Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-29
THE STATE SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
Tenth Annual Session Hello
Last Week.
INTERESTING STATISTICS GlVEl
Number of Schools, Ala; Men,
bership, 5O,lS4.



The 10th annual convention OF the
Delaware State Sunday school Associa.
tion began two days session in
Hanover Presbyterian Church Thursday
morning. About 100 persons were pres
ent at the opening, the association
being called to order at 0. 80 O'Clock by
the president, Prof. H. $. Gooey.
The church wan decorated with red,
white and blue bunting, the word
"Welcomen showing above the pulpit,
and the platform was decorated with
lilies and other potted plants. Prof.
John r. Sweeney led the convention in
service OF song, opening with the
hymn Gan About jesus - Psalm
XVIII was read by tho Rev. Waltor
L. Stone OF Pencader Church, Glasgow,
who also offered prayer for tho SUCCESS
of the convention. While the associa-
tion was preparing to take up the order
OF business, committees wero busy with
their respective duties.
The work OF the convention was con !.
tiuued with the appointment by Presi-
dent Goldey of the following committee
on credentials: d. B. Maloney, Madi.'
son Willin and W. b. White, which at
once began its work.
In theiabsenGe Of the Rev. Lafayette
MarkE ID. o., pastor OF Hanover
Church.. the address of welcome was
made by William Il. Crosby, superinS
tendent of Central Sunday school, Mr..
Crosby referred to the organization of
tho association nine years ago in Han
over Church through the instrumen.
tally of the late Joseph Pyle. He ex-
tended cordial welcome to the dele
gates President Goldey responded on
behalf of the delegates.
President Goldey made his annual
report,
Recording Secretary read the report
Of the executive committee. OF which
q. II. Cantwell is chairman. while
the work in the State has not come up
to expectation of many" says the com
mittee, I'VE feel that wo have not lost
but rather gained strength, and have
made some progress. " The formation of
several of the hundreds into organiza-
tion was announced. The COMMITTEES re-
ported 10 favor OF the home class depart
ment, local institutes and normal classes
Committee also favored Sunday school
field secretary. but did not see its way
clear on account OF the expense. The
help Of Mrs. NJ. G. Kennedy has been
secured in the primary department
primary unions is suggested. The cleo
ton of an assistant secretary Of the
association was recommended. The re-
port Of the committee was referred to
the following special committee: L. #.
Causey, the Rev. Thomas Mason, s.
Ii. Baynard, Neal Comfy, Joseph F.
Anderson.
Statistical Secretary Aubrey Van
dever of Clayton presented his annual
report which bristled with figures, the
totals being as follows:
New Castle county Number of Sun.
day-achonls, 1T3; officers and teachers,
2,773; scholars, %. $50; total, 25. 2Os.
Kent county--Srhools, l06; officers
and teachers, l,269; scholars, S,652;
total, 1921.
Sussex county Schools, 1876; officers
and teachers, l,676; scholars, Is, $50;
total. 15,056.
Total for State Schools. Al: officers
and teachers, 5,7lS; scholars, A, 466;
total, 90, 1871.
Mr.. Vandsver announced that the
total membership was 291s per cent of
the population, which is the largest
percentage of Sunday school member
ship to population OF any State in the
Union. This ann ouncement was greeted
with applause, and the report was ac-
cepted.
Treasurer Z. A. Finley reported
balance of sG3 Sc at the last report, and
receipts OF $685.. 30. At present bal
ance of $40. So is due the treasurer.
Reports of the county associations
were received, President W. *. Crosby
speaking for New Castle, Secretary
Apploby reading tho report of President
George b. Taylor for Kent, and tho
Rev. J. W. Talley speaking for Sussex,
William A. Fouk, president of the
Wilmington Sunday school Union, re.
ported for it. b. +. b. Woodall and
Peter II. Causey spoke Of Cedar Creek
hundred Sunday-school union. the first
hundred union organized in the State.
The following committees were
named:
On resolutions-G. ii. Baird, the
Rev. Ezra Tinker, j. G. Price, the Rev.
l.. a. Oates, A. G.. Cox.
On nominations The Rev. Adam
Stengle, ID. W. Harlan, Henry G. Con-
rad, Mrs. Lottie |. Brockson, the Rev.
j. G. Merrill.
In his report presented Thursday,
Statistical Secretary Aubrey Vandeyer
said:
The report l am privileged to sub
init shows slight decrease in tho
number OF Sundays schools, but an in
crease OF members. SO that notwith-
standing the deep privations that many
OF our people have undergone, on ac-
count of the financial depression Of the
times, the banner of Christ has not
traied in the dust. but has been held
aloft and waved VIGOROUSLY.
1--WE would not mar the pleasure OF
any by stating that only % per cent Of,
the Sunday schonls, viz. 104 have made
n report of their schools, but somehow
We have been enabled by the kindness
OF many clergymen and lay members
and the press, 10 gain the facts, SO that
with few exceptions the figures are
up to date. =.
Tho matter of Home Department
10 being agitated and 1 understand
that few schools have taken un this
line Of education, but 1 have not re-
eeived any reports to that effect, as our
blanks do not call for this information,
However, would recommend that this
department be pushed to its full ex-
tent and that suitable space be given
on our statistical blank for the report
of the results.
The Methodist Episcopal schools
during the year will be called on to
forward this movement. and believe
otner denominations are urging
general stirring up of the dry bones 10
this direction. so that liz peopIe cannot
n sI.... 4.