Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-14
THE INVENTION OF A
MANCHESTER MINISTER
Description Of the Card Index De-
vised by the Rev. HI Moore.

The card index system mas 5oeooiiie -
article Of such general use among DUST
ness men that it might seem that It's pos
sihlftiss as time-saver and an aid to
Systematic work has already been nearly
exhausted 1t has been adapted to nearly
everything in the up-to-date office, ane'
the Students outfit is now reckoned IN
comn1ete without some kind OF caro-
index to keep track of the results OF MS
labors Ministers of the Gospel nave not
been slow to recognize its adaptablllty TO
1neir needs, and the study of the modern
preacher accords a prominent place 10
this twentieth century time-saver.
To the uninitiated it may be well to eS-
plain that the card index system consists
of a number of classified cards arranged
in the form of an alphabetical index, or
numbered. as may be most convenient for
the purpose used. The object is to render
informa ton concerning the subject for
which the index is used easily and quick
ly accessible.
Hitherto it has been considered simply
what its name iInplieS-au index, ana
nothing more. 1t has remained. however.
for Manchester preacher to discover an
adaptation of the index system to the
needs of ministers and literary men which
will make it of inestimable value to them,
not only as method Of keeping track OF
their NOTN. .Dul DIS dll StuCdltOlidl ldSlot
as we'll. This new system is also mani
testify saver of both time and gray mat
ter.
The Rev II. H. Moore, pastor OF Co
wardin-Avenue Christian Church. is the
inventor of the new system, and does not
hesitate to predict that it will supersede
anything Of the kind now on the market
when it is once fully introduced and its
superior advantages explained.
Mr.. Moore said that his invention is the
result of years of investigation and care
full trial of different methods of classify
ing sermon material, and is notably free
from the obnoxious red tape. features
OF many other card index systems. Not
only is it exceedingly simple in its opera
ton, but inexpensive as well. It is not
adapted to the needs of lazy student or
preacher who may desire to set gold with
out digging for it, but it will tighten the
laboTs of man who puts the system into
operation in the manner it is dcsi.ned to
e used.
The card is about the size of a postal
card. and is printed with ank spaces Tor
entries. The design is such as to make IL
universal for the use of q minister OF any
denomination. either Catholic or Protes-
tant, and its usefulness mas not been sac
r1iced to enable universal application. 1t
can be recorded.
The system is so absolutely unique and
original that it is difficult to describe. A
brief description of the card is as fol-
lows:
PerpendicUlarly arranged on the left end
of the card. and numbered from one TO
seven, are the words Bible, book, month
~ sermon. slipping. memorandum, and
cross reference On the top OF the word,
subject. and a space for writing. Opposite
the word Bible are spaces for recording
the book. chapter and verse of any text. In
the Bible. Next below follows space for
entering reference to any page OF any vol
u1ne Of any book. Next to the word
monthly are spaces for recording a refer
ence to anything published in any maya
zine. newspaper. Sermons, clippings
and m emoranda are all arranged in proper
classified order and easy of future access.
There arc five cross references referring
to records on other cards or giving loca-
ton of matter on file, SO that whatever
may be the subject or wherever the ma
terial bearing on that subject may be
located. it can be found a once.
Ono peculiar feature which differenti
atcs this system from others is that the
memory does not have to be depended
upon in getting at subject matter entered
on any card For instance, the ordinary
system will only give up its contents by
locking for any article according TO its
alpha etical classification; this new sys
TEN, however. will enable one to find what
is wanted by simply looking it UP through
any word synonymous with the subject
indicated.
The method pursued in making entries
mas an important bearing on the value of
the system; in fact, it is an inseparable
part OF it.
ur Moore has not placed his invention
on the market, notwithstanding strong
Communications from prominent prea CHI
ers who say that his idea is a good one
He is at present engaged in writing q
series of magazine articles on the card
index for a prominent publication. and he
desires to await more extended criticism
Of his Improvement before putting it on
sale.