Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-06-03
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
Held at Newfane Wednesday, Sntisfnc-
tory Growth,

Representatives from - of the 10 Con-
gregational Sunday schools of Windham
county attended the Windham county sun
day school convention at Newfane We'd
nesday. Eighty-seven members were
present including 20 from Newfane, Is
from Brattleboro, 10 from Town hend
eight each from Windham and Bellows
Falls, seven from Marlboro and smaller
numbers from eight other schools.
The advance sheets of the report of the
corresponding secretary for the year 1895
compared with the report for 1891, shows
that the schools as a whole have made a
creditable advance.
In the county Congregational Sunday
schools 2373 members are enrolled. Nine
schools show a loss of l13. On the other
hand nine schools show a gain of 81.
Three schools report the same number as
the year before. The net gain by this
showing is los, the largest that appears
in any county in the state in the denomi-
nation, only two other counties showing
any gain, Essex and Bntand.
The reported average attendance for the
year 1897 is 1910 Eight schools report
a gain in average attendance OF 81. Seven
schools report a loss of 30. The others re-
port the same as the year before The net
81.
The convention opened at 10 o'clock
with a praise and prayer service by Rev.
II. II. Shaw of Marlboro, which was fol-
lowed by the organization OF the conven-
ton, y. c. Williams OF Bellows Falls be-
ing elected moderator. The purpose and
mission of the convention was then dis
Cussed and ii was voted to continue the
convention as Congregational convention
instead of admitting other denominations
as formerly.
The first paper was upon Quality
Rather than Quantity in Our Work by
Rev +. NJ. Hardy of Townshend. Rev.
Mr., Hardy said that there was danger. III
doing a large amount of Sunday school,
work OF not more than half doing it. The
Americon people show a weakness in this
direction and there is danger that our sun
day school life will shape itself after this
characteristic. We fail 10 accomplish our
purpose unless. in the matter of the saliva
ton of souls, we get the truth home to the
consciences OF men TO affect their lives.
The one-minute reports from each school
brought ont facts concerning the enroll
ment and the average attendance for the
year
Rev. and Mrs. @. F. Chaplin OF Saxtons
River c. F. Thompson, Mrs +. /. Smith,
Miss Mary K. Cabot OF Brattehoro. +. 7.
Adams OF Marlboro and Miss Hattie How
ard of Wludham spoke upon 'Some of the
Brighter Aspects OF Sunday School Work,
bringing ont the thought that there is no
part of the work that IS not bright, and es-
pecial.y is the truth OF tina, though. appaI-
eut when it is realized tina, two-thirds Of
the addition, to the church membership
are from the Sunday schools.
Under the head of Business c. T.
Thompson. Bey. f. VI. Hardy and T.. J.
Adams We're elected a committee 10 appoint
a committee 20 have IN charge the orgaui-
cation OF the next convention. \ basket
lunch was then eaten.
The afternoon session opened with a
praise service, led boy Rev. II. II. Shaw
and was followed by talk on The Home
Department by Miss Hattie Howard.
Tact courage ana faith are the three
qualities essential for successful work in
this department. Il is also work which
needs cOnsecrated workers
An especially interesting talk on "How
TO Hold and Interest BOYS in Bible Study''
was given by James T. MAYNARD IT,. su-
periniendenj OF the kurn Hattin homes for
boys at Westminster. Nj Maynard's eX-
perience with the BOYS of the homes and
his three years of teaching Bible study in
reform schools enabled him to give valua-
bic suggestions, Boys need practical and
intelligent teachers. who should be partic-
ularly careful il their selection Of pas
sages
The theme Of paper by Mrs A t.
Park o. Brattleh.ro was a Familiar
Talk 20 Sunday School Teachers" She
urged that teachers have the spirit OF
Christ Ia their woI6 aul that their daily
life be such as they would have emulated
by their pupils.
c. W. Osgood. who has o class of 100
adults IN Bellows Falls, spoke upon .'Sey-
eral Methods of Bible Study" His rare
personal experience in the work enabled
him 10 speak with assurance upon the
more important methods OF study The
development OF the spirit OF Christ should
be the aim of each teacher and pupil and
they should study the Bible intellectually
and devouiOnally.
In the absence OF Rev. j. H. Rabbit of
West Brattleboro the question box was
conducted by Rev. J. II. Reid of Bellows
Falls who, for the first time. was welcom-
ed to the convention. II. II. Thomson, T.
p, Adams and Charles Hescock of New
fame were appointed a committee to pre-
pare for the next convention meeting, and
c. K. Prentiss of West Bratteboro was
elected secretary and treasurer.