The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-30
Will Be Presented to Inter- national Convention in
 San Francisco
CITY'S BEST MEN
 HEAD MOVEMENT
All Men Teachers of Birmingham In We'll Graded Union With Sin- gle Purpose of Training
 for Service
ny RI1RR BLACKBURN

 everyone has heard of it; about lOO de- voted workers are members of it; but not all who need 1t have joined the ranks of the organization, which is dedicated tc the one idea, Training for Service
 Though the first and only, Graded Union for Men it will not long have that distinction Requests for the details oi the plans have been received from San Francisco and many other sections. Ii l has been adopted by the Internationa Sunday School association, and the union has been asked by the international asso- citation to furnish picture of the union with details and particulars of the man. ner in which it is conducted, to be ex- | hibited at the international convention al San Francisco; indeed an honor for Bir- mlngham.
 Wage Active Campaign A campaign is being made for large attendance tonight when the picture has been taken. Last Sunday the union sent 2. missionary" into every Sunday school in the district to present the work of the union.
 The object of this union is to instruct
 
 and train men teachers and officers for the Sunday school, so that they will be more proficient soul winners and charac- ter builders and the Bible be better studied and known by more people and the Sunday school be ever growing and improving.
 The Graded Union is made up of men, the brains and energy which are respon- sible in many ways for the advances in Birmingham Sunday school work during the past few years to a point where Bir- mingham is setting the pace for the whole country.
 Already a Success
 It is already a positive success. me idea has gripped the men Sunday school workers of Birmingham that they must nut business and power into their work to take this city for Christ, and that 1t must come through the actual teaching of the word.
 The most practical and simple methods of training along definite lines are em' ployed. The union meets every Tuesday evening at 6:15 o'clock at the First Meth odist church. Lunch is served and at 6;4 the actual work begins, 20 minutes being taken up in the study of a general teach CT training course, giving broad under | standing of the Bible, the pupil, the prin- oiples of teaching and school organiza- tion.
 This is followed by a 15-minute devotion al service that has been the dynamo of the powerhouse They have been min utes of spiritual character building, re- dedication to service and deyout prayer for Gods guidance.
 A short period on lesson construction follows next A majority of teachers do not know that there are settled princi- ples to guide in preparing the lesson for presentation to the class. This all ire portant matter, so little known, is one of the most interesting and instructive parts of the programme.
 The meeting then divides into depart ments where a half hour is given to the study of next Sundays lesson. and prob lens of actual work At o'clock prompt ly the union adjourns.
 Problems Are Answered
 The teachers in the departments have a month in which to prepare, and they are giving their best to the work. There are problems which confront every teacher which can best be answered from the ex- perience of all. Here is where they get the best advice.
 The superintendents department, under Roscoe E. Scott of Ensley, is one of the most active, working out among them selves the principles and plans which go to make successful Sunday schools. There is no conflict between the union and the Workers meetings of the in- dvldual schools. The chief function of the Workers meeting is to settle local problems. and to instruct from the doc trinal standpoint The attendants at the union are always the chief movers at the Wokers' meetings. The union is school Of methods.
 The organization has been so well per fected that it may serve as a model the country over. The board of directors, composed of all officers and chairmen of committees, manages the business affairs of the union. There is an executive com nIittee of the board, of which the chair man of the board is head.
 The officers are: A president, six vice presidents, who are chairmen of the de- partments: superintendents, tetacher training, adult senior and intermediate; a treasurer and secretary, with assist ants in each department; devotional, so- cial, membership and finance commit- ] tees.
 In the words of the boy, after whom these people are scurrying so consistently. l Believe me-" they mean business A programme is issued every three months, carefully prepared by the board of direc- | tors. An invitation is extended to any Christian white man over 16 years of age. | It is for you.
 Capable Officers
 Here are the officers:
 President, w. H. Stockham.
 Firse vice president, NJ Lee Bonner, order
 Treasurer, M, R. McNeai. | Secretary, J. H. McAfee. | Assistant secretaries, the secretaries of the departments in order.
 Chairman devotional committee, A. L. Smith.
 Chairman of social committee. pr. c. A. Merrill.
 Chairman finance committee, the treas. urer.
 Chairman membership committee W. R Stewart.
 Superintendents department, chairman Roscoe E. Scott.
 Vice chairman. Dr. c. A. Merrill | Secretary, Mont Hood. Chairman membership committee, R. R | Darden.
 Teacher training depaytment, chairman James Bailey. 1 Vice chairman p,. chorse w. Macon