New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-03
SUNDAY.SCHOOLS.
AN ANSWER TO DR. WILLIAMS ARRAIGN-
MENT OF THAT DEPARTMENT OF
RELIGIOUS WORN

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; The remarkable address OF the Rev. Dr.
Pelham Williams. recently delivered before the
Church Club, Brooklyn. is but another proof OF
the multiplicity OF delIverances before public
diences In the name OF improvement which fail TO
improve. simply because such statements are mis-
representations of actual conditions.
II Is too true that many, II not all. platform
orators who utilize some hobby with which
secure platform recognition manufacture outright
or highly embesh for the occasion the striking
incidents narrated by them carry unsuspect-
Ing audience to the point Of at least tolerang the
extreme views OF the speaker.
DIR. Williams. in his closing remarks. tells with
great glee of two mothers, with eight, the
other with nine children, attending the same Sun
day-school and the with eight children taught
those OF the one who had nine. and the latter was
teacher TO the eight children of the former. Is
there any one silly think for moment
that nine children (or even eight OF one family.
wide difference in from eldest 10 youngest.
would be gathered In the same Sunday-school
CLASP And yet DR.. Williams evidently believes
that vast amount OF wisdom is being spread
abroad by his Efforts
1t is also remarkable to note the unfailing faith
manifested by these latter-day platform orators In
their personal opinions. and the vehement manner
IN which they proceed 20 annhate those who
honestly but modestly. try TO do some good in the
world and who are astonshed to find themselves
thus attacked.
Children should ne taught in the Holy Scriptures.
Very we'll How should this be done? Suppose the
answer comes: In the home and from the sacred
desk" Are the and women who are thus al
lowed 10 teach their children at home not qualnleo
to teach their children and the children Of others
in the Sunday-schools? IL not thus taught IN the
Sunday-school many children would receive no
religious training whatever because OF neglect AT
home The ministry may be qualified to train
children in a religious life but duties Of the nigh
est Importance would thus be neglected, for no
minister personally conduct all the various
plans carried in church work. how many
ministers fail to nnd the time requisite fa I'M ny
lgous training Of children is OF the hisheSh5
Sap,eG o anf this wR work. * i a
II any church has not competent ana ram a. tS ~
management OF that particular school In the
membership of every church there are lnteiiseit
work in this line. and judicous action will bring
them into service The tnousands OF ms bst 20
wrought lasting and even striking results for
good are in wonderful contrast to the ways OF me
R MaS G1nS VINO decfy the Unpaid
Of Of she course Dr Williams can easily say witty
things in making sport of the Sunday -sehooi rms
great talent to find fault In fact, people OF su-
PPeror ability generally lend helping hand s C. or
tempting TO annihilate faithful sentinel .s,.
The only class Of people who really en2Sg tn
OF church-workers are those who deught IN va o
ducinr Christianity. These attacks IKE the one
q an6 fbev quote them freely Anything to block
the nroeress Of the Church fattens them -. -
While such platform fault finders nave Dut d
br,sf dav and are speedily sized up by the pubic,
It is interesting contrast their frantic e31r's 10
secure public recognition with inc slrPis GU
s+rsigbt forward Gospel-workers like Mr.. MOODY.
The latter class leave sensational hobbies for ,
SNEAKERS VINO have genius for nothing peter Tilu
.aaIt 70 The people on practical Gospel lines. Ine
nannls hear them gladly. These workers OF tne
NJ
school. 1900 49, .o,f ,ronor,a = ?
.nd self a ppointed disseminators or ooupi WIZ ~
cesss to sgitate and influence the pubic nlho 10
any serious extent. For many years tneF Ia =
"a AZ omen field their views have been spIedu
abToad and now a weary people are turning a n%Si
from all this storm Of words TO seek IN IN .s S
and the Church the substantial louHuH'"''o W
peace here and JOY hereafter. ,--,, r1->rOv