The record-union., 1897-04-01

Importance, among the first of which
was capable teachers. If the subjects
We're discussed in an interesting man
ner, and if the pupils We're given food
for thought, there would be no falling
off in attendance, but the growth would
be steady and sure. The SMILES ad-
vanced by Mrs. Snyder were appropri-
ate in every particular and she was at
tentively listened to to the end.
The principal points touched upon in
the discussion of the paper turned upon
the teacher knowing his pupils, MAX
ing close study of their personalities,
and personally applying the teachings
Of the lessons to Individual pupils.
Our State and County Work" was
the subject of the address made by the
President of the State Association, h.
Morton. He submitted some very in
teresting data relative to State and
county work. In 1890 there were $50, :
612 children in the State between the
ages of ) and II years. In 1893 the
i Secretary's report showed that there
We're S03 Sabbath schools, with an ag-
gregate attendance of 1850. In 1896
! SSAiCOtSs
an aggregate attendance of 1o63Oi.
The entire population of the State IN
1890 was 2,1S0000, which showed that
only IL per cent. of the population at
tended Sabbath-school. This, he said,
was a sorry showing. What was neces-
sary was organization. Even the boot
blacks of the State had perfected an
organization that reached the ends
aimed at, and it was absurd to think
that if the bootblacks were succeSsful
in their organization Sunday schools
could not be- In twenty counties in the
State organizat tions had been perfected
and the results were gratifying.
Professor H. NJ Hamill, the Interna-
tional Field Worker, followed in few
appropriate remarks touching upon Or
ganization, and afterwards conducted
the conference of workers, relying, for
cOmprehenSiVeneSS, on a blackDoaru
diagram of the subjects brought up Tor
discussion The lecture was replete
with practical illustrations of Sunday
school work and was attended to draw
out the thoughts of the audience as
we'll as to instruct
EVENING SESSION.
Alter ii plcdSllS PRAISE SCI VIC iNe''
/ by Rev. w. c. Sherman, DR.. Van Nor
den read an interesting paper on The
| Religious instruction Of the Young a
| Divine Art
He said it is not merely the develop
! ing of the mind but the molding of
| character Too much Importance is
given to merely memorizing verses or
| incidents-a sort of examining process.
To educate is to draw out rather than
cram into. The religious instruction
of the young is a divine art-it is a
gift from above. Many who are not
favored with a college education have
this gift Children have more need Of
models than critics.
The teacher needs to be true to him.
self. He should be very sympathetic,
and able to detect in the child it's true
worth. Another requisite is patience.
There is no art that is so exhaustive of
patience as the religious instruction Of
children.
Goodness, sympathy and patience are
the three graces in teaching. Divine
art is in the artist, not in the material
| used. All the material in the world,
| without godliness, sympathy and pa
| tience is of no avail.
Technique is also necessary talk, so
that the child can understand Be
young in spirit, and enter with them in
their sympathies. Only the foolish
morbid and weak grow old
Study thoroughly each individuality
Make the children think out the lesson
Do not repress the child. You may
fail as a teacher, yet you may succeed
as a character builder
The address was full of good thoughts
and suggestions, and was enthusiastic
cally received by the convention.
By a vote of the convention the fol-
lowing persons were elected to fill the
various offices of the County Sunday
School Association: President, c. H.
Dunn of Sacramento; Vice-President,
Geo. Ormsby of Oak Park: Secretary,
F. NJ. Chadbourn of Sacramento; AS
sistant Secretary, Mrs. Brand of Sac
ramento; Treasurer, Mrs. E. Spafford
of Oak Park; Executive Committee
Fred French of Florin, Mrs Dixon of
Elk Grove and W.. G. McMilen of Sac
ramento.
Professor Hamell then answered a
number of questions which had been
handed him in a very bright instructive
manner, giving many helpful hints to
teacher and superintendent.
He then entered upon his address on
The Advanced Methods In Sunday
School Work" He explained the or
ganiZation of the International Sun
day School Association and it's relation
to the individual school. Every school
should have a missionary, whose duty
it is to look after those who remain
away and to bring in new pupils He
enlarged upon the need to develop the
senior department in the school and
the value of house-to-h house visitation
He explained the home department.
the newest method of work, which
brings those unable to attend the school
in touch with it.
After Professor Hamell's helpful ad-
dress song and prayer closed a very
successful county convention which
undoubtedly marks progress in this line
of Christian activity