The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-13
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.

Once IN three years there assemblies
gathering of representative Sunday
school workers from the United States
and the British provinces in America, to
deliberate concerning methods OF Bible
study aud the religious training OF the
Young. This gathering is made up OF
delegates from State aud territorial
and provincial associations of workers.
IN It's general field of effort. IL repre-
sents no permanent society or lnsttu-
ton. nor any denomination OF Chris
tiAns as a denomination. 1t Is a purely
voluntary gathering of those whose sole
hood Of union Is a loving interest IN the
same object of Christian activity: and
its only power is that which attaches TO
the moral weight of its deliberations
and suggestions.
This International convention OF Sun
day-schocl workers, informal and
voluntary as il is, really represents
forces that are swaying the world to-
day with "a potency that Is not equaled
by that of the combined agency OF the
national legislative bodies of the world.
More than ten millions Of teachers ana
scholars in the Sunday-schools OF is
field are receiving their mental and
moral impress from the study OF the
Bible in accordance with the plans that
are suggested aud discussed in It's trlen-
uial sessions. a large majority OF these
Bible students are. indeed, following
the outline of Bible study arranged
by lesson committee appointed
at its gatherings. This system OF Bible
lessons is an important factor in the
Thought and writing and publishing OF
the worlds best scholarship to-day. as 1t
has been. with steady growth OF prog
ress for now more than seventeen years.
Tae outside world pays less attention to
the successive assemblings OF this 10
ternational Sunday schoOl Conven-
ton than 70 the average political party
convention or local athletic confess
hut the outside world Is moved and
controlled By the influences represented
in these assembinGs. as it is not by
those gatherings which command It's
Immediate attention to so much larger
| degree.
Another Of these conventions has re-
Gently held its SESSIONS at Pittst urg
Penn, and the report OF those SESSIONS
now finds Il place in these pages. The
convention itself was notable one Ia
is membership, its spirit, and It's work
/ H. was made up, as "a whole. Of earnest
sensible. devoted Bible students, whose
main purpose vas to do that when
would best promote systematic, lntelll-
gent. and thorough Bible study. The
| snirlt which prevailed in all the discus
ATOMS of the week was one Of loving
fidelity TO Christ, aud of loving
considerateness in the recognition OF
| inevitable differences concerning plans
and methods among tie folio "efs OF
Christ. The principal work OF the con
vention was in the selection Of new
lesson committee for the outlining OF a
schedule of Bible study for the fourth
| full term of seven years; IN the plan
ming for more e.IensiVe and aggressive
effort in the direction OF Sunday.
school evangelism and Sunday school
improvemeut; and in the arranging foI
a World Convention Of Sunday school
workers at st Louis III 1873.
There is cause for profound gralltude
IN God. that the current system OF con
secutive Bible study is to be adhered 10
through the remaining years OF TINS
century: it having gained steadily IL
ruhlic confidence from It's formal be
Ginning in 1873. There is also reason
for cougratulation in the fact that the
differences concerning the measure OF
time desired for special lessons on par
ticular duties, particular doctrines; and
particular days, of the Christian Year.
are now practically met by the Leaving
free from the course Of CONSECUTIVE
Bible study of one extra Sunday IL
every quarter of the year, so that
NAV be available for lesson IN am
one of these departments OF Bioi'
study and Christian thinking.
Many point that was raised in TIN
, convention will be further CONSIDERED
when fuller time is found for its exam
nation, For the present it Is sufiicien
70 thank God that tho lovers OF biol
, study in this country have gained s
much and are So firm in adhering
} the plan through which 1t has bee
. !