The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-08-10
A Junior Meeting.
Snecial Cnrrespondence.l

/ said to a friend. "a
Junior meeting: What is that ?"
was the surprised query.
"Junior meeting in this case is one
of the regular meetings of "The Jun
ior Society of Christian endeavor,"
of our own church. But as seeing
is believing come and see." So
donning our hats we walked biskly
in the direction of the church
where the meeting is to be held,
for it is almost half-past two now
and that is the time at which the
meeting begins, and we want to
teach the children to be prompt and
on time both by example and pre-
cept. AS We reach the gate we ov-
ertake two or three boys and girls,of
about ten years of age, with their
bibles under their arms. The
children are required to bring their
Bibles, those who have none are
encouraged to ask their parents for
them and if the parents are unable
or unwilling to. provide the Society
finds some way to do so.
The children each give US a
bright cherry greeting and we pass
with them down into the Sunday
School room where we are hearth
ly greeted by bevy of boys and
girls of all ages between six and
sixteen. For at sixteen they are
promoted to the Senior Society.
The Superintendent is at the desk,
beside her boy of fourteen who is
to lead the meeting.
The organist is in her place and
so are we. "But how will you ever
quiet those children? questions my
friend. And to- listen TO the in
cessant laugh chatter and moving
of feet, and to note the bright mis-
chievious eyes and busy fingers il
does seem almost an impossibility
But presently the Superintendent
gives two loud quick taps of the
bell before her and in less than two
minutes every one is in his or her
place and as still as mice and as
demure as if they felt the response
bility resting upon them which
most of them do. At another tap
of the bell all stand and sing "The
Lords Prayer" in rhvme and sci
to the music of "Home sweet
Home." This is their regular doxol.
ogy followed by prayer called fol-
by the leader from the Superinten-
dant organist or some one else pres
ent. The children remain standing
during this prayer, which is short
and simple as not to tire them
After the children are seated the
selection of some song is made by
the children or the leader who was
appointed last meeting and during
the past week has made out pro.
gramme of this meeting and per-
haps has appointed certain mem
bers to take certain parts. After
this song the children all stand
again and repeat "The Lords Pray
er" in concert.
One thing worthy of note is tha
the children have been taught tt
stand or kneel all in one position
and that q deferential one while
praying.
Another is that the little leader
boy or girl directs the meetin,
alone with but few suggestions o.
little assistance from the Superin
tendant, and that the manner il
which the meeting is conducted
would be a credit to some 0
our oldesmembers.
To those who think that children
are not capable of conducting
meetings of their own, | would sa.
try them and see.
Next the leader reads the lessor
the topic of which this afternoon
CHANGED to be "Jesus and the child
ren." And the reference Mark 10
10 16; which includes the verse be
ginning "Suffer little Children t.
come unto Me-" which verse is usu
ally a favorite with all children.
After the leader has finishe,
readings each member rises ant
reads verse touching on the topi
or repeats one from memory. The
the little boy who recites so wei
recites a poem about "Jesus an
Children" A little girl reads
story from her Sunday School pa
per. The Superintendent give
them short talk on the lesso
telling them how Jesus loved chi
dren and how they should love hiI
and work,for Him.
The half an hour allowed fer tn
meeting is almost gone. So til
Sunarintanlant appOints the lpade