The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-04-17
"opens Last Night With Address BY
Mr.. Marion Lawrence.
Gives An Interesting Talk on the
Labor of Delegates.
Reports Made By Secretary.-Other
Doings Of Great Meeting.
From Wednesdays Daily.

sofa State Sunday Scnool ASSOCIATION
at the Presbyterian church last night,
taking as his subject World Wide Sun
dav School Work" Mr.. Lawrence DEM
onstrated that he is thoroughly fami-
liar with his theme. He has travelled
extensively, visiting all parts of the
United States. Dealing with the ques-
ton of Sunday schools Mr.. Lawrence said
that there are in the world 100000 Sun
day schools. He gave an instructive
talk on the organization and development
Of Sunday schools and paid a fitting tri-
butte to Robert Rakes, the man who gave
to the world the Sunday schools. Mr..
Rakes, said Mr.. Lawrence, threw the
Sunday school upon the market. He
was a cobbler by trade and not a man OF
great education. The Sunday school was
not started as religious institution, but
was the stepping stone to brighter and
better life for those children who lived
in the streets and were without the pro-
per protection.
MIR. Lawrence dwelt upon the great
amount of good that has resulted from
Sunday schools, and advocated national,
state and county Sunday school associa-
tons He called attention to the fact
that the present convention was not de-
nominational affair, but included delega
tons from all who are interested in the
good work.
Another thing that Mr.. Lawrence
brought out was the starlnr@ fact that
there are in this country az vt 1000
churches having no Sunday scho. }. This
state of affairs is to be found in the
south.
?.eferring to the Mormon Sunday
schools, Mr. Lawrence said they were the
best he had ever seen from the stand
point of organization and the mode of
teaching. The Catholics are building up
Sunday schools rapidly and the an
archists are organizing Sunday schools.
These conventions are for cooperation
They stimulate the work. If delegates
come to them discouraged they return TO
their work with new hope. They brighten
UP the downcast soul and renew the lat
ent spirits.
Mr.. Lawrence is from Toledo, Ohio.
and he is general secretary of the In
ternational Sunday School union.
Mrs. II. L. Schmitt led the song SER
vice. Mrs. Jean E. Hobart made her re-
port as primary secretary, and John Or
chard of Fargo, n. d., presented his
report as field secretary. Mr.. Orchards
report showed great progress on the
part of the association since the last
convention.
A special train over the Chicago Great
Western road arrived at seven o'clock
last evening with l50 delegates from the
twin cities Duluth, Winona and other
cities of the state are also well repre-
sented and in all there are about go
delegates present. The sessions eAus far
have been of an unusually interesting
nature, and the church has been filled.
The session this forenoon opened with
a primary conference in the ladies' par
lor, led by Mrs. Hobart. This was fol-
lowed by workers conference, led by
Mr. Orchard. 1t was reported that the
workers have travelled 10000 miles in the
last seven months. Conventions have
been held in 70 out of the sc counties in
the past year.
During the year branch associations
have been organized in thirty nine coun-
ties and twenty one Institutes were held
with great success in the larger cities
of the state.
After a praise service, business was
taken up and Rev. w. G. Calderwood
of Minneapolis was elected recording
secretary.
The following committees were ap-
pointed:
On Nominations S. Thompson, w.
G. Calderwood, E. j. Krafts, VIM. Nc
eagh, Miss L. A. Emory.
On Resolutions-Rev j. p. Wallace,
J. H. Martin, Mrs. Nevers, DR.. H. O..
Larabee, Miss Campbell.
The committees will report tomor-
row.
~ WIN, Narrop S,olyo ,,non 6. A
Bible Study"
The report of the treasurer, HI. B.
Avery of Minneapolis, was presented,
and showed that the receipts were about
$1,000 during the year, and the expendi-
lures almost as much, leaving balance
of little over $50 in the treasury. Ane
main item of expense were the field
secretary and the primary superinten-
dent.
The report of the secretary, Mrs
Hobart, showing that the Sunday schools
Of Minnesota have 100000 scholars en-
rolled, in round numbers, with 10000
teachers, $500 schools, and a cradle roll
of 1857. Sixty-nins per- cent of the
schools show some form. of grading. !.
Mr.. Lawrence conducted Sunday
school superintendents' round table. J
Alfred Day, general s 81 Of thl
Michigan state section, spoke eloqueFgti.t