Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-08-01
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION,
Third Annual Convention Of the Sunday Schools
If Virginia Synod-A Fine Gathering.

| convention VI tH0 A''-A
Virginia met in the Lutheran Church
of Shepherdstown on Tuesday evening,
The session was formally opened at 8
o'clock by hepresident of the conven-
ton, NJ. Coffman, Esq, of Woodstock.
There were present a large number of
delegates, nearly every Sunday school
in the synod being represented. The
church was crowded with the delegates
and with our own people who had
gathered to enjoy the meeting. The
devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. A. J. Bushong, Of Woodstock.
The address Of welcome to the dele
gates was delivered by Hon. Geo. NJ.
Beethoven, of this place, who grace
fully greeted the delegates and extend
ed the Inequalities of the community.
Mr.. Beltzhoover spoke earnestly con-
corning the work of the Sunday school
in the conversion of the young and
also gave short history Of the Lu-
theran Church here and Of the pastors
of the last hundred years. The re-
Spouse was made by President Cotiman,
who referred to a former visit to Shop
herdstown fourteen years ago as a
delegate to synod, and the pleasant
experiences of that occasion. He ex-
pressed his appreciation of the hearty
welcome extended, and referred hope
fully to the work of the Sunday schools
and the good influence Of this conven-
ton.
The address of the evening was
made by Rev. Charles S. Albert, D. D.,
of Philadelphia, or Future Possible
ties of Sunday School Work" DR..
Albert said:
The inception and development OF
all great movements are similar. They
are first conceived as answers to great
needs, then tried, then connected and
enlarged through experience, then un-
derstood and finally carried on under
the best methods The Sunday school
began in a desire to reach the poor,
neglected and untaught; then it was
seen to be good for all children to IN
struct them in Gods word then that
it was admirably adapted as a means
of Bible study for adults as well. The
methods of study developed and have
now eliminated in the international
system. The superintendent, officers
and teachers gradually came to the
present high standard whilst the les
son helps and material equipment,
room and surroundings, had also their
development. Great and good work
was accomplished however, by deyo-
ted men and women, for in work with
souls it is the spirit which tells.
In the future ideal Sunday school
the room will fit the work, spacious,
weIl-ventilated, separate class rooms
that can be thrown into one, infant
department separated. In increasing
worth, there must be the complete
recognition Of the Sunday school as
part of the church. Lutheran Sunday
schools will have the literature of their
own church, not foreign and antago-
nistic, but that which sets forth its
teachings and doctrines. Officers OF
the school will be carefully and pray
erfully selected by the church and duly
installed. There may be paid work.
ers. The best and most competent
members will be teachers. The future
ideal school will seek to fully qualify
the staff of the school. The superin-
tendent will be a spiritual man, a
thorough Bible student, of executive
force, progressive and knowing the
working minutia of the school. The
teacher, spiritual, through normal
classes thoroughly instructed in the
Bible as a whole and each book IN par
ticular, grounded in doctrine, social
and ethical questions. He will know
how to use the Bible, because he knows
it, knows the particular lesson, knows
the practical points with reference &c
his class.
The home class will be a feature.
Glasses will be found outside the school
of those who cannot attend its sessions
whereby they can study lessons con-
tinuously, winter and summer, sick OF
well, present or absent. They will be
enrolled as part of the school, super
vised and taught by competent lead,
ers.
Until these things be, there need be
no Encouragement. Each teacher
earnestly and prayerfully doing THEN
work, can lead scholars to Christ, edi-
fly them, their labors leading to the
larger and better things.
Wednesday morning the convention
opened with devotional exercises con-
Quoted by Rev. a. R. LOnganecker
of St. Luke's Church, near Woodstock.
The first formal business followed, and
the election of officers resulted in the
choice of the following; President, NJ
Coffman, Woodstock first vice-presi
dent, J. A. Alexander, StauntOn Sec
ond vice-president, B. S. Pendleton
Shepherdstown secretary, L. 5. Walk
er, Woodstock assistant secretary, II
L. Snyder, Shepherdstown; treasurer
J. Z. Cooper, Winchester. The re
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