The Portland daily press., 1900-10-18
Deering Center, Oct. Is, 1900

Deering Center, Oct. Is, 1900
Dexter, October II. The convention of
State Sunday School workers opened here
yesterday under sunny skies and with eve
rysprospectgp The midday special
train brought In hundreds of delegates
from every part of the State, the north of
Aroostook and the south OF York coun-
ties being represented, as we'll as other
extreme points of distance from Dexter.
1t was most auspici GUS beginning, and
the Century Jubilee viii be memoir
able occasion in the annals of Maine Sun
day School history.
At $50 Rev. E. A. Mason OF Oldtown,
in his vigorous enthusiasm, led the people
in rousing songs of praise. Rev. j..
Frank Haley of GuiIford conducted a
twenty minutes scripture exercise, which
was followed by devout Thanksgiving and
prayer, participated in by many dele
gates, Rev. j. q. Fisher of Garland lead
ing this beautiful service.
The president, Rev. Smith Baker, d.
d introduced the programme of ad-
dresses in happy speech, and then was
followed by Rev. VIM. Fletcher. Cape
Neddick, who spoke upon the benefits of
district organization, under the topic,
''What our District Association (Eliot
York and Kittery) Has Done for Us ;"
Rev. W. l.. Nickerson, Cape Elizabeth,
gave a most encouraging review of the
work of his normal class Of 10 students,
who had mastered Prof. HamiIl's outline
studies in the Bible, as well as II ssons in
Sunday School work. He paid Algh trib-
ute to this work as means Of providing
trained teachers for the Sunday School,
and said pastors should themselves take
this matter in hand as privilege to thus
help their own work. Rev. r. G. Drisko
Of Alfred is known to be Home Depart
ment enthusiast, and his earnest plea for
more interest in this feature of the work
was most telling.
what Happened on a Decision Day,
as told by L. r. Cook OF YarmouthvilIe
was pleasing and hopeful account OF
this new step in the accomplishments of
the Sunday School. A Decision Day, -
when all scholars win be given a special
opportunity to take stand for Christ.
will no doubt be adopted during this
session, and large results would be at
tained II all were as painstaking, prayer
full and enthusiastic as was Mr.. Cook
when he introduced it in YarmouthYilIe
Baptist Sunday. school. Fourteen scholars
confessed Christ for the first time that
day. Miss Mary E. Bishop OF Portland
touched and delighted th5 delegates with
the story OF her splendid class Of young
men in Chestnut Street M. e. school.
The way to handle the big boy Prob
leln'' was by her most happily shown.
The president appointed Nominating,
Enrolment and Resolution Committees,
and closed the afternoon session with an
impressive service OF prayer.
The evening session was most men,
orable hour. A chorus of Dexter singers,
under the leadership Of their towns1nan,
Mr.. ]. W Crosby, swelled the sound of
praise that filed the hall. A large assem-
blage greeted the speakers of the evening.
A warm welcome to Dexter was voiced by
Rev. E. A. Mason, pastor of the Baptist
church. The response by President Baker
was characteristically jovial and hearty
A delightful feature OF the evening was
the presence and words of reminiscence
and counsel that fell from the lips of an
x-pres1dent eloved Mr.. B. Q Jordan,
OF Alfred. His venerable taoe sent a glow
of love and ardor over the great assem- bly,.
The International Sunday School AssO-
ciation was splendidly. represented by Mr..
Marion Lawrence, General Secretary, of
Toledo, and Mr. @. ID. Meigs, member
Executive Committee, OF indianapolis
rheir bright and forceful remarks pre-
pared the way for an eager listening to
the address Of the evening, delivered by
Rev. @. ii. Spalding ID. D, OF Boston.
His topic was "The Sunday School Work
of a Century" The statistical and gen
eraI review be furnished was to many i'm.
portant information, and the glowing
tributes he paid to the workers the stir.
ring indictments to future conservation
and zeal were TO all an inspiration. Sure
Iy the first day OF the feast could hardly
have been collapsed, though all are expect
ing tomorrow TO be the great day.
FRANCIS INgCOLLIsION
Vineyard Haven, Mass, October IT,
Schooner John Francis Saunders, from
Wilmington. Del, for Bath, anchored
at Nobska, reports that she was in col