Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-18

MAINE SUNDAY SCHL.
ASSOCIATION 0PENSI
The 54th annual convention
of the Maine State Sunday School
Association opened Wednesday
about 500 delegates from all
parts of the state in attendance.
very complete program has been
arranged for the three days in
which the convention will be in
session. including several addresses
by nationally known speakers. de-
votional services, sectional con-
ferences and finally a big pageant.
At III o'clock the members of the
state executive committee assembled
at the Getchell street United Bap-
fist church for a meeting. At this
meeting Rev. Edward H. Brewster.
general secretary of the convention
gave a complete report of the years
work. in which he said in part:
The past year has been without
doubt one of the best In the history
of the association. This is true in
the amount of service rendered.
financial support received, the or
ganization of the field, breadth of
program and in many other res
poets.
: During the year childrens' d.
vision institutes were held in one
county, viz, Washington. and
young peoples institute at Bruins
wick, At these the secretary was
present.
In response to a need for daily
vacation bible school institutes
among children to be standardized
and christian warkers provided
training for it. four two-day insti-
tutes were held in the state the last
of April and the first of May, Wis,
Portland, Waterville, Bangor and
Rockland. About 200 attended
these training conferences. Nacl-
ton schools, formerly held. were
strengthened in their work and
some new schools resulted from
these efforts. This type of school
has won the confidence of the min
listers and lay workers and will be
found in increasing numbers from
year to year. &.
The work this year in our sum-
mer schools has been very salts
flying. Three schools were held
viz, at Houlton. Machias and Vas
salboro. This is the third year of
such work. A class of - was grad
uated from the three years course
in Houlton. The Eassalboro school
was held for the first time 1t
was the second year at Machias
The attendance totaled 1915. Nine
teen different individuals assisted in
hi
Association was $40.
Eleven girls and five boys attended
the International Camp Conference
at Lake Winnipesaullee. There was
one girl and one boy graduate from
Maine, the International leaders
speak in the highest terms of our
delegations.
Two conferences for the training
OF Association workers state. county
and district. We're held in January,
one at Portland and the other at
Bangor. In connection with the
Portland conference the semi-annual
meeting of the State Executive COM
mittee was held. Fifty Association
officers were present at these insti
tutes and our organizations through
out the state much strengthened.
This is the third year of these insti
tuteS.
AS last year. Community Training
schools were held in lewiston Au-
burn and PORTLAND. At the latter the
State Secretary served as Dean. A
third school was begun in Bangor
last fill. and proved a great success.
The enrolment was ia. Many COM
munities are making inquiries re-
garding this type of leadership train
ing and new schools win be added
to the list this year.
Much interest has developed
throughout the state IN weekday re-
ligious instruction. In Portland a
committee of which the State Sec
rotary was chairman held frequent
meetings and devised a plan for such
work to be done in school time.
Favorable action by the school board
is still awaited. At several points
in the state such instruction is being
given and at Bar Harbor in school
time.
This year has been one OF splendid
financial achievement. All bills have
been met and there is balance in
the treasury. The receipts for the
year have been s10,426 as against.
S9.7SS.79 a year ago. This is by far
the best record ever made by our
Association Expenditures wore
S9.51SSS. 1t would seem to be the
plain duty of our organization in
view of these larger resources to
add to our staff of workers in order
that the field may he more adequate
~ covered.
Miss Marion L. Timer office secrc-
tary and Miss Helen c. Moore tinan7
call Secretary, have continued to rem
der most excellent service. The
prompt handling of mail, courteous
attention to every call, Of which
there were many. an efficient sys-
TEN of bookkeeping. patient solicit
ing of the field in behalf of our
work. have all contributed in an es-
sential manner to the success of the
Association. The mail matter hand
led has been 1892 pieces.
Six issues of the Star" have ap-
peared during the year with an aver
age circulation of 1916 copies. OF
this number 21S are special sub
sciptions. This little paper is doing
much to disseminate the ideals of
religious education, besides acquaint-
ing the state with the activities of