Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-11
COUNTY S. s. CONVENTION.
IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING Elk
ERCISES AT THE FIRST N.
E. CHURCH.
Children's Mass Meeting Addressed by
Rev. j. A. Wright-Oficial Re-
ports-Papers on Interest
ing Topics.

president, DR.. G. Humble, yesterday at 1
a. M, and the exercises throughout tn
day and evening were interesting and pro
fitable.
The devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. j. w. Love, the singing led by 0
A Reach, Miss Gail Caldwell presiding a
the piano At the close of the opening ex
ercises DIR. C. Humble, president of th
association made few appropriate re
marks. A portion of the forenoon wa
occupied by reports from the RESPECTIVE,
township officers.
Rev. j. A. Bright gave stirring speecl
in which hesbrought the greeting Of tn,
whole state of Kansas, state 400 mile.
long, 200 miles wide, and as Congressman
Anderson says, reaching from the center
OF the earth to the stars. He said, to ust
a business phrase, that Sunday schoo
work throughout the state is booming
| This is largely the result of more thor
| ough organization through Sunday schoo
missionaries and other agencies. 1ndivid
ual schools were better organized, more
townships are organized, more countie:
| have the golden star. Above these come
the district organizations, state, national
| and worlds convention the perfect chair
of seven golden link.
He reported glorious county convention
held, large and enthusiastic chilnren's
meeting and most liberal collections, some
fronties giving as much or more than
Sedwick county gave last year. Comanche
and Meade counties each subscrib ipg more
than 500.
In these meetings we should have more
Normal work and keep before US the idea
OF saving souls.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
After the opening devotional exercises
Professor Rosenberger presented an ably
written and exhaustive paper on the topic,
How to Induce Scholars to Study the BIZ
ble'" The subject was treated in a mas
terlY manner. l. The preparation of the
teacher. 2. The method Of teaching 8. To
teach the pupils how to study and use the
Bible. The discussion was continued by
Rev. Van Gundy, of Valley Center,
C. F. Coffic Esq, j. W. Armstrong, county
secretary; J. C. Robb, Mr.. Cox. Rev. w.
johnson.
The following paper was read by F. A.
North: How to attract and retain our
young people in the bible class"
In the consideration of the two PROPOSE
tions contained in this topic, first, how to
attract, and second, how to retain young
people in the bible class, it becomes nee
cessary to find out a solution of the former
for the continuance of those methods and
requirements will accomplish the solution
OF the latter proposition.
1t might be simply stated thus: To at
tract, then you must be attractive, and to
retain, then you must continue to be at
tractive.
But teacher to be attractive in bible
class may not of necessity be particularly
lovable and winsome in himself He must,
however, embody the qualities of heart,
intellect and nature that enables him
TO make the meetings Of the class interest
ing to its members. 1t is impossible of
accomplishment and worse than useless to
insist that young people between the ages
of 16 and 20 should delight in the same
lines OF thought, action and expression in
the Sunday school as those persons do who
are between the ages OF SO and GO.
The method of presenting the lesson has
a wonderful inspiring or depressing effect
on the young peopiy. The lesson should
be SO presented that personal application
to the members of the class will be appar-
ent. To this end the teacher must under
stand the conditions and surrounding of
the pupils of his class and SO adapt the in
structiOn as Co meet their respective wants.
Study the lesson and thoroughly prepare
yourself not only on all the
facts and truths it contains,
but also on the practical application OF its
different phases, with anecdotes and Illus
trative examples. then cloth the truth in
al attractive form and present 1t in the
most forcible manner possible.
A mixed class of young people will not
listen to dry, tame, eaSy-going, slow,
precise, unprepared, ignorant stick of
teacher. If you want full class present
the lesson with new and sparkling thoughts
and with vivid illustrations and express
sions, and you will not lack for numbers
nor the delight of those who attend. The
old method of slow drawn out questions
and slower drawn out answers will drive
your young people away from the Sunday
school and away from the church to seek
more inspiring surroundings in the dam
gerous society of the world.
No teacher should come before his
class-especially a class of Intelligent
young people-unless he is prepared
on sufficient topics, illustrations and in
teresting Bible truahs to meet any ordi-
nary demand in length of time devoted 10
the lesson, or lack of knowledge or he,i--
fancy of the pupils. Nothing can take the
place of deep, comprehensive Bible knowl-
edge and tact in presentingit in pleasing
ana eHectlVe manner. Never allow the
lesson TO lag in interest.
Whatever may be said about the rela-
tive ualue of different methods of conduct
ing the recitation, the central purpose of
the recitation must be accomplished; the
truth which the lesson contains must be
brought out and put in possession of the
class. 1t is far better that we'll informed
teacher, who has thoroughly studied and
digested the lesson in hand, TO present it
in clear and we'll defined statements to his
class than TO attempt by any series Of
questions to pump living waters from dry
fountains. Many, If not most young peo-
pie who devote their time at all 10 profita-
bic employment during the week, lind lit
tie time 10 devote TO the Sabbath school
lesson. hence comes the general outcry
against pupils and the unwarranted and
criticism of pupils by the
average Sunday school teacher.
Lead your class, not drive them. 1t
would be very erroneous policy TO en-
ploy disciplinary management of the class
in the authoritative manner used in the
public school. In the management of
such class as in all departments of bust
ness common sense, employ Jus. such
legitimate methods as are necessary to ac-
comDlish the end sought. Adaptability
and delight In the particular work is an
almost Indispensable prerequisite in
lie lSdNuGIs NuOuSn
ment of the means l have named will give
almost any teacher success.
Let the teacher be conscious that he has
a great work TO perform, and that he must
do it nobly and well. Let him be correct
in his habits and conduct. The teacher
must be master of himself The influence
of his example on his class is far-reachlng
and perpetual. He must also be untiring
in constancy and punctuality.
We are not TO teach sectarianism, Teach
them the uusesrchabie riches in Christ,
not the doctrines OF your particular church;
vet, let each teacher work with his own