The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-09-04
Fishingcreek sabbath school
Convention.


Convention.
The Fishingcreek Sabbath School Asso-
citation held its second meeting at Asbury
on Saturday, August Goth. The weather
was favorable and the attendance good,
considering the season of the year. The
morning session was opened at half-past
ten by devotional exercises, after which
came the enrolment of delegates, followed
by the appointment of committees. Next
in order was the dis cusson of the follow
ing topics by Rev. Houtz, ]. c. Robbins,
Amos Hartman, j. NJ. Fritz, E. NJ. Laubach
and ]. Emory
First topic. What is the Object of the
Sunday School2"
One object of the Sunday school is to
give religious training to the young. 1t
reaches out and gathers in many who
would otherwise receive no religious train
ing. Another object is to make proper
use of the Sabbath such as attending
church and working in the Lords vine
yard; also to teach the young to worship
God in song and prayer and the hearing OF
Gods word. Another object of the Sab
bath school is to give the people knowl-
edge of the Bible, ia order that they may
have some ground for their belief. FL
nally, the grand object of the Sabbath
school is the salvation of souls.
This discussion was followed by music
and adjournment, to meet at 2 p. IN.
The afternoon session was opened at the
time specified by music, followed by the
discussion of the topic, "How Shall we
Secure the Attendance of Parents and
Children ?" First the Sabbath school
should be made attractive by having good
music, good libraries and intelligent, earn
est teachers. Parents should be shown
that it is their duty not only to send their
children, but to 60 with them. This may
be done by the officers and teachers, and
also by the pastor speaking on the subject
occasionally from the pulpit This was
followed by the discussion of the subject,
"How Shall we Raise Money to Support
The Sabbath School ?" The first step is to
convince the people that money is neces-
sary, and that it is their duty to support
the Sabbath school. The Sunday school
bears the same relation to the church that
the child does to the parent, and it is as
much the duty of the church to support
the Sabbath school, as it is for parents to
supply the temporal wants of their chill
dren. In order to meet the demand for
money for the support of the Sunday
school collection might be lifted every
Sabbath, or the money raised by subscrip-
ton; and if not successful, then resort fl.
nally to festivals, but if we must do this,
let us have nothing Objectionable, such as
lotteries, grab,bags, or gambling in any
form.
Fourth discussion. can Sabbath
School Teachers be Improved?" ?" The only
way to do this is to raise the standard OF
intelligence among our people. The teach
er should carefully prepare the lesson, using
all the helps available; always be regular
take their places with their classes, be sin
cerc and earnest, yet simple, in teaching.
Using such illustrations as the pupils ar'
familiar with. Following this came the
discussion of the subject, "Memorizing
the Scriptures"
Pupils should be taught to memorizt
Scripture, not for reward, but for the influ
ence it will have in moulding their future
and in making them better men aud WON
en-. What we learn of the word of God il
youth, will be of great benefit to us wher
we grow older. 1t will also be safe
guard against temptation, for will
the temptation comes thronging Il
to our memory the words of Holy Writ
and we are enabled to resist, where other
wise we might have yielded. The mex
| subject for discussion was sabbath Schoo
Music"
Good music is inspiring. BY it ou
souls are waited heavenward. We shoult
be very careful in the selection of musi
for the Sunday school. 1t should all b
in harmony with the teaching of God
word. 1t should also be universal, a
should sing, as this is one form of worship
The last subject for discussion was, "Re
wards in Sabbath School" On this sui
ject it was said that if an institution car
not stand ON its own merits, it had bette
fall. Children should be taught that tn
reward will consist in knowledge of dut
| performed, and in the influence for good
the instruction there received will have o
their future life. The exercises were II
terspersed with appropriate music, Mis-
Miriam MclIenry, organist. After tn
singing of the doxology and repeating tn
Lords prayer in concert, the Conventio
adjourned to meet at the Christian churc
at Saltwater, the time to be appointed b
the Executive Committee.
The above is a synopsis OF the proceed
ings Of the Convention. The people {
Asbury and vicinity will please acceI
thanks for kindness and hospitality showI
The only thing to be regretted was the MOI
attendance of the ministers residing
Columbia county, none of whom (excep
ing Rev. Houtz, who is a model of pun
tuality,) were present. "My brethrc
these things ought not so to be-"
Miss ELLA ANDREWS,
| Mrs ANNA MoIENRY.
Committee.