The Wilmingtonian., 1886-11-27
The BAPTIST Institute.

The Baptist Institute.
The Baptist Institute just clos, may hard
ly with exact justice be called by that term.
1t was more really, if We may coin name
for the special occasion, pan u-denomnational.
Its conception was most fortunate. 1t
was just what was needed and the only Won
der is that something of that nature and pur-
pose had not occurred before to-day,
1t has been stated that it was a practical
idea. This is so near the description it de-
serves that perhaps the only criticism that
might poss bly, be made is that in the fornu-
lating OF the programme more time had not
been given DIR. Black hall and Mrs. Kennedy
for their most excellent conferences" and
''teachers' talks"
This of course vas the expected pith aud
marrow Of the meetings. Question and an
swer between the conductor of the Institute
aud the working Sunday School teachers of
Wilmington should have formed the piece de
resistance of the sessions. Lectures, essays,
and dissertation perhaps monopolzcd slight
y an over-shaie of the time.
But generally speaking it has been most
delightful series Of sessions.
Mr.. Gawthrop, DR., Cooke and Professor
Heath deserve, aud we have no doubt re-
ceiye the heartiest thanks of Sunday
School workers Of al denominations in Will
mington for this brilliantly progressive idea
properly speaking, innovation.
Why should not Sunday School Teachers
have their Institutes as well as Public School
teachers?
The writer who claims modest rank in
both Of these departments sees with what
grand effect such Institutes for the nobler
aud higher purposes of religious instruction
may develop into the most powerful machin-
cry for expansion of Gods work,
In DR.. Blackal's closing address perhaps
the weighticst points may be remembered.
lie spoke truly, with the most significant
advice when he suggested that Sunday
School teachers keep themselves abreast of
the intellectual march of the day. We must
do il, for the young men and women, the
brightest graduation flowers in our public
schools arc, the religious world may be proud
to reflect, seen in the Sunday School classes
Their teachers must then keep ahead OF
them. There is no reason why the best in
literature, science and art should not be the
foremost in the Sunday School as its Super
intendents, Teachers, and Glass Leaders
The time has gone by for makeshifts, subst-
tutes and apologies for teachers. The rel-
BlOuS age uetuduuS lUe DcsJ lAlSuJ loI Inc
work of God, equally in the class room (that
is the Sunday School class room) as in the
pulpit
The idea Of a scholar even approaching his
teacher in breadth Ofreading OF general infor-
nation must not be tolerated forone moment.
The teacher who cannot stand upon certain
definite literary merit before his adult Sun
day School class has IN most important
sense, no right to the honorable aud respou-
sble position THIS is as truly so in reli-
gious as i'll secular teaching. In au adult
class tho teacher who avoids or hesitat,s
when bright member of his audience pumps
upon him miscellaneous queries bearing re-
ference to geographical, historical, philoln-
acal or chronological phases Of the lesson uu-
der considerations, OF unwisely snothers ori-
gnal investigation, is Immediately self-placed
in the most unenviab!e OF positions. He is
to be pitied aud not he alone but his class,
the church lie belongs to, and the dono,pina-
giou that claims that church.
We hope to see DIR, Blackall and Mrs,
Kennedy lere soon again.