The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-18
The Egis and Intelligencer
BEL AIR, Md, AUGUST is, 1852.
The Hartford County Sunday School
Convention.


The Hartford County Sunday School
Convention.
The many readers of the HEgiS will doubtless
desire to have more extended review of the re-
cent Hartford county Sunday School Convention
than has been presented. Among the various en-
terprses which contribute so largely to Hartford
welfare, none holds higher ground or is entitled
to. more thoughtful regard than the Sunday
school work. as represented in the various
churches and undenominational schools or the
county. We want bank, railroad, public
cemetery and local option, and probably some
other new things but after all we need to devel-
youth of the county. Whatever tends towards
that development should enlist the kindly inter-
est of every citizen who values good Character as
gress. 1t is quite mistake to assume that all the
the Sunday schools of the county are what they
should be, or may be. There is a decided indica-
ton of Improvement, and yet there is great need
Of further study and application Of methods and
means This is the e END e9nte9mplateSd in the an
the several parts of the county in rotation. The
convention is one of the county institutions let
were suggested by the one held at Dublin, Tues
day and Wednesday, August LIST and I'd.
THE LARGE ATTENDANCE.
Promptly at 10 A. NJ, the convention assembled
with church full of people. Delegates from
schools and friends of the cause came from far
out en- a,asse. Ali seemed eager for the Occasion
which had been looked forward to for many
weeks and months. In the progress of the con-
comfortable seating of the audience. In fact the
attendance at the opening session this year was
LARGER than an ever G before This ISIS Is good omen
prevails throughout the community in this good
cause 1t is hopeful sign, especially as the sea-
son was busy one for man and beast.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CONVENTION.
The onlooker cannot help seeing that there is
nothing done at hap.hazards. There is no Jinks
finding definite patron. The convention always
brings its identity along with 1t in the shape of
firmly laid railroad track, marks out the exact
course which is to he followed. Often such gath
erings are conducted on the pernicious principle
that what is everybody's business is nobody's
business" Not so here. The convention has
personality-a self-and it knows its own bust
ness. 1t organizes itself carefully by selecting
efficient officers puts itself in shape for work and
under these officers does things "decently and in
order"
THE DISPATCH OF BUSINESS
The sunday school convention Is poor place
to take a nap. There is little monotony to WOO
slumber. The president rules, and everything
must go forward in its proper place. He is gen
orally assisted by number of leading spirits who
keep the fires stirred. Without undue haste the
business of the convention is put through in
business like way. Few painful pauses between
addresses vex the audience. Men and women go
there for real benefit and not to idle away the
time. They know what is to be done and they do
it. Each session is begun promptly at the ap-
pointed hour, and no time is wasted.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
Any one could see that the topics were not
chosen parrot fashion, or for holiday entertain
ment; but that they were selected with great
care. They were, the living, fundamental issues
of the Sunday school problem. Practical? l
should think so-no dreamy sentimentalsm
about them. This is not to be wondered at when
some of the most prominent and thoughtful min
listers and laymen Of the county devoted time and
study to the preparation of the programme
There was manifest intention in the programme
10 sft matters till the bottom facts or truths of
the Sunday school work were gotten at. There
was also healthy ring in it ALL That is, the best
part of 1t. Starting, out with such a theme as
THE Duty of the Church in the Support of the
Sunday School," the convention was expected at
once to define things very clearly There was no
oneness of the church and the Sunday school, and
therefore as to the moral obligation of the church
is bound to provide for her child. The idea was
most alphabetically urged that the church, as the
church: should furnish the money for all the
neodful expenses of the school.
Upon this good basis planted, the convention
went forth to discuss such questions as these viz:
The primary object of Sunday school instruction
the teachers preparation of the lesson the rea-
ton of the Sunday school to missionary work;
temperance in the Sunday school; fidelity in the
Sunday school follies; the best plan for conduct
ing an infant class country schools-their needs
and difficulties; The ventilation of these topics in
such an assembly of earnest, Christian men and
women by an honest expression of opinion could
not fail TO edfy and stir up those present. He
must be very wise man indeed who knows ali
that is to be known on these themes In fact, he
is the very man we would like to have at the next
convention. He ought not stay at home bear
al conventions he would find out that others know
something too, and that he is not yet beyond the
learning age At any rate the programme was
broad ana deep and long enough to keep his mind
moving it did that of more ordinary but
equally earnest workers.
THE DISCUSSIONS.
The were earnest and to the point. No one
talked for the mere sake of talking. There was
no debate over useless bone. Every speaker
had something to say and he said it in manly
way, without any whispering apologies He re-
garded his topic too important, yes, too sacred to
has engrafted into itself the excellent custom,
which has hitherto prevailed, of previously as
signing topics to prominent persons to prepare
an address thereon This enables each speaker
20 weigh well his thoughts and his words and Sc
aurGa for the convention satisfactory discussions.
Tho addresses were all excellent-aimed right at
the very heart of their respective topics. Each
speaker showed that he had given conscientious
thought to his preparation, while through all the
discussions there rlppled gentle stream of re-
freshing humor. Were we called on to say which
one was the best, the answer might well be that of
the five year old boy, who when asked which of
two favorite uncles he liked best replied II likes
ON both best. Not having time here to point
out the specific virtues of each address, / can
only say that each topic was handled in an able
these friends of the cause, 1t would be a great
favor to the Sunday school workers of the county,
pers and circulated through the county. 1t would
be help to the cause-and what helps that, helps
the county.
THE ABSOLUTE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE
CONVENTION
1t comprises all the Protestant churches which
will enter it, us well as all the Union schools
which have no definite ecclesiastical connection.
This year five denominations were represented,
and yet there was no trace whatever of friction,
or of desire of any to lord 1t over the others
All were one here, even though each retained its
own identity. Two things have hitherto charac-
terizcd these annual conventions, viz, magnanim-
ity and unanimity. The delegates of one denom-
nation respected the views and motives of the
others. Each was willing to learn something from
the others. There was no controversy over theo-
nr0tCletS forms UnVarDmnnt nd
worship; Hence there was hearty unanimty
among the members. This is a most delightful
feature of the convention. SectarianiSm would
mar it exceedingly. As ii H. the fraternal inter-
course of delegates from the different denomina-
lions, is profitable to all. No one church governs
the convention or aspires TO. Every one has a
right TO share in the management and the hon
ors of it. Tho simple object of the convention is
to render more efficient the general Sunday school
weak-all work together. No one need fear that
tho convention will ever become the exclusive
hope that every church might be stimulated by
it to creator zeal and usefulness in the Sunday
school work. 1t is really the work of the church
and entitled to the help of all denominations.
There was only one regret about the conven-
tion this year. viz, that the rain hndered some
what the convention on Wednesday. Neverthe-
less, there was an encouraging attendance and
the discussions were continued the same as il the
sun was shining. Where religious meeting can
life about it.
The hospitality of the Dublin people was very
"arni-hearted. III any were not comfortably en-
tertained, 1t must have been their own fault
Both pastor and people did their best to make all
feel at home. Pleasant memories have been car
ried away from the convention, along with new
ideas.
The following gentlemen were appointed on the
standing committee of arrangements: |. N
Scarborough, J. Harvey Ball. Ed. S. Edge, o. c.
Michael and - -. This committee will
have the selection of time and place for the next
convention, &c. An earnest invitation came for
the convention to meet in Havre de Grace next
summer. May the next one be as good as this.
w. II. l.. X.
BALTIMORE LIVE STOCK MARKETS.,