Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-12
AUGUSTA AND HALLOWELL
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKERS
HEAR METHODS DISCUSSED

The first annual convention of the
AugustaIiallowel District Sunday
School Association, which was in SEES.
sion Tuesday afternoon and evening at
the Green street Methodist church. was
the occasion OF much highly profitable
discussion Of Sunday school methods
and of several pithy addresses The
attendance in the afternoon was light
number present.
The convention opened with n praise
and devotional service led by Rev. T..
5. Leecii, pastor Of the Randolph
Methodist church. Following the
transaction Of routine business Mrs.
w }. Layton read a report Of the
State Sunday school convention, pre-
pared by Mrs. Lena r. Pierce. who was
unable to he present. The report was
very comprehensive and interesting
one and Mrs. Pierce was extended q
rising vot- thanks.
Rev. J. J. Huh of Lewiston, adult
field secretary Of the State Sunday
School Association Of Maine led a
conference on "Organized Glasses, .
making Introductory remarks and an
swering questions at considerable
length. He urged that there be or
ganized declarations of ali adult classes,
and that these groups assemble once
u month to stimulate activity for
reaching the heart of the community
He recommended an early winter cam
paign for gathering up all the old
members of the Sunday school and for
doubling the membership and cited
several instances Of the success of
Sunday schools, as the result Of fed =
Grated activity, in accomplishing great
increases in attendance. Mr Hun ad :
vocated also the individuai organizing
of classes. and that each lie registered
with the State association
Rev. +. S. Philbrook explained the
advantages Of the new uniform grad
ed lessons-the system of Bible study
which Will be inaugurated at the be
ginning of the new year. This system
he said, afforded a compromise be-
tween the old International Lessons
method and the strictly graded system.
1t retains. he said, the uniformity Of
the old system. whereby all classes the
world over are studying the same
texts. and the lessons are so graded
as to be adapted to the varying needs
and mental development of the schol-
ars of the different departments.
A feature Of the new system which af-
lords a distinct improvement is that the
school study year will in the future be-
gin in October instead of In January, and
thus an abrupt change in the study sub
ject will not present itself at the time
when Sunday school work Is in full swing
The work under the new system will
continue through an eight-year cycle sub
divided into periods of four years each
Decision Day was the topic of the
discussion led by Rev William r. Wood
THE supreme need of the church school"
he said. lis not improved organization,
nor improved method. nor improved les
sons. but is an adequate appreciation Of
responsibilities and opportunities. The uf-
innate object of the Sunday school i. the
development in Christian character ami
Christian service. Decision day" he said.
Should be regarded as the occasion for
a step faithfully planned and delibera te :
II prepared for. The early adolescent
,age-between the ages Of ~ and lis the
period in which by far the greater pro
portion of decisions to lead a Christian
life are made" he said He did not ad.
vccate the presenting of the machinery of
Decision day to those below Junior de-
partment age
w d. iutchns. president Of the ASSOC
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