Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-04-25
N U REPORT OF
AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL

AMehlCAN SUNDAY SCHUUl
In It's nationwide work this society
10 emphasizing two facts. First. that
the Sunday school Is the strategic
agency Of the church Of Christ. Sec
ond. that q pressing need in America
today u more and better Sunday
schools in the rural districts. It is
the teaching department of ne church.
the training and recruiting office of
stonartes it has organized, and 10 or
gGntzing more Sunday schools than
any other agency in the world. All
that is best In our civilization been
promoted and strengthened by the
Sunday school. The press and the
highest church courts unite in sound
ing it's praise. The work is four fold;
1T Is primarily to organize n main
tain Sunday schools. to distribute
wholesome literature. visit in the rural
homes and hold gospel services in the
country. This will give to all the
country people a permanent organi-
xation. the presence Of the preacher.
the spoken message and the printed
page.
The rural Sunday school has always
peen an important factor in
tty life; more and more 1t is becoming
q social as well as a religious center,
and because of its Observation-Disclosures
character 1T appeals to all classes. A
union school can exist and prosper
when UNCONVENTIONAL schools cannot
because OF differences In personal be-
lief. and church doctrines, and where
q church cannot possibly be support
ed of the few settlers. It is
quite generally conceded that so per
cent OF our western churches were
nrst Organized as Sunday schools, and
1a1er followed up by regular work.
When We consider the economy Of q
rural Sunday school and the finished
product which 1t produces, one is con-
yince0 that 1t 10 q wise investment.
OF all our church ~benevolences only
ABOUT 10 per cent is used in the Sun
9 schools. and from this investment
we derive IS per cent OF our profits.
The Sunday school pays a dividend in
producing 30 per cent Of our city bust
ness men, 46 per cent of our women
teachers. SO per cent Of our men teach
ers. - per cent of u ministers and
sors.
Inc American Sunday School union
works exclusively in the newer and
rural settlements. and has for SO years
employed missionaries representing
various churches. to do a home mis-
lines. Hundreds of thousands of chill
oren and grown ups" in this great
western country are waiting for some-
one to organize them and tell them of
the Son Of God. who, through the Of
fering OF Himself. mad It possible
Tor US to have a Christian nation.
IS Men Engaged.
In what is known as the northern
district. comprising the states Of Min
nesota, North Dakota m Montana,
there are IS trained Sunday school
men engaged at the present time.
These men have personal supervision
Of over 100 little mission schools, where
more than $1,000 pupils are enrolled.
Some OF these schools are over 50
miles from town or church. 1t is not
uncommon for n of these mission
aries to visit homes where no other
pastor or Christian worker is ever
seen Aside from having 700 points
Organized they minister to about 300
nei6hborhoods where for various rea-
Sons schools cannot be established.
Vt course there are great problems
facing u cities. But think of III
Ing to solve them, and nov little IL
being done for u country folk. The
little Sunday school opened in the
little white school house. is prac-
ucally the only public Christian serv-
Ice, n It at once ecomes the social
It in every direction, felt by both
young and old The missionary is
recognized as the leader OF events, and
10 doing much by speech, presence
n printed page, to raise the moral
tone OF our cities of the next genera
ton. by t~nstructing the children of
this. Would that we had more Of them.
h generation of boys will not be on
tho farm Is years hence, but in our
cities and towns, leaders in business
and professional life. What a sense Of
security b parents will have IL the
young feet have been carefully led.
and securely established upon the solid
rock before they leavethe country home.
Thousands OF city business men who
are crowding our busy thoroughfares
today can recall with believed eyes
and heaving chest. when they left their
rural home to u to the busy city.
Concerning Our Natural Resources.
( The conservation of our rising gem
eraaon 10 most important, and educa-
ton that does moi go deeper than the
intellect 10 not sufficient for our day
And generation. During the year this
society has established in the north-
ern district alone 246 Sunday schools
having total membership Of $3.50
persons, 1,6l6 school sessions were
aided by visits where the missionaries
am in touch with 74.25s pupils.
x,7Ss sermons and addresses were de-
livered. and 4,121 bibles and testa-
ments were distributed as they were
making. 1893 pastoral visits. The
churches Of different denominations
are following up the schools and a
nave recently become preaching sta
tons. Good literature to the extent
OF $l.42S.36. was disposed of. The
Tnauonal motto is Every child in
In every home. and a school in every
Community-wherA there IN M church u