The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-19
DISTINCTIVE WORK Of
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Rev. Williams Points Out Va
rious Features of Unions
Activities
DES MONIES MINISTER
TALKS ON N CHI
Back to the Farm" Move.
ment Will Be Important in
Solving Problem

Addresses by Rev. Geo. P. Williams
u. D., OF Philadelphia. Pa, and by
Rev. Joseph Wells of DesMoines- Ia,
featured the Monday evening session
OF the American Sunday School union,
Distinctive Principles of the .Ameri-
can Sunday School Union" was the
subject treated by Rev. DR.. Williams
and 1t proved n Of the most inter-
esting addresses Of the sessions.
Problems Of the Country Church,
We're touched on by Rev. Joseph Wells
Of Des Moines.
Rev. Williams. in part, said:
THE consideration of this tonic
would appear to be timely. Especially
IS this true since it involves a ques-
ton frequently before us. Presented
sometimes by those seeking informa-
ton, and sometimes by those who in
tend, by a question, to call attention
to their conclusions in reference to
our work. In either case, it would
be we'll to have a reason for the hone
within us.
1T is a topic to be approached with
great care, lest in our zeal for this
work. We know and love so we'll, we
should fail to e all of the points of
effectiveness being covered by other
agencies. In pointing out the fea-
lures that make u work unique and
distinctive. 1t may appear that we are
not broad enough in our vision, that
We are falling to see the great work
being done by others. Let us seek to
guard against this weakness.
AT tho NYfSof lot nc rao1~p;,. c.,-
day school work as M Of the broad
est fields for Christian effort. There
are many workers engaged in this
line of work. Some are working in
dependently. but for the most part
are enlisted under the auspices of
some organization found useful in re-
lating and Strengthening the work of
the individual. Aside from our own
work-for all practical purposes in
the study of this subjective may
consider all Sunday school move
ments, or societies as included in, and
classified under one or the other of
two heads, the UNCONVENTIONAL Sunday
school movements, and Interdenomi-
national Sunday School association
work. To n or the other of these
agencies. allegiance is owed by a
very large percent of Sunday school
workers-other than our own. It
would appear to be unnecessary to
take the few exceptional cases into
account in our effort to discover u
distinctive work.
Objects in Common.
"Since the object of all Sunday
school agencies is much the same,
they necessarily have much in CON-
mon. Each seeks to promote the OBJ
servance of the Sabbath; to gather
people. old and young. into Sabbath
schools for the study of the bible, to
instruct the mind, to improve the
character, and to bring the individual
into correct, intelligent and saved re-
lations with his God. Briefly stated
this covers the ground common to all
Sunday school work.
However, before long considering
the special work, and conditions UNI
der which these different agencies do
their work, it is discovered that there
are distinct and radical differences.
Differences in methods, and in part,
differences in objects. Differences in
the sphere Of influence occupied. Aft
er we have considered these facts,
the logical field to be occupied by u
society, and the distinctive work our
society is to do will be revealed. Let
us briefly consider, first, the local
church Sunday school, second, the de-
nominational Sunday school mission
airy work. and third, the principles
which underlie the International Sun
day School association work. By a
process Of elimination We shall de-
termine the legitimate field in which
the distinctive principles Of the Amer
lean Sunday School union finds ex-
preston.
Church Sunday Schools.
'The church Sunday school is con-
Quoted under the auspices of the To-
cal church. This is at once it's
strength and its weakness. To teach
the bible from its own theological
point Of view is the strength of the
church Sunday school. But there are
honest differences in theological views
and these differences separate those
who hold them into different camps.
These differences, most honestly and
sacredly held. become the barriers
preventing universal attendance. upon
any m UNCONVENTIONAL school. While
it is willing to minister to all within
its reach, in point Of fact, by its de-
nominational character, it is limited
in the sweep Of its influence to those
who are willing for themselves, and
for their children, to accept the form
of doctrine adhered to and taught by
the denomination to which the local
church may belong. Because of this
UNCONVENTIONAL barrier against un-
limited. unrestricted attendance, the
church school is unable to reach all
the people in a given community. The
result is the opening Of other Sunday
schools, and the starting of other
churches-as witness the numberless
small. struggling and inadequately
supported churches in the cities and
small towns. Of both the east and the
west.
Gin addition to the local church
Sunday school work, a few of the de-