The General Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 3, 1909

The General Conference

THIRTY-SEVENTH SESSION, MAY 13 TO JUNE 6

Departmental Meetings

Sabbath-School Department

Second Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.

ONE of the most important topics on the program came up for consideration in this session of the Sabbath-school council meetings. A paper entitled “The Sabbath-school Teacher’s Reading Course” was read by Miss Winnie P. Hunt, the Nebraska Sabbath-school secretary, and the discussion was led by Miss Ona M. Russell, the Southern New England secretary. Selections that were read from “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work” showing the need of specific training for Sabbath-school workers. Our Sabbath-schools will never accomplish the purpose of God in the salvation of souls until the Sabbath-school workers have learned how to study and how to teach. The teachers in many of our schools have had no special training in this work. They have taken it up in the fear of the Lord, without training, without definite help, and with only a burden for the work on their hearts.

Third Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.

The special topic for the day was the “Test Question Plan.” Mrs. Lee S. Wheeler, secretary of the Central New England Conference, read a valuable paper on the topic. In part she said:

“How like a bugbear to some people is the sound of ‘test,’ especially when applied to acquired knowledge, or rather, to knowledge not acquired. But it is a recognized necessity in all departments of learning to apply frequent tests to the pupils. These tests determine the student’s understanding, and also assist the instructor in ascertaining his weak points, so that he may receive proper help. The real test of the effectiveness of teaching lies in frequent reviews. “The test question plan, which has been introduced into some of our Sabbath-schools as a review of each quarter’s work, should be thoroughly tried. Those who introduce this plan should have confidence in the advantages to be gained by it. In the written reviews, mental concentration is necessary. In this work, we, as secretaries, must lead out; we must be able to show the people how to take advantage of proper methods; then this work will advance more rapidly.”

Miss Faye Eagle, the Oklahoma secretary, led in the discussion. She emphasized the need of presenting these tests in an attractive way, so they will not be dreaded or avoided. Others followed, relating helpful experiences. The consensus of opinion was in favor of a continuation of the plan of publishing the test questions in the Sabbath School Worker, perhaps making some of them shorter. It was urged that more definite plans be made for conducting these written reviews.

Fifth Meeting, May 24, 8 A. M.

THE regular topic of the day was “The Sabbath School Worker in Every School.” Miss Ella E. Merickel, the Sabbath-school secretary of Minnesota, presented a paper full of helpful suggestions:

“The Sabbath School Worker in every school is, no doubt, a problem that has caused much thought and anxiety to every secretary. If the officers and teachers in our Sabbath-schools can only be aroused to realize that there is help for them in the Worker, that they can get from no other source, and help that they must have in order to make the Sabbath-school what it really ought to be, it will not be a hard matter to get them to take the Worker.”

Mrs. Anna E. Rambo, from New Jersey, led the discussion, and spoke of the four ways which are commonly used by our secretaries to increase the Worker list: (1) A constant knowledge of the Worker list; (2) correspondence with Sabbath-school officers; (3) use of sample copies, leaflets, etc.; (4) attention to the value of the Worker at conventions and other meetings.

Miss Bessie E. Acton, from Ohio, attributed a great deal of the success in the schools to the helpful influence of the Worker. Through its influence the standard of qualifications of teachers is being raised.