The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-10-15
SABBATH SCHOOL WORKERS.
Seventeenth Annual session OF the state
Association,

The Maine State Sunday School Association
commenced its 18th annual session in the State
street church last evening. The officers of the
association are
President-Rev. VIM. FL. Clark, Needham,
Mass
Secretary Rev. Geo. W. Hinckley, Bangor
Treasurer-A. r. Bixby, Esq, Skowhegan.
There was large audience to listen to the
opening services. Prayer was offered by Rev
Mr.. Frost of Wilton. and the hymn, 30 could
speak the matchless WORTH" was sung
The address of welcome was given by Rev.
Mr.. bayley, pastor of the State street church,
who commenced his remarks in humorous
vein, but closed them with an earnest hops
that the meetings might be fraught with rich
and abundant blessing, both to the visitors
aud their enter tainers
The president of the association, Rev. Mr.,
CLARK, responded to this address. He spoke of
bis pleasant memories of the State, and found
that when he left it he did not take all his
heart with him. 1t gave him joy to retarn to
meet again in this convention work. which
was manifestly related to the most important
interests OF the community. He was glad to
see that notwithstanding the absorbing polti-
cal interest at the present. moment. so
large company was gathered to manifest
their devotion to the Sunday school work. 1t
was the work age; and they should remember
that they were helping shape the destiny of
the country. They we're moulding the minds
OF its future rulers, for to them has been COM
united in a measure the spiritual interests of
its children and youth.
The hymn was sung "Tn the Cross of Christ
glory" and the Rev. Mr.. Crafts then COM
menced his address, introductory to a Bible
reading upon 1.-THE Practical Iufiuence of the
Holy Spirit upon the Faculties of man. That
influence was exerted in three directions mn.
on the will, the sensibilities and the intellect.
This influence Yves invoked by Milton, when
ne was about to commence the composition of
bis immortal poem The spirit acting upon
tao Will can only inffaence it when that will ia
opered voluntarily to his action. The spirit
works upon the seDsibilities II sroases All
the liner and nobler emotions of the soul and
sets them all aiame in the interest of the
great truths of the Bible. But the speaker
wished TO speak more particularly of tae ipflu-
enos OF the Holy Spirit upon the intellect.
FIRST, that Influence increases the power of
nn cepeion with tue uuassisted eye we can see
5000 stars; hut by the aid of the reIescope we
Can see 80 100000. So, by the aid of the HOLY
spirit We ca see the countless beauties of tba
word OF God. This sacred teaching can give
rs a neT spiritual vision. Even the teaching
OF Jesus was dark to the Disciples until the
enliRhtsning power of the Spirit came to tbem
Years OF study could not do for them what one
hour OF Pentecost did. Three-fourtbs Of the
Bible IS hidden TO those who have not the
Holy Spirit. 1t is by prayer that we obtain
most OF this spiritual power. The Holy Spirit
helps the memory. By His help we remember
divine truth The disciples forgot much of
Cnrlst's teaching, because they did not under
stand them. The spirit explains the truth. A
child Will learn easily what it understands. 40
we must explain the text before we require it
20 Dc memoriZed. Again the Holy Spirit
helps the memory by exciting an interest in
the words OF the Bible. We remember what
we take an interest in; aud the spirit nuts ma
ID sympathy with the truth. The Holy Spirit
helps tne conscience by making it a correct
guide. The Boly Spirit Influences the imaein.
alion. II we would know what we really are
let US look at our day Dreams Whittier do
our thoughts most tend? Are we selfish or
self-fo'getfal? Noble, Or base? Pure, or iu,-
pur.? what companions do we SEEK in our
,eisu a hqafs? what company do our thoughts
keep? Ii we fad cur day.dreams and the
general tenor OF our thoughts away from g ID.
may we otter tire prayer of David for the inf3n.
ence OF the Divine Spirit to enlighten the
nina ana purify the heart; and then the power
OF sin over Us will be broken.
no AHoottnS Club6u Win the singing OF the
hymn, Nearer Ny God to Thee" and the pro.
nouncin OF the benediction by the presiaent.
The pre- gramme for today is as follows:
wednesday Morning. Subject, "Consecration >,
300 Prayer and praise
9.l5-A ppointmenG OF committees. hearing re-
ports, etc. A0ains re-
9;4oz"The Louisville Convention, by r, M
WepD, Portland. 1.-The Work of the International
oemmtltee. by Rev. b. T. snow, Biddeford
~ lo-Andress, The Teachers Conservation,
by Rev. smith Baker, Lowell, Mass, to be followed
py heV A. Laid. biddeford ard others
ll.l5-Address, by Mrs. S. w. Clarke. Jersey
olty \. j. Subject TO be announced.
Observation-Disclosures ne Bible .
l.45-DexetionaI service.
2.O0-Report of committees election of ofioers
and 0 her business. -9'
z.10-Adiress Relation of Old Testament TO
Splal uai Lie OF To-day by Rev W #. Gratis To
DC followed Dy Rev. .. H. Pope, Pennington. Me-
S.5o-Address on Primary Work, by Mrs. S. w.
:, 4.OO-Addrtss, Rotation of Sunday.Scbool to
Chicago, Ill. '-'
4,3o-"Teacbing the Lesson by Rev. Smith
Baker, to be followed by question box
Evenlng-Sub1ect. "Ihe Study of Human Ma
ture.' A'"
7.90-Praise service, by chorus of two hundred
Sundsy-school children, under direction of MR. w
u flteh Oh Portland. Children's Sermon s"The
Little ffince and the Garden by Rev. j. Nj Bash
ford, PHI. d., of Portland.
o0-Address by Rev. W. f. Crafts, on .sThe
Instincts OF Childhood, and how to utilize them in
Sunday school Work"