The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-11-15
County Sunday school Union, at
Randolph, Nov, and s, 1888.

Annual Convention of the Portage
County Sunday school Union, at
Randolph, Nov. and 8, 1888.
The Convention met at half past ten
Wednesday morning, and listened to
an address of welcome by Rev. Joseph
Merriam, who is SO years old, and has
been connected with Sunday School
work for sixty-five years.
+. The local Interests of Sunday Schools
were discussed by superintendent.
The Convention then adjourned for
dinner, with song and benediction,
AT half past one in the afternoon
the Convention met, and after devo-
tional services the Convention listened
to paper ON the history of Sunday
Schools, tracing them from the Jews
through the early Christians, Wal
denses, Reformers, and Puritans. The
efforts of Robert Raikss. John Wesley
and others were described.
Rev. r. M. Freshwater being absent,
Is. J. Baldwin spoke on the topic,
Study of the Lesson and its Applica-
ton to the Glass.
The Question Drawer was opened by
Rev. j. III. Moore, and an interesting
discussion of its contents easued, after
which the Convention adjourned with
benediction.
At seven in the evening the Conven-
ton engaged in praise and prayer SER
vice, after which Rev. A. M. Hills
spoke on the Sunday School as an Ed
ucator for the State. MIR. Hills spoke
of the moral power of the School. The
exert refining power on the nation.
1t elevates and dignifies the scholars
and parents. 1t is a secret subtitle pow
er to purify and ennoble the people.
1t tends to spiritualize the teacher of
the common school. 1t strengthens
the bonds that hold society together,
reduces the distance between classes,
teaches temperance; reduces the greed
of employers. 1t will avert the dan
gers arising from the Catholic element,
from an impure ballot, from the spoils
system. 1t is a powerful aid to the
Church-a pioneer to the Church in
the West. develops the lay talent. 1t
solves the problem, how to carry the
Gospel to the needy, the vicious, the
squalid, the ragged.
| AT nine O'Clock Thursday morning
the Convention met and spent half an
hour in devotional services.
Freedom was selected as the place
for the next Convention.
l. Messrs. III. o. Reed. w. J. Dickln-
son, and r. FL. Ober were elected a
/ Committee on Nominations.
Mr.. Roswell Chaplin presented pa
per on Sunday School Amusemehts,
which he said were becoming an insti-
tuition and seem to be necessity; they
should not be confused with recreation.
They should aim at the same end as
the teachers of the school-to build uI
the scholars in character. The cX-
tremes to be avoided are dullness on
the one hand, and on the ether the
danger of turning the School into ar
amusement society.
How to Study the Bible, was the
subject of an address by Mrs. G. R
d Harmon, illustrated by study of the
7 life of David. The speaker recon-
men ded the use of outline maps, to b.
filled up while studying.
A very able essay was read by Mis-
: Maud Perkins, after which Mrs. Pick
] EFT presented an essay on Primar.
! Teaching, full of interest and informa
+. ton.
At half past one the Convention me
and Rev. r. NJ. Freshwater presente'
Manual Lesson on Bible Interpreta
tion and History.
J 8. Report of Schools by Superinten
dents showed the general condition t
be very good.
AMI essay on the Silent Hours in tn
Sunday School was then read by Mis-
Blanche Trescott.
: Sscretary's report was then given
| and Treasurer's report showed defici
of S4,31, which was met by collection
!, of $3,11. -
Election Of officers followed.
, Pres.-J. r. Nichols, Garrettsville.
3 1st v. P.-F. Croneymeyer, Raven
ma. ...'. s.i .,t
End v. P.-Crosby French, CARROTS
8 vile.
Sec.-S.' J. Baldwin, Nelson.
Ex. Com.-Wm. Messenger, Wind
q ham; Rev. Joseph Kellar, Randolph
& Rev. r. M. Fresh water, Ravenna.
3 At seven in the evening the Conven
! ton met and engaged in a prayer an
praise service, after which J. III. Moor
spoke on the subject Of Sunday schoe
: Music, and a lively discussion ensued
4 After singing, A. T. Copeland ad
: dressed the Convention on the Organ
: ization and Conduct of Normal Classe:
: A collection, amounting to two do
: lars and ten cents, was taken, afte
which the Convention adjourned wit
. benediction.
~ S. J. BALDWIN, Sec.