The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-07-02
Fishingcreek Sunday School Convention

The Sunday schools OF Fishlngcreek
township held their fifth convention at
Jamestown M. f. Church on Saturday,
June 12. The day was warm and
pleasant. The attendance in the fore
noon was poor, but in the afternoon it
was right good. Most of the schools
in the township were represented. The
exercises we're opened at 1880 a. m.
by music, followed by devotional SER
vice conducted by Rev. A. Houtz.
Appointment Of committees was next
in order, after which the topics men,
toned in the programme were taken
up and ably discussed. Rev. A. Houtz,
Rev. A. b. Hooven and Mr.. f. M.
Laubach did nearly all the talking in
the forenoon.
The first topic discussed was "The
True Mission of the Sunday School"
The assertion was made at the begin
ming of the discussion that the Sunday
school is of no use. This was made
merely for argument. 1t was fully
proven during the day that the Sunday
school is very beneficial service.
The true mission OF the Sunday school
is the salvation of the child. 1t is
the duty of the teacher to impress
upon the mind of the child the truths
embodied in the lesson. Teach the
children that they may be converted
now. The Sunday school is also the
supplement of parental instruction. 1t
is a substitute where families do not
give their children religious training.
Many parents who are not Christians
do not give their children religious
training, yet they desire their children
to be taught the truths of the Bible.
Here the Sunday school steps in and
does that which the parents do not do.
Second topic, "What is the Best
Method of Conducting Sunday
School?" Nearly all agreed that as
good method as any was to open
with singing, then responsive reading,
singing, prayer, roll call with repetition
of verse from Scripture, followed by
teachers taking charge of their classes
Some object to roll call as it takes up
too much time. As rule, not enough
time is allotted to the lesson. Teach
ers should have time enough to get
over the lesson. Review lesson every
Sunday. Train children to give in
stead of receive. Should have stand
ard time in a neighborhood and every
one try to be on time. Spend fifteen
or twenty minutes each Sunday sing
ing and have the children help.
Third topic, "The Essential Qualfica-
tions and Duty of the Superintendent
and Teacher" The Superintendent
should be man of good moral char
acter. Should also possess executive
abilities. He should never get mad
or lose control of himself. He should
be prompt and punctual if possible.
The teacher should possess these quail
| fications to be successful teacher and
win souls to Christ
Fourth topic, "How to Retain the
Older Scholars in the Sunday School,
The question is, why do they not re-
main in the Sunday school? One rea
son they outgrow their classes. There
should be a class in every Sunday
school for grown up pupils. They
should be promoted. Provide young
men and ladies with thoroughly COM
petent teachers and do not call them
children. As soon as a scholar is COM
petcnt, give him class or an office
and make him feel that the Sunday
school is intended for all and not only
children. This discussion was followed
by singing the doxology and the bene-
diction, after which the convention ad-
journed to meet at 1880 p. m.
The afternoon session was opened at
200 p. m. by music. This was followed
by the enrolment of delegates. BE.
sides the above mentioned speakers,
Messrs. Amos Hartman. Frank Jones,
Amos Franklin, Wesley Eveland, A.
Beishline, Eli Robbins, w. Hosler and
K. M. Tewksbury, of Catawissa, took
part in the discussions of the after.
noon. The topic, "How to Enlist
Church Members in the Sunday School
Work." was taken up and discussed at
great length Why is it that all the
members are not enlisted in the Sunday
school work ? Pastors should get af
ter them and use the discipline If they
do not do their dpty as Christi ans.
The man or woman who doe snot take a
part in the Sunday school is not a con.
sistent member. A church member
means an active worker. Members Of
the Nj. E. Church can be disciplined
for performance of duty. First,
get the member S head right. Second
get his heart right. A half sled with
good horse is better than a good
sled with a horse that will not pull
So church member with head anG
heart right who is an active member
though he has but few talents, is better
than a member with many talent:
whose head and heart are not right anC
who is not an active church worker
Get the members warmed up with the
love of God. In order to do this th,
pastor should visit the members. III,
should preach sermon on the Sunday
school work. Impress on them that i
is a part of the church. Write letter
to parents inviting them to the Sunda,
School. Teachers and Superintendent
should visit the parents. Make i
pleasant for them when they do come
Try to get them interested in the exer
cises and in this way you can get then
enlisted in the work.
Sixth topic, "Duty of Parents il
Relation to the Sunday School The
should help their children prepare tn
lesson during the week and on Sunda
get them off in time for Sunda
school. They should give the schoo
their sympathy and their moral an
financial support. They should tai
approvingly of the school. "Duty c
Sunday School Scholars" First dut
is regularity. Second, study their LEI
son before attending Sunday schoo
Third. take their places in class an
give close attention to the lessor
Fourth, do mission work.
Eighth topic, "Duty ..of Teachers
Pray for their Scholars" The teach,
should be conscientious Cbristia
, man or woman in order to impart r,
> ligious training so that it will do goo,
, II he is a true Christian he will be