The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-11-05
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
Report OF the Gathering Recently
Held in Vergennes.

Sunday school convention this 1all.
Following is her report written for
the Second Congregational Sunday
| School and for members Of the 9th
er schools who may be interested
The Vermont Sunday school assoc
iation met in annual convention on
the 18th. 14th and 18th of October
at Nergennes, the smallest city III
the world and the oldest in Vermont.
This was the 45th annual meeting
and was considered by many the
best in the history of the Associa-
ton. With one exception it was the
largest, the exception being when the
meeting was held in a larger city.
The number of delegates this year
was 200. And Vergennes was highly
successful in entertaining her guests.
Delegates were met at the station
by free carriages and automobiles
and were taken to the Congregat-
ional church for registration and as
signment, after which they were es-
ccrted to the places where they were
to stay during the convention. They
Wee most Hospitality welcomed to
the homes of the people and every
thing was done for their comfort and
convenience while they remained in
Vergennes; and at the close Of the
meetings the free carriages and au-
tomobiles were again provided to
convey delegates to the railway
station During the days OF the con
yention the ladies of the various
churches united together and provid-
ed dinner and supper for all the dele
gates in the large basement of the
Baptist church. Breakfasts were
given at the homes where guests
were entertained.
1t is impossible to put into words
the impressions that one receives
and carries home with him from
such meeting. One must attend in
person listen to the addresses and
the prayers, and catch the spirit OF
the leaders, in order to understand
it. And it is worth a good deal OF
sacrifice of time and other interests
to go to a Vermont Sunday school
convention. A bToadened view Of
the religious needs of the people Of
our own state. not only in the ham
let's and rural communities but in
the larger centers as well, and the
efforts that are being put forth by
the Association to meet those needs,
and beyond all this, the great need
OF the entire country and OF the
whole wo-ld for Sunday School work
and what has already been accom-
plished and is yet to be done by the
national and international organiza-
tons; a vision Of the uplift that will
come to state, nation, and even the
entire world if the work is continu-
ed and supported; and an inspira
ton to individual effort for the ac-
complishment OF the things for
which these Sunday school organic
atoms stand; these are some of the
things to be gained and are well
worth while, The importance and
value of Christian education for all
people, especially for children and
youth, and the need OF trained and
devoted teachers must be impressed
upon the minds of the people, and
this the Convention does very eff
iectively.
The instructors at the Vergennes
meeting were Dr. Franklin Noel.
fresh of Chicago. international sup
erintendent of Teacher Training.
and his assistants Rev. Morgan +.
/ Pease of Richford. VT, and Rev. F.
Wilson Day of Franklin, Vt; Mrs.
| Mary +. Bryner of Chicago, interna
I tional superintendent of the eemen.
tary division. assisted by Miss Marion
Z. Stickney of Barre, Mrs. George
Boyce OF Middiebury, and Miss Ellen
! B. Crandall OF Rutland; and Dr.. H.
NJ Hamill of Nashville. Tenn. Dr.
McElfresh and Mrs. Bryner are PEG
| pie Of national reputation, specialists
in department work, and their ad
dresses were very instructive and
inspiring. DR.. Hamill is also well
known and gave several good adj
| dresses.
DR.. McElfresh is a specialist in
Teacher Training. A part Of wha
he said is condensed as follows: The
churches that are teaching are grow
ing. and the converse is also true
The Mormons are building up a nigh
~ system and they are doing i
through teaching IThey have abou
23O0 elders out in the world preach
Ing and teaching. Some Of these ar,
in foreign countries. but the large
number remain in the United Sstate
Some CT these teachers are women
Those who know how strong MOI
monism has become in this country
will understand what Their teacher
have accomplished. II they ar
willing to do so much 10 build I'D
falge doctrine and propagate a faitl
that is menace TO our country
should not We be as persistent &
teach and extend the Christian faiti
The crying need in this country &,
day is religious education
Attendance az our Sunday school
could be doubled 10 there we're NOR
teachers. 100000 new Bible teacl
ers are needed Immediately. Tescl