The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-02
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
OF EpWorth Leagues and Methodist Sunday
Schools Of the Norfolk Circuit.
INSTRUCTIVE EXERCISES.
VERY
Discussion OF Important Questions
Relative TO Sunday School Work
md tho Best Methods Connected
MISUNDERSTANDING Class Teach.
ing Uniquely Illustrated.

The Norfolk District Conference OF
Epworth Leagues and Methodist Sun
day Schools, began its first session at
Epworth M. E. Church yesterday morn
ing at $3.50 o'clock, with with a large at
tendance from every part Of the Dis
tIict, as well as from the Portsmouth
District. 1t being represented by Invita-
ton.
The Presiding Elder, Rev. j. Powell
Garland, D. D., was in charge. and con-
Quoted the services through the day. In
the preliminary exercises, Rev. w. w.
Royal, of South Princess Anne county,
offered the invocation, Mr.. w. w. Vicar,
OF Norfolk. conducting the singing.
Just before roll-call, Rev. r. NJ.
Chandler. Of Berkeley. announced that
S~eaboard District in Princess Anne
county. had gone dry" in the local op-
ton election of Wednesday. The Dox-
ology was then Jung by the conference
with great enthusiasm.
On motion of Mr.. Kellam, Of Princess
Anne, a vote of hanks was extended
Revs. w. j. Young, W. II. Anvil. j. w.
Moore, and j. X. Joliff. for addresses
made in Seaboard District during the To-
cal option campaign. Mr.. Kellam. in
his remarks, said that although gold and
silver and greenbacks had been carried
into the district by the opposition, even
at n greater ratio than 80 to l" the cleo
ton had gone against whiskey, although
by a small majority.
Rev. b. NJ. Beckham, of Norfolk, was
elected Secretly OF the Conference.
AS the roll call of delegates progressed
the homes In which the delegates are to
be entertained were read out.
The regular programme was then be-
gun. the first number being "Wha and
How to Teach" an address by Rev. w.
j. Young, d. D., Of Epworth M. E.
Church."
1t was n very interesting and helpful
talk. The Doctor said, Teach the Bible
and the catechism." and he dwelt partic-
ularly on the need of general prepara-
ton of the lesson by both the children
and the teachers-the latter. he said,
should be full of the lesson, and we'll
equipped to teach it; should almost o
1t by heart. He thought grade work"
In the Sunday School would result in the
same success that has attended grade
work" in the public schools of the day.
Get the children TO talk back, IL posi-
Bile. Talking back" In class is a good
thing. even II it Is found at first thai
that the hild is a hereto. Special eff
fort should be made on the part of the
teacher to make the meaning of the
language OF the lesson clear to the pupil.
The subject was then generally dis
cussed, the following ideas being thrown
out: Don't fail to teach the catechism.
Teachers should be punctual. liberal and
prayelful. Subjects should be taught
co~nsecutively; the Blakeslee system be-
ing a good one; he doesn't attach as
u iiiIpiAh 10 the CaIeCnlSIn as
some others do. Thorough preparation
on tho part of teachers and scholars
the parents helping the latter-should
not be forgotten. Make the Keynote
of teaching the instruction of the child
In the way of life. Don't be discouraged
in he work OF leading children to
Christ. The catechism helps in the
study of the international lessons. CUES
tions outside of the regular lesson papers
~requert create a lively interest in
the Bible on the part of the children.
Catechisms forever. Draw practical
lessons from the teaching. Let the sal
walton of the child be the purpose of it's
being taught.
"roiling On was sung. and Sunday
School Offerings" was the next topic, in
terestingly discussed by Rev. w. w.
Royal DIR. Royal thought thai the Sell
fish nature of the hid should not be APP
pealed to in the matter Of offerings. but
his higher and nobler nature should be
appealed TO. The pupils should. too. be
taught to give, just as they are taught to
sing, pray, &c.-to give sympathetically.
spontaneously and lovingly. He dwelt
upon the necessity for organizing mis-
:!onary societies. in the Sunday schools.
The subject was then generally dis
cussed, the following ideas being thrown
out:
The missionary societies are most
helpful both 10 the school and the
church. Teachers cannot succeed in
their work unless they identify them
selves with the homes of each pupil and
enlist the interest of the parents. Pu-
pills should be taught to give rather than
receive (~prizes, &c.) in the Sunday
school. Systematic giving should be
taught-and the children should be be-
gun with very early in life. Children
can be taught to give, and Charity
School will compare favorably with Ep-
worth In proportion to membership.
When a person stops giving to God his
religious interests cease.
The singing of Il Gave My Life for
Thee: What Hast Thou Done for Me?
was greatly enjoyed.
The Children and the Church Ser
vice" was the next topic on the pro-
gramme. and was discussed by Rev. w.
II. Atwill, of the Cumberland Street
Church.
BY careful investigation he finds that
no; one-twelfth of the children Q2 years
and under) of his school attend church.
He thinks the fault lies largely with
the parents in ~eXcusing the little people
from attending church services: the re-
suit being that they do not develop into
church-goinS men and women. Teach-
ers failing to attend church. is, in his
opinion, also responsible for the chill
dren's absence. The hour for holding
the Sunday School session is also most
unfortunate in this connecticut i'm
poses on the mothers and keeps children
from church. The subject was then gen
orally discussed.
Mr.. j. Benson Ferebee. of Norfolk.
thought like Sam Jones, that a bow is
a live thing 10 contend with. The speak