Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1928 - Rparchives.org

52 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE .__
The increased attendance in the higher grades during recent
years, has greatly added to the work of Miss Fowler in
the sewing and cooking departments. She is using some of the
more capable and reliable girls to help take care of groups of
girls in sewing and so has been able to give training to all from
the 6th grade and up.
In the Home department the work has been carried on
very efficiently under the direction of Mrs. Robb. As heretofore
the Reading room has been kept open, and the boys and
girls have shown a greatly increased interest in reading the
books and magazines available. This taste for reading has been
acquired gradually during the years the Library and Reading
room have been open. Nearly $300 was expended this last
year for books and magazines in this department. The Mothers'
organization celebrated their eighth anniversary with a special
meeting, at which a number of the mothers testified to the
benefit that had come to their homes thru the activities in
their behalf. Mrs. Robb writes, "There is nothing this race
needs more than better homes, and we are gratified to know
that at least some good has been accomplished along this
line."
The work of this department also includes many visits to
the homes, the reading of scripture, gospel talks, prayer, calls
upon the "shut-in" and prayer services Sabbath afternoons.
Miss Jennie Ferguson, of Hopkinton, Iowa, joined Mrs.
Robb and Mrs. Senegal in this work about the first of the
year and has been laboring acceptably since. In pursuance of
a purpose declared to the Board more than a year ago, Mrs.
Robb has given up her work at Selma. We wish once more to
place on record our high appreciation of her splendid service
rendered thru quite a stretch of years. She will be greatly
missed especially in many homes of the colored people of
Selma.
Religious training has been carried on along the lines of
former years. In all the grades the International Sabbath
School Lesson is taught each week. In the four lower grades
the children commit to memory Brown's Children's Catechism
In grades four to six the Westminster Shorter Catechism is
memorized. In the higher grades a systematic study of the
Bible is given. In all the grades passages from the Bible are
memorized, from four to ten verses a week.
Evangelistic meetings were held in the school and in the
Congregation November 14 to 24. These were conducted bv
Rev. J. M. Johnston and Mr. R. A. M. Steele. During these
meetings the principles of Christian living were very clearly and
forcefully set before the pupils. Since Mr. Johnston's arrival
writes Prof. Mclsaac, "He has quite frequently given taiks in
Chapel, impressing upon the minds of the children the meaning
of the passage read m the devotional service and applying its
teaching to their lives. The lady teachers in the high school
have confronting the Kingston evangelistic At given the resigned much the time features pupils. attention of as the pastor Increasing of last the to of meeting the work. the moral emphasis Selma of and Synod, congregation. religious is being Rev. put problems Solomon upon He