The organization of a Sabbath-school, like any other work, requires some planning and forethought to be accomplished with any degree of success. If a few of those who contemplate joining in the Sabbath-school work, will meet a few days before the appointed time for organizing, and discuss the best plan of organization, the number of officers required, the course of study, and the best time for meetings, they will be prepared to shorten and greatly facilitate the work of organization. Little things, like the provision of paper and pencils for the balloting, will save annoying delays.
Let us take the position of spectators at the organization of a school in an old church of forty or fifty members, that has not had a school for years, but where some faithful brother has called attention to this long-neglected duty, and has secured a full attendance at this meeting for organization.
Of the forty church members present, fifteen are youth, and besides these there are twenty children, making, in all, sixty persons.
At the time appointed for the meeting to begin, some one rises and moves that Bro. A shall act as chairman; the motion is seconded, and the mover puts the question. If carried, Bro. A takes the chair, and after briefly stating the object of the meeting, he selects a hymn in which all can join, and opens the meeting by prayer, after which he states that the first business is the election of officers. And right here is where the delays begin. The diffidence of some and indifference of others often leave the business to drag until thirty minutes’ work has occupied one or two hours. Care should be taken that the children are not discouraged by a long and tedious method of election. Every person has the same right to speak and vote. In some cases the ladies are better prepared than the gentlemen to carry on the business of the meeting.
A nominating committee of three is needed to suggest the names of those best fitted to act as officers of the school. The appointment of this committee may be accomplished by the prompt nomination of a member and the vote of the house, or by a vote that the chairman shall appoint. Let no time be lost. If no one is prompt in the naming of three persons to form this committee, let some one move that the committee be appointed by the chairman. In choosing this committee, care should be taken to select persons well acquainted with all the church, and not to select those who may be needed as officers.
After the committee have withdrawn for consultation, remarks may be made by the older members on the aims and objects of the school. Part of the time may be spent in singing, or in talking to the children. Nothing will kill out the interest like a dead calm. Do not let the children wait in silent suspense for the return of the committee. During this time the chairman should see that ballots are provided for the election.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE.
The work of this committee during the next few minutes may do much to decide the future prosperity of the school. It is true that their suggestions may be disregarded or their decisions reversed, but this is an unfrequent occurrence; and therefore if these persons realize the importance of the Sabbath-school work, and select a superintendent who will have a zeal, earnestness, and perseverance in the work, one who has some aptness to teach, and who will be thorough in instruction and discipline, they will have done great service to the school by the selection, although their choice may not be a popular person, and their nomination is received with disappointment by the ambitious. But if the committee feel that they have an honor to bestow, and they therefore select the most influential man in the church, the one that has the largest farm, or the elder, simply because he is elder, regardless of qualification for, or interest in, the Sabbath-school work, they may have struck the most effective blow for the destruction of the school.
In the selection of the remaining officers, the one suggested as superintendent should be consulted; and in the selection of the assistant superintendent, the secretary, and the librarian (if one be needed), the aim should be the same: To secure men that fear God, that will exert a good influence in and out of the school, and men that have enough love for souls to work faithfully and perseveringly. Let it be borne in mind that the qualifications for a good elder or an efficient tract and missionary officer are not always the best qualifications for a successful Sabbath-school worker. In many places there are sisters who can better fill the offices of the school, and who will be better superintendents than any of the brethren in the church.
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Of the various plans for the election of officers, there is none so fair, so accurate, and so completely satisfactory to both scholars and officers, as an election by ballot. Upon paper each can write his choice of officers without calling especial attention to himself. Each one interested in the school, great and small, should vote. If the children who cannot write want to vote, let some one write for them.
If properly managed, the election need occupy only eight or ten minutes. In order that no time be lost, the chairman will have provided the ballots. Those about three inches square are the most convenient. After the report of the Nominating Committee, and the acceptance of the report, the chairman should name two persons to distribute, collect, and count the ballots. As soon as each individual has a ballot, the chairman again reads the nomination, and then each individual should write, 1. The name of the one that he chooses for superintendent; 2. Assistant superintendent; 3. Secretary; 4. Librarian. Let the ballots be quickly gathered, and in counting, let the straight tickets be first separated and counted. If they are a majority over all scattering votes, the election is clear. If desired, each name on the scattering votes can be counted up and the exact result of the election read. Should there be a failure to get a majority vote on the name for any office, let that office be balloted for again, those two being candidates who received the largest number of votes.
Supposing that an hour and a half is the limit of the time for this meeting, and that ten minutes were occupied in opening, ten in nomination, and ten in election, there are sixty minutes left for the classification of the school. The superintendent now takes charge of the school, and with the counsel and aid of his assistant at once proceeds to the work of division into classes, and the appointment of lessons.