The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-29
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
HARVEST FESTIVAL.


octet in the choir under the leadership of
Carl Weber, chorister, Mr.. Edgar III. Paine,
president of the organization. The chancel
of the church was very handsomely deco
rated with flowers such as can be procured
at this time of the year, and with MOSES,
immortels. berries of the mountain ash and
of various shrubs and vines which gives for
their harvest, punches of many hued berries
and flowers. To the left of the chancel was
a pyramid of the harvest. composed of the
principal vegetables grown in this State.
The communion table was decorated. with
ears of yellow corn, bread and grapes.
Within the font was cross composed of
green leaves and red berries which was very
pretty. To the right of this were the plants,
basket composed of flowing sheaf of wheat
and ears of corn artistieally arranged. Upon
the pulpit were vases Of flowers.
The concert consisted of an exercise, en-
titled seed time and Harvest" in which all
the members of the Sunday school took
part. The exercise was founded ON Mark 4:
10; 1920 This exercise was interspersed
with the singing by the school of "a Band of
Scholars" Gathering in the Seed work
for the Lord in the Harvest"
The pastor, the Rev. ii. G. Durham, adj
dressed the school and pointed out the way
to sow the seeds of truth from the word in
youth, and spoke of Emanuel Swedenborg's
were followed by 5singing by the octet of
Gathering Home" then followed number
of recitations. Then all the members of the
classes of the Sunday school came forward
to the chancel rail with baskets of grapes
and fruits of all kinds as an offering to the
sick of the parish and for the Diet Mission.
The exercise closed by the singing of
America, in which all Joined, and by the
benedlction.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.
Rev. DR.. Ostrander addressed the various
pastors, Sunday school superintendent,
teachers and pupils, at Young Mems Chris
tisn Association Hall, Saturday evening, on
Sunday school work.
The exercises were opened by singing.
Rev. Mr.. Whitaker read from the sth chap
ter of Nehemiah, and prayer was offered by
Rev. Mr.. Dunn.
DIR. Ostrander's subject was methods of
teaching in the Sunday school. He said
teachers have the grandest of commissions
and the hope of the grandest reward. There
is plenty of earnestness, and the great need
is for better methods. The true Sunday
school is that department of the church in
which the word of Christ is taught for the
purpose of bringing souls to Christ and of
building up souls in Christ.
The true teacher is not the man who mere
ly amuses his class with stories or gives
them only lot of ancient history Teach
ing is to get hold of the scholars mind, and
to impress upon it something to influence his
lie and character to get him to think. The
methods OF teaching change; the principles
never.
Questions should be simple; ADAPTED to the
level OF the scholar. The teacher cannot put
a clear question without a clear idea. The
teacher should persist in his question till it
Is answered; change its form, but never let
recommended. The teacher must begin
where the child understands and present
new truths by means of some knowledge
common to teacher and scholar. The object
OF all questions should be the bringing out of
some truth.
DIR. Ostrander's talk was informal, and he
used the blackboard in illustrating his points.
at the close, a number of questions about
Sunday school work were asked by those
present and answered by the speaker.
RALLY SUNDAY AT SECOND PARISH.
The Sunday School service at the Second
Parish yesterday was particularly interest
ing. 1t was rally Sunday" and though it
was so stormy, the attendance was about
four hundred. The exercises consisted of
responsive reading, singing. &c. The Rev.
J. s. Ostrander, of Brooklyn, made an inter-
esting address to the school on the use of the
Bible, illustrating his subject in most
happy manner by the use of the clock board.
This was followed by an address by the pas
tor, Rev. c. II. Daniels, who expressed his
pleasure at the way in which tie teachers
had done their work during all the time of
his passionate.
In the evening the "Rally Sunday School,
Concert was largely attended. The beauti-
ful chrysanthemums, which were used in
lied with the rich frescoing with which this
church has recently been adorned. The
programme, as published Saturday, was fully
carried out. The Coming of the Healer"
read by G. A. Dunlap was finely rendered.
and the anthem, in response, by the First
Parish choir, added much to the pleasure
of the evening. The motion song by the 1
infant class was most interesting and
amusing. The hymn "What can little hands
do, was illustrated by different motions of
the hands.
Rev. Mr.. Daniels, in his address to the
school, took as his text, They which are
which he showed that youth could write
their names where they wished. good
name is of great value, and should be guard
ed. The only safe place for a name is in the
Lambs book of life.
FREE STREET.
Mr. Ostrander in the evening was at Free
Street church and had more to say of
thoughtful advice in regard to the regula-
ton and aims of the Sunday school. The
address was delivered partly to the teachers
and adults and partly to the children. 1t was
thoroughly interesting and suggestive
throughout. Starting out with the founda-
ton of the school upon Chist, he proceeded
by blackboard illustration to build tower
The stone of next Importance was the
pastor, and on him rested the responsibility
of the good conduct and success of the school.
Then came the superintendent and parents,
and above these the other various officers
while the battlements were represented by
the children themselves. He said they
should do everything possible to make the
Sabbath school attractive and believed that
the church should support the school. The
money the children gave, should be given
entirely for benevolent objects, and should
not buy their books, or in any way pay the
expenses of the school.
The latter part of the speakers address
was to the children and in bright style he
told them of the rest and satisfaction, the
perfect, everlasting home.
To night Mr.. Ostrander will lecture In the |
New BAPTIST church upon oriental GUS
toms, his talk being illustrated by number
OF young ladies in eastern dress.
NOTES.
There was very pretty Harvest Festival |
at the Preble chapel yesterday. There was
a large and beautiful arrangement of autumn |
fruits and flowers, and music, recitations, |
addresses, &c.
Mrs. II. M. c. Estes, of Waterville, State |
deputy Maine Good Templars gave Bible |
lecture on temperance at Congress street nj. |
e. church, before large audience Composed |
of members of the temperance lodges yester- |
day.
The following was the musical programme |
at High street church last evening:
Larghetto Symphony No. 2............ Beethoven |
The radiant moon has passed away. =. Woodward |
Benedictu~, Mass In A fiat. Mercadante
M