Sabbath-School Association.
THE seventh annual session of the California State Sabbath-school Association was held in connection with the camp-meeting in Oakland, commencing Sept. 18, 1884. The first meeting convened Sept. 22, at 9 A. M. Prayer was offered by Eld. J. N. Loughborough. Minutes of last annual session were read and approved. A brief report of the standing of the association was then read, showing the whole number of schools reporting to be thirty-seven. Total membership at last session, 1,250; present membership, 1,370; increase, 120. Four schools had been discontinued, and four new ones added. Cash on hand Sept. 1, 1883...$183 89 Tithes and donations...$91 62 San Jose...$17 83
Los Angeles...6 20
Reno...11 75—$341 29 Donation to General Association...$10 35
Instructors for camp meeting...11 50
Lessons...3 50
Printing circulars...8 50
Stationary...2 29
Postage...2 86
Club of fifty Instructors...45 00—$84 00
Balance on hand on deposit in Pacific Press...$257 29 The President then spoke briefly of the Sabbath-school missionary work that had been done in harmony with the second resolution passed at the last annual session, which empowered the Executive Committee to furnish workers in new fields with the necessary lessons for use in the schools they may establish. A club of one hundred copies of the Youth's Instructor, and a number of Bible Lessons, No. 1, had been used during the year by our tent companies, with good results. He also spoke of the improvement that had been made by the schools in the matter of reporting, and the general increase of interest in the Sabbath-school work throughout the Conference. Committees were appointed as follows: On Nominations—W. C. White, S. Brownsberger, J. N. Loughborough; on Resolutions—C. H. Jones, C. C. Ramsey, W. C. Grainger; to Examine School Records—Mrs. G. D. Ballou, Josie Cochran, Georgia Burrus. E. J. Waggoner then delivered a very interesting and forcible address on "Home Study of the Bible," showing why, when, and how the Scriptures should be studied. It was requested that this address be published in the Signs of the Times. Meeting adjourned to call of the chair. A second meeting was held Sept. 25, at 5 P. M. Opening song, "Stand by the School." Prayer by Eld. J. O. Corliss. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The Nominating Committee reported for President, C. H. Jones; Secretary, Josie Cochran; Executive Committee, C. H. Jones, E. J. Waggoner, and C. C. Ramsey. It was moved and seconded to adopt the report in full. The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
WHEREAS, The spiritual welfare of our people demands that they become better acquainted with the principal points of our faith; therefore, Resolved, That it is the sense of this association that the present lessons on important Bible subjects, recently begun in the Youth's Instructor, should be continued on the same plan at least until January 1, 1886. WHEREAS, During the past year, several Sunday-schools have been established in different parts of the State, and believing that much good may be accomplished by such efforts; therefore, Resolved, That we indorse the action of our brethren and sisters in this line, and that we recommend that this work be carried forward more vigorously during the coming year, and that those conducting such schools render regular quarterly reports to the State Secretary. WHEREAS, We recognize the importance of directing the minds of our children and others to a proper course of reading in connection with Bible study; and, WHEREAS, Our land is flooded with exciting, trashy literature that is poisoning the minds of the youth and benumbing their sensibilities; therefore, Resolved, That we recommend that all our Sabbath-schools establish Sabbath-school libraries—purchasing only such books as have been critically examined by competent persons; and, Resolved, That we request the officers of this association to furnish a printed list of books, that they can recommend for Sabbath-school Libraries. WHEREAS, We feel the need of more thorough instruction in regard to the Sabbath-school work, therefore, Resolved, That we recommend that a Sabbath-school convention be held at some central point during the coming year, where methods of work may be discussed and plans laid to better carry forward this work. The first resolution was spoken to by Brethren W. C. White, E. A. Stockton, and C. C. Ramsey. C. H. Jones spoke to the second resolution, stating what had been done in Sunday-school work in Oakland in connection with the tent-meeting. W. C. White spoke to the third resolution. He set forth the importance of teachers being readers, and knowing the contents of the library books, and that parents ought to take hold of the matter. They should read to the children and have the children read to them. Then they should question the children, thus fixing in their minds the matter of the lessons read. The president spoke briefly of the importance of the resolution. Children will read, and they ought to read, and it is important that measures be adopted by which the character of the books they read can be controlled. Prof. S. Brownsberger spoke at length to the fourth resolution. Several others engaged in the discussion of the resolutions, which were severally and unanimously adopted. Sister M. K. White then read an essay entitled, "How to Help the Children." All were well pleased with its terse, pointed instructions, and it was unanimously voted to request that it be published in the Signs of the Times. Meeting was then adjourned to the call of the president. G. D. BALLOU, Pres.
MRS. G. D. BALLOU, Sec.