The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-06-03
DolN1s OF THE CONVENTION IN
HELENA.
NORMAL WORK DISCUSSED
Larger Amount OF Cooperation on
Part Of Pastors and Christian
Educators Urged.

Helena, May 30.-The Importance
of normal work in the Sunday school
was discussed at the sessions of the
thirteenth annual convention of the
Montana State Sunday School asso-
citation. More than SO delegates are
attending the convention, which is
in many respects a notable one. The
convention is being held in the First
Baptist church.
The executive committee Of the as
ISOLATION met at s o'clock this morn
ing and transacted business Of a rou-
tine character.
Devotional exercises were followed
by the report Of Rev. w. S. Bell Of
Helena, superintendent OF the normal
department, and was the principal
theme for discussion during the day.
The normal department was organ
lied in 1896 at Bohemian, and there
were 141 pupils enrolled the first year.
In the second year 1853 were enrolled.
Then came a Decline" said Rev.
MI. Bell in his report, "and in no sub
sequent year has the enrolment ex-
ceeded SO. In work like this, how
ever, quality counts for more than
quantity"
Rev. Mr.. Bell stated that during the
year just ended state diplomas were
granted the following, who passed the
examination of Professor Hamill's
series: Deer Lodge class, Miss Edith
Earle; Helena M. e. church, south,
class, Mrs. l.. R. Morris, Mrs. Halle
p. Price, Olin t. Price, H. Letta Price,
Adams Morris; Helena st. Pauls
Methodist Episcopal class, Mrs. w.
e. Price. Certificates for having
passed a successful examination upon
either the first or the second book
of the legion Of honor series were CIV
en- to 20 others.
"In all cases the examination pa
pers testify to earnest work and / am
confident that many others could have
passed with credit to themselves had
not a feeling if timidity prevented
their taking the examination" said
Mr.. Bell.
Mr.. Bell says that he believes that
there might have been better results
in the six years of the normal school
department work in Montana If q
greater number of Sunday school
workers would realize the necessity
for a larger mental equipment and did
not contend that the cares Of the busy
world and social duties prevented
their d~evoting more time to the nor
NAL work. It is suggested that 1t
might be possible to overcome such
obstacles by increasing the response
bility upon the pastors, who more
keenly must realize and more earnest
" emphasize the Importance OF the
teaching function OF the church.
Mr.. Bell recommends that there be
a modification Of the methods OF nor
NAL work by proposing that the nor
NAL class meet on Sunday at the time
OF the regular Sunday school. The
classes would thus be composed OF
young people who might be willing to
prepare themselves for-teaching and
be brought to realize the Importance
and dignity Of the position Of Sunday
school teacher.
with a larger amount of co-opera.
ton ON the part Of pastors and other
Christian educators, and some posi-.
BILE notifications in methods, / be.
liWe that a larger measure Of success
lies before this important branch OF
our state work." said Mr.. Bell in con.
Guiding his report. THAT it may be
realized in years to- come is my most
earnest WISH"
Teachers Preparation" and Teach,
ers' Tools" were two papers present
ed by Rev. R. p. Smith Of Dillon, and
Rev. M. l.. Hickman Of Bozeman
Both enlarged upon the Sunday
school teachers duties and qualifica
lions. Rev. Mr.. Hickman drew a com
parison between the farmer or the
mechanic and their tools and the
teachers tools, the selection, adop
ton, use and care Of the tools enter
ing largely into the results.
President Henry F. Cope appointed
as q committee ON nominations the fol
lowing. H. M. Patterson OF Butte; A
A. Walker of Big Timber, and M. I
Hickman Of Bozeman. G, r. Miller O
Belt, Mrs. j. M. Peits Of Bozeman. ant
w. s. Bell OF Helena, form the commit
tee on resolutions.
Mrs. e. o. Railsback Of Billing
made a report at the afternoon SEES
sion Of the primary department o
which she is president There ha!
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