The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-05
ELDERS AND DEACONS' INSTI
TUTE.
Good Work and Interesting Eessions at
Red Springs.

Red Springs, \. c., August 4.-(Spc
cial)-Yesterday w;is Sunday School
Day. The services were opened with
prayer and praise service by \. Il. Pat
tcrson. Sunday School work was the
topic under discussion. The subject WAS
opened by Principal James Dinwiddic.
Peace Institute. He said it was hardest
to get good teachers. Henry Ward
Bccchcr said the greatest power in teach
ing was to fill yourself with the subject
and then let it out. Importance of teach
crs meetings was emphasized
President Nardcll, of Red Springs
Seminary. then talked about the success
of the seminary the Importance of cdu-
cation. Biblical study, etc.
Hector Mclean, ESD, j. Luther Nc
Lean, Esq. and others participated in
general discussion of the Sunday School
work The question box was then opened
and the answers given by Rev. c. &.
Vardell He said the best Sunday school
in North Carolina is at Steel Creek Pres
hvterian church. The dead Sabbath
schools were wanted. Rev j. Il. Shcarcr
DID, made a strong plea for the so-called
dead schools" stating that in many IN
stances they had done good. lie had
once taught in one. They often hold city
churches together. But material for city.
schools comes from the country.
In the afternoon. Rev. j. Il. Shearcr,
President of Davidson College. made
strong and forcible talk on the much
discussed subject of Christian education.
The term church and Christian cdu-
cation was adopted by Il conference of
the four South Atlantic Synods seven
years ago. and is coming into general use.
Ia unI oII thniI prnG lV-
teries have each committee which
makes annual reports on this subject to
their respective bodies. The term church
education covers work done by the church
in her ecclesiastical and corporate ca
pacity: while the term Christian cduca-
ton is broader and covers the work done
| by conSccrated Christian teachers both
| in private and public schools. The great
aim of the agitation is to sanctify =
secular learning and make education the
handmade of religion.
Education has been a religious func-
ton in all ages. MECHANISM. Confucon-
ism. Brahmanism and ISamism have
made their sacred books the text books
in their educational systems. SO with
the Israclites in I'LL periods of
the history of that extraordinary
people. Christianity has done the same
thing. and her purity and power have
! 1uctuatcd with her fidelity in this mat
ter. And in modern times. in the union
of church and State. the church has
been left in control of education as far
as the rivalry of dissenting Sects would
allow. Even in our country nearly AL
so-callcd public education was left In
church hands in an informal way till the
middle Of the present century and In
sentiment Of the community is sufficient
~ homogeneous or strong. The watch
word of church and Christian education
is The Bible. the universal text book"
The cOnsccratcd Christian teacher with
the Bible on the pedestal in every school
will give an education specifically better
than Il mere secular learning. If the
church shall keep in fair and honorable
rivalry with all corners, all other schools
will approximate the true standard Of a
Christian education from the necessities
of the case. If she suffers herself to he
driven from the field all education will
be really secularizcd with all that term
implies
Rev. III. Tucker Graham. of Fay
ctteville. filled his evenings engagement
His subject was young Peoples Work"
The opportunity Of listening to him will
be again given today.
One of the most enjoyable of the many
delightful social features Of the institute
was the moonlight picnic given last eve
ming by MeSsrs. Il. W. Townsend and
). II. Mckinnon, complimentary to
number of visiting young ladies Those
present were: Misses Utley. Whitehead.
Hall, Myrover, jamie and Augusta Me
kcthan and Hutton, Jane Williams and
Nan Mcneil, of Fayctteville jamie
McDiarmid. of Manchester: DIR. 7. S.
Belts of Fayetteville: Mcssrs. J. G..
Mccormick and LauchIin McKinnon. of
MaXton; Mcssrs. S. III. and w. l.. Nc
kinnon. II. Cainc. Cunningham and
others Of Red Springs.