4. Miscellaneous Duties. Here are a few general suggestions, hints, and "don'ts" for the superintendent, briefly stated:
(1) Notebook. Let the superintendent remember to obtain that notebook, to keep it at hand, and to make use of it. Some pages at the end of the book might be reserved for special suggestions gathered from books, periodicals, and meetings.
(2) Quiet. Let him be careful not to make much noise during the session, but to set an example—which will soon be felt—in favor of quiet and orderly conduct. It is not at all certain that he needs a bell for calling attention; but if he uses one, let it be a little, gentle, quiet bell, held in the hand as a signal, and never rung vociferously or repeatedly. Said a new superintendent as he tested the bell on Saturday before assuming office, "What a magnificent bell this would be for calling missionaries home from India!" But he never used it in the school. One of the best superintendents of a generation ago was widely known as "the silent superintendent." He was not deaf nor dumb, but his manner was noticeably quiet, and his large Sunday school was always in perfect order.
(3) Early Lesson. Let the opening service be short, so that the lesson period—which is the important part of the program—may be reached while the teachers and scholars are fresh and the air of the room is pure.
(4) Use the Bible. If a Scripture lesson is read by the superintendent and school responsively, it should be from the Bible upon the desk or in the hand of the leader, and not from a lesson quarterly. Encourage the use of the Bible as a text-book and for reference. If the superintendent always brings his own Bible, he can appeal to his teachers and scholars to follow his example. With regard to the Scripture reading in the opening service, it is the judgment of many thoughtful superintendents that even in a school following uniform lessons the reading should not be the lesson for the day, but a devotional portion of Scripture, perhaps a selection from the Home Readings of the week. It is a good plan for the first reading of the lesson for the day to be by the teacher and the class together.
(5) Lesson Period. No interruption should be allowed to break into the time assigned for class study, except under imperative necessity. The teacher and the class should hold that period sacred to united study, without being diverted from their task by secretary, librarian, superintendent, or pastor. Said Bishop Vincent once, "I would like to have suspended from the roof of the Sunday-school hall a series of great glass half-globes, one for each class, to be dropped down over the class, and kept there during the time reserved for the study of the lesson!"
(6) Speakers. A visitor should rarely be invited or allowed to address the school; never, unless the superintendent has sufficient knowledge to be sure that he will speak briefly, interestingly, and pointedly. Before the uniform lesson concentrated the studies of the Sunday school it was the custom to invite almost any visitor to speak to the school; and many were the wrongs inflicted upon the boys and girls in those good old days by dull, loquacious Sunday-school orators. But almost everybody now understands that the Sunday school is a working institution, and its work must not be interrupted.
(7) Self-control. There will be times when the superintendent will need to be on guard over himself; times when he feels depressed, or melancholy, perhaps a little cross. If he yields to his natural impulses, the school will soon perceive the state of his nerves, and some scholars may even endeavor to add to his trials. At such times, let him watch over himself mightily, and resolve, no matter how he feels, to "keep sweet," to speak gently, and to look cheerful.
(8) The Aim. Lastly, one purpose should ever stand before the superintendent, and should be the constant object of his endeavor—to lead all his scholars into a personal, vital relation to Jesus as the Christ, to bring them into union with the church, and to inspire them to enter upon active Christian service.