The Somerset reporter., 1896-05-14
Annual Meeting.
Somerset sunday school Association.

tion held its annual meeting with the
Bethany Baptist church in this town.
Tuesday, the II h inst, all day and
evening.
The morning session WAS opened wit II
devotional exercises led by Mr.. John
Longley of Norridgewock. Rev. c. Y.
Hanson, d. ID. extended Il cordial vel
come 10 the visitors To which Rev. b. +.
Turner of NOrridgewock responded.
Rev. b. G. Wentworth, Skowhegan. d.
l.. Gilman, Fairfield, aud O. l.. Williams,
Madison, were appointed committee on
nominations, and Rev. J. A. Jones. Nor
ridgewock, Rev. q. l.. White, Pittsheld.
and Warren Gerald, Canaan, were ap.
pointed IA committee on resolutions.
The report OF the secretary, Rev. j. G
Gregory, showed that there are fifty
schools representing 1900 scholars in this
association.
The first topic on the programme,
"Often forgotten elements of success in
Sunday school teacher, was treated
by Rev. l.. II. Copeland Rev b. C..
Wentworth enumerated "SOme advan-
tages of The Sunday school" and he
found them many and important. Several
present joined in the discussion which
followed. DIR. +. j. Taylor of Pittsfield
gave helpful thoughts upon "How to
open and close a Sunday school,. He
WAS followed by Rev. I. b. HIATT of Car
ratunk who made an earnest and effective
brief address upon the same subject
The afternoon session was called to
order at NO o'clock by Rev. C.. V. Han
son, ID. d., who presided The opening
praise service WAS led by Harry :.
Brown of Colby University. PRAYER
vas offered by Rev. I. b. HIATT.
The first topic 10 be considered WIS
"HoW TO keep the Young men in the
Sunday school,. Rev. b. f. Turner
thought teachers an important means II
this end; they should be selected with
great care, must love young men, under
stand them, know each individual mem
Der of their class, be able to guide and
mould their thoughts, and to Interest
them; women as rule are better fitted
for teaching young men than men
young mer should not be treated as
children. Rev. |. 7. Lidstone of Hart
land thought 10Th century common
sense should be applied to teaching.
teachers should be the very best, and
should thoroughly know the lessons
home and parents have great influence
and the Sunday school library is OF
great Importance. it ought to contain
books on science, arts, etc. and best of
good standard literature.
The topic How to select teachers
was openet by Rev. j. A. Jones of Nor
ridgewock The aim should be to select
!, Il, 4 Il
Knowledge, adaptahlity, devotion and
earnestneSs, and to choose teachers fitted
to classes. Rev. j. c. Gregory followed
He spoke of the difficulty of obtaining
teachers, but some of the characteris-
ties sought should be, the attractive
element, willingness to study, love of
humanity teachers should have PERSON
al conservation, devotion and live the
Gospel truths.
Rev. ii. w. kimball opened the dis
cussion upon the "Relation of parents To
the Sunday school. 1t should he of the
closest nature. parents should be mem
bers. There has not been enough of
growth and progress in Sunday schools.
Parents should be kept interested aud
can be reached through the child. l.. l..
Walton, Esq also spoke on this subject.
He was aching To talk to the parents not
present. Indifference on the part of
parents was one of the hardest things
sunday school workers had u contend
with. Home training had much to do
Nth child's conduct and interest.
Rev. G. III. Spaulding of Boston WAS
introduced and called attention to the
eighth International Sunday School Con-
vention which was to be held for the
first time in New England, at Boston,
June 23-26. This is an important
meeting and will be of especial interest
to all Sunday school workers. The
organization is interdenominational and
is accomplishing a great work There
are now 10000 Sunday schools with
$4,000, 600 pupils.
Rev. y. T. MilIett of Gorham, field
secretary for Maine, spoke of the i'm
portance of knowing more about the
Bible and the necessity of normal train
ing. A course with that in view should
be introduced into public schools, especi-
ally normal schools. Number of Sun
day schools is increasing but there are
still about Is towns in Maine where
there is neither church or Sunday school.
The stronger towns should organize to
help the weaker. The work could be
more effectively carried on in that way
and band of trained workers from the
school in springfield, Mass. are willing
to come to Maine for the summer for
their expenses to make the work still
more eff 'Ctive. ReVs. IL. W. kimball.
b. F. Turner, Il. {. Wentworth, J. y.
Jones and Mr.. John Longley were APP
pointed a committee to see what could
be done in this line in Somerset county
and arrange for same.
Mrs. n. Hunt of Fairfield gave a most
helpful and inspiring account of her own
experience in Junior Endeayor work
Her Junior Endeavor society takes child
rem from four and one-half years to six
teen. They have simple pledge, varied
program aud that they are learning real
Christianity and responsibility is already
apparent.
A most interesting paper on allow to
conduct the primary department" was
read by Miss Aida c. French, who is a
very successful teacher in the Methodist
Sunday school 10 this town. Her paper
was full OF helpful hints, all the more
valuable from the fact that they were
derived from her own experience.
The questions in the question box were
then taken up and briefly discussed.
DIR. J. f. TAYLOR of Pittsfeld, extend
ed IN invitation for the association to
meet with the Free Baptist church in
that town EeXt year and the invitation
was unanimously accepted.
Officers at the association for the
ensuing year were as follows: