The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-26
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The interesting proceedings were car
ried out as per programme. at 1920
there were devotional exercises con-
Quoted by the president, in which a
goOdly number of our people, as we'll as
several from other towns, took part
Then came organization and business,
and report by the secretary, read. At
II o'clock, the Rev. Chas. II. Sey ymour,
pastor OF the church, gave earnest
words of welcome, and an address, with
STUDY of the Bible in Home and Sun
day School, for his subject 1t was an
able appeal to all parents to enhance a
spiritual interest in the minds of their
children, by studying the Bible with
them in preparing their lessons for the
Sunday school. 1t was evident that the
Reverend gntlemen's words had an in
fiuence on the Sunday school teachers
and superiutendents present, that will
be made beneficial by putting into prac-
tice. A suggestion was made that the
number of Sunday school pupils attend
ing the church service be registered in
the Sunday school.
Next came remarks on "The District
School in Evangelizing Work." by W.
A. Austin of Bennington, Mrs Munson
and Rev. r. w. Haskins of Manchester,
and NJ. j. HapgOOd of Peru. Their re-
marks were to the point that it may well
be conceded that more good is done by
actual Sunday school work in smaller
places, than i'll the larger villages accord.
ing to numbers, the principal reason Civ
EN- being that in the smaller towns and
districts, the parents and children en-
joyed freedom of feeling and speech"
that is not manifest in the larger
schools.
Superintendent S NJ. Bowles of Wood
ford, was "called to the 'front.'" by Pres
ident Peck, at 2 o'clock, to "let us hear
from the school on the hill, in the city
that cannot be hidm Mr.. Bowles face
tiously, vet earnestly, responded in a
five-minute speech that was very inter-
estlng, and well received. Then the
Rev. r. W. Haskins of Manchester, gave
an address on "The Sunday School as a
part of our Church Household" His
words were apt and closely connected
the two. Discussions on "Our Helps in
Sunday School Work. were then given.
This was very interesting part of the
CoEYention. 1t seems that some were
in favor of dispensing with all lesson
helps, and having nothing in the Sunday
school for officers, teachers and pupils
but the Word of God, the Bible. Others
were as ''fervent' to have all the light
possible from justifiable sources, and
to the latter we can say "amen" in-so-
far as such help is based wholly on the
Scriptures. An interesting paper on
Teachers Meetings" was read by the
Rev. A. D. Heaxt, pastor of the Metho-
dist church; on "The Library by E. T.
Griswold; on "The Sunday School Con
cert" and Lesson Helps" by Miss X.
j. Hubbell of Bennington Centre;
Home Support of Sunday School
Work; Parliament for Tea hers"
led by Mrs. c. H. Peck of North
Bennington, was made very important
and interesting feature. Home support
is necessary for regular attendance and
spiritual sympathy. Why may not
parents call upon the busy teacher of
their children, invite her to supper and
otherwise cultivate her acquaintance.
One pastor feared that many mothers
were Marthas, too busy in much serving
at home to attend to the better part
taken by Mary.
Rev. II. G. Farrar. d. D., of Albany,
N. Y, gave the principal address of the
day, with "Our Sunday SCHOOL, for his
theme. He pictured in manner that
cannot be gainsaid that the Sunday
school is stepping stone to all true
greatness subsequently attained, which
is pleasing to the Master. First the
blade, then the ear, then the full corn in
the ear, and be sure that the corn does
not blast! Much depends on the teach
ers of to-day. Put your best teacher in
charge of the primary department, adorn
the room, and build up school and
church and Christian character from the
foundation.
At o'clock a reception and collation.
were given. The evening services began
at 715 with praise service. Prayer was
offered by the Rev. NJ. l.. Severance of
Bennington Centre. At 7.30 an "Open
Parliament on Sunday School Work."
conducted by Rev. Z. Monro of Pownal,
and G. j. Hoyt of Bennington. Harrison
|. Norton, the efficient superintendent
and Christian worker at the Guide
Board school house, made remarks, ex-
planning in a concise manner the neces
sity of Sunday schools in outlaying dis
tricts.
"Our Possibilities" was the subject of
Rev. DR.. Farrar's address in the evening,
and was given in mastery manner, and
evidently with good effect He appealed
particularly to the youth, stating that
there is possibility of their becoming
what no one has ever been, as a power
for good in the world, and achieving
what has never yet been achieved. But
to bring this about they must use the
talent or talents that God has given
them. God never avalanches grace upon
a man. He is an economist. Man must
catch his opportunities and turn them
them into power. The Priest and the