Part 4 (1/2)

All these books are catechetical in forive the the They are printed unifores the size of the Church Catechises

The Catechism is the first book of the series Experience teaches that then memory best aids in its mastery To these text-books on the Catechism is added a suppleraphy The ”Life of Christ” undertakes to tell that life in the words of the gospels ”Church History” treats of the apostolic Church and great events in that history, as the Crusades and the Reformation under Luther and Wesley The first Senior book, ”Jewish History,” follows mainly the outline of the Old Testament emphasized by the lessons of the international course The second year book completes that history, and has chapters on the Bible--its translations and geography, etc The third and fourth years are elance shows that the course of study is a study of the Bible, the Junior books being taken from the New Testament, while the Senior cover the Old Testaular examination in which the classes of the school participate; it creates an atmosphere of study for the scholars

They are expected and required to study, and they meet that expectation

This system further promotes harmony between the different departments of the school and forms a basis for proular and as judicious as in the public schools

For what it is, and what it proht to the attention of the Church and Sunday school

THE GRADING

In this work the number of departments into which the school is to be dividedwill probably be found requisite: Primary, Junior, Senior, Normal, asseraded in unison with the school and a course of four years' study be adopted The Normal Department takes the Chautauqua assembly course of study The assembly is the adult Bible Class of the school Graduates of the Normal Department constitute the Reserve Department This department studies the Sunday school lesson a week in advance of the rest of the school, and stands ready to fill the places of absentee teachers The main body of the school constitutes the Junior and the Senior departments The course of study is for these Depart is a work of tact and difficulty

The scholars should be for seven to a class

These classes, when organized, should be seated in the school, with the view of promotion from year to year In a school of five hundred pupils the classes would average about five to each grade

Where these departments occupy the sa to rank, and the Seniors on the other side The position of the class, being won by merit, becomes a place of honor which the superintendent wisely uses In the first organization a perfect grade is not attainable Out of the iven only an approximation to the ideal can be hoped for Time will cure defects

Each year the entire system moves With a few annual promotions the actual attains the ideal and the systerade

In this we make haste slowly

THE STUDY OF THE BOOKS

The time of the introduction of the books and the method of their study are for the decision of the school A suggestion may be offered The Sunday school year may follow that of the public school If so, their study would begin in Septe But, whenever introduced, it should be made plain that the books are auxiliary only to the International System of Bible study

Each session should have an allotted period of time, at least five iven matter into convenient parts so that the whole may be mastered in nine months This study will be tested by an examination

THE ANNUAL EXAMINATION

This examination is the keystone of the whole system Without it the course of study is a failure Its importance must be emphasized before the whole school How to emphasize it is a problem that each school must solve A description of the plan adopted in the school where the systeht on that question Some Sunday in June is selected as the day for the examination, and of that day the school is forewarned Exa the work of the year, are furnished each scholar These questions are so printed as to leave blank spaces under each question for the answer to be written by the scholar The whole session of the school is given up to the exaathered and careful work is put thereon inthe same Each answer is marked on a scale of 5, and, if the answers are correct, the paper is e easily understood by all The e to pass the exaet 75 and upward are known as honor students

The Sunday following the examination a full report of the work of the school is read An honor roll of students who pass the examination is placed upon the blackboard or printed in fine form and placed upon the walls of the rooed alphabetically and without the percentage of standing, so that it is an equal honor to all students

The Coraduates of the Normal Class occurs shortly after the exa of the week, and are made the event of the school year After the exercises comes the banquet For this occasion the Sunday school rooraduates a veritable bower of floral beauty The Norraduates and the honor students are received as the honored guests at these festivities

Such a description may make plain how to emphasize the examination At least two months before the examination the superintendent should make short, pointed appeals to the scholars and try to fill them with the spirit of study These examination honors, open to every one, should be made plain to all Adults ith an object in view It is the same with the children

The written examination, its report read to the school, the roll of honor, the promotions, the Commencement and its banquet, are appeals not itimate result of such an appeal to the children? They work for the examination as they do for the examination in the public schools These last weeks are busy ones They s at the hoather at the church in special session for class study

Under such inspiration whole classes have handed in perfect papers And yet soiven

Then on the day of promotion the whole school moves forward and occupies the rank won A course of study can thus revolutionize a school and create an atenuine study

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