The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-18
Published by Requestl
The Model Sunday School Superin-
tendent,

terly Conference at JohnstoWn last
fall. As number of requests have
been made for its publication. we
take pleasure in laying it before our
readers
The subject given me for discussion
is one of vital Importance. A model
is a sample to be initiated. If the
| pattern be defective the mechanic
cannot construct machine that will
be perfect in all its parts, or do work
as the inventor designed, hence the
model should be thoroughly tested
before used as a pattern by the bull
| der. A Model Sunday School Super
! intendent, or one who is a perfect
pattern would he difficult or impos.
sible to find. Yet there are those
who are efficient workers who, by
years of experience, careful prepare
! ton and successful work become
worthy and safe examples to follow.
We would advise, however, that
Sunday School workers should have
! the highest ideal, and initiate as far
as possible the "GTedt Teacher of
Teachers" But we cannot discard
the fact that we are to very great
extent influenced by contact and as
association. Almost unconciously
young people learn to initiate others
| In action, in maneriSm, in speaking,
in gesticuiation, &c. Not unfre-
quently is it the case that young
ministers initiate their presiding
elders, at least in some of the ways
we have mentioned. 1t is not too
much then to say that scholars will
to some extent initiate their teachers
and superintendent. But while it is
true that perfect model may not be
fOund-One eminently successful In
all departments of Sunday School
Work-yet it scenes to US there are
certain traits of character and quail
ficatiOns that must be sought by
every one who would become sue
ceSsful in this great department of
church work,
We will notice few of the quail
fications we regard as essential to the
Model Sunday School Superintendent,
Also negatively what ne must not be.
1st. He must not be careless he
must have time for everything and
see that everything has its place and
is completed within the time.
I'd. He must not be a solder or
fauIt-fnder. He should be positive
and see that there is good order in
the school, but this is not generally
done most successfully by scolding.
A man who is grum, snarly or sar-
castle is not suitable person to fill
the responsible position of Sunday
School Superintendent, but on the
other hand if he be gentle, affable and
kind he will command respect and
have the affection of the children.
Sd. He must not be what we some.
times call blabber. Many superin.
tendents talk too much and thus in
terfere with the study of the lesson.
Talks should always be short and to
the point. They should generally be
confined to the lesson. No question
should be brought up and discussed
that is foreign to the lesson of the
day. No catch questions should be
allowed, as they only result in a
waste of time.
What the superintendent should be.
1st. The Sunday School Superin-
tendent should be a religious charac-
ter; not merely moral or religiously
inclined, hut one whose life re-
fleets the beauty and power of the
Christian religion. He should be a
"bright and shining light" known
and read of all men,"
81. But goodness alone will not
qualify. Many mistakes are made
and schools sadly injured by placing
men at the head because they possess
the first qualification and have no
other. Many good men are failures,
not only as Sunday School Superin-
tendents, but as Glass Leaders, Ex-
hOrtors and Preachers. But in addi-
ton to goodness, and closely connec-
ted, the Superintendent to be success
full must be stuGiouS. Man must
know before he can impart. A teacher
or superintendent has no more right
to go to school on Sunday to teach
the lesson without careful preparation
than the pastor has to enter the pull
pit without making the best prepare.
ton he can for his sermon. He should
be correct. The superintendent is
not only teacher, but teacher of
teachers. He is expected to be able
to explain the lesson and should cor
rect any errors ofinexperienced teach
ers. Hence if he does not understand
the text or lesson thoroughly, he
| Obould hxy oil n1nopc oOpcuIt GOmo