Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-10-27
The State $. S. Convention.

Association held in the FIRST NJ E
Church at Johnstown. Pa, Oct 1920
was decided success from every point
of view In this brief article an at
tempt TO describe it would prove futile
Over two hundred delegates from over
the State with number who attended
the Worlds S. s. Convention in Lon
don last summer, and visitors from re-
mote parts OF the Union and the efficient
field workers present at once proved
sufficient material TO generate enthusl
asm in the cause sufficient not only for
the convention but also for each visitor
to carry home with HIM and thus be
powerful disseminator of fundamental
church work.
The delegates were met by Commit
tees at the depots and escorted to the
Sunday school room of the first NJ. E.
church where they registered and after
ward had places of entertainment
assigned t. which they were escorted
by young ladies and introduced to
their hosts. The homes prepared for
entertaining delegates were not all
occupied.
The address of welcome was deliver
ed by Prof. J. NJ Berkey, city superin-
tendent of schools and Supt. of the first
Lutheran Sunday school of Johnstown.
We give few extracts from his ad-
dress:
We esteem your coming an honor
10 our people. your entertainment our
privilege, and your mission our mutual
benefit
This valley, known to the world
only in its fateful history. is to-day the
scene of great industrial activity; the
home of forty Thousand busy and pros
porous people. The smoke of many fur
naces, and the hum and rattle of machin-
cry and the rush and worry of business
all combined to monopolize our mental
and physical energies. But we are
never so busy. / trust, that we shall not
be able to find time to entertain State
Sunday School Convention IN the MD.
die of the week" Probably no class
OF representatives, can embody higher
interests in church work and more Vi
tai forces in Christian culture than an
association of Sunday School workers
Surely no class of people can have more
sacred trusts, a higher mission, or
grander possibilities than lie in the
pathway of those who work in and for
the Sunday school"
1T is matter of history, read and
known of all men. that only since the
Sunday schools have been universally
established has the church made rapid
strides in Christian civilization.
Only in the last century has the mis-
sionary of the Cross found permanent
foothold upon heather soil, and long
ago has he learned that Christian teach
ing and living must begin with the
boys and girls.
The Indians of the West character
lied Phil Sheridan as that chunky
fellow who means business. This no
doubt was the opinion of those who saw
and heard Hon. John Wanamaker when
he delivered his annual address as pres
ident of the association. Rain was fall
ing in torrents, yet 1900 people were
packed in the auditorium of the NJ. F.
church and an overflow meeting was
held in the chapel of the church, H. j.
Heinz Of Pittsburg presided of the
main meeting and in fitting words
introduced Mr. Wsnamaker. The
speaker reviewed the work of the year
aud the future work. through which he
carried the figure of railroad, which
was suggested to him at the car win
dow, He referred TO the editor of the
Ladies' Home journal, and said he
acknowledged the article was unjust
which he published last winter in
which he attacked the Sunday school
He said we become less sentimental and
more practical as we grow older.
In touching on the late conflict he
said: That was sad night for Spain,
when the battleship Maine shaped it
self into great coffin. The spirit of
Valley Forge was revived; a new pat
riotism was born. In the southern
waters were those who left the plow in
the furrow; ledgers were closed; idle
men of culture and wealth with soft
hsnds-no hardships too great; splendid
young fellows from Yale. Harvard, etc.
Volunteers filled with enthusiasm to
free Cuba.
All honor to Dewey. Hobson and
thousands of unkissed heroes and
thanks to God for Manila. Moro Castle.
Santiago and Ponce, sound the bugle
to this new patriotism and call for
volunteers in war far more wider, far
more serious-a war against bossism
and corruption. for good citizenship, l
call tor a show of patriotism-a chris
tian patriotism" Mr. C. D. Meigs, the
energetic State Sec'y. of Indiana, made
addresses on Why am in the Sunday
School work." and The Front Line
Sunday school
Mr.. Meigs is editor of The Awaken
er" a live monthly Sunday School jour
nal published at Indianapolis, and has
an international reputation as speaker
at conventions; wit and humor border
ing on ridicule are his national weapons.
He is the life of convention. Mr.. Is
rael p Black Sec'y Of the International
Phila., Mrs. M. G.. Kennedy, Pres
State Primary Council of Phila, Miss
Elisabeth Cuip. Instructor Pistsburg
Kindergarten College, Miss Eleanor
Baldwin Pres Pittsburg Primary Tn
ion and the talented State Primary
Superintendent. Mrs. j. w Barnes
who attended 345 conventions and
travelled %, 600 miles the last year with
many others offered their tributes and
said with Froehle Come let us live for
the children"
The convention while in session ex-
changed greetings with the following
assemblies: Baptist Anniversary at
Harrisburg, MsiIe. State S. S. conyen
ton, Rhode Island State S s. conven-
tion and the Southern California S. S
convention, all in session. The Sunday
school parade was a new feature and
proved success; about 4,500 workers
were in line children from four years
to seventy Ave made a great impression
on the immense crowd on the side
walks. The Methodist, Presbyter
and Lutheran churches were filled with
children after the parade, and addresses
were made by prominent speakers.
j. Wilbur Chapman ID. ID. of Bethany
church Phil'a. gave several of his excel
lent bible readings in which great
spiritual power was manifested; he also
spoke on Keeping in the Sunday
School"
The Gen. Sec. Charles Roads d. D.
gave a superb address on State Nor
NAL work" A class of nine from AL
toona were presented with diplomas;
there will be two hundred graduates in
the State this year. The work has in
creased 80 rapidly that Rev H. A.
Bomberger of Phila has been secured
to assist DR.. Roads this year.
The Home Department is revolution
izing Sunday school work and in con
nection with primary graded work is
being pushed with great energy.
$40, 900 will be used in state work this
year.
The two merchant princes of Penn'a.
II. ]. Heinz in the west and John Wan
amaker 10 the east have been reelected
to the Office which they held last year
| and are live workers as well as distin-
guished and powerful financially.
This organization INSTRUMENTATION
al, and international is moving the
world