Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-13
First colored Sunday School convean-
ton Held Here.
A LARGE GATHERING ''DF DELEGATES
Stirring Addresses Appealing for
Efforts in"Homes.
INTERESTING ROGRAM

The first convention of representatives of
colored Sunday schools ever held in the
District began last evening at Metropol-
tan Baptist Church, on r street between
18th and 18th streets northwest, and will
terminate tomorrow afternoon. There have
been greatsmany annual meetings of the
District Sunday School Union in past
years. but, as stated. this is the first time
that convention composed Of delegates
from various Sunday schools has assem-
bled.
The success of the movement thus far
has been every way gratifying to the orig
inators of the plan. There were 215 dele
gates present, representing every colored
Sunday school in Washington.
The convention was called to order by
]. A. Hamilton. who delivered brief ad-
dress, during which he said that the en-
tire south was looking to Washington ito
devise some means by which the efficiency
Of their own Sunday schools could be in
creased"
Temporary Officers.
Mr.. P. b. Bagley, president of the Sunday
School Union. was elected temporary chair
man, and F. l.. ardczo. Jr., and Miss NJ. l.
Throckmorton, secretary and assistant sec
rotary pro tenn, respectively. DR.. Frank ].
Webb. secretary Of the committee on cre-
stated that credentials for 215 persons had
been found to be correct
A committee Of five on permanent or
ganization YVES ordered, and the chair APP
pointed as the committee DR.. Frank J.
Webb. w. G. Jarvis James w. Cross,
James Jasper and E. H. Motion. The COM
mittes retired for consultation, and during
their absence the convention choir, which
was led by Prof T. l.. Frisby, rendered
several selections. Upon the return Of the
committee DIR. Webb, as chairman. report
ed the following as permanent officers of
the convention, and the report was adopted
by unanimous vote: President. P. B. Bag
ley; vice presidents. j. A. Hamilton and
Miss NJ. E. Ware; secretaries, F. l.. Car
dozo, jr.. Miss M. l.. Watson, Miss NJ. !.
Throckmorton, Miss G. A. Dawson: treas
nrer: w. d. Jarvis; sergeant-at-arms. c. s.
Reed.
MIR. BaEley's Address.
In assuming the duties of president of
the convention Mr.. Bagley said: ...,.-,..
July 4. 1874, the Sunday School Union
Of the District was organized and placed
upon solid foundation by such Christian
Sabbath workers as John f. Cooke, Benz.
Mccoy, Anthony Bowen, Leonard Grimes,
Samuel Shorter. VIM Cornish. Eneeh Am
bush, Robert H. Dyson and VIM H. Worm
ley. During the past year we have tried
by every means to awaken a deeper inter-
est in the Sunday school work in the Dis
trlct than has been known before. We have
found schools active in their own fields Of
labor. but. not specially interested In the
union. For some reason they do not
seem to feel that the union can IN any way
be of any great use to them. This we can
not understand for joining hands in the
great work can result, IN nothing but good
to each school. The aim of the work is
certainly in the direction of assisting all
the schools in the field where. they labor.
1t seems to 1t would be the part of wis
dom for superintendent and pastors who
do not feel an interest IN the work and do
not favor membership to the union to at
tend the convention. and secure the at
tendance of their teachers and adult schol-
ars. and take an interest In its delibera-
tions. and see II the results will not war
rant them in becoming identified with an
organization which makes a convention
like This possibility. This convention is
the first on record Of this character since
the organization of the union. We come
together with a membership of 15,0u1 Sun
day school scholars. officers and teachers,
representing over eighty schools. The OBJ
jects of this convention are to bring about
general activity among the Sunday school
workers and to discuss the latest methods
in the Sunday school work. We are also
to elect two delegates and two alternates
to the international Sunday school con-
ventfon that will be held In Boston from.
June % to 20, inclusive"
The address Of welcome was deliv cred by
Rev. Robert johnson, pastor of Metropol-
itan Church.
A Great Work to he Done.
DIR. Frank ]. Webb. AM, replied to Mr..
Johnson's address. as follows: For the
first time in forty years the Baptist and
other denominations, under the leadership
OF Messr5. Hamilton and Bagley, have de-
cided to bury all differences and unite i'll q
joint Sunday school convention. For weeks
past the leaders among the Sunday school
workers have been laboring in this work,
f0niDhf
rully representative Of the Intelligence OF
cur race at the nations capital, is the
result. Our object is to work absolutely
along Sunday school lines No extraneous.
no political. no denominational sentiment
or resolution Is to be considered for mo-
ment. Every delegate, so far as 1 know.
has been selected for his or her interest in
Sunday school TOPICS and for no other
purpose whatsoever. 1t is meet and fit
ting that 1t should be so. Ours is a beauti-
full work. To train the young Is to infiu-
enc nee the future and make the world better.
There Is one thought however along
Sund ay school lines / wish to impress upon
Us all at this, the commencement, of our
labors. That is that there are none so low
~. none SO debased among the children of
men who should not be welcomed into the
houses of God. All are capable of higher
thoughts and Christian ideals. Humility is
a christian virtue possessed by few; none
OF US are perfect. He who died on Calvary
washed the feet of poor fishermen. We
can at least follow His example so far as
inviting and welcoming the poor and hum
Die into our houses of religious worship.
Religious Indifference.
"1n some churches one is permitted, if
not well and fashionably attired. to walk
IN and walk out. No one extends to him
the hand OF religious friendship. No cor
dial smile of greeting. 10 invitation to
come again at departure. Nothing but
curious: inquiring glancesegreet him. and
sign OF relief signals. HIS departure. In
Iaf-away Texas therec stands counter
part OF this beautiful structure. named
Ike 1t. the Metropolitan, which 1 helped in
part TO build 1t is ITO me hallowed by
many precious memories. In 1t, under the
wise guidance Of Bishop Grant, first en-
deavored to lead a better and more Chris
tan life. Rather than have that MetropoIi-
tan become such cold-blooded house Of
Cod. one which hasIl ceased to welcome
e st amaIGsr1nv would prsero see it heap
missionary wooark mt Home.
"Our Sunday schools must go step far
Their than cordially welcoming; we must go
out and bring them in. ,Gushes of sym
pathy and ship loads Of, Testaments for
the young cannibals on the banks Of the
Nyanza or the infidels on the plains Of
Armenia will not compensate for our let
ting scores Of hundreds Of American-born