Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-18
TEACHING CHILDREN
Representative Gathering to Meet
Well-Known Instructors.
LOCAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION
Officers of the international Ex-
ecutive Committee Here.
SP EECHES LAST NIGHT

Probably never before has local as
semblage included more distinctively rep
resentative men of Washington than gath
cred last evening at the Hotel Raleigh on
Invitation of the local Sunday School Union
to meet the officers of the executive COM
mittee of the international Sunday school
convention, representing the United States
and Canada. The committee that extended
the invitation consisted Of such men as
John NJ. Harlan, John F. Hurst, David j.
Brewer, Alex. Mackay Smith, John W. Eos
ter. s. w. Woodward and w. B. Gurley.
The affair was in the nature of a recep-
ton and banquet, and it was one Of series
OF similar events being held in the large
cities OF the east. The object is to have
the officers of the Sunday school conv2l-
ton meet the leading business and infuen-
tial men, acquaint them with the objects
and needs of Sunday school work and 10
secure their cooperation in furtherinG the
plans outlined uy the association.
AS early o'clock the guests began
arriving, and there were soon present
number sufficiently large to overflow one
cf the parlors of the hotel. There was an
absence of form and reserve, for everybody
mingled about and introduced themselves
to those with whom they did not happen
to he acquainted. In the throng were jus
tees Of the Supreme Court of the United
States, prominent professional men, we'll
known educators, prominent divines and
leading business men.
Afte- an hour passed in a highly enjoy
able social manner. the party adjourned to
the banquet hall, where a horsesnoe-shaped
table had been prepared in an unusually
Eeautiful manner. Potted plants and cut
flowers had been used for decorative pur-
pc SEES in bountiful profusfon, and the scene
was quite ideal. Before the guests were
seated Mr. S. w Woodward, at the head Of
the table, invited Rev. DIR. Teunis Hamlin
to lead in prayer, after which everybody
devoted himself to discussing the elaborate
menu that was served. For over two hours
attention was paid to The feast for The
palate, and then followed a feast for the
intellect. The presiding officer, Mr.. Wood
ward, raped for order, and after men,
tioning the great increase and improvement
that has occurred in the Sunday schools
of America from an International stand
point, he introduced Mr. b. +. Jacobs of
Chicago, president Of the worlds national
Sunday school convention, the author of
the international lesson system IN use in
a majority of the schools In the United
States and Canada, and. said Mr.. Wood
ward, undoubtedly the first Sunday school
man In the world.
Mr.. Jacobs Speech.
Mr.. Jacobs was greeted with applause.
He said that he esteemed 1t great privi-
lege and honor to speak Of the Importance
of Sunday school work before the leading
men of Washington. He declared that the
present is an important time in the history
Of the world. In looking around men are
impressed; Christian men more than others.
He went on 10 say that the Sunday schools
in the world should be increased, and cited
that the Protestant Sunday school scholars
of the United States now number 11,0O0,-
ono, representing 4n,0oo,HO Of the popula-
ticn of the United States.
Just think what a progressive move
ment i'm the Sunday school work would
mean" continued Mr.. Jacobs Ordinary
thirgs will not do for such times as these.
BY persistent effort We have rapidly in
CT eased the number Of Sunday school
scholars, and it is a great thing for H.
100000 persons to be publicly studying the
word of God-the Sunday school is the
one place where such study is carried on.
There ought TO be an effort to reach every
family in the District Of Columbia with
the Gospel"
Mr.. ia :obs. continuing. said in one city
in Illinois. under system of house vista
ton, $4,000 visits. have been made in a sim
gle day by the workers. OF the $1,000, 900
children and youths in the United States
he said, S.OOoOOO are In Sunday schools, but
there are 1CUo.oo0 whom nobody has ever
reached. After stating that the people
Of Washington are setting an example TO
the whole country Mr. Jacobs discussed
the colored side of the question, announc-
ing that there are 100000 colored chill
neither day nor Sunday school. The
claim has been made he said. that the
church denominations reach these people
but the speaker declared that all the de-
nominations IN this city will never reach
everybody in Washington.
We are not trying to interfere with the
denominations" explained Mr.. Jacobs. Il
would not give a row Of tacks for q man
who had nothing to believe in and who
did not believe In that. We need more
field workers and $4,000 per annum is
wanted for the work. Just think of it.
Thirty thousand dollars for $4,000 600 peo-
ing each person. I think they are worth
it. Think over the cause and help it.
gentlemen: we ask your cordial sympathy
and support
Bible Will Stand.
Mr. Woodward then introduced Mr. John
W. Foster as a distinguished citizen of
the United States, who has done as much
for the substantial good of the American
people in the last quarter Of century as
any other man.
Among other things Mr.. Foster referred
to the recent celebration here in honor of
the birthday of Tom Paine, and added
that the Bible is not going to be destroyed.
Mr.. Foster expressed his belief in teach
Ing the Bible to the rising generation and
Mr.. William Reynolds the field secre-
tary of the international executive COM
mittee, was the next speaker In opening
he remarked that Jesus Christ was the
n.
teacher and therefore Mr.. Reynolds consid-
cred teaching the greatest profession pos
sible He desired to impress upon all
Christians the Importance of Sunday school
work, declaring that the future of the
country depends upon the moral and re-
ligious education of the youth. Mr.. Rey-
nolds recited a number of amusing anec-
dotes concerning the old style of raising
children, after which he went on to say
that the Sunday schools today are not
what they should be, because Of lack of
knowledge ON the part Of teachers and
superintendent.
THE poorest work being done in the
world is that for God,' he said. I'VE
want your cooperation, for we mean to
reach every boy and girl in the country.
The church-the hope of the land-de-
ponds upon the Christian education of the
YOUTH
Rev. DR.. 3. L. Whitman, president of
Columbian University, who was next call
ed upon. made an intellectual and eloquent
address Of some length. during which he
stated that true Bible study is constructive
and that the true poise of life lies within
moral development. He also declared that
we live in an age of questioning, and he
expressed his hearty approval of the work
being done by the International Sunday
School Union.
Rev.D Wallace Radcliffe of the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church, when intro
duced, stated that he was glad of the op-
portunity to pay his respects to such great
men as Mr.. Jacobs and Mr.. Reynolds, and
he urged that learned teachers and workers