Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-02-03
THE COUNTY SUNDA Y SCHOOL
CONVENTION.

Barton Landing, Jan. 1890. The
Association has been in active being
for twenty five years, holding one or
more conventions each year. In its
early years it was customary to en-
ploy some distinguished Sunday
School worker from outside to assist
in the work of the convention; lat
terly the work has been done by
members of the association, pastors,
laymen and laywomen. 1t has been
union effort, all denominations, with
the exception of one or two, partici-
pating in it.
This gathering, like most others, has
been very pleasant in it's associations,
harmonious in its workings, useful in
its teachings, and helpful in its in
SEPARATIONS. The attendance was good
from the start. Wednesday evening
the large M E. church was crowded
full
The session on Wednesday morning
was opened by a brief bit spirited
praise service, after which F. w.
Baldwin read a we'll prepared,
thoughtful and suggestive paper on
itLesson Helps" Judge E. A. Stew
art, one of the ''charter members" of
the society, read an historical ad-
dress on "reminiscences of the Old
Sunday School Association" The
paper did not fall into the hands Of
the reporter and cannot be given
here 1t was said to have been in
teresting to all in it's style and in
"reminiscences. Judge Stewart was
followed by Deacon Charles Carpen-
ter, who was one of the founders, and
for many years one of the active and
most useful members. The gist of
Mr.. Carpenters remarks are embod
led below:
The Orleans County Sunday School
Association was not an evolution; it
had conception in State S. S. con-
vention held at ST. Johnsbury in 1870,
by the broodings of Gods Holy Spirit
over the members assembled there
from Orleans county. That conven-
ton to Orleans county members was
education and inspiration. The large
church in which it was held was full
at every session. The singing in vol
ume and excellence, seemed like an
echo from within the pearly gates.
The president was a master spirit
with voice and gavel. Everything
was done in order and in time. A |
certain time daily was given to brief
words from members present, when a |
dozen or more might be seen on their |
feet, waiting till the quick eye Of the
chairman saw and his motion gave |
them right to speak. 1t was none
other than Dwight l.. Moody, who
was the controlling spirit. With Bible
constantly in hand he was dropping
the right words into every niche of the |
service, declaring and repeating the |
words of truth. He seemed just then |
to be comprehending the truth which |
he afterwards proclaimed, ''The |
world has not yet seen what soul
consecrated to God can accomplish"
This association was born at New
port, Nov. 8th, 1870. 1t had the as
sistance in it's early days of the best |
s. S. workers, men and women, in the |
county, and of Revs. Palmer of |
Wells River, Fisk of Lyndon, and
several others, one of no less renown
than Henry Clay Trumbull.
A very interesting convention was
held in Derby academy, June 1923,
1871, not less than 500 adults and 800 |
children being present at the last ses-
sion. The pleasing Impressions of
that gathering still fingers on the
mind. At that time there was very
great enthusiasm in all conventions;
the people and the children were
coming in from far and near and the /
influence for good was very great. |
The great purpose was to urge to
greatest effort in Sunday School |
work The burden on the old con-
vention SCENE to be the work of the
Lord for modern Israel. The call of d
convention was call to every church /
in the county to be present in dele /
gates and in large representation, for /
prayer, council, and fellowship. |
Among the sources of great good has !
been the feeling of friendship and
good fellowship hich have come out |
of these gatherings. We call to mind
with great pleasure the convention
gathering at Craftsbury years ago,
when the Rev. Mr.. Palmer was pres
ent and gave his admirable address
to the children, and inspired them to
make the most of their best thoughts.
A hurried glance at the past begets a
troop of rich memories, many or
them personal. which bring to mind |