Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03
FOR PERMANENT HOME
Matter Before Congress of
Religious Education.
OFFICERS IN STATES
PROVISIONAL RELATIONS ESTAB-
LIsHED BY ACTION TODAY.
The Training of Sunday School officers
Subject of Paper - Senator
Depew's Address.

Probably the most important session thus
far of the tenth National Congress of Re-
iigious Education was held this morning in
Columbian University Hall. report from
the committee resolutions was heard,
including suggestions for the welfare of the
American Society of Religious Education,
and steps We're taken toward establishing
auxiliary societies in number of states
which thus tar are without them. Rev.
Isaac Clark, d. D., presided There was a
discussion of the training of Sunday school
teachers as the result of ideas introduced
by F. B. Palmer, Phi. H.. of Fredonia n
y. principal Of the State Normal School
The congress unanimously approved of the
suggestion, made by Judge Chambers yes
terday afternoon, that the American Society
of Religious Education, the regents of which
called the present congress, should endeavor
TO establish permanent home and head
quarters in this city. The regents have
had this matter under consideration, and
heartily indorse 1t. 1t was decided this
might accept from men of means any dona-
tons they might be disposed to give toward
this end
Provisional Officers.
On motion of General Secretary Gilbert.
the following persons present were selected
as provisional officers in different states
named, whose DUTY it shall be to call inter-
denominatonal meetings, for the purpose of
establishing auxiliary organizations:
nlinois-Dr r. a. Taylor Decatur pres-
dent; DIR. Richard Crewes, Peoria secretary
Louisiana-Dr ]. F. Foster, New Orleans,
president.
Maryland-Dr. ]. P. Campbell. president;
J. II. Heisse, secretary; ]. H. Van Sickle
vice president, all of Baltimore
New York-Dr. F. b. Palmer Fredonia
president; DR.. C. E. Hamilton, Rochester,
secretary.
= North Carolina-Rev. H. NJ Blair Green's
boro, president: Rev. A. H. Mccullough,
Mount Pleasant, secretary.
Ohio-B. F. Loomis, president; Rev. w.
F. McCauley secretary.
Pennsylvania-Dr John H. Harris Lewis
burg, president; DIR. A. Z. Gobble Meyers
town. secretary.
Virginia-Dr Russell Cecil, Richmond.
president; Rev. w. II. AtweH, Danville
secretary.
The congress adopted resolutions recon-
mended by the committee on resolutions to
the effect that the delegates from states
all over the union commend the society
uncer whose aus ices the congress was cali
ed to all religious educators that In the
future efforts be made to unite the various
denominations and work through denomna-
uonal organizations; that the next con-
gress be held In some central city in the
country in the spring of 1905: that a COM
mission be formed to visit various states
and awaken interest in the work and that
committees be appointed to Investigate
special lines of effort. .
Training Sunday School Teachers.
The paper of the morning read by F. b.
Palmer, bore the title The Training
of Sunday School Teachers" and was in
reality report of council of seven which
has in charge this branch of the socety's
work The idea was advanced and re-
peatedly emphasized that skill In teaching
must be preceded by skill in study DE-
Gllberts work as organizer and general
secretary of the society was reviewed ana
DIR. Gilbert highly commended for his tire
less efforts and signal success 1t was
stated that the credit for the present sue
cess was due to him because he was the
chief promoter.
Following the adoption of the report OF
the committee on resolutions presented by
the chairman. Rev. DR.. Hamilton, other
speakers discussed the training of Sunday
school teachers and the methods of teach
Ing.
Rev DIR. w. F. McCauley said that a
school for Sunday school teachers should
not be allowed to drift away from the
idea OF religious service. The principles
of pedagogy as set forth by teachers in
public schools are not applicable to the
Sunday school teacher. because of their
different conditions. The great end of the
Sunday school teachers work is spiritual
and cannot be reached by purely intel
lectual processes he stated, as the kernel
of his remarks.
Another View.
DIR. Asa s. Fsxe of this city spoke against
the Sunday schools. as he said becoming
too much divine ritualistfc service, in
stead of place of Bible study. This is
vital and terribly heresy," he stated
''and the tendency is to make the youth
of sixteen or twenty leave the church en-
tirely." DIR. Mccormick of Iowa spoke on
the same theme.
Seventy-five delegates to the congress
were received by the President at the
White House at noon. Each was given a
cordial greeting.
The session this afternoon began at 2:I5
o'clock, with Rev. II. M. Dubose in the