The herald., 1896-10-07
BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES
Of Southern California Opened
at Memorial Church
AN ENTHUSIASTIC BEGINNING
Sunday School Convention Work Of the
Los Angeles Association
Interesting Papers by Prominent Work
ers-Brief Business .Session-Con-
vention to Continue Till Saturday

The Southern California Baptist an
niversaries inaugurated yesterday G
series Of all-day meetings to be contin
ued through Friday at the pretty new
Memorial Baptist church corner Of
Grand avenue and Twenty-third street
Yesterday was devoted to Sunday
school convention work Of the Los An
geles Baptist association. The three
sessions were we'll attended yesterday
an especially large number being pres
ent in the evening. A. P. Griffith. pres.
ident, presided, calling the meeting te
order at 10 a. m. After devotional exer-
cises by Rev. E. r. Bennett the COM
mittee on credentials was appointed
w. C. Badeau and Rev. c. M. Jones. A
committee on new schools was appoint
ed, as follows: Charles H. Lee, Rev
L. M. Whiting and Thomas Powell OF
Ontario. The committee on nomina-
tions is G.. H. Morton, S. c. Anable,
Rev. e. r. Bennett.
Letters and reports from schools were
read by Secretary w. G. Shaw showing
the advancement of work during the
year. The committe on new schools re-
ported the Bethel of Los Angeles or
ganized May 10, 1896; number of Sun
day schools reported were twenty-siX
with a membership of 2511; the expendi-
lures during the year for home and for
eign missions, ETC., was $2214.07.
DIR. +. M. Parker gave a very able
and practical talk on Sunday school
bookkeeping. The speaker entered in
to details of the Importance of prac-
tical system Of Sunday school book
keeping; that there was business side
as well as a spiritual to this work, and
no careless methods should obtain. A
correct record should be kept of schol-
ars and finances.
Mr.. Ernest Canf1eld took for his sub
ject, How to Use the Bible in the Sun
day School. The point emphasized was
that all scripture Is given by inspira-
ton Of God and is profitable for doc
trine, for reproof, for correction and for
instruction in righteousness; use the
Bible for these purposes; teach the chill
dren early in life that 1t is the word of
God, His message to the world; leave
the lesson leaflets and quarterlies when
you appear before the class and study
the Word itself.
A discussion followed, after which
there was an adjournment, the audi
ence being invited to partake of lun-
cheon in the church parlors which had
peen prepared Dy the ladleS.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened at
1870, half hour being devoted to a
praise service led by Prof. James A.
Foshay. The first address was by W.
P. Haber. The speaker presented very
concisely the Methods of illustrating
the Lesson" The best way, he thought.
of impressing the young mind with facts
was by the telling of stories, provided
the teachers confined themselves to the
simplicity and truth Of the narration
Christ taught children Of large growth
in parallels, and this method might
wisely be followed in the present day.
No prescribed rule can be laid down,
but the teachers should adapt their sys-
TEN to the nature of the pupil. Rev
Fisk, Rev. Henry. Rev. Bennett and
Rev. Brooks entered into the discussion.
1.-THE Critical Period Of Sunday School
Life" was an able paper given by the
Rev T. r. Evans. In part he said: 1t
is generally conceded by sociological
writer's that the period Of character
hood-not childhood alone, but during
the years Of infancy to manhood. Il
is during these years that the young
should be surrounded by good influ-
ences. The Sunday school Is intended
for just such purpose. Unfortunately
1t does not prove as effective an agent
for good as its supporters would desire
In my observation of such matters I
have learned that children too often
drift from the Sunday school at an early
age, anywhere from u to 20 years. TIE
cause of this withdrawal lies partly IN
the fact that the Sunday school is mis-
named. The word Sunday school has
come to mean a place for children-a
place from which young people nat
urally turn when they reach that age
when they no longer wish to be classsd
with children.
The Bible school would be more ap-
propriate name and might be made to
include studies appropriate for young
people of all ages.
The lack of adaptation on the part
Of teachers is also potent factor in
the problem. The unwise judgment of
superintendents in carrying out SOM,
personal fad often acts with similar bad
results. The remedy for all these evils
if such they may be called, lies in chang
ing Sunday school methods, as I have
suggested. In addition to these reforms
let all Sunday school teachers and su-
perintendents and all who are con-
cerned in this most powerful agent in
raising young Christians, impress upon
their charges the spirit of the Master
Teach them to love Christ. emphasize
tHC ACCu VI SAi lot, lcdu lAcul " LuTIl 10
Him and they will learn to depend on
him for spiritual guidance.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Evans
interesting paper the theme was taken
up by the congregation and an earnest
followed.
Mrs. G. A. Baskerville then spoke on
primary work. and said that the foun-
dation of Sunday school work was be-
gun at home and urged the co-opera-
ton Of mothers and teachers, as by
this way the best results were obtained.
The source Of conversation marked the
difference between the leader and the
mere hanger-on.
At the conclusion Of Mrs. Baskerville's
two little tots, Miss Mable An
derson and Miss Alice Dodge, sang a
hymn very sweetly.
Mrs. F. ]. Cressy, superintendent pri-
mary department of the First Baptist
church, took a novel means of explain
ing the lesson to the children by sand
map. Illustrations were given of the
straight and narrow way, the crosses
that were encounteVed but which were
rewarded by the crown. The path that
led to destruction was made bright at
first but ended in direst distress. The