Smyrna times., 1899-04-12
STATE SUNDAY
SCHOOL CONVENTION.
HELD WITH MUCH SUCCESS AT ASBURY
NJ. E. CHURCH LAST THURSDAY AND
FRIDAY.-EXCELLEN SPEECHES
AND MUSIC RENDERED.
Large Number of Delegates Present From
all Parts of the State.-ImpressiOns
Gathered From the
Sessions.


The State Sunday School Conven-
tion held here on Thursday and Fri
day, was both large and important
meeting, participated in by all denom-
nations and working for a common
good. The coming to our town of
from 200 to 300 visitors, mostly in the
cars and some in carriages, very natur-
ally added a new life and vigor to the
town. The most of them went di-
rectly to the M. E. Church, where the
Convention opened at 1890 o'clock.
The exercises were called TO order by
President H. S. Goldey, of Whining
ton, after which song service was in
dulged in lead by Mr.. J. L. Clymer,
of Wilmington. Rev. j. L. Estlin,
pastor of the Presbyterian church of
this town, conducted a short devo-
tional service. The address of well
come was made by Rev. G. A. Hill of
this town. The welcome to the church,
town and homes during the days of
the convention was prefaced by brief
reference to scripture-the busy life of
the Master in working for others, and
the faithful teacher, who makes so
many sacrifices to bring their classes
in touch with Divine things.
The response was made by Presi-
dent Goldey, in which he referred to the
reputation Smyrna had already gained
for its hospitality and the princely
manner in which she has always enter
tanned. He cOmplimented Smyrna
highly and said that it was an ideal
place to hold a convention.
The appointment of convention COM
mittees was the next order of business
and was as follows: [ Elmer Perry, of
Wilmington, and George Chandler,
were named as the committee on Gre
dentials; W. X. Crosby, of Whining
ton; j. E: Carroll, Dover; G. B.
Money, Delaware City; Miss Mary E.
Gillespie, Mrs. NJ. A. Taggart, Will
mingtOn, committee on resolutions; p.
r. Causey, Milford; d. B. Maloney,
Townsend, committee ON a meeting
place for the next convention; Rev. J.
l.. Estlin, Smyrna; W. H. FOulk, G.
H. Cautwell, W. I. Morris, Whining
ton, and Mrs. Nj. E. Deputy, Newark,
committee on nomination; Congress-
man John H. Hoffecker, Smyrna; j. Y.
Foulk, Milford; Herbert N. Fell, Mrs.
w. X. Crosby, Wilmington, special
port; auditing committee, S. HI. Bav-
nard, J. H. Appleby, Wilmington, j.
S. Collins, Dover, Neal Coneley, T.
H. Messenger, P. B. Ayers, A. G.
Cox.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT.
The report of the executive commit
tee was read by Chairman Charles H.
Cantwell of Wilmington. eve are
glad to notice a decided advance along
all lines" the committee states.
"This, we think, is due largely to the
number of conventions held during
the year. New Castle and Sussex
counties held their annual conventions.
both of which were we'll attended and
very helpful. There also were con-
ventions held in fifteen of the different
hundreds. The organizing of a large
number of the hundred associations is
due to the efforts of your statistical
secretary, Aubrey Vandever. This
was done at considerable labor to Mr..
Vandever, and some additional expense
to the association. The reports from
the superintendents of the primary
and normal work and of the home de-
partment may not be as favorable as
we had hoped for, but we think there
Is sufficient encouragement to warrant
our continuing superintende nts for
these various departments.
1--WE are pleased to see the very
great interest manifested in the Will
mington City Sunday School Union.
They have held a number of meetings,
from which the Wilmington City Sun
day School Superintendents Associa-
tiOn was formed"
The committee further reports that
all pledges have been met promptly
and faithfully, and the money has been
paid into the hands of the international
committee. For the next three years
the committee recommends that the
Delaware Associations contribution be
designated at $100 annually for the in
ternational work, and not less than
$400 for State work. The suggestion
is also made that the executive commit
tee receive assurances that the ap.
portiOnments will be provided for.
Three meetings of the executive and
finance committees were held during
the year, and S. H. Baynard was ap-
pointed to succeed the late Charles
Baird as chairman of the finance COM
mittee. Another recommendation is
made that the executive committee be
authorized to employ field secretary,
If the circumstances will permit, and
also that the location for the next con-
ventiOn be selected before the present
convention adjOurns. In closing the
report of the committee expresses the
wish that ''our gathering here may in
augurate q year of great labor and in
creasing fruitfulness.
The treasurer's report was made by
Mr.. S. II. Baynard of Wilmington,
and showed where the total collections
had amounted TO $345.53. During the
past year there has been expended
$4O7.0O leaving a shortage of $61.47.
REPORT OF STATISTICAL SECRETARY,
Aubrey Vandever of Clayton, statis-
tical secretary, made a most excellent
report Of which the following will
show:
To the President, Officers and Mem
6erS Of the DeLGWGre State Sunday
School AsSOciGtiOn:-
DEAR -WoRKERsI
Notwithstanding the rains, the heat,
the snow and the blizZards of the past
year, we are permitted this beautiful
town and show the magnitude of the
ious schools throughout the State, for
a fnll term, ending April 9th, 1899.
Some schools have fallen ont of the
ranks, but others have been found to
take their places. Notable workers
have fallen with their hands on the
Gospel Plow and some places have
perhaps been filed, but on whom
could the mantle of Charles Baird fall,
for he was indeed mighty man in the
service of the Lord.
At this time only 80 schools have
made their statistical reports yet by
sundry means, such as personal visits
to superintendent and representatives
of the various denominations, the
newspapers, and attending conventions
held throughout the year, il is my
pleasure to present a report embracing
q nearly accurate standing of all the
Protestant Sunday Schools of Del
aware.
In connection with this and other
work, over 8, 900 miles of travel has been
made by railroad carriage and on foot.
The statement shows that 30 per
cent. of the population belong to
Sunday Schools, so that our State is
still 2 per cent ahead of any State in
the United States as to membership.
AUBREY VANDEvER, Sta. Sec'y.
The detail is as follows:
New cAsrLE COUNTY.
Denomination. i : !!