The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-06-26

prontable one. Thc Following reverend
gentlemen were present; q. V. Savidge, A.
Houtz and w. Il. Campbell. Arthur Spear,
Secretary of County Association, was also
present The discussion OF the different
topics were spirited and highly interesting.
Many valuable and instructive suggestions
were given by the speakers as the best
modes of conducting Sunday schools, whose
object is the teaching and training of the
gospel truths, through which influences IL
Is hoped TO lead them In the true light of
Christianity andgood and useful citizenship.
The study of the Bible first, last, and all
the time, as the best means to the ends and
object of the Sunday school, was most
prominent in the discussion of this topic by
Rev. W. II. Campbell. He said the Bible
was the most influential book and convict
ing in its character. Rev. Houtz and Sec
retary Spear said that valuable helps, such
as sacred songs and other means, were also
necessary for the development of the Chris
tian character of the child.
On the relation the Sunday school bears
to the church, Rev. Campbell said: The
Sunday school is the church, or, part OF
church worship, and cares more, he said
for what is In the Bible than what any one
else says of the Bible.
Rev. Houtz said that the church has
landmarks, or an organizer, and as an or.
ganizer has functions aside from other in
stitutions. Responsibilities, which no other
institution could assume nor fulfill And
that the Sunday school should be under the
control and supervision of some denomina.
tion. Rev. Campbell was opposed to union
Sunday schools and said it was better where
different denominations were represented,
tina. the Sunday school should have the
oversight and control Of the stronger. Nc
serious objections being offered, yet several
very successful and harmonious union
Sunday schools were referred to. On quail
iication of Sunday school officers it was
argued that they should possess good bust
ness qualifications and willingness to work,
and that some had particular facilities
adapted to particular positions, which 9th.
ers had not, aud that 1t was always bust.
nesslike and prudent to select those best
suited to fill the different positions On
qualifications of teachers, Rev. Campbell
SAID that talk is cheap, and that he loved tc
listen to person who found it difficult oil
hard to talk, but who had the qualification.
of the love of Christ's Kingdom, love fol
man, strong faith in Christ and love fol
truth, rather, or IN preference to the quail
ification of knowledge. He said that w
must not look down upon our fellow mel
and to help them up as though we wer'
better than they, but that 1t is our duty t.
recognize the universal brotherhood o.
man.
Secretary Spear said that an essential ant
important qualification of the teacher wa
an exemplary every day life, pious and de
voted to the cause of Christs Kingdom
Absence from Sunday school, by teacher O
officer, caused decentralization and negli
gence, and in every case of absence tn
teacher or officer should secure a prope
substitute. For years, he said, he had no
absentcd himself for any cause whatever
without first securing suitable substitute
To.secure the attendance and. retention o
all the scholars in the district, Rev. Camp
bell said that end was not attained by Civ
ing rewards for attendance. People an,
children were hungering and thirsting 10
spiritual food, he said, as well as for ten
poral, and would go where they could b
spiritually benefited. Rev. Houtz sal
little children should receive gifts, such a
cards and tickets, which they highly apprt
ciated, as tokens to remind them of til
Sunday school and which had tendenc
to create love for and habit of attent
ing the Sunday school. Peter Laubach sal
that his observation and experience as 81
perintendent was, that if parents took a
interest in the Sunday school, the childre
would. He said if parents acted towarC
the Sunday school as in temporal affairs
saying come boys, let us do this thing I
that, the Sunday hool would be bett
attended by mere substantial and faithf
scholars who would in after life be faithf
| friends to the Sunday school cause. Re
Savage endorsed all Mr.. Laubach said AT
relating many like incidents that came u
der his observation. He thought it won
be well that a committee be appointed
make monthly visits to non-attending Chi
dren and absentees and invite them to Il
Sunday school. He said that we did n
only want the children and young peop
in the Sunday school, but the old as we
All appeared to endorse this idea. Re
Houtz said that if a young man or youl
lady was absent from the Sunday scho'
notice should be taken of it immediate
| and the absentee reminded Of it by bell
told that he or she was missed in the su
day school, and thereby would be made
feel that he or she was an important fact
in the Sunday school afer all.
To raise money for the support of
Sunday school Rev. Savage said that CT
lection in the Sunday school every Sabba'
either in whole or by class collections, W
| INC DCsl VI piopSi Nty. iHS iSoNi'oi his'
were not favorably spoken Of Rev. Can
bell thought the church should raise
money for Sunday school support. He 81
the Bible way was the proper one to 81
port the Sunday school and church.
rather would receive, he said, $500 Of
salary raised in the Bible way than $50
of salary raised in any other way.
Twas asked by Rev. Houtz whether he h
sufficient grace to withstand the temp
ton of higher salary raised in any otl
than the Bible way. The answer was
the affirmative.
| The association decided time and pla
of next meeting, February, 1886, town
Benton, at the M. E. Church. The AS
citation directed the President to write
port for publication in the four leadi
journals in the county,
Respectfully submitted.
JONI G. WENNER,
Pres. Benton s. s. Association