The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-25
MAINE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Annual Session of the State Asso-
citation at Bangor.
Full Report Of the Proceedings
Officers Elected.
Especial Dispatch to the Press.)

convention of the Maine State Sunday School
Association opened in the First Parish church
in this city last evening with large attendance
Association, called to order, and Rev. John
Allen of Pennington recited the 9th chapter,
1st Thessalonians, then led in prayer.
Rev. Theodore Gerrish of this city delivered
an address of welcome which was very able
effort and we'll received. In alluding to the
mission which called the workers together he
| spoke of it as a council of war preparing for a
campaign. Theirs was no sham fight, but
| desperate conflict between righteousness and
| sin, AS we look back and witness the won
drous growth of recent years we are led to
1 realize the magnitude of the work accomplish
/ ed by the Sunday Schools. Our success as q
| Christian church, as far as human agency can
| go, is largely due to these schools. No proph-
| etic version is necessary to show that future
| success depends upon the Sunday School. We
are glad to welcome you to this venerable and
historic house and also extend to you who have
come from different parts of the common
wealth hearty welcome to the town.
A response to the address of welcome fol-
| lowed by Rev. c. F. Penney of Augusta, who
extended thanks for the cordial welcome to
the homes, hospitality and Christian fellow
ship of this goodly city. He alluded to the
first convention held in this State of Sabbath
School workers at Portland twenty -four years
ago. What changes have taken place since
that time. Most of those who were the active
participants of that time have passed from
Christian labor to Christian reward. Stand
ing on the table land of the present and look
ing back we can appreciate what has been &C.
complished. We meet now to thank God for
what has been done. We have come together,
however, not to glorify the work of the Sun
to more Jealous and successful labors in the
future. May God help us to hold up the book
in this convention. Let immeasurable love
and the open word prevail,
The following committee on permanent Or
ganization was appointed by the president
with instructions to report today, Rev. A. s.
Ladd of Bath, Rev. G. B. Ilsley of Bangor
Rev. G. F. Penney of Augusta, Rev. G.. W.
Hinckley of Bangor, and Superintendent A.
G. Sawyer of Bangor.
An address on "The Relations of the Sunday
School to the Public Welfare" followed by
Rev. Dr. Pepper, president Of Colby Univers-
ty. The speaker said he should consider the
subject in three different phases: 1st. the ma
tnre of the work; I'd, thesnature of the mate
rial on which the school does its work; and Sd,
the extent of both the work and material We
live in an age of wonderful physical progress.
Men believe in telegraphs, railroads and bank
stock But with this remarkable advance
ment comes peculiar dangers. We are inform
ed that it is even possible to have religion
without God. There is need that there be
counteracting force, and the way to overcome
this is through the Sunday School.
The Sunday school should not only be
divinity school, but it should be Bible school.
The present may not be time especially in
tidel, but there is considerable amount of it
abroad. The idea is to reveal the book as a
whole. Unless we get the idea OF an organic
whole, these writings cannot be properly under
Stood There ia unity and oneness in the
teachings which runs all the way through.
We are living in age characterized by uni
versatility. The old book takes its start with
the beginning of the race, and coming down
through the ages it is complete. We are inn
pressed with its integrity, completeness, uni
versatility and majestic divinity.
The Sunday school should also be a Christian
school-a school where Christ is an inward
power and life. Ii it was necessary to choose
between the external appliances in the Sunday
school and the burning words of love there
could be no question but the latter would be
retained. If you want to beget life in others
you must have it in yourself.
The Sunday School should not only be a
Christian school but it should be an ethical
school. AS regards the nature of the material
on which the Sunday School works it is main
ly the young. We old folks are being crowd
ed off the platform and the young, who have
speaker also treated briefly of the extent of
both the work and material.
The address was throughout one of mastery
eloquence and power and held the closest at
tention of the large audience. 1t was forcibly
delivered and carried conviction to every
hearer.
After song by the congregation, the bene-
diction was pronounced by the venerable Rev.
John Allen.
BANGOR, Oct. PA season of devotional
exercises was held, conducted by Rev. G. W.
Hinckley of Bangor.
The committee on organization reported, and
the following officers were elected:
President-W. H Clark of South Norridge-
wock.
Vice Presidents-Revs. T Gerrish of Bangor,
f. w Bakeman of Auburn, and G. H. Pope of
Pennington.
Secretary-Rev. G. w. Hinckley of Bangor.
Treasurer--A. r. Bixby of Skowhegan.
Rev. r. L. Howard of Bangor, nominated as
previously directed, the following persons as
committee on nominations: Rev. J. E. Adams
of Bangor, Rev. G. f. Penny of Augusta, Hon.
Ell. Ruggles of Carmel, Rev. T. Gerrish of
Bangor, W. H. Clark of Norridgewock-an
they were elected.
Rev. W. FL. Clark the secretary for the past
four years, reported that some progress had
been made in the work OF Sunday Schools
throughout the State. Conventions had been
held in all but two of the counties, which had
given an impulse, in promoting the efficiency
of the schools. Changes in the secretaries by
death and removal of residences had pre-
vented the gathering of statistics. The de-
s.rableness of continuing the State and county
organizations and bringing the schools into
close sympathy with them, and their mutual
dependence upon each other, was presented.
1t was also .recommendeda central organiza-
tion of an executive committee that they
might be able to meet frequently during the
year, and that they arrange for county con-
ventions; and that one person should have the
| general oversight of each, and that the place,
time and topics be made known fully some
time in advance.
The facilities which the Maine Central road
had furnished for going from place to place
with but slight expense to the secretary, was
acknowledged.
A statement from the treasury was made,
which supplemented by an additional report
afterward, showed balance of $130 needed
to defray expenses. Arrangements were made
to have this met by pledges and contribution
at the evening session.
| Rev. r. Howard, the retiring president, ad
dressed the convention, in which he referred
to the magnitude Of the work in which we
were engaged, to the need of it, and the en-
| couragement to it. We are laying foundations
| for the future.
The newly appointed president, Rev. W. Fl.
Clark. on taking the chair, referred to the
choice as being one unexpected to him. He
was willing to serve wherever it might be
thought best he should be placed. The work
had grown broader, in his estimation, during
the time he had been engaged as secretary, and
he desired the sympathy and cooperation and
prayers OF all, that he might be able to fulfil
the duties of his new position Alright.
| Rev. r. L. Howard of Bangor reported the
| condition of the schools in Penobscot county
In the 62 towns there were 1O1 Sunday schools,
comprising from 5000 to 5000 members; aver.
age attendance, 5000 to 1000. Several mission
schools have been established, and there is
more of feeling that in care for the children
it is most effectually laying hold of the pillars
| of the State and of the church.
| Pau q HinokIau of poooo. uoea..1 =.