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MINUTES 


OF  THE 


Ninth  Annual 


OF 


NORTH  CAROLINA, 


HELD  IN  THE 


FEBRUARY  25,  26  and  27,  1890. 


s 

.1 

mday-School  Convention  | 

! 

r  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  WILMINGTON,  N.  C,  J 


RALEIGH  : 
Edwards  &  Broughton,  Printers  and  Binders. 

1890. 


7^1 


THE  NORTH   CAROLINA 

State  Sunday-school  Association. 


OUR   MOTTO  : 
OUR  BELIEF 
OUR  JOY: 
OUR  AIM: 


1st 

2d 

3d 

4th 

5th 

6th 

7ih 

8th 

9th 

10th 

11th 

12th 


District 


The  UNION  of  all  Christians  for  the  salvation  of  all 
others. 

We   must  save  the   children   if   we  would  save  the 
Nation. 

'•  It  is  not  the  will  of  our  Fathei  in  Heaven  that  ONE  of 
these  little  ones  should  perish." — Matt,  xviii:  14. 

1.  A  Sunday  school  within  reach  of  every  home  in  our 
State.  2.  A  Convention,  at  least  once  each  year, 
within  reach  of  every  Sunday-school  teacher.  3.  A 
working  Sunday-school  organization  in  every  county 
and  township.  4.  The  visitation  of  every  house,  to 
invite  all  to  Church  and  Sunday-school,  and  to  make 
known  to  all  God*s  free  offer  of  Salvation  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

OFFICERS  : 
W.  A.  BLAIR.  President.  Winston. 


VICE-PRESIDENTS  : 

. .  F.  S.  Blair Menola. 

.  .G.  T.  Adams . .  _ Newbern. 

..Geo.  Chadbourn .-Wilmington. 

. .  Rev.  L.  J.  Holden Littleton. 

.  S.  M.  Parrish Raleigh. 

..J.  H.    Southgate Durham. 

..Wm.  Black Maxton. 

.  _  Rev.  E.  W.  Smith Greensboro. 

..H.  C.  Dunn  Clear  Creek. 

R.   N.  Hackett Wilkesboro. 

. .  Gen.  R.  B.  Vance Asheville. 

.  Rev.  W.  H.  Leith Franklin. 


Recording  Secretary — J.  W.  Gore.  Chapel  Hill. 

Statistical  Secretary — II.  N.  Snow,  Durham. 


Wilmington. 


Treasurer— W.  H.  Sprunt, 
EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE: 

Geo.   W.    Watts,   Chairman,    Durham. 
E.  J.   PARRISH,  Durham.  W.  H.  Reisner.  Salisbury. 

.1.  S.  CARR,  Durham.  S.  A.  Kerr.  Greensboro. 

X.  B.  Broughton,  Raleigh.  G.  P.  McNeill,  Fayetteville. 

and  the  above  named  officers  of  the  Association. 

STATE  CONVENTIONS. 

No.  Where  Held.                            President.                                     Date. 

I.     Raleigh John  B.  Burwell Nov.  1878. 

II.     Greensboro Rev.  D.  R.  Bruton Nov.  1S79. 

III.  Salisbury Rev.  J.  Rumple Nov.  1SS0. 

IV.  Salem—. Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley Sept.  188c 

V.     Raleigh Rev.  C.   II.  Wiley Feb.  1882. 

VI.  Winston Rkv.  C.   H.Wiley..     Nov.  18S2. 

VII.  Raleigh E.  J.  Parrish March,  1888. 

VIII.  Charlotte Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard April,  1889. 

IX.  Wilmington W.  A.  Blair Feb.  1890. 

X.  Fayetteville  1891. 


Sen.  fv 

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7 


NORTH    CAROLINA 
Sunday=school   Convention, 


FIRST  DAY— Morning  Session. 

Tuesday,  February  25,  1890. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  9:30  by  President 
Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard,  D.  D. 

Hymn — "Come  Sound  Plis  Praise  Abroad." 

Prayer  by  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates,  D.  D. 

Hymn— "Nearer  My  God  to  Thee." 

Bible  reading  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Creasy.  Psalm  119  was  read 
and  the  Word  emphasized  by  appropriate  remarks. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Primrose. 

Words  of  welcome  by  Rev.  P.  H.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  and  Rev. 
F.  I).  Swindell,  D.  D. 

Response  by  Prof.  W.  A.  Blair. 

The  President  announced  the  Convention  ready  for  busi- 
ness. 

On  motion,  the  Chair  appointed  the  following  Committees: 

Committee  on  Nominations — W.  H.  Sprunt,  V.  Ballard  and 
S.  A.  Kerr. 

Committee  on  Resolutions— Prof.  WT.  A.  Blair,  Rev.  W.  S. 
Creasy  and  Dr.  J.  F.  Harrell. 

Committee  on  Business  of  this  Session — H.  N.  Snow,  E.  H. 
Merritt  and  N.  B.  Broughton. 

Reports  of  Executive  Committee,  Statistical  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  postponed  until  the  Evening  Session. 

Programme  as  prepared  by  Executive  Committee  adopted, 
with  change  in  hours  of  meeting,  as  follows:  9  a.  m.,  3  p.  m., 
and  <S  p.  m. 

On  motion,  adjourned. 


/  %  0  i+  (o 


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4  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Afternoon  Session. 

Vice-President  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates,  D.  D.,  in  the  chair. 

Praise  service  conducted  by  Rev.  F.  D.  Swindell,  D.  D. 

Gospel  Hymn,  No.  74. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  P.  R,  Law. 

Gospel  Hymn,  No.  145. 

Reports  of  Districts  and  Counties  deferred  until  the  State 
Map  could  be  put  in  place. 

Brief  reports  from  the  following  towns  were  made:  Dur- 
ham, Greensboro,  Rockingham,  Raleigh  and  Shelby,  when 
the  hour  for  the  address  by  Dr.  Pritchard  was  announced. 

HISTORY  OF  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  CONVENTIONS  AND 
THEIR  OBJECTS. 


BY   T.    H.    PRITCHARD. 


At  the  anniversary  of  the  Sunday-school  Union  in  Philadelphia,  May 
23,  1832,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  being  in  ses- 
sion in  the  city  at  the  same  time,  and  the  friends  of  the  Sunday-school 
cause  present,  representing  fifteen  Slates,  it  was  resolved  to  hold  a 
National  Convention  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  the  fall  of  that  year. 

Accordingly,  the  proposed  Convention  assembled  in  Chatham  Street 
Chapel.  New  York,  October  3,  1832.  and  was  organized  by  the  election 
of  Hon.  Theodore  Fnlinghuyseu  as  President,  and  Dr.  D.  M.  Reese  and 
J.  B.  Brinsmade,  Secretaries.  Fifteen  States  were  represented  and  220 
delegates  were  present,  among  whom  were  such  distinguished  men  as 
Drs.  Durbin,  Nathan  Bangs,  and  Messrs.  Wm.  Goodell,  J.  H.  Taylor, 
W.  H.  Byron,  Arthur  Tappan  and  F.  A.  Packard. 

The  second  National  Convention  was  held  in  Philadelphia  in  May,  1833. 
Hon.  Willard  Hall  was  chosen  as  President;  L.  Q.  C.  Elmer  and  M.  S. 
Denman,  Secretaries.  But  nine  States  were  represented,  and  this  Con- 
vention was  regarded  as  almost  a  failure. 

Twenty-six  >ears  elapsed  before  the  third  Convention  was  hell.  It 
met  in  Philadelphia,  February  22,  1859,  and  was  called  to  order  by  Geo. 
H.  Stuart.  Ex-Gov.  Pollock  was  made  President,  and  H.  C.  Trumbull 
and  George  Baughman,  were  Secretaries.  Seventeen  States  and  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  were  represented,  and  there  was  one  delegate,  Peter 
Sinclair,  from  Great  Britain.  Many  eminent  men  took  part  in  the  pro- 
ceedings, among  whom  were  Drs.  S.  H.  Tyng,  Thomas  Brainerd,  Rich- 


Sunday-School  Convention.  5 

ard  Newton.  Alfred  Nevin,  Alfred  Cookman,  with  Messrs.  James  Pollock, 
Ralph  Wells,  R.  G.  Pardee,  Albert  Woodruff  and  Geo.  W.  Cliipman. 

Another  National  Convention  did  not  meet  for  ten  years — the  fourth 
one  being  held  in  Newark,  April,  1869.  Geo.  H.  Stuart  was  President; 
H.  C.  Trumbull,  J.  H.  Vincent  and  B.  F.  Jacobs,  were  Secretaries.  This 
was  a  great  meeting — twenty-eight  States  and  one  Territory  were  repre- 
sented, besides  Canada,  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Egypt  and  South 
Africa,  by  526  delegates. 

The  fifth  National  Convention,  and  in  many  respects,  the  most  impor- 
tant of  all,  certainly  of  those  held  up  to  this  time,  met  in  Indianapolis, 
April.  1872.  P.  G.  Gillett,  LL.D.,  was  made  President.  Twenty-two 
States  and  one  Territory  were  represented  by  338  delegates.  Represen- 
tatives were  also  present  from  Canada,  Great  Britain,  India,  and  formal 
communications  were  received  from  England,  Scotland,  Switzerland, 
France  and  Holland  looking  to  a  closer  union  of  Sunday-school  workers 
throughout  the  world.  It  was  at  this  Convention  that  the  Uniform  Les- 
son System  was  adopted.  This  grand  conception  originated  in  Chicago, 
and  in  the  brain  and  heart  of  that  great  lay- worker,  B.  F.  Jacobs,  who 
is  still  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  International  Con- 
vention. As  the  history  of  this  movement  possesses  peculiar  interest,  I 
quote  from  the  Sunday-school  Times  the  editoi  's  account  of  this  part  of 
the  proceedings: 

"  The  interest  of  the  Convention  culminated,  as  was  expected,  in  the 
Uniform  Lesson  question.  To  this  almost  everything  seemed  to  be 
tending  from  the  beginning  of  the  session.  The  slightest  allusion  to  the 
subject  created  a  perceptible  ripple  over  the  body.  And  when  the  ques- 
tion came  up  in  the  regular  order,  an  intensity  of  feeling  was  exhibited 
that  is  rarely  seen  in  a  public  assembly.  At  times  it  reached  the  morally 
sublime.  After  the  earnest  speech  of  Mr.  B.  F.  Jacobs,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  lead  the  discussion,  and  during  the  brief  speeches  for  and 
against  which  followed,  the  scene  was  indescribable.  A  quiver  of  eager 
desire  seemed  to  thrill  the  whole  body.  It  wis  known  that  a  strong 
feeling  in  favor  of  the  project  was  abroad  in-  the  Sunday-school  com- 
munity, but  the  feverish  anxiety  and  solemnly  set  purpose  of  such  vast 
numbers,  manifesting  itself  in  such  intensity,  was  hardly  expected  even 
by  the  most  ardent  and  sanguine  advocates  of  the  system.  There  was 
scarcely  a  corporal's  guard  of  opponents  to  the  measure.  Although  in 
the  morning,  when  the  question  was  broached,  repeated  cries  of  "  ques- 
tion "  were  made  the  counsel  of  caution  prevailed,  and  the  measure  was 
not  rushed  through  in  hot  haste,  but  left  for  the  afternoon  session.  The 
ardor  of  its  advocates  had  not  at  all  cooled  by  the  delay,  the  final  vote 
being  almost  unanimous,  and  its  announcement  being  greeted  by  the 
Convention  rising  to  their  feet  and  singing  the  long-metre  doxology." 

In  accordance  with  this  vote,  a  Lesson  Committeeof  five  ministers  and 
five  laymen  were  chosen  from  the  United  States,  and  one  minister  and 


6  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

one  layman  from  Canada,  to  prepare  the  first  seven  years"  courses  of 
lessons  from  1872  to  1879.  No  man  from  the  South  was  on  this  Lesson 
Committee. 

The  first  International,  and  the  sixth  National,  Convention  was  held 
in  Baltimore,  May,  1875.  Rev.  George  A.  Peltz,  D.  D.,  was  chosen 
President:  Rev.  E.  TV.  Rice,  of  Pennsylvania;  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  of  Ten- 
nessee; Rev.  Alfred  Andrews,  of  Iowa,  and  Eben  Shute,  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  E.  C.  Chapin,  of  Iowa,  were  Secretaries.  Here,  for  the  first 
time,  we  see  the  South  taking  part  in  the  Convention  aud  represented 
in  its  officers.  The  sessions  were  held  in  the  Masonic  Temple.  The 
number  of  delegates  present  was  463;  twenty  of  them  were  from  Canada. 

The  second  International  Convention  was  held  in  Atlanta,  April,  1878. 
Gov.  A.  H.  Colquitt,  of  Georgia,  was  chosen  President;  Hon.  F.  R. 
Loomis.  of  Ohio:  E.  S.  Wagoner,  of  Pennsylvania;  Rev.  J.  Wm.  Jones, 
of  Virginia:  John  E.  Ray,  of  North  Carolina,  and  John  McEwen,  of  Can- 
ada, were  Secretaries.  I  was  a  delegate,  with  six  or  seven  others,  from 
North  Carolina  to  this  Convention,  and  was  much  impressed  by  the 
ability  as  well  as  the  earnest  working  energy  of  the  body.  Of  those 
who  spoke,  I  recall  Rev.  Dr.  John  Hal!.  J.  H.  Vincent,  J.  A.  Worden, 
J.  Munro  Gibson,  then  of  Canada,  now  of  London:  Atticus  G.  Haygood, 
of  Georgia:  W.  S.  Plumer.  of  South  Carolina,  now  dead;  W.  C.  Van- 
Meter,  of  Rome.  Italy,  also  dead:  Dr.  H.  Mac  Vicar;  of  Canada;  A.  J. 
Baird,  of  Tennessee:  C.  L.  Goodell.  of  Maryland,  and  Prof.  W.  F.  Sherwin. 
also  dead. 

At  this  Convention  it  was  determined  to  have  the  South  represented 
on  the  Lpssoii  Committee,  and.  as  a  member  of  the  nominating  commit- 
tee, I  had  the  honor  to  propose  the  name  of  Dr.  John  A.  Broadus  to 
represent  the  Baptists.  Dr.  Moses  D.  Hoge,  of  Richmond,  Va. ,  was 
re-elected  to  represent  Southern  Presbyterians,  and  Dr.  Cunningham,  of 
Nashville,  Term.,  Southern  Methodism.  This  was  the  first  Convention 
held  in  the  South  proper,  and  was  a  large  and  enthusiastic  session. 

The  third  International  Convention  was  held  in  Toronto,  Canada, 
June,  1881.  The  Hon.  S.  H.  Blake,  of  Toronto,  was  made  President, 
with  five  Secretaries  from  the  United  States  and  Canada.  Communica- 
tions were  received  from  a  Sunday-school  Convention  in  session  in 
Halifax,  Nova  Scotia;  from  the  Edinburgh  Sunday-school  Teachers' 
Union,  from  the  Copenhagen  Sunday-school  Committee  of  Denmark, 
from  the  Sunday-school  Union  of  Germany  at  Berlin,  from  the  National 
Temperance  Convention  in  session  at  Saratoga,  and  from  President 
Garfield.  This  was  a  great  and  very  spirited  Convention,  but  I  do  not 
know  the  number  of  delegates  present. 

The  fourth  International,  which  would  be  the  ninth  National,  Con- 
vention was  held  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  June,  1884.  Mr.  B.  F.  Jacobs  called 
the  meeting  to  order.  The  Hon.  T.  W.  Bicknell,  of  Massachusetts,  was 
chosen  President.     Addresses  of  welcome  were  made  by  Dr.  John  A. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  7 

Broadus  in  behalf  of  the  city  of  Louisville,  and  by  the  Rev.  J.  C.  McKee, 
D.  D.,  in  behalf  of  the  Kentucky  Sunday-school  Union.  Responses 
were  made  by  the  Chairman,  by  Rev.  H.  E.  Becker,  of  California,  and 
Rev.  Dr.  M.  B.  Wharton,  of  Atlanta.  Jean  Paul  Cooke,  of  Paris,  spoke 
on  "The  Work  in  Europe;"  Rev.  O.  Clifton  Penick  on  "  The  Work  in 
Africa." 

Of  the  general  interest  of  this  meeting,  I  have  but  to  say  that,  in  the 
judgment  of  many  who  have  attended  these  Conventions,  this  session 
"for  solid  and  permanent  value  far  surpassed  all  which  preceded  it." 
At  this  Convention,  the  third  Lesson  Committee  was  appointed  to  pre- 
pare the  lessons  from  1887  to  1893. 

The  fifth  International  Convention  was  held  in  Chicago  in  June,  l.cS7. 
Eight  hundred  and  eight  delegates  were  present  from  forty  States  and 
Territories,  and  from  Canada,  New  Brunswick  and  England.  Dr.  John 
A.  Broadus  addressed  the  preliminary  meeting.  Gen.  Clinton  B.  Fisk 
was  made  temporary  Chairman,  and  Joseph  B.  Phipps,  Baltimore;  M.  L. 
Garver,  Kansas,  and  Alfred  Day,  of  Toronto,  Canada,  Secretaries.  The 
gathering  was  immense  and  the  interest  was  strong  throughout.  The 
enthusiasm  for  Sunday-school  work  was  deepened,  and  the  spirit  of 
consecration  was  so  plainly  manifest  that  none  escaped  the  feeling  of  a 
spiritual  presence.  Mr.  Wm.  Reynolds,  of  Illinois,  was  elected  President, 
and  on  being  conducted  to  the  platform,  General  Fisk,  the  temporary 
Chairman,  took  his  hand,  saying:  "It  gives  me  great  pleasure,  brethren 
and  sisters,  to  present  to  you  my  good  brother  Reynolds  as  your  perma- 
nent Chairman.  I  have  known  him  intimately  these  many  years,  and 
in  all  Illinois — and  it  is  saying  considerable — we  can  find  no  better  man 
thus  to  honor.  He  is  one  of  those  industrious  laymen  who,  walking 
along  the  pathways  of  this  life,  consecrates  all  there  is  of  him  to  the 
servke'of  the  blessed  Master  (applause);  a  man  who  in  this  life,  amid  all 
its  ins  and  outs,  brings  all  his  transactions  to  the  bar  of  conscience  with 
the  interrogatory,  Is  it  right?  (Applause.)  Brother  Reynolds,  I  have 
great  pleasure  in  introducing  you  to  the  most  magnificent  body  you  ever 
presided  over."     (Applause.) 

The  official  call  has  been  made  for  the  sixth  International  Convention, 
which  will  be  held  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  24th  to  27th  of 
June,  1890. 

Having  thus  briefly  sketched  the  history  of  Sunday-school  Conventions 
in  the  United  States,  I  come  now  to  consider  the  second  topic  assigned 
me — The  Objects  of  Conventions.  I  regard  Conventions  as  an  unmixed 
blessing,  and  would  classify  their  benefits  under  five  heads. 

First.  They  afford  information;  they  impress  us  with  the  greatness 
of  the  Sunday-school  work;  its  vast  extent;  its  supreme  value  to  the 
church,  the  world,  the  children  and  the  teacher.  We  here  learn  the 
best  methods  of  doing  this  work.  How  to  open  a  school,  to  teach  a 
class,  to  question  a  class.     How  to  conduct  an  infant-class,  an  adult 


8  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Bible-class.  The  best  systems  of  rewards,  prizes,  &c.  The  best  song- 
books;  when  to  sing,  and  hoic  much  to  sing.  How  to  attract  and  hold 
the  children,  the  youth,  the  old  people.  How  best  to  develop  the  benevo- 
lent and  missionary  spirit  of  a  school;  the  true  relations  of  the  school  to 
the  church.  Indeed,  a  hundred  things  that  will  be  of  value  to  us  to 
know,  touching  the  methods,  ends,  &c,  of  a  Sunday-school,  maybe 
gotten  by  an  interchange  of  opinions  on  the  part  of  intelligent  and  ex- 
perienced teachers  and  superintendents  assembled  in  Convention. 

A  second  benefit  is  the  fact  that  Conventions  lead  to  better  organiza- 
tion. This  is  the  day  of  associated  effort.  There  is  strength  in  iinion. 
Conventions  have  led  to  the  wonderful  organization  now  existing  in 
this  country  and  throughout  the  world  in  this  great  enterprise.  County 
led  to  State  Conventions,  Scate  to  National  Conventions,  National  to 
International  Conventions,  and  International  Conventions  to  the  Inter- 
national System  of  Lessons,  than  which,  in  my  judgment,  nothing  has 
been  a  greater  inspiration  and  blessing  to  the  Sunday-school  cause 
throughout  the  world.  It  may  be  said  almost  to  have  created  a  new 
and  most  valuable  department  of  religious  literature.  It  has  called  into 
requisition  the  best  homil^tieal  and  expository  talent  of  all  denominations, 
anl  sanctified  it  to  the  diffusion  of  the  purest  and  cheapest  religious 
literature  the  world  has  ever  seen.  In  the  olden  time  only  a  few  were 
able  to  buy  the  best  commentaries  on  the  Bible.  Now  the  best  learning 
of  all  the  ages  is  focalized  by  the  finest  intellects  of  the  age  upon  the 
Sunday-school  lesson  at  a  cost  of  less  than  half  a  cent  a  lesson.  Among 
twelve  millions  of  our  own  people  these  Scripture-lessons  are  studied 
every  Sunday.  And  it  is  safe  to  t-ay  that  there  never  was  a  period  in 
the  world's  history  in  which  there  was  so  much  reverent  study  of  the 
Bible  as  in  this.  Whenever  before  cou'd  such  a  sight  be  seen  as  may  be 
witnessed  every  Saturday  in  Tremont  Temple,  Boston?  Two  thousand 
teachers  gathered  from  all  parts  of  Massachusetts  studying  the  lesson 
under  the  leadership  of  Gen.  W.  Cable,  to  whom  they  pay  $2,500  per 
annum  for  one  hour's  teaching  each  week  !  And  the  Sunday-school  song- 
books  and  the  singing  of  the  school-* !  How  have  they  been  improved  and 
magnified  and  quickened  into  unknown  usefulness  and  efficiency? 

The  third  valuable  featuie  of  the  Sunday-school  Convention  is  the 
inspiration  we  catch  in  these  gatherings  from  each  other.  ^Iron  sharp- 
eneth  iron  :  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  countenance  of  his  friend."  As 
when  the  Patriarch  of  Constantinople  goes  down,  at  the  appointed  time, 
into  the  holy  crypt  beneath  the  Church  of  the  Sepulchre  at  Jerusalem, 
and  bringa  up  the  sacred  fire,  which  the  gathered  pilgrims  believe  haB 
come  down  from  Heaven,  and  distributes  it  to  the  frantic  throng,  who 
bear  it  exultingly  to  their  homes  in  all  parts  of  the  East,  so  from  each 
other  we  catch  the  fire  of  a  new  enthusiasm  and  votive  zeal  in  this 
blessed  cause,  to  bear  it  away  burning  brightly  in  our  hearts  to  bless  our 
own  churches  and  schools. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  9 

And  lastly,  I  believe  that  these  Convention*,  calling  together  Christians 
of  various  beliefs,  affording  them  common  ground  upon  which  they  can 
stand  without  sacrificing  principles  that  they  hold  dear,  uniting  their 
hearts,  their  minds  and  efforts  in  trying  to  save  the  youth  of  the  land — 
this,  I  am  persuaded,  has  done  more  to  soften  the  asperities  of  denomi- 
national differences  and  to  banish  the  odium  thecilogicum from  the  pulpit 
and  the  pew  than  perhaps  all  other  influences  combined.  I  know  not 
how  others  may  regard  it,  but  to  me  there  is  much  of  the  socially  sublime 
in  the  spectacle  of  all  Christian  nations  studying  the  same  part  of  Cod's 
Holy  Word  at  the  same  time.  To  me  if;  seems  a  prophecy  of  the  blessed 
time  for  which  our  Saviour  prayed:  "That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou, 
Father,  art  in  me  and  I  in  thee;  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us;  that 
the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me."— John  xvii:  21. 

Song — Gospel  Hymn,  No.  114. 


CONFERENCE— THE  WORK 


THE  WORK  IN  THIS  STATE. 


BY  H.  N.  SNOW 


We  call  this  the  third  Convention  of  this  Association.  It  is  properly 
the  ninth  Convention,  a  former  State  Association  having  held  six  annual 
Conventions  and  then  abandoned  the  field  for  want  of  proper  support. 

