Part 39 (2/2)
4. Name the princ.i.p.al departments into which a school may be divided.
5. What officer should receive and locate new scholars?
6. What are some of the factors in wise promotion of school members?
7. State the pastor's chief responsibility for the school.
8. What are the duties of the superintendent?
9. The a.s.sistant Superintendent?
10. What are the secretary's duties?
11. The treasurer's?
Lesson 4
The Sunday-school Organized (Concluded)
#43. The Superintendent of Cla.s.sification.#--This office may be filled by one of the a.s.sistant superintendents, but in a school of one hundred or more, it is well to have a separate officer. His duty will be to cla.s.sify the new scholars, first ascertaining by personal investigation the department in which the new scholar belongs. This is a most important office, and cannot be neglected a single Sunday without detriment to the grading of the school.
#44. The Librarian.#--This officer should have charge of the library or libraries and of all supplies. New books should have his approval before being added to the library. He should properly cla.s.sify the books, so that those in each department may know which are best adapted to their needs. It would be well, if possible, to give him control of a library fund, with authority to add one or two books at a time as the funds will allow. All such books should be announced from the platform on the day they are placed in the library. A library maintained in this way will always be fresh, and never lose its interest.
#45. The Birthday Secretary.#--This officer takes charge of the birthday contributions of the members. Each member of the school may be asked to contribute on his birthday as many pennies as he is years old, or as much more as he may choose. The money thus gathered may be used for benevolent and missionary purposes and become the means of creating considerable interest.
#46. The Subst.i.tute Teacher Secretary.#--This officer should see that cla.s.ses whose teachers are temporarily absent are supplied with teachers. Having secured a list of names of those who will subst.i.tute, he should send notices each Monday to those who are pledged for the following Sunday, notifying them that their date is at hand, and asking them also to attend the Workers' Meeting that week.
#47. The Biographer.#--Some schools call this officer the Historian.
He keeps in a book, or by the card system, permanent records of all the members, with date of entering the school and other items of interest, such as date of promotion, of joining church, removals, deaths, etc. Where this work is properly done, the records become exceedingly interesting and valuable.
#48. The Door Men.#--A door man should be placed in charge of each door entering the building, or opening from one room into another.
These door men should know just when the doors may be opened for people to pa.s.s without interfering with the school. They should be in their place before the school begins, allowing none to enter the room when their entrance would disturb the services. They should pay special attention to strangers and visitors, and prevent boisterous conduct or talking about the doors.
#49. The Ushers.#--Every school should have at least one usher, and as many more as are needed. In a school of three hundred or over, several ushers can be used profitably. They should be in their places early, to pay proper attention to visitors, and to see that they do not occupy seats intended for regular scholars. They can also look after new scholars as they enter, and see that they are directed to the Superintendent of Cla.s.sification.
#50. The Courtesy Committee.#--This committee will be needed chiefly in larger schools. Its purpose is to make visitors welcome, and show them every courtesy that is possible. The Courtesy Committee relieves the superintendent and other officers of this particular duty, thus enabling such officers to do those things for which they are responsible. Visitors greatly appreciate this attention, and will go away with a good impression of the school. A Guest Book may be kept, to secure the names of visitors.
#51. The Missionary Secretary.#--Every Sunday-school ought to be a missionary society. The Missionary Secretary will endeavor to cultivate missionary interest and spirit in the school. He can do this by securing a proper distribution of missionary literature, by helping to prepare missionary programs and concerts, by keeping in touch with those phases of mission work supported by the school, or church or denomination, and reporting from time to time. He will have charge of the missionary maps, charts, and curios.
#52. The Temperance Secretary.#--This officer should endeavor to cultivate the spirit of temperance and good citizens.h.i.+p. If temperance pledges are used in the school, it would be well for him to keep a record of them, and to enter the names permanently in a book, reporting from time to time how many names he has. He can aid the superintendent, also, by helping to prepare temperance concerts, and by introducing various appropriate features into the program on Temperance Sunday.
#53. The Superintendent's Aides.#--These are usually boys, twelve to sixteen years of age, who are hands and feet for the superintendent.
They prepare the platform and room for the school service, put the blackboard into place, adjust the hymn-board and the flags, if they are used. They may also distribute the hymn-books and Bibles.
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