Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-10-12
Sunday Schools and Young People.
STATE CONVENTIONS OF UNIvERsALIsT
BODIES HELD AT NORWAY.

Three days of last week were occupied
with the annual meetings of the Maine
Universalist Sunday School Convention
forty-first session, and the Young PEG
ple's Christian Union of Maine, twenty
first session, held at the Universalisl
church in Norway. Both bodies had
good meetings, and presented live and
helpful programmes.
The Sunday School Convention open.
ed at 1890 Tuesday forenoon, and after
organization of the convention and
prayer, the visitors were welcomed to
Norway by Stephen B. Cummings OF
that town, a former president of the
convention.
The response was by Rev. L. w. Coons
of Augusta, the president OF the conven-
ton, who then delivered bis annual ad-
dress. In his address he emphasized
the importance and valne of the Sunday
School as an indispensable part of the
church work.
Committees for the session were APP
pointed, and the reports of the secretary,
Fred L. Tower of Woodfords, and the
treasurer, Miss George A. Bradley of
Portland, were presented. The secre-
tary's report showed that by reason of
an aggressive campaign that had been
carried on, there was a total member
ship of 60 schools in the convention,
against 80 last year. There has been an
increase of $50 in the individual men,
bership, and there is now total men,
bership of 1881. The general outlook
and the general condition is hopeful and
encouraging.
Tuesday afternoon was devoted to a
conference. The morning kindergarten
class, led by Miss Dora S. Leighton Of
Deering, the primary department, led by
Miss F. Ella Bradley of Portland, and
the home department, led by Mrs. A. B.
Crockett of Dexter. Verbal reports
were received from thirty one schools.
Tuesday evenings session, following a
service of song, had for it's principal
feature an address on the "What and
How of Elementary Grade Work." by
Mrs. Mary Maxim Armstrong of North
ampton, Mass. Mrs. Armstrong is a
Sunday School worker of experience
and enthusiasm, and her address cover
ed thoroughly the manner and methods
of managing the elementary work of the
Sunday School. 1t was replete with sug-
gestions for conducting the work with
the smaller scholars, beginning with the
cradle roll, and could not but be helpful
to any one engaged in that department.
The principal business session was the
final one held Wednesday morning. The
on credentials made its final
report, showing that there were present
IS hn Of ho
Sunday School superintendent, % min
listers, and SO delegates.
Resolutions were adopted as reported
by the committee, expressing the thanks
of the convention to the Norway friends
for their hospitality, to the railroads and
the press for favors received, vOicing ap-
probation of the work of the officers of
the convention, and approving the plan
of the morning kindergarten class and
recommending its adoption.
The last report of the morning was
that of the committee on reports and
presented by Rev. G.
Il. Temple of Lewiston, who had rea-
son to give for the faith that was in him
at every point. Some of the recon-
made called for more or less
extended remarks in explanation of
their subject matter and its bearing,
and some of them had quite extended
discussion in an open forum participated
in freely by ministers, -laymen and wO-
men. At least two hours was occupied
by these discussions.
1t was voted to continue the plan of
district superintendency, and to con-
tinue the observance of the second Sun
day in January as Maine Universalist
Sunday School Convention Day.
A recommendation that it be made the
special mission of the Sunday Schools of
Maine to support one Japanese girl in
the home established by the denomina-
ton at Toxic called out some discussion
as to expense and means. 1t was finally
voted to refer the matter to the execu-
tive committee for investigation, they to
formulate a plan for carrying it out if
they deemed it practicable.
The committee recommended the Or
ganization of the order of Knights Of
King Arthur for the boys of the Sunday
Schools, with attendance on the Sunday
School as a prerequisite to membership.
This was passed by routine vote, but
call for a more general vote on it pro-
voked quite discussion, the recon-
mendation being favored by most, and
mildly criticised by few. Finally
rising vote showed the large majority to
favor IL.
Bees =se of the prevailing social I'M
rest, a recommendation was presented
that mems classes should be formed to
study the relation of Christianity to the
social problem, with certain authors
named as authorities for study. One of
the ministers thought the only author
ties needed should be the Old and New
Testaments, and his remarks provoked
further discussion. The wording was
finally modified so as to recommend the
use OF the authors named as supple
mentary.
Normal classes in the Sunday School
were favored without dissent, as was
recommendation that the teacher get in
personal contact with his pupils by visit
ing at their homes and having those
visits returned.
The usual appropriation OF 500 was
made toward the salary of the State
Superintendent of Universalist churches,
and S25 for the Universalist Banner.
1t was recommended that definite
part of the missionary work OF the de-
nomination in the line of church extern
sion be the establishment of Sunday
Schools. This topic called out the
query from one present whether any
churches had ever been established
through the medium of Sunday School,
and numerous volunteers rose to state
instances where parishes had been kept
alive and new churches established as
the outgrowth of Sunday School.
Nominations for officers for the COM
ing year were reported by the committee,
and the officers were elected on single
ballot, as follows:
President-Rev Frederick T. Nelson, Bruins
wick.
Vice President-Ernest L. Palmer, Dexter.
Secretary-Fred L. Tower, Woodfords.
Treasurer-Miss George A. Bradley, Fort
land.
iston, Mrs. A. b. Crockett, Dexter, Rev. w. Ii
Gould, Portland.
The session closed with conference
on elementary grades, led by Mrs. Arm
strong.
The annual state convention Of the Y,
PC. U. opened with praise service al
9 p. NJ. Wednesday, following which
communion service was conducted by
Rev. NJ. C. Ward of Norway and Rev. Il.
Fl. Hoyt of Hiram.
The business session of the convention
opened at $50, when the visitors were
welcomed by Miss Susie E. Walker,
president of the Norway union. The
response was by the state president,