The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-02
SUNDAY-SCH0OL WORK.
The New Department of the International
Sunday-SchOol Association.

Dr. Gilbert went 20 Chicago. last week, to
present to the subcommittee of the executive
board outline of plans for the new depart
ment of tho Sundayscnool Ass ociation, to the
superintendeucy of which he has been recently
elected. The committee consists of one from
Illinois. Wisconsin. Mich igan, Iowa. Missouri,
Indiana, Kentucky. Ohio and Minnesota Two
days We're occupied in celebrating
upon the various items, which, be-
ing adopted with great upanimity, have
been referred to the whole board for approval.
That board consists of fifty tiiree gentlemen, re-
siding in various parts OF the United States, the
Dominion of Canada. Great Britain, France
Germany and Italy The opinion of each will
DO obtained by correspondence AMI may require
some slight modification, involving perhaps IN
the hnal announcement q delay of several
months.
The details as now agreed on are as follows:
The new work shall be styled the Department
OF Instruction. having for its object the better
preparation OF persons for the Sunday-school
teachers Office. 1t shall be interdenominational
to insure which a board OF council shall be ap-
pointed composed of ct least one minister aud
one layman from each denomination afiating,
to whom all publications shall be submitted
that nothing Questionable may be issued. The
work shall be international In each State
there shall be q branch with local auxiliaries
The purposes of the department. shall be &C
compshed by means of institutes and normal
classes. These will be upon new plan, de-
signed to give more extended acquaintance
with meCnOuS OF Ie6cntug ana management, as
well as the structure and contents of the Bible
The normal class win have as a special feature a
course of lessons for young people, at the end OF
which. upon examination, diploma will be
awarded. The establishing of institutes and
normal classes, and the preparation of lessons
will be the chief work required of the superin-
tendent of the department. the minute points of
which will all be left to him.
These plans having been satisfactorily ar
ranged, DR.. Gilbert has accepted the position
rendered him ia so far to promise an organi-
cation of the department and its superintend-
ency for time. He shrinks little because of
~ because of the amount of travel required in the
performance of his duties But when the response
is received from the board concerning the mat
ters referred to them. and when certain con
tiugencies adjusted it is probable that he will
promptly add fully commit himself to tha Of
fee. Many letters from prominent workers, as
we'll as personal friends, in various parts have
been received urging immediate acceptance,
with pledges of hearty cooperate
One matter is undetermined-the head-
quarters Of this department Four cities have
slready put in earnest plea. two of them
places where DR.. Gilbert formerly resided. Il
is hoped thas Indianapolis pastors and Sunday
school workers will see the Importance
of urging this city, according the
suggestion of the Journal some days ago. In
dianspols is centrally located. and has excellent
facilities for reaching all parts OF the Union
1t VIII be of immense advantage 70 the city to
to mention any other consideration. local sun
day-school interests may sc greatly advanced by
having the superintendent here direct them.
1t is TO be hoped that speedy action sill
be taken to this end. before other communities
have pressed their claims too far.