Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / Sept. 9, 1920, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN Of THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH NUMBER THIRTY-FIVE. CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA. THURSDAY, SEIT. 9, 1920. VOLUME FORTY-FOUR The'Pastor’s Duty to the Sunday School. (Read Before the Sunday School Convention at Mata wan, New Jer sey.) By Rev. I. Beecher Wallers? Trenton, N. 3. The Sunday School is a school. Its work is educational. We mean by ed ucation to think accurately and be have correctly—and if this definition is correct some of us pastors put ourselves in a very dim light, by get ting up to address the Sunday School by saying, we have not studied the lesson; especially so, where we have those who make up our Sunday Schools wh«v are attending the Pub lic Schools and in the advanced grades. This sort of an expression does not reflect upon the pastor only but has been very detrimental to many a tender mind. The strenu ousness with which we attack a task depends upon our conviction of its wor^-whileness^ and the pastor who has a low conception of the impor tance of the Sunday School job, has a first rate reason for his resigning from his position as leader and teach er of his flock. No person should ap preciate the importance of the Sunday School more than the jpastofr—be should fix his mind upon it, awaken his attention to its measure^ to its proportions and study it well. I do not feel, however^ that these are new truths of information I am imparting t the pastors and other members of this Convention; for I have no rev olutionary fad or theory to urge, and hence I make no claim of pointing out new duties—for the pastor’s duty to the Sunday School is as old as God’s word; when spoken on the Sea Ui 1 IJJcilao ' wy JCSUO TT uvu He pitched a church campaign with Peter, telling him to “Feed my 1 ambs.” The Bible is the chief text hook of the Sunday School. It is God’s won}' the record of His life with men, and His revelation of Himself to them; it shows us Jesus ; “the way and the life.” First the pastor should study and make ready to . go to his Sunday School just as much^ and more so, than he would prepare his sermon he is to deliver to his congregation. For the pupil is growing and devel oping; and as his life goes on, ex . perience widens^ powers mature, in stincts Hpen and petrify into habits; interest come and go: so it is the duty of the pastor to keep in mind Professor James’ striking statement of these facts and his conclusion that, “In all pedagogy the great thing is to strike the iron while hot^ and to seize the wave of the pupil’s in terest in each successive subject be fore the ebb has come.” The primary reason why so many of us have fail ed to discharge this duty is because we are not willing to pay the price_ we are unwilling to study and pre pare these lessons, therefore^ evade the Sunday School. We seem to for get that the special training of the young on the Lord’s Day in their spiritual and eternal interest is a grand branch of the work of the Church, and which requires careful • study and diligent efforts and is a subject which demands very interest from the pastor. The School cn Sunday as it was originally called bv which little chil dren of the neglected English pop ulations were taught in spelling reading and religious truth, has come to be a great and powerful factor in our social and Christian life. It is more comprehensive, and contains elements not dreamed of in the scheme of Mr. Raikes. Mr. Trumbull said: “that America has been prac tically saved to Christianity by the Sunday School.’’ If this statement is true? we can see that the duty of the pastor is far from being performed when he fails to be a leading factor in his Sunday School. The members of the Sunday School are eager to know the truth and susceptible to good impressions so that Jesus said: “of such is the kingdom of heaven.’’ To my mind the pastor’s personality is the great est factor in winning the scholar to Christ: for it must be the man back of tvhat he teaches and preaches that is going to count. It was the per sonality of Christ back of what he preached and taught that caused men to say: ‘‘Never a man spake as this man.” So if our personality is un selfish and consecrated, miracles of grace may be wrought; but if it is self-indulgent and untrue, it mus' answer for the spiritual death of Close whom it might have saved. As pastors We may know our botany, but our teaching is a failure if it does not lead to the “Rose of Sharon.” We may know our lessons in geolo gy, but the “Rock of Ages” is what we must have the children to know; We may tfnow our geography, but we must lead the children to know something about Bethlehem and lead them to Calvary. If as pastors we fail in this; if as pastors we do not allojv this to bring -us into the Sun day School—we need , to go .back and exclaim: “depart frofn me oh Lord for I am a sinful man.” There is a lesson in the story of the artist who painted the last Supper with such el egance of detail on the cup in the Master’s hand that is quite outshone the Master’s face: as pastors in the Sunday School, as well as in the con gregation it shall £ be the center of duty^ and this duty must bring us to the Sunday School each Sunday. The pastor must recognized as the highest officer of the Sunday School. He should sustain it and identify himself with it, and not merely pat ronize it with an air of superiority and condescension. (Continued to page 5) Shells From The