LOCAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS: PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR GREATER EFFICIENCY AND USEFULNESS. BY WILLIAM HIGGS. Substance of a Paper read at the Good Friday Conference , held at Gloucester , March 23rd, 1883. JTonbon : SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, 56, OLD BAILEY. PR^CFIC^Ii jSfIGGEJ5¥I0KS TO MCflli ,Sa]MD7IY gCJiOOLi (IKIO.MS. HE London Sunday School Union, which was originated 80 years ago, is now the centre, round which revolves more than 200 Lo cal Unio ns. Each of these con- sists, as "you know, of a group of schools, more or less numerous, according to locality and circumstances. Our meeting to-day embraces a district containing, I believe, ten of these local Unions, having in their care over 200 Sunday Schools. The character and utility of local Unions everywhere are exceedingly variable. Some of them are well directed, and of great service ; others appear capable of great improvement. From those that flourish and fuldl the purpose of their establishment, I wish to borrow examples and illustrations of what others may be- come. We must not forget, too, that we have reached a new era in educational enterprise. A comprehensive and costly system of national education has to be taken into account. There is also a great competition among rival representatives of religious associations to obtain a per- 4 manent hold on the intelligent youth of our country. It is only by zealous combination that any party can hold their own or realise success. Sociality;' intercourse, mutual help — always more available to the many than to the few— are the aim and objects of the Sunday School Union. To promote and direct, if I may, this unity of effort is what I attempt by my present suggestions. Now, life and growth, in every institution, depend on well-directed activity and prudent organisation. I. My first suggestion is that a reconstruction, (or, at the least, an addition ) is necessary in some of our Local Committees of Management. We may judge from results. An institution cannot be expected to rise above the ideal of those who guide it. It becomes just what its directors make it. In the hands of those who, from no fault of their own, have never known and do not conceive of the capability of great service there is in a Sunday School Union, it may drag out its lethargic life at some low level of comparative inutility, and have, in fact, “ a name to live,” and little more. To-day, even the most efficient of our Unions are finding in the rivalry of com- petition, in the increase of population, and in the advance of general and even of juvenile knowledge, more to do than they have previously contemplated, and they can see that if they are to maintain their superiority they must seek additional strength in their management. I do not suggest that either the men or the method hitherto accepted in our committee should be superseded, I ask only that they should be supplemented. (1) For example, the churches and congregations, whose schools aie included in any Union, should do more than look on approvingly. Not the minister alone, but at least one or two representative persons from the church and congregation should be annually selected and openly appointed to join the committee. If at the time of such election a few explanatory remarks were made it would certainly add to the general interest of the appointment, and show the purpose of the institution they were about to serve. It is clearly the duty and interest of each church to influence and direct the growth of every institution with which it stands connected, in 5 the sucoess or decay of which its own existence and progress are associated. The Sunday School Union is a co- operatire society in which every church should have a share, and from which its members may derive profit, for whatever improves the teachers benefits the school ; and their relation to the church is obvious. (2) Then if such variety of work as we contem- plate is to be done sub-committees will be necessary, and the general committee should have, and from time to time should use, their power to make an addition to their numbers. Just as a manufacturer finds division of labour economical and prudent ; and as almost every representative institution, either political, municipal, or educational, finds it indispensable to entrust special duties to a competent few, so has it been found quite necessary in the work of an active Sunday School Union to follow the same course. The responsibilities of the London Sunday School Union are, I believe, divided among not less than sixteen sub-committees. (3) Every Union of conspicuous value has good secretarial power. The services of three, and even of four, intelligent men are usually required. This is distinctly recognized by the Parent Society who, in an excellent tract entitled, “ Local Sunday School Unions, their advantages, &e.,” defines the duties for which the corresponding, minute, and financial secre- taries are responsible. Too much depends on a secretary for any one person, if he be a man of business, to under- take, A neighbouring secretary, of distinguished