The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-04-12
SOMETHING ABOUT REV. CHAS.
ROADS.

The New General Secretary Of the
Maryland Sunday School Associa-
ton.
In the 63 wears of its existence the Maryland
Sunday School ociation-formerly the
Maryland Sunday School Union-has done
much for the Sunday schools of the State. 1t
is now proposed 10 extend the work of the
association and do it more effectively. And
it is felt that the new general secretary, Rev.
Charles Roads, D. D., is the right man to re-
present the ideas of the association and carry
forward its plans. DIR. Roads has had ex
tended experience III Sunday school work,
having been general secretary OF the Pennsyl-
vania State Sunday School Association from
1897 to 1901, and since then general field
secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday
School Union As u matter of fact, DR..
Roads has been actively engaged i'll Sunday
school work since buyhood. lie taught
class al IA and was an assisting superintendent
at II. Alter entering the ministry he served
prominent churches III Philadel pha and near
by towns Tor several years, paying especial
attention to the development of Sunday schools
and young peoples work.
In 1892 he was president of the Pennsyl-
vania Christian Endeavor Union. He served
as chairman of evangel;stic work at several
international CuTlStldH LuucdFol SohfCutioHS,
and was the originator of the plan OF holding
religious meetings in factories, stores and
shops in connection with conventions.
While pastor in Philadelphia DIR. Roads
was at the head of the movement which gave
the children ui that cny their summer play
grounds in school enclosures, on WharVes and
IN parks-a movement that has spread to
other Cities He was active also in the Law
and Order League, the Social Purity Alliance
and the Pennsylvania Prison Society.
For three years he Was associated with the
remarkable group of men who have made
Pennsylvania organized Sunday school work
famous-John Wanamaker, H. }. Heinz, DR..
C. 4. Blackall, S. L. Gill, DIR. Alexander
Henry and others. Every present phase OF
the work was wonderfully developed during
those years-normai work, the decision day
movement, house-to house visitation, home
department, grading, supplemental lessons and
city institutes. The state associations fur
nished such inspiration and help TO local
workers that the whole state became organ
lied and frequent conventions were held win
large attendance.
When, in 1901, DR.. Roads became general
field secretary of the Sunday school work OF
the NJ. Z. Church he entered upon an era OF
wider hepfulness. Since then he has Travelled
about q, 900 miles year, made $50 to 500
addresses each year and held Institutes and
conventions in 30 states.
He was the first to give courses of lectures
to colleges and universities on Sunday school
work and Bible study. DR.. Roads has also
done a considerable amount of literary work.
He has been on the editorial staff of the
Christian Standard, the Philadelphia Metho-
dist, the Christian Statesmen and other jour
nails; has prepared primary and beginners
lessons and published number of books on
Sunday school work. DR.. Roads regards
Maryland as an unusually promising field for
the best modern Sunday scnool development.
of the people, and especially the large mum
Der of men in the churches, the fact that Sun
day school sessions are almost invariably IN
the afternoon. the lively interest exhibited in
recent conventions, together with other indl,
cations, point to commanding place for this
state in Sunday school work.