Buckeye State. Some Rulings of our Presiding Offi cer. Friends and Subscribers To T‘e Star. Our Prospective Quad re n nium. By Rev. Jas. P. Foote. The Connectional Council just closed in Richmond, was one oi the most interesting and instructive that has been held. It was held at a season of the year when many pas tors are on their vacation, a part oi which they prefer to spend at the Council meeting, and this in a greal measure accounts for the great num bers present. In our Council Meet ings the procedures demand the at tention of the best minds of the Church and in the discussions and debates those present have the ad vantage the thoughts of the most fertile minds in the Church, on the Eench and from the ministerial ranks. It is therefore, no%nean thins to he present on such an occasion. It was said that this Council was noted for the many ruling's made by the Presiding Officer, many of which required quick perception and keen judgment, or the chairman would have been in a pitiable predicament It seems however, that the decisions were received with pretty general satisfaction. It is quite evident that our Zion has, and is making progress in a very rapid way^ and yet it is alleged that when it comes to the point where we are to decide for a truly “Bigger Church,” and adopt those things which make to the enlarge ment of the Church, cautiousness is used to a fault. The “Watchful wait ing” policy is good both in churct (Continued to page 5-)’ Organization and Plan of Evangelistic Campaigns. By Dr. LaFayette King. When Evangelistic services are held in a community they should be in no wise considered as a criticism of the pastor. They have been found to be a ne cessity. Every pastor quite under stands that people become accustom ed to his voice, attractive as it may be; also* to his metods? effective as they may have been in the past; and because of their familiarity ■with., his manner of thought and his way of working^ unconsciously the mes sage loses power with them. Before they realize it they have become in different; and this is fatal to the best interest Of the church. , Then, too, communities, sag, as dt individuals, and something more is required than the steady; faithful work of the pastor of the church. A new voiee arouses interest; a new method commands attention, and ' hen wisely conducted and carefully married, the evangelistic campaign certainly a blessing to the individ ual church and to the community. . ave certain things that ! should always be kept in mind. If an evangelist is called to lead the church forces he should certainly be jfully able to do the work. The evangelical denominations are ! more and more coming to look upon 1 <:he evangelist as a necessity. They are assisting in his training^ guarding him in his services, and strengthen ing him in his missioh. Again po evan campaign ik^rorth while if it disturbs too mueffHEhe regular lire of the church. lilt; puiJJU&t; ui i/amjjaisu 10 deepen the spirit of the church, caus ing her to be more aggressive, mak ing the work of the pastor easier, and calling to his assistance and sup port an additional number of men and women who will gladly follow his leadership. It is also to be remembered that evangelistic work, if it is to be per manently effective, should be simply an added emphasis given to the reg ular work of the church. Therefore it is not strange that some conservative ministers looK with a bit of suspicion on a move ment which is too sensational in its appeal^ too erratic in its methods and too unlike what is known as the real life of the church. Anything that decreases the respect for the true minister of the gospel and caus es them to feel that the church is not all she should be because hex methods in the past Have not been like those of the evangelistic cam paign is harmful rather than helpful to the community. There are ways of testing the gen iaeness of the evangelistic move ment. Does it honor Jesus Christ in both method and appeal? Does it magnify the office of the true min ister of the gospel so that when the meetings have closed he is strongei in the affections of the people than before? Does it properly represent the church of Jesus Christ in spirit and in power so that when the meet ing is over the people love the church better and long to do more for her? Deos it create a better spiritual atmosphere so that it is easier foi men to preach and easier for them tc work for Christ? Does it make it easier for men and women 'to live and more difficult foi them to do wrong? Does it plainly present Jesus Christ as the only Savior of men? If the evangelistic campaign can bear these tests^ then it is genuine and worth while. Any -pastor will do well to entei upon such a campaign, ^ and he has s right to expect from it a great bless ing. A principle which is well wortl considering is that the evangelisth oampagn should not interfere witl the life of the church, but quicken it; not make it more difficult for the pas tor to call his people together wh§r the meetings are over, but easier tc enlist them in permanent and con tinued service. Evangelistic meetings are on trial today. The methods of some evangelists are being severe ly censured. Some of these criticisms are just, others are unjust, but oul of the fire of criticism will come r better day for the better sort of evan gelists. If an evangelistic meeting is held then the most thorough prep aration possible should be made foi it. The measure of preparation will be the measure of blessing; and il should never be forgotten that pas