The Portland daily press., 1888-12-07
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.
The Cumberland County Convention
at saccarappa.

DAY OF the sunday School convention held In
the Methodist church. Saccarappa, that day,
This morning we give the topics advanced
by the speakers on the various points pre-
sented.
The important subject what Should the
Sunday School Aim TO do for the Communi
typ" was considered in pleasing and able
address by Rev. U. N. Dairy, pastor Of the
Baptist church. Saccarappa. The Sunday
School is the church working in the line Of
class Bible instruction; hence the aim Of the
Sunday Schools Identical with the aim OF
the church. 1t is one Of the most powerful
Of the instrumentalities OF the church for
conversion and for edifcation Of the convert
ed.
An interesting conference on sour specia
needs ami how to meet them," was led By
the conductor. Our needs in organization,
teaching, spirit In study, in power to draw
in those not now members, were discussed
by the conductor. Rev. F. T. Bayley, Rev. E.
Z. Bacon, Rev. ID. w. LeLacheur and 9TH
ers. An excellent feature OF the forenoon
service was the hour for free discussion OF
the points presented. This brought out
many practical suggestions OF great value.
The pleasant picnic dinner was much en-
ioyed, the friends at Saccarappa generally
contributing.
The afternoon session was opened with q
very lively and impressive praise and prom
ise Service conducted by Rev. F. T. Bayley
OF Portland. The afternoon conference on
Sunday School organization and MANAGE
ment," was introduced by Rev. Z. NJ. Cous-
ems Of Cumberland Mills, who advocated
careful grading, special efforts to hold adults
In the school, careful attention TO absentees,
taking advantage Of conventions and insti-
tu.es, district, county, State, Of the teachers
class, and all those methods which are found
successful In practice. We ought, for the
success Of this Bible work. TO carefully seek
Tor the best methods OF organization and
management.
The lesson for next Sunday, Gideon s
Army" was studied under the direction OF
Rev. ID. w. LeLacheur. the convention par
fresh and spirited. and the whole exercise
most suggestive as model in study and in
struction.
The special address Of the afternoon ses-
sion was BY Rev. ID. b. Randall Of Old Or
Sunday School Work" The theme was
most appropriate for one who, at the age Of
81, could look back over term of Sunday
School services of more than half a century
He assumed that the Sunday School Is not
to take the place of the home; nor of the
public school; nor Of the preaching Of the
gospel; nor Of the church service. The de-
sign OF the Sunday School Is to cooperate
with The church in teaching the Bible. There
Is work for the one who would do duty In
the Sunday School, but Is not such work a
joy? 1t is a Joy to shape character when it
Is plastic, forgood, to mould the teachable
for Christ and the highest type of manhood.
No other service offers higher Joys or greater
rewards than one offered to the humblest
faithful teacher who, taking the bread of
life from Christ hands, gives 1t to those who
need. Triumphs have been gained by the
Sunday School already, and greater victories
are to come. This work for Christ Is under
the clear guidance Of God, and it win more
and more wonderfully prevail as the years
90 by. 80
The evening session was held in the new
church OF the Baptist denomination, very
tasteful, convenient and commodious lediffce
A large audience attended.
The'seryiceof song opening the service
waJ unusually effective. and the hints upon
the use Of music and singing in the Sunday
School by Rev. Il. i. Bayley, were especially
pertinent and helpful.
The topic "Who should be In the Sunday
School and Why?" was brought before the
meeting by Rev, b. Z. Snow Of Willard. The
Sunday School Is not for children only, but
for the young people and older folks, and
these last two classes are In as urgent need
Of its teachings as the children. Church
members are derelict If not members Of the
school, and business and professional men
may find these elements Of culture and rules
of guidance for secular and religious life.
The church will be strong when its member
ship Is well trained In the Bible. and the
State shOuld.have all its citizens prepared by
the discipline which the Bible school alone
affords.
The leading address of the evening on the
Book We Study" was delivered by Rev. +.
Il. Bayley OF Portland. He said that while
the subject assigned intimated that there
was much study Of the Bible, he feared that
the study was neither. In quantity nor quail
ty, such as could be reasonably desired.
There is hap hazard, scrappy method Of
reading the Bible which disregards all con-
necti0D, is not sufficient to place anything in
its proper relations and makes no account OF
the writer, the occasion the aim of the au-
thor. The Bible does not have justice done
1t by its friends. II should have reasonable
treatment. Each book should be studied for
itself, for the Bible isn't book, but rather a
library OF SO separate volumes. Get an out
line view Of this library in its individual
parts. Learn how its testaments and books
are related to one another. This reasonable
method of studying and teaching the Bible
should be the aim Of the Sunday School
teacher. Often read a whole book at time,
or follow out carefully some leading theme
like faith or love. Strive for real study, sys-
tematic study, comprehensive study. A
thoughtful, suggestive and inspiring address
This was the first meeting, so far as
known, held in this county in the line Of
conveying organized work into districts and
towns in the county. 1t was a most encour-
aging beginning and will. 1t is certain, prove
to have been the forerunner Of deeper inter
est, closer unity and more efficient co-opera-
tion among the Sunday School workers Of
Cumberland County.
The meeting today will be held with the
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