The Springdale news., 1909-09-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
How to Increase and Hold the Att
 tendance of Scholars

ing of the Township Sunday School Association, and is published by re- quest of the Association:
 l once knew little boy who, when asked the question, Willie, do you know how to swim would reply. Yes. but cant do t" In the discussion of this question, if was asked the direct question, do you know how to increase and hold the attendance of Sunday School scholars, truth and candor might compel He to give the same answer that was given bY lit tie Willie
 Be that as it may, I think there are certain conditions or rules. the observance of which will aid greatly in attaining the desired end Let us consider the subject first from the standpoint of the teacher, be- cause it will be seen at once that if all the teachers in school sue ceed in increasing the attendance at their classes, and in holding the increase. the superintendent will have no need for worry upon this score First. the teacher should have several important qaalifica- tions. Among these may be noted the following: Upright character; ability to instruct and interest, pride in tue quality Of his work; faith in the end to be attained No one should be chosen as an in- structor who does not possess the first two and none should accept the responsibility of teaching Who does not have the third and fourth qualifi cations. They all seem to me to be absolutely essential te =saeeess. the lack of any one means failure. It may not always be possible to know in advance if one has the ability to impart knowledge and hold attention. but FefS few les sons will show the possession or lack of possession of this important quail ity. But.. granting the ability To in- struet. what ( an We say Of the teacher who has not enough pride in his work to prepare his lessons in advance of the lesson hour His pupils will be quick to note the de- feet. and will follow his example, and further, they will not respect him They will say to each other that their teacher is only making a "blaff" at teaching Result, fail ure to get hold of seriptural truths. and very irregular attendance. But an otherwise able teacher may be handicapped by the fear that he or she is not getting results. Right at this point is where he must have faith in the end to be attained. Let him do his work well, and the re- suits will take care of themselves. Lei aim hold ever before himself that lie is an active agent in the performance of the grandest work that human intelligence can find to do. viz. the upbulldlns o1 character The highest type of cit izen, the best neighbor, the stead jest force for law and order. is the God-fearing man or woman. and il is this kind of men and women that the Sunday School teacher is try to develop Look about you and note what very small per cent of the people who are of real val ue in the community, grew up out side of the Sunday School. You will. dare say, be surprised at the smallness of the number There is another encouraging thing for the teacher to remember, and that is the retroactive effect upon himself One cannot strive for good ends without being himself bettered; the proposition is so self-evident that it needs no discussion.
 Granting then. the possession by the teacher of the foregoing quail fications. the spectacle is often pre- sented of classes in which 1t is hard t. finG much evidence of good work The pupils themselves may be do ins poor work Poor work can be excused on the ground of stupidi- ty. but it is hard to eondone lazl- ness ard proorastination. Ii IS in these faults that the origin Of most of the teachers troubles lie lt E is hard to develop one who is q consistently poor scholar in tht day school into a good Sandal School scholar l believe one o' the most effective methods IS te assign special work; in case this fails. have friendly talk wth the parents of the poor scholar and ask their judicious assistance. IT this assistance there should be as little of compulsion as possible.
 Another very helpful aid towards success is in the manifestation oi