The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-12
AFTERNOON SESSION.
preparation for Preaching and Sunday
school Work Discussed.


preparation for Preaching and Sunday
school Work Discussed.
AT the afternoon session, after deyo-
tional services, Rev. l. ]. Spencer dis
cussed the subject preparation for
Preaching"
The speaker took the ground that in
preparation for pre- ching, like prepara-
ton for building, there should Bro a good
foundation. a man should be sound
physically. He should have good
moral foundation, lie enlarged on this
point, saying that n mans disposition
should be considered. OF course we
condemn drunkenness, gambling, etc,
but had rather be drunk one day and
sober the next If my family could say
that was kind father and husband
than to be constantly displaying u
mean, snarling disposition.
The speaker discussed the educational
qualification at some length and illus
trated his arguments with q number Of
amusing incidents. A preacher said
he would brush away the cobwebs and
think with all his power, for men are
thinking now as they never thought be-
fore, and the secular press is dealing
with tho live subjects of religion. He
discussed tho means OF i'm cd late prep
aration thatare' best ad pied to differ
ent minds. No man would do to follow
eXclusively;men should think for them
selves. The minister, in preparation,
needed the sympathy with the people.
he showed know their wants tnat he
might feed them tho food of tho Gospel
w D. Sbrlleman, who was tho Prohi-
bition candidate for Congress in this
district last year, said in this connec-
ton that TALL the feed ever given to
stock buckwheat straw was the poorest.
lie had heard the rich grain fall from
the lips OF Gods servants who had pre-
pared their sermons and he seen tho
buckwheat straw offered by unprepared
preachers. Your cannot hold congre-
CATION with buckwheat straw.
The remainder of the work of the
! ministerial society was passed over, and
the missionary society was convened,
Rev. Jabez Hall presiding. Sunday
school work and It's relation TO the
church was the first subject. The dis
cussion was opened by Rev. Il. M. Bull
lard, of Lynchburg. He dwelt upon
the Importance of Sunday-school work
and the means for drawing the young
people. lie regarded personal as the
most important means. He favored
Sunday school board and a Sunday
oSuOOl SfdIRCllSG lOF pnG CQuTC0 In The
State.
Rev. William E. Hall. of New York.
was'the next speaker. His argument
was that to draw young people give
them something to do and interest them
in the work.
Rev. Jabez Hall considered the Sun
day-school the most important work of
the church, because it was the funda-
mental teaching. 1t is the most fruit
full, for majority of church members
have been brought into the fold
through this instrumentalitY.
The Sunday-school was deficient in
organization and methods. Teachers
and officers were incompetent in most
schools Considering these things, its
success WAS wonderful. 1t is wonder
full in the stimulation it has given to
Christian thought IT. il introducing
new era in Rblp study. tits crro ting
demand for NOR" thorough and scientific
teaching. IL is forcing the collcg. and
universities of the Country to q thorough
teaching of the "ihle. lie also spoke
OF the great influence of the Sunday
school work is exercising on the mis-
sionar, cause.
The cnuich fails to appreciate the
importe nce OF the Sunday. school 1t is
the most progressive, aggressive and
| enthusiastic of all religious agencies.
1t would he wisdom to abandon the
adult population If the children could
be secured. for what can you do with
the hardened, crooked men after YOU
get them.
Rev. II. C. Garrison. pastor of Fourth.
avenue Church, closed the discussion.
He characterized the Sunday school as
the church at work, and dwelt at length
| upon the relation that each member of
the church sustains to the work. He
also spoke of the Sunday school as
means of spiritual development.
"Shall We Have Sunday-school
board?" was the subject next taken up
Rev. Mr.. Garrison moved to appoint a
com mittee of three. who shall nominate
and define the duties Of such school
board. Mr.. Shelburne seconded the mo-
tior and spoke of the Importance OF or
ganization.
Rev. l. j. Spencer favored combining
this work with colportage and thought
that much good could be accomplished