The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-24
SPHERE OF INDIVIDUAL,
Thomas C. Diggs

Thomas C.Diggs
E In answering your inquiry I wou1d say
that successful ,sunday-school work do
ncnds first and last and all the time
upon only one thng-tho faithful teacher.
4 No plan and no organization, however,
perfect and no superintendent or other
official, however talented, can do much
for those pupils who have lazy, careless
or inefficient teachers. And on the con.
trary, the teacher who Is faithful VIII
always do good work. Poor equipment.
bad organizations, foolish officers, and
small numbers, while they hamper, can
not prevent some measure of success.
Sundny-schoo work-nlmost more than
any other line OF Efforts n sphere for
l1ndlvldualism, and the Individual is tho
teacher. '@&8s
At the Same time much can be done to
tighten the teachers work, II to IN crease
( the numbers Of those IN our schools and
to Increase The enthusiasm and ,consecra-.
ton Of the work ers. "A. l. VIII suggest
two things which believe might we'll
be done ~
Z 1. In some cities a sunday-scliool Union
OF all denominations Is formed for the
purpose of systematically Inviting people
to Sunday-school The City is divided
into small districts, over each q which NJ,
permanent visitor is appointed. The
work OF tho visitor Is to learn the
sunday-school anliation oc every family
in the district and especially to visit
promptly every, family which moves into
the district All not already IN the sun:
tlay-school are invited to the nearest OF
the denomination which they prefer, and
at tho same time the officers OF that
'scho are notified Of the fact.
The Presbyterian Sunday-school Union
has been doing some work in Richmond
somewhat along this line and the: field
MS well as the results have surprised us.
j believe we would be glad to unite IN
n plan that. would take up the work more
thoroughly and perfectly than can be
done by any. one denomination ;aSss,
q Many. schools are falling into the
custom Of holding an annual Rally Day
I believe It would greatly add to the
enthusiasm; Of iSunday-sch school workers 4 anu
seryeHat; least TO advertise and 5popu larlze
the schools ifsin addition to:this q great
rally day were held for; the whole city.
not necessarily on Sunday. Let the dan day
suitable place be selected for q great
gathering. let there be marching OF
companies and banners and slnging. Let
there be bands to play the familiar ana
well-loyed songs OF the church. 81 Let the
thousands unite In grand concert OF. song
and praise ana responsive reatdlings.Sfl,L Ley
the chldrens:sing alone aasongs Or Two ;7sf
Let the youhgsme too, unitey thelri1 voices E'
in some part3spf the service slsts.,.! IS . Il,
Such a. day a;was held for m any ~ ears ca
in Brookly iil and the results were good GOD;
4 1t has long Been In n1ysTiind.. to suggest
to- the YarIouaS ndayzs 4. Unions ana
Associa tions Nat sucllS:l5 do y be arranged
for III chntonifd u. 4, Yi It'll the permission Of
Tie T 15}s Rh 8. I IN axe 1t her and
now ~, y sfei kers think favor
abiy,.of the plan / be- glad to- hear
form them. ts III * " " III II @
Respectfully, ~ !,
President Presbyterian eric x sun TIs'
IInfbn -f 3' " I'd q,