Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-24
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION,

forenoon, ana In the AFTERNOON the cnurci
was filled. The time was kept fully oc
cupied with business and services Of
various kinds, and an interesting pro
gramme was carried out.
The meetings were presided over b,
Charles Davis Of Bethel, president Of thu
Little Androscoggin Valley Sunday
School Association, until his departure
on the afternoon train, when Rev. Mr.
Bean Of South Paris took his place
George w. Bryant Of West Paris actct
as secretary pro TEN.
The convention opened at 10 o'clocl
with praise service conducted by Rev
j. A. Harding Of Norway, after which
Rev. L. J. Ramsdell Of the South Pari'
Baptist church gave short address oil
welcome TO those present.
Rev. Il. $. Rideout OF Norway spoke
on the topic, "What Is essential 10 s
live Sunday SCHOOL," Mr.. Rideout dis
cussed somewhat the meaning of liv,
Sunday School, which Is not assured by
numbers, and then enumerated some Of
the essentials: We must have superin
tendent and teachers who are alive t(
the Importance Of Bible study. w,
must have efficient teachers, who vii
prepare themselves thoroughly on the
lesson. We must have teachers and
officers who are alive to the importance
of Christian character; Of Its early de-
yelopment; of salvation through Jesu:
Christ. We must have prayer-prsyel
for the superintendent, prayer for the
teachers. prayer for the scholars by
their teachers.
Rev. T. F. Millett expressed the
thought, IF you want to have a live
Sunday School, give 1t something TO dc
something outside"
The topic was further discussed briefly
by Rev. j. ID. Graham OF Rumford
Falls, Chairman Davis, Rev. L. j.
Ramsdell, Horace Sanborn Of Norway
and Rev. A. Hamilton Of Bethel.
The convention adjourned for dinner
after choosing these committees:
ON Resolutions Hon. r. W. Woodbury., Rev
j. n. Graham. George W. Bryant
ON nominations Rev. A. Hamilton. Rev. X.
Haughton, George u. Crockett.
In the afternoon short praise service
was led by Rev. j. ID, Graham, after
which Rev. A. Hamilton OF Bethel was
introduced 10 speak upon the topic,
Docs our teaching tend TO the conversion
OF our scholars? III not, why
Mr.. Hamilton said IL is because We
have not clear conception Of the mis-
sion OF the Sunday school. Ii IL the
proper work OF the Sunday School
through teaching the Bible, TO bring the
pupils 10 Christ. We fail because we
have not a practical faith In the CONVEX
sion of the child. We believe in II In a
passive sort OF way, without that
practical faith which will inspire Us 10
work for Il. We fail too 10 realize the
importance of Il. Children may be con-
verted, and one child converted may be
the means Of the conversion Of thousands
In after life.
Judge Woodbury. said that the great
hindrance 10 sunday School work ", we
don't teach the Bible. We teach what
this one and that one says about the
Bible, but we don't teach the Bible itself
as the living word Of God. The truth
should he impressed upon the mind oil
the child, that the Bible IL the word oil
God. 4 live teacher Is needed, one
who will make thorough preparation,
know everything there Is 10 know about
the lesson, and then impress the spiritual
lesson.
Rev. +. +. Millett, who is field secre-
tary Of the State Sunday School Asso-
citation, said In answer TO the question
of the topic. Yes, our teaching does tend
TO the conversion OF our scholars
Eightv-fve per cent of the accessions to
the churches come from the Sunday
school.
Rev. j. ID. Graham gave "Fhree
Thoughts on Sunday School Teaching :
lst. Honor the word-the Word OF
God.
"a. We should seek TO develop in our
Sunday Schools more unselfish giving
I'd. There should be central thought
in all Sunday school teaching-the
thought OF winning souls 10 Christ.
when the matter OF association busi-
ness was taken up, the committee on
resolutions reported brief resolutions
favoring the continuance Of temperance
instruction. the establishing OF u home
department. also normal department.
The local associations and schools
were not prepared with reports. but
Rev. Mr.. Millett reported that good
work was being done by all the local
associations-theA ndroscoggin Valley,
Anasagunticook. South Oxford and
West Oxford-snd that another was
needed, 10 include Audover and neigh
boring towns.
The committee on nominations report
ed the following, which were adopted
PresIdent-Rev Il. = RideOut. Norway.
SerrctAry-Rey. L. r.. Miller. East sumner.
Assistant Secrclary-Mrs. ;. {. Ordway
South Paris.
Executive COmmltioe-Rey. III. VI. burlington
Canton. Rev &. Il. Hannafori, Rumford Falls
Rev. Frederick Newport, Mechanic falls
Mr.. y. ). Greet OF Someryille, Mass.
who had arrived on the afternoon train,
was introduced after the business ses
sion 10 give chalk talk. The children
were given the front seats. and crowd
OF them poured in, To see and hear. MT
Greet's subject was THE Little Captive
Maid" and his text the story OF
Naamau the leper. Mr.. Greet's manipu
lation of the crayons Is remarkably
good, and his manner had enlisted the
attention and interest Of the children II
two minutes. One couldn't help listen
ing to him, and watching him, ani
learning from him. :.
In the evening praise service of hal
an hour was led by Rev. b. 5. Rideout
Field Secretary Millett then gave an ad
dress, laying special emphasis upon the
importance of the use OF the Bible.
Mr.. Greet gave very practical Nus
trated talk on chalk talk work In TIT
Sunday School.
The convention passed vote o
thanks to the people for entertainment
70 Mr.. Millett and Mr.. Greet for thei
addresses, and TO the Portland and Rum
ford Falls Railway for reduced fares.
1t was an interesting and profitable