The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-22
eEoRGIA'S SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION BRINGS
DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER
THE STATE.

They Assembled Yesterday in the
Church Dedicated 10 the MesIeys.
the Founders of sunday school
wOrk-Addresses of Welcome and
Responses President Gambler
Thinks There should he More En-
ergy and EnthuSfasm in the Work
Prof. AshmOre's Lecture Last Night.
The Programme for To-day.
The end annual convention OF the Geor-
gia State Sunday School Association be-
gan yesterday morning a Wesley AIonu-
mental church, with about 10 delegates
from all parts Of the state in attendance.
The pulpit platform and choir gallery
were very prettily decorated in honor Of
the occasion. Not only were the decor
atoms attractive, but they were appropri-
ate. on a white canvas surrounded by
an evergreen border the convention mot
TO was printed:
do all the good you can; TO all the
people you can; at all the times you can;
in all the places you can. and just as
long as ever you can"
Around the pulpit platform were pot
ted palms. geraniums and other flowers
while above all was a large wheel worked
in evergreens and flowers. The word
Christ" was worked in blue on a ground
Of white flowers. and the spokes Of the
wheel worked in the same manner, point
ing to the center named the seven denom-
nations which have taken part in the
work Of the conventions: Methodist, Bap-
fist, Presbyterian. Lutheran. Congrega-
tional, Episcopalian and Christian.
The work of the morning opened with
devotional service. followed by the call
TO order by President Asa C. Gambler Of
Atlanta.
The address Of welcome TO the dele
gates on behalf Of the Sunday schools Of
Savannah was delivered by Mr.. John Mic
olsOc. Jr a pretty idea in Mr.. Nicolson's
talk was that of the existence OF two
classes or education, temporal and spirit
ual the one beginning at the bottom ana
leading up. while the other begins with
a realization Of the existence OF God. ana
the lesser truths are learned afterward.
These two, he said lead up toward the
same objective point and meet in unison.
He welcomed the delegates to Savannah
In behalf of the Sunday schools Of this
city. because he said, they were engaged
in the same glorious work of which they
were a part.
Mr.. S 3. Adams welcomed the delegates
in behalf of the citizens of Savannah. He
referred to the historical facts that Sa-
vannah is the home of Sunday schools.
The first Sunday school was founded here
by the Wesleys and In this connection he
said 1t was very appropriate that Savan-
M ebr ha n
schools, and that such a convention should
meet here. He said that the greatest
men and the foremost thinkers in all
countries indorse this work because Of
fits developing religion, and it was out
Of the question, he said. for any well in
formed man TO speak derogatively of II.
He spoke Of the noble work of the Yves
leys here and their self sacrifice. He
referred to the fact that they would go
about poorly clad in order to get the
poor people go to the Sunday schools
and churches. He referred TO the fact
that the church in which the meeting was
being held was dedicated as a memorial
TO the Wesleys. and as an official of the
church he welcomed the delegates. He
closed fifth warm words of welcome
in behalf of all Savannah.
President Gambler made a very bright
and interesting response in behalf of the
convention. He spoke also of the histor-
day school work, and mentioned that the
Forest City bears a peculiar relation
ship in this and many other connections
TO the other cities of the state. No other
city, he said, can rival it, ON account of
its glorious colonial traditions.
Secretary Alex w. Bealer, in his re-
Spouse to the addresses of welcome re-
ferred TO the fact that his mother was a
native Savannahian, and that before he
had ever visited the city, he had often
heard much about 1t at her knee Later
in life, he said, he had experienced its
hospitalities, and to those who hear so
much in praise of Savannah he would
say, the half had never been told. Mr..
Dealers talk was one of the brightest
and most interesting of the day. He
is one of the best known members of the
Atlanta Journal staff.
The following committees were appoint
ed by the president; Credentials: Messrs.
William Mallette, 1. 3. Lester and j. T.
Duncan; Nominations: Maj. Aaron Rolf
of Calhoun. chairman, Messrs. d. 3.
Sweat of Waycross, w. w. McCully, II.
]. Quinn, J. 7. Redding and 1vey Davis;
Resolutions and memorials: Rev. O. f.
Cook chairman, Messrs. w. c. Small
wood, Wesley Infinger and A. b. Edey
President Gambler, in making his an
nual report, stated that Sunday school
work in Georgia is too slack. 1t is not
half way done, he said. The teachers and
officers he said, are to easily satisfied
and have not done what they could.
He thinks the work is too irregular, in
definite and aimless. There are too many
teachers, he said, who teach nothing,
and too many scholars who learn nothing.
The work, he said, needs an active, con-
secrated field officer and secretary to be
paid a good salary, and he recommended
that the Sunday schools or the state do
something in this direction. If some
thing is not done, he said, the conven-
ton may as well give up and die nat
ural death.
Mr.. r. b. Reppard, one of Savannah's
most active and earnest Sunday school
workers, read the report of the executive
committee, and made an interesting talk
in connection with it. He said there are
1000 Sunday schools in Georgia, 5000
officers and teachers, and over 300, 900
scholars, making a total or $4,000 schol-
ars, officers and teachers.
Secretary Bealer stated that something
should be done with the presidents re-
port. and on motion of Mr.. r. j. Quinn,
If was referred to a committee upon
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