Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-10-15
GRAND CHURCH-WORK.
The international Sunday School Association
Should be Fostered


We would urge all Sunday school
people to Join heartily in the work of
'he international Sunday School As
s"cIatlon. The association should
not be thought of as an outside or
ganIzatlon. Its relation to our
church, is to every other denomina-
ton, is closer than that of an allv.
There are a number of important or
carnations, such, for instance. as
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
non, which are the close allies of the
church in special fields of service. but
which are entirely independent of the
churches in their management.
More than this is true in the case of
The International Sunday School AS
Soclatlon. 1t came into existence by
the grace aud desire of the churches
and avowedly and frankly as the
agency of the churches. Its general
convention, held every third year. is
IN IT'S essential character, an interde-
nomlnatlonal convention. This con-
ventlon elects the officers of the asso-
cation, and it is the policy to leave
the nomination of the members of
the Lesson committee to the authori-
ties of the Sunday school depart
ments ot the various denominations.
And particularly in recent Years.
there has been the most cordial dis
position on the part of the associa-
tlon to keep in the closest touch with
various churches and serve them in
every possible way.
This being the case, the Interna-
tional Association is entitled to two
things: First of all, it should receive
the hearty cooperation of Christian
people in its work. Its work indeed
is the work of the churches, and in
cooperating with it, Christian people
are simply doing their own work.
The conventions from the great in
ternatlonal convention down through
State, county and township conven-
tons, are simply gatherings of Chris
tan men and women for the discus
sion of the Sunday school work in
which all are interested. with a view
to an increase in knowledge, the ex-
change of ideas, the comparison of
experiences. and the giving to all the
benefit of the best plans and methods
which anybody has devised or tried.
These meetings are usually delightful
IN the spirit of fraternity. Nowhere
do uncssential dcnominational differ
ences more eagerly disappear, and
nowhere do Christian people find it
easier to see eye to eye 1t is mis-
taken policy in every way to stand
aloOf from these meetings. Members
OF all denominations should regard it
as their duty tn contribute to such
gatherings, by their presence and
participation, the utmost enthusiasm
and helpfulness. and the churches
which have identified themselves
most closely with all its efforts have
received large profits in return.
In the next place. the Information
al Sunday School Association is en-
titled to the financial support of the
churches. 1t is the enterprise of the
churches. and the churches should
give it all needed material help. The
humblest Sunday school in the land
is greatly indebted to the work of
this great organization. and there is
no school so poor that it should not
contribute something for carrying
on the worldwide work which this
association represents. We do not
hesitate to say all Sunday schools
should put down in their budget IL
generous allowance for the Interna-
tional Sunday School Association.
We should, first of all, of course,
deal generouSly Y with our own Board
of Sunday Schools. and it should be
regarded rs discreditable on the part
of any school failing to take liberal
collection for this board devoted to
the extension of our UNCONVENTIONAL
Sunday school work. But that be-
ing done, the schools should make an
adequate Offering to the Interna-
tional Association, whi,h is strength
cning the Sunday-school work of
every denomination. We would be
in favor of an interdenOminational
agreement by which IL certain day
might be indicated for making an Of
fering for this nterdenominational
society. The enlargement of its
work and the success of its under
takings will contribute to the en-
largement of the work of our own
Board of Sunday Schools and the
success of all of our UNCONVENTIONAL
efforts. ECCLEsIAST.