The record-union., 1894-03-21
INTERESTING SESSIONS.
Sunday-SchooI Institute at the Sew
enth-Street Church.
Addresses by National Field Superin-
tendent Reynolds and State
Secretary Writ.

SeV6QLu-SLTG6L
proved to be a very interesting one.
National Field Superintendent Rey-
nolds, who is making a visit of several
weeks to the coast, delivered an address
at each session.
The meeting opened with prayer and
praise by Rev. T. A. Atkinson. after
which G. A. Capen, Chairman OF the
Committee of Arrangements. called the
meeting to order for organization. Mr..
Beesley was elected Chairman and Mr.
Lavson, Secretary. r. NJ. Stevenson
then addressed the meeting, on the con-
dition of the Sabbath-school interests in
this State, it's difficulties and hinderances.
The principal reason there IS no Sum
day law is carelessneSs among business
men about attending religious services.
We have witnessed rabbit drives IN the
heart of our city on Sunday.
Still Sabbath-school workers are dong
their best to extend the good work, and
week after week are bringing new schol-
ars into the regular and mission schools
Another difficulty is lack OF Suttlclent
teachers. Scholars can be obtained easier
than good teachers. Another dltnculty
lies in the lack of thorough study of the
lesson on the part of many teachers.
More enthusiasm among our workers IS
needed. They must realize that hundreds
of children are being brought up in our
cities in filth and wickedness.
The Young Peoples Societies should
take up this work and assist in bringing
the children in. Make Christians of the
children while they are children, and
then they grow up with religious princi-
pies implanted within them. IF God be
with us who can be against u.s." lie
closed with a welcome to Superintendent
Reynolds.
Superintendent Reynolds opened the
conference by very earnest address on
Sabbath-school work. He said he liked
to go where the people were not all good.
That was the best place TO do good work
for the Sabbath-schoOls and for God. de
don't like the goody-goody people who
never do anything for themselves or any
body else. He preferred a good live devil
to fight, for if he is converted he becomes
a live Christian. The devil has live men
TO fight for him, and we want live, active,
enthusiastic Christians, not dead sticks.
The Sabbathschool is mighty power
for good throughout the world. Not half
the children in California are in Sabbath
school. There is great work to do here.
He had come out TO spend few weeks
here to help along the good work.
He once read when boy Nv hat Is the
chief end of man?" He read the answer,
TO glorify God" etc. That is the rea-
son he is working in the Sabbathschool
v
eral years ago, Mr.. Coleman, the great
shipper and commission man, asked HIM
in San Francisco If he came out here to
see the country, or on business, or for his
health, and when he answered no. but
that he came here in the interest OF the
Sabbath-school, Mr. Coleman was aston
ished beyond measure. and SAID he was
convinced Mr.. Reynolds must consider
the Sunday-school work of paramount
importance-and he was right.
He spoke on the great benefit Of the In
ternational Series OF Sabbath-school
Lessons. The large number of publica-
tions now issued on these lessons are a
great benefit in preparing the lesson to
all teachers as well as to ministers. In
teaching the lesson teach the children to
be Christians; if Christians, teach them
how TO walk with God and battle with
daily temptations.
He favors weekly teachers meetings.
Don't know how he could get along in his
school without one. If you want plenty
of Sunday-school teachers, raise them,
Just like you raise anything. Have a
training or normal class. Have teachers
meetings in the afternoon for ladies, if
they cannot come in the evening. The
requisites of Sunday-school teacher are:
First-To be regular. Do without
irregular teachers, they are demoraliz-
ing.
Second-Be on time. It does not mean
Just when school opens. Just when the
train goes means to be late. They should
be there ten minutes before school.
Third-Shake hands with your scholars.
Treat all alike Separate noisy scholars.
Get up with your class when they have to
rise.
Fourth-Get their attention. How?
Give them something to do. Don't tell
old stories; some boy may call OUT:
Chestnut" Excite their curiosity by a
II llr1,f ,frof
Mr.. Reynolds then gave some practical
examples, which, while very amusing,
were exactly to the point.
Fifth-Don't teach too much. Don't
try TO cover the whole lesson. but select
for your class, and be sure in making
one good point and impressing truth
on the minds of your scholars. Use
your helps in preparing the meal, don't
bring the helps on the table. You don't
put your frying-pans on the table, al
though they are good helps in getting
ready for it. Give each scholar some
thing to hunt up for the lesson. Conver-
sational teaching is the best kind OF
teaching. This Is the kind Christ gave
us.
Sixth-Don't fail to make the applica-
ton of the lesson. Study your lessons
with this prime object in view. Mr.. Rey
nolds said he had a whole class converted
on one Sunday through the final applica
tion.
Mr.. Reynolds then spoke briefly on the
Home Department of the Sunday-school.
This department is for those who are
hindered from Sabbath-school through
sickness, work, distance from school.
Sunday school workers canvass the cities
for those who are willing to study the
lesson at home for thirty minutes each
week. Get them to sign cards to that Ell
feet.
When a worker gets twelve or fifteen,
that becomes her class, and she goes
weekly TO these homes. A great good is
thus accomplished by this weekly vista
ton, and in some instances whole tami
lies through this means have been
brought to Christ
The session then closed.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session opened with a
praise and prayer service, which was
Joined in by the large number of teachers
present
superintendent Reynolds, in his ad-
dress, said that hundred years ago there
was not Sunday school in this country,
not Sunday-school teacher or scholar
To-day there are ,3U6 900 Sunday school
officials and teachers. If they were paid
81 week each it would take SO, 900 TO
pay them; but they did not teach for pay
they give their efforts for the sake of
Christ.
The best people of community are al
ways to be found in the church, and the
cream of the church is found in the Sun
day-school. The lazy. easy-going Chris
tians never take the trouble to teach in the
Sunday-school; it is the live, energetic,
Jealous Christians.
The Sunday-school is a missionary,