General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

C. R. KING

My work in connection with the International Sabbath-School Association commenced in May, 1900. Since that time I have been trying to become acquainted with the work in all its different phases. GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.14

In harmony with the first resolution adopted at the last General Conference, we have endeavored, in all our correspondence, to keep before the schools the necessity for the study of the word of God as a means of salvation and of spiritual growth. As a help toward this study, we have published in the Sabbath-School Worker, and, later, in the Lesson Quarterly, programs to aid in the daily study of the Sabbath-school lessons in the home, changing these whenever a change in the lesson made it necessary GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.15

In these programs we have been careful to give attention to the children’s lessons, as the different subjects studied by the various members of the family suggest a danger that the children may be neglected. GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.16

The second resolution was in the interest of conventions and weekly teachers’ meetings. We have tried to encourage and help forward the work of conventions by assisting the State secretaries to arrange programs with practical and profitable subjects for discussion. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.1

We believe that no Sabbath-school can be truly successful without teachers’ meetings; and we also believe that officers and teachers in our Sabbath-schools should make a thorough study of their work. In addition to the Bible, the Lord has given us, as text-books in this work, “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work,” and the Sabbath-School Worker. In order to encourage the study of these, we have each month sent to the State secretaries a list of questions based upon “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work” and upon the Sabbath-School Worker. These were to be sent out to all the officers and teachers, and used in connection with the weekly teachers’ meetings. The majority of the associations are using them. As an illustration of the favor with which they are received, and the good which is being accomplished by them. I quote the following from the president of the Iowa Association: “We have not missed a month in sending out a list of these questions to all our schools. It has done more to help us get our teachers’ meeting established than anything else. Most of our schools now hold teachers’ meetings, many of them having begun since we have been following this plan.” GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.2

The Maine secretary writes: “I think here is increased interest in Sabbath-school work in our State, and among the schools that have been following the teachers’ study. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.3

This work has not been confined to this country. The secretary of the British Association writes that as a result of sending out these questions, several have ordered the Sabbath-School Worker, also “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work.” They are also being used and appreciated in the Victoria Association, and, as far as possible, in New Zealand. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.4

The work of many of the State associations is most satisfactory in its advancement. The California secretary writes: “We are having conventions in most of our schools twice a year, and the results show that great good is being accomplished by them. Many of our schools are following the teachers’ study, from which they seem to derive much benefit. A large number have also supplied themselves with kindergarten material, and are paying special attention to the children, both in the Sabbath-school classes and in holding children’s meetings. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.5

Montana, Indiana, and Pennsylvania have also given much attention to the holding of children’s meetings. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.6

The work in Ontario is opening up in a promising manner. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.7

We have received most encouraging reports from the work in Australia. Sister Farnsworth, the general Sabbath-school secretary for that field, writes that the experienced persons who were connected with the Sabbath-school work there in its early days have given a good mold to it, so that it now compares very favorably with that in most of the States in America. She also speaks of the Sabbath-school at Cooranbong as being as nearly a model school as any that she ever attended. All the secretaries of the different associations in that field who have reported seem to be doing a a noble work, and give pleasing accounts of the advancement of the cause. There seems to be an urgent call from this field for more help for the Sabbath-school work, as those now engaged in it are burdened with other work. Since last General Conference, four new associations have been formed in that field. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.8

The secretary of the British Association has been making a special effort to increase the circulation of the Sabbath-School Worker, and reports some degree of success. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.9

The schools in Denmark are using the lessons published in Our Little Friend. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.10

The West Indian secretary reports a membership of eight hundred and one. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.11

The secretary of the Brazil Association says: “The work in our field is still onward, and from many parts come calls for light. Last quarter three schools were organized, averaging about fifty members each. So we now have eighteen organized schools.” After speaking of a man and his wife, over fifty years of age, who took a three-days’ journey on mule back, over such a road as few of us know anything about, to attend a funeral, she says: “The people are hungry for a heart-satisfying religion. I hope there will be at least two good workers sent out to our field by this General Conference, so that there will not be so many burdens resting on the shoulders of one or two.” GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.12

We have sent out letters to the State secretaries each month, in which we have tried to keep before them the needs of the work. Since my connection with this association, we have published a new pamphlet of “Lessons for Children’s Meetings.” We have also supplied the schools with seven thousand Commandment Cards. A new series of lessons for the assistance of mothers and teachers of the youngest children has also been provided. These are published in Our Little Friend, and notes on them are given in the Sabbath-School Worker. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.13

In studying the field and its needs, it has seemed to me that the greatest hindrance to the advancement of the Sabbath-school work is that so many of the associations have for secretaries those who are already carrying as heavy a load as they are able to bear. Thus the Sabbath-school work takes second place, and can receive but a small part of the attention which its importance merits. In other cases the compensation allowed for this work is so slight that the secretary is forced to spend almost her entire time in other work in order to gain a livelihood. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.14

We hope that the time will soon come when the importance of this work will be more fully recognized, and thus it be given its proper place. GCB April 4, 1901, page 62.15

MRS. CARRIE R. KING.