The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-09


influence In the state. giving largely OF
time and money for the prosecution OF
the work.
The Rhode Island Sunday school asso-
ciation IL the Rhode Island link I'm the
great chain or state. territorial and pro-
vincial organizations. operating in the
| United States, Canada and Mexico.
known as the International Sunday
school association, through which the
Sunday school world H. provided with the
| international system OF sunday School
| Lessons system that has done more
| TO promote intelligent Bible study and
genuine Christian unity than any other
\ agency In the history OF the church.
The Rhode Island Sunday school asso-
! citation Is Rhode Islands one of the
greatest home missionary agencies, work.
| ing in many isolated places where no
| other moral or religious force ever labors,
| and II aims not only to introduce and
emphas size new and practical methods In
| Sunday school work. but also gather in
| 10 the Sunday school over Al 900 Protes-
tant youths who are not I'm any way
| Identified with the Sunday school.
| The Rhode Island Sunday school asso-
citation is an organiza tion OF which the
pastors officers and teachers OF every
Sunday school I'm the state are a part.
1 and while the general Sunday school
movement Of which II is a part does not
aim al organic union. Il is a fact that
the Sunday school association is one of
the few organizations I'm the world I'm
which evangelical Christians OF every
name regularly sit together In thousands
OF conventions 10 consider the interests
and plan for the extension of christs
Kingdom
WHAT is AND rs NOT DOING.
l. II is increasing the attendance upon
the Sunday school by various means
2 VI is raising the grade OF teaching
through, its teacher training department.
t.-e primary union and the normal class.
3 II is emphasizing the necessity for
system of grading I'm the Sunday school
that shall more nearly conform TO the
public school system.
4. Through district and township or
ganiza tions IL brings together I'm conven-
tions for conference the pastors officers
and teachers OF the state for mutual help
and encourage cement
5. II owns A circulating library on Sun
day school work which is second TO none
In the country, the use OF which Is free
10 the Sunday school workers of the
state
s. N employs n field secretary, who
with his wife, are constantly at work i'm
conventions. conferences, institutes and
Sunday appointments. encouraging. edu-
eating and directing hundreds OF work
ers.
Z. II maintains an executive office in the
Young Mems Christian Association build
ing which is open for business from a.
m. to p. m. daily
All kinds OF Sunday school material are
on exhibition there and you are invited
10 help In making II the Sunday school
headquarters OF the state.
!. IL exercises no authority. levies no
taxes. makes no exposition of scripture
IA wit fonS af
?. II does not interfere with nor detrdct
from the work OF any denomination or
church organizatio but IL is a help 10
them all
3. IT does not seek union but coopera-
ton lt has been observed that those
schools whose officers and teachers are
the most active i'm the interdenomna-
tional work are the most efficient and en-
thusiastic in the work Of their own de-
nominations.
MANAGEMENT AND METHODS.
The management is In the hands Of an
executive committee OF % Christian busi-
ness and professional men from all Sec
tions OF the state. who are chosen annual
~ because OF their fitness and interest.
This committee meets on the first Mon
day I'm every month and deyotes the
greater part OF half day To the discus
sion OF the work i'm it's various details and
TO directing the work OF the field secre-
retary. with whom through a sub-com-
mttee we have been in constant. almost
daily communication.
We find rural districts with few relig-
ious privileges Of any kind. and what is
worse in many cases no desire for them.
We hnd many "A weak and struggling
school In isolated localities that are I'm
urgent need OF help both OF materials and
encouragement
We find in our cities and towns rap
idly Increasing number OF foreigners
from all countries who are supplanting
English speaking families i'm many ofsthe
manufactures Of the state. thus throw
ing double burden upon the church. |.
e. a lessened membership and the moral
and religious training OF these foreigners.
We find that some OF our schools are
admirably organized and equipped and I'm
all their appointments might serve as
models; but we also find that many OF
them are very poorly equipped aRa-aFe
working without any enthusiasm, without
the finaicial or moral support OF the COM
munities in which they exist. and many
times also without any encouragement
from the church with which they are
connected
We have system Of district organiza-
tion that is proving to be cXceedinly ef-
ncient These districts arc all auxiliary
10 and loyal TO our state organization.
each one having a constitution OF It's own
holding at least an annual convention.
sometimes In addition TO which are held
district rallies In many cases every three
months Each district has it's own Of
fcers elected at the annual district con-
vention. raise the money for their
district work on their own fields, |
and make an annual contribution
TO the support Of the state work In the
coming year e is hoped that we shall
be ahle TO extend this system Of district |
organization until II shall reach every |
Sunday school i'm the state.
on sunday our field secretary " called |
into constant service I'm every section of |
the state. he with his wife often attend |
ing and taking part I'm three and four |
services n day. We feel that this sun
day visitation NJ our field secretary and |
hts wife arc not among the least Of the |
helpful influences that are AZ work |
through the agency OF our state organi-
zation.
1he conferences in local churches with |
the teachers and officers ~ individual
schools a. also another method by which |
great good is accomplished.
The Primary Teachers union, which |
NETS every Wednesday afternoon az i.30 |
i'm the Y. NJ G. A building In Providence.
n another method which has been the |
means Of educatnE and Inspiring great