Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1908-11-19
State Sunday School Convention.

6unUoy SCHOOL COuVeutlOu nelu dl
Shamokin last month, have been re-
ceived for publication from delegates
who were present:
The Pennsylvania State Sunday
School Convention which is held an
nually has come to be marked
event in the lives Of many of the
Sunday School workers of the State.
1t is a center of good influences, both
educational and spiritual, which are
radiated throughout the Common
wealth and the world. Convention
is held in October. Last year Union
town in the Western part of the
State was selected as the convention
town. 1t is located in the center
part Of the coke region, a fuel pro-
ducing section. Many of the dele
gates will not soon forget, the numer-
Gus fires from the coke veins which
the Imagination could easily trans
form into military encampments.
Their mission to that section, how
ever, was distinctively a nilsson of
peace. The 1908 Convention was
held in the hard coal regions, Sha-
mokin is distinctively a mining CEN
ter. One of the first sights which
first greets the eye Of the visitor Is
the immense culm or refuse plies of
coal said to be the largest in Penn
sylvania if not in the world. The
entertainment headquarters of the
s. s. Convention was in the Y. M.
G. A. Building and the arrangements
and facilities seemed to be adequate.
Three or more churches were used
for the various meetings of the con-
vention.
First convention session was held
| Wednesday afternoon October 14th.
1908, After praise and devotional
services led respectively by Piof. f.
O. Excel, musical director and DR..
James NJ. Gray leader of devOtions,
divided into conferences in churches
Teachers training, Home Depart
ment and elementary grade work
occupied the attention of these con-
ferences. The idea of the $. s.
leaders in advocating these moments.
is to mark out definite lines of re-
ligious work and set fixed tasks tu he
accomplished. Without such plans,
little is usually done. AS farmer
or laborer lays out his daily tasks,
50 the Christian worker may arrange
definite religious duties.
James Nj. Forsyth, Rear Admiral
of the L. S. Navy retired, welcomed
the Convention on behalf of the
churches was given by Rev, G, Is.
Schnaeder of the Convention church.
At $3.50 p. NJ. q dinner was given in
honor of the County chairmen,
State S. S. Board of Directors, State
field Workers and few others by
State President Heinz of Pittsburg,
A sound practical address was
given by the Pastor of the church in
Brooklyn, N. Y. which boasts one
of the largest s. Schools in the
world. Frank l.. Brown is the
Superintendent Of the school and has
become famous on account of its un-
usual success,
Vernon Hull, County S. School
Chairmen said: before / got off the
platform Il wide awake young man
in a white cap reached for my grip
and said, "This way for the s.
school Convention" He took me to
the w. M. G. A. Building for regis
tration. After receiving my badge
and Convention hand book, was
shown to the Convention church,
'St. Johns Reformed". Prof. f. O..
Excel, large of body and of soul
was there smiling and Christ-like to
lead us in prayerful and praiseful
song. 1t was my privilege to have
part in the house to house visitation
under the direction of Mr.. Hugh
Cork, our former State Secy. The
experience was delightful and ! be-
lieve left deep impression on many
hearts and homes III Shamokin. l
wonder why we could not do the
same at our County Conventions.
The population of Shamokin is
about 25,000 and believe nearly
every house was visited.
it is to be Christian.
Great stress was laid upon mems
classes inaSs meeting WAS held