character for intelligence, writes : “ The truth is, I am almost knocked over with so much to do.” I think it would not be difficult to show that a Union has rarely, or never, fallen into decay except from a lack of secre- tarial power. An assistant-secretary is not enough ; he is but the echo of his senior — he has no responsibility. Then, it must be a great support and assistance to secre- taries to have as President a gentleman who has much time at his disposal, which a minister has not. Our ministers are always ready to do what they can. But it is a cruel compliment to a minister to lay the burden of this office on his shoulders. I believe that Bristol. Brighton, Birmingham, and every large Union, to say nothing of several smaller ones, have more consideration 6 for their ministers than to impose the duties of this onerous office upon them. [See Appendix.] II. My next suggestion relates to the Area and Extent of our Unions. A local Union should cover all the ground, in every direction, up to the point at which it reaches another Union, and should embrace at least every Nonconformist Sunday School within these limits. Distant schools, those struggling for existence in villages with very few resident teachers, must of necessity be weak, and much in need of help and sympathy. I can recall such schools (not Wesleyan) that have now ceased to be, probably from lack of assistance. Most of the village schools — not Church of England schools — are now probably in the care of Wesleyans, but there is a great mistake prevalent in some places, that because the Wesleyans have, what I believe to be a very good and prudent association of their own — a connexional Union for the supply of their own books, and for the exercise of judicious care and oversight over their scholars — that Wesleyans are not desirous of joining in our more com- prehensive Union ; I am well assured that this is a mistake. III. Closely allied to the extension of a Union comes the very important subject of Periodical Visitation. This I have ascertained to be greatly neglected and even mis- understood in some neighbouring Unions. It does not mean a merely complimentary call, supplemented by an address to teachers and scholars, but a close yet kindly enquiry and inspection of all that is important and interesting in the operations of the school. I can now only touch the fringe of the subject. Four years ago, all the time of an afternoon conference was given to it in London. The gentleman who introduced the topic spoke of it is one of great importance, but a delicate matter. “ Visitation,” he said, ‘ ‘ does not, and must not, affect a school’s inde- pendence ; the teachers and officers must be made to feel that a visitor does not come to spy out the nakedness of the land, or to obtrude his private views or ideas, but to help and encourage, to listen 7 as well as to speak, to learn as well as to suggest. " But we have at han<}, indeed in our midst, as good examples of this branch' of Union work as any place in England, probably, can produce. I am acquainted with and have read the'Stroud visitor’s reports for some seven years past with uncommon interest. The merest fragments cannot fail to show the importance of his work. I take a few lines here and there : — There are 32 schools in the Union. Each receives at least one visit annually. The visitor assumes no authority. His business is to note and suggest — to encourage rather than to expose or dis- hearten. He gives no notice of his coming ; they are all surprise visits, but I have, he reports, “been received with unvarying kindness.” He took note of the character of the school and class rooms, examined the registers of admission and attendance, and found that some schools had none — examined the scholars and teachers’ libraries — some had no library, some were worn to tatters — enquired as to prayer meetings, as to visit- ing absent scholars — as to the use of uniform lessons, and as to the distribution of rewards — found some defects in every school, and, in some, methods and advantages which ought to be made general. He addressed the children when desired, sometimes con- ferred with the minister, superintendent and teachers, as to the state of their school, and the details of their work. Usually he wrote to the superintendents as to anything special. Well, now, what were the practical results of all this ? In the first year of his visits five school-rooms were enlarged or improved ; fourteen schools adopted new registers, seven opened new libraries, six teachers’ preparation classes were formed. In two following years eight new libraries were opened, others enlarged. An interest in teachers’ examinations was awakened, the subjects being Scripture history, Christian evidences, and the art of teaching. True, some schools took no steps towards improvement, but others gladly accepted advice in their work. My suggestion is to every Union committee, put this serious process in hand without delay ; and, if necessary, select a special or sub-committee to inaugurate the work; who may divide it among themselves, till some especially suitable visitor can be found. 