The  first  State  Convention  was  held  in  Salisbury  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Raleigh,  November  1,  2  and  3,  1878,  pursuant  to  a  call  issued  by  Mr. 
John  E.  Ray,  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  appointed  by  the 
North  Carolina  State  delegation  (fifteen  in  number)  at  the  second  Inter- 
national Sunday-school  Convention  held  in  Atlanta,  Ga. ,  in  April,  1878. 
Prof.  J.  B.  Burwell  was  elected  President,  N.  B.  Broughton  and  W.  S. 
Primrose,  Secretaries,  and  D.  W.  Bain,  Treasurer.  Addresses  were 
made  by  R.  T.  Gray,  James  T.  Lineback,  Rev.  W.  C.  Norman,  Rev.  G. 
S.  Jones,  Rev.  Dr.  Pritchard,  A.  M.  McPheeters,  Rev.  John  S.  Watkins, 
Col.  J.  M.  Heck,  E.  R.  Stamps,  Rev.  J.  D.  Hufham,  H.  A.  Gudger,  Prof. 
W.  C.  Kerr,  W.  S.  Primrose  and  others.  The  Executive  Committee  was 
instructed  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  Sunday-school  workers  in  the 
State,  urging  them  to  organize  County  and  Township  Conventions. 
Pledges  were  made  by  individuals  and  schools  to  the  amount  of  $71,  of 
which  amount  only  $45.48  was  ever  paid. 

The  second  State  Convention  was  held  in  the  Methodist  Church, 
Greensboro,  November  14  and  15,  1879.  Rev.  D.  R.  Bruton  was  elected 
President,  H.  A.  Gudger,  John  A.  Ramsey,  Rev.  Edward  Rondthaler, 
John  E.  Ray,  Rev.  J.  Henry  Smith  and  Gen.  R.  B,  Vance,  Vice-Presi- 


10  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

dents:  Eugene  E.  Ebert,  Recording  and  Statistical  Secretary;  H.  M.  Jones.. 
Corresponding  Secretary;  Prof.  W.  F.  Alderman,  Treasurer;  and  John 
A.  Ramsey,  R.  R.  Crawford,  P.  N.  Heileigh,  J.  T.  Lineback  and  Rev. 
J.  J.  Renn,  Executive  Committee.  The  counties  of  Forsyth,  Guilford, 
Rowan,  Mecklenburg,  Cabarrus  and  Orange  were  reported  as  organized . 
Addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  J.  Henry  Smith.  Rev.  Edward  Rondthaler, 
Rev.  S.  R.  Trawick.  Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley  and  others.  A  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  adopted,  and  renewed  efforts  made  to  secure  county 
organizations.     $31.50  was  rai-ed. 

The  third  State  Convention  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Salisbury.  November  19  and  20,  1880.  The  counties  of  Cabarrus,  Meck- 
lenburg. Stokes,  Forsyth.  Guilford,  Orange  and  Rowan  were  reported  as 
organized.  Rev.  J.  Rumple  was  elected  President;  Rev.  J.  J.  Renn,  J, 
A.  Ramsey,  C.  G.  Yates,  R.  R.  Crawford,  Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley  and  H.  A. 
Gudger,  Vice-Presidents;  E.  A.  Ebert,  Statistical  Secretary;  H.  M.  Jones. 
Corresponding  Secretary :  W.  F.  Alderman.  Treasurer:  Jas.  T.  Lineback. 
Rev.  F.  H.  Johnston,  H.  N.  Snow.  I.  W.  Durham  and  F.  H.  Fries,  Exec- 
utive Committee.  I  take  the  following,  as  interesting,  from  the  report 
of  tlie  Executive  Committee: 

"  The  first  work  to  which  this  Committee  gave  its  attention  was 
county  organization.  The  Convention,  at  its  annual  meeting  in  Greens- 
boro, directed  the  Secretary  to  prepare  an  address,  or  circular  letter,  and 
endeavor  to  find  suitable  persons  in  each  county  in  the  State  who  would 
undertake  the  work  of  organization.  In  this  work  your  Committee  gave 
its  assistance  to  your  able  and  energetic  Secretary,  and  the  work  was 
pressed  with  all  the  means  under  our  control,  but  with  what  results 
•  the  Master  of  the  harvest"  only  knows,  as  we  have  received  no  reports 
from  the  counties  thus  addressed." 

In  the  interim  between  the  second  and  third  Conventions,  delegates 
were  appointed  to  attend  the  Centenary  Convention  in  London,  and 
report  of  same  was  made  before  the  Salisbury  Convention  by  Gen.  R.  D. 
Johnston  and  Mr.  Wm.  Murdock. 

The  fourth  State  Convention  was  held  in  the  Moravian  Church  in. 
Salem,  September  1,  1881.  Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley  was  elected  President;  E. 
A.  Ebert,  Secretary:  Rev.  F.  H.  Johnston,  Treasurer:  J.  T.  Lineback, 
Rev.  E.  Rondthaler,  Rev.  T.  H.  Pegram,  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates  and  J.  W. 
Mauney.  Executive  Committee.  This  Convention  was  attended  by  Mr. 
!•'.  Payson  Porter,  of  Philadelphia,  International  Statistical  Secretary, 
who  contributed  largely  to  the  interest  in  the  Convention.  I  copy  from 
the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  the  following: 

••  During  the  session  of  the  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Winston,  in  December  of  last  year,  your  Committee  sent 
a  communication  to  that  body,  drawing  its  attention  to  the  fact  of  the 
existence  of  our  State  Sunday-school  Association,  and  asked  for  the 
assistance  of  this  influential  denomination  in  securing  county  organiza- 


Sunday-School  Convention.  11 

tion.  Our  communication  was  courteously  received,  and  a  resolution 
passed  by  the  Conference  as  follows:  'Resolved,  That  we  are  pleased  to 
know  that  State  and  County  Sunday-school  Associations,  composed  of 
Christian  men  from  different  denominations,  have  been  formed  in  North 
Carolina,  and  that  we  are  ever  willing  to  do  what  we  can  in  bringing 
this  important  subject  before  the  masses,  believing  that  in  so  doing  we 
are  helping  to  build  ujd  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' ' 

Delegates  were  present  from  only  three  counties,  Forsyth,  Stokes  and 
Rowan.  For  the  purpose  of  showing  the  difficulties  under  which  the 
organization  labored,  I  read  the  following  from  the  report  of  the 
Secretary : 

"Your  Secretary  has  but  a  very  brief  report  of  his  work  during  the 
past  year  to  communicate,  as  his  official  acts  have  been  very  limited. 
The  second  annual  meeting  of  this  Association  was  held  in  Greensboro, 
November  14  and  15,  1879,  at  which  time  a  constitution  and  by-laWs 
were  adopted,  which,  together  with  the  proceedings,  the  Convention 
authorized  me,  as  Secretary,  to  have  five  hundred  copies  printed,  they 
providing  the  means  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  same.  I  was  also 
requested  by  the  same  body  to  prepare  a  circular  letter  addressed  to  the 
Sabbath-school  workers  in  the  State,  uiging  them  to  work  and  assist  the 
Sabbath-school  cause  by  trying  to  accomplish  the  organization  of  their 
respective  counties.  These  letters,  and  copies  of  the  constitution  and 
proceedings  of  our  second  annual  meeting,  I  sent  to  parties  recommended 
to  me  as  working  persons,  in  each  and  every  county  in  the  State,  and 
in  addition  to  the  same,  addressed  a  postal  card  to  each  one,  especially 
urging  them  to  work  for  their  county  organization,  and  requested,  if 
they  could  not  do  so,  to  recommend  me  to  some  one  who  could  and 
would.  To  by  far  the  greater  part  of  these  communications  I  received 
no  reply  whatever;  a  few  persons  answered  that  they  could  not,  for  vari- 
ous reasons  given,  undertake  the  work,  and  a  very  few  promised  to  try 
and  do  what  they  could.  I  communicated  these  facts  to  our  third 
annual  meeting,  which  assembled  in  Salisbury  last  year,  November  19 
and  20.  This  Convention  approved  of  the  efforts  I  had  made,  and,  upon 
motion,  requested  me  to  continue  my  work  in  the  same  manner  as  I  had 
previously  been  doing,  but  they  failed  to  even  specify  how  many  copies 
of  the  proceedings  I  should  have  printed,  and  also  failed  to  make 
any  arrangements  io  defray  the  expenses  of  printing  and  distribution. 
So,  with  a  bankrupt  treasury,  no  outside  aid,  or  positive  instructions, 
I  have  been  unable  to  accomplish  anything  in  this  particular  during  the 
past  year.  This  I  regret  exceedingly,  but  I  could  not  do  otherwise.  The 
Executive  Committee  of  this  year  and  myself  have  worked  long  and 
hard  to  awaken  an  interest  all  over  the  State  in  this  great  Sabbath-school 
work,  and  we  have  tried  to  induce  many  of  our  best  and  most  influential 
men  to  come  among  us  and  enjoy  and  profit  by  our  present  assembling 
together.     We  have  secured  reduced  fares  on  all  the  railroads  in  the 


12  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

State,  and  have  published  programmes  and  notices  of  Convention  in 
nineteen  papers  scattered  all  over  our  Commonwealth;  have  sent  pro- 
grammes and  addresses,  personal  appeals  by  letter,  to  some  seventy-five 
persons.  From  quite  a  number  of  these  we  have  received  regrets  and 
excuses  for  not  being  able  to  attend;  they,  almost  all,  expressing  a  lively 
interest  in  our  work,  and  bidding  us  God  speed  in  the  efforts  we  are 
putting  forward.  Among  those  who  have  thus  replied  we  may  mention 
Revs.  L.  C.  Yass,  B.  Craven,  J.  R.  Finley,  J.  J.  Renn  and  E.  A.  Yates; 
Gens.  Win.  Johnston  and  R.  D.  Vance,  and  Maj.  Bingham,  and  others. 
As  to  the  success  which  has  attended  our  united  efforts,  the  audience 
before  you  this  evening  is  an  evidence.  I  was  enabled  to  report  last 
year  seven  organized  counties  in  our  State,  although  I  could  procure 
statistics  from  only  five  of  the  seven.  The  organized  counties  then  were 
Cabarrus,  Forsyth,  Orange,  Guilford,  Rowan,  Mecklenburg  and  Stokes. 
From  the  last-mentioned  two.  I  could  receive  no  reports,  although  I 
made  repeated  efforts.  This  year,  I  am  sorry  to  say.  I  have  reports  from 
only  three,  namely.  Forsyth.  Guilford  and  Rowan.  Cabarrus  sends 
nothing,  and  Mecklenburg,  Stokes  and  Orange  report  their  organizations 
as  dead.  By  these  reports  you  will  perceive  that  we  have  retrograded, 
in>read  of  improving  and  advancing  in  county  organization.  This 
should  not  be  so,  and  I  most  earnestly  request  this  meeting  of  our  Asso- 
ciation  to  device  some  measures  by  which  we  can  carry  out  our  much- 
desired  end — a  thorough  State  organization  in  the  Sabbath-school  work. 
I  would  most  respectfully  recommend,  that,  if  we  can  do  no  better,  we 
divide  the  State  into  districts,  an  1  attempt  the  thorough  organization 
of  at  least  one  district,  comprising  ten  or  twelve  counties,  each  year. 
Thi.-  plan,  we  believe,  would  accomplish  more  good  than  any  we  have 
yet  adopted." 

Steps  were  taken  to  divide  the  State  into  districts  and  appoint  organi- 
zers in  each. 

The  Constitution  was  changed  so  as  to  have  three  members  of  the 
Executive  Committee  resident  in  the  same  place  with  the  Statistical 
Secretary,  who  was  made  ex  officio  a  member   of   the  Committee,  in- 
order  that  there  might  be  no  impediment  or  delay  in  the  meeting  of  the 
Committee  for  consultation  or  business. 

The  fifth  State  Convention  was  a  called  meeting,  held  in  Raleigh, 
February  24th,  1882.  This  meeting  was  attended  by  Mr.  E.  Payson 
Porter,  the  International  Statistical  Secretary,  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Kellogg, 
of  Troy,  New  York.  Delegates  were  present  from  Forsyth,  Craven, 
Wake.  Guilford,  Rowan,  Moore,  Orange  and  Franklin. 

Only  three  counties  presented  reports.  The  Secretary  made  an  esti- 
mate of  the  number  of  schools,  scholars  and  teachers  in  the  State  based 
upon  reports  from  these  three  counties,  as  follows:  Number  of  Sunday- 
schools  in  the  State,  4,197;  teachers,  33,576;  scholars,  197,937:  total  teach- 
ers and  scholars,  231,513. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  1& 

The  Counties  of  Guiiford,  Rowan,  Forsyth,  Yancey  and  Cabarrus  were 
reported  as  organized,  but  failed  to  send  reports.  Mecklenburg,  Orange 
and  Stokes  Associations  reported  as  dead. 

The  special  subject  for  discussion  was:  "The  Best  Means  for  Effecting 
County  and  Township  Organizations."  The  speakers  upon  this  subject 
were:  Rev.  J.  Runip'e,  R.  R.  Crawford,  Rev.  J.  M.  Atkinson.  Rev.  L.  W. 
Crawford,  Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley,  J.  T.  Lineback,  H.  Welborn,  E.  P.  Porterr 
H.  A.  Gudger  and  J.  H.  Kellogg. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

"■Resolved,  That  the  State  be  divided  into  districts  of  about  five 
counties  each,  and  that  the  Executive  Committee  add  to  their  list  a 
person  in  each  district,  who  shall  have  as  his  work  the  organizing  of  the 
counties  of  his  district,  and  who  shall  appoint  a  Secretary  in  each  county 
where  no  organization  has  yet  taken  place;  that  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee be  directed  to  make  a  thorough  statistical  canvass  of  the  State,  and 
be  directed  to  correspond  with  the  Secretary  of  the  International  Sun- 
day-school Convention;  that  the  Executive  Committee  call  for  collec- 
tions during  the  month  of  May  from  each  Sunday-school  in  the  State  for 
the  use  of  the  Executive  Committee;  that  the  Executive  Committee 
appoint  pastors  of  the  various  denominations  to  present  through  the 
press  the  nature  and  advantages  of  this  organization;  that  the  action  of 
the  last  Convention  held  at  Salem,  in  designating  the  R.'vs.  Dr.  Pritch- 
ard,  L.  W.  Crawford  and  J.  Rumple  to  present  the  cause  to  the  various 
religious  denominations,  is  hereby  approved  and  renewed:  that  the 
recommendation  of  the  London  Sunday-school  Union,  of  special  days 
of  pi-ayer  for  Sunday-schools,  be  carried  out  in  this  State."' 

The  sixth  State  Convention  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Winston,  November  1,  18S2.  Delegates  were  present  from  Davidson, 
Forsyth,  Rowan,  Craven.  Wake  and  Davie.  Reports  were  received 
from  the  counties  of  Rowan,  Davie,  Person.  Cabarrus,  Guilford,  Forsyth 
and  Davidson.  Organizations  were  reported  as  existing  in  Greene,  Ire- 
dell and  Stanly,  but  no  reports  from  them.  Ten  counties  were  reported 
as  organized,  a  gain  of  seven  over  the  preceding  year.  The  following 
officers  were  elected:  Rev.  C.  H.  Wiley,  President;  E.  A.  Ebert,  Secre- 
tary; H.  E.  Fries,  Assistant  Secretary;  Rev.  F.  H.  Johnston,  Treasurer; 
J.  T.  Lineback,  Rev.  E.  Rondthaler,  Rev.  T.  H.  Pegram,  Rev.  J.  Rumple 
and  R.  R.  Crawford  Executive  Committee.  The  report  of  the  Treasurer 
showed  $15  raised  during  the  year,  $25  paid  to  the  International 
Association.  In  the  interim  between  the  fifth  and  sixth  Conventions, 
the  Executive  Committee  had  arranged  a  portion  of  the  State  into  dis- 
tricts and  appointed  Vice-Presidents  as  organizers  for  each.  The  Con- 
vention was  encouraged  by  the  progress  made,  and  pledges  were  made 
by  several  to  effect  further  organizations  during  the  succeeding  year. 
The  closing  night-service  of  this  last  Convention  of  the  old  organization 
was  held  in  the  Moravian  Church  in  Salem.     A  meeting  of  the  State  Exec- 


14  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

utive  Committee  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Rev.  F.  H.  Johnston,  in 
Winst  n,  October  11,  1883,  at  which  it  was  decided  that  no  State  Con- 
vention be  held  that  year.  I  quote  the  following  from  the  record:  "Upon 
motion,  the  President,  Dr.  Wiley,  was  instructed  to  prepare  an  address, 
which  is  to  be  signed  by  the  members  of  this  Committee,  and  addressed 
to  the  Sunday-schools  of  the  State  and  published  in  the  papers,  in 
which  it  is  to  be  stated,  that  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  State  Sunday- 
school  Conventions  for  the  past  two  years  have  been  held  in  this  com- 
munity, ami  inasmuch  as  tiiis  Committee  have  no  invitations  for  the 
Convention  to  meet  in  other  localities,  this  Committee  has  concluded  not 
to  call  a  meeting  of  the  State  Association  this  year." 

Thus  ended  the  long  and  well-fought  battle  against  opposition,  indiffer- 
ence and  apathy.  To  the  little  band  of  God's  most  faithful  laborers,  who 
stood  up.  so  manfully  and  so  patiently,  against  great  discouragements, 
too  much  praise  cannot  be  accorded.  The  harvest  seems  not  to  have 
been  sufficiently  ripened.  Denominational  prejudices  were  too  strong 
to  permit  of  this  intt ^--denominational  work.  Thought  had  not  been 
trained  to  perceive  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a  union  of  the 
efforts  of  all  Christians,  but,  thanks  to  the  efforts  of  this  defeated,  yet 
victorious;  forerunner  of  the  great  movement  now  in  hand:  thanks  to 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor,  the  Womans'  Christian  Temperance  Union,  the  evangelistic 
labors  of  Pearson,  Jones  and  others,  and  other  interdenominational 
agencies  used  by  the  Master  in  these  latter  years  for  the  drawing  together 
of  all  denominations  in  promoting  the  advancement  of  His  kingdom,  we 
are  permitted  to  see  brighter  days  than  did  those  faithful  soldiers  of  the 
cross  of  whose  labors  I  have  given  a  brief  account.  If  we.  with  the- 
advantages  given  us  by  the  labors  of  the  agencies  above  named,  strive 
as  earnestly  and  faithfully  as  did  the  members  of  the  former  State  Asso- 
ciation, a  great  success  is  before  us. 

The  work  laid  down  by  these  brethren  in  1883  remained  until  Febru- 
ary, 1888,  when  Mr.  Wm.  Reynolds,  the  President  of  the  International 
Sunday-school  Association,  came  to  North  Carolina,  and  after  visiting- 
several  of  the  larger  towns  in  the  State,  worked  up  an  interest  that  cul- 
minated in  the  calling  of  a  State  Convention,  which  was  held  at  the 
Edenton  Street  Methodist  Church,  in  Raleigh,  March  21,  22  and  23,  1888. 
Delegates  were  present  from  twenty-five  counties,  namely:  Chatham. 
Cleveland,  Craven,  Cumberland.  Durham.  Davidson.  Forsyth.  Franklin, 
Granville,  Guilford.  Harnett.  Johnston,  Lenoir,  Mecklenburg,  Moore, 
New  Hanover,  Orange,  Richmond.  Robeson.  Rowan,  Vance,  Wake, 
Warren,  Wilson  and  Wayne.  The  following  officers  were  elected: 
President,  E.  J.  Parrish,  of  Durham:  Vice  Presidents,  Rev.  L.  C.  Vass, 
of  New  Bern;  Mr.  F.  H.  Fries,  of  Salem,  Rev.  C.  B.  King,  of  Salisbury: 
Rev.  S.  W.  Coe.  of  Henderson;  Rev.  W.  G.  Clements  and  Prof.  I.  C.  Blair, 
of  Raleigh;  Secretary,  Prof  J.  W.  Gore,  of  Chapel  Hill:  Assistant  Secre- 


Sunday-School  Convention.  15 

tary,  Rev.  W.  L.  Cuninggim;  Treasurer.  Mr.  John  T.  Pullen.of  Raleigh: 
Executive  Committee,  N.  B.  Broughton.  J.  T.  Lineback.  J.  W.  Wellons. 
W.  S.  Primrose,  F.  S.  Harris,  W.  H.  Reisner,  W.  J.  Young,  S.  F.  Tom- 
linson  and  J.  R.  Mendenhall.  Subscriptions  made  in  furtherance  ot 
the  organization  of  the  work  in  the  State  amounted  to  $685.  Many  of 
the  delegates  pledged  to  work  up  organizations  in  their  counties. 

The  Convention  of  last  year  at  Charlotte  is  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the 
delegates  to  this  Convention,  and  does  not  need  further  mention.  The 
officers  are  named  in  the  programme.  Twenty  counties  were  reported 
as  organized;  to-day  we  have  forty-nine. 

Recently  steps  have  been  taken  towards  organizing  the  colored  people 
into  an  Inter-denominational  Sunday-school  Association.  A  Durham 
County  Colored  Sunday-school  Association  was  organized  last  fall.  That 
Convention  appointed  a  Committee  to  issue  a  call  and  arrange  for  a 
State  Colored  Sunday- echool  Convention  to  be  held  in  Durham  at  such 
time  as  the  Committee  might  think  best.  After  correspondence  with 
Mr.  Wm.  Reynolds,  President  of  the  Intel-national  Sunday-school  Asso- 
ciation, who  consented  to  attend  and  assist  in  the  organization,  it  was 
decided  to  hold  a  Convention  on  last  Saturday,  February  22d.  The  call 
was  made  and  as  full  notice  given  among  the  colored  people  as  possible. 
The  attendance  was  not  large,  but  an  organization  was  effected  that,  it 
is  believed,  will  extend  its  borders  until  the  entire  State  is  embraced 
within  its  folds.  Delegates  present  made  pledges  to  organize  the  work 
in  several  of  the  counties  in  the  central  portion  of  the  State.  At  this 
initiatory  State  Convention  it  was  decided  to  hold  a  second  Convention 
at  Greensboro  on  the  15th  of  May  next,  at  which,  it  is  hoped  and  confi- 
dently expected,  a  good  representation  from  all  parts  of  the  State  will 
be  present.  We  are  advancing  Christ's  kingdom  when  assisting  the 
colored  people  to  establish  Sunday-schools  as  much  as  when  laboring  in 
the  interest  of  those  of  our  own  color,  and  I  earnestly  request  that  all 
Sunday-school  workers  assist  these  colored  people  in  organizing  their 
work  in  the  several  counties  of  the  State.  Their  work  will  assist  us,  at 
least  in  the  collection  of  complete  statistics. 

We  can  justly  claim  that  a  great  forward  movement  has  been  made 
<luring  the  past  year.  Although  our  statistical  machinery  is  not  as  yet 
in  good  working  order,  and  we  have  imperfect  reports  from  many  of  the 
counties  rep  )rted  as  organized,  we  have  much  to  encourage  us.  Some 
of  our  plans  are  not  fully  matured  and  some  have  not  been  carried  out 
as  was  expected,  yet  we  have  enough  of  success  to  urge  us  forward  to 
renewed  efforts  in  the  year  before  us,  and  to  anticipate  the  day  when 
we  shall  see  the  full  realization  of  our  aim.  namely: 

1.  A  Sunday-school  within  reach  of  every  home  in  our  State. 

2.  A  Convention,  at  least  once  each  year,  within  reach  of  eveiy  Sun- 
dav-school  teacher. 


16  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

3.  A  working  Sunday-school  organization  in  every  county  and  town- 
ship. 

4.  The  visitation  of  every  house,  to  invite  all  to  Church  and  Sunday- 
school,  and  to  make  known  to  all  God's  free  offer  of  salvation  through 
Jesus  Christ. 


WORK  IN  OTHER  STATES. 


BY  MR.    WM.    REYNOLDS. 

(Reported  by  Secretaiy.) 


Illinois  is  the  best  organized  State.  Not  one  of  the  one  hundred  and 
twenty  counties  failed  to  hold  Conventions  in  twenty  years.  Last  year 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  Conventions  were  held  in  the 
State.  Trains  are  chartered  for  delegates  to  State  Conventions.  Town- 
ship Conventions  do  more  good  than  larger  ones.  Instruction  given 
where  most  needed.  Inter-denominational  Conventions  for  town- 
ships have  the  advantage  of  Denominational  Conventions,  for  one 
denomination  is  too  small  in  a  limited  area  to  get  up  much  enthusiasm. 
The  Sunday-school  workers  of  Illinois  are  not  going  to  rest  until  every 
township  is  organized  and  every  family  visited  and  invited  to  enlist  in 
the  cause.  The  world  will  never  be  evangelized  until  this  personal  work 
is  done.  One  county,  with  no  railroad  or  other  public  means  of  com- 
munication, had,  three  years  ago,  only  three  Churches  and  five  Sunday- 
schools.  A  person  was  sent  to  that  county  by  the  State  Convention  to 
visit  from  house  to  house,  and  the  report  to  the  last  Convention  was 
seventeen  Churches  and  four  hundred  and  seventeen  conversions  during 
the  year.  The  efficient  work  of  laymen  due  largely  to  intelligent  study 
of  the  Bible. 

