Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-26
sUNDAY-sCHOOL WORKERS.
FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE AUGUSTA
COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
In 1882. the active Sabbath school workers of
| Richmond and Petel sburg devised a plan for
| closer union and more concerted work to be
effected through city and county organizs.
tions all evangelical denominations uniting
| The plan was actively entered in to In Augusta
| county. The call for the initiory movement
selected Laurel Hill Baptist Church as the
place in August, 1884. The Convention was
largely attended and the County Union organ
lied and put to work. The annual sessions
have been regularly held at various places In
the County, the fifth being the first to take
place in this city.
FIRST DAY.
Shortly after 10 O'Clock on the goth. goodly
number of delegates and few visitors, mostly
| ladies, assembled at the First Presbyterian
Church, the appointed place. Mr. VIM. +
SHELTON, the President of the Union. called to
order. when prayer was offered by the Rev. T.
D. g. Collins. and No. 10 of the Gospel hymns
was sung.
Rev. D. K. Mcfarland. D. D.. who had been
chosen for that purpose, delivered the address
of welcome. In commencing he said his duty
would be performed in few, but sincerely ut
tered words. 1t was a pleasant duty to an
nounce the words Of welcome and to invite all
interested in the great work Of Sunday. school
progress to meet in deliberetion for that pur.
pose. He had not been in the State long
enough to become familiar with the plans Of
this organization, but it had his willing and
earnest CO operation. All the reports he had
of its progress. were good and now he desired
to see its mission expand and perform still
larger amount Of good for the entire com
munity. He extend to all a cordial welcome
to our churches and our homes. We might ex-
pect large benefits from this meeting of which
good portion would be for the cause in this
city, because he expected all to speak. and to
give freely their observations for edifcation
and the advancement of the great interests of
the Church through the early training and In
struction of the young in the doctrines OF
CHI Instantly, for the Sabbath school was the
chief means of winning the youth to the
Saviour OF all.
The awakening interest in Sabbath-schoos
was to be approved and nurtured, and in SOW
ing good seed, we would secure fruitful bless
ings. Upon Sunday-schools the churches were
relying for prosperity and they were one OF
her chosen instruments for that purpose. He
hoped all here had come with their hands and
their hearts full of this work. and the united
deliberations would result in finding still more
to be done when the members should return to
school labor was to go on.
The President responded in a brief address,
He alluded in touching words to the greeting
they had received which could but draw them
nearer to each other and in full eccord for the
accom- plishment Of the objects in view. BE
said we must all feel the responsibility OF our
relations to the saving of souls through the aid
of Sabbath.schools, and this was most
favorable opportunity for gathering strength
and wisdom for our mission. The time was
suspicious, and all should invoke rich bless
ing upon the labors here dedicated to the
cause OF Sunday.school progress.
The annual report of the President was then
read by the permanent Secretary, Mr.. VIM. ].
Nelson.
Rev. c. F. Fry, County Superintendent Of the !
Union, was made Temporary Secretary.
The proceedings of the last annual session, |
held at Augusta Church, August 18th. 1887,
were read and approved.
On motion of Rev. ]. G. s. Myers, a commit |
tee of five were appointed to recommend off,
GERS for the ensuing year. Mr.. Myers. c. B.
Koiner P. E. Houff, Chas. W. Fitch and Col.
Jas. h. Skinner. were placed on the Commit |
tee who reported Rev. Jno. 81. Taylor for
President; Christian Eakle, Rev E. D. Kin |
dig, James Phillips. Samuel H. Weaver, Geo.
W. Slower, James Leach. W. 81. Norman and
A. B. Robertson, president; W. ]. Nell |
son, Seer etary; and G. B. Koiner, Treasurer.
The Executive Committee will be appointed
by the President.
The newly. President, MIR. Taylor. is |
detained at home by indisposition. and MI. |
SHELTON was requested to remain in the Chair |
during his absence.
The constitution was read by the Secretary |
The progress made in the order of business
brought the Convention to the feature of topic |
discussion. The first subject, Improvement
OF the Sunday school Convention was passed |
by, and that of 1.-The object of Sunday school |
Instruction" was taken up. To this, the Rev. |
A. R. Cooke, of Waynesboro'. was one of the
speakers. He delivered learned and |
most carefully prepared address. and 1t Is to |
be regretted there were SO few present in adj
dition TO the Jealous laborers in Sunday school |
work to hear the admirable paper read which
he had brought as his offering to the sacred
work.
Rev. ]. G. 8. Myers, who had also been as
signed to that subject, excused himself. ex-
pressing the great delight all had experienced
in listening to Mr.. Cooke who had occupied
the whole field of that feature of the Conven-
ton work.
The morning session was here ended. The
the discussions arising under the head, first, |
Incentive TO labor in the Sunday school,
None of the assigned speakers to this subject
appeared except Mr.. C. B. Koiner, who pre-
scented to the Convention many practical !
views with results of his experience and OBJ
servat1on in Sunday school work.
Rev. G. F. Fry followed and related o mum.
Der of instances occurring under lis observa- |
ton as worker in the distribution of the |
Bible in the Home Mission fed Of his |
church. He spoke with good effect, and then |
followed general participation in the discus |
sion by Messrs. W. II. Norman, s. E Miller.
c. W. Fitch and DR.. Mcfarland, who enlarged |
on the duty of teachers in the Sabbath-school |
work, and the sacrifices and constant labor |
which they were called upon to contribute to |
the cause. For such services the reward was |
great, both in this life and in that to come.
The next topic-"Relation of the Sunday
school to the culture and welfare of the Ma |
tion"-was then called. Rev. T. D. u. Collins, |
who was in charge of Circuit of M. E. Church |
South when the Union was formed in 1884, but
now at Monterey, in Highland, was first an
nounced. His address was replete with the
history of Sabbath schools from their earliest
planting to the present time, and concluded |
with practical suggestions and in glowing |
thought OF tle future OF InlS lusIltuIlO0.
Colonel James II. Skinner was the next |
speaker on this topic. 1t is we'll known with |
what care Colonel Skinner always charges |
himself in assuming a task of duty. How |
delightfully."- he charmed his hearers can only |
be known by those who were there to listen to
him, On that occasion. he taught as his subject |
truly inspired a mind stored with knowledge
in the practical mission of the afternoon
teacher in the border work of his church. He
spoke also of his observations of the influence
which sound principle, originating in and dit
fused from the Sabbath school, exercised in
directing the minds and action of men in the
discharge of the duties of public station as well
as in the daily occupations and business trans.
actions of life.
Before concluding the afternoon session, the
President made an urgent appeal for larger
attendance of the people at the sessions Of the
body and hoped that the future hours they
would devote TO their work would realize q
larger encouragement IN its behalf.
The annual sermon was delivered at night by
Rev. James Nelson, D. D., from the text HE
must needs go through Samaria." John 4th
ch., 4th v.
SECOND DAY.
The convention was opened with religious