The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-18
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK
MARION COUNTY CONVENTION AT
TABERNACLE CHURCH.
The Report of the Secretary shows
an Interesting Condition.
The Night Session.

vention opened its first session yesterday
afternoon at Tabernacle Church with a
large attendance. The meeting was opened
with prayer by the Rev. w. w. Criley. The
report of the work of the county was given
by the secretary, in which he said one of
the largest enterprises of the year was the
Normal School OF Methods, at which sixty
six schools were represented, with a total
attendance Of 137 and a daily attendance
of 1877. He said there were 213 schools in
the county; IS in the outlying townships
and 155 in the city. Rev. John G. Carman,
state secretary, gave q talk on State and
Worldwide Sunday School Work. which
was full of interest. He sketched the be-
ginning of the international Sunday school
which started in New York in
1882. at which there were fifteen States rep
resented and 25 delegates. The national
convention was held in indianapolis in 1872,
and developed the international Associa-
ton. which represents, besides the States,
Canada and Mexico. At this time the in
ternational lesson system was adopted,
which has since been adopted all over the
world. 1t includes 5000. 900 students and
about 10000 conventions and institutes are
held every year, with an attendance of
over 100000 workers. One of the greatest
in the international fields are
the international tours. one of which is
just closing in Topeka, Kan, which has
covered over 1870 miles. Indiana had the
first state convention of the country, or
ganized in the early thirties. The present
organization is over thirty-seven years
old. During the afternoon there was a
round table talk. which was participated
in by j. B.. Nicely, DR.. John G. Wishard,
the Rev. j. p. Cowan, and w. c. Van
Arsdel, on Financial Methods of Sunday
School" advising parents TO teach their
children TO be liberal in the aid of the
Sunday school. Mr.. Wishard suggests that
the biographies of leading missionaries be
introduced into the Sunday school, so that
the children will become more familiar with
their work. Rev. w. II. Vogler gave a
in becoming familiar with the Bible, and
Mr.. W. c. Hall led an interesting discus
sion in the superintendent conference, in
which he discussed the necessity of teach
ing children the use OF the Bible as a text
book.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was opened last even
ing with prayer by Rev. l.. w. Bicknell,
following which the election of officers was
held, resulting as follows: President. w. c.
Hall; vice president, w. III. Vogler; secre-
tary, c. NJ. Lemon; treasurer. S. H. East;
superintendent normal department, w. c.
Van Arsdal: superintendent home depart
ment, Miss Nellie King; superintendent pri-
mary work, Miss Eleanor Kirby.
The first address was delivered by Rev. j.
G. Carmen, state secretary of the Sunday
School Union, on Teaching TO Win" Rev.
Carmen illustrated his talk with diagrams
drawn on a blackboard showing the various
steps and the essential things in making a
successful Sunday school teacher. He said
the teacher should adapt himself to all his
pupils, and IL was necessary to teach truth,
have experience. use good methods and in
cite interest in his scholars to make a sue
cessful teacher. He said the teacher should
win the cooperation of his scholars in order
to successfully illustrate the lessons of the
Bible. He said: Methods are many, prin-
ciples few: methods vary. principles never
do" In closing he said the Sunday school
has not enough onwardness and that the
teachers must touch the hearts of the
scholars to draw their attention and secure
Rev. A. b. Philputt spoke at some length
on the subject, 1.-The Evangelistic Mission
OF the Sunday School," He said in opening
his address: 1--WE haven't reached the ideal
Sunday school. but we are travelling toward
It." He said the Sunday school gives chill
dren of all classes a touch with the social
world that they could not gain in any other
place. The Sunday school. he said, has not
made the progress toward the ideal the
public schools have. The Sunday school is
the place where the Bible is taught 10 chill
dren. but IL should be more of a feeder to
the church. Il don't think the sunday
school should be invaded with evangelistic
ferVor," he said. "as the young children's
minds are too susceptible. and they are too
much moved by IT. The preacher pays too
little attention 10 the children. We shall
have 10 pay more attention 10 the earlier
life Of the child in order to make better
success with our church work
The convention Will be In session this
morning and afternoon and many addresses
will be made.