Page:The Elementary Worker and his Work.djvu/22

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THE GRADED SUNDAY-SCHOOL
17

How important, in view of the light shed in recent years upon the period of adolescence, that the teacher who is to be entrusted with the moral and religious guidance of young people of this age have an intimate acquaintanceship with the most important literature on the subject—such an acquaintanceship as can only be attained by giving exclusive attention to this one department! The age is by common consent difficult to deal with. How important, again, that man who has come through experience to understand and sympathize with adolescent boys, and has attained power to lead and mold them, be allowed the opportunity to exercise continuously this much needed ministry!

Adequate Building and Equipment to be Provided4. The best possible facilities and equipment should be provided. Altogether too little attention has been paid in the past to adequate facilities for the work of the Sunday-school. In plans of architects and committees, the requirements of the Sunday-school have been ignored or given, at the best, slight consideration. Along with increased interest in the Sunday-school and improved methods must go better facilities and more complete equipment. Sunday-school workers themselves have a right to be heard upon this subject, and should insist on the Sunday-school being provided for in accord with its importance to the Church and the kingdom. Some large Sunday-schools now have a building all their own, especially designed for Sunday-school work and elaborately equipped. This is as it should be. No longer should any Sunday-school be compelled to carry on its work in one room of a large church, and that a dark, damp, illy furnished basement.

Careful consideration should be paid to securing graded equipment, proper text-books in sufficient number, and teachers who have been prepared for their work. It would be unwise for any school to endeavor to introduce a graded curriculum without attention being paid to these essentials.