PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
THE twelfth annual session of this association was held in Oakland in connection with the camp-meeting, September 25 to October 7, 1889. The first meeting was called on Friday, September 27, at 9 A. M., with the president, Elder R. S. Owen, in the chair. Prayer was offered by Elder J. N. Loughborough. The minutes of the last annual session were read by the secretary, followed by a brief report of the work of the association for the past year. This report showed a decrease of six in the number of schools in the State, but also an increase of two hundred in membership. Remarks were then made by the president, showing that the present standing of the Sabbath-school work in California is better than ever before. He urged the importance of having a secretary who could devote her entire time to the work, and also that a person be selected to act as a field secretary, who should spend his whole time in organizing new schools, and in building up the general interests of the Sabbath-school work throughout the State. The following committees were then appointed by the president:— On Nominations—C. P. Bollman, C. C. Gardner, W. M. Smith. On Resolutions—C. H. Jones, Prof. G. W. Rine, Baxter Howe. On Record Books—Mrs. Nettie Reynolds, Mrs. S. N. Curtiss, Alice Bartlett. Meeting then adjourned to the call of the chair. SECOND MEETING, OCTOBER 1, 9 A. M. Prayer by Prof. H. F. Courter. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read, the Committee on Resolutions presented the following report:— Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the prosperity that has attended the Sabbath-school work during the past year, and for the special outpouring of his Spirit as witnessed in many places. Resolved, That in view of the shortness of time, and the possibilities within our reach as workers in the Sabbath-school, we hereby pledge ourselves to engage in the work with renewed energy and zeal and with more thorough consecration during the coming year. WHEREAS, It has been demonstrated that faithful labor put forth in the line of Sabbath-school work always brings good results; and, WHEREAS, There is a demand in this Conference for more labor in this direction; therefore, Resolved, That we request the California Conference to employ some competent person who shall devote his whole time to the Sabbath-school work: 1. In visiting the churches with a view to securing better organization, and giving instruction in the best methods of labor. 2. In visiting isolated families and organizing family Sabbath-schools. 3. In entering new fields, as the way may open, for the purpose of organizing Sabbath and Sunday-schools. Resolved, That we urge our ministers, and our brethren and sisters everywhere, to co-operate with the officers of this association in securing the name and address of every isolated family of Sabbath-keepers, and the location of every Church or company of Sabbath-keepers where no regular Sabbath-school is held. WHEREAS, It is the distinctive aim of all Sabbath-school work to secure the conversion and spiritual upbuilding of its members; and, WHEREAS, The Scriptures imply, and experience demonstrates, the impossibility of securing this end without determined, persistent, personal effort; therefore, Resolved, That we urge upon all teachers the necessity of laboring personally, outside of the regular weekly sessions of the Sabbath-school, with the members of their classes, to that extent as in their judgment, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they regard as necessary to effect the end in view. WHEREAS, The services of the Sabbath-school are regarded as a part of the worship of God, and we learn from his word that his house should be entered with reverence; and, WHEREAS, In the exercises of the school there is a manifest lack of respect and reverence on the part of some of its members; therefore, Resolved, That we urge upon officers and teachers the necessity of continually impressing upon the minds of their scholars the fact that they are in the presence of God, and that a kind but firm discipline be maintained. We would also recommend to both teachers and pupils a careful study of that portion of Testimony to the Church, No. 33, entitled, "Behavior in the House of God." WHEREAS, Success in all Christian endeavor—other things being equal—is proportionate to the knowledge of, and the familiarity with, the Scriptures, possessed by those thus engaged; therefore, Resolved, That we as teachers in the senior department of the Sabbath-school do hereby pledge ourselves to study and prepare our lessons directly from the Bible instead of using the published questions and answers in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and Review and Herald, and that we will earnestly endeavor to induce our classes to do likewise. WHEREAS, It is the testimony of successful and experienced teachers, and the evident dictum of common sense, that the complete mastery, on the part of the teacher, of the subject taught, is an absolute precondition to the accomplishment of the best results; therefore, Resolved, That we regard the ability and disposition to so thoroughly prepare the lessons as will enable him to conduct the class exercise without depending upon the lesson sheet, pamphlet, or book, as a primary qualification of a Sabbath-school teacher. Resolved, That we heartily approve of the plan that has been adopted of giving all our class contributions, above the actual running expenses of the school, to some missionary enterprise, and we request all our schools to act in harmony with the recommendation of the International Association as to the special enterprise or mission to which this money shall be devoted. Resolved, That we urge upon officers and teachers the importance of gathering information and securing facts concerning the different missions and missionary enterprises to which our contributions are donated, in order that they may be able to present the same to the school and to the members of their classes in an intelligent manner. Resolved, That out of the surplus funds now in the State treasury, we donate two hundred and fifty dollars toward the purchase of a missionary ship, provided that steps are taken to purchase or build such a ship within the next six months. Resolved, That we express our approval of the action taken by the International Association in reviving the Sabbath-school Worker in its original form, and that we pledge ourselves to use every legitimate means to place it in the hands of every officer and teacher connected with our schools, and also to secure subscriptions from others as far as it is consistent. Resolved, That we again call special attention to resolution No. 1, adopted at the last session of this association, in regard to employing only converted and consecrated teachers in the Sabbath-school. After six of the above resolutions had been separately considered and adopted, it was moved and supported that the remainder be laid on the table, and that the report of the Committee on Nominations be brought in. By vote carried. The Committee on Nominations then reported as follows: For President, R. S. Owen; Vice-President, C. L. Taylor; Secretary, Clara Couey; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. J. F. Caldwell; other members of Executive Committee, C. H. Jones, Baxter Howe, and J. W. Bell. The names were considered separately and the nominees unanimously elected. Adjourned to call of chair. THIRD MEETING, OCTOBER 6, 4:30 P. M. The meeting was opened by singing an appropriate hymn, and prayer by C. H. Jones. A very interesting address was then given by C. L. Taylor upon "How to Teach." He first showed the importance of the teacher being consecrated, that he may be able to prevail with God in prayer, and thus bring to his aid the power of Christ, which alone can "break the heart of stone." He said: "The children are sin-sick, and the work of the Sabbath-school teacher is to make them well. And what is the first step taken in treating a patient? Why, it is the examination. Next in order is making out a prescription. Then we must get the prescription filled, after which the medicine is administered. This is the plan to be followed in the Sabbath-school. The teacher makes the examination (visits and studies his scholars through the week), he makes out the prescription (determines just what truth each child needs), he fills the prescription (studies and plans his lesson to meet the wants of each one in his class), and gives the medicine (actually pours the precious truth into his scholars' hearts)." Baxter Howe also addressed the meeting, stating that he believed the same principles were adapted to teaching adult classes.636(Concluded on page 625.) (Continued from page 625.)
The remaining resolutions were then taken from the table, and after some spirited and timely remarks by Brethren Jones, Rine, Owen, and others, they were unanimously adopted. Brother Jones stated that he had an interesting letter from Sister Jessie F. Waggoner which was to be read, but as the time of meeting was already spent, it was voted that the same be published in the Sabbath-School Worker. Adjourned sine die.
R. S. OWEN, Pres.
MRS. NETTIE REYNOLDS, Sec.