The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-30


The day was very bright and pleasant, and
the attendance good, all the schools In the
township being represented. We are glad
to see that the people are becoming awak-
ened to the importance of the Sunday
school work. The exercises were opened
at 10 80 a. M, by devotional service con-
Quoted by Elder d. M. Kinter; this was
followed by the enrolment OF delegates
and appointment of committees, after
which the folio wing topics were ably dis
cussed by Rev. Houtz, Elder ID. M. Kinter
Amos Hartman, E. M. Laubaugh, j. G.
Wenner and Mrs. Emma Wolfe. First dis
cussion, "The true mission OF the 8. s."
The s. s. is simply an adjunct Of the pull
pit, to impart scriptural instruction. Many
of the conversions of the present day are
from the Sunday school. 1t is the mission
of the Sunday school to so instruct the
young, that they may frown down and
vote down that great foe of mankind, in
temperance. The Sunday school is also
the supplement Of parental training. Many
parents although they may earnestly desire
the religious training of their children, yet
circumstances are such that they have not
the opportunity of teaching them. Here
the Sunday school steps In and does that
which they are unable to do. The Sunday
school is perhaps the best means of getting
at the root of all the evil in the " orld. The
way to make good men and women is to
train the children properly. Teach them
| to read and memorize scripture, and it will
| have an influence for good, for the deeper
Biblical knowledge they possess, the better
| will they resist the evil influences that sur
round them. This was followed by music
| Nearer my God to Thee, after which
came the discussion of, "The essential
qualifications of the superintendent and
teachers. 1st. person to be superin-
tcndent should be christian, not merely a
nominal one, but "a good man. One in
| sympathy with Christ and the souls of
children. One able to govern himself, so
that he may the better govern the school.
He should also possess business tact, so
that he may keep everything in good work.
ing order. Another qualification is brevity.
Do not make the exercises so long as to
tire them, or weary them with long
speeches. Much that applies to the Super
intendent, applies also to teachers. They
should be good men and women, not such
as go to dances and frolics, but earnest
christian workers in the cause of Christ
This discussion was followed by music
and the benediction, after which the con-
vention adjourned to meet at /. 80 p. nj.
The afternoon session was opened at the
time specified by music followed by the
discussion, "How to retain older scholars
IN the Sunday scnool." In order to retain
them we should strive to make the Sunday
school interesting. People like to go
where they are interested, and if the Sun
day school is more interesting than other
places, there will be no difficulty in retain
ing them. One way to make the Sunday
school interesting is to be punctual, begin
at the precise time. We should also haye
Bible class for the advanced scholars.
Then there should be a competent teacher,
so that the scholars may not transcend
their teacher. And as soon as the scholars
are competent, give them classes.
| 4th. discussion. "Is the teachers work
optional ?" On this subject it was said
the teacheris work is not optional, it is
binding. Every professor of religion is in
duty bound to work in the Sunday school.
1t does not rest on him as a matter of
choice, but he should always be ready and
willing to work in the vineyard of the
Lord.
9th discussion. "The duty of parents in
relation to the Sunday school," The first
duty of parents is to be interested in the
Sunday school because they look largely
to this for the religious training of their
children. 1t requires money in order to
purchase the necessary books. Now par
ent the question is, of how much benefit
is the Sunday school to you If you have
not the time to train your children reli-
| giously, here they may receive that which
you are unable to give them. And you
may also be taught much in religious
truths. From the Sunday school we ex-
pect the future members Of the church.
If we go with our children we know what
kind of teaching they receive. II we do
not, they may be led astray, and thus pro-
fame the Holy name of God. Are parents
doing their duty to the church and 10 their
children when they do not go with them
to the Sunday SCHOOL, The next subject
for discussion was "The duty of scholars
in relation to the Sunday school," While
the parents and teachers have duties so
has also the scholar. He should study the
lesson thoroughly the preceding week.
There should also be preparation of the
heart. He should make his teacher and
the school subject of prayer. He should
always be punctual. Children should
come to the Sunday school in state Of
cleanliness, as the mind is then better able
to take in the teachings of the day This
discussion was followed by music "Gather
them into the fold" The next subject for
discussion was ''The duty of parents and
teachers to pray for their scholars" Prayer
is one of the greatest things to sweeten
life. A man cannot lead christian life.
and yet prayerless one. How many be-
fore they go to church, kneel down and
ask Gods blessing on themselves and the
service. How many before they send
their children to the Sunday school pray
with and for them The pious teacher
should never kneel in private devotion
without asking Gods blessing on his class.
Following this came the subject of men,
orizing scriptures in the Sunday school.
On this subject it was said we should have
our children memorize scripture even if
its full meaning is not now clear to them,
the germ will be there, and IN after years
it will come up full and clear to their men,
ory. 1t is much easier to memorize in
youth than after we grow older, and the
songs and scripture texts we learn in our
youth, will be fresh and clear in our men,
ory when things that we have learned IN
later years will be entirely forgotten. The
subject of Sunday school benevolence was
next discussed On this subject it was
said, "if we want men and women who
will stand up financially for the Sunday
| schnnl we must In stil IL into them when