The Sabbath School by W. J. Bostwick

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1880

The Sabbath School.

By W. J. Bostwick

THE CALIFORNIA STATE SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

THE third annual session of the California State Sabbath-school Association was held in connection with the Alameda camp-meeting, Sept. 16-27, 1880. First meeting was called Friday, the 17th, at 9 A. M., W. C. White presiding. The minutes of the preceeding meeting were read and approved.

Twenty-one schools were represented by delegates, as follows: Arbuckle, Chico, Central Colony, Dixon, Forestville, Healdsburg, Lemoore, Little River, Napa, Oakland, Placerville, Pacheco, Petaluma, Rocklin, Santa Rosa, Stony Point, St. Helena, San Francisco, Temperance Colony, Vacaville, and Woodland. On motion all ministers present were invited to act as delegates from their respective fields of labor.

On motion the president was empowered to appoint the usual committees. The following were then appointed: Committee to examine Record Books, W. N. Glenn, Mrs. M. K. White, Mrs. E. J. Waggoner; Committee on Resolutions, Eugene Briggs, C. H. Jones, Dr. E. J. Waggoner; Committee on Nominations, J. Morrison, Wm. Saunders, M. J. Church.

SECOND MEETING.

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 9 A. M. Prayer by Elder S. N. Haskell.

The subject of Sabbath-school music was the first to receive attention. One of the most important features of a successful Sabbath-school is that of good singing. This subject was ably handled by Prof. D. S. Hakes, who illustrated his address by appropriate and well-rendered songs from "Song Anchor." About twenty minutes were occupied by this interesting exercise.

Following this Elder Healey treated the audience to an address upon "The object of the Sabbath-school." This address was replete with practical thoughts and suggestions, and was listened to with the deepest interest by those present. This was followed by well-pointed remarks by C. H. Jones upon "The Relation of the Family to the Sabbath-school," and by Dr. E. J. Waggoner upon "The Teacher, Chosen and Prepared," which were well received by the listeners.

The Committee on Resolutions then reported a series of nine resolutions which were adopted in regular order, some of which elicited spirited but profitable discussion.

The resolutions are follows:—

Whereas, The Sabbath-school is one of the most efficient means of advancing present truth, and

Whereas, The progress of the work during the past year has been very encouraging, and

Whereas, It is desirable that we should avail ourselves of the most approved methods of instruction and discipline, therefore

Resolved, That it is the duty of every company of Sabbath-keepers, whether existing under a church organization or not, to maintain a Sabbath-school.

Resolved, That it is the duty of the officers to see that their schools are provided with lesson books and papers, a complete set of record books, maps, blackboards, and such other helps as are necessary to the best working of the school.

Resolved, That in view of the shortness of time, and the magnitude of the work, we urge officers and teachers to a more thorough consecration to God and to greater diligence in educating themselves to be successful workers.

Resolved, That we urge parents to aid in the Sabbath-school work by securing the regular and punctual attendance of their children, and by assisting them in the study of their lessons at home during the week, and to show their interest by attending the Sabbath-school themselves.

Resolved, That we recommend the 3d, or Youth's, Division and the 4th, or Adult, Division to unite in the study of the New Testament lessons, and thus by joining our forces be better prepared to carry on the work successfully.

Resolved, That we recommend our schools to purchase all their supplies of their local Tract Society, instead of the Secretary of the State Sabbath-school Association as heretofore.

Resolved, That in our opinion great good may be accomplished by establishing Sunday-schools where children could not be induced to attend a Sabbath-school.

Resolved, That a portion of the weekly contributions (the amount to be determined by vote of the school, at the close of each quarter) be sent to the State Secretary to create a Lesson Fund to be used in supplying lesson papers to aid in establishing Sunday-schools and Sabbath-schools in new places at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Resolved, That we adopt the new Class Record Books, according to the recommendation of the Auditing Committee.

The Committee on Nominations when called for, submitted the following report for officers for the coming year: President, W. C. White; Secretary and Treasurer, Edwin Chapman; Executive Committee, M. C. Israel and J. D. Rice. It was voted unanimously that the ticket be elected as a whole. On motion the meeting adjourned.

W. J. BOSTWICK, Sec.