Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-04-08
NEW MOVEMENT
ShTISF ACTORY At
BAPTIST CHURCH
GMeER CANVASS SUN
DAY AFTERNOON PROVED a
GREAT SUCCESS.
REPORTS MADE AT SUNDAY
NIGHT SERVICE WERE VERY
= GRATIFYING.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WCRk-THE
SCHOOL is GRADED.


The Every Member Canvass inaag-
urated by the First Baptist church
and carried into effect Sunday after
noon proved far greater success
than was anticipated by those under
taking the movement While it was
a foregone conclusion that the move
ment would not fail, its success was
so far beyond the expectations of the
members that great surprise was ex-
pressed when the result became
known
When Dr. Watts, Sunday school sec
rotary of Virginia, recently visited the
church, and spent few days conduct
ing a training school, he offered the
suggestion that the movement oe in
augurated His advice bore good
fruit, and it was decided to try the
plan. Twenty teams composed of 9
members each, were appointed, and
on last Friday night meeting was
held and instructions given. At the
morning service Sunday further in
ltructions were made and the work
tarted in the afternoon.
Letters explaining the increment,
we're mailed last week to all members,
md when the teams entered upon
heir duties Sunday afternoon they
experienced no difficulty in securing
lledges or contributions. In practi-
ally every instance the members re-
NAMED at home awaiting the visitors
md upon their appearance were cor
Tally greeted, and the pledges made
With alacrity and willingly Many
toubled their former pledges, others
increased theirs and all gave freely.
One captain reported that upon ar
living at home the family was alb
sent, but a note. had been left eX-
planning the cause and extending an
invitation to call again. In another
Instance one person not a member of
he church asked that he be permit.
ed to offer pledge, saying he at
ended the services and was so great
benefited he felt it his duty to con-
ribute toward the support of the
,hurch.
At the service Sunday night, the
rev. Smith called upon various cap
aims of the teams to tell their exper-
ences. All responded readily eX-
'ressing themselves as delighted with
heir visits, saying they We're warm
y received. that the manner in which
he members contributed or offered
pledges had been an inspiration to
hem and they believed that from ev-
Try viewpoint the canvass was a sue
cess. One captain said that within
wo hours time all of the finances for
he coming year had been provided
or.
Another movement inaugurated by
he church is that of a graded Sunday
ichool During the visit of Dr. Watts
was decided to take advanced
round in Sunday school work by care
ully grading the school. Under the
new arrangement there are classes
or all ages. Specially arranged ia
'les have been provided, and the pu-
ills are taught in the same way as
hose VINO attend the graded schools
examinations will be held, and those
worthy promoted to higher grades. In
his way no pupil is held back, but is
advanced as rapidly as possible.
This is the first time in the history
# Martinsburg churches that a Sun
lay school has been properly graded
md the work conducted on a high
lane of efficiency, and proves that
he superintendent teachers and 9TH
r officers are alive TO their duty and
tnxious to take first place in Sunday
| chool work in this section