The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-07-01
SHAFER PRAISES
BIG CONvEINT ION.
State Secretary Enthusiastic
Over the Convention at
Louisville.


accomplished by the convention was
the unanimous approval for the sys-
tenn of graded lessons for the Sunday
schools, which provides for each de-
partment of the school to have sepa-
rate lesson said Mr.. W, C. Shafer.
the general secretary OF the West Vir-
ginia Sunday School association, who
has Just returned to this state from
the twelfth international Sunday
school convention held in Louisville,
Kentucky.
Mr., Shafer said that there was an
excellent representation OF the dele
gates. there being about 1000 dele
gats, in addition to a large number
of interested spectators. These dele
gates were embracing the United
States and Canada, although there
we're some from England and Mexico
and one from China. The reason
there were not delegtes from every
country OF the globe is that this con-
yention was the international, while
the worlds convention, as explained
by Mr.. Shafer, has much larger
scope than this one. The convention
meetings were held in the Armory
hall. which has seating capacity of
5000, This hall, says Mr.. Shafer,
was very frequently crowded TO its
fullest capacity. especially at the
evening sessions. when there was a
chorus of 500 voices led by E. o. Ex-
ell, a famous singer of Chicago.
Mr.. shafer further says:
1.-THE regular session OF the conven-
ton was preceded by three days of
conference work in the different de-
partments such as field work teachers
department, elementary department.
temperance department and adult de-
partment Throughout the whole
| session specially was made of the
mems organized adult department.
On last Friday night, the men march
ed, 1900 strong, to the Warren Meth
odist church, singing, carrying ban
ners, and wearing the red and white
button of the class"
When asked II anything took place
at the convention that would be of
any special interest to the people of
this city or the people of West Yir-
ginia he said: ~
ut was all important to US and the
other states as we'll. There were
many prominent men there from
many denominations. Hon. Justice
j. McClarln, of Toronto, Canada, was
the presiding officer. Charles Waters
founder of the International Bible
Readers Association, which now has
million members, spoke on the top
ic Bishop Joseph Hartzell of the
church for Africa, and Bishops Bell
and Hughes were other prominent
men" ~.
In speaking Of the new system of
graded lessons, Mr.. Shafer says:
When the system is completed
there will be IL or 16 different classes
This has been made possible only by
the large number OF conferences held
by the Rev. Hartzhorn, through
whose work and expense this has
been accomplished. At the last CON
vention which was held at Toronto,
three years ago. the men were about
divided half on the subject Since
then there have been held by Rev.
ltorial associations. UNCONVENTIONAL
leaders, religious seminaries and the
heads OF training departments. In
way he received a general undcr7
standing that It was acceptable to
ALL"
There was a delegation of thirty
from West Virginia and many visitors
besides.
THE convention motto was. We
would see Jesus. The motto was on
sign in large Illuminated letters.
This thought seemed to prevail in
all despite the extremely hot weather
which pervaded the house The
thermometer ranged from 80 to %
there all the time. and think it
was hotter than that in the hall"
This convention from which Mr..
Shaferr has Just returned meets ev-
cry three years. The last time 1t met
at Toronto. Canada. and in 1901 1t
will be held at San Francisco.