Evening star., 1901-10-29
Eighth Annual Convention of District
Association in Session.
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS BY DR.. WHITMAN
Discusses Ideal Citizenship and the
Duty of the Hour.
MIR. MACFARLAND PRESIDES

With the president of the board Of Dis
trict Commissioners as the presiding Of
ficer, with several of the citys most dis
tinguished clergymen seated among the
delegates and with about 1,500 teachers
present in the pews. the eighth annual con-
vention of the Sunday School Association
of the District of Columbia was convened
last night in Calvary Baptist Church. Seven
years ago the auditorium of Calvary's Sun
day school house sufficed to accommodate
the convention in all it's departments. Last
night the high gray arches of the church
looked down-on an assembly that crowded
every corner of the auditorium, and echoed
with the song of perhaps 800 trained Choir
listers. In the number of Sunday school
workers assembled, the attitude of the dele
gates and the spirit of the addresses made
the first session of the eighth convention
gave promise of being the most helpful and
profitable annual meeting in the history OF
the association.
A song service of familiar hymns-"Al
Hail the Power of Jesus Name and
Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine'-preced-
ed the convention. 1t was conducted by Mr.
Percy S. Foster and was marked by the
consonance OF over thousand reliant
voices sounding joyously and earnestly.
Presiding Officers Address.
President Jerome F. Johnson convened the
meeting and presented Commissioner Henry
B. F. Macfarland as the presiding officer of
the first session of the convention. Mr.. Mac
farland addressed the delegates very brief
ly, saying:
1T is an honor to preside over this con-
vention, which represents in it's twelve hun
dred delegates over fifty thousand of the
people of the District of Columbia. There
is no other element in the District which
contributes more to the permanent improve
ment of our citizenship. If all the learners
whom these delegates represent practice the
lessons that they are taught there will be
wonderful advance toward the noblest
ideals of living.
The SIX thousand teachers in the Sum
day schools of the District of Columbia, all
of them volunteers, serving without any
other reward than the results of their work,
are rendering a service to the community
which many of them do not realize and
which many of their fellow-citizens do not
appreciate. 1t is an unselfish service on
their part, involving not only ability, at
tainments and constant hard study, but
self-sa crifce, patience, persstency through
all difficulties and discouragements. For
the most part it is done in obscurty and
without the recognition of the praise of
men, but with an eye single to the glory
of God. 1t has become, however, delight
ful service to many who would not give it
up for any other. 1t is full of inspiration.
1t deals with the eternal things and with
immortal spirits and at the same time in
the most practical way it steadily improves
the character of the communitys life.
These teachers, who are helping to
make good citizens, deserve the thanks OF
the District and all the encouragement that
can be given them
Mr.. Macfarland then announced Rev. S.
NJ. Newman ID, pastor of the First Con-
gregationai Church, who read as particu-
larly appropriate to the convention that
chapter of the Scriptures which begins
In the beginning was the Word and the
Word was with God, and the Word was
God
Annual Report.
When DR.. Newman concluded, Mr. John
son read the annual address of the presi-
dent, which was in part as follows:
1T becomes my very delightful privilege
to welcome the Sunday school workers of
the District of Columbia to this convention
and to this church, whose Sunday school is
recognized as one of the pioneers in ad-
vanced methods, as we'll as in Sunday
school architecture.
For many months we have been talking
about and planning, working and praying
for this conventions: every Sunday school
and every Sunday school worker In the Dis
trict of Columbia needs the help which may
be derived from such a program. If 1t shall
be no more than pleasant recollection to
you, your executive committee will be
greatly disappointed. Rather may it give
new and better ideas in Sunday school
work, and fresh stimulus to the workers.
the influence from which may be carried to
others who are not present
Work of Twentieth Century.
1.-The Sunday school of the twentieth GEN.
tury should be satisfied with nothing short
of the best. Said our late President McKin-
ley the day before the great calamity that
cost him his life: Comparison Of ideas is
always educational, and as such instruct
the brain and hand of man. The demands
of this day are increasing. The great
rock bottom need of our Sunday schools is
more thoroughly prepared teachers. Paul
wrote to Timothy: Study to show thyself
unto God a workman that need
eth not to be ashamed God puts no pre-
MUM upon willful ignorance Of His word.
IL is the teacher who studies that holds
the scholars. The bright young people in
our Sunday schools, who, in their secular
schools are under trained teachers cannot
be expected to be always satisfied with un-
skilled and undrilled Sunday school teach
ers set over them. The laws of teaching
are the same, whether the school be on
Sunday or on week day. To teach we
must know; to know we must study. Study
to be most effective, must be systematic
These are familiar words, but need to be
often in our ears. In this conpec-
ton l wish to call attention specially to
the session of Tuesday afternoon, when the
teachers will be put before you by one who
Is said to be the best organizer and in
structor of normal classes in the United
States
lit is the hope of your executive commit
tee. as i am sure 1t is Of all of you, that
some workable plan may be devised and put
into operation for the establishing Of nor
NAL classes for Sunday school teachers in
our city. Please be present then, every Of
ficer and teacher who can possibly do So
on Tuesday afternoon at 2:15 o'clock, and
hear Rev. A H. Mckinney, superintenden
of normal work for New York state, on
the methods and scope of normal work for
Sunday school teachers as applied else
where.
THE report of the secretary will give YOU
some interesting results from decision day,
which was observed in the District Of CO.
iumbia, February 5. What is decision day?
1t is day fixed upon on which, after earn
est prayer, an especial personal effort Is
made to get every one. who has not already
done so. to decide for Christ. The plans,
as outlined to the superintendents by our
committee, were simple and
practical. and easily adjusted to suit the
usages of any denomination or church
This is one of :he forward movements in
Sunday school work for the twentieth CEN
tury. and Is eminently reasonable and
stands widely approved.