The  New  England  States  are  moving  forward  rapidly  in  this  work. 
Due  largely  to  the  ministers,  though  the  laity  are  entering  into  it  and 
the  clergy  not  relaxing. 

Western  States  never  before  doing  so  satisfactorily,  and  the  South 
working  well.  Know  of  no  State  equal  to  this  one  in  its  progress  the 
past  two  years.  Rejoice  over  the  evident  progress.  We  must  join  forces 
if  we  are  to  overcome  the  devil.  Churches  must  stand  shoulder  to 
shoulder  and  work  hand  in  hand.  Our  best  work  is  upon  the  children. 
Eveiw  Southern  State  will  be  organized  bef  ire  the  next  International 
Convention.  Began  work  last  week  by  attending  two  District  Conven- 
tions in  Virginia.  Now  here,  and  will  attend  Conventions  in  the  follow- 
ing S'ates  and  Territories  between  now  and  June:  South  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Ala! jama,  Louisiana, Texas,  Arizona,  California,  Oregon,  Wash- 
ington, British  Columbia.  Idaho,  Utah,  Montana,  North  Dakota,  South 
Dakota,  Minnesota.     Want  you  to  pray  for  me  and  the  work. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  17 

The  International  Convention,  to  be  held  in  Pittsburg  in  June,  will  be 
perhaps  the  greatest  religious  meeting  ever  held.  Want  you  to  send  a 
good  delegation.  Lesson  Committee  for  the  next  seven  years  to  be 
selected,  and  other  important  business. 

God  has  given  us  a  magnificent  field — a  wonderful  literature — and 
added  His  blessing  to  our  efforts.  Sunday-school  people  are  working 
for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Improvement  is  needed;  ideal  not  reached. 
God  help  every  one  to  stand  in  his  place. 


Tuesday  Evening. 
Praise  service,  led  by  Rev.  J.  J.  Hall. 

REPORT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  TO  THE  NINTH 

STATE  CONVENTION. 

The  Executive  Committee,  appointed  at  the  last  State  Sunday- 
school  Convention,  held  at  Charlotte  April  2d.  3d  and  4th,  1889,  respect- 
fully report: 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this  Association  we  meet  in  the 
South-eastern  portion  of  the  State — in  the  good  city  of  Wilmington.  A 
cordial  invitation  was  extended  us,  and  we  have  been  warmly  welcomed 
to  this  city.  Let  us  pray  that  God's  richest  blessings  may  rest  upon  the 
Convention,  and  a  gracious  benediction  come  to  the  churches,  Sunday- 
schools  and  homes  of  Wilmington. 

This  Convention  is  held  in  the  closing  year  of  a  decade  in  which  great 
advances  have  been  made  in  the  Sunday-school  work,  not  only  in  this 
State,  but  throughout  the  United  States  and  the  whole  world.  A  con- 
siderable forward  movement  has  been  made  in  this  State. 

Your  Committee  has  held  two  meetings,  the  first  at  Durham,  May  2d. 
at  which  meeting  the  State  was  divided  into  twelve  Sunday-school  Dis- 
tricts, as  follows: 

First  District. — Currituck,  Camden,  Pasquotank,  Chowan,  Per- 
quimans, Gates,  Hertford,  Bertie,  Martin,  Washington,  Tyrrell  and 
Dare. 

Second  District. — Hyde,  Beaufort,  Pamlico,  Carteret,  Craven,  Jones 
and  Pitt. 

Third  District. — Onslow,  Pender,  New  Hanover,  Brunswick,  Colum- 
bus and  Bladen. 

Fourth  District. — Northampton,  Halifax,  Edgecombe,  Nash,  Frank- 
lin, Warren  and  Vance. 

Fifth  District. — Wilson,  Wayne,  Lenoir,  Greene,  Duplin,  Sampson. 
Johnston  and  Wake. 
9 


18  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Sixth  District. — Granville,  Durham.  Person,  Caswell,  Alamance. 
Orange  and  Chatham. 

Seventh  District. — Harnett.  Moore.  Montgomery,  Cumberland. 
Robeson.  Richmond.  Anson  and  Stanly. 

Eighth  District.— Rockingham,  Guilford.  Randolph,  Stokes,  Forsyth, 
Davidson.  Surry.  Yadkin  and  Davie. 

Ninth  District. — Iredell,  Cabarrus.  Rowan,  Union,  Mecklenburg, 
Gaston.  Lincoln.  Cleveland  and  Catawba. 

Tenth  District. — Alleghany,  Watauga,  Alexander,  Ashe.  Wilkes, 
Burke  and  Caldwell. 

Eleventh  District. — Madison,  Buncombe,  Henderson,  Mitchell, 
Yancey.  McDowell.  Rutherford  and  Polk. 

Twelfth  District.— Cherokee,  Clay,  Graham.  Swain,  Macon,  Jack- 
sou.  Haywood  and  Transylvania. 

It  was  agreed  that  all  counties  which  hold  a  County  Convention  and  a 
Convention  in  each  township  during  the  year  (except  in  cases  where 
two  townships  are  combined  for  the  purpose)  should  be  designated  as 
"  banner"  counties:  and  that  those  districts  in  which  every  county  is  a 
"  banner  "  county,  should  be  designated  as  "  banner"  districts. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  representation  in  the  State  Convention  should 
consist  of  members  of  the  State  Executive  Committee,  all  speakers 
named  upon  the  programme  of  the  Convention,  and  five  delegates  from 
each  county. 

H.  N.  Snow  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Commiteemen  E.  J.  Parrish.  G.  W.  Watts  and  H.  N.  Snow  were 
appointed  a  sub-committee,  and  authorized  to  select  and  appoint  a  Presi- 
dent for  each  of  the  twelve  districts,  and  to  arrange  a  programme  for 
the  next  State  Convention,  which  programme  should  be  submitted  to 
and  ratified  by  the  Executive  Committee  at  its  next  session. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  District  Conventions,  when  held,  should  elect 
District  Presidents  for  the  ensuing  year,  who  should  hereafter  become 
the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  State  Association. 

It  was  agreed  that  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  be  paid  their 
necessary  travelling  expenses  in  attending  the  meetings  of  the  Commit- 
tee. The  Statistical  Secretary  was  instructed  to  provide  blanks  for  use 
of  the  several  counties  in  collecting  statistics.  County  Secretaries  were 
notified  of  this  action  of  the  Committee,  and  several  counties  have  been 
supplied  with  these  statistical  blanks.  It  is  hoped  that  all  the  counties 
as  organized  will  use  these  blanks,  that  uniformity  in  gathering  statistics 
may  be  secured.  The  sub-committee  for  that  purpose,  has,  during  the 
year,  made  the  following  appointments  of  District  Presidents: 

Second  District — Prof.  G.  T.  Adams,  Newbern. 

Fifth  District— Rev.  R.  H.  Whitaker,  Raleigh. 

Sixth  District — Mr.  J.  H.  Southgate.  Durham. 
Seventh  District — Capt.  Wm.  Black.  Maxton. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  19 

Eighth  District — Rev.  P.  L.  Groome,  Greensboro. 

Ninth  District— Mr.  H.  C.  Dunn,  Clear  Creek. 

Tenth  District— Rev.  D.  M.  Litaker.  Wilkesboro. 

As  no  resident  organizer  could,  after  much  correspondence,  be  induced 
to  undertake  the  work,  Mr.  H.  C.  Dunn,  of  Clear  Creek,  was,  after  com- 
pleting the  organization  of  the  ninth  district,  appointed  as  organizer  of 
the  first,  fourth,  eleventh  and  twelfth  districts,  but  has,  as  yet,  failed 
to  effect  the  organization  of  a  s-ingle  county  in  those  districts.  He  has 
written  a  great  many  letters  in  endeavoring  to  get  residents  of  those 
districts  to  call  conventions,  which  it  was  his  purpose  to  attend.  We 
trust,  however,  that  these  districts  will  be  thoroughly  organized  before 
the  next  State  Convention. 

The  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  due  Mr.  Dunn  for  the  earnest  zeal 
he  has  given  to  this  work.  Such  men  are  rare  in  this  State,  and  they 
should,  when  found,  be  cherished. 

The  Secretary  of  your  Committee  has,  during  the  year,  written  more 
than  500  letters,  mainly  in  endeavoring  to  secure  organizers  for  the  dis- 
tricts, and  to  ministers  and  others  interested  in  the  Sunday-school  work, 
urging  them  to  call  conventions  and  organize  County  Associations. 
Some  of  these  letters  are  unanswered,  and  many  others  seem  to  have 
accomplished  nothing.  Your  Committee  is,  however,  glad  to  be  able  to 
report,  that,  through  the  exertions  of  the  District  Presidents,  twenty-six 
counties  have  been  organized  during  the  year,  making  the  number  of 
organized  counties  forty-six,  more  than  doubling  the  number  so  reported 
at  the  last  Convention. 

The  sixth,  seventh,  ninth  and  tenth  districts  are  completely  organized, 
and  much  praise  is  due  the  Presidents  of  those  districts  for  their  earnest, 
effective  work.  The  Secretary  of  your  Committee  took  in  hand  the 
matter  of  arranging  a  programme,  and  securing  speakers  for  this  Con- 
vention, which  necessitated  considerable  correspondence,  but  the  result 
more  than  pays  for  the  labor  expended. 

A  second  meeting  of  your  Committee  was  held  in  Durham,  January 
11th.  At  which  meeting  the  date  for  holding  this  Convention  was 
changed  from  April  9th,  10th  and  11th,  to  February  25th,  26th  and  27th,  , 
in  order  that  Mr.  Reynolds  might  be  present  with  us.  The  programme 
of  the  Convention  was  submitted  and  approved,  and  a  thousand  copies 
each  of  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  North  Carolina  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  of  a  published  letter  of  our 
President,  both  relative  to  this  Association  work,  were  ordered  to  be 
printed  and  circulated. 

COUNTY  CONVENTIONS. 

Two  districts  and  thirty-six  counties  in  the  State  have  held  conven- 
tions this  year,  and  the  number  of  township  conventions  reported  is 
twent3'-three — making  a.  total  of   conventions  held,   sixty-one.     As  a 


20  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

whole,  the  conventions  have  been  good,  and  a  marked  advance  lias 
been  made.  "  It  has  been  proved  that  even  in  the  most  needy  counties, 
a  good  Convention  can  be  held  if  proper  effort  is  put  forth.  In  many 
cases.  Convention  failures  may  be  denned  as  the  collapse  of  enthusiasm. 
Often  too  much  attention  is  given  to  large  attendances,  and  too  much 
is  sacrificed  to  show  or  to  please,  and  not  enough  thought  and  effort  is 
given  to  secure  representative  workers  from  all  parts  of  the  county, 
and  thoroughly  consider  and  plan  the  work  for  the  year.  We  submit 
to  the  counties  the  following  outline:  Choose  the  best  time  for  your 
Convention;  do  not  leave  it  so  fixed  by  law  that  it  cannot  be  changed,  if 
necessary;  prepare  the  programme  to  bring  out  all  the  work,  and  all  the 
needs  of  the  county;  secure  competent  persons  for  each  part;  insist  that 
all  lectures  or  addresses  be  prepared  for  the  subject  and  occasion:  give 
early  and  frequent  notices  to  all  pastors  and  Sunday-school  workers; 
and,  in  addition,  have  all  the  townships  of  the  county  visited,  and 
meetings  held  within  one  month  previous  to  the  Convention  and  a  dele- 
gation from  each  school  pledged  to  attend.  Keep  constantly  before  the 
Convention,  as  a  part  of  your  purpose  and  plan,  the  systematic  house- 
to-house  visitation  of  the  county  each  year.'' 

Brethren,  organization  must  mean  something.  We  must  be  in  earn- 
est, and  we  think  our  plan  should  be  this:  We  should  go  into  a  county, 
tind  out  the  man  who  has  this  question  at  heart,  and  ask  him  to  call  a 
Convention:  not  for  the  sake  of  nominating  some  distinguished  mau 
to  preside  over  it,  but  to  have  Christians  look  each  other  in  the  face 
and  ask  the  question,  "  What  can  we  do?"  and  then  answer  it,  and  to 
bring  before  them  the  thought  of  personal  consecration.  We  do  not 
want  to  ignore  the  advantage  of  correspondence  through  the  mail. 
Letters  well  written  and  judiciously  sent,  may  accomplish  a  great  deal; 
but  there  is  an  old  expression,  "If  you  want  a  thing  well  done,  do  it 
yourself;  if  you  want  it  half  done,  send  a  boy;  "  and  we  think  we 
might  add,  "  If  you  don't  want  it  done  at  all,  send  a  postal  card." 

The  thing  we  need  is  a  few  more  men  and  women  to  give  themselves 
to  this  work.  We  want  county  ofhceis  in  the  Executive  Committees 
who  will  divide  up  our  counties.  If  we  have  twelve  townships,  let 
there  be  a  President,  a  Secretary,  and  a  Vice-President,  and  three  mem- 
bers of  the  Executive  Committee,  which  would  divide  the  county  into 
two  townships  for  each.  Let  the  President  say,  "  I  will  take  these  two 
townships  and  see  that  a  Convention  is  held  in  each  one  of  them  this 
year,  and  I  will  personally  attend  to  it."  Then  let  the  other  members 
of  the  Executive  Committee  take  the  other  parts  of  the  county  and  each 
say,  "I  will  personally  see  that  a  Convention  is  held,  and  I  will  person- 
ally attend  to  it." 

The  township  work  must  be  done  on  a  similar  system.  The  township 
President  should  associate  with  him  the  Superintendent  of  every  school 
in  the  township,  as  a  part  of  his  Executive  Committee;  that  will  get 


Sunday-School  Convention.  21 

together  and  look  the  work  in  the  face;  and  they  must  take  the  time  to 
meet,  consult,  plan  for  and  carry  on  the  work.  It  will  not  go  without 
some  one  to  push  it.  We  find,  in  the  work,  that  these  brethren  are  hard 
do  reach  by  letters,  and  hard  to  reach  when  we  send  another:  yet,  let  you 
and  I  go  to  them  with  warm,  loving  words,  with  zeal  for  the  Lord's 
cause  that  we  love,  and  earnest  desire  to  reach  and  save  the  children, 
and  the  middle  walls  of  partition  will  be  broken  down.  We  find  that 
the  question  of  denominationalism  disappears  in  the  grand  thought  of 
reaching  and  saving  the  children.  Let  there,  then,  be  a  purpose  in  all 
our  organizations. 

From  the  report  of  the  Statistical  Secretary,  it  will  be  seen  that  there 
are  287.185  persons  connected  with  the  Sunday  schools  of  the  State. 
It  must  be  seen  at  a  glance  that  this  work  has  attained  a  very  great 
magnitude,  and  it  should  be  remembered  that,  practically,  all  branches 
of  the  church  of  Christ  are  united  in  this  service.  There  are  only  two 
organizations  that  can,  in  any  sense,  claim  to  represent  the  united 
church.  One  of  these,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  which, 
while  greatly  owned  of  God  and  very  useful,  is,  after  all,  the  effort  of 
a  class,  or  portion  of  the  church,  to  reach  a  class:  the  other,  the  Sunday- 
school,  is  the  only  agency  where  all  the  church  unites  in  an  effort  to 
reach  all  the  people.  Our  motto  is  short  and  good — "All  for  All"  ;  but 
while  we  rejoice  in  the  privilege  of  working  for  all,  and  gladly  welcome 
all  to  the  school,  our  blessed  mission  is  primarily  to  the  young.  This 
does  not  lessen— it  increases  the  responsibility.  "  The  children  of  to-day 
will,  in  twenty  years,  wield  the  social  and  civil  power  of  the  globe- 
Whoever  wins  the  youth,  wins  the  world."  And  in  view  of  this,  it  has 
been  said,  "  Your  responsibility  would  be  appalling,  were  not  your  labor 
so  hopeful."  The  possibilities  are  seen  in  the  great  advance  made  since 
the  International  Lessons  were  adopted.  It  can  truly  be  said,  more  are 
studying  the  Word  of  God,  and  those  who  study,  are  studying  it  better 
than  ever  before.  Many  of  the  best  ministers,  missionaries  and  teach- 
ers, and  a  large  majority  of  all  who  join  the  church  on  profession  of 
faith,  are  from  the  Sunday-school.  With  everything  to  encourage  us, 
shall  we  hesitate  to  go  forward  when  the  demand  is  so  great?  Of  the 
possible  290,000  now  enrolled  in  our  Sunday-schools,  doubtless  one-third 
are  adults,  leaving  not  more  than  193,000  children.  But  in  our  popu- 
lation of,  say  1,500,000,  more  than  one-third,  or  at  least  500,000,  are 
children  under  twelve  years,  and  more  than  612,000  are  of  school  age. 
If  Mrs.  Browning  startled  a  nation  with  "  The  Cry  of  the  Children,"  how 
ought  the  church  of  Christ  in  America  to  arouse  at  the  cry  of  neglected 
ones! 

Your  Committee  most  earnestly  recommends  the  employment  of 
SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ORGANIZERS, 

who  shall  be  employed  either  by  the  State  or  County  Associations,  and 
who  shall  devote  a  portion  or  all  of  their  time  to  the  extension  of  the 


22  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

work  in  the  territory  for  which  they  are  employed.  Mr.  B.  F.  Jacobs, 
Chairman  of  the  International  Executive  Committee,  says,  in  effect,  as 
follows: 

•'  From  the  experience  gained  in  Illinois,  we  are  convinced  that  more 
missionary  work  is  needed  in  the  State.  In  many  counties  the  whole 
time  of  an  organizer  of  Sunday-schools  can  be  profitably  employed 
under  the  direction,  not  of  some  other  society,  but  of  the  County  Sun- 
day-school Executive  Committee,  and  we  urge  this  upon  the  considera- 
tion of  all  county  officers.  But,  especially,  we  need  the  services  of 
several  organizers  working  under  the  direction  of  the  State  Executive 
Committee,  in  conference  with  the  County  Committees,  in  the  most 
needed  localities:  ten  would  not  be  too  many,  and  we  urge  that  provision 
be  made  for  at  least  five.  It  costs  more  to  convict  one  criminal  and 
send  him  to  prison,  than  it  does  to  support  an  organizer;  and  it  costs 
more  to  keep  the  State  prisons  filled,  than  it  would  to  maintain  ten 
organizers  in  each  county  in  the  State." 

Some  plan  should  be  tried  to  reach  the  children,  and  your  Committee 
believes  the  best  plan  is  systematic  house-to-house  visitation.  We  urge 
every  county  in  the  State  to  begin  this  work.  Wherever  it  is  possible, 
let  a  Sunday-school  organizer  be  employed  and  the  work  done  under 
the  direction  of  the  County  Committee:  but  do  not  neglect  or  despise 
the  importance  of  volunteer  woi  kers  and  visitors. 

We  believe  an  earnest  and  persistent  effort  would  add  100.000  to  the 
membership  of  the  Sunday-schools  of  this  State.  Thoughtful  men  are 
convinced  that  the  closing  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  constitute  a 
momentous  crisis  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  There  is  a  march  of 
events  that  will  not  tarry.  Other  agencies  have  made  a  temporary 
effect  for  ^cood,  but  we  believe  the  statement  that  "  The  Gospel  must 
furnish  the  solution  of  the  great  social  problems:  "  and  we  believe  that 
of  all  the  gospel  instrumentalities  used  by  the  church,  the  Sunday-school 
has  the  first  place,  because  it  lias  the  children  and  the  youth. 

Your  Committee  recommends  to  the  attention  of  the  Convention 

NEIGHBORHOOD   CONFERENCES. 

The  manner  of  holding  these  conferences  is  clearly  explained  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Connecticut  State  Association.     He  says: 

•'  One  thing  which  we  have  learned  is.  that  we  must  go  to  the  people: 
and  that  we  cannot  expect  them  to  come  to  us.  We  apply  this  idea  in 
our  Convention  work.  A  few  years  ago  we  found  that,  although  con- 
ventions had  been  held  all  over  our  State  for  twenty-five  years  and  more, 
still  there  were  hundreds  of  Sunday-school  teachers  who  had  never 
attended  one.  The  conventions  had  been  held  in  the  cities  and  larger 
towns  at  central  points,  and  it  had  been  supposed  that  the  people  within 
a  radius  of  eight  or  ten  miles  would  attend.  A  great  many  did.  but 
many  more  did  not.     Then  we  began,  in  a  sort  of  experimental  way.  a 


Sunday-School  Convention.  23 

plan  of  holding  meetings  in  the  smaller  towns  and  neighborhoods. 
Each  of  these  meetings  occupied  only  an  afternoon  or  evening.  They 
were  held  in  churches,  chapels,  school-houses,  and,  in  some  cases,  pri- 
vate dwellings,  wherever  a  Sunday  school  held  its  sessions.  After  a 
time,  we  began  to  arrange  these  in  groups — all  the  parishes  of  two  or 
more  townships  holding  an  afternoon  meeting  in  one  place  and  an  even- 
ing meeting  in  another,  and  so  on  for  three  or  four  days  in  succession. 
The  same  programme  would  be  used  for  each  of  these  meetings,  and 
the  same  speakers  and  workers  worild  attend  each.  Sometimes  we 
would  charter  a  team,  and  three  or  four  would  drive  from  place  to 
place,  conducting  a  sort  of  campaign. 

"  We  have  operated  this  plan  throughout  the  entire  State.  During 
the  past  six  months  we  have  held  more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty 
of  these  conferences.  The  results  have  been  most  gratifying.  One 
pastor  wrote:  '  Our  school  has  increased  fully  one-third  since  the  con- 
ference.' Another  said,  '  For  the  first  time  in  its  history  our  school  has 
continued  through  the  winter,  as  a  result  of  the  conference.'  Other 
testimonies  read:  '  Our  teachers  are  taking  a  much  deeper  interest  in 
their  work ':  '  We  have  established  a  successful  teachers'  meeting ':  '  We 
have  inaugurated  a  systematic  work  of  house-to-house  visitation':  'A 
new  Sunday-school  has  been  started  in  one  of  the  outlying  districts.' 

"  These  meetings  have  been  a  blessing  also  in  bringing  the  members 
of  our  State  Committee  and  other  workers  into  contact  with  the  people. 
This  has  been  mutually  helpful,  and  has  g.iven  our  association  a  stronger 
hold  upon  the  masses.  We  have  endeavored  to  secure  in  every  town 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  and  the  inauguration  of  a  thorough 
and  systematic  work  in  the  line  of  houbi  -to-house  visitation.  Our  plan 
is  to  bring  every  soul  under  gospel  influence. " 

Your  Committee  recommends  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  this 
Convention  the 

woman's  mission  aid. 

One  of  the  most  hopeful  features  of  the  Sunday-school  work,  as 
formulated  and  carried  out  by  the  New  York  State  Sunday-school  Asso- 
ciation, is  the  department  known  as  the  Woman's  Mission  Aid.  The 
direction  of  the  work  in  this  department  devolves  upon  Secretaries 
elected  by  the  various  county  and  town,  associations.  A  Secretary  is 
elected  for  every  township,  who,  in  turn,  secures  a  visitor  in  eA-ery 
school  district,  who  shall  go  into  the  homes,  find  out  as  to  whether  or 
not  the  family  attends  church  and  Sunday  school,  report  to  some  church, 
or  to  the  association,  if  children  lack  the  necessary  clothing  to  enable 
them  to  attend,  and  furnish  Bibles  to  those  who  are  without  them.  If 
children  live  too  far  from  the  churches  and  a  new  school  is  needed,  this 
is  reported  to  the  President  of  the  Township  Association,  and  steps  are 
taken  for  its  organization.     In  order  to  help  the  Secretaries  to  a  better 


24  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

understanding  of  plans  and  methods  of  work,  the  State  Secretary  of 
that  department  of  the  New  York  State  Association  issued  the  following 

SUGGESTIONS  TO   COUNTY   AND  TOWN  MISSION  AID  SECRETARIES. 

Divide  the  town  into  small  districts,  each  to  include  not  more  than 
ten  families. 

Secure  a  visitor  for  each  district  who  shall  visit  every  house  and 
family. 

Furnish  each  visitor  with  a  canvass  book,  in  which  she  shall  enter 
the  name  of  every  family  in  her  district,  and  the  number  of  children 
between  the  ages  of  five  and  twenty-one  in  each  family  who  attend 
Sunday-school  and  where,  and  the  number  who  do  not  attend  and  why. 

Secure  if  possible  the  promise  of  those  who  do  not  attend  to  join  some 
school. 

Ascertain  their  denominational  preferences,  and  report  their  names 
to  the  Superintendent  of  the  school  they  prefer. 

