The Portland daily press., 1898-03-17
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKERS.
Third Day of the Convention at First Bap
tist Church.

The central thought of Mr.. Archi-
bald's talk before the Sunday School
association Wednesday afternoon, was
on the necessity of illustrating in teach
ing chill iren. Like all of Mr. Archibald 8
talks this one was full of practical sug-
gestions for making moreluminous every
thing that is necessary for the teachers
to explain to children. For one practi-
cal suggestion, to further explain an idea
of having a central thought for a quar-
ter's Sunday school lessons, Mr.. Archi-
bald showed set of ,12 cards, upon which
were arranged certain symbols winch
suggested the salnef control, dennlte
thought, but different phase Of 1T.
DIhe particular set was on the crucln1lon,
each card with a CROSS, and some other
symbol suggesting Jesus dishonored,
honored, warming, remembered, suffering,
rejected, condemned, crucified, risen,
teaching, testing and ascending
To further prove the wonderful power
which Jesus had as teacher, the speak
ar read a list of the various things
which He used as illustrations and COM
parsons, and out Of the 70 things, only
four would be unfamiliar to child of
seven today. Some of those were: seeds,
birds. ravens, salt, candlestick, coins,
figs. thistles, barns, stones, etc. Accord
ing to Frobel's law ''the child's mind
rinens and unfolds to the abstract, by
and through the concrete" and in this
talk in illustrating that. wes the central
text.
MIR. Archibald asked questions ofathe
people assembled as to why we should
illustrate, and these were some of the
answers given: In illustrating we
eight up the truth; we impress,it upon
the pupils; help their memory; their at
tention, their Imagination, and prepare
the mindas. for the truth. Kn2wledge is
discovered truth and we must learn to
put things SO they can understand and
carry them by natural sequence from
the known to the unknown.
Much interest was manifested in the
talk by all present, and after the benedic-
ton, many of the men and women pres
emit crowded about Mr.. Arcbibald3 o4ask
him a question or to thank him for his
| valuable suggestions.
EVENING SESSION.
The normal lesson which Mr.. Archi-
bald gave on Wednesday proved most
delightful and helpful to all present, sand
afforded not little amusement for the
questions put blythe teacher. There are
two little books gotten out by the sMaine
Sunday School association, containing
10 normal lessons on training. and Bible
study. In order to make this method
plain, Mr.. Archibald began to question
his audience as to the books Of the Bible.
"How many are there?' said Mr.. Archi-
bald, "Sixty- six - said several of the
people promptly. Chow many. books
of the Old TESTAMENT "Thirty-two,
came equally promptly. Then followed
the question, SoAow many men wrote
for the Bible?'
Silence reigned.
VERY welI,'' said MGs Archibald, "Let
US take. the New Testament. Who wrote
the first one?"
Matthew" came quickly enough, as
also those of the next three books, but
when it came the question as to how
many books Paul and John wrote. the
response was not SO prompt or firm.
Soon, however, he had the class in hand,
and Is by Paul and by John. came as
quickly as had the answer to the number
of books.
Then came lesson in Bible history,
illustrated by simple drawing which
helped to make the 40o0 years from
Adam to Christ seem to mean more, by
the choice of certain character, in each
thousand years. would which to group
the otners-as from Adam, to Enoch. to
A braham, to Solomon. to Christ. Mr..
Archibald showed chart representing
certain periods in the life OF Christ. and
also maps made of the journeys of our
Lord.
At the close of the lecture many people
went up to thank Mr.. Archibald for the
help he had given them, and one heard
many testimonies from people going
out. One young woman said: II like
his idea of having one central thought
in the course of lessons, and his Illus
trations arc always very apt" Another
said: MIR. Archibald's talks. have been
an inspiration, as we'll as an assistance;
and another said to him: "You have
given me new courage" So the result OF
the meetings has evidently given new
zeal to those interested in his good work.
The second annual convention of p ort-
land District Sunday School Association,
comprising Portland, Deering, Westbrook
and Gorham, will be held in Chestnut
street Methodist church today. The fol-
lowing is the order of exercises:
Morning
9.30-The Holy Spirit with Us. Con-
Quoted by Rev. Z. o. Thayer, ID. d.,
Woodfords.
9.50-Words of Welcome, S. K. Cordwell,
president. Westbrook. Response. Rev.
William Cashmere, Gorham.
O.00-Business bee.
25-Platform phrases. (Supe1intend-
ents' talks.