Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-01-15
Orleans County Union Sabbath
School Convention.

nual meeting in the Congregational
church in Newport, on Thursday and Fri
day, January and 8. The opening ser
vice was devotional meeting at IL
o'clock on Thursday, led by Dea. S. II.
Pearsons, of Coventry. Though but few
were present it was an interesting gand
profitable season, and proved the key
note to the convention. The leading
thought presented by the leader and made
prominent in song, prayer and word, was
dependence upon God, who could work
alike successfully with, few or the many.
The afternoon session was opened by
half hour song service, conducted by
Rev. w. C. Somerville, of Newport.
The first topic on the programme
''This Sunday school Union-what it has
done, what it may do, was taken up at
the hour allotted to it, and the discussion
was opened by E. A. Stewart, of New
port. After alluding to the organization
of the union twelve years ago and briefly
mentioning some who were instrumental
in its formation, he proceeded to answer
the question, "What has it donel'' Much,
socially. We have become acquainted
with each other and this acquaintance
has been pleasant and also given strength
to the work. The diversity and import
ance of topics discussed from time to
time, have beena great means of instruc-
tinn an1 did il, ba haft 70,
Sunday school work. The financial ques-
ton which had SO long troubled most of
our schools, had been conquered in great
measure by the discussions aud the plans
adopted so that now in most cases it was
comparatively easy to raise by penny col
collections the money required in the
schools. 1t was difficult to tell what the
union might not or ought not to do.
While it had accomplished much it ought
to do much more. We should 60 for
ward, not in our own strength but by
much prayer and firm trust in Gods
power.
A. j. Allbee, of Derby, also alluded to
the early days of the union and the pleas
ant associations in his own experience
and connection with it, and believed that
great encouragement and strength was
received by this meeting together of Sab
bath school workers, by this Interchange
of thought and experience, by the adop-
ton of new suggestions made and new
plans proposed.
The next topic, 1.-THE Sunday school an
influence for good" was presented by
Rev. L. f. Taylor, of Coventry. One of
the minor, though he thought important,
objects of the Sabbath school was that it
afforded chance for young and old to go
somewhere. This was a general desire
of all classes, and here, once week at
least, children and others could go some
where, and it was proper, a fitting place
for them to go to. Children were thus
put in the way Of becoming Christians.
These early experiences and what is
thus learned in early days will prove
helpful in years to come.
Mr. Allbee spoke of his experience
twenty-five years of his life out of the
Sabbath school, the last twenty-five in it
and he could not think of any influence
the Sabbath school had which was not
good. These early teachings often bring
the scholars to Christ. Many children
can be brought into the school, and thus
into the church, who could not be reach
ed by any other means. He believed the
Sabbath schools were better to-day than
years ago.
Rev. A. HI. Milliken, of West Derby,
spoke of the good results OF Sabbath
school training upon the minds of those
who shall afterwards become Christians
The influence of such training was never
lost, hut showed itself for good in the
after life. He also spoke of the school
as a good place to go; much better than
at open postoffices where youth are so
apt to congregate at the Sabbath noon
day hour.
Rev. G. III. Sweat, of Barton Landing,
corresponding secretary, gave a brief re-
port of the schools in the county. As he
had not received a report from all the
schools, he did not give statistical re-
port. The returns received gave a very
hopeful outlook. In brief, the attend
ance had been greater the last year and
the results better than ever before.
Some 200 conversions have bSen reported
during the past year in the schools in the
county. There was reason for hearty
thanksgiving and ground for renewed
hope and more earnest endeavor.
Time was given to superintendent for
additional reports, but strange as it
might seem only about half dozen of
such officers were present. The reports
the few gave were encouraging showing
that there had been diligent study and
the Spirit had set home the truth and
consequently many conversions resulted
At this point recess of fifteen minutes
gave time for social greetings, and the
opportunity was fully improved, making
one of the pleasantest features of the
gathering.
The next topic was, 'Whose fault that
the Sunday school is not better appreci-
ated and attended," Rev. j. w. Kings
bury, of Charleston, was the first speaker
and laid the blame on pretty thick upon
all classes even begging pardon if he
omitted any one in the blaming process.
But it is better to encourage rather than
blame first and suggest afterwards. 1t
must be understood that the Sunday
school will not run itself. We must plan
for it, work for it, pray for it. Ministers
should pray for the school in public wor-
ship and should consult and advise
with the superintendent. The church
should take the Sunday school as part
Of regular church work, and be interested
financially and otherwise in it's manage
ment. The superintendent should have
administrative ability. He cannot do all
the work himself and should have the
| facility of setting others to work Teach
ers and scholars both must study, the
| teachers especially to interest the pupils.
When these things are done by all the
persons mentioned there will be better
| appreciation of the Sunday school and q
better attendance. DIR. Freeman thought
that the chief blame was upon the par
ents that the school was not better APP
| Draciatad TT was tho ,noCt ip1norta M