Furnish  a  copy,  of  the  Bible  to  every  family  destitute  of  one. 

When  the  canvass  of  any  neighborhood  remote  from  church  schools 
.shows  that  there  is  a  sufficient  number  of  children  to  warrant  the  forma- 
tion of  a  Mission  School,  steps  should  be  taken  to  organize  one,  securing 
the  cooperation  of  all  Christian  people  in  the  vicinity.  In  connection 
with  these  schools,  neighborhood  prayer-meetings,  temperance  bands 
and  missionary  societies  are  recommended. 

Where  there  are  but  few  children  in  any  remote  locality,  endeavor  to 
find  some  Christian  woman  who  is  willing  to  open  her  house  on  Sabbath 
afternoons  for  a  "home-class,"  to  which  she  can  teach  weekly  the  regu- 
lar Sabbath-school  lesson.  A  record  of  the  names  of  this  class  should 
be  made  and  handed  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  church-school  to 
which  the  teacher  belongs.  He  should  recognize  this  class  as  belonging 
to  his  school,  and  furnish  it  with  lesson-leaves,  singing-books,  etc.  The 
record  of  attendance  should  be  made  weekly  upon  a  card  or  class-book, 
and  reported  to  the  home-schcol  quarterly.  On  anniversary  occasions, 
concerts,  etc..  the  home-class  should  be  invited  to  join  with  the  church- 
school  and  enjoy  the  exercises. 

Canvass  books  with  full  directions  can  be  procured  of  Timothy  Hough, 
Treasurer  of  the  New  York  State  Sunday-school  Association,  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.     Price  two  cents  each,  by  mail  or  express,  prepaid. 

The  Woman's  Mission  Aid  Secretary  of  the  New  York  State  Sunday- 
school  Association,  in  her  report  for  1888,  said  :  'During  the  last  twelve 
months  I  have  found  much  more  encourgement  in  our  special  branch  of 
the  Sunday-school  work  than  in  any  previous  year.  I  have  repeatedly 
asked  the  County  Secretaries  if  they  could  suggest  new  methods  or 
plans  by  which  the  work  could  be  carried  on  more  successfully,  and 
their  reply  has  invariably  been,  'We  know  of  no  better  way  than  the 
one  already  adopted,  visiting  from  door  to  door.'     Just  the  fact  of  our 


Sunday-School  Convention.  25 

going  in  to  make  a  friendly  call,  assures  parents  as  well  as  children, 
chat  we  feel  a  special  interest  in  them,  and  thus  we  are  enabled,  in  most 
cases,  to  secure  the  promise  that  the  children  will  attend  Sunday-school. 
This  year  we  have  not  confined  ourselves  to  gathering  statistics,  but 
have  tried  various  ways  to  interest  both  parents  and  scholars.  Weekly 
prayer- meetings  have  been  held  in  remote  districts,  and  among  the 
poorer  classes  in  some  of  the  cities,  whereby  much  good  has  been  done, 
and  several  conversions  reported.  Home- classes  have  been  formed, 
some  of  which  have  grown  into  union  schools;  and  many  neighborhood 
schools  have  been  organized.  In  the  city  of  Binghampton  three  new 
chapels  have  been  erected  during  the  year — all  springing  from  the  work 
of  our  mission  visitors.  Children  have  been  clothed,  the  hungry  fed, 
the  aged  had  the  Bible  read  to  them,  homes  beautified,  and  the  lonely 
made  glad  by  the  kind  acts  and  the  godly  counsel  of  some  of  our 
devoted  Christian  women.  Neither  has  the  temperance  cause  been  neg- 
lected. Many  have  been  induced  to  join  the  white-ribboners  through 
our  instrumentality.''' 

Your  Committee  asks  the  attention  of  the  State  Convention  to  the 
matter  of 

HOME  SUNDAY-SCHOOL   CLASSES. 

There  are  now  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina  889.362  children  not 
under  any  Sunday-school  instruction.  Very  great  effort  is  made  to 
reach  the  people  dwelling  in  cities  and  villages,  but  as  yet  there  has 
been  no  organized  effort  to  reach  the  thousands  of  children  to  be  found 
upon  farms,  and  in  out-of-the-way  places.  Many  Christian  people  live 
as  if  they  thought  that  Chtist's  work  must  be  confined  to  the  church 
building,  forgetting  that,  in  part,  each  Christian  is  responsible  for  the 
religious  condition  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  lives. 

One  method  of  reaching  these  children  is  by  the  organization  of  neigh- 
borhood schools,  but  in  many  sections  there  are  not  children  enough 
to  make  a  school.  In  such  localities,  and  wherever  possible,  it  is 
proposed  to  organize  Sunday-school  classes,  either  at  the  home  of  the 
teacher,  or  in  any  place  where  the  children  can  meet  together.  These 
classes  are  to  be  recognized  as  members  of  the  church-school  to  which 
the  teacher  belongs,  and  the  class  record  to  be  entered  upon  the  books 
of  the  school. 

The  class-books,  lesson-papers,  singing  books  and  Bibles  are  to  be 
furnished  by  the  parent  school;  the  hour  ol  service  one  that  will  be 
most  convenient  for  the  teacher;  the  scholars  to  be  urged  to  attend  the 
church  services  and  school  as  often  as  convenient,  and  to  be  invited  to 
take  part  in  all  its  entertainments.  The  exercises  of  the  class  should  be 
of  such  a  character  as  would  best  interest  the  scholars,  and  lead  them 
to  Christ  and  His  church. 


26  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Such  work  as  this  will  help  develop  the  working  forces  of  the  church 
of  Christ  in  places  where  it  is  now  idle:  it  will  increase  the  efficiency  of 
Christian  men  and  women,  and  be  obeying  the  Divine  command.  "  Go 
ye  into  the  by-ways  and  hedges  and  compel  them  to  come  in.  that  my 
house  may  be  full."  and  lastly,  it  will  do  much  to  stem  the  tide  of  Sab- 
bath desecration,  that  is  now  flooding  the  land. 

This  inter-denominational  Sunday-school  movement  has  accomplished 
much. 

It  has  promoted  America  to  the  leadership  of  the  world  in  organized 
Bible  teaching. 

Has  brought  it  to  pass  that  we  have  in  the  United  States  one-half  of 
the  Sunday-School  scholars  of  all  nations. 

Has  averaged  three  new  schools  daily,  for  sixty  years,  in  places 
actually  destitute. 

Has  enrolled  a  half  million  of  teachers  and  three  millions  of  pupils. 

Has  originated  and  energized  the  scheme  of  Township.  County.  Dis- 
trict. State.  National,  and  International  conventions. 

Has  established  and  sustained  the  uniform  lesson  system  by  which 
twelve  millions  of  Bible  students  co-operate  for  mutual  profit  in  the  study 
of  the  Word. 

Has  fostered  the  impulse  from  which  sprang  Chautauqua  and  its 
world-wide  sisterhood  of  assemblies  and  reading  circles. 

Has  greatly  enlarged  the  patronage  and  enhanced  the  success  of 
denominational  publishing  houses  and  boards. 

lias  powerfully  promoted  the  spirit  of  Christian  unity  by  which 
churches  are  richly  blest,  and  the  people  of  God  "  made  pefect  in  one." 

A  review  of  tli*-*  work  in  this  ami  other  States  confirms  us  in  the 
belief  that  this  inter-denominational  Sunday-school  oganization  is  a 
necessity.  There  is  a  great  work  for  us  to  do.  The  claim  that  by 
co-operation  the  members  of  the  several  evangelical  churches  can  accom- 
plish a  work  that  cannot  otherwise  be  performed,  finds  support  in  the 
report  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance  of  the  United  States,  as  follows: 

••  Organization  is  one  of  the  most  marked  characteristics  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  civilization.  It  is  necessary  to  great  results — whether 
in  comnifrcial  business,  political  or  religious  enterprise.  Intelligent 
co-operation  would  strengthen  every  denomination,  and  greatly  increase 
the  effectiveness  of  each." 

A  careful  study  of  the  history  and  results  of  Sunday-school  work,  as 
carried  forward  by  this  and  similar  Associations,  "will  lead  to  the 
admission  that  there  is  no  other  plan  for  '  intelligent  and  comprehensive 
co-operation'  that  has  such  a  claim  upon  all  Christians  as  organized 
Sunday-school  work:  nor  any  that  promises  such  magnificent  results. 
Admitting  all  that  can  be  claimed  for  any  other  branch  of  church 
work,  we  solemnly  declare  our  belief,  that  in  the  work  performed,  in 
the  results  secured,  and  the  expense  incurred,  the  Sunday-school  is  the 


Sunday-School  Convention.  27 

most  important,  the  most  hopeful,  and  the  most  economical  agency  of 
the  church." 

In  conclusion,  we  recommend  for  the  consideration  of  this  Conven- 
tion— 

First.  The  employment  of  organizers  for  the  first,  second,  fourth, 
fifth,  eighth,  eleventh  and  twelfth  districts,  who  shall  be  paid  ten  dol- 
lars for  each  county  in  the  fourth,  fifth  and  eighth,  and  twelve  dollars 
for  each  county  in  the  first,  second,  eleventh  and  twelfth  districts,  in 
which  an  association  is  organized  by  holding  a  Convention,  electing 
officers,  and  furnishing  the  Secretary  with  a  list  of  the  same. 

Second.  The  election  of  a  lady  Mission  Aid  Secretary,  whose  duty  it 
will  be  to  endeavor  to  secure  the  election  of  a  Woman's  Mission  Aid 
Secretary  in  each  organized  county  and  to  inaugurate  the  work  in 
accordance  with  the  suggestions  made  in  this  report. 

Third.  That  this  Convention  emphasize  the  importance  of  the  employ- 
ment of  at  least  one  Sunday-school  organizer  by  every  organized  county. 

Fourth.  That  the  published  report  of  this  Convention  shall  contain 
the  addresses,  speeches,  and  reports  in  full,  that  workers  throughout 
the  State  may  be  encouraged  in  the  work  before  them. 

Fifth.  That  the  expense  of  publication  of  the  report  be.  as  far  as 
possible,  covered  by  unobjectionable  advertisements  in  the  back  part  of 
the  report,  and  by  a  fixed  charge  for  copies  of  the  report. 

Respectfully  submitted,  H.  N.  SNOW. 

Secretary  of  Committee. 

The  above  report  was  referred  to  the  following  committee: 
W.  A.  Blair,  Wm.  Black,  Rev.  W.  A.  Lutz,  H.  C.  Wall  and 
Rev.  J.  J!  Hall. 

REPORT  OF  STATISTICAL  SECRETARY. 

At  the  State  Convention  held  in  Charlotte  last  April,  no  statistic?  were 
presented  other  than  the  statement  of  the  Secretary  that  twenty  coun- 
ties were  organized.  I  have  now  to  report  that  forty-nine  of  the  ninety- 
six  counties  of  the  State  are  organized,  and  that  thirty-eight  have  held 
conventions  this  year.  Since  our  last  Convention  a  system  for  the  col- 
lection of  statistics  has  been  inaugurated.  We  have  blank  forms  for 
the  reports  of  individual  schools  to  the  County  Secretary  at  the  County 
Convention;  a  large  blank  for  the  use  of  the  County  Secretaries  in 
scheduling  these  individual  school  reports,  and  a  blank  form  for  the 
County  Secretary's  report  to  the  State  Statistical  Secretary,  stating 
names  and  post-office  addresses  of  the  officers  of  the  County  Association, 
and  giving  a  summary  of  the  school  reports.  All  of  these  blank  forms 
are  furnished  to  the  County  Secretaries  at  the  expense  of  the  State 
Association.     Few  of  the  counties  have,  as  yet,  availed  themselves  of 


28 


Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


these  convenient  statistical  forms,  for  the  reason  that  the  greater  num- 
ber were  holding  their  first  Convention  and  were  not  organized  so  as  to 
get  in  these  statistical  reports,  as  will  be  done  hereafter.  Some,  too, 
did  not  know  of  the  existence  of  these  blanks.  For  these  reasons  I 
have  been  unable  to  collect  statistics  through  our  own  organization. 
As  we  have  no  better  means  of  ascertaining  the  numerical  strength  of 
the  Sunday-school  army  in  North  Carolina,  I  have  compiled  from  the 
published  reports  of  the  several  church  denominations  in  the  State  the 
following  statistics,  which  are,  probably,  as  nearly  correct  as  any  we 
might  gather  through  our  own,  or  any  other  system  : 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  STATISTICS  GATHERED   FROM  THE   PUBLISHED   REPORTS 
OF   THE   SEVERAL  CHURCH   DENOMINATIONS  IN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Denomination. 

X 

O 

2 
*-* 

o 

1,600 
975 

69 

61 

108 

167 

5 

198 

18 
101 

44 

99 

75 
31 
25 

15 
46 

139 

414 
130 

4,243 

Teachers 
and 
Officers. 

Scholars. 

Total 
Member- 
ship. 

Remarks. 

Baptist* .     

Methodist  Episcopal,  South 
Methodii-t  Episcopal.  South 
Methodist  Episcopal,  South 

Metliodist  Episcopal 

Methodist  Protestant 

Wesleyan   Metliodist 

Presbyterian 

Associate  Reformed  Pres.  . . 
Episcopal  .     

14.400 

0,  l£i 

707 
536 
534 
899 

19 
1.910 

92 
663 
536 
130 
363 
286 
175 
191) 
395 

720 

1,990 

900 

105.600 
58,692 
4,422 
3.462 
4.698 
7,456 
197 
13,826 
1,438 
5.226 
3,461 
1,030 
3.361 
1.978 
1,500 
1,815 
3,793 

7,256 

19,802 
6,000 

120,000 
65,419 
5,129 
3,998 
5,232 
8.355 
216 
15,736 
1.530 
5,889 
3,997 
1,160 
3.724 
2,264 
1,675 
2.005 
4.188 

7,976 

21,792 

6,900 

287.185 

White  and  col'd. 
N.  C.  Conference. 
Va.Conf.  inN.  C. 
Holston  Conf.  in 
[N.  C. 

Evangelical  Lutheran 

German  Reformed   

Christian .    .    .... 

Christian    ... 

Christian* 

Moravian 

Eastern  Conf. 
Central  Conf. 
Deep  River  Conf. 

Friends 

African  M.  E       

African  M.  E.  Zion 

Estimate  for  omissions. .. 

Totals   

32.172 

255,013 

*  Estimated. 
From  the  latest  published  report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction,  we  learn  that  there  are  in  the  State  580,819  children  between 
the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one.  Of  these  363,982  are  white,  and 
216,837  are  colored.  Our  statistics,  as  compiled  from  the  denominational 
reports,  give  a  total  membership  in  the  Sunday-schools  of  287,185.  It  is 
safe  to  assume  that  one-third  of  that  number  are  persons  over  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  Making  the  deduction,  we  have  a  total  of  191,457 
scholars  between  the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one  in  the  Sunday-schools, 


Sunday-School  Convention.  29 

as  against  580,819  in  the  State,  thus  showing  that  there  are  389,362 
children  between  the  ages  of  six  and  twent-one  that  do  not  attend  any 
Sunday-school. 

From  the  aggregates  of  the  denominational  reports,  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  total  number  of  schools  in  the  State  is  estimated  at  4,243;  total 
number  of  officers  and  teachers,  32,172;  total  number  of  scholars, 
255,013;  total  287,185.  The  present  estimated  population  of  the  State  is 
placed  at  1,655,000,  (the  estimate  of  increase  since  1880  being  20  per 
cent.,  and  estimating  the  exodus  of  colored  people  to  be  25,000),  but 
from  these  figures  there  must  be  deducted  at  least  15  per  cent,  for 
infants  and  those  too  young  to  attend  school,  and  probably  15  per  cent, 
more  for  those  too  old,  infirm  or  unable  to  attend.  This  done,  there 
would  appear  to  be  about  24^y  per  cent,  of  the  entire  population,  after 
making  the  deductions  named  above,  connected  with  the  Sunday-schools 
of  the  State;  or  17T3Ifff  per  cent,  of  the  total  population  without  making 
such  deductions.  Nineteen  States  of  the  Union  show  a  greater  per- 
centage of  population  in  Sunday-school,  notably,  Connecticut  24|, 
Maryland  24J-,  Nebraska  22^-.  Nine  States  of  the  Union  and  the  District 
of  Columbia  haiie  every  county  organized.  Cabarrus  and  Durham 
counties  are  designated  on  the  map  as  "banner"  counties.  Each  has 
held  a  County  Convention  and  a  Convention  for  each  township;  but 
they  must  yield  the  palm  to  Rowan  County  for  effective  Sunday-school 
work.  Comparisons  are  odious,  but  frequently  of  service  in  illustration. 
I  can  be  pardoned  in  making  one  comparison,  especially  as  I  represent 
my  own  county  in  a  bad  light.  We  in  Durham  County  think  we  are 
doing  fairly  well  in  the  Sunday-school  work.  What  are  the  facts? 
Durham  County  has  an  area  of  364  square  miles  and  38  Sunday  schools; 
an  average  of  one  school  to  every  nine  and  one-half  square  miles. 
Rowan  County  has  an  area  of  450  square  miles  and  100  Sunday-schools: 
an  average  of  one  school  to  every  four  and  a  half  square  miles.  Durham 
County  has  a  population  of  13,000 — an  average  of  one  school  to  every 
342  of  population.  Rowan  has  a  population  of  19,917 — an  average  of 
one  school  to  every  199  of  population.  Delegates  can  readily  make 
other  comparisons  by  filling  in  on  the  statement  furnished  them,  the 
membership  and  average  attendance  of  the  Sunday-schools  of  their 
counties.  I  think  they  will  find  the  comparisons  interesting  and  profit- 
able, and  many  of  the  counties  far  behind  even  Durham  in  this  work. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  making  the  request  that  all  officers 
of  county  associations  interest  themselves  in  securing  complete  statisti- 
cal reports  from  the  schools  of  their  counties,  that  they  may  be  aggre- 
gated by  the  County  Secretaries  and  by  them  furnished  to  the  State 
Secretary,  that  we  may  be  informed  where  the  more  needy  localities 
are,  that  provision  may  be  made  for  their  assistance  <tnd  relief.  Without 
statistics,  the  State  Convention  will  remain  in  the  dark  as  regards  the 
needs  of  the  different  sections.     Nothing  will  tend  more  to  the  interest 


30  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

of  the  State  Convention  work  than  complete  statistical  returns  from 
the  counties.  Comparison  will  stimulate  workers  to  greater  exertion  in 
the  more  complete  organization  of  their  counties. 

Respectfully  submitted.  H.  N.  SNOW, 

Statistical  Secretary. 
The  report  was  adopted. 

Mr.   A.   M.   McPheeters,   ot*    Raleigh,   then   delivered   an 

address  on  '"  Spiritual  Preparation  Necessary  to  Success  in 

Sunda\ -school    Teaching,"   of   which   the    following   is   an 

abstract  : 

Let  us  first  understand  the  position  and  duties  of  a  Sunday-school 
teacher.  He  cannot,  and  is  not  intended  to  take  the  place  of  either  the 
parent  or  the  pastor.  Nothing  can  absolve  the  parent  from  the  com- 
mand of  God  to  bring  his  child  up  "in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord."  or  of  the  pastor  to  lead  the  lambs  of  his  flock  to  the  "  green 
pastures  and  still  waters  of  salvation.'"  If  the  teacher's  aim  and  pur- 
pose is  to  impart  only  historical,  geographical  or  chronological  instruc- 
tion, then  he  does  not  need  spiritual  preparation;  but  if  his  great  object 
is,  as  it  should  be,  to  lead  those  committed  to  his  care  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  then  he  will  feel  that  spiritual  preparation  is  of  the  first  impor- 
tance. How  shall  this  spiiitual  preparation  be  had  ?  Only  by  going  up 
to  our  ••  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love."  as  teachers,  with  "  prepara- 
tion, diligence  and  prayer." — drink  deep  from  the  inexhaustible  foun- 
tain of  love  and  purity  in  the  Word  of  God:  make  it  the  "  man  of  your 
counsel."     (Jo  from  the  closet  to  the  class. 

"Prayer  makes  the  <  hristian's  arinor  bright; 

And  Satan  trembles  when  lie  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees." 

Bear  each  scholar  on  the  arms  of  your  faith  at  the  throne  of  Grace. 
Let  them  see  and  feel,  that  you  are  spiritually  prepated,  and  that  you 
feel  a  deep  interest  in  their  spiritual  welfare:  that  the  object  of  your 
teaching  is  to  lead  each  of  them  to  know,  love  and  serve  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  We  need  spiritual  preparation  to  give  us  boldness  to  do  our 
whole  duty  as  Sunday  school  teachers:  to  prepare  us  to  make  a  personal 
appeal  and  application  of  the  truths  of  the  Bible  to  each  one  of  our 
scholars — for  the  want  of  this  spiritual  preparation  we  are  too  often 
cowards.  In  the  faithful  discharge  of  our  duties  as  Christian  workers 
in  the  Sunday-school,  as  well  as  out  of  it,  we  should  not  dare  to  go  into 
this  work  without  Divine  help.  God  has  promised  to  give  the  wisdom 
and  power  we  need. 

The  address  was  closed  with  an  earnest  appeal  for  conse- 
cration and  devotion. 

The  Convention  sang  in  closing, "  While  the  days  are  going 
by."     Benediction  by  Rev.  B.  W.  Shaw. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  31 


SECOND  DAY— Morning  Session 

Wednesday,  February  26,  1890. 

Convention  called  to  order  by  the  President,  Dr.  Pritchard. 

Praise  service  led  by  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau. 

The  subject,  "  Better  Conventions,"  was  taken  up  and  dis- 
cussed. Delegates  from  several  counties  reported  the  prog- 
ress of  the  Sunday-school  work  in  their  respective  localities, 
in  many  of  which  organizations  had  been  effected  and  con- 
ventions held. 

Rev.  W.  A.  Lutz  addressed  the  Convention  on  the  subject, 
"  Country  Sunday-schools — their  Peculiar  Difficulties  and 
Demands."  He  spoktj  of  the  trials  which  beset  the  pastor 
whose  labor  is  in  suburban  places,  and  the  many  obstacles 
with  which  he  has  to  contend  to  keep  alive  the  Sunday- 
school  interest.  He  also  offered  several  suggestions,  which 
would  tend  to  remove  or  lessen  the  difficulties  in  the  way. 

Paper  on  "How  to  Teach  the  International  Sunday-school 
Lesson  of  February  23d,  1890,  to  a  Class  of  Adults,"  by 
I.  H.  Foust,  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  writer,  was  not 
read  to  the  Convention  ;  and,  pending  the  discussion  of  the 
question  of  printing  it  in  the  Proceedings,  a  motion  was 
made  to  appoint  a  Committee  on  Publication. 

The  President  appointed  J.  W.  Gore,  H.  N.  Snow,  F.  S. 
Blair,  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  A.  M.  McPheeters  and  S.  W. 
Reid,  on  Committee  of  Publication. 

Method  of  Teaching  the  Primary  Class  was  discussed  by- 
Mr.  Wm.  Reynolds  and  Rev.  J.  J.  Hall. 

The  following  report  of  Treasurer  was  read  and  referred 
to  an  Auditing  Committee,  consisting  of  George  W.  Watts., 
S.  G.  Hall  and  G.  P.  McNeill: 


•   3 


32  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

North  Carolina  State  Sunday-School  Association. 

In  account  with  W.  H.  Sprunt,  Treasurer. 

Dr. 

Balance  from  Treasurer  J.  T.  Pullen.  1888.. .__.$  86  50 

Collection  at  Charlotte.  1889 6138 

County  pledges,  1888  36  00 

County  pledges.  1889 405  71 

Individual  pledges,  1889 .121  00 

Cr. 

Paid  International  Sunday-school  Association $100  00 

Paid  map  for  State,  work 43  24 

Paid  stationery,  printing,  postage,  etc  . . .   -  135  36 

Paid  organizing  districts 130  00 

Paid  railroad  fare,  Mr.  Reisner 7  30 

Balance . 298  69 

$713  59  $713  59 

Balance  First  National  Bank,  Wilmington $298  69 

E.  &  O.  E.  W.  H.  SPRUNT, 

Wilmington,  N.  C.  February  26,  1890.  Treasurer. 

Examined  and  found  correct. 

Geo.  W.  Watts, 
Samuel  G.  Hall, 
G.  P.  McNeill, 

Committee. 

In  connection  with  the  Treasurer's  report,  the  subject  of 
finances  was  taken  up  and  discussed  at  some  length,  prin- 
cipally by  Mr.  Win.  Reynolds,  whose  ideas  and  suggestions 
regarding  this  important  matter  received  profound  attention, 
and,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  pledges  were  called  for 
from  the  different  counties  for  money  with  which  to  more 
successfully  carry  on  the  Sunday-school  work  for  the  coming 
year,  resulting  as  follows: 

County.  Pledged  by.  Amount. 

