The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-03-29
Sunday School Convention.


tiou of Fishingcreek Township wa,
held in the st. James Reformed ohurcf
March 9th, at ten A. M. Devotiona
service, conducted by the president
Mr.. John Sutton.
Address of welcome by Mr.. Jacot
Beishline. Response by Rev. A
Houtz, followed by Mr. Sutton. The
delegates were then enrolled, aftel
which the following committees were
appointed:
Reportorial committee, Anna Mo
Henry, Oscar Hess.
| Committee on nominations and re.
solutions, David Yost, Daniel Nc.
Henry, Cyrus Robbins.
The different subjects on the pro.
grsmme were then ably discussed by
Revs. A Hontz, J. w. Mcnamara, and
IL. Edwards, John Sutton, ID. Nc
Henry and Eli Robbins.
The first subject for discussion was,
"The advantages of the Sunday
School to the community" The
children derive great Leneft from it.
Many parents cannot, for the pressure
of other duties, give the instruction
they would desire; here the Sunday
School steps in and assists them.
The Sunday School takes the place
of that which ought to be in the home,
namely, the ability to instruct the
young. Inasmucb as all parents have
not this ability, it is an absolute neces-
sity to have Sunday School. And
those parents who can, should have
the children prepare the lesson at
home, so that they may answer intel
ligently any question asked on the les
son. If it were not for the Sunday
School many children would receive
no religious instruction. The mind
of the human being is wondering
thing and will lay hold on something,
and if the children are not in the Sun
day School they will be in places and
company that will be degrading.
Discussion, "The real objects in
Sunday School teaching One OBJ
ject i, TO become familiar with the
Scripture.
What is taught in the Scripture will
make them better men and women, for
they will learn nothing there but what
is exalting and ennobling. In the
Sunday School we learn to love God
and our Saviour, and if we love him
we will desire to serve him.
We want also to assimilate the
children to have their characters blend
ed, 80 that in after years they may
feel an attachment to each other. The
recollections of the scenes enacted Gin
the Sunday School, and even the face
of the teacher, remain with us and are
Just 20 vivid in our memory when we
are old, as 10 the days of our youth.
There is one object covering all other
objects. 1t is not merely to gather
the children together and teach them,
even the Bible, but to bring them to
Christ This is the real object, it has been
tried by all denominations and they
have found that no church can prosper
without a Sunday School, and where
there is a good Sunday School you
will generally find a prosperous con-
gregation.
After singing Nearer My God to
Thee" the convention adjourned to
meet at 2 p. m.
The afternoon session was opened
at the appointed time, by devotional
service conducted by Rev. j. w. Nc
Namara, followed by enrolment of
delegates, after which the following
subjects were discussed:
"Who are responsible for the failure
of the Sunday Schools? All are re-
sponsible who are connected with it.
The superintendent should be punct.
ual, not easily discouraged, and the
Sunday School should not be suspend
ed on account of other gatherings.
The teacher should strive to pre-
pare the lesson, so as to interest the
pupils. Should illustrate the lesson
from nature if possible, so as to be
within the comprehension of all. The
teacher should also visit and look after
the absent ones, and in case the teach
er must be absent he should secure a
substitute. Parents should teach the
children to reverence the Sunday
School and the teacher, and also see
that they attend promptly, and punct.
ually ,having previously prepared the
lesson at home. If these duties are
all faithfully discharged the Sunday
School will be grand success.
Discussion, "The necessity of edu
eating our schools on the subject OF
Missions The spirit of Missions lis
the spirit of Christ. He was the Fl s,
Missionary, and we read "If any man
have not the spirit of Christ he is none
of His If we want persons TO be
interested in Missions, we must begin
in the Sunday School. We should
teach benevolence as we do temper
ance.
Discussion, "Is not the difference in
the support aud attention of Sunday
Schools and day schools too great to
be justifiable9" o.
We can scarcely separate the two,
for without the day school, our child.
ren would scarcely be able to read and
study the Word of God; and all true
Christians earnestly desire their child
rem to be well informed in the Bible.
As the religious training is paramount
to the secular education, 80 the support
and attention of the Sunday School
should be greater than that of the Sc
cular schools.
Discussion; Ought the Superintend
ent teach a class1"
That would depend altogether on
the size of the school. If the school is
not large, he might, if well posted,
take charge of the Bible class.
He should note the manner in which
the lessons are taught by the different
teachers, to see that what the pupils
imbibe is healthy food. After the
classes are taught the Superintendent
should review the lesson.
Discussion; "What are the best aids
| in the study of the Rihle2n