The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-18
Fifth Annual Session OF
Church Clubs OF U. S.
Gen. Skiddy of Connecticut
Made Opening Address.
Mr.. Gardner's Address on Religious
Education Of Children.


church clubs of the United states Is In
session today at Grace church and q large
mum er of organ izations throughout the
country ere represented.
The services opened at 8 o'clock with
the celebration Of the Holy communion
after which the conference was formally
opened by Rev. r. W.. Tomkins, Jr.
General w. W. Skiddy OF Connecticut
presided and appointed the following
committees: Credentials-F. p. Wolcot.
of Ohio, Il. b. l.. Carter OF Connecticut:
nominations, Messrs. Lowden OF Mas
sachusetts, Granger Of Rhode Island and
Warner of Delaware. Further transac-
the afternoon session.
After the opening remarks by General
Skidty there was an address by 4. Il.
Warner, Esq, of Delaware on 1.-The
Churchman In Business Life."
An address on "Ihe Religious Educa-
tion of The Young" was delivered by
Rsthbons Gardner, Esq, and an abstract
of his paper 10 as follows:
MR.GARDNER's PAPER.
Mr.. Gardner tirst showed the necessity
In q community made up az ours ~, OF
the pu bile and non sc CT arian school and
recalled the fact that among the puritan
ancestors OF New England religious in
slrr ction was the basis Of all education,
while the tendency of latter days was to
do away with this important ides. This
left, he msintained, the religious educa'
tion Of the child 70 the home or to schools
especially maintained for the purpose. and
sfter tracing the difficulties in rre way OF
homs training under the present com plex
condition of social life he. turped- his at
tention to the ordinary sunday school.
The deficiencies of the latter institutions
were very forcibly dweIt upon.
Tue difficulties Of teachers, who, will
ing enough to engage in the work, were
forced by their limited knowledge OF
things essential to be taught or their
weeriness after the pressing cases of a
week were discussed in the manner of one
who had thorough experience In the field
OF which be spoke.
Notwithstanding the obstacles In the
way, Mr.. Gardner maintained that more
could pe done at home thsn elsew here for
the instruction of the young in religious
matters. The time between 7:45 and
n. m, was reco mmended as the hest time
for religious instructions In every house
hold and the lessons might be taken
from that good guide, the prayer book.
- M
the last Sundays sermon.
In order, however, to make this teach-
ing bear real fraii TIE parent must feel
oil that he taught and the example OF the
importance OF religions things should "a
shown by the parent reading himself
religious hooks or papers.
While dwelling on the Importance oi
home training MIR. Gardner did not fsi
to call vividly to the minds of bis hearers
the importance OF supplementary work
on the psrt OF the church. And it was
noted that the great majority Of the chill
drsn of Christian psrents could not b'
taught at home.
Ihe many calls upon those members o.
a parish VINO take a real interest In
church work were foreiblv noted and tn,
| uitiicu lties of teacher who had to in
struct his or her class in whispers wer,
/ referred to in manner that brought ou
the draw backs of the system.
As "A remedy for tbcss defects ano
others In the present Suncay Sohoo
system he SAID that the Sunday schoo
rs now understood should he made q
general service and paid instructors who
were thoroughly qualihed appointed t.
instruct the young at other times.
The speagor made the point tnst younI
Americans are apt to think that what /
the one that the important point wit
the Christian man or woman of today |
TO be able to give satisfactory reason 10
every detail Of their religion at least 4
themselves. In the absence Of their sbilit
TO give the reason for what they ar
taught, the young are inclined to thin
thst there Is no real foundation in fact Q
reason or the Christian religion.
Mr.. Gardner stated II as his belief tia
religious instructions should be give
for at least an hour or a half hour for
week for period extending over at les'
ten years by teachers trained and coDs'
crsted to the services selected as the
might and should he for their specis apt
tade end qualification, and making II
Ef. uoru SpsaLipo otthe hind of educs