8 TV. I advance to my next suggestion with faltering steps. Tt refers to what, for want of a more specific term, Imust call Mutual Improvement, a vagne term for a most comprehensive design. It involves all that for which other arrangements are but preliminary. Without this, the whole design is but a delusion, a mockery. The Sunday School Union has a broad platform. It has but rarely been covered. It embraces the children in our schools, but it regards also those who are growing out of and leaving the schools —and these are every year a larger number ; it aims to qualify teachers for their school work, and for other Christian work too. It seeks to bring into friendly association with the teachers and schools all the in’elligent people in our churches and congrega- tions, capable of service ; and above all, it invites the ministers, and makes arrangements by which to secure the full advantage of their co-operation. An excellent leaflet, issued by the Parent Society, headed. “ What good shall we get by joining the Sunday School Union ?" suggests, among other things, ‘Classes for Mutual Improvement : lectures (scientific, literary, and musical), conferences, discussions, and instructive and entertain- ing exercises, without assignable limit.’ A moment’s reflection will show that more than one or two special committees are indispensable for realising this design. It is nowhere impracticable, and may, in earnest hands, be made most profitable and delightful. The committee should find out especially what is doing in other places to hold together those young persons who are sure to be speedily scattered, if they are not held together by kindly, friendly, frequent opportunities of intercourse with their former teachers, companions, and friends A Congrega- tional minister, who devoted much thought and time to the young people of his congregation, has left this testi- mony, “ I have found these evenings so prolific of sugges- tion, as more than to repay me for the time deducted from what I might otherwise have spent in my study.” Of course he did. for he found out, from week to week, by this intercourse, what subjects to preach about, and so saved a lot of the time which preachers often lose, as 9 I am tol9, in making up their miodsas to next Sunday's text. I am extremely loth to leave this subject, because the immense advantages it may bring to young, middle aged, and old, are so clear and obvious, and the Sunday School Union offers so inviting a stage for the combina- tion of efforts required, that we abandon the best possible purposes of the Union if we do not realise what is thus so certainly within our power. This topic, from its supreme importance, I commend to your most serious considera- tion. I believe Young Men’s Literary Associations — which often fail from poverty of numbers, and the absence of any specific purpose beyond the information of their own minds — may be blended in the definite arrangements of the Sunday School Union, with a great and lasting advantage to themselves and their still younger friends. Y. To establish a Choral Association as a department of the Sunday School Union is a recent, but very pleasant design, but as it will need for its success the cordial co-operation of our choir leaders, if it is to be brought into harmonious action with our congregational choirs, it will require an organisation and oversight of its own. It will want its own committee of directors. Vocal music has been a leading feature of the Sunday School ever since the days when John Wesley wrote in his journal that he “never expected to hear anything more delightful than the voices of the children he had listened to, till he heard heavenly music in his Father’s house above.” Still, without some cultivation it is not always quite charming. Experiences of this sort, and some pleasant surprises on the other hand, have led to the 'thrmation of Sunday School Union Choral Associations. They can scarcely need a word of commendation. Vocal music is an instinct of childhood, as it is of “the life that warbles through the vernal wood.” Singing is a healthful, sanitary exercise. It will enliven even a poor fireside, and give a new charm to domestic life. It relieves the labour and monotony of a school, and may make a dry reading or a heavy lecture less intolerable. To read written music, and translate it into sound, is an exercise as intellectual as the interpretation and reading 10 of any spoken language. But above, and before all, it is a divinely sanctioned method of combining hearts and voices in the worship of the great Supreme. “Praise. the sweet exhalation of our joy that joy exalts.” Our increasing population, which brings some 3,000 new voices into the general chorus of Great Britain every day, seems to demand that those who are responsible for popular education should make vocal music a part of the general study. And since there is more scope for its frequent indulgence in religious gatherings than in any others, our Sunday Schools are specially called on to combine piety and praise. It is not yet sufficiently or systematically promoted. Some of our Unions, following the example of Birmingham, Brighton, and