The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-28
A SUCCESSFUL MEETING
Much Good Accomplished by the
Ministerial Convention,
IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Conduct of the Primary Department
Ably Treated in an Interesting
Paper on the Subject by
Mrs. B. Hastings.

The delegates to the ministerial con-
vention who met in Mountain View
M. e. church for the purpose of or
ganizing district Epworth League and
to discuss other matters of religious i'm
portance to the church have departed
for their homes, after a most success
full and interesting meeting. They will
assemble next year in Helena. During
the meeting just closed several splen-
did papers were read, some of which
the Standard has published The one
presented by Mrs. B. Hastings of this
city on "The Primary Department in
the Sunday School," was one of the
best collections of suggestions relative
to the conduct of children's depart
ments in the church The lady's ex-
perlence In that line of work is shown
to be wide, and it is evidence of her
splendid worth in the church. The pa
per is given in full as follows:
The most important, the most diff
cult and the division that ofttimes
causes great anxiety to pastor and
Sunday school superintendent, is that
of the primary department. The most
important because of the tender age
that is SO sensitive to impressions that
will last forever. For the impressions
and memories of childhood days are
living pictures that throw their rain
bow hues about the fleeing days of
the aged child, who realizes each morn
ing that while there remains in the
future for him perhaps but a day, the
happy childhood days are yet his, in
memory, and the fragrance of the
spring time of life nourishes and keeps
the browning days of the autumn.
Blessed indeed is the man that can re-
call his youth with pride and exulta-
ton, because of the happy influences
that were thrown about him to pre-
pare and protect him in after years
from the snares of a sinful world.
How important, then, that these
should be Impressions of truth, good
ness and purity that shall grow bright
er as the mind unfolds and develops
in the fullness of time. And again the
most important because of the great
influence that these tiny prattling chill
dren exert in the home. Older children
may go to and from Sunday school
without a comment they may receive
great good for themselves; they do not
impart it to the home. But what of
the dear baby that is going, perhaps
for the first time? The house is in
commotion, the baby is old enough to-
day to go to Sunday school; many hur-
ried moments have passed in getting
her ready, and as she marches out
from the home with the older sister
she calls out to a playmate: DOM
to Sunday school to-day to learn bout
Jesus and Diet tard'
THE mother watches the tiny steps
with tear in her eye and a prayer on
her lips. The father turns away, feel
ing something of his unworthiness as
he recalls his own childhood days and
that months have passed
since he has entered the house of God.
But the sun is bright, the day is fair,
and he soon throws off the feeling, yet
it will return, for in a short while the
idol of his heart enters the door.
THE beautiful baby face is wreath
ed in smiles, the eyes dancing, the
dimpled, outstretched hand clasping
the pretty lesson picture, perhaps Of
the dying Christ, or, may be, Paul as
he sings praises to God in the prison.
Her heart is as light as the morning
the story she has learned and sees
down in the childish heart that beau
tiful, simple faith, his heart is touched,
and perhaps not many Sundays will
come and go ere the scriptures will be
fulfilled, And little child shall lead |
Them
II have said it is the most difficult.
do not mean for the teacher, if she
is thoroughly adapted to her work, but |
1t is Ofttimes q difficult problem be- |
cause there are so few who are adapt |
ed to primary Sunday school teaching |
But when the right one is found she is |
never so happy as when she is be-
fore her class on Sunday Another
difficulty In many places is lack of |
room and necessary helps.
1.-THE little people should have a large,
light room to themselves, seated with
The low kindergarten chairs, so that the
little feet will not grow tired, causing
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