Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-17
County Sunday School Association.
PROFITABLE DISCUSSIONS AT ANNUAL
SESSION HELD AT SOUTH PARIS.

IPROFITABLE DISCUSSIONS AT ANNUAL
SESSION HELD AT SOUTH PARIS.
The annual meeting OF the OXFORD
County Sunday School Association wa
held in the Baptist church at Soutl
Paris on Tuesday, with sessions fore
noon, afternoon and evening. Their
was fair though not large attendance
of pastors, superintendents and teachers
and workers in all departments of tn,
Sunday School. The programme suffer
cd somewhat by reason Of some of thOs,
assigned to parts on 1t being prevented
by illness or otherwise from being pres
emit. One of those unable to come wa
the field secretary of the State Associa
ton, II. E. Lufkin, who was laid dowr
for two addresses, and there were Other
vacancies left on the programme, bu
most of them were supplied by others
and no topic was left undiscussed.
Some delay IN opening was caused by
the east-bound train being little more
gan before its arrival.
The session of Tuesday morning open
ed with devotional service led by Rev
E. A. Davis of South Paris. Mr.. Davis
read some extracts from Ezekiel, and
took for the theme of his remarks made
along with and following the reading
"the power within the Wheels" saying
that all kinds of machinery are useless
unless there is the power within the
wheels to make them effective; SO are all
kinds of church machinery ineffective
unless there is the spirit to animate
them.
State Field Secretary Lufkin was ia
have spoken on adult work. but as he
was unable to attend, Rev. j. Hull OF
Lewiston, who was present, was called
to fill his place. Mr.. Hull is somewhat
unconventional in matter and style, en-,
pertaining at the same time that he is
earnest and effective as speaker. He
spoke of the great movements in the
branches of church work which the past
few years have seen, and said that there
is no movement girdling the globe that
is of more Importance than the adult
department in the Sunday School. He
gave some instances of the work tina,
had been done in that line, and the large
results that had come in the addition Of
members to the church through the
agency of the mems class and the wo-
mems class.
Questioned as to methods of teaching
in such a class, Mr.. Hull replied thai
that depends upon the situation. He
would not ask man personal ques.
ton, but get down beside him, and find
a point of contact.
BY this time the delegates coming on
the east bound train had arrived, and
the business of the session was trans
acted, DR.. Charles L. Buck of South
Paris, the president of the associar ion,
presiding. The minutes of last years
meeting at Mexico were read, and COM
mittees were appointed.
Mrs. Harry A. Morton Of South Paris
was then introduced to speak of primary
work for beginners. Mrs. Morton, who
is in charge of the beginners, mainly
from 8 to years of age, in her own Sun
day School. described something of the
methods which she uses. She does not
use the International lessons, but the
Berean graded lessons. The pupils have
a few words of Scripture to learn each
Sunday, and are asked to tell the story
which she told them week before.
She endeavors first to instill into their
minds love for and a recognition of
God, and does this by using the works
of God which are the everyday interests
of the child-the flowers and the birds
and other simple things. Her paper
was commented upon and her method
by some of the pastors pres
emit in the general discussion which fol-
lowed.
Dinner was served in the vestry of the
church, and the first of the afternoon
was taken up with a business session.
Officers were elected as follows:
Presideut-Dr. C. l.. Buck. South Paris.
Vice Presidents-Dr. l.. II. Trufant, Norway
Rev. A. T, Mcwhorter, South Paris; II. W. Dem
nlson, South Paris.
Secretary and Treasurer-C. Fl. Holman, Rum
ford.
Superintendents Of Departments
Teacher Training-Mrs. E. f. Ames. Rum
ford.
Adult-Rev. B. C. Wentworth. Norway.
Home-Mrs. N. s. Howes, Mexico.
Temperance-Rev. G. ID. Mckenzie, Bry-
ants Pond.
Ii was decided to have union Sunday
School field day again this year, and a
of arrangements was appoint
ed, consisting of DIR. L. Fl. Trufant, Fl.
W. Dennison, C. II. Holman and DR.. C..
l.. Buck.
Mr.. Lufkin was to have spoken on the
matter of teacher training, but in his alb,
absence this was assigned to Rev. NJ. 5.
Howes. Mr.. Howes emphasized the fact
that the Sunday School is a school, though
we sometimes do not think of it as such,
and it is a department of the church
work that can not be neglected. There
are few men in the churches. We want
more. Getting them depends much up
on the Sunday School. The teacher
should be a Christian, with Christian
experience; should have knowledge OF
the Word of God; should study the text
of the lesson thoroughly, and afterward
read what others have said about it; and
the teacher should look for understand
ing and inspiration through earnest
prayer
There was a solo by Mrs Smiley, aud
T. NJ. Davis of South Paris then spoke
of "Our Boys" Mr.. Davis admitted
that while he had for a number of years
had charge of boys class, he did not
really know very much about the work,
but he fully recognizes its importance,
for the boys of to-day are very shortly
to take our places, not only in the &C
tivities of the world, but also in the
church, or they will leave US without
workers. Study the boys, there are no
two of them alike. Treat the boys az
your equals, respect and honor them.
Mr.. Hull said that certain things are
necessary in dealing with boys. Be
honest with them. Be just with them.
Take them into your confidence. Make
them your chums. Rule them with
love.
Other speakers who were assigned to
talk about boys were not present, but
the subject was one of much interest
Rev. A. T. McWhorter said that what
must save the boys, whether at 5 years
or 10, is the transforming power of
Jesus Christ. Several other speakers
spoke briefly on the matter.
A question box was conducted by
Rev. B. G. Wentworth as the last part OF
the afternoons programme, and great
variety of questions, quite largely relat.
ing to matters of school administration
were discussed.
At the evening session, after de.
votional service led by Rev. G. W. F
Hill of Paris Hill, the committee OF
resolutions reported. The resolution
express thanks to the churches of South
Paris for their hospitality, and to TIT
railroads for favors in the matter o
rates; voice a determination to maxi
nraatar effnrt To oct hold of the Sunda,