others, are taking it in hand. It may be made a source of almost unvarying pleasure. A few zealous teachers and con- ductors taking an hour of elementary practice for the young ones, followed by another hour for the advanced and educated members of the choir, will soon bring a brighter variety into the school, and into public worship too. Now and then a friendly comparison of one choir with another — called, if you will, a singing contest — and an occasional assembly of all our choirs in full force, will be a public proclamation of some living reality in our union, and prove a means of promoting sociality and good fellowship of which Christianity may not be ashamed. Elect your singing committee, and instruct them to give a respectful invitation to those most valu- able servants of our churches, the organists and leaders, to meet them for the purpose of considering the method to be adopted, and the work will be half done. Any outlay or expense at first will be easily met, and by-and- bye, a profitable result will repay you and leave a hand- some surplus for anv purpose you please. Happily, for our purpose, the National Board Schools are now required, and the teachers prompted by a reward, to teach children from infancy upwards to sing printed music at sight. Competent authority says : The next generation, as a whole, will be the possessors of one great soure3 of intellectual enjoyment, which hitherto has been denied except to very few.” Now I earnestly suggest to you to bear in mind that this coming chorus of educated vocalists will join some choral association, 11 either here or there, and if you wish to attract your share of them for the advantage of your own Christian communities, you will do wisely to institute and encourage the institution I now commend to your regard. Next, as to Printed Reports. An annual, if not a more frequent, report or record is now regarded as a necessary means of maintaining the interest felt in the work of vo untary institutions. Many of those I have lately received are very interesting and instructive. They, come, however, only from institutions having some vigor and activity in them. The indolent, cold, formal, and torpid either publish nothing, or deal in stale platitudes not more inviting to the mind than stale pastry to the palate. Let me assume that a Sunday School Union is in a condition of earnest self-denying activity. To such an one I would suggest that a frequent and honest record, such as in Birmingham and in Brighton is issued every three months, should be prepared and published at a very small cost, or the several Unions in a district like this may combine, and so the little messenger would engage a greater variety of talent and a larger constituency. It would be found to operate — 1st. As an encouragement to teachers. They will see that their work is regarded as worthy of present recognition and perpetual remembrance. 2nd. Such a record will instruct and guide others. My own personal knowledge of what is doing in other Unions — and may be done in all — is chiefly derived from such records. 3rd. Useful suggestions to teachers, and invitations to others to share in the work, may, in these home- written pages, be accepted with more interest than any appeal having a less local and more diffusive application. 4th. It may be freely and successfully used to adver- tise, and induce preparations for coming anniversaries and other advancing events of interest. It might save secretaries and others much personal trouble. 5th. It would give an opening for the exercise of local talent, such as occasionally discovers itself, but is too quickly lost sight of in our Literary and Mutual 12 Improvement Associations. A few pages should be reserved in each number for short articles, to be selected by the editors from papers written by the rising talent which certainly exists in every local Union ; and this method will not only add new interest to the work, it will stimulate the languid, may encourage timid pens, and prove of untold benefit to the many collateral institutions which stand connected in our common Christianity. And, 6thly, these records would certainly supply valuable historical reminiscences, such as our children’s children may delight to see and profit by reading ; a loving child will trace with pleasure the footsteps of his father and his mother, aye, and of his grandsire too, and be inspired with a new motive to follow where they trod. 7th. My last suggestion relates to Anniversaries. Nothing, perhaps, contributes more to the well-beiogof the Sunday School Union than its anniversaries. It should be noted that without an anniversary the Union is constitutionally dead ; it is an annual plant, its exis- tence is renewed from year to yeai by the election of a committee “ by and at the annual meeting.” Any essential change in its rules can only be made at an anniversary. But a Union anniversary differs in its objects from an ordinary Sunday School festival. This concerns itself chiefly with the children, and the collec- tion of funds for the support of the schools. The young ones are chiefly in our mind and are the principal