Beaufort W.  R.  Ware $  10  00 

Chatham ...    A.  H.  Merritt ...     25  00 

Columbus J.  F.  Harrell 25  00 

Cumberland G.  P.  McNeill.... 50  00 

Durham G.  W.  Watts 100  00 


Sunday-School  Convention.  33 

Forsyth.... J.  W.  McCurry $  50  00 

Guilford S.  A.  Kerr 25  00 

Hertford... F.  S.  Blair 5  00 

Iredell H.  H.  Jordan   50  00 

Mecklenburg S.  W.  Reid 100  00 

Montgomery W.  H.  McNeill  25  00 

New  Hanover .  George  Chadburn 100  W 

Pender . J.  H.  Moore 25  00 

Pitt .' R.  B.  John 10  00 

Richmond H.  C.  Wall.. 50  00 

Robeson.......    W.  B.  Harker _.  50  00 

Rowan W.  H.  Reisner 50  00 

Wake A.  M.  McPheeters 25  00 

Wake N.  B.  Broughtou 25  00 

Wake S.  M.  Parrish 25  00 

Wilson  D.  H.  Tuttle 10  00 

INDIVIDUAL  PLEDGES. 

B.  F.  Hall,  Wilmington 25  00 

S.  Northrop,  Wilmington 10  00 

D.  G.  Worth,  Wilmington 10  00 

G.  W.  Williams,  Wilmington... 10  00 

B.  G.  Worth,  Wilmington 10  00 

W.  M.  Poison,  Wilmington 10  00 

W.  H.  Worth,  Wilmington 5  00 

W.  M.  Cumming,  Wilmington 1  00 

W.  M.  Cumming,  (per  S.  S.  class) 1  00 

Berry  Bell,  Wilmington 5  00 

Mrs.  A.  F.  Lucas,  Wilmington 5  00 

J.  B.  Hand,  Wilmington 5  00 

Mrs.  E.  F.  Hancock 5  00 

J.  C.  Brown .  Ansonville 5  00 

J.  H.  Southgate,  Durham 25  00 

Cash  collection 40  03 

On  motion,  $100  were  appropriated  to  the  International 
Sunday-school  Association. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Beardslee,  of  Savannah,  Ga.,  being  called 
upon,  favored  the  Convention  with  a  song,  entitled  "  Throw 
out  the  Life-line." 


34  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


REVIEW  EXERCISES  IN  SUNDAY-SCHOOL— THEIR  VALUE 

AND  METHODS. 


BY   N.    B.    BROTCHTON. 


How  do  you  conduct  the  Quarterly  Review?  has  been  the  question  of 
exchange  between  Sunday-school  Superintendents  ever  since  the  inaug- 
uration of  the  International  system:  and,  by  common  consent,  it  is 
understood  to  be  the  most  difficult  of  all  the  lessons  to  make  profitable 
and  interesting.  In  the  day-school  and  the  college  the  "examination'' 
is  a  part  of  the  regular  course,  and  the  students  progress  and  standing 
is  determined  thereby.  This  should  be  so  iu  the  Sunday-school,  and  if 
the  Review  is  difficult  in  plan  and  interest,  it  is  so  for  want  of  proper 
study  and  preparation.  In  considering  our  subject,  we  have  two  divis- 
ions, viz.:  value  and  methods,  and  we  notice,  therefore,  the  first  in 
order — 

THE  VALUE  OF  THE  REVIEW. 

The  half  hour  devoted  to  a  study  of  the  lesson  each  Sabbath  can  afford 
little  opportunity  for  doing  more  than  opening  the  door  to  a  revelation 
of  the  truths  intended  to  be  taught:  to  find  out  what  has  been  learned 
and  giving  that  which  has  been  acquired  by  the  teacher.  In  doing  this 
from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  the  central  truths  must  be  specially  impressed. 
But  how  shall  we  know  that  progress  has  been  made?  If  truth  lias  not 
been  lodged  in  the  heart,  our  work  i>  in  vain.  There  can  be  no  teaching 
without  learning,  and  no  teacher  should  be  willing  to  continue  in  the 
work  (if  permitted  to  do  so)  who  has  not  received  back,  in  icords  and 
in  actions,  knowledge  of  impressions  male.  How  forcibly  this  is  illus- 
trated in  the  review  questions  of  our  Lord  to  Peter:  "  Jesus  saith  to 
Simon  Peter,  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these? 
He  saith  unto  Him,  Yea,  Lord;  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee.  He  saith 
unto  him.  Feed  my  lambs.  He  saiih  unto  him  the  second  time,"  and 
again  the  third  time.  Peter  was  grieved  that  he  said  unto  him  the  third 
time.  But  can  any  one  doubt  that  Peter  ever  forgot  those  questions  or 
his  answers — aye,  the  very  spot  where  they  were  when  the  Master  put 
them  ? 

How  sweetly  is  that  infant  prayer,  "  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep," 
handed  down  fro qi  generation  to  generation,  and  who  can  estimate  how 
many  lives  have  been  blessed  by  it — how  many  souls  have  gone  out  in 
longing  for  more  knowledge  of  Him  to  whom  the  little  hands  were 
raised,  as  on  bended  knee  beside  the  mother  this  prayer  was  repeated 
over  and  over  again. 

The  Review  is  the  testing  time.  What  has  the  teacher  gained  ?  WThat 
has  the  scholar  accomplished  ?    Let  the  examination  prove. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  35 

The  lessons  of  each  quarter  are  given  us  as  a  chain  of  special  truth, 
and  link  by  link  the  class  is  expected  to  form  this  golden  chain,  and  at 
the  close  each  link  to  be  fastened  by  a  central  rivet  that  shall  bind  us 
more  securely  to  the  heavenly  anchorage. 

Under  the  old  system  of  Sunday-school  teaching,  the  memorizing  of 
Scripture  formed  a  very  important  part  of  the  student's  work,  and  the 
hearing  of  the  same  was  the  teacher's  delight  (for  it  cost  him  no  study 
or  labor).  To  this  memorizing  of  Scripture  many  a  preacher,  in  after 
years,  owed  his  ability  to  "  rightly  divide  the  word"  and  "  give  to  each 
his  portion";  and  many  a  saint,  in  declining  age  or  in  the  dying  hour, 
rejoiced  upon  the  remembrance  of  the  precious  promises. 

But  the  days  of  "  committing  the  most  verses  by  heart "  have  passed 
away,  and  there  is  some  cause  for  fear  that  we  have  not  supplied  their 
place.  Certain  it  is,  that  simply  ''hearing  the  lesson"  does  not  do  it. 
Line  upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept,  here  a  little  and  there  a  little, 
is  the  design  of  the  present,  system,  and  without  the  review  carefully 
and  prayerfully  considered,  it  were  better  not  to  follow  the  International 
Lessons  at  all. 

Rev.  Dr.  H.  Clay  Trumbull,  in  his  valuable  book,  "Teaching  and 
Teachers,"  says: 

"It  is  not  merely  in  those  things  which  were  learned  only  for  the  time 
being,  that  reviewing  is  essential  to  their  fresh  retention  in  the  memory. 
It  is  the  same  with  many  of  those  things  which  were  learned  most  thor- 
oughly and  as  for  all  time.  Even  our  '  mother  tongue '  is  no  exception  to 
this.  Take  a  child  who  has  already  learned  to  speak  and  read  and  write 
in  his  own  language,  and  carry  him  over  the  ocean  to  live  among  those 
whose  language  is  wholly  different,  and  he  is  liable  to  lose  the  memory 
of  the  language  which  once  filled  all  his  mind,  and  was  as  familiar  to 
him  as  his  own  breathing.  This  was  the  case  with  Dr.  Yung  Wing, 
the  Chinese  student,  who  had  his  second  education  in  America.  After 
his  graduation  from  Yale  College,  when  he  decided  to  return  to  his 
native  land,  with  a  noble  purpose  in  behalf  of  those  who  were  of  his 
own  blood,  he  found  himself  necessitated  to  learn  the  Chinese  language 
over  again;  because  it  had  not  been  reviewed  by  him  in  all  the  years 
of  his  absence  from  China.  And  so  it  has  been  with  many  another 
person." 

But  we  doubt  not  there  is  very  general  agreement  of  the  importance 
of  the  Review,  and  therefore  that  which  concerns  us  most  is  our  second 
division — 

THE  METHODS    OF  REVIEW. 

The  methods  are  as  varied  as  the  lessons.  The  main  difficulty  in  the 
way  of  many  Superintendents  in  conducting  the  Quarterly  Review  is, 
that  they  attempt  to  teach  twelve  lessons  instead  of  one.  We  have  never 
tried  to  conduct  any  two  reviews  alike,  and  have  never  been  able  to  use 


36  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

any  of  the  prepared  charts  which  give  beginnings  of  the  subject  and 
golden  text  of  each  lesson.  Indeed,  we  have  not  felt  the  need  of  going- 
over  these  at  all. 

There  should  be  a  review  of  the  lesson  of  former  Sunday  as  introduc- 
tory to  each,  and  this  should  come  from  the  teacher.  At  the  end  of 
the  quarter,  the  Superintendent  or  Pastor  should,  by  careful  prepara- 
tion, make  out  one  lesson  running  back  over  the  twelve  lessons  studied, 
and  in  thirty  to  forty  minutes  (the  orthodox  length  of  a  sermon)  give 
the  same  to  the  school.  This  may  be  done  by  grouping  various  lessons, 
or  as  a  lesson  story.  Or  the  leader  may  make  a  selection  of  certain 
of  the  twelve  lessons,  upon  which  he  will  ask  one  and  another  of  the 
teachers  to  give  three-minute  talks,  interspersing  with  prayer  and 
song. 

It  ofti-n  occurs  that  the  quarter's  lessons  have  been  running  in  one 
special  direction,  and  that  a  heart  talk  of  fifteen  minutes,  as  the  cul- 
mination of  the  whole,  will  be  the  thing  to  do.  Or  a  half  hour  of 
special  song  and  prayer  service,  with  an  enquiry  meeting  at  the  close? 
may  be  the  proper  course.  In  fact,  while  the  Quarterly  Review  should 
never  be  neglected,  it  is  very  difficult  to  outline  any  plan  for  conducting 
the  same  that  will  be  suitable,  in  our  judgment,  for  any  two  schools. 

To  one  who  is  an  expert  in  the  use  of  chalk  the  black-board  may  be 
used  to  great  advantage  in  the  Quarterly  Review,  by  sketches,  word- 
pictures.  &c.  But  "  chalk-talkers  "  are  scarce,  and  unless  this  work  can 
be  done  well,  it  had  best  be*  left  undone  on  review  Sundays. 

In  our  judgment,  a  missionary  lesson  or  a  temperance  lesson  should  not 
be  substituted  for  the  Review.  These  subjects  should  take  their  place  in 
the  order  in  which  they  are  found  in  the  study  of  the  Scriptures,  and, 
as  other  truths,  be  taught  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath. 

Mr.  Broughton  consenting,  a  number  of  questions  were 
asked  him  about  the  conduct  of  the  school  generally,  and 
among  them  the  following: 

Question.  Do  you  give  Previews? 

Answer.  No,  not  to  the  school,  but  at  Teachers'  Meetings.  Nor  do  I 
think  the  Superintendent  should  ever  remark  on  the  lesson  before  it  is 
taught  by  the  teacher.  They  should  have  the  first  and  fullest  chance. 
I  would  not  consent  to  teach  under  a  Superintendent  that  outlined  the 
lesson  before  I  had  tried  to  teach  it  to  my  class. 

Q.   Do  you  make  a  talk  on  the  lesson  in  the  closing  exercises? 

A.  Yes,  when  I  have  anything  to  say.  But  my  rule  is  not  to  speak 
unless  from  a  full  heart,  and  then  not  longer  than  from  five  to  seven 
minutes. 

Q.  Do  you  believe  in  asking  questions  on  the  lesson  by  the  Superin- 
tendent ? 


Sunday-School  Convention.  37 

A.  Not  often.  As  a  rule,  he  must  either  ask  questions  so  simple  that 
they  are  of  little  value,  or  ask  such  as  he  must  take  chances  for  the 
answer,  and  my  experience  is  that  there  is  danger  in  that.  (Mr.  B. 
told  an  amusing  incident  as  illustrating  this  point.) 

Q.  How  long  do  you  allow  the  classes  for  study? 

A.  Strictly  thirty  minutes  for  study;  five  minutes  for  record,  collec- 
tion, &c. 

Q.  Do  tou  allow  classes  to  be  disturbed  during  the  thirty  minutes? 

A.  No,  under  no  circumstances.  I  would  place  a  guard  at  each  class 
with  sword  in  hand,  if  necessary,  to  prevent. 

Q.  When  and  how  do  you  seek  to  reach  the  unconverted  ? 

A.  This  should  be  done  by  the  teacher,  who,  if  watchful,  will  see 
when  the  seed  has  fallen  in  good  ground,  and  will  quietly  detain  the 
pupil  to  say  a  word  and  pray  with  and  specially  help  the  seeking  one. 

Q.  Do  you  use  the  colored  designs  of  the  Providence  Lithograph 
Company  ? 

A.  Yes,  and  like  them  very  much. 

Adjourned. 


Afternoon  Session. 

Prayer  and  praise  service  led  by  Rev.  Collin  Shaw. 

The  following  counties  reported :  Duplin,  Durham,  Colum- 
bus, Randolph,  Chatham,  Wake  and  Pender. 

Address,  "The  Art  of  Securing  Attention,"  by  Prof.  W. 
A.  Blair. 

A  Conference  on  better  Sunday-schools  was  held,  and 
suggestions  offered  by  Mr.  Reynolds,  Prof.  Beardslee,  Mr. 
McNeill,  Rev.  J.  J.  Hall,  Mr.  McCurry,  N.  B.  Broughton, 
Wm.  Black  and  A.  M.  McPheeters. 

The  following  telegram  was  read  : 

Peoria,  Illinois,  February  26, 1890. 
To  Sabbath-school  Convention— Care  Wm.  Reynolds  : 

Greetings  to  all  the  good  friends  of  North  Carolina,  "  whom  having 
not  seen,  I  love."  Read  Colossians  ii:  5;  Third  Epistle  of  John,  5,  and 
Ephesians  iii:  14-21.  Martha  B.  Reynolds. 

Adjourned. 


3S  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


Evening  Session. 

# 

Devotional  exercises  led  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Speight. 

Address.  "  The  Religious  use  of  the  Imagination,"  by  Rev. 
B.  F.  Creasy. 

Address.  "  Teachers,"  by  R.  B.  Reppard. 

Mr.  McPheeters  spoke  briefly  of  the  Sunday-school  work 
at  the  Penitentiary. 

On  motion,  an  invitation  from  the  citizens  of  Wilmington 
to  visit  the  Sound  to-morrow  afternoon  was  accepted. 

On  motion,  election  of  officers  was  made  special  order  for 
11  a.  m.  to  morrow. 

Mr.  Reynolds  announced  that  this  State  was  entitled  to 
forty-four  delegates  to  the  International  Convention  to  be 
held  in  Pittsburg  next  June. 

On  motion,  the  following  committee  was  appointed  to 
nominate  delegates  to  the  International  Convention:  H.  N. 
Snow,  J.  \V.  Gore  and  X.  B.  Broughton. 

The  place  of  holding  the  next  annual  Convention  was 
taken  up. 

Durham  and  Fayetteville  were  nominated.  Upon  putting 
the  question  to  the  house,  it  was  decided  that  Fayetteville 
would  be  the  place  of  our  next  Convention. 

Doxology  and  benediction. 


THIRD  DAY— Morning  Session. 

Thursday,  February  27,  1890. 

Devotional  exercises  conducted  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Primrose. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  recommended  its  adoption  as  recorded, 
with  the  additional  recommendation  that  $1,000  be  raised 
and  placed  under  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee 
for  the  carrying  on  of  its  work  during  the  coming  year. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  39 

On  motion,  the  number  of  copies  of  Minutes  to  be  printed, 
and  the  number  of  pages,  be  left  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. 

On  motion,  those  who  were  on  the  programme  and  not 
present,  and  failed  to  send  excuse,  be  written  to  and  enquire 
cause  of  absence. 

Upon  request,  Mr.  Reynolds  answered  several  questions 
that  were  asked  relative  to  the  work. 

Address,  "  The  Art  of  Questioning,"  by  Prof.  G.  T.  Adams. 

H.  X.  Snow  moved  that  our  next  Convention  be  called 
the  Tenth  instead  of  the  Fomth,  as  there  had  formerly  been 
six  annual  Conventions  held  in  connection  with  the  Inter- 
national Sunday-school  work 

Committee  on  nominating  officers  for  the  ensuing  year 
reported      (See  page  2.) 

Greetings  received  from  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation of  Asheville.     Ephesians  iii:  14,  to  end  of  chapter. 

Committee  on  Nominating  Delegates  to  International 
Convention  reported  the  following : 

Wilmington— Revs.  F.  D.  Swindell.  F.  W.  E.  Pesehau.T.  H.  Pritchard, 

Messrs.  J.  C,  Davis.  W.  H.  Sprunt,  Geo.  Chadburn.  J.  S.  Allen  and  W. 
F.  Williams. 

Raleigh— Rev*.  J.  P.  Barrett,  J.  J.  Hall.  Messrs.  N.  B.  Broughton.  A. 
M.  McPheeters  and  W.  J.  Young. 

Charlotte— A.  G.  Breneizer.  S.  W.  Reid  and  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd. 

Salisbury — W.  H.  Reisner. 

Enochville — Rev.  W.  A.  Lutz. 

Clear  Creek— H.  C.  Dunn. 

Shelby — J.  S.  Martin  and  Rev.  J.  M.  McManaway. 

Durham— Rev.  J.  L.  White,  Rev.  H.  T.  Darnall.  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates. 
Geo.  W.  Watts.  J.  S.  Carr.  E.  J.  Parrish,  H.  N.  Snow  and  V.  Ballard. 

Chapel  HiU— Prof.  Thos.  Hume. 

Salem — Rev.  E.  Rondthaler. 

Winston — Prof.  W.  A.  Blair. 

Greenville— J.  H.  Tucker,  Rev.  G.  A.  Oglesby  and  Hon.  T.  J.  Jarvis. 

Greensboro— J '.  R.  Mendenhall  and  S.  A.  Kerr. 

Washington — Rev.  W.  R.  Ware. 

Fayetteville—~Rzx.  T.  P.  Barclay  acd  G.  P.  McNeill. 

Lumberton — Rev.  R.  P.  Law. 

Maxton — Win.  Black. 


40  Minutes  of  the  Nixih  Annual 

The  following  resolutions  were  offered  by  Geo.  W.  Watts: 

Whereas,  The  North  Carolina  State  Sunday-school  Association  has 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  the  services  as  Statistical  Secretary  of 
such  a  man  as  Horace  N.  Snow;  and  whereas,  his  work  has  been  quite 
arduous,  such  as  producing  the  beautiful  and  valuable  rnap  now  before 
us:  has  done  almost  the  entire  work  of  the  Executive  Committee;  has 
carefully  sought  and  compiled  statistics  whenever  and  wherever  obtain- 
able; has  personally  written  in  the  past  year  over  500  letters  in  reference 
to  county  organization  and  other  purposes  tending  to  the  welfare  of  our 
Association:  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  1.  That  we,  the  North  Carolina  State  Sunday-school  Asso- 
ciation in  Convention  assembled,  do  tender  to  Mr.  Snow  our  w-armest 
praise  and  thanks  for  his  untiring  energy  in  his  labor  of  love. 

2.  That  we  appreciate  the  fact  that  he  has  done  more  than  his  position 
demanded  of  him,  and  did  it  all  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner,  and 
with  a  cheerful.  Christian  spirit. 

3.  That,  only  as  an  expression  of  our  appreciation,  and  in  recognition 
of  his  valuable  services,  but  not  as  compensation  for  the  same  (as  our 
treasury  would  not  allow  it),  we  tender  to  him  the  sum  one  hundred 
dollars. 

Adjourned. 


Evening  Session. 

('(invention  called  to  order  by  President  Blair. 
Promise  meeting  led  by  Mr.  Reynolds. 

BIBLE  AUTHORITY  FOR  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 


BY   REV.    E.    A.    YATES. 


I  was  requested  by  the  Committee  to  submit  a  paper  to  this  Conven- 
tion upon  the  theme,  "  Bible  Authority  for  Sunday-schools."  At  first  I 
was  disposed  to  regard  such  a  discussion  as  a  superfluous  work.  It 
seemed  to  me  like  trying  to  paint  the  sun.  or  to  be  called  upon  to  touch 
up  with  my  poor  brush  the  glowing  beauty  of  an  October  sunset.  But 
after  studying  the  subject  a  little,  and  making  an  effort  to  get  a  proper 
standpoint  from  which  to  view  it,  and  remembering  what  a  medley  of 
notions  fills  the  minds  of  many  human  beings,  and  the  inability  of  many 
to  think  far  into  systems  of  truth,  I  concluded  it  was  not  such  a  super- 
fluous work  after  all. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  41 

The  authority  of  Common  Law  is  grounded  in  the  nature  of  things, 
or  natural  justice:  and  statutory  law  is  right  in  so  far  as  it  conforms  to, 
and  is  in  harmony  with,  the  principles  of  Common  Law.  Mr.  Burke 
says  that  "Law  is  beneficence  acting  by  rule."  This  is  a  very  great 
truth,  and  God's  law  is  the  highest  expression  of  it.  The  Scriptural 
authority  for  the  Sunday-school  is  disclosed  in  the  common  law  of  the 
Bible,  rather  than  in  any  express  statute,  the  essential  and  central  ele- 
ment of  which  is  the  beneficence  of  God  in  saving  a  world.  We  grant 
that  there  is  no  express  command,  "Thou  shalt  have  Sunday-schools 
for  the  children  ";  but  then  there  is  no  express  command,  "  Thou  shalt 
have  prayer-meetings  for  the  grown  people;  "  and  the  one  has  as  much 
authority  as  the  other — and  both  have  Bible  authority,  because  both  are 
in  harmony  with  Bible  teaching. 

But  it  may  be  said  that  the  Sunday-school  is  a  violation  of  the  Sab- 
bath. In  reply  to  this  we  must  remember  that  it  is  a  just  canon  of 
interpi-etation,  that  no  single  passage  found  in  any  book,  whether  it  be  in 
Science,  Philosophy,  or  Morals,  is  to  be  construed  out  of  harmony  with 
the  general  scope,  meaning  and  intention  of  the  book  in  which  such 
passage  is  found.  Now,  the  general  scope  and  meaning  of  the  Bible  is 
to  teach  men  the  way  to  God  and  salvation,  and  if  the  command,  "Thou 
shalt  do  no  work  on  the  Sabbath  day,"  be  construed  in  opposition  to  the 
Sunday-school,  it  might,  with  equal  force,  be  construed  against  any  other 
form  of  mental  labor  on  the  Sabbath  in  learning  the  truth  of  God  and 
salvation.  But  construing  it  in  opposition  to  learning  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, would  be  to  construe  it  in  opposition  to  the  general  scope  and 
meaning  of  the  Bible;  therefore  such  a  construction  is  a  fallacy.  I 
know  of  no  other  passage  of  Scripture  that  could  even  remotely  be 
construed  in  opposition  to  the  Sunday-school.  In  law  we  might  rest 
the  case  here,  for  it  is  a  principle  of  law  that  whatever  is  not  directly  or 
indirectly  forbidden  is  permissible.  But  we  prefer  to  go  forward  and 
adduce  the  clear  Scriptural  authority  for  the  Sunday-school. 

In  the  examination  of  this  subject,  we  must  first  take  into  account 
the  meaning  of  the  phrase  "  means  of  grace."  There  are  certain  forms 
of  service  and  certain  ordinances  in  the  church,  which,  together  with 
the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  furnish  helps  to  the  favor  of  God  and 
to  favorable  conditions  for  serving  Him.  This  favor  is  grace,  and  these 
are  the  means  for  securing  such  favor.  Hence  they  are  the  "  means  of 
grace."  Now  these  means  of  grace  may  be  arranged  into  two  classes. 
First,  means  which  are  of  Divine  ordination ;  and  secondly,  those 
which  are  instituted  by  man,  and  maybe  called  "prudential  means." 
In  the  first  category  may  be  placed  such  as  the  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
the  administration  of  the  sacraments,  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath, 
teaching  the  law  of  God  to  children  and  others.  In  the  second  cate- 
gory may  be  arranged  such  as  prayer-meetings,  Sunday-schools,  charita- 
ble and  missionary  institutions  and  others. 


