The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-07-09
Waldo Co. Sunday School Convention,

congregational church IN Searsport, Tues
day, June 30th. There was a good attend.
ance, and five denominations were repre-
sented-Congregational, Methodist, BAPTIST.
Free Baptist and Friend. The convention
opened with praise service led nv Rev
y. H. Fernald, D. D., of Searsport, with Miss
Mliorea oweetser at the organ. Deacon B. O.
Sargent then gave an interesting address OF
welcome which was promptly and ably re-
sponded to by Friend Omar G. Hussev. Mr..
q. w. Dlckey of Iowa, formerly of Sears
port then rendered a solo, which was we'll
received. Mr.. Dickey in short address rec
thereon the location of each Sunday school
represented in the convention
The following committees We're appointed :
On credentials, Rev. F. S. Dollitf, B. O. Sar.
gent and n. E. Keen; on nominations, Reys.
r. G. Harbutt, G. S. Mills and F. S. Dollitf /;
on constitution, Rev. G. S. Mills, DR.. A. O,
Stoddard and Moses Fowler. After the an
pointment of the committees the convention
adjourned to Union Hall, where the picnic
baskets were opened. The ladies of Sears
port provided very generously for all those
who happened to be without baskets, and
all We're served with hot coffee and tea
The afternoon session opened with Scrip
ture reading and praise service led by Rev.
M. A. Farren of North Belfast. The reports
of Sunday school Superntendents were Of
much general interest, showing with what
care in many instances the records are kept
and what deep interest even business men
take in the work; among them Brothers
Adams, Sargent, Keen, Fowler, Ames,
CHM and Gay. The report of the Secretary
was read and approved. He favored semi
annual meetings of the Association.
Rev. o. H. Fernald gave an able address
on THE Teachers Responsibility and Op-
portunity." He said that in early life the
chances are greater for conversion; the ma
jority are converted before forty years of
age and that the Sunday school is one of
the greatest agencies to be used for that end,
as eight out of nine conversions are before
thirty years of age. He showed the great
need of consecrated Sunday school teachers,
for upon them the church must largely de-
pend.
4lON. L o. Dolllll lOI Gllc Gull Oh
credentials reported 102 members of Sunday
schools in attendance and ten schools repre-
sented. OF this number We're Congrega-
tional, Methodists, Baptist and > Union
Rev. r. G. Harbutt for the committee on
nominations reported on election of officers
as follows Chas. f. CHM, President; Rev.
G. S. Mills, Vice President; DR.. a. o. Stod-
dard, Secretary and Treasurer; Executive
Committee, H. NJ. Prentiss, 0. G. Hussey,
n. E. Keen, Frank Packard and Moses
Fowler.
The topic of the "Pastor's Glass" was
opened for discussion by Rev. Geo. S. Mills
of Belfast He thought it best that the pas
tor should be relieved of teaching formally
in the Sunday school, but that he should be
acquainted with the work done in each
class, by visiting the different classes Thus
he would come into touch with the whole
school. The teachers should also consti-
tute a special pastors class by meeting with
the pastor in the mid-week for preparation.
The topic How to interest the Children
was taken up in a practical manner by Dea-
con A. T. Adams of Castine, who made use
of the blackboard, illustrating the lesson for
June 2Sth in 5he International SERIES He
recommended the use of different colors of
crayon for drawing on the board, and insist
ed that the singing should be quick and
sprightly to attract the children. His words
We're very Instructive and we'll received.
In the absence of Rev. I. f. Millett, Field
Worker, Normal Sunday School Work"
was taken up at some length and treated in
an earnest and able manner by Rev r. 6.
III hurt Of Goo rt If HI 81,
the Sunday school teacher of to-day needed
to be special student of the Scriptures,
thoroughly familiar with the latest thought
of the times respecting Biblical culture, and
prepared to teach the Bible in the light of
modern progressive scholarship. The pupil
should not be left to learn certain facts
about the Bible from those who are the foes
of religion. If the true idea is impaired in
the beginning the higher education of col
lege and university will aid, not shatter,
faith. The crying need of our Sunday
school to-day is teachers better equipped in
the true understanding of Gods Word.
In the discussion that followed Rev.
O. Fl. Fernald emphasized the power of the
Holy Spirit as being more effective than the
higher education, and in the Methodist Sun
day schools they depended more upon the
working of the Holy Spirit than upon edu-
cation.
G. F. CHM said, eff we had to understand
an analysis of all kinds of foods before eat
ing many would 60 hungry, and if we had to
understand all the higher education so as to
be able to combat all the critics of the Bible
before we undertook to teach; very many
would go without being taught. He said tnat
in his experience as Superintendent it was
not the best Bible students as rule that
were the most successful as teachers. 1t was
the earnest, devoted teacher who under
took to teach people to be better that
succeeded best IN his estimation. 1t was
very difficult at the present time in the
average Sunday school to get teachers at
all and if we insisted on the standard held
up by some of the speakers it would so dis
courage the Sunday school worker of to-day
that we would not be able to get any who
would teach.
Rev. F. S. Dolliff then gave a brief sum-
mary of his ideas in an earnest manner, say
ing that though we do not all agree as to the
methods and purposes at different stages of
this blessed work, we are all agreed as to
the results to be gained 80 let us in going
home from this days session, in Gods name
give greater devotion to our work, trusting
in God for His blessing on our schools.
The afternoon session closed with singing
by the congregation.
The evening session opened with music
by the choir. Report of committee ON con-
stitution by Rev. G. S. Mills. The commit
tee recommended the constitution used by
most of the county associations in the State.
Report accepted and on motion of Bro.
Keen it was voted that the constitution be
adopt as read. Prayer by Rev. r. G. Har-
butt. Solo by Mrs. Butman.