The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-05-28
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.

The 24th semi-annual convention
OF the Fishingcreek township S. S.
Association was held in the St. James
church, May 10th, 1896. Exercises
opened at O'Clock p M.
Afternoon ssession-Devotional ex-
ercises conducted by Rev. Sutton.
After the reading of the minutes OF
the previous convention, which were
approved as read, a cordial address OF
welcome was given by the Supt. OF
that Sunday School. Mr.. O. !. Hess
and Mr.. M. |. Low responded, giving
words of cheer to the workers, and
urged the keeping open of the Sunday
school twelve months of the year.
After the enrolment of delegates and
the appointment of the various COM
mittees, Mr., II. X. Bower opened the
discussion Of "1he Home Depart
ment." Each Sunday School should
appoint a committee of earnest chris
tian workers to visit each family and
urge all those who cannot attend
Sunday School to agree to study the
lesson at home at least J hour each
week. They are then enrolled and
considered members OF the Sunday
School What we want is a more
earnest, careful study of the word OF
God. This year we, the county or
ganlzaton, want to accomplish three
things: Ist, have the home department
established all through the county
end, the Bible in use in the Sunday
School instead of the lesson leaf; 3rd;
the grading of the schools. The
grading of the schools was outlined as
follows: place the children from a to
8 years of age in the primary class.
During this period of four years have
them commit to memory the Lords
Prayer, the Ten Commandments and
the beatitudes. Those from s to IL
in the junior class. During this period
of a years have the members of this
class to memorize the names of the
books Of the Bible, when and by whom
written, and the Promises. Those OF
IL years and over in the senior class.
This class to memorize Bible geog-
raphy, Bible history, church history,
&c. Examinations should be held
for each grade at the end of each year
and if possible promote them to the
next grade. When they have passed
the senior examinations, furnish them
handsome diploma fit to hang in
any parlor.
The report OF the committee on
nominations resulted in the election
of Mr.. A. A. Pealer, President; Mrs.
Sallie Stoker, Secretary, and Mr..
David Yost, Treasurer. The place
for holding the next convention,
Asbury: time, Nov. 9TH. Executive
committee J. S. Campbell, Nathan
Beishline and Millie Runyan. After
collection and question box, the con-
vention adjourned to meet at 7:Is in
the evening.
Evening Session opened with sing
ing "Leaning on the Everlasting
Arms" and prayer by Rev. Creveling,
after which the convention was favored
with a recitation "The Drunkard's S
Home" by Miss Blanche Austin.
Rev. Sutton then discussed the topic
"The Bible, the Textbook of the
Sunday School," He said, "The
Bible is the text book of the individ,
ual, the text book of the church and
Sunday School. The Bible is the
text book Of salvation. Salvation is
not taught in the heavens above us,
nor in the earth beneath us, but only
in the Bible. The Bible is the book
that directs us through this life to oul
home in heaven. There is not q
sentence in it but is worth our study.
1t is like a hand board by the wayside
having fingers to point the way, SO the
Bible points the way to heaven"
A discussion, "Is temperance taugh
in the Bible" was opened by H. R
Bower. He said, Temperance is ;
comprehensive word. We are taugh
to be temperate in all things. 1t may
be applied to work, recreation or eat
ing. l wish at present to regard i
only with reference to abstinence from
Intoxicating drinks. He divided his
remarks into four parts: Ist, sobriety
encouraged and commended; end
drink refused and its rewards; 3rd
warnings given; 4th, woes and sen
tences. After referring to different
passages of scripture, which were read
by members of the convention, which
proved beyond all doubt that temper
ance is clearly and emphatically taught
in the Bible, he said drunkenness
causes physical and financial wrecks
A person may start in life well
equipped, both physically and hnan,
cially, but drunkenness will rob him ol
| hcth nru,,1ranaec co,,cac moral urark c