42  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Now,  the  prudential  means  of  grace,  of  course,  are  not  those  which 
are  directly  ordained  of  God:  but  they  are  such  as  are  clearly  inferred 
and  deduced  from  His  Holy  Word.  For  instance,  prayer  is  divinely 
enjoined,  but  God  assumed  that  men  had  sufficient  intelligence  to 
arrange  out  of  this,  for  the  support  of  the  religious  life  of  an  organized 
church,  such  a  prudential  expression  and  practice  as  would  be  a  public 
means  of  grace.  Hence,  we  have  the  prayer-meeting  and  other  public 
prayer  exercises.  The  peculiar  form,  time  and  manner  of  holding  such 
meeting  was  not  divinely  ordained,  but  the  essential  element  used, 
namely,  prayer,  ivas  so  oidained. 

So,  likewise,  we  have  the  following  divinely  ordained  :  "Bring  up 
your  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." — Eph.  vi:  4. 
Also,  "  "Therefor  e  shall  ye  lay  up  these  my  words  in  your  heart  and  in  your 
soul.  *■  *  *  And  ye  shall  teach  them  to  your  children,  speaking  of  them 
when  thou  sittest  in  thy  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  when 
thou  liest  down  and  when  thou  risest  up." — Dciit.  xi:  18-19.  The  peculiar 
phraseology,  in  this  quotation  from  Deuteronomy,  indicates  the  high 
import  of  the  subject  matter  of  the  teaching.  The  essential  thing  is 
that  the  children  shall  be  "  taught  the  icords  of  Goi."  Teaching  is 
different  from  mere  telling,  in  that  it  is  to  be  special  and  continuous, 
and  therefore  systematic.  But  such  systematic  teaching  must  be  left, 
as  to  the  time,  place  and  modes,  to  those  who  may  be  rightfully  entrusted 
with  the  work,  whether  parents  or  other  ttachers.  Intelligent,  Chris- 
tian people  are  presumed  to  be  able  to  devise  the  time,  mode  and  place 
for  such  teaching:  and  surely,  if  God  specifically  commands  in  His 
Word  that  this  teaching  shall  be  done,  and  the  subject-matter  of  it  is  in 
essential  harmony  with  the  central  truth  of  Revel ition,  the  Sabbath 
day.  which  was  given  for  the  same  religious  purpose,  is  the  fittest  day 
for  such  teaching.  Therefore,  we  have  Bible  authority  of  the  strongest 
kind  for  the  Sunday-school.  These  schools  have  been  more  and  more 
perfectly  developed  as  the  years  passed  by.  The  present  system  did  not 
spring  into  existence  all  at  once.  The  divine  command  to  teach  the 
children  was  sought  to  be  complied  with  from  the  earliest  age  of  the 
Christian  church.  Very  early  in  the  first  century  the  children  were 
gathered  into  schools  and  taught  the  truths  of  our  holy  religion. 
Mostiiem,  in  his  Church  History  (page  25),  makes  this  statement: 

"The  Christians  took  all  possible  care  to  accustom  their  children  to 
the  study  of  the  Scriptures,  and  to  instruct  them  in  the  doctrines  of 
their  holy  religion;  and  schools  were  everywhere  erected  for  this  pur- 
pose, even  from  the  very  commencement  of  the  Christian  church.-' 

Let  it  be  noted  that  he  says  schools  for  this  purpose  were  everywhere 
erected.  And  he  goes  on  to  say  that  these  schools  for  teaching  children 
the  religion  of  Jesus  were  different  from  those  which  were  designed  for 
training  ministers.     His  language  is  this: 


Sunday-School  Convention.  43 

"  We  must  not  confound  the  schools  designed  only  for  children  with 
the  academies  of  the  ancient  Christians,  erected  in  several  large  cities, 
in  which  persons  of  riper  years,  especially  such  as  aspired  to  be  public 
teachers,  were  instructed  in  the  different  branches  both  of  human  learn- 
ing and  sacred  erudition." 

One  of  these  Theological  Schools  (as  we  would  now  call  them),  was 
erected  by  St.  John  at  Ephesus,  and  one  by  Polycarp  at  Smyrna,  also  a 
Catechetical  School  at  Alexandria  by  St.  Mark. 

Now,  two  things  are  to  be  deduced  from  this  statement  of  Moshiem's, 
and  which  statement  is  substantially  corroborated  by  other  historians. 
First,  that  these  schools  for  the  religious  instruction  of  children  had 
the  sanction  of  the  Apostles  themselves.  They  were  erected  while  the 
Apostles  were  still  living,  and  doubtless  were  under  their  express  direc- 
tion and  oversight.  The  schools  were,  therefore,  in  harmony  with  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  which  command  that  the  children  shall  be  taught  the 
words  of  G<  d.  and  be  "  brought  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord."  E'se,  how  can  we  account  for  their  having  the  personal 
sanction  of  the  Apostles?  Secondly,  the  presumption  is  very  strong 
that  thebe  schools  were  held  on  Sunday, — first,  because  of  the  religious 
nature  of  the  instruction,  that  being  the  specific  object,  under  the 
emphatic  command  of  God  in  Deuteronomy;  and  secondly,  because  in 
the  early,  as  well  as  the  modern  church,  Sunday  ivas  set  apart  for  such 
religious  instruction. 

When  we  put  together,  then,  the  two  branches  of  the  proposition, 
that  these  schools  for  the  religious  instruction  of  children  were  sanc- 
tioned by  the  Apostles,  and  that  Sunday  was  generally  set  apart  for 
religious  instruction,  we  have  almost  a  logical  demonstration  that 
Sunday  sclwols  were  sanctioned  by  the  teaching  and  co-operation  of 
the  Apostles;  and  if  by  the  Apostles,  thea  they  were  authorized  by  the 
general  tcope  and  meaning  of  the  Bible.  But  if  some  one  is  still  dis- 
posed to  say  that  they  ought  not  to  be  held  on  Sunday,  we  reply,  most 
emphatically,  that  if  the  Sabbath  is  too  sacred  to  be  used  for  the  relig- 
ious instruction  of  children,  then  it  is  too  sacred  to  be  of  any  use  to 
man  at  all!  But  we  must  remember  that  "  the  Sabbath  wras  made  for 
man,  and  not  man  for  the  Sabbath." 

Passing  over  the  middle  ages,  then,  and  coming  down  to  more  modern 
times,  we  find  that  the  Renaissance  of  learning  brought  with  it  a  revival 
of  the  Sunday-school,  until  in  the  latter  half  of  the  18th  century  it  was 
perfected  almost  into  the  form  in  which  we  have  it  to-day.  And  its 
progress  is  marked  by  the  great  names  of  Luther,  and  Wesley,  and 
Bishop  Asbury,  and  Bishop  White,  and  Hannah  Ball,  and  Robt.  Raikes, 
and  others,  whose  names  were  not  born  to  die  and  will  live  forever. 

Now.  the  sum  of  what  we  have  thus  far  suggested  is  this:  first,  the 
Bible  does  not  in  any  way  prohibit  Sunday-schools  for  the  religious 
instruction  of  children,  and  it  is  a  principle  of  law  that  whatever  is  not 


44  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

forbidden,  directly  or  indirectly,  is  permissible.  Secondly,  the  Sunday- 
school  had  the  immediate  sanction  of  the  Apostles,  because  the  work 
of  the  schooi  was  in  harmony  with  the  teaching  of  the  Bible,  else  it 
would  not  have  had  such  sanction.  It  follows,  then,  from  this,  that 
unless  it  can  be  shown  that  the  essential  and  avowed  object  of  the 
Sunday-school  viulati  s  the  command  to  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day,  we 
have  Bible  authority,  of  the  most  emphatic  and  comprehensive  kind,  for 
the  Sunday  school.  Does  the  Sunday-school,  then,  in  theory  or  fact, 
violate  the  Sabbath  ?  Ought  we  not  to  reverse  the  question,  and  ask, 
do  not  Sabbath-schools,  e^en  if  they  were  only  schools  of  ethical 
science,  really  tend  to  preserve  the  sanctity  and  Scriptural  observance 
of  the  Sabbath  ?  There  are  none  who  more  clearly  perceive  this  truth 
than  mothers;  and  it  is  for  this  reason,  in  the  main,  that  our  Sunday- 
schools  are  so  full  and  flourishing.  Take  the  mother's  heart,  that  won- 
derful piece  of  heaven':-  machinery  for  helping  the  world  to  God,  from 
beneath  the  Sunday-schooi.  and  it  totters  to  its  fall 

In  dealing  the  line  of  our  thought  along  here,  we  may  arrange 
parents  into  two  classes:  first,  those  who  believe  we  have  Bible  authority 
for  the  Sunday-school,  and  send  their  children  to  it;  and  secondly,  those 
who  do  not  so  believe,  and  who  do  not  send  or  take  their  children  to 
the  school.  Now.  let  us  see  which  of  these  two  classes  violates  the 
;  hath.  Those  who  send  their  children  to  the  Sunday  school  secure 
three  things — first,  for  the  time  being,  the  children  are  withdrawn  from 
the  temptation  to  engage  in  worldly  sports;  secondly,  the  subject-mat- 
ter of  their  teaching  in  the  Sunday-school  tends  to  preserve  in  their 
minds  i he  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  and  to  cultivate  their  hearts  in  the 
keeping  of  God's  commandments  ;  and  thirdly,  the  parents,  in  sending 
their  children  to  the  Sunday-school,  avail  themselves  of  this  organized 
help  in  their  effort  to  obey  God's  command  to  teach  their  children  the 
words  of  God's  law,  and  to  "  bring  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord." 

Where,  then,  are  the  children  of  the  other  class?  Are  they  at  home 
on  the  Sabbath?  Are  the  parents  wise,  pious  ami  strong  enough  to  do 
all  the  teaching  in  this  peculiar  age  in  which  we  live,  and  are  they  at 
it?  Not  much.  The  older  girls,  during  a  good  part  of  the  Sabbath, 
arc  in  the  house,  most  of  the  time  engaged  in  i-eading  dime-novels: 
the  smaller  ones  are  in  the  garden  making  baby  houses:  and  the  boys,  if 
no  worse,  are  out  in  the  field  playing  base-ball,  down  beside  the  creeks 
killing  snakes,  or  out  in  some  back-lot  fighting  chickens.  And  the  poor 
old  father  sits  in  the  house  arguing  with  his  wife  to  convince  her  that 
there  is  no  Bible  authority  for  the  Sunday-school!  I  say  "  arguing  with 
bis  wife,''  for  eight  mothers  out  of  ten — yes,  ninety-five  out  of  one  hun- 
dred— have  more  sense  than  their  husbands  just  on  this  line  of  things. 
For  while  they  have  not  the  time,  and  may-be  not  the  logical  ability,  to 
work  out  a  (bain  of  reasoning  always  for  what  they  believe,  their  own 


Sunday-School  Convention.  45 

i 

intuition  is  sufficient  to  satisfy  them  that  if  the  Bible  means  am  thing 
to  the  purpose  of  the  soul's  salvation,  it  means  Sunday-schools.  The 
picture  here  presented  is  a  little  amusing.  A  man  is  nothing  if  he  can- 
not argue  the  Bible.  He  regards  himself  as  specially  gifted  in  that 
way.  and  he  is  particularly  in  the  spirit  when  the  spirits  are  in  Mm, 
and  like  the  spirits,  he  is  ardent.  I  never  saw  a  man  so  drunk,  if  he 
could  just  stand  upon  his  feet,  nor  one  so  ignorant  of  learning  or 
unskilled  in  letters,  who  could  not  hold  a  stiff  argument  against  all 
comers  upon  the  high  themes  of  predestination,  the  freedom  of  the  will, 
falling  from  grace,  or  the  necessity  of  being  buried  in  baptism.  And, 
strange  to  say,  they  delight  to  hold  these  arguments  with  their  wives, 
and  sometimes  get  angry  because  the  wife  cannot  see  the  point.  When, 
of  all  the  people  in  the  world,  those  very  wives  are  the  quickest  to  see 
a  logical  dunce.  At  best,  it  can  only  be  said  that  man's  logic  crosses  the 
ocean  in  a  steamer,  while  woman's  goes  over  on  the  electric  wire.  She, 
with  her  lightning  logic  in  morals  and  religion,  sees  the  truth  quickly, 
and  tries  to  beat  it  into  the  thick  skull  of  her  husband;  while  he,  in  relig- 
ious matters,  will  hardly  take  a  drink  of  water  without  Bible  authority, 
but  is  almost  always  ready  to  take  a  drink  of  whiskey  on  his  own 
authority.  I  said  his  "  logic  crosses  the  ocean  in  a  steamer,"  but  that 
is  not  always  true.  It  sometimes  gets  over  on  an  old  wreck,  and  often 
starts  out  on  a  rotten  raft  and  never  gets  there  at  all!  It  is  that  class 
who  deny  Bible  authority  for  the  Sunday-school. 

Another  deduction  from  the  Word  of  God  as  authority  for  the  Sun- 
day-school, is  found  in  the  seal  of  approbation  which  God  has  placed 
upon  its  work.  If  the  Bible  does  not  authorize  the  Sunday-school, 
would  God  give  it  His  sanction  ?  The  proof  that  He  has  done  this  is 
overwhelming.     Let  us  see: 

First,  the  Sunday-schools  of  modern  times,  as  well  as  those  of  the 
eai'ly  ages  of  the  church,  originated  with  the  most  godly  and  devoted 
followers  of  Christ.  They  were  Christian  women  and  men  of  the 
brightest  type — the  most  pious  and  the  most  active — and  their  other 
works,  as  well  as  this,  attest  the  fact  that  they  were  amongst  the  most 
wise.  Were  they  mistaken  in  supposing  that  they  had  Bible  authority 
for  the  Sunday-school  ?  Some  of  these  were  the  Apostles  themselves, 
and  men  and  women  who  sealed  with  their  life's  blood  their  devotion 
to  God's  cause.  Were  they  so  ignorant  as  not  to  know  what  was  in 
harmony  with  the  religion  of  Christ,  or  so  wicked  as  to  wilfully  project 
upon  the  world  an  age-long  desecration  of  the  holy  Sabbath  ?  Rather, 
is  it  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  they  were  moved  by  God  to  this  very 
work  ?  And  did  He  not  set  His  seal  of  approbation  upon  that  work  by 
giving  them  such  wonderful  success  ?  It  is  not  philosophical,  and  it  is 
certainly  not  Scriptural,  to  assume  that  those  who  live  nearest  to  God 
are  the  least  capable  of  understanding  and  promoting  His  cause.  But 
this  is  just  what  is  assumed  by  those  who  take  the  ground  that  the 


46  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

Sunday-school  is  without  Bible  authority:  for,  in  originating  the  Sunday- 
school,  if  it  has  no  such  authority,  these  godly  men  and  women  have 
projected  upon  the  world  the  mcs:  stupendous  unscriptural  institution 
of  all  the  ages!  Can  this  be  true?  Is  it  reasonable?  Then,  if  it  is, 
we  have  no  guide  whatever  in  the  interpretation  of  God's  moral  gqv- 
ernment.  Let  it  be  noted  that  this  argument  is  two-fold:  first,  the 
sanction  of  the  Apostles:  and  secondly,  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the 
work  as  Bible  authority  for  the  Sunday-school. 

But  we  may  legitimately  push  this  argument  much  further.  The 
Sunday-school  has  b^en  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  children  and  youth.  It  has  been  a  feeder  to  the  church. 
The  church  membership  has  been  replenished  continually  from  this 
Sunday-school  army,  and  they  have  made  soldiers  of  the  first  order  in 
the  militant  host.  Their  Sunday  school  training  prepared  them  for  a 
more  ready,  as  well  as  a  moie  intelligent,  reception  of  the  preached 
gospel.  Surely,  if  this  work  has  the  approbation  of  God  in  the  way 
here  indicated,  those  persons  have  made  a  fearful  mistake  who  denounce 
the  Sunday-school  as  without  Bible  authority.  Their  failure  to  discover 
Bible  authority  is  like  that  of  a  man  who  should  utterly  refuse  to  walk 
because  he  could  not  find  one  individual  lamp  to  guide  him.  while  the 
mid-day  sun  poured  its  splendors  all  about  him!  But  still  further.  The 
Sunday-school  has  not  only  contributed  to  swell  the  numbers  of  the 
be.>t  elements  of  the  church's  membership,  but  it  has  also  been,  what  we 
might  term,  a  primary  theological  school  for  many  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  who  have  even  occupied  foremost  rank  amongst  the  ambassa- 
dors for  Christ.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Todd,  an  eminent  Baptist  minister  of 
New  York  (now  deceased),  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  of  all  the 
ministers  of  evangelical  churches,  ninety-eight  in  every  one  hundred 
had  Sunday-school  training.  Taking  this  single  fact  alone,  and  we  have 
the  strongest  possible  argument  both  for  the  Scriptural  authority  for 
the  Sunday-schrol  and  the  blessing  of  God  upon  its  work. 

How  is  it  possible,  then,  for  us  to  reach  any  other  conclusion  than 
this — that  a  work  so  wise  in  adaptation  of  means  to  an  end.  so  forceful 
in  strengthening  the  church  of  God,  so  plainly  in  accordance  with 
the  Divine  command  to  teach  the  children  and  '•  bring  them  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,"  cannot  be  lacking  in  Bible 
authority  for  its  creation,  its  life  and  its  perpetuity!  And  if  all  this  be 
true,  and  more,  as  it  undoubtedly  is,  does  it  not  bring  home  to  parents, 
with  renewed  and  tremendous  emphasis,  the  obligation  resting  upon 
them  by  Divine  authority  to  co-operate  in  the  great  Sunday-school 
work  ? 

Now,  let  me  say  in  c  oncluding  this  paper  (for  I  am  only  allowed  thirty 
minutes),  that  we  must  see  to  it  that  the  Sunday-school  is  kept  to  its 
legitimate  work,  viz. :  teaching  the  children  the  doctrines  of  our  holy 
religion,  because  it  is  only  for  this  that  we  claim  Bible  authority.     The 


Sunday-School  Convention.  47 

school  is  the  institution  of  the  church.  It  is  the  outgrowth  of — not  an 
addition  to — the  church  of  God.  It  is  the  church  in  the  school  and  the 
school  in  the  church.  "  See  that  you  rnake  everything  according  to  the 
pattern  shown  you  in  the  Mount,"  was  the  substance  of  God's  command 
to  Moses.  The  church,  ordained  by  God,  must  ever  be  the  custodian  of 
the  Divine  oracles;  and  committing  these  to  the  Sunday-school,  she 
must  guard  them  with  a  jealous  eye.  lest  they  become  diluted  by  a 
spurious  system  of  hermeneutics.  and  their  doctrinal  integrity  damaged 
by  incompetent  and  irresponsible  expounders. 

This  Bible  authority  for  the  Sunday-school  comes  home  to  the  church 
in  this  day  with  a  double  emphasis.  Infidelity  has  never  before  made 
the  effort  it  is  now  making  for  the  overthrow  of  the  Christian  religion. 
From  the  old  world  and  the  new,  there  comes  the  constant  augmenta- 
tion of  the  forces  of  evil;  and  there  never  has  been  a  day  when  the 
doctrinal  integrity  of  our  holy  religion  needed  a  more  vigilant,  hearty, 
and  constant  support  than  now.  It  is  a  day  of  upheaval,  of  restless- 
ness, of  free-thought  and  rationalism;  a  day  of  breaking  of  bonds  and 
casting  off  of  cords;  a  day  of  demand  for  relaxation  of  creeds  and  laws, 
and  for  lowering  of  standards  of  religion,  so  that  spirituality  may  be 
made  pleasant  to  ungodliness.  And  in  the  midst  of  such  threatening 
moral  stress  there  is  danger  of  well-meaning  men  offering  a  compromise 
to  infidelity.  But  the  religion  of  Jesus  can  never  be  harmonized  with 
worldliness.  "  Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon."  All  effort  to  make 
religion  pleasant  to  lovers  of  sin  is  bound  to  be  a  failure,  and  perhaps 
worse.  It  is  as  dangerous,  under  the  guise  of  religion,  to  try  to  save 
young  men  from  being  gamblers  by  offering  them  dominoes,  as  it  is  to  try 
to  save  them  from  being  drunkards  by  offering  them  a  morning  toddy! 
Sin  must  be  crucified,  and  that's  the  end  of  it!  The  church  must  not 
try  to  get  on  more  rapidly  by  swapping  vehicles  with  Satan;  for  this 
would  only  be  to  remove  the  foundations,  and  then  what  could  the 
righteous  do? 

Now,  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  the  Bible  authority  for 
the  Sunday-school,  in  this  age,  and  the  special  work  of  the  school,  are 
pushed  to  the  front  by  the  wisdom  of  Divine  Providence.  I  doubt 
whether  there  is  any  other  single  instrument  in  God's  hand  to-day, 
besides  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  so  potent  for  defensive  and  offensive 
war  as  the  Sunday- school.  It  is  the  conservatory  of  the  church's  doc- 
trine, and  the  break-water  to  the  floods  that  threaten  her  foundations 
of  truth.  What  a  magnificent  army  is  thus  presented  by  the  church  of 
God  in  her  Sunday-schools,  in  solid  array  against  the  strongholds  of  sin 
and  the  forces  of  infidelity!  The  latest  statistics  show  that  there  are  in 
the  world  17,716  212  Sunday-school  scholars.  Nearly  one-half  of  these 
are  in  the  United  States!  Let  us  pause  and  think  of  it.  There  are 
8,345.431  Sunday-school  scholars  in  the  United  States!  This  is  just 
what  we  ought  to  expect  of  Providence;  for  upon  these  shores,  doubt- 
4 


48  Minutes  of  the  Nixth  Annual 

• 

less,  is  to  be  fought  out  to  a  glorious  triumph,  that  great  battle  of  right- 
eousness against  sin,  of  the  gospel  against  infidelity,  until  the  reign  of 
Jesus  shall  be  supreme,  and  the  kingdom  of  earth  become  the  kingdom 
of  our  Lord  and  His  Christ. 

I  congratulate  this  State  Convention  upon  its  success  so  far.  Its  work 
is  not  an  independentism.  but  a  revival  inside  the  church  of  th>s  impor- 
tant branch  of  the  service.  Let  us  lvmember  that  the  subject-matter 
of  Sunday-school  teaching  is  enjoined  by  the  Bible,  and  its  right  to  live 
is  warranted  by  the  immortality  of  its  good  works.  Of  all  scholastic 
systems,  the  Sunday-School  is  eminent  for  being  the  school  of  one  book. 
The  Bible  furnishes  its  whole  curriculum.  It  concentrates  all  its  powers 
upon  that  Law  of  the  Lord,  which  is  at  once  the  life  of  the  church — 
the  basis  of  human  government — the  happiness  and  security  of  the 
family  heme — the  guide  of  youth — the  support  of  age — and  the  only 
hope  and  haven  of  the  soul.  In  view  of  all  this.  then,  how  jo \  fully  is 
the  sentiment  of  the  poet  accepted: 

"Should  all  the  forms  which  men  devi.se. 
Assault  ii  y  faith  with  treacherous  art, 
I'd  nail  them  vanity  Hiid  lies 
And  bii  d  the  r.ible  to  my  heait." 

The  special  interest  of  the  hour  centered  in  the  address  of 
that  remarkable  Sunday-school  worker,  Mr.  Win  Reynolds. 
The  title  of  his  address  was  "Steps  Forward."  It  was  a  lay- 
sermon  of  great  power,  and  coming  from  a  successful  busi- 
ness man.  addressed  to  business  men,  was  clothed  with  a 
moral  force  that  is  rarely  equalled. 

He  was  followed  by  Mr.  Gee.  \V.  Watts,  Chairman  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  outlining  what  that  committee  pro- 
posed doing  during  the  year,  looking  to  larger  work  arid 
more  effective  organization. 

After  which,  the  following  report  of  Committee  on  Resolu- 
tions was  adopted : 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  Convention  thoroughly  appreciates  the  earnest, 
intelligent,  consecrated  labor  and  wisely  directed  efforts  of  William 
Reynolds,  President  of  the  Inter.'  ational  Sunday-school  Association, 
whose  presence  with  us  has  proved  indeed  a  blessing. 

Resolved.  2.  That  we  desire  our  brother's  encouragement  in  this  grand 
field  of  work,  and  wish  to  assure  him  that,  as  he  goes  forth  on  his  mis- 
sion of  good,  he  will  ever  have  our  best  wishes,  our  hearty  sympathy, 
and  our  earnest  prayer.     (Numbers  vi:  24-26.) 


Sunday-School  Convention.  49 

* 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  furnish  Mr.  Reynolds 
with  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  and  that  a  copy  be  spread  upon  the 
Minutes  of  the  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  sincere  and  hearty  thanks  of  this  Convention  be 
tendered— 

1.  To  the  citizens  of  Wilmington,  f »  r  hospitality,  entertainment  and 
the  many  acts  of  kindness  shown  this  body,  both  collectively  and  indi- 
vidually. 

