The Somerset reporter., 1909-07-15
Sunday School Convention.

July oIij db lo.lo d. ms viii utSO-
tional session led by Rev. Mr.. Beede
of Bingham, after which Percy Ire.
land of Madison WAS elected chair
man of the convention. The follow
ing clergymen were present: Rev.
II. E. Lufkin of Portland, General
Secretary Maine State Association,
Rev. G. A. Brooks, Methodist, Madi
son: Rev. Nathan S. Hill, Univer-
salist, Madison; Rev. c. E. McColley,
Free Baptist, Madison; Rev. Mr.
Beede, Methodist, Bingham; Rev.
John K. Wilson, Congregationalist,
Solon; Rev. Charles NJ. Bamton, Con
gregationalist, Norridgewock: Rev.
7. B. HIATT, COngregationalist Rev.
c. E. Brooks, Methodist, of North An
son.
The first on the program was "Su
perintendents' Problemss by Rev. II .
+. Lufkin, which he conducted by
answering questions asked him by the
audience. He said in part: The su-
perintendent should let work accom-
pany his prayers, and should be
awake to the responsibility of his po-
with incompetent teachers and help
them to become competent. He can
best create school spirit and enthusi
asm by loyalty to his own school and
by being enthusiastic himself. His
week day duties which he owes to
his school should not be neglected.
To obtain attention and secure order
in the school, the organ is recon-
mended instead of the bell. Accurate
membership rolls and weekly reports
may be obtained by having the seere-
tary and teachers keep definite rec
ords. 1t is well to give marks for at
tendance, Offering, Bible study,
church attendance and Bible reading.
Quarterly Review Sunday may be
made interesting and profitable by
letting the Sunday school know it is
to be given and preparing for it,
taking geographical review, a gen
eral review, picture review and a
written review. At the close of each
school session it is we'll to ask ques
tions of the whole school in a general
review of the lesson, but it should be
very brief, so as to close the session
quickly after the lesson is taught, and
leave the impress of it on the minds
]
fcations of a successful superinten-
dent are punctuality, spirituality,
tact, knowledge, zeal, faith, or as Mr..
Lufkin summed them up, "grace, grit
and gumption." In the selection of
his teachers the superintendent
| should advise with the pastor. 1t is
better to elect new officers every
/ year instead of having them hold the
/ oo,,,a CHSoao onntinnnuolv for NJ
wears. The superintendent is largely
responsible for the success of the
teachers meeting and should lead it
himself or appoint leader. The
best way to make the Sunday school
grow is by going and inspiring the
missionary spirit in teachers and
scholars. Our responsibility is not
discharged until every adult and
child is enrolled. 1t is keeping right
at it that makes the school grow.
Rev. Nathan S. Hill, pastor of the
Universalist church at Madison, was
SUNDAY Schools" He spoke of his
boyhood days, having been brought
up to attend the Sunday school and
two preaching services every Sun
day. He gave vivid description of
The nursery of the church is the Sun
day school, and in many cases is TAX
| ing the place of the church, AS the
scholars grow older, they have many
excuses for not attending, one being
that they do not have time to get
their lessons as they go to the week
day school, but they have plenty of
time for the theatre and other amuse-
! = 10, ,alr 10 n nF
pleasure. There is a great deal of
ignorance about the Bible, but it is
! the text book to be studied with the
of Bible students are Ruskin, who
learned the Bible by rote, Webster,
Lincoln and Garrison.
Mr.. Ireland, the chairman announc-
ed the following committee of NOM
ganization: Rev. @. E. McColley,
Rev. T. B. HAITI, Charles Blackwell.
The afternoon session opened at
1.30 O'Clock, with an address on
Home Department Problems," by
Rev. G. A. Brooks, pastor of the
Methodist church, Madison. He said
in part: The solution of this prob
lem is prayer and work. Secure q
good superintendent and get the non
church goers interested by placing
Sunday school Quarterlies in their
hands. There is not work enough
put into the Home Department. We
get about as much out of work as we
put into it. This Department may be
productive of much good if the town
is divided into sections and assistants
appointed to reach the people by in
Producing the Sunday school Quarter
lies, and teaching them how to use
them. Through this medium many
persons may be brought to church.
The second address was "The Great
Teacher" by Rev. H. E. Lnfkin.
He spoke OF the different attributes
of Christ, and as His life was d model,
so the life of the Sunday school
teacher is model for her class and
the whole school. His growth illus
trates that it takes time to do any
thing and that the two elements
necessary for the Christian life are
study and prayer. His activity is
shown when he went about doing
good. 1t was through His intense
activity that he accomplished so
much. His prayerfulness was very
much i'll evidence, He prayed all
night and prayed more for other peo-
pie than for Himself. Prayer that
means anything will always cost us
something. His authority was rec
ognized by everyone. "He spoke as
one having authority" His con-
creteness teaches us that we should
make the word plain for as He spoke
! the common people heard Him glad =