The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-12-14


phase Of modern teaching and organi.
cation.
North Dakota has made a most
phenomenal growth during the past
ten years. At the International con-
vention held in Boston In June 1896.
(Mr. ]. Orchard was then but one
month old secretary when the report
Of the state was read. North Dakota
stood away down in the list of pro-
gressive educators and her place out
of the forty-two states then organized
was the thirtieth.
Since then she has forged her way
to the front and now stands in a
per capita advancement as fifth out
of the forty-flve states. This has
been brought about by the strong
pastoral and working staff of the
state. who by their loyalty has made
her standing among the first in the
union.
Out of the forty organized counties
North Dakota association has thirty
nine fully manned, with good county
organizations. These county assoc
ciates are the next link in the chain
that connects with the motive power
of the International association.
North Dakota has two paid secre-
taries, Mr. John Orchard of Fargo, the
general secretary and Mrs. s. p.
johnson of Rugby the primary secre-
tary. The state elects the executive
body at the state association conven-
ton. The body represents the Eng.
fish speaking evangelical church of
the state. This committee through its
state secretary organizes the coun-
ties for convention and institute work.
The counties In turn are in touch
with the individual school and the
individual school with the individual
pupil. Thus there is a mighty link
that binds the world in Bible study
from the youngest child to that of the
gray headed professor.
One of the best tests of advance
ment of the Sunday school work is the
amount of literature sent to the state
from the UNCONVENTIONAL publishing
houses, as compared with that of ten
years ago. In 1896 less than 10 per
cent of the Sunday schools had any
literature at all bearing upon the
primary department. Home depart
ment, teacher training, graded work,
decision, day, etc. This has been in
creased the past ten years to so per
cent of the schools using these ad-
vanced methods, making net gain of
40 per cent. This is more than true
of the primary, teacher training and
grading.
Public recognition by the day
school. normal school and university
teachers is very encouraging. These
friends say that there has been a
greater uplift in North Dakota during
the last five years in Sunday school
work than in any previous twenty
five years of its history.
There are three UNCONVENTIONAL
missionaries who give their entire
time in the interests of their several
churches, and who are in the closest
relationship with the organized work.
These represent the. Baptists in Rev.
E. P. Johnson, Congregationalfsts,
Rev. E. H. stickey, Presbyterians in
Mr.. ]. P. Clapp. The churches of the
Episcopalian, M. E. and Lutheran
place the responsibility of Sunday
school organization upon bishop,
presiding elder, pastor, etc.
The three missionaries above with
the other bodies each report to their
denominations abnormal gains during
the last five years, more time, more
money and thought has been put into
this state and more actual gains in
schools and pupils through the eff
forts of these brethren than are seen
In older states in decade. Indeed,
the lament Of the east is the losing
of their best blood, and the rejoicins
OF the west is the receiving of same
within her borders. Thus through her
purposeful and uplifting efforts North
Dakota stands unique as a moulder of
youth of the commonwealth.
Some of the newer movements of
the international work have had their
origin through the North Dakota
Sunday School association. This is
especially true in the tour, itinerary
plan, for county conventions and in
stitutes, to the special course in the
normal schools, North Dakota stands
supreme. Then, too, the state associ-
alton has had charge of the Sunday
school program of the Bible confer
ence for the past two years. The
complete graded circular issued to
the state association and that covers
all ages from the cradle to the grave,
is the first publication of it's kind in
the United States.
This plan of graded system
reaching the child of and the man
of 100 will add from Is to so per cent
to the value of the Sunday school of
North Dakota.
The course plans for classification.
grading and promotion, based upon
the latest pedagogical platforms.
The great work is carried on finan-
cially with an income of less thar
$4,000, each school giving voluntary
a per capita offering to further the
work, and that is good effects might
reach the farthermost parts of the
state.
The two secretaries are in conven-
ton and institute almost daily demon
strating the what to teach," "the
how to teach" and "the whom to
teach" Travelling over the entire
state and meeting during the year
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