Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-26

W1rn a rather small attendance at z.50 Monday afternoon at the Central Bap- tist church when the opening session of a Sunday school conference for the northern part of New London county was held. James L. Case, vice-presi- dent of the Connecticut Sunday school association called the conference to order and several hymns were sung under the leadership of George A. Turner, Professor Herbert T. Miller Rev. H. J. Wyckon of the Second Congregational church read the 65th Psalm and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. M. S. Kaufman of Trinity Method- ist Episcopal church The conference united in singing the hymn, Showers of Blessing.
 In a few welcoming words Chair man Case spoke of the good results that might be derived from the con ference by those present taking back to their own schools the things which made an impression upon them He spoke of the value of Sunday school concerts and exercises which took place at Broadway Congregational Sunday school under former sSuperin- tendent Waterman R. Burnfam, whom
 he introduced to speak upon Sunday School "Reminiscences"
 Waterman R. Burnham Speaks. The rise and progress of the Sunday
 school cause, said Mr. Burnham, sure
 ly shows the hand of the omnipotent.
 To Robert Ralzes is generally conceded
 the credit for founding the Sunday
 school and in his efforts in Gloucester
 he built an enduring monument to all
 time. He reached the children of the
 poor and ignorant, giving them an op-
 portunity to break away from a soul
 destroying environment From that
 crude beginning has come tine present
 magnificent development of the Sum-
 day school.
 In 1925 the limited lesson scheme
 was adopted and endorsed and in 1897
 T-,l &s<--o
 troduced and endorsed\ as much better than the chaotic learning of Bible verses. These were followed later
 in 1866 by the first series of analyti-
 cal lesson notes called, Two Years
 With Jesus which many of the older
 teachers can remember with delight
 Then followed the Chicago and Berean
 system. In 1872 came the greatest ad-
 vancement of all. the birth of the In-
 ternationa1 lesson series. Conventions and institutes had done much in pre-
 pairing the way. The first national Sunday school convention was held in
 1882. The world has been filled with
 wonder and admiration at the work accomplished by this effective agent, the modern Sunday schools of the past thirty eight years, since the adoption of the international uniform systems of lessons. MT. Burnham said that he had been identified with Sunday school for 57 years. beginning in a little Sun day school in Windham and he com mended this cause to those in more active life as worthy of fullest con ftdence.
 Appreciation of MT. Burnham's ad- dress was shown by the applause as he concluded. The tenor solo. Rock of Ages, was sung in good voice by George A. Turner
 Present Day Problems.
 Rev. J. w Rae of Hartford, sec retary of the Connecticut Sunday School association. spoke briefly in commendation of MT. Burnhans ad- dress, and spoke in a practical way of Present Day Problems He illustrat- ed his words with blackboard notes and said in part:
 had lost his way in the forest met an Indian and asked him the distance and direction of his church. The In- dian turned and looked in a certain direction and stretching out his arm, gone, the minister correctly reasoned, saying, He means that if I go straight ahead to wonder tall tree on the hill, which is as far as I can now see. and far as I can to some other point and 80 on, when I take my fourth look will see my church." and so it proved to be- The scholar should take four looks, which we will now talk about for a little.
 His first look is to his teacher. The scholar must first be won to the teacher. His teacher must be to him a living expression of the. truth or he will never see it at all Many a little child sees it's first vision of Christ in its mothers eyes. Teachers love their pupils into the work They are not to be forced, nor frightened, they are to be loved into service. They must first come to their teachers before they can go any further guided by them. Teachers should therefore ars to travel or they cannot success fully point it out Sunday school teachers must be men and women of God if the pupils coming to them have thus made one stage on the, Christian journey.
 His second look is from the teacher to the book. The book is the second bIazed landmark on the trail of life The teacher must be able to box this compass of truth to successfully teach the way. Simple goodness is not enough> for. the second stage, the teacher must not only have genuine piety, he must know the book In ad- dition to the Christian he must be the teacher. He must study if he is to show himself approved rightly divin- ing the word of truth.
 Teachers in secular schools are trained and if Bible schools are to instruct the pupils from these schools their teacher must be trained also. The teacher not only has the book but the scholar as well, and the lessons must fit his pupils needs and capaci- ties. Graded schools and graded les sons have come to stay because they rest on a vital basis and are made to fit the developing life of each scholar.
 His third look is through the book to his Saviour. In all our lessons and t teaching the pupils should be guided to Jesus Christ to that conviction of God and responsibility that will make necessary. He must stand be- side the Man of Ga1ilee and seek to measure up toward the standard of perfect manhood. Not only must his intellect be convinced and his affections be won. but his will must decide for God and righteousness. Strength of character is needed. The little girl who misread the Old Testament verse said, "As for this Daniel, a different spine was in him." The world and the church need men of spine, men of dez cision, men who are truly Christians.
 His fourth look is from conviction to service. In national life it is said that the nation that does not function must die. If nation must serve to live how much more imperative it must be that the Christian who rep resents him. who came not to be min- istered unto, but to minister, shall de- vote his life to the service of others. We are not training scholars to church members as goal. but to serve. To do something for others