The San Francisco call., 1907-01-27

as will secure the largest and most permanent
results. We deal now Simply with thfs work Of
preparation We are preparing a booklet which
will be sent out TO all OF our pastors well in
advance of the day. that win give helpful sug-
gestions teacher preparation in particular and
general directions for the immediate observance
of the day. and for the preservation of the fruits
of the day. We sure that the following
points should enter into the programme leading
up TO decision day:
l. Let the pastor, having carried the matter
before the Divine Master in the secret chamber
of prayer and having received his assurance of
guidance. call together for counsel and PRAYER
the Superintendent and heads of the several de-
whole situation should be carefully canyassed
The general spiritual condition of the school
should be considered. The list of teachers should
be studied in detail with reference to the posi-
BILE efficiency of each one in the work proposed.
. Then let the pastor and superintendent call
n full meeting of the officers and teachers of the
school The place and the time should be chosen
so as to have the fullest attendance possible
The call for the meeting should not be made
publicly, either in the school congregation
but by joint note of invitation from the pastor
and superintendent, sent to ease member indi-
eating that the meeting will be of unusual i'm
portance, and urging their presence. At that
meeting let the subject be clearly explained and
the vital Importance of the end in view strongly
mati'od Let there be a period Of prayer thoroua.,
bea rt-searchfng and conservation There NAV fol-
low representations from the teachers concerning
their classes. A general estimate may be made
of the unconverted members of the school, and
plans may be discussed for the best methods of
influencing them. But the great end TO be
couDlished at this meeting, must he the awaken
ing of the teachers and officers themselves.
g. Let the teacher make a complete list of
unconverted scholars in his class, giving the
names in full and their residences. In making
up this list the teacher must not be guided sim
piy by the question of membership in the church.
for some members of the church who. have
no vital Christian experience, and have
cepted Christ who have not yet united with the
church Let the teacher. not merely in a horta-
tory way but simply and earnestly impress the
members Of his class with his anxiety that they
may accept Christ and openly follow him. Say
the emphasis on decision. not the day. This
effort must not be confined merely TO the meeting
of the class. but must be followed up tactfully.
prayerfully and persistently.
4 Repeated meetings of the officers and
teachers will be necessary as the work progresses
The subject of the parents of unconverted chill
dren should be considered at these meetings
The knowledge of the homes is exceedingly i'm
portant and the cooperation of parents should
be enlisted Much Indifference on the part
OF nominally Christian parents concerning the
lCious condition of their children will be discov-
cred The utmost effort must be made 10 break
up this Indifference and create in them a serious
concern. This will require visits TO the parents
for heart TO heart talks concerning their children.
The result may be not simply the securing of
their help in the effort TO gain the children, but
their own religious awakening we'll IRE
Iigious parents may be deeply touched by a gen
uine interest in their children on the part Of
b. The pastor and superintendent will prob
ably desire the teachers TO gather for few
minutes before or after the session of the school
for prayer and conference. for several weeks be-
ment Of the day must be made. But the last
week before the day should be made Of
ceaseess effort and prayer. Every officer and
teacher must have a full prayer list of those
for whose conversion effort Is being made. and
pray for them, name by name. again and again.
and follow up the prayers by every suggestion of
the Spirit for accomplishing the object sought
A simple but appealing letter signed by the
pastor and superintendent should he sent to each
unconverted member Of the school urging his or
her acceptance OF Christ. But make no reference
to the fact OF a decision day. letter to the
Christian members of the school asking their
special prayers for the conversion OF all the
members Of the school who have not accepted
Christ might be wise. And would advise that
all pastors the Sunday preceding decision day
preach on the subjects treated In paragraphs
BOSS in the discipline. or on something showing
the obligations of parents TO permit their chill
dren To claim the spiritual rights of childhood in
the kingdom and the church. Unfortunately
some parents stand in the way of their children's
making Christisn profession and uniting with the
church.
Let us set before us the inspiring and wholly
possible determination the conversion and addi-
tion 10 the church of quarter Of a million of
Young neople out of our Sunday-school during the
year 1907.