Evening journal., 1923-01-06
METHODISTSFOR
SCHOOL religion
Speakers Say Vocational
Bible Study Has Come
to Stay
5 MILLION STUDY
EVERY SABBATH

sunday ScnoOi w oIhtis OF the EaoA-
ern Region OF the United States. In
the Hotel DUPONT, opened this morn
ing, with the Rev. Lawrence Pitt, OF
the New Jersey Conference. conduct
ing devotions. Teacher Training, %
was the topic discussed by the Rev,
Roger Albright, superintendent OF
elementary work. following the devo-
tions. For nearly an hour Or. Al
bright emphasized the benefits de-
rived through teachers OF the Sun
day schools taking a regular course
OF training, fitting themselves for
the tasks now confronting teachers
OF Sunday schools.
DR.. Albright in substance said:
Let US look AZ the conference
board from the angle Of the discip-
line. In paragraph 472 we read. II
shall be the duty Of each Annual
Conference TO organize a Confer
ence Board Of Sunday Schools .
The Conference Board shall be aux
iliary TO the General Board OF sun
day schools Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. and shall have over
sight OF the Sunday school interests
OF the conference, and shall CO.
operate with the general board in
promoting the Sunday school work
OF the conference and OF the de-
nomination at large. Notice these
two phrases-Shail have oversight
Of the Sunday school interests Of the
conference and shall cooperate
with the General Board in pro-
noting its work What IS the pur-
pose OF the General Board para
graph 46s says, For the moral and
religious instruction OF our children
and for the promotion OF Bible
knowledge among all our people,
there shall be q Board OF Sunday
schools. The discipline then men
tions specific duties entrusted 10
said board such as the establish
ment and caring for needy Sunday
schools. educate the church upon
all phases OF Sunday school work,
determine the Sunday school curri-
culum, including courses for train
ing teachers, also 10 recomend the
kind OF literature that shall be need
ed for use IN the Sunday school,
promote the organizations OF mems
Bible classes. brotherhoods and
kindred organizations.
The discipline provides for:
The holding OF Sunday school
institutes and other meetings OF
Sunday school workers
The presentation OF require
ments for Methodist Episcopal Sun
day schools.
'-rhe recomm endation OF lesson
helps authorized by the general con-
ference.
The distribution OF literature Is
sued by the board OF Sunday schools
and the Methodist book concern.
The stimulation OF effective Sun
day school organization, instruction
and equipm snt.
The promotion Of Sunday school
growth and extension.
The encouragement OF wise
plans FOR evangelistic efforts IN the (
Sunday school
The promotion OF the hnancisl |
interests Of the general board Of |
Sunday schools.
ITO make an annual report OF /
the Sunday school conditions and |
programs 20 the annual conference /
and corresponding secretary OF the /
board OF Sunday schools taking the I
place OF the committee on Sunday /
schools.
Thus we see that while the Con-
ference Board ie formed 20 be in es-
sence the General Board within the
local conference working under the
supervision OF the General Board, /
the discipline provides specific tasks
10 be taken hold OF within the an
nual conference"
The New Sunday School Coun-
cil," was the topic next considered
IN a general discussion. led by DR..
staley F. Davis DR.. James V.
also discussed the sub
iect. DR.. Davis said:
The chief business OF the exten-
sion work Of the Board OF Sunday
schools IS to help local churches
build up a modern and complete
program OF religious education.
While utilizing all such methods as
Institutions, Training Conferences,
and Summer Schools. the most sig
nlhcaut work is done in direct con-
act with the local field. In some
eases the field worker OF the Board
N Sunday schools is a real mission
ary. starting a Sunday school where ,
here has been no religious oppor- ,
unity. Not less than 95 per cent.
of all the 29.420 Methodist Episcopal /
Churches began as Sunday schools. I
A Home Department organized in a /
og cabin in the mountains OF oregon I
becomes a church. I
"A Sunday school started in
nome In Montana offers the only 8
Worship opportunity for a large ter Q
1tory and the group builds a church .
4 Sunday school Is started in a tent 4
n a new frontier town and in one ,
eason the people build and pay for
$4,000 church. Within a few
niles OF New York City a rapidly
suburb IS discovered with /,
.ut adequate church facilities. A
Methodist family is found and !
sunday school is opened. In less
han a year a portable church Duiid- /,
ng Is erected on an ample lot and =
part time preacher appointed.
Within a hundred miles Of New York II
village Of 400 people was found I
With three church buildings, bud :
My one regular worship service and i
o Sunday school. The circuit rider
assisted in getting a group togeth-
r to start a Sunday school. Not n
ne of the volunteer teachers Is a 4
fethodist. but that makes no differ c
nee. These hold inetheir hands K
ne spiritual hope OF that commun- Y
y" n
,,, h