tors will get out o.f the meeting whal they put into it, only with added in terest. God is willing to bless his jpeo pie. He is waiting to'pour out His Spirit upoh them. * Suggestions For the Work. There should be a determination tc have a better state of things in the community with God’s help. This is the best sign of an approaching awakening. The indications of God’s providence are sometimes so plair as to bring about a clear revealtior of His will. Sometimes by peculiar and alarm ing events, sometimes by the pres ence of great need, and ofter by the burden which so rests upon a few o1 God’s faithful ones that desire for s revival is really an agony of spirit When the wickedness of the wickec grieves, humbles and distresses Christians it is a real indication tha God’s Spirit is working. When there is a revival of the spirit af. prayer or the part of even a few we may make ready for a coming victory. . Another sign that a revival maj be expected is when the attentioi of the minister is especially directed (Continued to Page 8) A Pleasant Visit, A Great Church and A Great Pastor Mr. Editor: I am sending you this note to sa; that I visited John Wesley church ii Pittsburgh Pa.; on the 5th Sunda; in August. The pastor, Rev. G. W Gaines, had organized a city-wid< “Tag Day” for Saturday, August 28 His members went out on that dab and came in in the early afternooi and late evening and brought ii three thousand three hundred an< thirty-seven dollars and seventy cts (3,3337.70. It was a novel way of hav ing a rally in the late summer. Th< church has reached its greatest pro portions and is doing its share of th< city’s work, as well as its share o our denominational work. It is a rea inspiration to see Dr. Gaines and hi! people at work. On Sunday I spoke to'great audi ences that taxed the capacity of th< church while hundreds were turne< away. The Dr. must have a greater edi fice to hold his crowd? and he an< they are on the job to secure it. The church is alive on every sid< of itself and souls are being bon into the new life almost every Sun day. The church is one of the very fev (if any other has it) to have a poo for immersion baptism. The pasto: is strictly in his element when he ii helping men to be saved. He has s helpful wife who enters largely int< his work} and they both are happ: in prospect of the enlarged measure of work for God and humanity whei they enter into the proposed ne? building, which is bound to come. I was a real pleasure for me to hav< Summer School at Livingstone A Grand Success. ,1 - THE REGULAR SESSION OPENS SEPTEMBER 29. - The Summer School at Livingstone College has just closed a six week’s term that is generally regarded as the best in its history. The School represents both the County and State Summer Schools and is therefore regarded as one oi the leading Summer Schools of the State. Its support comes from the State and the seven Counties sur rounding Rowan. There were in at tendance 154 teachers. While the school is held primarily for the benefit of the teachers of the eight contributing counties^ there were present teachers from' twenty counties of North Carolina, besides three other states. The Superinten dents of the following Counties_ Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba? Cald well, Davidson; Iredell, Rowan and Stanley were enthusiastic in thei* support of the Summer School and urged their teachers to be present, Mrs. T. E. Johnson, Dr. N. C. New bold? Professor A. T. Allen^ of the State Board Examiners, Prof. R. S. Kizer, County Superintendent of Rowan, and Dr. D. C. Suggs, Summei School Director^ Constituted the Board of Directors that guided the Summer School to such $ successful end. The closing was signalized last Friday night by presenting a beauti ful Cantata entitled: ‘‘Pauline.” The cast of participants was made up of memDers 01 me summer scnooi, ami each individual presented his part in a very creditable manner. The play as a whole elicted very favorable com ment. The Summer School being over, President Suggs is proceeding with usual energy to make ready for the 1 opening of the regular session Wed nesday ? September 29.* From the applications already in hand, the attendance this year will be a record hreaker? both as to nura > bers of students and area of country i represented. Among the new attendants will be representatives from the Canal Zone Central America and South America, ; besides a number of States in the i Union hitherto unrepresented. 1 The reorganization of the literary ' work in all departments contemplates the strengthening of the courses ol . study, and the giving to the school ■ firmer hold on the confidence of the ! Academic organizations of the coun L try, as possessing merit worthy of every consideration. The opening too will take place • in the large auditorium which has 1 been in course of construction for 1 nearly two years. The large pipe or gan will be in place ready to peal I forth rythmic harmonies to the time of “Music in the Air.” •• The heating plants for Dodge and 1 Ballard Halls will also be in place with a number of additional comforts r hitherto not available. I Persons desiring to enter should ' write early to President D. C. Suggs, * Livingstone College^ Salisbury ? North 1 Carolina, for application blanks and strive to be present at the opening; ^ or very soon thereafter. 1 been there. ’ W. L. LEE, t t 450, Quincy St., ; Brooklyn, New York.
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 9, 1920, edition 1
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