Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-01-04

Some wise head has stated that "order
is heavens first law" In no place will
this hold more true than in the Sunday
school. As soon as order is restored
(and let that be accomplished as soon as
possible) begin with the exercises of the
hour. Now | do not propose to give a
regular order of exercises, for the reason
that no one order will fit all schools; but
the wisdom of the superintendent must
be exercised here to suit his particular
case. If the school is opened by singing,
let it be something cheerful, hearty and
lively if you choose, but avoid songs
which prominent Sunday school
worker has said, "touch a boys heels
quicker than his heart" Let the open
ing prayer be plain and simple, in words
suited to the understanding of the chill
dren and right from the heart, that is,
overlooking with love to Christ and
burdened with the desire that the parti-
cular lesson of the day shall be a SAVIOR
of life unto life unto those who receive
it. 1t would often be well to have the
prayer close with a repetition of the
Lords prayer by the whole school, but |
do not say would always do it. 1t is
also of great benefit to have a short inter-
val of silent prayer by the school before
the leader begins. Then, whether there
is responsive scripture reading, sing
ing or exercises in concert before the
lesson study, let it be hearty and
cheerful, never losing sight of the CEN
trail idea of the lesson and avoiding
anything that will drift away from
it or unfit the mind in any way to receive
the impressions to be made by it. Have
definite length of time for the lesson
study, and | like very much to have one
stroke of the bell about five minutes be-
fore the close of the time. Allow no
books or papers to be distributed or pen
MES to be collected during the time of
study, and close promptly on time.
Now comes the season for the display
of the blackboard artist, the speech-ma6-
er and chOrister. do not say that these
do not all have their place, but should be
used solely to enforce the lesson truth
and not means of displaying the talent
of the leader or attracting the senses of
the school by startling presentations.
Ralph Wells says that when a nail has
been driven well through board, it is
sometimes well to turn it over and hit it
few taps on the other side. Whatever
is done after the lesson study is over
should be to make more firm the lesson
truths. If the blackboard is to be used,
make it illustrate the main thought of
the lesson in the plainest, simplest man
ner possible. Fine artistic drawings nav
have their place, but, as a rule. a rough
sketch or IA few plainly written words
are better. Do not illustrate by an ol"b-
crate discourse, but by quick. sharp
questioning make the school present the
thoughts you wish to put before them.
In talks upon tile lesson from the desk
would be very sparing indeed. If the
lesson can best be fastened upon the
mind in this way, by all means do it, but
let the remarks be boiled down to the
very last word. Do not go over all the
ground the teachers have probabl, done,
but go little out of the common line of
thought and let what is said be right to
the point. In the selection of the closing
hymn. great care should be taken. a
few years since, in one of the schools of
this conference, after had done the best
could do as teacher to make the les
son of Christ's crucifixion impressive on
class, the superintendent, with all due
gravity, announced that we would sing,
"Pull for the Shore" This song, a most
excellent one in its place, was so much
out of tune with the sentiment of the les
son that | could only feel that much of
the spiritual good to be derived from this
closing scene of Christ's life was lost
sight of before the hymn was finished.
The heart is often touched through the
power of song. Then do not let such a
potent means Of good to be misused at
the close of the lesson study. You will
notice have tried to enforce the thought
of keeping the desired end in view in
each days session. What would you
think of the man who would 90 out into
his field and pillow and SOW at random,
without regard to season or fitness of the
soil? Yet ask you in all candor, if this
is not fair Illustration of the way much
of our Sunday school work is being done
| have also taken the ground that tn,
Sunday school is part of the church
organization. This being the case, lei
the church see to it that the school does
not lack for funds to carry on its worl
properly. Lesson helps should be fur
nished with a liberal hand, but do no
recommend their unlimited use during
the Sunday school session. Teach the
children to give their pennies for the ben
eft of others, for it is the Lords require
ment to give as they are prospered; anC
when this is done, do not narrow dow
the principle of true giving by taking thu
money to purchase books and papers TO
Sunday school use.
| imagine some are saying in thei
mind that it is far easier to form an idea
Sunday school than a practical one. o