2.  To  the  Reception  Committee,  for  its  interested,  earnest,  zealous  and 
successful  labors  in  our  behalf. 

3.  To  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  for  furnishing  such  a  delightful 
and  convenient  meeting-place. 

4.  To  the  organist  and  choir,  for  valuable  assistance  in  music. 

5.  To  the  press  of  the  State,  and  particularly  to  the  press  of  Wilming- 
ton, for  compliment  .ry  notices  and  encouraging  words. 

6.  To  the  railroad  companies,  which  kindly  gave  reduced  rates  to  the 
delegates  in  attendance. 

On  motion,  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  were  tendered 
Mr.  R  B.  Reppard  and  Professor  J.  W.  Beardslee  for  their 
assistance. 

Mr.  Reynolds,  in  bidding  farewell  to  the  Convention,  pro- 
pounded the  question,  "  What  are  you  going  to  do?"  Many 
responses  were  made  .by  the  delegates  indicative  of  good 
resolutions  for  work  during  the  year. 

The  closing  hymn, "  God  be  with  you  till  we  meet  again," 
was  then  sung;  after  which  the  benediction  was  pronounced 
by  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates,  D.  D.,  and  the  Convention  declared 
adjourned,  to  meet  in  Fayetteville  upon  the  call  of  the 
Executive  Committee. 


50  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


LIST  OF  DELEGATES. 


Ansonville — J.  C.  Brown. 

Berea — Z.  W.  Lyon. 

Burgaw — J.  H.  Moore. 

Bladenborough — J.  A.  Singletery. 

Bums'  Level — A.  L.  Byrd. 

Cally — A.  J.  Bordeau. 

Chapel  Hill— J.  W.  Gore. 

Charlotte — E.  M.  Andrews,  R.  A.  Grier,  S.  W.  Reid,  Miss  Bessie 
Wriston,  Miss  Leueila  Liddell. 

Clarkton — Rev.  A.  McFadyen. 

Durham— H.  N.  Snow,  V.  Ballard,  Rev.  E.  A.  Yates,  Geo.  W.  Watts. 

Etkin—G.  T.  Roth.  H.  G.  Chatham. 

Enoehville — Rev.  W.  A.  Lutz. 

Faison — Rev.  P.  Mclntyre. 

Fayetteville—G.  P.  McNeill,  A.  Simons. 

Godioin's — W.  J.  Smith. 

Greensboro— S.  A.  Kerr,  Miss  Lizzie  Wharton,  Miss  Meta  Beall,  E.  L. 
Stamey. 

Greenville— D.  J.  Whichard,  Rev.  G.  A.  Oglesby,  Rev.  R.  B.  John. 

Hertford— S    F.  Blair. 

Kelly— C.  B.  Pridgen. 

Keuausville — W.  P.  Dobson. 

Liberty — J.  M.  Weatherly. 

Lillivgton — J.  T.  Rogers,  Miss  Mattie  Rogers,  Miss  Emma  Kivett. 

Laurinburg — Rev.  A.  N.  Ferguson. 

May  a  olid — Rev.  C.   Shaw. 

Magruder — Rev.  K.  McDonald. 

Ma.i-ton— W.  K.  Harker.  E.  S.  Lathrop. 

Mount  Airy — B.  F.  Graves. 

Mount  Gilead — W.  S.  Ingram. 

Ophir— W.  G.  Davis. 

Pittshoro—X.  H.  Merritt. 

Plymouth — Rev.  C.  W.  Robinson. 

Raleigh— N.  B.  Brougbton,  Rev.  J.  J.  Hall.  S.  M.  Parish,  Rev.  J.  A. 
Speight,  Miss  Effie  Broughton.  A.  M.  McPheeters,  W.  H.  Worth. 

Red  Spring — Rev.  J.  M.  Clark, 

Rockingham — H.  C.  Wall. 

Rocky  Point — J.  E.  Durham. 

Scott's  Hill— Mrs.  J.  T.  Foy. 

Shelby— J.  S.  Martin,  W.  H.  Miller. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  51 

Troy—W.  H.  McNeill. 
Wadesboro — W.  L.  Parson. 
Washington — Rev.  W.  R.  Ware. 
Whiteville—J.  F.  Harrell,  H.  C.  Moffitt. 

Wilmington — DuBentz  Cutlar,  S.  G.  Hall,  J.  W.  King,  Samuel 
Northrop,  W.  H.  Strauss. 

Winston — W.  A.  Blair,  J.  W.  Hanner,  Rev.  J.  W.  McCurry. 

DELEGATES  BY  VOTE  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 

Charlotte — J.  A.  Durham,  T.  S.  Franklin. 

Peoria,  Illinois — William  Reynolds. 

Columbus.  Georgia — R.  B.  Reppard. 

Wilmington— Mrs.  S.  D.  Swindell,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Perdew,  Mrs.  M.  A. 
Rush,  Mrs.  W.  M.  Parker,  Miss  M.  M.  Walsh,  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau, 
Mrs.  W.  M.  Hawkins,  Mrs.  Oscar  Fillyan,  Miss  Lucy  Grunsell,  Rev.  J. 
W.  Primrose,  H.  B.  Anderson,  J.  R.  Marshall,  E.  Hewlett,  Rev.  F.  D. 
Swindell.  Rev.  W.  S.  Creasy,  W.  H.  Sprunt,  J.  M.  Forshee,  W.  M. 
Cumming,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Hall,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Bellamy,  Mrs.  F.  A.  Muse,  Miss 
M.  Seeden,  J.  B.  Smith,  Miss  Jennie  Turlington,  Miss  Mary  Elder,  Mrs. 
C.  C.  Webb,  Mrs.  Jennie  Allen,  Miss  Annie  Sprunt,  John  Haar,  Jr., 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Williams,  W.  M.  Miller,  Geo.  Chadbourn,  J.  W.  King. 


52  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


COUNTY  CONVENTIONS  AND  SECRETARIES. 


County.  Where  and  When  Held.        Secretary  and  His  Address. 

Alamance  ..  ...Hawfields,  May  25,  1889. ..J.  M.  Turner,  Graham. 

Alexander Taylorsville,  July  9,  1889  .-A.  C.  Mcintosh,  Taylorsville. 

Alleghany Sparta Rev.  T.  M.  Hunicut,  Sparta. 

Anson Wadesboro.  Feb.  15.  1890. .Dr.  J.  C.  Brown,  Anson  ville. 

Ashe Jefferson . .   ...  J.  W.  Gardiner,  Jefferson. 

Beaufort Washington,  Feb.  18, 1890.. W.  Z.  Morton,  Jr.,  Wash'g'n. 

Bladen Elizabethtown,  Feb.  3,  '90.. W.  J.  McKay,  Elizabethto'n. 

Burke Morgan  ton . T.  G.  Cobb,  Morganton. 

Cabarrus Concord,  Sept.  6.  1889 J.  A.  Cline,  Concord. 

Caldwell Lenoir,  July  12   1889    Prof.  E.  F. Wakefield,  Lenoir. 

Caswell Yanceyville,  Nov.  2,  1889.  H.  F.  Brandon,  Yancey  ville. 

Catawba Newton,  Feb.  28,  1889  .    . .  W.  S.  Ramsaur,  Newton. 

Chatham Pittsboro,  May  14.  1889 A.  H.  Merritt,  Pittsboro. 

Cleveland  Shelby,  August  16,  1889  ...W.  H.  Miller,  Shelby. 

Columbus Whiteville Dr.  M.  N.  Culbreth,Whitev'le 

Cumberland  ...Fayetteville,  Feb.  18, 1890    C.  H.  Graham,  Fayetteville. 

Davidson Lexington,  Feb.  13,  1890. _.R.  T.  Pickens,  Lexington. 

Davie Mocksville,  Feb.  22,  1S90  ..Frank  Brown,  Mocksville. 

Duplin Kenansville,  March  7,  '90  .A.  D.  Ward,  Kenansville. 

Durham Durham.  Feb.  7.  1890   H.  N.  Snow,  Durham. 

Forsyth  Winston,  Feb.  15,  1890 E.  E.  Gray,  Winston. 

I       ion Gastonia,  Aug.  15,  1889...  L.  L.  Jenkins,  Gastonia. 

Granville Oxford,  October  5,  1889  .     Dr.  J.  E.  Wyche,  Oxford. 

Guilford Greensboro,  Feb  22,  1889    W.  F.  Alderman,  Greensboro 

Harnett    Dunn,  Bx.  13,  1889 J.  A.  Green,  Lillington. 

Henderson  .   ..  Henderson  ville,  Feb.  23, '90.  T.  J.  Rickman,Henderson'le 

Iredell  Statesville,  Feb.  20,  1890.. .A.  M.Wiiherspoon,  States'lle*' 

Lenoir Kinston.  Feb.  20,  1890 S.  W.  Herbert,  Kinston. 

Lincoln  Lincolnton,  Feb.  22.  1889  ..D.  M.  Thompson,  Lincolnton. 

Macon  Franklin,  Feb.  15,1890  ...Sam.  L.  Rogers,  Franklin. 

Mecklenburg  ..Sugar  Cr.  Ch.,  Aug.  3,  '89.. C.  P.  Wheeler,  Charlotte. 

Montgomery  ..Troy,  August,  18S9 W.  R.  Harris,  Troy. 

Moore Carthage,  Jan.  7,  1890 Jas.  W.  Fagan,  Carthage. 

New  Hanover... Wilmington.  Feb.  13,  1890.W.  C.  Peterson,  Wilmington. 

Orange. Hillsboro,  Feb.  22.  1889 Jos.  A.  Harris,  Hillsboro. 

Pender Burga  w,  Feb.  22,  1890 J.  T.  Bland,  Burgaw. 

Person Roxboro.  Feb.  19.  1890.   ..  R   E.  Couch,  Roxboro. 

Pitt Greenville,  Feb.  19,  1890... Rev.  R.  B.  John,  Greenville. 

Richmond Rockingham,  April  18,  '89  R.  A.  Johnson,  Rockingham. 


Sunday- School  Convention.         53 

County.  When  and  Where  Held.        Secretary  and  His  Address. 

Robeson Lurnberton,  Jan.  14,  1890. .J.  A.  Mallory, Lunib'r  Bridge 

Rowan Salisbury,  Aug.  29,  1889. ..J.  R.  Wichard,  Salisbury. 

Stanly Albemarle,  Feb.  15,  1890- --S.  H.  Hearne,  Albemarle. 

Surry Mt.  Airy,  Nov.,  1889 Jno.  R.  Woltz,  Dobson. 

Union -Monroe,  Oct.  18,  1889 M.  A.  Underwood,  Monroe. 

Wake  - Raleigh,  Feb.  22,  1890 Prof.  C.  E.  Brewer ,W.  Forest 

Warren Warrenton,  Feb.  22.  1890..T.  B.  Watson,  Ridgeway. 

Watauga Boone, ,  1889 E.  S.  Blackburn,  Boone. 

Wayne .Goldsboro,  Feb.  19.  1890.. .T.  C.  Diggs,  Goldsboro. 

Wilkes Wilkesboro,  Aug.  15,  '89  . .  L.  A.  Abernethy,Wilkesboro. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  YOUR  COUNTY  SUNDAY-SCHOOL 
CONVENTION  A  SUCCESS. 


1.  Have  your  programmes  printed  a  full  month  before  the  date  of 
your  meeting. 

2.  Put  no  person's  name  on  as  a  speaker,  unless  he  first  agrees  to  fill 
the  place. 

3.  Have  it  understood  that  the  speaker  who  opens  each  topic  is  to 
occupy  but  fifteen  minutes,  to  be  followed  by  an  open  discussion  of  the 
topic.     (This  does  not  refer  to  evening  addresses  or  Normal  Lessons.) 

4.  Have  plenty  of  programmes  printed.  Mail  five  programmes  direct 
to  each  Superintendent  in  the  county;  ask  him  to  have  three  or  more 
delegates  elected  to  the  County  Convention,  two  weeks  before  the  time 
of  meeting,  and  give  each  delegate  a  programme.  The  Superintendent 
and  Primary  Class  teacher  should  always  be  among  the  delegates. 

5.  Send  each  Township  President  enough  additional  programmes  to 
supply  each  Superintendent  and  pastor  of  his  township,  and  to  provide 
against  loss  by  mail  of  those  sent  to  superintendents. 

6.  Notify  each  township  officer  that  he  will  be  expected  to  report  in 
person  as  to  the  condition  of  his  work,  and  call  bis  attention  to  the 
particular  session  of  the  Convention  at  which  he  is  expected  to  report. 
Also  notify  him  of  schools  wbich  he  should  specially  visit  before  the 
Convention. 

7.  In  the  town  or  city  where  Convention  is  to  be  held,  the  Superin- 
tendent of  each  school  should  have  enough  programmes  to  give  one  to 
every  officer,  teacher  and  scholar  in  his  school. 

8.  If  a  "Children's  Meeting*'  isto  be  held  during  the  Convention,  it 
should  be  specially  announced  in  each  school  in  the  town  for  three  suc- 
cessive Sundavs  before  the  Convention. 


54  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

9.  Before  the  programme?  are  printed,  the  pastors  and  Sunday-school 
workers  of  the  town  where  the  Convention  is  to  he  held,  should  be 
called  to  meet  with  the  County  Executive  Committee  to  arrange  for 
the  entertainment  of  delegates,  provide  for  the  music,  make  sugges- 
tions as  to  programme,  and  see  that  everything  is  done  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  success  of  the  Convention. 

10.  Request  each  newspaper  in  your  county  to  notice  the  Convention 
for  three  weeks,  and  to  print  the  programme  in  full  one  week  before 
the  Convention.     They  will  rarely  refuse  to  do  it. 

11.  See  that  a  Convention  is  held  in  each  township  within  the  three 
months  previous  to  your  county  meeting.  At  least  one  member  of  your 
County  Executive  Committee  should  attend  every  township  meeting — 
two  is  much  better. 

12.  Request  each  school  in  the  county  to  send  a  contribution,  equal  to 
two  cents  for  each  member  of  the  school,  to  the  County  Treasurer  for 
State  and  County  Sunday-school  work.  A  clear  statement  of  the  object 
and  needs  of  our  woi'k  should  be  sent  with  this  request.  If  the  schools 
are  properly  visited,  and  the  township  work  conscientiously  done,  they 
will  generally  respond  to  this  call.  The  money  should  reach  the  County 
Treasurer  before  the  time  for  him  to  make  his  annual  report. 

13.  Leave  nothing  undone  to  secure  a  fresh  and  full  report  from  every 
school  in  your  county  before  your  annual  Convention.  Request  espe- 
cially that  the  additions  to  the  church  and  amount  of  missionary  con- 
tributions be  reported  by  each  school.  This  will  add  much  to  the 
interest  of  your  meeting. 

14.  Pray  and  work  for  a  rich  spiritual  blessing  upon  your  Sunday- 
school  workers  at  your  Convention,  and  expect  it.  God  is  not  slow  to 
answer  such  prayers.  He  loves  to  give,  and  loves  to  have  us  ask  for 
great  things. 


Sunday-School  Convention. 


DUTIES  OF  TOWNSHIP  OFFICERS. 


1.  To  visit  each  Sunday-school  in  your  township,  at  least  once  each 
year;  if  possible  once  each  quarter.  Get  acquainted  with  the  superin- 
tendent and  learn  his  plans  of  work.  If  he  is  discouraged,  help  him 
"with  kind  words;  pray  with  him  for  his  school:  tell  him  how  to  over- 
come his  difficulties,  or  invite  him  to  visit  some  other  school,  with  you, 
where  such  difficulties  have  been  overcome.  Especially  invite  him  to 
attend  your  Township  Sunday-school  Convention,  and  the  County  Con- 
vention also. 

2.  See  that  a  Sunday-school  Convention  is  held  in  your  township  at 
least  once  each  year;  if  possible,  each  quarter.  Co-operate  with  the 
officers  of  the  County  Sunday-school  Association  and  secure  the  attend- 
ance of  one  or  more  of  them  at  your  township  meeting.  Arrange  a 
programme  that  will  suit  the  needs  of  your  schools  See  that  each 
superintendent  has  enough  programmes  to  supply  every  officer,  teacher 
and  scholar  in  his  school.  This  should  be  done  at  least  two  weeks  before 
your  township  meeting.  The  cost  of  programmes  is  nothing  compared 
with  the  advantage  of  having  your  Convention  well  advertised.  If 
possible,  visit  each  school  at  this  time  and  personally  invite  all  to  attend 
your  Convention. 

3.  At  your  Convention,  call  for  a  report  from  each  superintendent  as 
to  the  encouragements  and  difficulties  in  his  work,  and  have  some  bright, 
earnest  Christian  tell  how  to  meet  these  difficulties.  If  more  schools 
are  needed  in  the  township,  try  to  get  some  one  to  organize  them  the 
next  Sunday;  and  ask  all  in  that  neighborhood  to  attend  and  stand  by 
the  school.  Arrange  to  have  the  whole  township  visited  from  house  to 
house,  and  every  man,  woman  and  child  invited  to  attend  Sunday-school 
and  church. 

4.  Assist  your  County  Secretary  in  getting  reports  from  the  schools 
of  your  township.  This  should  be  done  about  a  month  before  the 
annual  County  Convention,  so  that  you  can  present  a  full  report  of 
your  work  and  the  condition  of  your  schools  at  that  meeting. 

5.  Go  to  the  Cotmty  Convention  and  make  your  report  in  person. 
Don't  fail  to  do  this — it  is  of  the  utmost  importance.  Thus  you  will 
encourage  your  county  officers  and  interest  all  in  your  work.  Have  at 
least  three  delegates  to  the  county  meeting  appointed  from  each  school 
in  your  township. 

6.  Do  all  your  icork  as  in  the  sight  of  Cod,  and  so  as  to  meet  His 
approval.  Pray  much  about  it  alone,  and  with  others.  Seek  to  win 
every  soul  in  your  township  for  the  kingdom  of  God. 


56  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 


[Form  of  Constitution  for  a  County  Association.] 

CONSTITUTION 

OF   THE 

COUNTY  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ASSOCIATION. 


Article  1.  This  Association  shall  be  called  the County 

Sunday-school  Association. 

Art.  2.  Any  minister  of  the  gospel,  superintendent  or  officer,  teacher 
or  adult  member  of  any  Sunday-school  in  this  county  is  a  member  of 
this  Association,  and  being  present  at  its  meetings  is  entitled  to  take 
part  in  the  same. 

Art.  3.  The  object  of  the  Association  shall  be  the  promotion  of  the 
interests  of  the  Sunday-schools  in  this  county  and  the  encouragement 
of  their  organization  and  maintenance  by  such  means  as  shall  best 
arouse  the  public  to  a  sense  of  their  value  and  importance. 

Art.  4.  The  officers  of  tins  Association  shall  consist  of  a  president,  a 
vice-president  representing  each  township  or  preen  ct  in  ihe  county,  a 
permanent  secretary,  an  assistant  secretary,  a  treasurer  and  an  execu- 
tive committee  of  five  members,  including  the  president  and  permanent 
-i  en  tary,  who  .-hall  be  ex  officio  members. 

Art.  5.  Each  township  or  precinct  at  its  annual  convention  shall 
choose  its  <a\  n  president,  who.  when  so  reported  to  the  county  secretary 
and  ■  nrolled  by  him,  shall  be  a  vice-president  of  the  county  association. 
When  any  township  or  pre  ind  shall  fail  to  choose  its  president  the 
county  executive  committee  shall  appoint  one  to  fill  that  office  in  such 
township  or  precinct,  and  he  shall  in  like  manner  he  enrolled  by  the 
permanent  secretary. 

Art.  0.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside  at  the  meetings 
of  the   \  isociation,  and  incase  of  his  absence  the  oldest  vice  president  ■ 
present  shall  take  the  chair. 

Apt.  T.  The  permanent  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  each  meeting  together  with  a  list  of  the  Sunday-schools  in  the 
county,  the  name  and  post-office  address  of  the  superintendent,  the 
number  of  teachers,  scholars,  etc..  and  make  a  report  at  each  annual 
meeting. 

Apt.  8.  The  assistant  secretary  shall  write  out  the  minutes  of  each 
meeting,  and  render  the  permanent  secretary  such  assistance  as  may  be 
necessary. 

Art.  9.  The  treasurer  shall  keep  a  faithful  account  of  all  money  col- 
lected and  disbursed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Association,  and  report  at 
each  annual  meeting. 


Sunday-School  Convention.  57 

Art.  10.  The  vice-president  shall  have  the  general  supervision  of 
Sunday-school  interests  in  their  respective  townships  or  precincts,  col- 
lect statistics  and  report  to  permanent  secretary  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  the  month  preceding  the  annual  County  Convention  in  each 
year:  collect  the  funds  from  the  respective  schools  and  report  the  same 
to  the  treasurer  before  the  annual  meeting  in  each  year.  Each  should 
visit  semi-annually  all  the  schools  in  his  territory.  He  should  encour- 
age schools  already  established,  and  organize  schools  in  localities  where 
needed;  he  should,  as  far  as  possible,  awaken  an  interest  in  better  ways 
of  working:  he  should  direct  the  minds  of  all  to  the  necessity  of  the 
conversion  of  the  pupils;  he  should  urge  the  importance  of  teachers' 
meetings;  he  should  inquire  carefully  how  well  the  neighborhood  has 
been  canvassed  for  pupils;  he  should  press  the  possibility  and  advantage 
of  sustaining  the  schools  throughout  the  year. 

Art.  11.  The  executive  committee  shall  arrange  a  programme  for  the 
annual  meet  ing  of  the  Association  and  invite  such  persons  i  rom  abroad  as 
may  add  to  the  interest  of  the  convention.  They  shall,  previous  to  the 
meeting  of  the  convention,  appoint  a  local  committee  in  the  place  where 
the  convention  is  to  meet,  to  provide  and  arrange  all  things  necessary 
for  the  coming  session  of  the  Association.  The  executive  committee  shall 
advance  the  work  in  the  county  by  all  possible  means  during  the  entire 
year.  They  shall  fill  all  vacancies  of  office  caused  by  death  or  removal; 
they  shall  suspend  any  officer  failing  to  do  his  duty  and  appoint  an  effi- 
cient worker.  They  shall  also  appoint  vice-presidents  in  any  township 
or  precinct,  which  fails  to  choose  them,  as  provided  in  article  5. 

Art.  12.  All  the  officers  of  this  Association  shall  be  elected  annually, 
excepting  th^  peimanent  secretary,  who  shall  serve  while  his  services 
are  acceptable  to  the  Association,  or  until  he  himself  resigns. 

Art.  13.  At  each  meeting  of  the  convention  two  committees  will  be 
appointed.  First — To  nominate  a  president,  treasurer,  assistant  secre- 
tary and  executive  committee.  Second — A  committee  on  resolutions, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  a  paper  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the 
convention  on  all  subjects  discussed  by  them. 

Art.  14.  This  Association  shall  uuet  in  annual  two  days'  convention 
at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  chosen  by  the  convention  or  the 
executive  committee. 

Art.  15.  This  Association  is  auxiliary  to  the  North  Carolina  State 
Sunday-school  Association,  and  shall,  by  the  permanent  secretary,  make 
an  annual  report  thereto,  and  be  represented  by  delegates  in  the  con- 
vention of  the  State  Association. 

Art.  16.  This  constitution  may  altered  or  amended  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  delegates  present  at  any  annual  meeting. 


58  Minutes  of  the  Ninth  Annual 

[Form  of  Constitution  for  a  Township  Association.] 

CONSTITUTION 

OF   THE 

TOWNSHIP  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ASSOCIATION. 


Article  1.  To  promote  the  Sunday- school  cause  in town- 
ship, we  hereby  organize  ourselves  into  an  Association  to  be  known  as 

the Sunday-school  Association,  auxiliary  to  the 

County  Sunday-school  Association. 

Art.  2.  Officers  and  teachers  of  Sunday-schools,  pastors  and  minis- 
ters, and  all  interested  in  Sunday-school  work  in  this  township,  shall  be 
regarded  as  members  of  the  Association. 

Art.  3.  The  officers  of  th^  Association  -hall  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president  and  a  secretary  and  treasurer,  who  shall  be  chosen 
annually. 

Art.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  officers  to  take  special  interest  in 
the  Sunday  school  cause  in  the  township,  visiting  the  schools  from  time 
to  time,  organizing  new  schools  where  there  is  a  demand  for  them,  and 
doing  what  they  can  to  keep  the  schools  up  with  strength  and  interest 
tjbrough  the  entire  year. 

Art.  5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Association,  and  shall  also  keep  a  record  of  the  statistics 
of  each  school  in  the  township,  in  accordance  with  the  blank  form 
adopted  by  the  International  Sunday-school  Convention,  and  shall 
report  a  Bum  mar  y  of  the  same  to  the  Secretary  of  the  County  Associa- 
tion at  lea.-t  two  weeks  previous  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  County 
Convention. 

