jects discussed, the ability of many of the speakers, the whole-hearted zeal of the delegates, the spirit of prayer that prevailed, the large amount of information contributed, the number of stimulating incidents stated-made the convention one of remarkable success. Out of it went forth many streams to 'make glad the city of our God.' The delegates went from it to their places of labor with an intelligent zeal which was fruitful of good works over the whole nation." The interest developed in the discussions was such, and the value of the conference was estimated so highly, as indicated above by one who was there, that it was decided to hold another convention in 1833.

SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION

The second national convention, in Philadelphia, May 22, 1833, was called too soon after the first to attract a large representation, and only nine states sent delegates. Hon. Willard Hall, an eminent Delaware jurist, was president of the convention. While the numbers were small

the meeting seemed to be full of life and interest. One profitable discussion considered was "Private Sunday-schools," meaning schools or classes taught in private houses for those who were not willing, on account of poverty or sectarian prejudice, to attend the Sunday-schools in their neighborhood-a prophetic foreshadowing of the present Home Department movement.

THIRD NATIONAL CONVENTION

More than a quarter of a century passed before the second national convention was followed by another. Evidently the movement had not taken root, nor did it do so with the third one held in Philadelphia, February 22-24, 1859. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia, were represented by delegates, and there was one visitor from Great Britain. Ex-Gov. James Pollock was president, and H. Clay Trumbull, of Connecticut, then just coming forward into the notice of the Sundayschool world, was one of the secretaries. The list of speakers was a notable one, and shows that there must have been a good deal of sense and sparkle and spirit in the convention. A committee, of which George H. Stuart was chairman, was appointed to arrange for "a similar assemblage of the evangelical Sabbath-schools of America."

FOURTH NATIONAL CONVENTION

In June, 1868, at the International Convention of the Young Men's Christian Association, in Detroit, an informal meeting of Sunday-school workers was held, and it was decided to hold a National Sunday-school

Convention in Newark, N. J., April 28, 1869. Twenty-eight states and one territory were represented by five hundred and twenty-six delegates, and there were visitors from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Egypt and South Africa. Geo. H. Stuart, of Pennsylvania, presided. Rev. J. H. Vincent and B. F. Jacobs were associated with H. Clay Trumbull as secretaries of the convention. The convention was international in character, if not in name, and its sessions were characterized by their extraordinary spiritual power. The writer cannot recall any meeting he ever attended that in this respect was quite its equal. It was said by the editor of the Sunday School Times that "never before had so many Sunday-school leaders of the land been brought face to face. Taken as a whole, it was the most memorable Sunday-school gathering ever assembled in the United States, if not in the world. Tongues of fire seemed to be given to the speakers. The spirit of brotherly love and union prevailed. It was estimated that there were over twenty-five hundred visitors, in addition to the five hundred twenty-six delegates, in attendance.",

FIFTH NATIONAL CONVENTION

The fifth national convention, at Indianapolis, April 16-19, 1872, was destined to be epoch-making. There were three hundred and thirtyeight delegates present from twenty-eight states and one territory. Other workers were present from Canada, Great Britain and India. Philip G. Gillett, of Illinois, was president. The sessions were held in the Second Presbyterian Church. It was announced in the call for the convention that among the themes foremost in interest and importance for its consideration was that of a system of uniform Bible lessons for the Sunday-schools of the land. A tentative course which had been put out by the publishers, though imperfect, proved to be quite popular simply because of its uniformity. The Sunday-schools of the land were studying the same book; why not the same lesson? The sentiment in favor of one lesson for all schools grew rapidly within the year, and when the convention assembled, though there were doubts of its feasi bility and its desirability on the part of some of the leaders in the Sunday-school world, after an impassioned address by B. F. Jacobs, who had been the principal advocate of uniformity, the vote was practically unanimous in its favor. The first lesson committee was appointed to prepare a lesson course to cover seven years. The inclusion of two Canadian brethren as members of this committee made it impossible for the next convention to be other than international. At this convention .a national statistical secretary was appointed. This innovation proved to

be of great value to the cause, as showing progress in organized work, and establishing an intelligent basis for the activities of the workers.

SIXTH NATIONAL CONVENTION, FIRST INTERNATIONAL

The sixth national and first international convention was held in Baltimore, May 11-13, 1875. Rev. George A. Pelz, of New Jersey, was president, and there were four hundred and sixty-three delegates present. The convention appears to have been mainly a jubilation over what had been accomplished at Indianapolis. The report of the Lesson Committee was inspiring in that it showed how extensively the uniform lessons had been adopted by the Sunday-schools of many denominations. Twenty Canadian representatives participated in the convention proceedings.

SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Nothing particularly new was done in the way of progress at the second international convention in Atlanta, Ga., April 17-19, 1878. Governor Colquitt, of Georgia, presided, and the most important matter for discussion was the International Lesson System. The delegates seemed to have but one feeling, and that one of warm approval. But the main feature of this convention was the fellowship which it brought about between the North and South. The writer believes that nothing since the war has done so much to promote good feeling between the sections as this convention. Governor Colquitt melted all hearts with his farewell words. The union of hearts there was inexpressibly delightful.

THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

The third international convention met in Toronto, Canada, June 22-24, 1881, and Hon. S. H. Blake, of Toronto, presided. The special feature of this convention was the inauguration of the interdenominational work undertaken by the International Executive Committee. This, again, was the suggestion of the fertile brains of B. F. Jacobs, and at this convention Mr. Jacobs began his long service as Chairman of the International Executive Committee, to continue until the date of his death, twenty-one years later. President Garfield sent a message of interest and sympathy. It was at this convention that the home class work was first mentioned.

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, of Massachusetts, presided at the fourth international convention in Louisville, Ky., June 11-13, 1884. The

program was an alliterative one,-The Work, the Word and the WorkThat suggests the character of the gathering.

ers.

The discussions were of special value to the delegates who had come long distances to obtain new ideas and inspiration.

Pastor John Paul Cooke, of Paris, France, gave an interesting and instructive address on "Sunday-school Work in Europe.''

The third lesson committee was appointed, and five persons were added as corresponding members, four for Great Britain and one for France.

FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Chicago entertained the convention of 1887, June 1-3; elected William Reynolds, of Illinois, as president and later appointed him "Field Superintendent," the first official organizer for the international field. It was the first gathering of the kind at which the Home Department was presented by its author. The plan of home classes had been so far tried and perfected that here it was set forth as a movement meriting and demanding attention. Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Hartshorn, of Massachusetts, came into prominence among the international workers at this convention, by reason of their leadership in the primary work of the convention.

SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

The sixth international convention, at Pittsburgh, Pa., June 24-27, 1890, was instructive and inspiring, but without special characteristics. Hon. J. G. Harris, of Alabama, presided, and the convention, by resolution, placed its endorsement on the Home Department. Action was taken looking forward to the erection of a Sunday-school building in connection with the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, a building which was put up, and in which many a memorable meeting was held while the exposition was in progress. After a prolonged discussion, the plan of having a quarterly temperance lesson on a Sunday of its own was approved by the convention.

SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

The seventh international and the world's second convention were held conjointly in St. Louis, August 30 to September 5, 1893. During this time the field workers held their first conference. The emphasis of the convention was laid upon state, county and township work, and great impulse was given to systematized effort which aims to leave no part of the field overlooked. The chief discussion was on the International Lessons, and the system was approved in the heartiest kind of an en

dorsement.

Uniformity in study binds the Sunday-school workers of the different denominations together in a tie of brotherhood which to them is very precious. Other topics discussed were: "The Sundayschool and Its Influence Among the Negroes in the South," "The Training of Teachers,'' "Summer Schools," "Training Schools for Christian Workers.'' Hon. Lewis Miller, of Ohio, was the presiding officer.

At the world's convention, Mr. B. F. Jacobs, Chairman of the International Committee, was elected president. The address of Rev. J. L. Phillips, M. D., the Sunday-school missionary in India, resulted in the creation of the "Japan Fund" and, several years later, in the sending of Mr. Ikehara as the first Sunday-school Secretary to Japan, which has now resulted in the organization of the "Japan Sunday-school Association," with a general secretary on full time.

Both of these conventions, as well as the Field Workers' and Primary Conferences, were productive of great good to all concerned.

EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

The eighth international convention, Boston, Mass., June 23-26, 1896, was notable in many directions. There were one thousand sixty-three delegates present, the largest number in the history of the international conventions; the devotional leadership of D. L. Moody, who conducted the opening hour each day, was a great inspiration; Bishop Vincent, who had been chairman of the Lesson Committee from the beginning in 1872, resigned, and Dr. John Potts, of Toronto, Canada, was appointed; all debts of the convention were reported paid and thirty-five thousand two hundred and three dollars was pledged for the work of the next triennium. The addresses of the convention were of an unusually high order, and under the presidency of Samuel B. Capen, of Boston, the convention reached a very high standard. The "field" of the convention was extended to include Mexico, Central America and the West Indies.

At this convention William Reynolds made his last report as Field Superintendent, as he went to his reward before the ninth convention met in Atlanta. Mr. Reynolds reported that he had attended one hundred and fifty-four conventions and visited every state, province and territory in the International field, except Alaska, Alberta and Newfoundland. Mr. Reynolds had the assistance of Prof. H. M. Hamill for the whole field, Mr. Hugh Cork for the Northwest, and Rev. L. B. Maxwell among the colored people of the South.

The Fifth Lesson Committee of fifteen, together with five "corre