The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-05-18
TRAINING SUNDAY
SCHOOL WORKERS
Valuable Results Obtained By Greensboro Churches SGT
Forth in Speech by Mr.. A. w. McAlister.

[nf the Greensboro Training School for
School Workers, delivered on
"Trip with Marion Lawrence at Win
ri on-Salem, by A. w. McAlister, a
Eea ding business man Of Greensboro
AS the International Sunday School
Association is the best example we
nave of the effectiveness of
tive religious work, SO the Greensboro
Training School for Sunday school
workers. has proven to be the most
successful attempt at community CO.
operation in religious work that my
town Of Greensboro has ever expert
enced.
\ Bit of History.
About a year ago the need of a city
training school and its possibilities
we're pointed out to our people by DR.
William A. Brown in an impressive
address on this subject. He succeed
ed in creating in the minds OF the
Sunday school workers OF Greensboro
a dissatisfaction with present methods
and a realization Of the importance of
high class teaching in the Sunday
school. Most, if not all of the Sunday
school enterprise and activity which
am going to mention would have re-
maine unconceived and undone If
DIR. Brown had not visited Greensboro
last spring. and if a little later at the
instance of the Secretary of the North
Carolina Sunday School Association,
the denominational Sunday school
leaders had not been brought together
into the Greensboro Sunday School
Association. This was the beginning
of our get together" movement. the
beginning of the assembling of parts
into the most productive piece of ma
chinery that has ever contributed to
the efficiency and extension of Sunday
school work in Greensboro.
The first definite task Of the Greens
bore Sunday chool Association after
1T was organized was the establish
ment of the Training School for Sun
day school workers. Less than six
months ago a committee of three of
the city association was appointed,
known as the central committee. This
committee was given plenary powers
and instructed to select a e for the
school and with his cooperation to
prepare a plan for the onduc of the
school. Months before, when the
matter was first approached and dis.
cussed. many were of the opinion thai
a task of such huge proportions could
not be successfully undertaken with
out the assistance of some outside ex
pert, and serious consideration wa.
given 10 the proposal that sever
cities and towns located -venicntf.
TO one another might be grouped to
gether, and employ such an expert t.
give one day a week to each town
but hat expert could mo- be foun'
promptly and the condition preceden
TO this was the simultan
eous adjustment Of a trainini
school in at least four or five cities.
soon became apparent that the wis
thing to do was to rely upon ourselve
and to go ahead without waiting 70
any body else. This was done an
results have amply justified the wis
dom of that course. A Sunday schoG
worker, W. c. Jackson, Dean of Stat
Normal College, who is also an al
teacher by profession, elected Dean c
the school and he selected his facult
of seven. A study was made of tn
plan of organization and conduct
other training schools in other par
of the country and a plan worked OF
adapted TO local requirements.
The Plan.
a council Of represents
tives from each Sunday school in tf
city determines the general plan an
policy Of the school. The counc
meets at least four times a year. TT
executive control Of the school is yes
ed in the central committee of. fi'
members, the officers n the facul
being ex-officio members of this con
mittee. The purpose OF the school
to train Sunday school teachers al
officers for more efficient service, al
it may be defined as a night school
religious education, with rigid r
quirements Of study, recitation al
examination, with a three yea
course of study for two terms of ea'
year. The spring term embraces t,
months of February, March and APP
the fall term, October, November, a.
december. A certificate is issued u
on the completion of the york of a.
term m a seal attached to the &C
tifcate for each successive term col
pleted.
\ diploma is awarded upon t
completion of the three years cour
The requirements for certificate
diploma are IS per cent attendar
and satisfactory evidence of prof
lency TO instructor. Attendance m
he made up by examination o"
such other tests as the instructor NJ
require. The expenses of the sch'
are defraYed by an enrolment fee