Art.  6.  The  Association  shall  meet  in  convention  annually  or  semi- 
annually or  quarterly. 

Art.  7,  This  constitution  may  be  amended  by  a  majority  vote  at  any 
annual  meeting. 


ADVERTISEMENTS.  59 

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Sunday  -  Scho  ol 
Church  and  Chapel 

PIANOS.AMERICAN  GUITARS, 

And  anything  else  in  the  music  line,  at  lowest  prices  ever 
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RALEIGH,  N.   C. 


60 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


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<+*■' 


We  wish  to  call  the  attention  of  those  interested  in 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL         *         *         * 

work  to  one  way  in  which,  of  late  years, 

+         *         *         *         +  BANNERS 

have  been  utilized  effectually,  and  as  aids  in  stimulating  the  work  of 

the  sch  11  il. 

The  Class  and  School   Banners  are  well  known  to  all :  but  the  use  of 

"l'rize  Banners"  for  Attendance,  Punctuality, 
Contributions,  etc.,  to  be  changed  from  class 
to  class  each  month,  according  to  their  records, , 
has  been  found  by  many  Superintendents  to 
serve  as  a  material  aid  to  secure  the  best  re- 
sults. We  have  also  made  a  number  of  Ban- 
ners for  Societies  represented  in  various 
churches,  as 

THE  "IRON  CROSS.'" 

THE  "KING'S  DAUGHTERS," 

THE  '•  BROTHERHOOD  OF  ST.  ArJD.SEW,"' 

'KNIGHTS  OF  TEMPERANCE,"' 

"CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR, "  Etc. 

These  can  be  arranged  to  a  uniform  design  or  varied, 
according  to  the  wishes  of  any  particular  branch  of 
these  organizations. 

We  will  be  pleased  to  submit  sketch  suggestions  and 
estimates  for  approval,  at  any  time. 
Illustrated  catalogue,  5  colored  plates,  forwarded  upon  receipt  of  10c.  in  stamps. 

J.  &  R.  LAMB,  Ecclesiastical  Art  Workers, 

Established  1857.  59  Carmine  Street,  New  YOrk. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


61 


JOHN    H.  TOWILINSO^, 

—PUBLISHER  OF— 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL      SUPPLIES, 

82  3 1st  Street,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Kindly  send  Posisil  for  Samples,  «  ircst- 
lara  and  Price-fcist. 

N.  B.     Name  this  Report. 


TEE  TRUMPET  CALL 

OF    THE 

LOYAL  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ARMY 
OF  AMERICA 

IS     PUBLISHED    MONTHLY. 

AT  CHICAGO,  ILL., 

IN  THE  INTEREST  OF  BETTER  SUN- 
DAY-SCHOOL WORK. 

Its  constant  aim  will  be  to  stimulate 
each  Scholar  and  Teacher  to  Regular  and 
Punctual  Attendance,  Faithful  Home 
Study  of  the  Lesson,  and  Regular  Giving 
to  help  others. 

TERMS:  Ten  or  more  copies  to  one 
address,  Ten  Cents  each  per  year.  By  the 
month,  One  Dollar  per  ioo  copies. 

Single  copies,  Twenty-five  Cents  per 
year. 

This  places  The  Trumpet  Call,  with 
its  Suggestions  for  Study  of  the  S.-S.  Les- 
sons, and  Prof.  HamilPs  valuable  Normal 
Lessons,  within  the  reach  of  every  S.-S. 
Scholar  and  Teacher  in  America. 

Sample  copies  sent  free  on  application. 

MISSIONARY  and  SUNDAY-SCHOOL 
PUBLICATIONS. 

Missionary  Leaflet  No.  i. — A  Mute  Ap- 
peal on  Behalf  of  Foreign  Missions, 
with  diagram  exhibiting  Ihe  Actual  and 

W.  B.  JACOBS,  Publish 


Relative  Numbers  of  Mankind  classified 
according  to  their  religion.  30  cents  per 
100.  Chart  of  above  diagram  lithographed 
in  six  colors  (28  by  42  inches),  sent  post- 
paid for  60  cents. 

Missionary  Leaflet  No.  2. — Trifling 
With  a  Great  Trust,  with  diagram  il- 
lustrating the  Annual  Expenditures  in  the 
U.  S.  compared  with  Gifts  to  Christian 
Missions.  30  cents  per  100.  Chart  of  this 
diagram  (28  by  42  inches),  sent  post-paid 
for  60  cents. 

Missionary  Leaflet  No.  3.— A  Compara- 
tive View  of  Christian  Work  in  the 
Home  and  Foreign  Fields,  with  dia- 
grams, 30  cents  per  100. 

Missionary  Leaflet  No.  4. — Facts  on- 
Foreign  Missions.  20  cents  per  dozen; 
Si. 00  per  100. 

Sunday-school  Leaflet  No.  1.—  The 
Church  at  Sunday-School.  30  cents  per 
100. 

Sunday-school  Leaflet  No.  2.— Home 
Sunday-School  Classes.  25  cents  per  100. 

Sunday-school  Leaflet  No. 3. — The  Home 
and  Sunday-School.    30  cents  per  100. 

The  Improved  Class-Book,  or  Sunday- 
school  Teacher's  Record.  Arranged  for 
keeping  an  accurate  record  of  the  Attend- 
ance, Lesson  and  Contribution  of  Teach- 
ers and  Scholars.  Prepared  by  W.  B. 
Jacobs.  Price  50  cents  per  dozen;  5  cents 
each. 

The  Model  Sunday-School  Record, 
for  Sunday-school  Secretaries  and  Treas- 
urers. Price,  Manilla  Bound,  35  cents, 
cloth,  75  cents. 

er,  148  Madison  Street, 


CHICAGO,  ILL. 


62  ADVERTISEMENTS. 

J.  SOUTHGATE  &  SON, 


GENERAL 


vr         -&  7i* 


FIRE,  LIFE,  ACCIDENT,  STEAM  BOILER  * 

•  *  *  •  *  AND  TORNADO  INSURANCE  AGENTS, 


DURHAM,    N.    C. 


Large  Lines  Placed  on  Short  Notice  at  Current  Rates 
and  on  the  Best  Terms. 


$500,000,000  CAPITAL  AND  ASSETS  REPRESENTED. 

T^LICT  P  A  |\I  SIX/  ~~  °"ly  ^'°°  a  year'  5°°  illustra" 
111  1 <  1  /ill  v_5  I  •  ted  quarto  pages.  Especially- 
appropriate  for  Sunday  reading.  Edited  by  "  Pansy,"  author  of  the 
popular  Pansy  Books.  The  Pansy,  -for  1S90,  is  unusually  attractive. 
Pansy's  new  serial  and  golden  text  stories,  and  Margaret  Sidney's  story, 
"Aunt  Philena,"  Felix  Oswald's  papers,  the  Bible  Baud  readings,  the  P. 
S.  Corner,  Baby's  Corner — these  are  but  few  of  the  interesting  features. 
The  J.  S.  C.  E.  is  a  new  department,  designed  for  the  "Junior  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,"  to  whom  The  Pansy  will  be  all  that  the  Golden 
Rule  is  to  its  elders.  Any  Sunday-school  Superintendent  desiring  half - 
a  dozen  copies  of  The  Pansy  to  distribute  in  his  school  can  have  them 
by  sending  request  for  same  to  D.  Lothrop  Co.,  Boston. 

THE  PANSY  LIBRARIES. 

Xo.  [. — 30  vols.,  $7.50.  No.  2. — 20  vols.,  $5.00.  No.  3. — 12  vols.,  $3.00. 
20  vols,  recent  choice  #1.25  books,  are  now  put  up  in  handsome  uniform 
binding,  in  a  box,  as  Lothrop's  SELECT  S.-S.  Library,  No.  13.  Price, 
fio.oonet.  50  vols,  of  $1.00  to  #1.50  books,  bj'  favorite  American  authors, 
are  also  put  up  in  uniform  binding,  in  a  strong  wood  box,  as  Lothrop's 
Select  Library,  \"o.  14.    Price,  #25.00  net. 

.  .  fSuid  for  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  2,000  select  books  for  Sunday- 
schools,  free. 

D.   LOTHROP   CO.,  Publishers, 

BOSTON. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


W.  DUKE,  SONS  &  CO., 


BRANCH    OF 


THE  AMERICAN  TOBACCO  COMFY. 


CAPITAL,  $25,000,000.00. 


MANUFACTURERS  of  the  FINEST  BRANDS 
OF  CIGARETTES  IN  THE  WORLD. 


CALL  FOR   THEIR  BRANDS  WHEN  BUYING. 


SUPERIOR  QUALITY  OF  TONE  and  ACTION.     DURABILITY  GUARANTEED. 
SHONINGER  ORGANS  ARE  THE  BEST. 

Catalogues  Mailed  on  Application. 

B.    SHONINGER    COMPANY, 

MANl'FACTl  KKR«. 
Established      1S50.  NEW     HAVEN,     CONN. 

Warerooms:  86  Fifth  Ave.,  N.  Y.;  225  State  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

the:  mistake  he  made. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  6,  1090. 
Editor  Daily  State  Chronicle. 

Dear  Sir: — We  clip  the  following  from  your  issue  of  this  date: 

"  Mr.  Geo.  Barrett,  who  was  buried  in  this  city  yesterday,  had  been  a  member  of 
"the  Knights  of  Honor  since  its  organization  until  last  November,  when  he  failed  to 
"  meet  his  assessment,  and  became  dismembered.  If  he  had  kept  up  his  dues  his 
"  children  would  have  received  52,000  at  his  death." 

The  Knights  of  Honor  were  organized  here  in  1877,  therefore,  we  will  suppose,  Mr. 
Barrett  had  paid  about  12  years  Had  he  been  insured  for  $2,000  in  "  The  Old  /Etna," 
supposing  his  age  to  have  been  40  years,  his  premiums  in  12  years  at  $24  37  per  thou- 
sand would  have  cost  him  $584.88  and  he  would  have  secured  to  his  family  $2,000,  or  had 
his  policy  have  lapsed  last  fall  he  would  have  secured  a  "paid-up"  policy  for  his  family 
due  at  death  for  $637.20  instead  of  losing  ALL  he  had  paid  in.  Cost  $584.88.  Paid-up 
insurance  $637.20.     Gain  $52.32,  besides  protection  12  years  for  $2,000. 

We  write  investment  policies  as  good  as  the  best,  and  as  cheap  as  a  first-class  insu- 
rance can  be  written. 
Our  protection  insurance  is  low.     Examine  what  we  offer  before  you  insure. 

-W2*£.    Xj.   HILL,    Grexx.    -A-g-eaa/t, 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


HELPS  TO  THE  STUDY  OP 
ST.  LUKE'S  GOSPEL. 


THE  BIBLE  WORK;  or,  BIBLE  READER'S 

COMMENTARY. 

By  J.  Glentworth  Butler.   D.    D.     Vol.    I. — New   Testament.     8vo, 

cloth,  6S5  double-column  pages.     Illustrated  with  50  steel  and  wood 

engravings   of  Maps,    Charts,  Scenes   in  Bible  Lands,  etc.     #4.00. 

Carriage  free. 

The  Sunday-School  Times  says :  "An  admirable  digest  of  commentaries,  and  yet 
more  than  a  digest,  is  the  first  volume  ot  Dr.  J  Glentworth  Butler's  Bible  Reader's 
Commentary  on  the  New  Testament.  It  covers  the  four  Gospels,  under  the  title  of 
The  Fourfold  Gospel.  It  is  a  consolidation  of  the  four  narratives  into  one.  Its  anno- 
tations are  selections  from  the  thinkers  of  the  ages,  and  it  is  supplied  with  maps  and 
pictorial  illustrations." 

J.  A.  H'orden,  D.  D..  Presbyterian  Sunday-School  Svperiniendent,  says:  "No  safer, 
more  suggestive  or  inspiring  commentary  has  ever  appeared.  I  recommend  it  to  all 
Sunday-bchool  workers  and  students." 


A   CRITICAL   AND   EXEGETICAL  COMMENTARY 

ON  LUKE. 

By  Heinrich  A.   \V.   Meyer.     Edited  by  M.  D.  Riddle,  D.  D.     Large 
Svo,  cloth,  pp.  593.     $3.00.     Post  free. 

The  Sunday-School  Times  says:     'Best  of  all   in  critical  thoroughness  is  the  Com- 
mentary of  Meyer." 

Talbot  W.  Chambers.  D.  D..  says  :     "  Meyer  is  the  prince  of  exegetes." 

Thos.  Armitage.  D.  D.,  says  :     "  Meyer  is  of  immense  value." 


GODET'S  COMMENTARY  ON  LUKE. 

Edited  by  John  Hall,   D.   D.     Svo,  cloth,  pp.  5S5.     $3.00.     Post  free 

The  Sunday-School  Times  says:  "  Probably  the  very  best  for  thoughtful  Bible  students 
is  Godet's  Commentary  on  Luke.  It  is  devout,  brilliant  and  eminently  readable, 
.     .     .     rich  and  suggestive  as  an  exegete." 


A   MANUAL  OF   INTRODUCTION    TO   THE    NEW 

TESTAMENT. 

By  Prof.   B.   Weiss,  Ph.  D.  of  the  University  of  Berlin.     2  vols.,  i2mo, 
cloth,  pp.  420  each.     Per  vol.,  $2.00.     Post  free. 

The  Sunday-School  Times  says  :     "Among  introductory  helps  for  advanced  students 
we  name  Weiss'  '  Introduction  to  the  New  Testament.'  " 

Talbot  IV.  Chambers,  J).  /J.,  says:     "  It  shows  aeuteness  and  learning,  and  represents 
fairly  the  critical  scholarship  of  to-day." 

FUNK  &  WAGNALLS, 
Publishers  and  Booksellers, 

18  and  20  Astor  Place,  NEW  YORK. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL  LIBRARY  BOOKS. 

For  more  than  forty  years  we  have  been  engaged  in  the  Sunday-school  supply 
business.  We  can  safely  "say  that  our  stock  has  never  been  as  complete  as  it  is  to-day. 
The  retail  prices  of  books  are  very  low,  and  yet  our  DISCOUNTS  are  better  than  ever. 

IE  ISSOE  A  56-PAGE  CATALOGDE 

Of  desirable  Sunday-school  Books.     The  prices  are  so  arranged  that   you  can  tell   at 
once  the  retail  and  net  price  of  any  book  advertised.     Our  discounts  range  from 

25  TO  50  PER  CENT. 


We  have  supplied  thousands  of  libraries  and  never  had  a  book  returned  or  spoken 
of  as  unfit  for  a  Sunday-school  Library.  We  take  great  pains  in  selecting.  We  will 
send  a  lot  of  books  for  examination,  those  you  do  not  want  to  be  returned  to  us  at  our 
expense.  If  you  are  about  to  purchase  a  Library,  see  our  Catalogue  before  buying;  it 
will  help  you. 


COODENOUCH  &  WOCLOM  CO., 

122  NASSAU  St.,  NEW  YORK. 
ESTABLISHED  1851. 

ANSON  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  CO., 

38  West  Twenty-third  Street, 
NEW  YORK, 

PUBLISHERS,  RETAIL  BOOKSELLERS  anfi  STATIONERS. 


Messrs.  RANDOLPH  &  CO.  invite  attention  to  their  facilities  for  the  execution  of 
orders  bv  mail,  or  otherwise,  for  books  in  the  various  DEPARTMENTS  OF  STAN- 
DARD Literature. 

They  also  make  a  specialty  of  RELIGIOUS  AND  DEVOTIONAL  BOOKS.  Selec- 
tions, to  meet  any  special  want,  will  be  carefully  made  when  desired. 

They  also  make  a  specialty  of  BOOKS  FOR  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  LIBRARIES, 
selecting  not  simply  from  their  own  Catalogue,  but  from  all  unexceptionable  sources, 
and  believe  that  their  knowledge  and  experience  ma}'  be  of  value  to  all  who  entrust 
their  orders  to  them. 

>6®-A  CATALOGUE  OF  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  LIBRARY  BOOKS,  WITH  TERMS, 
&C,  WILL  BE  SENT  ON  APPLICATION. 

A  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  their  own  publications,  together  with  the  catalogue  of 
any  other  publisher,  will  be  forwarded  when  requested. 

-•^CORRESPONDENCE  SOLICITED. 


38  West  Twenty-third  Street,  NEW  YORK. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


MANUFACTURING 


H.  REISNER, 

>  JEWELER  ^  AND  >  SILVERSMITH. 


DC 


PQ 


P=o 


t3C» 

5=o 


CP=^ 


on 


Manufactured    from    native    North    Carolina    gold.     Orders    by    mail 
promptly  attended  to  and  solicited.     Very  truly, 

W.   H.  REISNER, 

SALISBURY,  N.  C. 


FORTY^THREE    YEARS    EXPERIENCE. 


SELF 


PLAYING 

•  •  •    ORGANS. 


A  WONDERFUL  INVENTION. 


An  Orchestra  in  your  own 
house.  Plays  either  by  Key- 
board, or  Automatically,  any 
music  ever  written. 


Parlor,  Ct\Urc.I\^Ftell  0rgai\5- 

WILCOX  &  WHITE  ORGAN  COMPANY,  Meriden,  Ct. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


fWEBST£fi$^fA 

1  ONABRIDGfJ'' LlB> 
yOlGTIONAftyM 


IN 

ITSELF 


WEBSTER'S  UNABRIDGED  DICTIONARY. 

THE   BEST   INVESTMENT 

For  the  Family,  the  School,  the  Professional  or  Private  Library. 

Mas  "been  for  years  Stand- 
ard Authority  in  the  Gov't 
Printing  Office  and  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court. 

It  is  highly  recommended 
by  38  State  Sup'ts  of  Schools 
and  the  leading.  College 
Presidents  of  the  U.  S.  and 
Canada. 

Nearly  all  of  the  School 
Boohs  published  in  this 
country  are  based  upon 
Webster,  as  attested  by  the 
leading  School  Book  Puto- 
lishers. 

It  has  3000  more  Words 
and  nearly  2000  more  En- 
gravings than  any  other 
American  Dictionary. 


Besides  many  other  valuable  features,  this  work  contains 

A  Dictionary  of  the  English  Language 

with  118,000  Words  and  3000  Engravings, 

A  Dictionary  of  Biography 

giving  facts  about  nearly  10,000  Noted  Persons, 

A  Dictionary  of  Geography 

locating  and  briefly  describing  25,000  Places, 

A  Dictionary  of  Fiction 

found  only  in  Webster'sJJnabridged, 

All  in  One 


Webster  excels  in  SYNONYMS,  which  are  appropriately 
found  in  the  bodv  "f  th«  work. 


FOR   SALE    BY   ALL   BOOKSELLERS. 

fl'ustrated  Pamphlet  of  Specimen  Pages,  Testimonials,  &c,  will  be  sent  prepaid  upon  application. 
Published  by  G.  &  C.  MEKKIAM  &  CO.,  Springfield,  Mass. 


WBLACKWELL'S 

RHAM  TOB 


r 


HONEST, 

POPULAR, 

UNIFORM, 

RELIABLE, 

SATISFACTORY 

MOKING  TOBACCO 

EVER  PUT  UPON  THE  MARKET, 

Hence  Dealers  and  Consumers  always  pro- 
nounce it  THE  BEST. 

Situated  in  the  Immediate  section  of  country  that  produces  a  grade  of  Tobacco  that  in  texture, 
flavor  and  quality  Is  not  grown  elsewhere  in  the  world,  the  popularity  of  these  goods  is  only  limit- 
ed by  the  quantity  produced.  We  are  in  position  to  command  the  choice  of  all  H  r  p  w  D  C  CT 
Offerings  upon  this  market,  and  spare  no  pains  or  expense  to  give  the  trade  the 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


GENTLE    AND   SWEET    MELODIES. 

Sacred  and  secular  songs,  and  all  other  kinds  of  music,  are  in  our  thousands  of  books 

and  millions  of  sheet-music  pieces. 


YOUNG    PLAYERS'        (Paper  Si;  Boards  Si. 25.)    New,  bright  and  easy.    143  Piano 

POPULAR  COLLECTION.    pieces 

WHITNEY'S         (Boards  $2;  Cloth  $2.50.)     By  S.  B.  Whitney.     33  fine  Organ  pieces 
ORGAN  ALBUM  *°r  Manual  ar>d  Pedal,  by  20  distinguished  composers. 

A  helpful,  useful  friend  to  pupil  and  teacher  is 
MASONS'S    PIANO-     (S2  5°-)    By  Wm.  Mason  and  W.  S.  B.  Matthews.    This  admira- 
FORTE    TFPHNIP^      ble  svstem  °f  scales,  arpeggios  and  all  other  needed  technical 

j  tunwiw.     exercises,  with  good  directions,  holds  a  high  place  in  the  es- 

teem of  thorough  teachers,  and  should  be  everywhere  used.  Our  thoroughly  good, 
genial  and  practical  School  Music  Books  are  widely  known  and  used.  Do  YOU  use 
them  ? 

SONG       Book  1,  Primary  (30  cts.,  $3  doz.);  Book  2,  Medium  (\o  cts.,  $4.20  doz.);  Book 
MANUAL   3'  Hi£her  Classes  (50  cts.,   $4.80   doz.)  by  L.   O.  Emerson,  is  his  last  and 
'  best  book,  and  a  rare  good  book  for  schools. 

MOTION   (25  cts.,  $2. 28  doz.)  by  Mrs.  Boardman,  is  a  delight  to  teachers  and  chil- 
SONGS^     dren.     &5~Auy  book  mailed  promptly  for  retail  pr  ce. 

OLIYER  DITSON  COMPANY,  Boston.     |     c-  "-^SKS, *««&. 


EDWARDS  &  BROUGHTON, 

POWER 

Printers,  Binders,  Stationers, 

AND 

BLANK  BOOK  MANUFACTURERS, 

RALEIGH,  N.  C. 

BIGLOW  &  MAIN, 

Leading  publishers  of  Sunday-school  Music,  &c,  heartily 
Commend  their  New  Book, 

To  Sunday-schools  desiring  the  best  songs  now  offered.  Sent  for  examination  on  receipt 
°f  .15  cents.  Money  refunded  if  the  book  proves  unsatisfactory,  and  returned 
within  one  month. 

PRICE,  $30.00  PER  100  COPIES.         SPECIMEN  PAGES  FREE. 

BIGLOW  &   MAIN, 

76  B.  Ninth  St..  New  York,  and  81  Randolph  St.,  Chicago. 


im- 


Bf-us 


CD 


PELOUBET'S  NOTES,  (Now  Ready.) 

The  well-known  Commentary  on  the  Sunday-School  Lessons. 

Explanatory,  Illustrative,  Doctrinal,  Practical,  Suggestive.  With  Illustrations,  Charts, 
Library  References,- Suggestions  to  Teachers,  and  Two  Finely  Colored  Maps.  Price,  $1.25: 
Interleaved  Edition,  52.00;  French  Morocco,  Limp,  Round  Corners,  Gilt,  52.00.  (A  verj 
appropriate  Christmas  or  New  Year's  Gift.) 

By  Rev.  Dr.  F.  N.  and  M.  A.  PELOUBET. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  RECORD  BOOKS. 

Teacher's  Class-Book  and  Collection  Envelope,  together,  J1.00  per  dozen;  sepa- 
rately, each,  50  cents  per  dozen.  Complete  Sunday-School  Record  Book.  For  use  of 
Superintendents,  Secretaries,  or  Treasurers.  Price.  50  classes,  $1.00;  60  classes,  $1.50. 
Sunday-School  Library  Register.  Arranged  for  50  classes,  $1.00  Library  Cards, 
75  cents  per  100.  Quarterly-  Class  Cards,  printed  on  stiff  card-board,  $2.oo"per  100. 
Mailed  on  receipt  of  price. 

PELOUBET'S  GRADED  QUESTION  BOOKS. 

For  the  whole  year.    Three  Grades.    Price  15  cents  each. 

GRADED  SERIES  OF  QUARTERLIES. 


To  Sri'ERINTENI 

well-known  series: 
The  Sunday-School  f 
The  Intermediate  < 
The  Children's  Qui 
The  Little  One's  Q  ~ 
Sunday-School  am 

Schauffler,  1> 
Children's  Teache 
Lesson  Leaves. 
Child's  Bible  Cate 
Songs,  Old  and  X 
Golden  Text  and 

OUR   SUNi 


An    illustrated 
bright   pictures 
girls  in  the   Sun 
cents  a   year.     1 
each,  70  cents  a 
each,  60  cents. 


ri-ACHERS.     It  needs  but  a  trial  to  prove  the  value  of  this 


tec 


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Dat ;-.  F.  N.  Peloubet,  D.  D.    . 

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