Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-11-15
STATE S.. WORKERS.
ANNUAL CONVENTION HELD IN OLD
CITY OF VERGENNES.

CITY OF VERGENNES.
Large Attendance of Delegates, but Fall
ing OF in Sunday school Membership
Reported Many Helpful Papers Read
and Addresses Delivered.
The 33d animal convention of the State
Sunday School association held its first
session at the Congregational church In
Vergennes Wednesday afternoon, Nov.
6. There were about 12j delegates pres
ent at the opening, and more came later
The convention was called to order at
2 o'clock by the president, d. M. Camp
of Newport. Rev. Benjamin Swift of
Orwell had charge of the singing and
Miss Stella Harris of Vergennes presided
at the organ. Prof. Ii. NJ. Seely of Mid
dlebury led the devotional service by
reading New Testament promises, after
which the audience joined in singing
"Come Thou Almighty King"
Rev. Charles Worrick, Rev. w. II. Gro
well and Rev. r, X. Davies of Vergennes
extended a cordial greeting to the dele
gates In behalf of the local churches and
committee, which was responded to in
behalf of the association by ID. M. Camp
of Newport.
The annual address by President Camp
was an able one and full of sound practi-
cal suggestions to all engaged in the
Sunday school work. He said that while
the Congregational Year Book showed a
small increase in membership it showed
marked decrease in Sunday school and
Endeavor meeting attendance. He
thought this was very largely due to the
disuse of the Bible 10 the home and neg
lecting family worship and private de-
votions. Family religion is decaying
and becoming unpopular and he said that
the religious life in community will not
run higher than it is In the home. The
address was listened to with attention
throughout and generously applauded at
the close.
Following this Mrs. Swift sang the
conservation hymn, sri Go Where You
Want Me to Co..
Elder Samuel Miles of Monkton gave
an address on 1.-The Book We Study" in
which he showed its capability of filling
the need of mankind
a very helpful, thoughtful and inspr.
ing address was that of the Hon. Walter
f. Ranger, superintendent of education
of Vermont, on the topic, "EducationaI
Aims of the Sunday School," The sub
iect was logically arranged into four sec
tions. which the speaker treated with
, thoroughness. lie said there is more
, need of righteous lives, purity of home
good manners and spiritual culture
needed. The child is not a natural liar
he is made so by adulthood. Mr.. Ranger
, closed with strong appeal for good
. methods and close discipline.
In the evening two fine addresses were
given. One was by Rev. G. G.. Atkn:
of Burlington on "What the Church
Owes the Sunday School !" the other was
by Rev. Norman Seaver of Rutland or
"The Sure Foundation"
Thursday morning the devotional ser.
vice was led by Rev. w. Il. Miller of Al.
burgh, after which business session was
held and reports from the executive com.
mittee, field secretary and treasurer were
received. The treasurer reported bal.
ance of Sl02 80 in the treasury.
Bev. G. l.. Story of Milton, secretary
read the following report:
For the fourth time as a field worker and
general secretary combined | am privieg
to submit report to the representatives OF
the several schools in convention assembled
After the Barre convention last year In Octo
Der the secretary was engaged in the field
work and compiling and distributing 300C
copies of the convention report. These were
distributed without expense to the associa.
ton. Visitations were made in Essex county
in township meetings. District and county
| hppn a
and these have proved profitable and
beneficial.
During the year have travelled $500 miles
delivered 90 addresses; preached five ser
mons; written 562 letters 2i0 postals; pub
lishe 5000 copies of the convention report
The clerical travelling and incidental ex
/, penses incurred and paid for amount to 1876
Orleans, Washington, Rutland, Lamoile
and Chittenden counties have not held con
ventions this year. There can be no question
regarding the decline In membership, reli
, gtous interest and spiritual power. Could &C
CITRATE tabulation he rendered and compared
with the membership shown five years ago
the decrease would be large enough to cal
for serious consideration and prompt effor
to stop the leakage.
Observation, experience and knowledg,
lead me to suggest that the convention EN-
t power the executive committee to arrange ,
! series of county conventions the month JUS
preceding the state convention embracing tn,
entire state. This would give us fresh stats
tics, expenses lessened and immediate con
ditions and needs brought to the convention
! for immediate action.
, After some question concerning tn,
: decline above referred to the report wa
. adopted.
Addresses followed the reading of re
ports by Miss Lucy G. Stock of Spring
field Mass, on "The Religion of Child
= hood" G. w. Osgood of Boston, Mass.
on 1.-The Teacher and His Bible" Mr.
: Osgood filled the place on the programme
made vacant by Rev. j. \. McClelland'
absence. Marion Lawrence, general sec
rotary of the United States society, CAV