The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-09
TEACHERS TAUGHT.
3. Fay Mills Tells How
Sunday School May Be
Made Interesting.
INFANT CLASSES ARE EASY.
He Advises a Suspension Of Regular
lessons and More Originality.

Inc dlSagreeaDte weather evidently had
desultory effect on the attendance at
the Wayne Street Reformed Church last
night to hear Evangelist Mills talk TO the
Sunday school teachers Notwithstand-
ing the elements, however, a goodly
number of the Sunday school teachers
throughout the city attended; in fact
they composed the main portion of the
audience.
Among the Sunday schools represented
were the Tabernacle, Wayne Street Re
formed. Park Reformed, ST. Paul's
Methodist, Second Presbyterian and the
Scotch Presbyterian Among the pastors
present were the Revs. Mitchell, Craw-
ford, Scudder, Nicholson and Houston.
The time set for the services was a
quarter to eight o'clock. BUTT was nearly
eight o'clock when Mr.. Mills arrived. He
went up the side aisle and stepped upon
the pulpit. Hymns No. 242 and 541 were
then sung by the congregation, MIR. Mills
leading. Mr. Mills then opened by ask
ing how many Sunday school superinten-
dents were present. Those who were
would raise their hands. After an ac-
curaJe count 1t was discovered that there
were just thirteen present. No comment
was made on this singular incident.
Now" said Mr. Mills, II want every
teacher here tonight to lay aside the
regular routine of work tomorrow am
positive that the regular routine of work
as is now practiced i'll the Sunday schools
is big mistake, and the sooner it is done
away with the more work we can accom-
plish.
| don't want the teachers to mention
lessons tomorrow. / don't want any col
fpaffo11 n hn fa ron II IVnfIl1
mend that the teachers who have after
noon classes to cut their sessions as short
as possible, say to forty five minutes. The
morning sessions, however, would have
protracted, as | believe in the morning
the soul can be inspired. | want the
teachers to make a real, desperate, ear
nest effort TO give I'D the present system
and ask Christ to help them in the more
practical plan, which [ hope TO be fully
able to establish tomorrow
EFFECTS OF THE NEW SYSTEM
Mr. Mills then went on to relate several
incidents by which he said he would
prove the efficacy of the new eystern
Il remember, " said he, zone superinten-
dent who was greatly bothered about
his class. He would pray until three
o'clock every Sunday morning to inspire
him to be able to convert his class, and
as q consequence he would be completely
tagged ont and tired when he reached his
Sunday afternoon when he was very
tired he cried out in despair and shook
with emotion. The emotion of the SUPER
inten dent had an instantaneous effect on
the scholars, and I will state that this
mans class turned out pillars of the
church"
81 know of another pastor and superin-
tendent who decided ON another plan.
One afternoon the superintendent asked
his class how many wanted to become
Christians and asked all who desired to
become Christians TO enter a room One
hundred answered the call, and | can
positively state that sixty-hve of this one
hundred afterward became active mem
bers of the church. believe that this
could have been done before"
Mr. Mills then said that the best Chris
tians were under fifteen years of age, and
stated that out of 1000 members of the
Rev. Mr.. Spurge's church in New Bruins
wick, one-half of them We're under fifteen
wears of age, and said that he would
rather admit a boy ten years of age a
member of church than any man sew
enty years of age.
Mr.. Mills then told the plan of another
Sunday school superintendent. A num-
Der OF questions were formed, among
which were the following
IF NOT, WHY NOT?
care you Il Christian? Ii not, why not?
VIII you tryga The result of these ques-
lions was beyond the most sanguine ex-
pectations of the propounders. Mr.. Mills
then told remarkable story about a GER
tain incident which once happened him:
IL was going down the main street in
certain city not long sincen said he
s,when | met certain man whom knew
was not a Christian. went up to him
and / said, are you a Christian?' No.
said he, I am not. but this Is the first
time have been asked that question, and
| have lived in the country forty-swo
years. Just think of it, brethren. Here
was man living in the country forty
two years and had never been asked that
question"
II remember one night after meeting
lust like this, q well-known business man
came to me and said that he had the
worst class of boys imaginable. He said
they were incorrigible and all his efforts
would avail nothing. lie said he spent a
great deal of time That ought TO be de-
voted to business in thinking up funny
stories to engross the attention of the
youths during Sunday School hour, and
ne had began to despair of ever doing
anything.
sort of thing. Tomorrow you 90 to your
class with tears in your eyes and do
nice little cry. / think that will fetch
them Well, what was the consequence.
That superintendent met me the follow
ing day, his lace radiant with JOY and he
said the new departure worked admir-
ably"
IT MUST HAVE BEEN TRENTON.
Mr. Mills then told story of the mean
est town he ever struck ut is one of
those towns" said he, lin which every
man has his hand in every other mans
pockets. They were goddess men who
came to Sunday school to discuss free viii
and other subjects. On Friday night we
had a meeting like this. After the meet
ing the superintendent asked me to teach
his class / refused. Then he wanted
the pastor to teach. But | told him he
must teach and told him TO go home and
pray until he was inspired TO talk to his |
class and not to get up OF his kness I'M
ill he was so inspired. That superinten- |
dent did as told him and met with great |
results
After Mr. Mills had related several |
other incidents ne said he was at liberty /
to answer any questions which might be /
put TO him by tile school teachers present |
There was silence for few moments, /
which was interrupted by Il sweet voice /
emanating from a pretty Sunday school |
teacher, SAYING
How about the infant class, Mr.. |
MillsN,
'sOh. all that is necessary to take charge |
of the infants,n said he, lis TO explain TO |
them the choice of life and death and IL |
lustrate simple lessons 10 them. We |
need not mind the infants. 1t is the !
hoary- headed old sinners we are AFTER /
Suppressed merriment
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