The Church Manual (Church of the Brethren)/Chapter 14
CHAPTER XIV.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
How to Organize.— As Sunday-schools have been sanctioned by our Annual Conference and are believed to be promotive of good, when properly conducted, it is desirable that where such schools are organized, it be done as nearly as possible in the same manner, that there may be a general uniformity throughout the Brotherhood. To accomplish this end, and for the accommodation of those who desire information, the following form is submitted:
Art. 1. — This organization shall be called the—Sunday-school.
Art. 2. — It shall consist of a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, Librarian, Treasurer, and as many teachers and scholars as may be enrolled on its books.
Art. 3. — The officers shall be elected yearly, on the—day of—, and shall hold office one year, or till a re-election.
Art. 4. — It shall be opened at—o'clock, promptly, and the sessions continue one hour—and minutes.
Art. 5. — It shall be the duty of the superintendent to punctually open and close the sessions of the school, and preserve strict order; preside at the teachers' meetings, consult, encourage and aid the teachers, and direct the general affairs of the school.
Art. 6. — It shall be the duty of the assistant super-intendent to aid the superintendent in his duties, and officiate in his absence.
Art. 7. — The duties of the secretary shall be to record the proceedings of the school, attend to correspondence, and all matters belonging to his office.
Art. 8. — It shall be the duty of the treasurer to take charge of all funds collected or received for the use of the school, and to pay all orders granted by the school, as made out and signed by the secretary.
Art. 9. — The duties of the librarian shall be to have charge of the library, distribute books, charging the same to teachers and scholars, and prevent the abuse or loss of books.
Art. 10. — It shall be the duty of the teachers to prepare themselves thoroughly for their work; be regular and punctual in their attendance; maintain order in their respective classes; prevent unnecessary going out of doors during school; visit their scholars regularly, and especially when they have been sick or absent from school; attend the teachers' meetings and prayer-meetings; provide substitutes, or at least give the superintendent due notice, in case of unavoidable absence; and co-operate with the officers in all measures for the promotion of the good of the Sunday-school.
Art. 11. — This constitution may be amended or changed at the regular teachers' meeting, by a two-thirds vote, notice having been given at the two meetings previous.
The initiatory steps to be taken in organizing a Sabbath-school are:
1. Present the matter to the church and get its sanction. After this is done a meeting should be called for the purpose of organizing. This meeting can organize by electing a temporary moderator and clerk, which is generally done by some one making a nomination and taking the vote of the meeting. In this case, the one that makes the nomination calls for the vote. The moderator then takes the chair, after which the secretary is elected, when the meeting is declared ready for business. The first business in order will be to determine wheth- er or not the school shall be opened, and the time of opening.
2. Submit the constitution, which should be previously prepared, and can be changed or amended until it is satisfactory to the meeting, when it can be adopted by motion and vote.
3. The election of officers. These elections are best made by ballot, thus obtaining the expressed choice of the meeting, and those who are most interested in the success of the school. In the selection of officers, character, competency, and interest in the work should be of primary consideration.
4. The appointment of teachers. This should be done by the superintendent, in connection with the other official members of the school, and with great care, as the real success of the school depends largely on the kind of teaching done.
5. Determine on the books and papers needed to conduct the school successfully, and how the money that will be needed to pay for them shall be secured.
How Conducted.— These, meetings should be opened and closed about the same as other religious meetings,—by singing, reading of Scripture, and prayer. These services should be conducted by the superintendent, or any one that he may name. It is best to read the chapter containing the lesson. After the opening, the teachers take charge of their classes, and continue the lesson such length of time as may be decided upon by the school. After the lesson is done, the school again assembles, and a short talk may be given to the children by the superintendent or any one whom he may appoint. This should be a review of the lesson and made so simple that all can understand and be interested in what is said. The school is then closed by singing and prayer.