Training the Teacher

by A. F. Schauffler; Martin Grove Brumbaugh; Antoinette Abernethy Lamoreaux; Marion Lawrance

The Sunday-school Organized (Concluded)

43. The Superintendent of Classification.—This office may be filled by one of the assistant superintendents, but in a school of one hundred or more, it is well to have a separate officer. His duty will be to classify 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 classify 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 Substitute Teacher Secretary.—This officer should see that classes whose teachers are temporarily absent are supplied with teachers. Having secured a list of names of those who will substitute, 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 pass 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 Classification.

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 citizenship. 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.

54. The Messenger Cadets.—These are usually boys of the Junior Department, and their chief business is to carry messages to absentees, flowers to the sick, or messages to any one, for the superintendent or pastor. Under the direction of the Home Department Superintendent they may deliver the quarterlies and other supplies. They should be in charge of a man who understands boys and loves to work with them.

55. The Sunshine Band.—This is usually made up of girls of the Junior age, who visit the sick, carry them flowers, sing and read to them, and minister to them in every way they can. They should be in charge of a woman appointed for this work.

56. The Department Superintendents.—These should be looked upon as officers of the Sunday-school. Each superintendent is expected to preside in his own department, with as much care as if it were the entire school; to preserve the grading provided for by the superintendent of classification; to endeavor to keep the classes as nearly uniform in size as possible; and to cultivate a department life and interest.

57. The Superintendent's Cabinet.—All of the officers named above, and the Chairmen of all the committees named above, constitute the Superintendent's Cabinet. Nothing should be presented to the teachers or to the school as a whole until it has first been decided upon by the Cabinet. The Cabinet should have regular meetings, perhaps once a month.