The Yale expositor., 1908-04-24
INSPIRING CONVENTION.

In union there is strength, and when
several Sunday Schools i'm a locality
band together to train the young of our
land in right paths, what an influence
for good is exerted over the children.
Several years ago this district compris-
ing the Sunday schools of the Cole
Bidleman, Methodist Protestant, Meth
odist Episcopal, of Brockway, Christian
Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist
and Presbyterian churches, formed an
association which was to hold annually
a convention, for the exchanging of
ideas, a more concentrated plan of
hghtlng evil, and to gain renewed in
terest in the Sunday School work.
I In the field are several excellent
speakers and workers who travel from
district TO district, lecturing and sug-
gesting more fertile plans for the reach
ing OF the young. These field workers,
consisting Of Mr. and Mrs. Washburn,
j. E. Bolles, Mr.. Bowling, Dr. Thomp-
son and Others, were secured to appear
here Sunday, April ~ and place before
the citizens of Yale a model Sunday
School in all respects.
Sunday morning, the sunrise prayer
meeting OF the various young peoples
societies at 6:20, was conducted by Miss
Brotherton. a very helpful and profit
able hour was spent by the young peo-
pie in discussing the lesson.
The forenoon session was opened at
10 o'clock by Rev. +. III. Douglass who
conducted the devotional exercises, Rev.
Ostrander following with the invoca-
tion. Rev. Il. o. Lawrason read the
Scripture lesson. Then the .congrega-
ton listened to an inspiring talk by Mr..
Washburn on the Bible, the Home and
the Sunday School. These three things
form a mighty chain of three links.
The home he said is the dearest, might
lest, holiest institution in the world
and in this sacred place the character
OF the child should be so moulded as
that he or she shall grow up to be
strong Christian men and women.
The effect Of the Bible is seen every
where. What would literature be with
the Bible taken out of the world!
Where would the inspirations for the
worlds noted paintings come from
without the Biblel The Bible is the
foundation of all governments, in fact
the theocratic form was the first form
of government, when God ruled the Is
raelites before the introduction of kings.
But the department of the church
which seems TO be making the most
rapid advance along spiritual lines is
the Sunday School. More than SS per
cent of the souls which are won for
Christ is the result of the good work
of the 5. 5. Its value cannot be esti-
mated.
j. f. Bolles, of Detroit, delivered the
next address and took as his subject
the value of conventions of this sort,
He showed how they were an inspira-
ton for truer and higher living. He
also. spoke upon the organization of
classes in the ). ). He strongly urged
the formation of adult classes, properly
organized, and recommended that visit
alton committees, ETC., be appointed to
look up both new and absent members.
The appointment of committees
came next and the following were cho-
sen:-On resolutions, Rev's. Bullock
and Lawrason, and n. j. Drouyor; and
Mrs. Griswold and Oscar Denison APP
pointed to take subscriptions for 5. 5.
advancement.
The meeting was adjourned in order
that the three departments of an ideal
). ;. might be presented. Mr.. and Mrs.
Washburn rnd Mr.. Bolles were in charge
OF this hour and many good things pre-
sented to both teachers and scholars.
The opening exercises were led by
the District President, Rev. Douglass,
and an address on elementary Work"
was given by Mrs. Washburn. The
work was taken up along four lines:-
Cradle roll, first 5 years; Beginners, 3
to 6 yrs; Primary, to 8 yrs; Junior, 8
to IL yrs. The Cradle Roll is a very
important branch in-as-much as il
reaches the mothers and fathers
through the babies. The :. ;. is thus
made better and attendance is added
to. The various methods were ex-
planned and suggestions, such as special
invitations on special days, made. The
beginners class is necessary for good
work, as here the thoughts of the Bible
are inculcated in the minds of those
whose intellects are very plastic. In
the primary department the children
should be taught to memorize the Word.
One hour should be taken for this class.
Mr.. Bolles ably discussed the subject
"What is Boy Worth?" and made one
fact very plain,-that is, boy is worth
just what one makes him worth.
Youth is the time for training, and yet
20 per cent of our youth today are out
side the influence of the 5. :. The
teachers must win the respect and love
of the boys.
"The Sunday School from all sides"
was an interesting paper read by Mrs. |
Bolles. She said toavoid censuring, al |
ways praising but never blaming teach
ers and officers. Teachers should CO. |
operate in their efforts. DO not have
any set routine of service as this be-
comes very tiresome. A blackboard |
should have a place i'm each school. |
Promotion days should be made much |
of to encourage the youngsters to bet !