Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-21
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHAT
INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS IN The
STATE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
Inoreased Attendance-Rsistio OF sehoo!
and Homs-Qualifcasions Of Teachers
and Other Important Questions.

| The convention met hJ AssOclahoh h"'
promptly at 0:3O O'Clock yesterday morning,
with Rev. t. G.. Dssbiell, president, in the
chair; c. Z. Rady and William Elyson,
secretaries.
After engaging in singing Rev. J. W.
| Ware, OF the Episcopal church OF Farm
vile, led in prayer
An increased number OF delegates and
visitors were present, including number
Of ladies.
BIBLE-READTNGs.
Hon. William Reynolds led in Bible
readings. lie selected passages from the
Bible, which were read by the delegates 10
/ the following order. and be made most eX-
celent snd instructive comments
]. The Commission 10 Christians TO WORK
for HIM.
The work Of spreading the Gospel Is not
committed to angels, but Christian men ana
women.
2. The Way to Work for Christ" Inas-
much as We have done 1t unto one OF the
least Of these. my brethren, We have done II
unto me-" "-Ma,ihew XIV, 40.
God appreciates all.
3 The Coustraining Love OF Christ
"Eor the love Of Christ constrAineth US"
/. Corinthians vii, II.
God loves a cheerful and willing worker.
Jesus asks.
4. Our RESPONSIBILITIES. Watch for
souls as they that must give account"-He-
brews Kill, II.
God has committed 10 us immortal souls,
and with what prayerfuness and deep IN
terest we should engage IN sunday'school
work.
:. God Helps Ills People" Our Sufi-
| ,I ! ut \
God gives power and strength IN answer
to PRAYER and conservation.
6. Our Preparation for this Work.
"Study 10 show thyself approved unto
God, rightly dividing the Word Of
Truth."-II. Timothy IL. 8.
Good work requires preparation ana care
full study.
7. our Success Assured. -" He that goeth
forth weeping bearing precious seed shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing bring
ing his sheayes with him."-Psalms, cxXVi'
SCHOOL REPORTS.
A very interesting psrt OF the mornings
exercises was the reports from the various
schools by the delegates. Aarge number re-
ported, and the work generally was found
to be In good condition.
HOW TO MEET OUR NEEDS.
Rev j. NJ. Pitcher. sunday-school evan.
pelist OF the Baptist Church, then addressed
the meeting on "Our Needs and How to
| Meet Them" n which he discussed the
subject very iorciby and earnestly. lie said
all persons who can do so ought 10 attend
| SUNDAY school. because IL IL Bible school
snd intended for all persons, Young and old.
One OF the most important needs OF the
| sunday school is teachers and good teach-
ing, we'll performed and systematic. The
wag to meet these needs IL by conservation
TO The work, We should endeayOr TO secure
the presence OF all who ought to be In the
! Sunday school; use moral suasiOn and ire.
uueut and ierYent appeals by Sunday
| school workers; visit the fdults and chill
dren and urge them TO attend; lay of the
! work in districts and canvass thoroughly.
| Teachers should do the visiting II practicable,
but supplement their work by trying TO I'M
| press ali who come TO school, and thus re-
tain them. using tact and great earneslness.
30 not let the young men and ladies' leave
the school for lack OF interest. The need OF
| teachers is greatly felt, and 10 meet this
| want instruct the people to view this as
great responsibility and that they should ss>
| eume II. Retain the young Christians IN
| school In training classes. Let the teachers
be well supplied with lesson helps, but
study them at home and 90 before the class
with the Bible enly in your band. Both
teachers and scholars should be induced TO
study the lessons well Parents should aid
the schools by assisting in the study OF the
| lesson ut home.
| cUNCTUAT1TY.
Mr.. Charters, Of Fredericksburg, spoke on
the line of punctuality In sunday-scbool
work, especially among those who are Inc
officers and teachers. Teach punctuaity by
example. SuperintsndentS and officers and
! atr1tt n "A nj n
the SUNDAY schools
Professor stone, OF the University Of Viz
einia. said We need scholars and teachers,
| but we need also good superiniendents,
prompt snd punctual, systematic, with eX-
ecutiyp CAPACITY who will see that all Is done
in order. Tne superintendent should In
splre others to do the work, not try TO do all
the work himself. Teachers meetings for
consultation on best methods Of carrying on
the work would prove profitable.
ORGANIZATION.
Hon. William Reynolds then spoke on
estate and County Organza.iOns.' There
has. he said, been an increase OF 80 per cent.
in the sunday schools Of the country,
and IL is attributable to organization.
| There is no work in the Church that
is better organized than the SUNDAY school.
| The international organization seeks to pro-
| mote organization IN all the States. In
| Illinois 300 conventions were held last year.
and ali the good work done in that state IL due
| 10 the international Association. Lastyear IN
! North Carolina the FIRST convention was held,
and now the country is in a fair way 70 be
organized. In Virginia we need more
! scbools-not enough OF them-thOugh such
ss Won have are good. We need organizs-
| tion 10 rouse up the good people IN our
churches and Sunday schools and get them
! 10 work in this great cause. and they Will
| soon he among the best workers IN the
churches. We need more OF the power that
comes through organized and concentrated
efforts.
After transactng some business the con-
yention adjourned to meet at O'Clock L. nj.
AYrERxooN SESSION.
The convection was opened at the ap-
pointed hour with singing by the choir and
| nrayer bv Rev, MIR. Campbell, Of Farmyile,
and Rev. Mr.. Fleming, OF LynchDurg. A
larger number OF ladies were present than at
any former meeting.
J lion. William REYNOLDS then introduced
the topic of the afternoon "COnference on
| Practical SGndAy-School Methods"
PRACTICAL METHODS.
Ue called the roll and entered the number
~ ministers, superinlendents, and teachers
nreseut. He then called for answers TO the
following questions, with the following re-
| suit:
First Question: Qualifications of a good
! superintendent.
Answer: Patience, punctuaity. consecra-
tiou. method, perseverance, liherality, tact,
Classification, love for children, sympathy
and cooperation with his teachers.
second Question: Qualifications OF
teachers.
Answer Preparation for the work, in
terest in scholars, visiting, punctuality, pa
tience, &c.
Third Question How to cultivate beneyo-
lence in pupils.
Answer Giving them information, pre-
sentlng some good object that appeals to
their he4rt.
Fourth Question: Who ought to support
the Sunday school!
Answer: The church or the community,
and let the school give TO all good objects.
Fifth Question; What is the trst duty OF
teacherf
Answer Come early, greet the scholars,
Get attention OF the class by relating some
Incident. instruct them In The things oiG0d,