The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-23

VI ieo"iohS county iiict uI tuc NrccH
Memorial Methodist Church last night
at o'clock.
The convention was called to order by
Rev. DIR. o. f. Flippo, of tho Baptist
Church, in the absence of the chairman,
Rev. DIR. j. e. Bushnell, of St. Marks
Lutheran Church.
His honor, Mayor w. G. Evans was
introduced to deliver the address OF
welcome and said: 81 trust those who
are here are Christian workers banded
together for increased proficiency in
Sundayschool work. The business men
of Roanoke appreciate the work of the
Sunday-school, and many Of them. while
they may never attend one themselves,
prefer to employ young man who is
Sunday-school teacher or scholar. and
on behalf of these. as we'll as the Chris
tian men and women who are engaged
in the work. | welcome YOU to our hearts
and homes. Young people as they grow
up seek the business centcrs. and to
withstand the temptations To keep out
of the pitfall that come in their way.
they must be thoroughly rooted in the
principles of the Christian religion
Quite Il number Of visitors and ladies
and gentlemen of the city were assem-
blcd. though the attendance was not as
large as WAS expected
After the singing of II love to tell the
story" Rev. DR.. Flippo read Scripture
lesson from the third chapter of
Proverbs. Rev. w. $. Long. of the
Christian Chnrch. then lead the conven-
ton in prayer, and the choir sang IL Sc
lection.
The Sunday-school is recognized as
the most important agency in this work
1t has truly been termed the church at
work. Who are the best church mem
bcrs? Those you can count on are the
men and women who instruct the chill
drcn in the way OF salvation. and lead
them to God through the Sunday-school.
Not only is this work good for the
young bat no man can engage in it
without feeling that he is wiser. better
and happier. and moro thoroughly pre-
pared for the duties of life. Then the
knowledge of having saved a soul: is
not -tilat-somothing. TO think, trhout?.-.Ii,-
cone fusion. welcome You in behalf of
the business men of Roanoke. on behalf
OF the 5000 Christians of Roanoke and
On behalf OF the 1000 Sundav-school
scholars and workers Of Roanoke, and
trust that the convention will devise
means for the increased progress of the
work.
Rev c. a. Miller. pastor of the Luth-
eran Church. of Salem. was announced
and said: II speak for the minority.
for the visitors who arc here Tonight
and those who will come tomorrow. to
engage in Il good cause. We appreciate
the welcome YOU extended us through
Mayor Evans. and rejoice that it comes
so worthily through your chief officer.
we rejoice that you have Il mayor. who,
while he is representative OF the bust
ness interests of your city, is also u
representative of the church and
not ashamed to stand up as IA
servant of God. We appreca tc this
welcome AS it comes to us not so much
as individuals. but to our cause. We
arc here in behalf of the little ones. to
discuss how the truths of God can best
be installed into their hearts and be as
simulated into their being. There is no
greater work than this. and trust we
will return to our respective fields with
renewed zeal. There is much we can
learn from each other, and in much we
can clasp hands along the pathway of
our common endeavor.
After singing, Rev. DR.. c. +. james,
of Allegheny Institute. read paper on
The Book We Study"
This book, the bible.'' said DR..
James. lis the most attractive and in
tcresting of all books, if regarded only
as the production of man. 1t is the
Oldest book and carries with it what
ever interest may be thrown around it
by anti guilty. 1t began with Moses,
900 years before the most ancient Gre
clan sage, and concludes with the
writings of John, 800 years later and
800 yparS before Our oun tirmo II hoe
the greatest variety of authors, priests,
poets. prophets. warriors, statesmen,
philosophers and scholors
1t has the greatest variety OF matter
and style. 1t begins with an account
of the creation OF all things and ends
with description of the new and
eternal world, extending back
from the beginning on to eternity. 1t
abounds in history the most graphic,
poetry, and philosophy the most pro-
found. No mind that is unacquainted
with the bible is cultivated. Aside
from these interesting features, the
greatest claim it has upon us is that it
is divine in its origin, written by man,
but inspired by God.
The bible never antagonizcs any we'll
established fact of science, while sa-
cred writings of all other religions are
irreconcilable with science. Yet it is
book, and there is an appall-
ing ignorance of the Scripture among
the members Of our best churches.
A more familiar acquaintance with the
bible will elevate the standard of piety
and bring denominations closer together.
The convention closed with prayer by
Rev. j. Ii. Boyd.
The convention will reassemblc this
mi Of OF in, hn 6