The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-22
43 PER CENT OF
GHILDREN.NOTIN !.
sunday SCHOOLS
Work Of State Association
Reviewed by Walter
A. Snow

and youths Of West Virginia be-
tween the ages Of 8 and 20. were
not enrolled in any Sunday school
and therefore probably becoming
spiritual illlterates, Is fact made
ktiown by Walter A. Snow, gener-
IN secretary Of the West Virginia
Sunday School Association. Only
Eighteen and one-fourth per cent
ofsthe total population of the state
are members Of any Sunday school.
tbs better to put a fence at the
top OF de precipice than a hospital
u the bottom Of It." says Mr..
Snow quoting a statement made
BY former Governor John j. Con-
Wen IN indorsing the work of tho
association. Sunday schools arc
cheaper than iails and penltentlar-
Has $4,000 Members
The West Virginia Sunday
School Association Is an inter-
AFOREMENTIONED voluntary assocIa.
ton Of all Sunday school workers
IN West Virginia, numbering at
present. $1,000. 1t is represented
~ each county by county lasso-
ciahon. organized similar to the
state body. In each maglsterial
district, II is expected that a dis
trtct Organization will be formed
within Q short time. The West Viz.
gtnia association is. affiliated with
the International Sunday School
Association, made up of all asso-
citations Of the United States and
the provinces OF Canada, which, in
It's turn, Is auxiliary to the world
association.
u " thoroughly democratic.
Every Sunday school in West Vlr.
GINA Is a member Of the assocIa-
ton, either active or inactive.
There is no constitution bylaws,
creed or set. Of requirements for
membership for simply to be
Sunday school Is enough. Each
Sunday school is asked to send
delegates to the annual conven-
ton. This convention elects its of.
ficers and an executive committee.
which Is named by nominating
committee, appointed by the presi-
dent And as may be seen by the
roster OF officers. widely known
business and professional men
Throughout the state. representing
all sections and NIL denominations,
manage the affairs OF the associa.
ton
". D. Steel OF Charleston. presi-
dent OF the Sunday School assoeIa-
sgtlon Ii president Of the Chieftaln
manufacturing Co., G. %. Frum,
vice president, is a Beckley Mt
ttorney, John Il. Dickinson, OF
Charleston, is one OF the vice
presidents, and president of the
southern region, taking in large
nnmhersoR counties. ]. Il. Poland
OF Martinsburg, Is vice president
of the association and president of
the eastern region. The Rev. A. 4
a. Craig. Of Elkins is the fourth
vice president. and president of
the. northern region. Thomas j.
Davis, Of Harrlsville, secretary Of
the asoclatio3. Is the prosecuting
attorney Of .Hitchie county. Tho
Treasurer OF the association, z.
wv. James, and p. H. Koblegard,
chairman Of the business commit.
tee, are both OF Clarksburg, D. B.
Purfngton, LII. D., OF Morgantown,
chairmarl Of the executive commit
tees was at one time president,
lemeritus Of West Virginia Uniyer.
isity. Miss Kate Bolfe Abuey, d.
rector Of Bible study, is CT Char
leston.
First Met In 1880.
The first convention Of the West
Virginia association was held IN
Clarksburg, Juno 20 to "a, 1880
with tho Rev. j. s. Pomeroy, tho
Temporary president, but it was not
until a year later that the assocIa.
uon was officially organ!aCA
Since that time the organization
has had a continuous and harmon
sious existence. 1t was not until
the convention OF 1909 that n per-
5manent. secretary was employed NJ
I which time W.. c. Shafer took the
office. He was affiliated with the
! association as field and later gen.
!, eral secretary until his death in
!. 1903. From then until 1917 the OF.
SflceSwas held by Arthur F. Arnold,
when Mr. Snow took charge Of the
( work. in the state.
:. Unique In that It is the only or
e:auizaton in West Virginia which
represents all the Protestant
churches, the association cooper
ates with all denominations in an
effort to promote religious oduca-
I ton, All the Protestant churches
of the state, represented through
their Sunday school workers, are
gathered on this common platform
of Sunday school interests and It
has been found broad enough to
carry them all 1t is the only place
where all the churches are repres-
ented In assemblies regularly held,
covering the. entire state and en-.
gaging In a program OF active CO.
operative effort.