Sunday School Convention

The annual convention of the Washtenaw County Sunday School Association was held at Saline, Oct. 18th, in the very attractive, new Presbyterian church, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. During the first half hour an impressive devotional service was led by Mr. Horace Bartlett, of Saline. President John K. Campbell, of Augusta, presided during the morning session. Several papers were given. The brief extracts from these cannot in any measure do justice to the painstaking care bestowed upon them.

"Best Methods of Opening and Closing, ' ' by Mrs. Nellie Darling, of Stony Creek. Mrs. Darling urged variety. "Surprise the school with a change of exercises. Let all things be brief. Give much prayerful thought to the closing exercises. ' '

"Ruts to Avoid, " by Mrs.C.W.Harris, of Ssony Creek.

"Do not be too well satisfied with your school. ' ' Mrs. Harris urged care in selection of ofticers and teachers. She said there are so few men for Sunday school work and asked, "Can anyone tell why it is more the duty of a Christian woman than a Christian man to enter into the Sunday school work?" Let the parents and adults uphold the superintendent. Following the paper carne a discussion upon "Holding the Boys." Some advised the use of historical topics, in connection with the lesson.

Mrs. Herbert Smith, of Salem, in a paper entitled "How to Arouse Interest" said: "The Home Department seems divinely appointed to help the grown people, the aged and infirm. Handshaking and greeting is a sort of John the Baptist forerunner of the work. Invite scholars to the teacher's home. Class meetings at the home are of untold benefit."

After singing came a prayer upon "Indifference"by Mrs. Allie Austin,of Salem. A pastor may fight nearly all other obstacles, but indifference he cannot. We sit with folded hands wondering "What can be done?" Evil is wrought by want of thought. Our nation is sleeping over an earthquake in Sabbath desecration. Eleven millions of children not in Sabbath school. Teachers need talent, tact, activity.

Mr. Howard Bartlett, of Saline, gave an account of his work in Sunday schools in country school houses, and made an earnest plea for this need. "There are 158 district schools in Washtenaw county. Sunday schools should be held in all these districts. ' '

Appropriate to this topic C. A. Stringer, member of the state executive committee, read a touching poem entitled "The Noisy Seven, " by Dr. G. F. Hunting.

Before adjournment of the morning session, a nominating committee was appointed consisting of Mr. Canfleld, of Pittsfleld ; Mr. Beal, of Ypsilanti ; J. G. Fisher, of Dexter; Rev. F. E. Dodds, of Saline, and Mrs. H. A. Fields, of Dixboro.

At 1 :45 p. m a consecration service was led by Rev. D. Q. Barry, of the Baptist church, Saline. At 2:15 the meeting was opened for reports, Prof. E. C. Goddard in the chair in the absence of President Campbell, E. E. Calkins giving a blackboard illustration of the township convention and institute work. There are 20 townships in the connty. The number of township conventions and institutes reported for the past year were 10. There are nearly 70 Sabbath schools in the county. The treasurer, C. F. Deake, of Salem, reported total amount of receipts, $92.87; disbursements, $49.49; balance, $43.38. Due on pledge for state work, $26. This amount was paid by the delegates present. The convention then pledged for state work for coming year $100.

Next came the election of officers: President, John K. Campbell, Ypsilanti ; vice president, D. C. Townsend, Saline ; field secretary, E. E. Calkins, Ann Arbor ; recording secretary, Miss P. A. Noble, Ann Arbor; treasurer, C. F. Deake, Salem; executrve committee, H. Bartlett, Saline; J. G. Fisher, Dexter ; Albert Graves, Ypsilanti.

A rising vote of thanks was given heartily for the very courteous and hospitable entertainment given the members of the convention by the Saline friends. The number of delegates present was 87. An invitation to hold the next convention at Salem was accepted. The thanks of the convention are due to Prof. G. P. Coler, of Ann Arbor, for his very comprehensive exposition of the lesson for Oct. 22, which held the closest attention of the audience.

Space does not permit a synopsis of the fine address of C. A. Stringer upon "System, " nor the "Question Box" conducted by Mr. Stringer, which was listened to with deep interest. The afternoon session closed with a "Normal Lesson" by A. Riley Crittenden, of Ann Arbor. Mr. Crittenden's rapid work convinced the teachers that they were indeed scholars in the hands of an experienced teacher, and that Normal work is a vital necessity.

A large audience gathered for the closing meeting in the evening. Mr. Crittenden gave an entertaining object lesson for boys. Rev. Mr. Dodds, of Saline, led a devotional service. We then listened to a solo by Master Arcihe Barry, of Saline, and a very fine address upon "Hard Study of the Bible, " by Rev. James A. Brown, of Ypsilanti.

Recording Secretary.