The Sabbath-School

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 23, 1883

The Sabbath-School.

North Pacific Sabbath-School Association.

The North Pacific Sabbath-school Association held its fifth annual session in connection with the camp-meeting held at Beaverton, Oregon, June 20–26, 1883.

First meeting June 22, at 8:45 A. M. Prayer by Brother W. C. White. Delegates called for and credentials were handed in. It was voted that all ministers and members of Sabbath-schools present be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Association.

Minutes of last session were called for, read, and accepted. Report of labor called for and read, showing quite an increase in that direction, also in interest in the Sabbath-school work.

No of schools at commencement of Conference year 6 “ “ “ “ the end “ “ “ “ 10 Greatest No. of scholars during last year............ 195 “ “ “ “ “ this “ ... 305

The schools at West Portland and Seattle failed to report on account of the removal of most of their officers and members.

Committees were appointed as follows: On Nominations, Eld. W. L. Raymond, W. P. Wilson, and John Cole; on Resolutions, W. C. White, Sister Eliza Jones, and Sister Jennie A. Benham. Sister Benham read an interesting essay on the subject of “Sabbath-schools and how to conduct them.”

A second meeting was called June 25, at 5 P. M. Prayer by Eld. E. W. Barnes. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. Committee on Nominations reported the following list of officers: President, Eld. C. L. Boyd; Secretary, R. D. Benham; Executive Committee, W. P. Wilson, and Henry Atkins. These were unanimously elected. Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

WHEREAS, The schools in this Conference are so situated as to render weekly teachers’ meetings impracticable, therefore

Resolved, That each officer and teacher should labor independently to acquire a thorough understanding of the subject studied, and of the best methods of teaching and of securing earnest work among the students; and

WHEREAS, We but partly understand the words and actions of Bible characters unless we have a knowledge of the objects and circumstances that surrounded them, therefore

Resolved, That we should industriously study such histories, Bible dictionaries, and atlases as are within reach.

Resolved, That we heartily recommend the use of pictures and maps in the teaching of the primary classes.

WHEREAS, The interests of the Sabbath-school in many instances are deteriorated by the neglect of parents and guardians to regularly attend Sabbath-school, or by their coming in late, and with very deficient lessons; also by their failure to interest themselves in assisting their children in getting their lessons during the week, thereby causing double neglect, therefore

Resolved, That we seek God with greater earnestness, making the Sabbath-school a subject of prayer, and that teachers bring the pupils’ names individually before the mercy seat, striving to set a good example in promptness, cheerfulness, and a good understanding of the lessons by a careful study of the Scriptures, assisted by a frequent perusal of the “Spirit of Prophecy” in connection with the lesson.

Resolved, That we do all in our power for the furtherance of the Sabbath-school work, in procuring all available materials; also that the teachers of the primary classes should practice drawing so that if no articles in the form of pictures or object lessons are available they present the subject more clearly by having hand-blackboards to draw rude pictures on, as this way of illustration has been proved the most interesting to little ones, impressing the lesson more fully and pleasingly on their minds.

These resolutions called out interesting remarks from several, especially from Bro. W. C. White, who gave some instructive words on how to make the school interesting, the art of teaching and questioning, etc. After a second reading these were taken up separately.

The fifth resolution especially called out an animated discussion on the feasibility of blackboards and map-drawing in the classes, from Brn. White, Colcord, Barnes, Dickinson, Sister Jones and others. It was then moved to amend this resolution so as to read: “We recommend that the teachers of primary classes use blackboards, maps, etc. Carried.

These resolutions were then adopted. The following questions were asked: 1. “Should we have an unconverted teacher?” Answered by Bro. W. C. White in the negative. 2. “What should be done with a person who refuses to lay aside his paper at recitation?” Answered by Elder Boyd; after which a short but interesting essay was read by Sister McCoon, of East Portland. Adjourned.

R. D. BENHAM, Sec. C. L. BOYD, Pres.