The Portland daily press., 1889-05-09
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.
The Cumberland County Meeting at
Woodford's Yesterday.


Of all denominations in Cumberland county
met in annual convention at the Congrega-
tional church, Woodford's. Wednesday,
May at 9.15 a. m.
The president of the association, II. III.
Nevens, ESQ.,, of Deering, presided over the
convention.
The representative attendance from the
county was quite large.
The Introductory service OF prayer and
praise was conducted by Rev. K. L. Bacon OF
Saccarappa. A cordial and very suggestive
address OF welcome was made by Rev. Z.
r. Wilson.
The first regular topic "What Can the
Sunday Schools Do Towards a Religious
Canvass Throughout the Country" was
9spvgsI DeiGre sne meeting BY clear and
d. Cl0udman. The paper gave the facts re-
garding an actual canvass made in the terri
tory connected with the Sunday school at
Cumberland Mills. The work there has
amply repaid the effort in its remarkable in
crease OF attendance at church and Sunday
school, and in deepening of interest in the
entire community.
The discussion Of the subject showed that
such convass Is feasible In the country as
well as Ia cities and villages. Rev. f. T.
Bayley, Rev. Mr.. Gates Of Limington; Rev.
b. Z. Snow, Rev. Z. M. Cousins and many
others engaged in the consideration Of the
4uCoLlOu, WHICH WAS Clearly regarded as one
Of vital and practical Importance.
The next number of the programme "The
Need OF Greater Definiteness In Teaching
was introduced In an address by Frederick
Brunei, superintendent Of the First Baptist
Sunday school, Portland. As teachers, we
should discover the definite truth to be con-
yeyed In each lesson, and then we should
faithfully, fearlessly and lovingly carry this
truth to our classes. There Is clearly de-
mand that our teachers should, through this
work CarQfnllV nrQnarQ for tho vv0rk NJ he
class. Above all be definite, clear.and i'm
presslve in teaching salvation through
Christ. Be definite in inculcating practical
godllness to be seen and shown in every day
Mr.. Samuel Bell, Mr.. Pierce and others
followed In interesting remarks. The lack
OF systematic preparation accounts for
much OF the indeiniteness. Irregular at
tendance Of teachers results in blind and
scattering instruction. Be Cody, regular in
attendance and faithful in preparation.
Know Just the point you are to Impress and
make all teaching Of the hour tend toward
this one definite truth. Mr.. Macdonald Of
Saccarappa, spoke with force upon the OBJ
Ject point or central thought to be looked for
by the teachers in each lesson. Teach this
carefully and be sure that your class grasp
that thought.
The Important theme, "The Superintend-
Superintendent K. s. Everett, Chestnut ST.
Methodist Church, Portland. In the con-
.ideration of his subject Mr. Everett read.
in the absence Of the writer, capital essay
by superintendent Morse Of Free Street
Church. Portland, on "The Duties Of the
Superintendent" The discussion was
largely participated in and proved most in
teresting. Let the superintendent know
Just what he desires to do, every piece Sc
lected beforehand to sing, every notice
el SO all ready.
At the opening of the afternoon session a
praise and prayer service was led by Super
intendent Merrill Of st. Lawrence street
church, Portland.
Three minute reports from the several
schools showed fair condition Of schools
through the county. Several schools report
normal classes and teachers meetings by
which agencies much good is being done.
Chestnut street church school has a new and
interesting department, formed from the pu-
pils coming from the Portland School for
Deal Mutes. The largest school in the
county Is at Chestnut street, Portland.
Thirty-tye schools were represented in the
convention.
The committee to arrange for and hold dis
trict conventions in different parts Of the
county reported that two such meetings had
been successfully held. After discussion
district meetings as a help to county and
State conventions as well as a decided help
to local schools, 1t was voted to continue
the district work under the direction of the
executive committee.
The convention then attended to the topic /:
Our opportunities for improvement as
teachers" discussed as follows:
First5T,hrolgh normal methods, Rev. B. P.
Second-The assembly at Ocean Park, Rev. j.
NJ. Lowden, Portland, who reported in writing
through Rufus Deering, Esq.
IhlrdlIhe assembly at Fryeburg, Rev. A. 7.
FoGrth-UniOn Techers meeting, A. F. Cox,
Fiith-Teachers' Reading. Miss Hattie A. Files.
Gorham.
The Question Box was conducted by Rev.
J. NJ. Frost. Questions: fought a superin-
tendent to be teacher of CLASP" An
swered by Superintendent Everett of Port
land to the effect that the superintendent
ought to find so much to do that he can use
his time to better advantage to the school
than to teach, though he should be prepared
and be ready to take class from time to
time as necessity may demand: How much
temperance instruction should be given in
the Sunday schoolg, answered by Miss
Lucia L. +. Kimball, National Sunday School
Superintendent of the w. @. L. u. So much
Of instruction should be given as would in
duce every man to be prohibitory law to
himself and be ready to vote to put away the
saloon from our communities.
Teach temperance not once a quarter
alone, but teach it whenever the truth stud
led may be brought to bear upon this sub
ject.
A resolution offered by Rev. F. T. Bayley,
was unanimously adopted. to the effect that
some other Sunday than that for the review
should be given to the temperance lesson.
''What shall be done with adults who will
neither ask nor answer any questions?"
Draw them out In some way, even II by resent
ment Provoke them to better ways and
works.
"What class Of persons would you recon-
mend for primary teachers?" Select those
who can teach by object lessons, generally
your best talent for the primary depart
ment.
"Should one not a church member be n
teacher?" Generally no; but there are ex-
ceptions where such teacher does well and
Is true and devout worker
how long would You hold a teacher ir-
wise.
Would you use presents to induce a child
to remain% Sometimes, but carefully made
gifts.
"Would you have a teacher change from