Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-10-09
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION

owing TO the fact that Brighton is so far
removed from the center of the district,
and also to the unfavorable weather. the
representation from the churches was
not so large as it otherwise would have
been, but the meetings were much enjoyed
both for their spirituality and practical
help. Space will permit us simply to call
attention to few of the prominent fea-
lures OF the convention. very spiritual
service of song and prayer and the tran
sactIng OF necessary business took up the
forenoon, and the convention really be-
gan Thursday p. m. with the address of
welcome by Porter H. Dale, which was
most hearty and eloquent. He compared
the meeting of those connected with Sun
day School work to the pleasure of meet
ing at our firesides, friends of past days
associated, as the school is, to memories
OF youth. He considered the Sunday
School as auxiliary to the church as the
greatest organization on the face of the
earth, the Bible as the Book OF all books
in which is bound all that is best in lit
erature and poetry, and welcomed the
delegates above all else because of the
memories of that book. To this welcome
Mr.. d. NJ. Camp of Newport responded.
Then followed a discussion of the
question who should be in the Sum-
day SCHOOL," opened by Bro. Blake
of the Barton Monitor, who asserted
that everyone should between the ages of
8 and 90, though 1.-THE world doesn't
seem to think So" for it is a strange
fact that people are least interested in
matters most important. He wanted
the children brought in, early, the boys
and girls kept in, the old not neglected,
closing with touching allusion to the
saddest of all wrecks, that OF vessel
just outside the harbor on the homeward
voyage. After interesting discussions of
this subject and those Immediately fol- |
lowing, Mr.. Camp gave the history, and |
so far as known the results Of the recent |
canvass which was made with the view
of bringing Orleans county into line with
the rest of the counties and thus make |
Vermont a banner Sunday School State,
all its counties canvassed and organized |
and youth from to 20 in the Sunday
School with 80 per cent of the adult popu-
lation who do not attend church at all
But two towns in the district did not
make the canvass, and it is hoped they
will be brought into line before the State
Convention at Burlington next week.
Brighton made such a canvass about a
year ago, and it's report made at that
time with little correction was taken
for the present. Mr.. Camp expressed
himself as gratifed with the hearty re-
spouse made by superintendent, schools
and pastors with few exceptions to his
call for the canvass in behalf OF the
County Union. The convention in it's
turn expressed itself as entirely satisfied
with Mr. Camps efforts and highly COM
lIleECIeu us ClllClcII WOTk.
AS we expected the address Thursday
evening by Rev. +. N. Peloubet, d. D., of
Boston called out very large audience.
He took for his theme with our faces
toward the dawn" and emphasized the
Importance of finding the brightness in
all conditions, of looking for the bright
features in place OF the dark ones in all
reports of work attempted and accom-
plished. Among the signs OF the APP
preaching dawn of better things in Sum
day School work he called attention TO
the changed attitude OF the Church to-
ward the school and especially toward
the children. While the Cathedrals OF
the past were designed especially for the
old folks the modern Churches are built
with the thought of suitable rooms tor
the children. The cellar is no longer good
enough for them, they must have the
very best. He noted particularly St. !
Georges Episcopal Church of New York,
of which DIR. Rainsford is Rector, the
pioneer among institutional churches.
Another sign of advancement toward the
dawn is the seeking of better training for
the teachers and consequently better
methods of instruction, which will be
brought about largely by means of Nor
NAL classes and teachers meetings. His
apt illustrations, bright stories and
familiar conversationalmethod combined
to make the address most enjoyable
treat as we'll as incentive to thought.
Friday was given up largely to practi-
cal discussions on methods of work all of
which were very helpful. Perhaps the
best of these discussions was that on
How to increase the number of Bible
Students" very brightly opened by Mrs
c. w. Tenney of Barton, who empha-
sized the need of prayer and persistent
personal efforts as prime factors in sue
cesstul work.
The convention adjourned at $50 Fri
day afternoon thechairman summarizing
the leading thoughts brought forth, as
the need of a house to house visitation,
Normal classes and home departments
connected with each Sunday School.
The officers for the ensuing year are:
President, c. F. Ranney, Newport; Sec
retary-Treasurer, John R. Aiken, New
port; Executive Committee, Geo. II.
Flint, Newport. W. W. Foster, Barton
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