figures; their presence, their singing, and the report given of their number and their necessities, are its leading features. The Union anniversary chiefly concerns the teachers and advanced youths. It makes little or no appeal for funds. Its general object II the promotion of intercourse and sociality ; it aims, in the most friendly form possible, to give and take counsel how best our teachers may qualify themselves for their work. To review the past, to mark success or failure, here and there ; to encourage devoted labourers, especially those who undertake the care of country schools ; to induce more cordial co-operation, and some- times to recall to memory a brother or sister whom death 13 has prematurely called away. These are usually the staple items of the reports produced and the speeches made. To call on any one man, however eloquent, to exhaust the time by a lecture or address is to subvert the very object of the anniversary. For every school should take its public part, and either read or hand in itsowm report. Every department should be reviewed and results re- corded. Ministers and officers should take friendly note of all that is said or resolved on. Churches and congre- gations should be appealed to for active service, and commiitee, sub-committees and officers openly elected. It should be held at a time likely to insure the largest possible attendance. A sub-committee should previously arrange and resolve on the best order of proceeding, so as to make every school in the Union, both large and small, interested in their association. Illustrations and examples of all this may be freely found in the printed reports of distant Unions. Grateful for 11 Life prolonged and health renewed,” I present this humble contribution of much thought and some experience to your candid consideration. 11 APPENDIX. The following are the extracts referred to in the paper : — SECRETARIES’ DEPARTMENT. Secretary for Minutes. To prepare and send all notices and summonses tor committee and general meetings ; to take notes of minutes at each meeting of the committee er society, and enter them regularly in the minute-book ; to see that all minutes are attended to ; to make the needful arrangements for all meetings of the committee and the society ; to prepare the quarterly and annual reports. Secretary for Correspondence and Statistics. To receive and answer all letters and communications ; to forward to the schools the blank forms for returns, whenever they are required to be filled up ; to receive and examine all the reports and returns ; to assist the minute secretary in the preparation of the quarterly and annual reports, as well as in any special business of a temporary character. Secretary for Finance. To take an account of all money paid in or collected at the various meetings, and pay the same to the treasurer ; to keep a copy of the treasurer’s account, and lay the same, with a statement of the balance, before the committee at each meeting ; to keep a copy of the donation and subscription account, and report at each meeting the particulars of subscriptions in arrear ; to propose new measures for the increase of the funds ; to apply to the committee for orders on the treasurer to pay any accounts when due, to attend the auditors, and prepare the abstract of the accounts for the annual meeting. 15 WHAT GOOD SHALL WE GET BY Joining the Sunday School Union? I. We can meet our brethren connected with the neighbouring Schools for mutual counsel, encouragement, aud united prayer. II. By Conferences, Lectures, Discussions, and Classes for mutual improvement, we can increase our qualification for the work of teaching. III. By Deputations from the Sunday School Union Committee which are occasionally sent to attend meetings of local Unions, the experience of some ot the best and most successful teachers can be made available, and early information of improvement in Sunday School management, modes of teaching, and general arrangements can be received. IV. Grants ot Money may be obtained towards the erection of class Rooms, and supply of School requisites for new Schools at one fourth the retail price. V. Libraries for Teachers and Books for Normal Classes may be purchased at half-price. VI. Libraries for Scholars may be obtained at a reduced rate (to Schools which have had no previous grant at one-third, aud in other cases at one-half the retail prices, or one-third if books published by the Sunday School Union.) Good and attractive books to the value of over £2,000 are supplied annually to about 500 Schools. VII. The benefits of Examinations of Teachers and Scholars may be secured. These Examinations, at which prizes of books and cer- tificates of merit are awarded to the successful candidates, are found to be largely helpful in inducing habits of study, and in pro- moting the mental improvements of those engaged in them. (For particulars, see “The Sunday School Teacher,” published monthly, and “The Sunday School Chronicle,” published weekly.) VIII. Arrangement may be made for the Entertainment and Instruction of the Scholars by means of Dissolving Views, &c., also for Senior Scholars’ and Bands of H