Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-11-19
THE METHODIST CONVENTION.

Exercises at the Rirss m. e. church
Able Address By Rev. DIR. Joseph
Pullman OF New Britain-nsl1gious
Teaching in the sunday school ana
In tho Public schools - Programme
For To-day.
The delegates to the Methodist convention
of the New York East and New Haven dis
tricts met at the First church last evening.
Presiding Elder J. w. Beach of the Now
Haven district was appointed chairman and
E. g. Bassett secretary of the convention.
The following were appointed q committee
on order of exercises during the conventions:
I. Simons, Rev. DR.. Joseph Pullman and
Rev. DIR. M. B. Chapman of the First NJ. E.
church.
The lecture which followed was by Rev.
DR.. Joseph Pullman on "Ths Limitations
and defects Of the Sunday school system"
The speaker stated that he was not aware
until recently that he had been assigned to
speak at the opening of the exercises. but he
would not decline, Notwithstanding he would
prefer to speak, at Q later time during the
convention. The subject, said he, Is an i'm
portant one; It is of the greatest Importance
in relation to the religious education of the
nation. I will not say anything against the
Sunday school without sympathy with the
Sunday school. The best people are inter-
ested in the Sunday schools, but are making
hazardous practice of conducting the pub
lie or common schools without sufficient re-
ligious instructions. l don't know that the
experiment. has ever been tried of having
sufficient religious teaching in the day
chools, but in our early days there was more
instruction of this kind in our schools, than
~ To dou
sometimes hymn 10 sung, sometimes the
Lords prayer is repeated, often irreverently.
/ think ii was Herbert Spencer who said:
"To prepare MS for perfect living Is the pur-
pose Of education" How can we live per-
fectly without religious instruction.
All the great nations Of Europe have reli-
gious teaching in their day schools. This is
especially true in Germany and England.
Tho schools of the Jesuits were intensely re-
ligious. II we were dealing exclusively with
the descendants of the Puritans we could
better afford to omit the religious part of sx-
ercises in our common schools. The inhab-
itants of our large cities, especially New
York, Cincinnati and st. Louis, are from 20
to IS per cent. foreigners or the children of
foreigners.
in our civilization. What will obviate this3
Some say better ministry; others say better
church membership, and others recommend
evangelists. But these have been tried In
manner that indicates that the church should
got nearer to the masses of the people. But
howl know of no way IL we neglect to get
near the hearts of tho children. Few pa
rents refuse to allow their children to attend
the Sunday school. Even parents who do
not attend church allow their boys and girls
to Join the Sunday school. Another defect
In connection with our Sunday school system
IL that our churches are not increasing In pro-
portion to the increase in population. But
our churches are generally not crowded,
because many people who are not church
members are falling off in their attendance
at church. This sort of religious indifference
is increasing. Another defect Is that Sun
day school scholars do not, as rule, attend
divine worship. Only certain percentage
Of Sunday school scholars attend the church
services. Gan we connect the staying at home
Of the parents with the absence of the Sum
day school children from the church services?
Another defect Is the want of authority In
Sunday schools. Scholars are inattentive,
sometimes irreverent.
At tho close Of the able address, which
showed the speakers ability to deal with the
subject, the chairman gave an opportunity
for others present to speak on the same sub
ject. Rev. Joseph Irons of Clinton, and Mr..
Simmons, formerly parties of the old George
Stree. church hero addressed the convention
on the same subject.
The following is the official programme of
exercises for to-day. At 1880 address by
President B. P. Raymond of Wesleyan uni
vsrsity on "Education and the Church." At
Q p. m. address by Rev. DR.. Simon
McChesney on Pending Problems in
Sociology" At 8 O'Clock Professor b. G.
Mitchell will speak on the "Higher Criti-
oism." Mrs. Emery at 7:80, Professor O. T.
Winchester of Wesleyan university will
speak ON "Situation ss an Agent In Christian
Cultures" and r. r. Doherty will address the
Young Peoples societies on work In the
church. To all these services the public is
cordially invited.