The Portland daily press., 1888-10-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF MAINE.
Proceedings of the State Convention
at Bangor.
missionary Work in Portions of the
State recommended.
An AppreciatIve Recognition of the
Services of Secretary Snow.
Especial to the Press.l

lines. 1t opened with an impressive devo
tional service, with Mr.. Stebbins as leader
The service of song, prayer and testimon,
was especially inspiring. The topic, 'Hov
to Impress the Lesson" was pointed,
treated in communication to the conven
tion by Rev. J. B. Jordan of Augusta, wht
was detained from the meeting.
Reviews in the Primary Glass" was ad
mirably treated by Mrs. Ostrander, whit
made her thoughtful address doubly valuable
by ingenious and attractive diagrams in col
ors, such as any primary teacher might draw
and use. She showed how the review Sun
day may be made, as it ought to be, thu
brightest most instructive and delightful
| Sabbath of the quarter.
The great matter of Normal Work" wa.
brought before the meeting in well thought
out and well put address by Rev. j. M
Frost of Portland. How to become better
teachers was pertinently answered, and il
was shown that culture in the best methods
is within the reach of all teachers, either in
home. DIR. Huribut's Outlines" and The he
other excellent books of the Chautauqua
Normal Union are cheap, thorough and COM
plete. This line is the one along which ouI
teacnerS are 10 win success.
A vital theme, "rhe Relation of the Sun
day School to Citizenship" was the subject
Of an able address by Rev. N. L. Whitaker,
ID. D., of Portland. After a clear definition
OF citizenship he gave an analysis of the
qualities needed to make strong. well
equipped loyal citizen in a great land like
ours. What we are now, and what we ought
tosbe were the points considered. Our day
schools are doing their part to prepare the
cltlzen. Inc press is cultivating our citizens
and prospective citizens, in its specific lines
well nigh in all lines. We want citizens
strong In body, mind and spirit. Moral and
religious instruction are the only safeguards
OF rational life. The conscience as well as
the brain must be seized as the great
strategic point to be held for the safety of
our country.
At the business session, Mr.. II. E. Nevens.
treasurer pro- tem., presented report: Cash
on hand Oct. 13, 1887, S15.18; received from
Sunday Schools during last year, $124.52;
contributions from Union meeting. State
street, Portland. S1700. Paid out, $169.79.
Balance on hand, $49.91.
The committee on nominations made a
partial report as follows:
Committee on finance;-E. r. Drummond.
Watervi.le; FL. III. Nevins, Deering; E. s. Ever,
ett, e. Portland; Hon. W. L. Daggett, Strong; G. w
Committee on resolutious-Rev G. B. Irsley.
Bangor; Rev; A. A. Lewis, Brewer; Mr.. A. b..
Berwick; Rev. 0. ID. Fernald. Bucksport.
These nominees were elected by the con-
yention.
Mr.. Reynolds made stirring address on
Convention work, State, international and
worlds" At the close of his remarks, he
called for pledges of money for the work of
the. Maine convention. Ready and enthusi-
astlc responses were made, amounting to
$175.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
A song and prayer service, led by Mr..
Stebpins, opened the session. The address
of the hour by Rev. George Lewis of South
Berwick, on "What the Sunday school is do
ing for the church, was original in style
and illustration, and commanded the close
attention of the audience. The Sunday
school promotes the fraternityIof Christians.
dissolves factions and exempiifies ali along
the line the new commandment. 1t teaches
most effectively the great virtues of out re-
liglon. 1t gives practical skill to Christian
and prepares the strongest and
most intelligent church members. The Sun
day school has conspicuously had the divine
blessing and deserves the fervent support of
all Christian workers.
The illustrated lecture on sScenes in the
orient" by. DIR. Ostrander, was one of the
features OF the convention, unique, delightful
and most suggestive as to the Interpretation
and teaching of scripture. DIR. Ostrander at
the, ,renueSt of uanv consented tn ranaat the
able lecture at Portland.
THURSDAY MORNING.
