Part 3 (1/2)

THE INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT

This grade should be made up of scholars proht and twelve years, and should be divided into classes of about seven scholars each They should study the same lesson as the Junior and Senior Grades, and in addition to that the Catechisht by the teacher of the class or by the superintendent of the department

Promotion to the Junior Grade should be e, or upon a test of fifty questions in the Catechis, the scholars to pass if forty are answered correctly This is the test we erade

It is important that rams and reviews should be prepared for them, and they should receive much attention from the officers of the school This depart school for teachers, who should be selected from the Seniors for their fitness for such work and after a pledge has beenfor study and help in methods These teachers should be promoted with their classes when they show they can do more advanced work Great care should be taken in the selection of a superintendent One who is apt to teach will find abundant opportunity to assist both teachers and scholars

THE JUNIOR DEPARTMENT

All scholars between the ages of twelve and sixteen should be placed in this grade In est department The wisest and best teachers should be selected for it, as the scholars are of that age in which we find them restless and difficult to interest As a rule it will be in the sarade as frequently as Seniors It may be done inexercises of the school They may be called upon to read responsively with the Seniors, or to sing the solo part of a hyiven them in connection with the school, but not jointly with any other department If you can keep the Junior Grade busy you can both educate and benefit theanization The e of sixteen to the Senior Grade It may be on some examination, but I believe it not best, for this is the point where the boy and girl have gone away froer children and a child's school was not the place for the people as soon as they do, and proenial At once they are bound to the school by personal pride and by social influences that they are not quick to abandon Use these elements wisely, and the school has won a victory The superintendent of this departirls like because he is one of theet above all things that he is their superintendent, with a responsibility resting upon him to secure their salvation

THE SENIOR DEPARTMENT

This rade will have in it all persons over sixteen years of age, and all classes should be on an equal footing; that is, that all should be called Senior Classes, whether the members are sixteen or sixty There should be no ”Bible classes”

In the forreat care should be taken so to adjust them that there shall be no friction The social idea h the scholar should not know that it is being thought of Scholars ould have no sympathy with each other, and ould never harmonize, should never be placed in the same class; if they are, one or the other will leave the class or school In the selection of teachers for the Senior Classes great care should be taken These scholars ht, not entertained; so men and women must, if possible, be found who are well inforive to their lesson and class such attention as is required to insure successful work It is far better in this grade to have a few good teachers with large classes than many teachers, some of whom are incompetent to instruct, and siven in the way of courses of consecutive lessons, lectures, and anything that will supply the intellectual wants of these young people Never allow the et into ruts Teachers should be helped by pastor and superintendent, and nothing should be left undone which would interest and attract the young people The social element should be employed under careful supervision, but alith the Senior Grade alone Never allow the children of lower grades to have a part in a social gathering with the Seniors unless by special invitation of the young people This is the point where they are sensitive, and itpeople in every possible way Let the ruling ive them all the church work possible, and they will do it, not only well, but with a spirit that will be inspiring to the church

Many years of experience convince me that from this department must come the best material for teachers for the school, and will help to settle the vexed question as to where we can get teachers Take the as will fit thee that the superintendent is looking a the Seniors for coreat inspiration to them, and exalts their idea of the character and usefulness of the Sunday school

The e when they are ready to enter upon some business, and the question as to what it shall be and where they shall get a situation is a very serious one to them There is no way in which officers and teachers can bind the young peoplea personal interest in their business, and helping the situations where they will be under good influences

SUGGESTIONS

In the Prireat effort should be made by the teachers to secure a personal acquaintance with the mothers of the children If possible call at their ho of their hos as i an influence upon the character of the scholar

A Saturday afternoon reception for thetheir children, is an excellent rade, as in all others, the idea of paying scholars by prizes, or in any other way, for efforts ht, but always keep before theht This gives the little ones a self-respect which is powerful in its influence

In rade to another it is not best to have ironclad rules If a class is to be promoted it is not best to leave one or e required

Neither is it wise to insist upon a scholar being proe, unless he is willing to leave the class he is in

Promotion may be made once or twice a year I think once is best, and then it should be at a special service in which all the school should take part

If a teacher is a misfit in a class the time for promotions is the time to put that teacher where he can ithout friction, without giving any publicity to the change It is also an excellent time to place a scholar not easily controlled with a teacher who is especially fitted to handle hie was made

Every Sunday school should have a Normal Class Courses of study have been prepared which can be handled by any good teacher or pastor ill ive not only teachers but scholars an exalted idea of the Bible as a book, and prepare them to expound the lessons as they could not without such a course of study If there is not a class individuals may take the course alone and pass examinations, which will entitle them to the diploma of some of the Sunday school asserade their schools because they have not separate rooms for the departments It is desirable to have separate roorade the school, putting each grade by itself in some part of the room, if you have but the one An aisle or a curtainline Most excellent results have been realized where the whole school was in one room

The Home Department is for the benefit of persons who cannot attend Sunday school The conditions upon which membershi+p is secured are that they shall study the lesson for the day one half hour on the Sabbath; all e Those who join this department are es, such as lesson helps, the use of library, and all other things that other members enjoy This department should include persons who are distant froed, the sick, and may include persons who reside hundreds of miles away, especially those who have been members of the school in other days This departive it attention and look after all who become members

THE ERIE PLAN

BY H A STRONG

THE query often arises whether the modern Sunday school is now at its maximum of efficiency in the line of its developress already attained The introduction of the International Lesson System marks an epoch Before that separate schools and even teachers were a law unto themselves Now schools are in touch one with another; sectarian barriers have been broken down; the unity of the cause is recognized The Church is one; so are her schools The culture and the spirituality of the Church catholic everywhere are now the teacher of the teachers Helps to Bible study are so multiplied and improved that it is difficult to see how an advance step could be taken here The testih uncontradicted that the Bible is studied as never before in the light of modern research and science Teachers, as a body, are es and responsibilities

The advance movement in Sunday school work may not be in its literature, nor in the efficiency or the enthusiasm of its corps of teachers