Following the devotional service the secre-
tary presented his report with statistics.
regarding the Estate work
were added. The report was accepted and
the recommendations were referred to
special committee consisting Of I'll. ID.
Nevins, Deering Rev. B. B. Merrill, Brewer;
Mr. w W. Mitchell. Portland.
An interesting discussion was led by Kew.
Geo. ID. Lindsay OF Bangor, on the Sunday
School assembly in Maine. The convention
deeply regretted the absence OF state oecre-
speak at this time on the 1.-The Need OF
Teacher Training" Mr. Lane telegraphed
the convention in explanation OF his absence.
ILLUSTRATION in Teaching" made the subject
from the convention, under the lead of DIR.
Prof Charles j. H. Ropes of Bangor
Seminary in an attractive style spoke Of
"Some first Principles to be applied in
the Study 0f the scriptnrefs;, stIST prSf,
Of the Bible, questioning the language
with cevoutness, yet with freedom and cour-
age. Especially find out just what the word
means, rather than stop with what on the
surface seems to be the meaning de com.
mended the Revised Version. We must not
be bound by chapters and verses as to the
connection 1t will not do to study or quote
the Bible in a ''scrappy'' hop, skip and jump
way, picking out sentences or texts here and
there. Explain the Bible honestly. The
lawyer should not bully his witness, nor
should the minister or teacher bully his
scripture to make it testify to his mind. Let
the teaching come out of the lesson, not out
of the teachers notions and theories. Ex-
plain the passage according to the connec-
tion in which it is written. There are many
will a
do not try to teach one into them, Rever-
ence intelligence, prayer should characterize
all our studies and teaching. We need the
Holy Spirits aid co get even. into literary
sympathy with the Bible. Our eyes when
| touched with the Spirits amounting see won
| derful things in the word of God.
| Mrs. Ostrander held at this hour valuable
| conference with the primary teachers.
| At the final business session the following
board Of officers was elected for the coming
| year:
| President-Rev. E. M. Cousins, Cumberland
Vice Presidents REV. Geo. B. Ilsley, Bangor
Rev. J. b. Jordan, Augusta Rev. w. f. Berry
Secrefary-Rev B. P. snow, Willard.
Treasurer-Mr. II. III. Nevens, Woodfords.
| Executive Committee-Mr. K. 5. Everett, Port
land, Rev. G. D. Crane, Newcastle. Rev. G: r
Palmer. Augusta; Rufus Deering, Esq, Portland
G. W. E. Barrows, ESQ.,, Bangor.
The committee ON resolutions rendered th
following report:
Since Sunday Schools have become so import
ant department of Christian work, so essentia
to the growth and efficiency of the membershi
| of our churches and so vital to the perpetuatlo
of good citizenship and good government in ou
land, therefore
Resolved, That this convention should do all i
| its power to extend its influence by stimulatin
| county and district conventions and by arousin
| attention to the best methods of Sunday SchoC
teaching and that it would be well to support
general missionary for the destitute parts of OF
| State.
This convention feels it to be both its sacred dl
| ty and its high privilege to express its apprec
| tjon of, and its hearty gratitude for the woI
| which our secretary has done for us, without ha
| ing received any remuneration. He has been Vi
firing in his zeal in promoting an interest in Su
day school work throughout this State; therefor
| Resolved, That we recommend the appointme
| of the Rev. b. p. Snow our representative
| the Worlds Sunday School Convention, to
holden in London, in June, 1889, and that th
Believing most fully that the liquor traffic is Il
| enemy of all righteousness, and that no Sund;
| school worker should oe Indifferent or neutral
| the matter; therefore,
| Resolved That we will, as individuals al
| Christians do all in our power to suppress the
| looms and prohibit the sale and use of intoxc;
| ing drink and that we most heartily favor I
| having of one lesson quarter in our Sund
schools on the subject of temperance, or the eN
of intemperance.
Resolved That we most cordially approve
training school for Sunday, school workers.
Springfield and recommend that our Sund
Schools take an annual collection for its suppO
Resolved That we feel deeply indebted TO th'
| .,ho have 90 ahlv addressed u.s. and TO those VI